The deep gnome has a frown etched across his face, sitting before a fire. Given himself a moment to relax since being brought to his saviors camp, he observes. He watches the vampire laugh all smugly with the devil, who’s just smiling fondly at the blood sucker. He sees the half elf snarl at the gith, who snarls back. He notices the wizard reading at his tent and absentmindedly casting small light spells for the tiefling who grabs at them like a cat.

He’s watching to keep his guard up. Yes, these people saved him. And yes they didn’t force him to come here. But Barcus has always been a bit cautious . Especially now… with the recent knowledge that Wulbren has been sent to Moonrise Towers. Also he feels kinda… mm… what’s a good way to describe how he’s feeling? Ambivalence, mostly. Confliction.

He’s happy to be rescued but annoyed at the same time. He should’ve been able to save himself. Fear for Wulbren’s safety, but also relief that he wasn’t at the forge for long. It was… painful.

He notices someone sit beside his 3’5 frame, the deep gnome jumping slightly. He was way too lost in his thoughts. Oh yeah. The leader of this little group of infected weirdos…

As they give him a plate of food, glancing around at his tiny fire, tiny tent, tiny everything… he mumbles.

“It’s good to see you. But I’ll have you know I don’t really need you here right now-“ the fiery little gnome mumbles. “I’m busy-“

No — not really. He was just sitting here. By himself. Far from the rest of the group but close enough where he was still in the campsite.

“I was thinking about how to save Wulbren-“ he mumbles as he sets the plate to the side, standing to start pacing. Even when he’s standing beside the sitting leader, he is barely any taller. “Maybe if you guys practiced your skills more before we got to moonrise? Carried more potions?”

And now he’s speaking to them and planning, after he told them to leave. That’s Barcus all right.