Requiem for a Changing World

[Redshift]

The Drowned Hag​

Bran tensed a little at the offer, and especially at her odd head tilting. "Uh," he just about managed, as he tried to get his head around it. Ordinarily he'd reject such a request. It wasn't that it was unreasonable to want to look at something unusual to these lands - it was more how much Bran relied on it. The arm was an important part of how he interacted with the world around himself, as cheap as it was. And on top of that there was all the racket outside, and how uncomfortable he felt already with that... he locked his gaze with the strange woman, trying to gauge just how trustworthy she might be.

"Yeah," he added after his boss' interjection. "Ye asking a lot when I don't even know ye name." It occured to him that he hadn't told her his name either, but now it felt kind of awkward. "...Although ah guess that's all of us..."

He frowned, glancing at his cards. They did need that fourth player. The girl was the only one who showed any interest at all. Even if it was a means to her own ends. Urgh. He became fidgety. He shouldn't. He knew he shouldn't. Although could it really hurt? Well, it could. But would it? He scratched at the side of his face, and if someone were watching carefully they would see the scratch was a little more forceful than just an idle tic.

"Tell ye what," he sighed. "Ah'm Bran. See, it might be metal but this wee thing is still me arm. Ye can surely see how I dunnae wannae give it out to people I don't know. So ah ain't taking it off yet. Ye can look at it with me using it."

"But if ye beat me at this game, and whatever creature out there dunnae eat us all, ah'll let ye look at it properly." He sat back and locked his gaze with hers again, his posture slightly defensive. Man, this was a bad idea. "But ye better give it back the way ye got it, if I see anything as it shouldn't ye'll get it right between the eyes. And that's a promise."

He then picked up his own cards to glance at them, and for a split second the tiniest of grimaces could be seen gracing his scarred face. And just like that it was gone again. Les Rard required the players to make a chain of sorts with the highest value, while simultaniously saboutaging your opponent. Within the deck existed only a couple of cards which could protect a player from a saboutage attempt. Bran had none of these utility cards and a somewhat mediocre hand otherwise.

He could work with this, if luck was on his side. Maybe. He had committed. He took a drink.

@Warden @SilentxChaos @Fox of Hearts @Accelerator

 

[Rosé Moon]

The small creature's response to Aeor's movement to battle bewildered her. She had been so sure that the tiny blue creature had been being brave, and defying the monstrous beasts that had been previously pursuing them, but as soon as she'd picked the creature up, it had seemed to have been simply terrified. So, although the infernal-skinned creature had lost most of her war-earned respect for the small creature was gone, she now moved to defend it. The tiefling lowered her body, bent her knees and spread her weight across the boat before crossing her arms over her crown, effectively covering most of the carbuncle, as well as he horns as the boat began to speed up and leave the Agta behind.

Given the heat of the events, the Tiefling's strength became even more apparent. As Aeor rooted herself, the boat began to creak underneath her clawed feet. Wood splintered. and boards began to crack under her sheet power right up until the boat finally came to the other pier. As soon as it did, Aeor seemed ready to depart this group. Very carefully, and with a surprisingly kind hold, she removed the sea-rabbit from her head and set it back down upon the boat before she herself left the boat entirely.

It seemed Aeor now cared very little for the remains of the boat, because she now leapt from it with full force -- her claws digging into the already damaged wood around her feet before pushing up and away. The infernal popped out, and away, landing on the pier before turning to look at the party in the boat with a suspicious glance before then looking at the city before them.

Judging by the body posture of the crouching devil, the city made her very nervous. As the fearful 'condessa' might assume, Aeor was not all to fond of cities. God-loving men seemed to be quite fearful, and violent, of horned, red-skinned beings. Silently, she glared towards the city of Eastmire for a moment, before looking back at the inhabitants of the boat, and then back at the city. It seemed she was unsure being here was a great idea for her. It didn't even seem like she was sure the rest of them on the boat wouldn't attack her now that they weren't running from the mobile forest. Then her ember gaze well on the sea-rabbit again. This time, her eyes looked like something the Carbuncle might recognize -- cornered fear. Aeor felt cornered on this city-island, surrounded by the waters that separated her from the hostile forest. On the inside of those waters though, were only mysterious elements.

"Fr....iends?"

The Tiefling suddenly spoke, seeming skeptical of the ones still in the boat.

