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The stone of the dungeon wall is rough and cold against Yasha’s back. Light is almost nonexistent down here - she can only see because of her darkvision. Not that there’s much to see in this small, squalid cell, with the pile of moldy hay nearby, and a small privy in the corner (which was a step up from a bucket - Yasha was surprised that the prisoners down here were offered such a luxury).
Yasha sighed and let her head roll languidly towards the door. Thick, heavy wood was reinforced by steel - even with her strength, Yasha couldn’t pry her way out of here. So here she would remain, for now.
Yasha wasn’t quite sure how long it had been, now, since she was captured and brought down here. A few weeks? She sighed. It felt like an eternity.
She missed Beau. Every night, she would close her eyes, and try to recall the feeling of the smaller woman wrapped in her arms, and the warmth of Beau’s gentle breath on her chest. How desperately Yasha yearned to simply press a kiss to the crown of Beau’s head.
Yasha perked up at the sounds of footsteps approaching, accompanied by a familiar clinking of keys. The footsteps stopped outside her cell, and the small window of her cell door slid open.
“Orphanmaker,” a deep, raspy voice growled. “It is time.”
Beau lowered her head and shrugged the hood further around her face. There already was a crowd gathering down below, she could see from the stairs that spiraled downwards, deep into the earth. At the bottom of the stairs, she stepped into a large, crowded room, the ceiling high above.
Gods, let her be here, Beau prayed. She never was the praying sort, but it had been weeks, and she was terrified of the state she would find Yasha in. Gods, let her at least find Yasha alive…
She growled angrily as someone jostled past her. They said something to her, but their words were slurred and unintelligible. Drunk, if the stench of stale beer was any indication. Beau just shook her head and moved about the room, squeezing past the people who were packing in.
Beau wasn’t sure what exactly was happening here. Some sort of entertainment, she knew, and from the whispers that made their way to her, she gathered that Yasha was the center of it. With her partner’s size and strength, she was guessing some sort of fighting ring. Not quite a pit fight, though. Instead of a pit, there was a raised platform - a stage - against one side of the room.
A bar was situated at the far end of the large chamber. Beau headed straight there, gently pushing her way through the crowd. The bartender came around to her after dealing with a few other patrons, brows raised in question.
“Ale…actually, can you do a Mai Tai?”
He blinked. “That’s…an unusual request but yeah, I think I can swing it.”
Beau turned around and put her back to the bar, elbows propped up on its top as she surveyed the room. It was getting packed very quickly. A chorus of cheers erupted. Beau stood on her toes to try to get a better view of what was happening.
The cheers slowly morphed into a chant - it took a moment for Beau to clearly hear the words.
“ Or-phan-mak-er! Or-phan-mak-er!”
Beau’s heart began to hammer in her chest. A head of white hair rose above the crowd, braided and beaded. Two familiar, mismatched eyes. A familiar chin stripe.
Tears began to prick at the corner of Beau’s eyes. Yasha. Her heart begged her to just rush forward, push her way through the crowd to her lover and wrap her arms around her, and pull that beautiful face in for a deep, passionate kiss. But she knew she couldn’t. The rest of the M9 were at the ready, prepared to put their rescue plan into action. Fjord, Jester and Caleb were in disguise, all , while Veth, Caduceus and Kingsley were keeping an eye on this up above, ready to swoop in to help if needed, or send a warning for anything else happening.
Beau shut her eyes and sucked in a deep, calming breath. Focus. Stick to the plan. That’s the best way to help Yasha.
The aasimar arrived up on stage while her name was chanted. She offered the crowd a smile. A smile that Beau was familiar with - the smile she gives when she’s “trying to people,” but is very much annoyed and not really wanting to deal with them.
Beau gulped as she watched more figures step up onto the stage with Yasha. They carried leather and wood cases with them, and began to set them down on different parts of the platform around Yasha. Beau’s heart thundered faster as they began to open the various cases and extract the contents. What were they going to do to her?
Her breath caught in her throat as she watched.
