Alyss tilted her head as she heard the voices in the tunnel, each with different tones and thoughts and motives. Tahan's words hung heavy in the air, a firm reminder that he was alive, awake, and aware- Derek reacted, his voice seeming to drift away. She watched his lips, but it was like she was trying to hear him from far away. His body posture and her focus on his lips helped her make out what he was saying, but the edges of her sight were blurring, darkening.
After a few seconds, everything was fine again, in time to hear Derek's final words against Tahan.
"This could benefit us," She spoke softly. "If he has any feelings towards us beyond what he's ordered to, he could help us. He could give us information about the church." She continued, looking to Derek, then to Corben.
That was about all she could offer, resuming her silence. Her mind wandered and for a moment, her eyes flicked to Malwin again, her lips pressing together in a thin line before she looked away, sheathing one of her daggers, freeing up a hand. Her thoughts were turning sour- but on the topic of the book resting on her bed. Surely there was something she missed, something still yet to be done. Frost laced over her lips, her breath came out in a visible fog until she wrapped the hood over her mouth and nose so that it wouldn't be noticed. It felt like she had nothing but ice inside her body, everything felt freezing.
Could she have not used the proper amount of each ingredient? She translated it herself as best she could, but Ulric had already transcribed it for her in notes fled between the pages, both of their translations matched up. Stil, maybe there was a mistake- perhaps she had read the inscriptions wrong... No...
It was no matter, she'd talk to Derek about it later if it got worse. He had damn-near thawed her that one time- this wouldn't phase him, would it?
But still, the worry remained branded into her skull. The fear. It was ok, this could be remedied- one or two drinks would make this all seem trivial, she was sure. Just get the edge off, calm down. Think clearly. Right now, she was ok, everything was just limited to her lips, and her internal temperature was a bit low, that could be fixed easily.
Her hand tightened on the dagger again. Tonight had to work in their favor. Luck wasn't one to deal them an easy hand, but still, they pulled through missions as best as possible. Her eyes moved to the trio again- Malwin, Derek, and Tahan- then swiftly she looked to Corben.
Her words about Tahan's use to them eerily brought back memories. She brought up a hand to wipe the sweat from her brow.
"We need him." Alyss spoke up, giving a glance to Malwin before she continued. "He may have had a hand in this- he could be a great help to us in this." She added, trying to find her words carefully.
What made her think that results would be better this time around? She didn't even know Tahan. Be that as it may, she didn't even really know Malwin, for what it was worth. She knew the body, not him, it wasn't him that she had...
She took a breath, calming herself. Getting upset was bound to only make her worse, and she didn't need any more problems right now. No, keep the frost and ice under control.
"Tahan has worked with us for a time, does that not mean anything? We know of him, perhaps not as well as others, but we are familiar to him. He is human under all that armor- if you cut him, he would bleed as any of us would bleed." She spoke, her eyes were cold, Emotions weren't hindering her choice this time at least. It was the truth. She believed that Tahan could be of use of them.
She felt hot- though she was sure that if anything, she should have felt cold... Instead she felt as though she was outside in the summer, her skin prickling against the harsh heat.
Perhaps, even in her efforts, she'd have to go to Malwin once more...
Results were lackluster and she needed a plan if hers failed. A frown crossed her features as she finally relented to her body, unwrapping her head. Her white hair spilled out, strands sticking to the sweat on her face. The frost had dissipated from her skin at least, and her breath was not fogging the air. She looked around slightly as she stowed the shawl, her sight settled on the poisoner.