@Warden @Fox of Spades @Fox of Hearts​

 

[SilentxChaos]

Zenzi examined each man at the table carefully before deciding on an answer. To the one who identified himself 'Bran', she was inclined to like the most. He seemed open, and had not dragged her into this silly array of strangers like the old man did. The other one, sitting detached from their game and slightly behind Bran, as if placing the carrot-haired man between himself and the door, he was something else. Like her, he didn't fit in this dingy place of swamp and drink and natives.... and yet, his displacement were for reasons exact opposites of hers. Paradox, she thought was the term Liam would use. She was a Magical, and therefore belonged nowhere except for isolation. He didn't belong because his hair shined in the candlelight, his skin as white as a newborn egg, and he talked like the clients who wanted Zenzi to go crawl in the dirt so they didn't have to. He looked fit for a castle.

She detested him instantly.

Pushing her chair back, Zenzi propped her feet on the table, took the entire bottle of Yagg's, and took a swig. The drink hit her throat strong and hard. Not quite expecting it, she coughed and cleared her throat. The Yilani recovered quickly and finally addressed the table.

"Zenzi," she made a brief glance at the man with beetle black hair, then focused on Bran, "My name is Zenzi. What you say is sound and I accept those terms. There are no plans to take your metal limb from your eyes. Agree?"

She watched as he picked up his cards, noticing a twitch in his face. She picked up hers as well but didn't glance at them yet. Instead, she leaned forward with an outstretched arm, without her feet leaving the table. Zenzi held her hand to Bran, waiting for him to shake it.

@Redshift @Warden @Fox of Hearts

 

[Fox of Spades]

Collab by @Fox of Hearts and @Fox of Spades

Eastmire Pier: Aeor, Anais, Estefania, Faora and Vivi

Anais watched with wide-eyed wonder as the Tiefling launched herself out of the boat and onto the pier with ease. The wooden vessel had splintered underneath her weight and water was now seeping inside. "Uh, guys? If we don't leave ASAP we'll be sleeping with the fishes really, really soon."

The Agta and their sodden ship were very good reasons to book it. Without waiting another moment, Anais scooped the terrified sea bunny into her arms and began to - very ungracefully - clamber onto the pier. The horned woman was already a good few meters ahead of them.

"Aiyeeeeeee," Vi gurgled. Her arms waving in protest as the seaweed head hauled her up like a sack doll. The bunny jostled up and down in accordance to Anais' gait. It definitely wasn't the most comfortable position to be in but Vi didn't want to resist. She was worried about offending the woman. "You … it's okay, I think? The monsters are gone."

The quiet observations went unheard. Anais was too caught up in her own panic that she didn't notice Vi was talking to her. The mage continued running before she turned around and called out to the rest in the boat. "Faora, Condessa, come on!" She hopped from one foot to the other as she waited, her eyes flitting to Liam every now and then. Anais worried about him the least, noting that he was obviously the most competent person here. "There's a… wait," Anais narrowed her eyes. "There's a tavern over there. We can take shelter there."

The pyromancer started to run, easily catching up to the stationary horned woman. Like an insistent woodpecker, Anais began prodding and pushing the Tiefling across the pier. She trusted the condessa and Faora would catch up in no time.

Liam watched the fire mage sprinting at a breakneck pace with the bunny in her arms. Anais, in that sense, was bunny-like herself. Energetic, jittery and reactive. The higher mental faculties were neglected or absent. He couldn't be sure without further observation. At least, the woman had enough self-preservation instincts to head for a crowded place.

He swooped pass the boat to scoop up his backpack before landing gracefully into the pier. His wings folded together, reforming an elegant white cape over his robes. There was a slight parting in the back that accommodated his battle fan and later his backpack. Liam took extra pains to make sure his clothes were neat and crease-free before following behind Anais, Aeor and Vi at a leisurely pace.

"Eastmire is under the protection of the Crone," he remarked once he caught up with Estefania. He knew he didn't put in that much effort in doing so, which led him to conclude that there was a huge difference in their stride length. He couldn't help wondering if this was also due to their difference in height. Like Anais, he observed that this woman was on the petite side for her race.

"I don't think Miss Anais realised we passed through a barrier earlier. It keeps us safe from those outside but perhaps not those within. I heard rumours about snatch thieves working in syndicates here. I guess is a problem easily averted. Like dealing with hunger and the need for shelter."

