[Taking a good swig of the ithbank would likely alleviate the look of uncertainty that crossed her features for that moment. ...With a contortion of the face, more than likely. What could be said? It was cheap. Not good cheap, either. But it is effective. Which was the entire point.]

You'd do exactly as an ugly person would. Latch onto the nearest skull you can find, crack it open, and slurp.

[A wry smile follows, as his gaze moves to the side- to the cliffside. Hardly a helpful answer. Nor one distinctly requested, rhetorical as her question was. Yet it comes from a good place. Perhaps they were distinct opposites in the way of which they processed uncertainty. For Ara appears to be trying to help, even if what he says is quite biting.

But as she moves closer...]

The artifact is protecting us by affording us time. What we do with this gift... well. None can say we are not making steady progress through our options.

[That was what concerned him. The druids of the Emerald Grove being unable to do anything for them. The Githyanki (more violently) in a similar position. Even unconventional options such as a goblin priestess, a hag... led to nothing. Let alone Volo.]

At least our options are not wholly extinguished. Halsin seems somewhat certain Moonrise can offer some insight. So, all we can do is press ahead.

[And at that, he takes the bottle. Giving it another good, long swig. And a grimace.]

Saying that, I'm glad I met you as well. Survival doesn't even come into it for me... I think that without others, I would have cast something lethal on myself weeks ago.