…and released as the items came into view… musical instruments?
Lutes, drums, a harp…which was immediately handed to Yasha.
Beau’s mind was spinning as it tried to piece together this bizarre new information.
Yasha gripped the harp and took a deep breath. As she exhaled, her fingers gently strummed across all the strings. The room fell silent as the notes flowed away from the harp.
Then, her fingers began to move fast, rapidly plucking at the strings. The crowd erupted in cheers once more as the lute, the drum, and the clarinet joined in. A song formed, fast paced and exciting with an angry edge to it. Similar to the music Yasha had played for Travelercon in Rumblecusp - very… unusual fare, but the crowd was energized. Yasha was certainly the center of attention here. Beau knew she must hate that.
The monk stood, mouth agape, and watched for about a minute. Yasha stepped forward - the crowd was screaming for her now - and her fingers began to move at a mind-boggling pace across the harp. Yasha’s muscles bulged and swelled as she played. Beau watched as a dwarf woman near the front put the back of her hand to her forehead and toppled over. She had fainted. She had literally fainted.
Yasha’s solo couldn’t have lasted more than a few seconds, really, but to Beau, it felt like a huge, grandiose portion of the song. The crowd roared as the song ended, screaming out for the Orphanmaker.
Beau, completely flabbergasted by what she had just witnessed, began to clap.
Uh, Beauregard? Caleb's voice said in her mind. What on Exandria is going on? Why is…Yasha playing music?
“ Shit, man ,” Beau replied, speaking quietly. “I am at a complete loss here. This is so not what I expected.”
Yasha began her next song, her eyes scanning across the room. Her gaze drifted over and past Beau, then snapped back to her as they widened in recognition.
Beau?!?! She mouthed.
Beau grinned and gave a very small, but very excited wave. Hi baby! She mouthed back.
Yasha just stared incredulously for a moment, her hands seemingly moving of their own accord as she continued the song.
… I’ve missed you.
Beau smiled warmly. I’ve missed you too. We’re here to rescue you!
Yasha frowned. What? Didn’t catch that.
Beau pointed to herself. I -
A nudge to the shoulder interrupted her. “Miss, your Mai Tai. Hope this works.”
“Oh, thanks,” she said. She gave a few silvers to the bartender.
Glancing back at Yasha, the woman was still watching her. Mai Tai? She mouthed.
Beau nodded.
Is it good?
Beau sipped, then gave a thumbs up. Yeah, actually, really good.
Jealous.
Beau sipped and pointed at herself. Okay. I -
Wait, Yasha interrupted. I have a solo.
Once more Yasha stopped forward to dazzle the audience with the deftness of her fingers. Beau was certainly no stranger to the impressiveness of Yasha’s musical prowess, but she always marveled at Yasha’s great display of skill. Again her muscles swelled with exertion, and once again the dwarf woman dramatically fainted [ really, lady? Beau thought with a roll of her eyes].When her solo concluded, Yasha’s eyes immediately sought out Beau again. The monk gave a thumbs up.
Hell yeah, babe, that was sick!
Thank you baby!
Beau pointed once again at herself and overexaggerated the movements of her mouth as she mouthed to Yasha. Okay - I am here to get you [Beau pointed at Yasha] out of here [ Beau pointed upwards].
Yasha nodded. Okay. Just you?
Beau shook her head. Fjord, Jester, and Caleb, too.
Yasha frowned. Who?
Beau set down her Mai Tai. Fjord [she mimed two tusks with her fingers], Jester, [she mimed painting with exaggerated swishy movements and playful swaying], and Caleb [Beau held out her left hand, palm up, with her right fingertips pinched together in the center of her palm, then raised her hand while opening her fingertips. She did this a few times to imitate flame as best as she could. She couldn’t help but make small fwoosh sounds imitating the sound of flame - not that Yasha could hear that].
The aasimar gave a slow, big nod. Ooooooooh. Fjord, Jester, and Caleb?