And, that was the end of his cryptic warning. He didn't doubt Estefania's ability to look after herself. She seemed comfortable with the rapier round her waist. Yet, there was an air of … "innocence"? No, naivety was the word he was looking for. There was an air of naivety around her that suggested the blonde woman was new to travelling. Maybe not travelling per se but travelling by herself into places like Eastmire. He could be wrong, of course. If he were, he'd be more than happy to apologize and correct his assumption.

Vi tapped Anais' arm a little hard. "Miss! Miss Mage Anais," the rabbit croaked as loudly as her sore throat allowed her to. "The door. Be careful, please!"

Vivi's worries were for nothing, Anais opened the door with ease and disappeared inside the tavern. She was utterly oblivious to the fact that they were relatively safe. In her mind, the town was still in grave danger.

---

Inside the Drowned Hag

"The village is in danger! There are at least five giant tree monsters outside!"

A stunned silence filled the entire room. Cards, tankards and glasses remained gripped in meaty hands while heads covered with hair of varying thickness turned en masse towards the door. The blank faces turned into silent disapproval as soon as they noticed the frail looking girl standing in her doorway. They labelled her as some dumb girl and pet looking for her parent!

"Eh, who's brat is 'ere!" a ruddy faced man hollered, slamming his tankard onto the table. The contents sloshed down his hairy stumps. "Best get yer girl 'fore she runs off and do somethin'!"

Jeb dropped his cards quickly and headed towards the entrance. He knew Sam well. The man was drunk as ever and this could turn ugly fast. Not the best first impression for a visitor fresh off a boat and possibly the cause of the furor out there. "Easy there, Sam! She's with me. She and her friends. I promise them dinner, ya know?" he grinned. "Small payment for the info they bring me."

Gripping Anais' arm gently, he began moving her towards the rest of his group. Awkward as this felt, he was glad to see Mabel's girls running with it. Already a second table was being prepared right beside the first. Them ladies were a real lifesaver, he mused. He owed them a much larger tip.

"So missy, I guess I'll get ya dinner as promised. You and your friends," he spoke as he looked back to see more people entering the tavern. A horned Magical, a

noble looking woman and last of all a tall man with skin the color of snow. The latter he believed to be the fourth Magical he saw tonight. That pet rabbit in the girl's arm was sure to be a Magical too. Though, this would be the first time he'd see someone owning a pet Magical. How rich was this girl anyway? The Otherfolk were as rare as water in the sands of Lida.

"Wait, what? Dinner? No, listen to what I'm saying." Anais looked absolutely flabbergasted with the man's nonchalant response. "There are like FIVE of those things out there. If we don't leave they'll crush us. We came here to warn everyone and hide."

"Miss Mage Anais, we're safe. It's okay," Vi bluttered quickly. She had been trying to get her message across for so long that she couldn't bottle it in anymore. The offer for dinner went over her head completely. "We - "

Liam clapped Anais on her shoulder suddenly and interrupted both of women. "Dinner is appreciated," he accepted politely. "Please don't trouble yourself to pay for us. I have enough coin."

"You sure?" Jeb asked innocently. "I ask for very little in return for the pleasure of your company."

Liam's face became stiller. He didn't like how insistent the man was. He had a very bad feeling about accepting even a single crumb. He opened his mouth to protest once more when he caught sight of a lithe individual sitting with two other men at the first table. "Ah shi-ba!"

"Is that a yes?"

Liam ignored Jeb. He had other concerns to deal with right now. For instance, assuring an ever insistent Zenzi that he'd pay her soon. He had zero intention of cheating the woman. It was just this hell of a long detour was taking up so much time. He could feel his stress piling on by the minute. Jeb's repeated question was making it worse.

"Fine. Whatever," he spat. "You can pay for dinner." He didn't care that he sounded very rude. He only cared about Zenzi knowing he couldn't afford to pay her. He had been dragged on one hell of a detour thanks to this group. Jot-ga-ne!

 

[Redshift]

Bran held out his hand in response to the shake, which may or may not have caused Zenzi to swap hands. He liked the symbolism of skin contact when a deal is made, or at least as close an approximation as one could manage if one was wearing gloves. "Agreed. Now-"

And then the night became all the more interesting. Or perhaps more dissappointing. Is it possible to be both? He was itching for a good game, and today just seemed as if nothing was going quite that way.

