Session 38

Elfinmon 24sth

they sleep in the tinyhut successfully and della asks if they can go a bit out of their way to check on their cabin! everyone agrees

on the way they find a single fucked up tree. it has tiny antlers sprouting where leaves should be and claw marks gouging the wood, some old but some new and distinctly different. vasi thinks the older ones are wolf claw marks, the newer possibly being bear. when the wind blows they notice talismens tied high up in the tree, this greatly bothers della as it's clear they believe no one or thing should be around to mount them. after debating for a long time, they decide to leave the wards be, although della isn't happy about it. the deeper they go the more signs of habitation they see, other wards, ash piles, things that della says shouldn't be there in their absence.

Finally Enoch starts asking about why Della was living by themselves in the middle of the woods. Della says in the most unconvincing tone that they just like to be alone! Ahaha! Solitude and all. Enoch straight up asks Eden in celestial if he should press the matter, and Eden explains vaguely that Della carries a burden that's difficult for them to talk about. He accepts this and doesn't press further.

They reach Della's cabin, and as they approach it they notice a stake with a wolf's head on it. The bluebells around the perimiter of the cabin clearly have been replaced as well. Della is shitting themselves as they sit outside the bluebell perimiter but send the rest of the party up to go knock on the door. The woman inside is an auntie named Alondra Byrd that Della knows. Realizing they recognize her, Della slinks out of their hiding spot. After introducing everyone Della asks about the wolf head, and she seems willing to elaborate, but invites them in first.

Alondra does pull Della aside to kind of scold her for growing slut weed. della asks about their parents, and she said that they're doing as alright as they can be. as for the wolf head, she explains that "odd folk" came into their town and started "running things". throwing out tradition, overruling the old in favor of their beliefs. she couldn't deal with it so she left. fifteen people came in total, only two who have family ties. della tries to press for more but she insists della needs to see for herself.