Beau grinned and gave her two big thumbs up. The rest are upstairs waiting, she said, pointing upwards.
Okay. What’s the plan?
Beau put both hands in front of her, as if signaling for someone to stop. Okay, she started. So, Fjord [Beau again mimed the tusks] is going to be creating [Beau waved her hands around as though casting a spell] a big monster [Beau curled two fingers and put them above her head like horns, then bared her teeth and chomped angrily at the air].
Oh okay, Yasha answered. Will -
She was interrupted by the drummer, who elbowed her. What are you doing? Beau read from the drummer’s lips.
Sorry, distracted by a cute girl over there, Yasha explained.
The drummer rolled his eyes. Please just focus.
Yasha ignored him and directed her attention back to Beau.
Will the monster hurt anyone?
Beau shook her head and waved her hands dismissively. No. She waved her hands loosely and lazily at the air. It's gonna be fake.
Oh, like one of those “image” spells he does?
Beau smiled and nodded.
What should I do?
When the crowd [Beau motioned to the audience] is scared [Beau put her hands up above her face, slightly crouched as she imitated a cowering, screaming person] and starts running [Beau pumped her arms back and forth as she mimed running], I [again she pointed at herself] will come [she raised a fist, extended two fingers downward to imitated walking] to you [Beau pointed at Yasha] . I have my cape [Beau pointed to the red cape wrapped around her shoulders], just stay put [Beau raised her hands and again motioned for Yasha to stop].
Yasha again nodded her understanding. Okay. I’ll wait here.
Beau gave her one more thumbs up.
Beau! It’s Jester. I’m in position. So is Fjord. Caleb too. Are you ready? Is Yasha? Did you talk to her? We're ready to go.
“Jester,” Beau answered. “Awesome. Talked to Yasha. We’re ready. Let’s do this.”
Suddenly, a giant white dragon appeared in the middle of the room, roaring and swiping threateningly at the crowd. Screams - fearful screams, not the excited, cheerful ones Yasha received.
As the crowd pushed for the exit, Beau swiped up her Mai Tai and took a big gulp (it was a shame she didn’t have time to finish it, really, it was quite good) and began to push her way through the crowd (actually, maybe she’d be able to finish it before she reached Yasha). It was difficult to force her way against the flow of people, but she managed to make her way through (and finished her drink on the way - she threw the empty glass at the wall, where it shattered to pieces).
A single leap easily got Beau onto the stage beside Yasha, the rest of the band long gone. Beau threw her arms around the woman, and for a fleeting moment, simply breathed her in and relished the joy of holding Yasha in her arms once more. That was short lived as she reached behind her for the corner of her cape and quickly wrapped it around themselves.
They were no longer in the large room, but a much smaller one upstairs, in he tower above this dungeon. Beau had been able to peek in here when she scoped it out a short time ago. She stepped back for a moment, simply looking the aasimar - still gripping the harp - up and down, then stood on her toes to bring their lips crashing together.
“ Beau…” Yasha breathed. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too. Let’s not stay long though. We’ll catch up on quality time later.”
Beau went to the window and pushed it open. She glanced down, and saw that Veth, Caduceus and Kinglsey were below. Veth looked up and saw her, then offered a wave. Beau gave her a thumbs up in return.
“Ok, Yasha - “
“Wait!” Yasha went to the desk in this room, and picked up a small chest on its surface, giving it a shake. Her grin widened.
“What’s that?” Beau asked.
“My earnings.” Yasha replied smugly. She turned to face Beau, tucking the chest under one arm with the harp under the other. “What now?”
“We jump,” Beau said, motioning to the window. “Veth has her featherfall spell ready. We should land softly.”
Beau went first, Yasha right behind her. As planned, Veth’s featherfall spell caught them midair, and they floated down to a gentle landing. Fjord, Caleb, and Jester appeared beside them moments later.
“Are we all ready?” Caleb asked.
Everyone offered their affirmation.
“Excellent. Let’s get Yasha home.”
That night, Yasha very happily held Beau in her arms once more.