"Five?! Tae heck did ye do to piss five of the bastards off?" Bran asked in awe more than anything else. "Pissed on their ancestors' graves or something?" Tree monsters, huh? Oh... could they be...?

He knew that this village was supposedly protected. He knew that was why the villagers themselves were very laid back all things considered. He knew that was why Jeb seemed to be trying to calm everyone down. But he couldn't help but wonder. Could such a place handle five of these creatures?

"I take it that's all of ye?" He asked as he stood up, his eyes glancing down then back again. His bow was up in his room, but it would only take him a few seconds to reach it if needed. "If ye-"

It was then when he noticed the demon woman. There was a lot of magicals here today, it seemed. He could take a strange reptilian woman of few words. He could take an annoyed looking bird man or the little thing cradled in the shouty girl's arms. But he'd never heard of a magical which looked like a demon. He had only heard of demons themselves. He was a little overwhelmed.

Things had better start making sense, he thought as his fingers scooped up a simple dining knife from the table and span it deftly between his fingers into a more offensive grip by his hip. He didn't say anything more for now.

 

[Rosé Moon]

Oh no. Oh, no no no.

Before a chance to look around or state her disdain of being in place like this, the fiend-skinned Tiefling found herself being dragged along into a city. As far as things go, cities are one of her least favorite. Instinctively, she began trying to cover her horns. Believing that she might've forgotten she was wearing a hood, and trying to pull the imaginary fabric up over her head, but as things that aren't there go, it didn't work so well. Surely, someone in this city would work with those Yemiti who wanted to take the horns from her head. However, it seemed she had no way to mask herself. If it came to it, she'd just have to deal with anything as it came. Gods forbid. Maybe these people were trouble. This whole 'going into populated areas' was a huge drawback. Come to think of it, why was she following them!? The crazy red-haired one had been foolishly kind and two others had attacked her, granted, she'd been a bit stabby.

All this came to a head when the crimson haired one, who seemed to be leading this group for reasons Aeor wasn't even about to begin to fathom so she hadn't even tried. Now they were in bar, screaming about monsters following them, which only left the horned-warrior all the more befuddled. She'd felt they'd passed they felt some sort of seal or barrier before reaching the city. To her amusement, she knew as little about the non-magicals, as they did about her. Did they not sense that!? Or was the red-one especially...

Remembering the scene on the pier, and the screaming about the monster, Aeor the Tiefling concluded that the red-one must be powerful, for she was not packing heat in terms of situational intelligence.

While the bird-man begrudgingly accepted food, Aeor was on the urge of an anxiety attack. Without being under the guise of some sort, she'd never been in a town like this before with facing some sort of violent reprocution, and her tail spoke that for louder than any facial features.

Everyone was looking at them. Everyone was looking at her. They couldn't be trusted. If none of them wanted her horns, they would tell people that did that she was here. The ember colored eyes of the Tiefling flashed around the room far faster then she could take in information. Had these people lead her into a trap!? No. Only they red-one had acted suspiciously. It was then her eyes met with a man that had been staring at her; a man with a metal arm. An arm that now held a butter knife, and for all the composure Aeor might thought she possessed, her tail suddenly lashed against the floor with a sickening crack that, not only busted the floor where she'd struck, but also sent wood splinters up around her. Her eyes were wide with anxiety and one the peak of panic as she glared back at the metal-armed man, armed with a butter knife. Her tail, all the while, cutting through the air like a mad blade itself. It took all the 'demon' had to ensure it didn't cut into the floor again.

@Redshift @Warden @Fox of Spades @Fox of Hearts @SilentxChaos​

 

[Warden]

Eastmire​

The boat rocked and groaned as the aged wooden planks were splintered to pieces, and Estefania dropped her oar and leapt out. Water seeped in from the cracks; it didn't take a genius to figure out that staying in the damaged vessel was counterproductive. Really, with the amount of chatter Anais was spewing, it was a miracle they had anything done at all. While the pyromancer sallied forth, the condesa took a certain amount of deliberation with her actions. She carefully checked her rapier in case the sheath had gotten waterlogged as she walked. Earlier on, it felt as though they punched through a … thick shield of sorts, and the boat moved on its own towards the pier, as if attached to a fisherman's reel. She should know, she kept her oar up in response to the unsettling sensation and kept it that way until they reached dry land. Now, that other development changed her panic and turned it into curiosity—but who was she to complain about the unearthly effect? Her arms were burning from the tedium of manual labor.

A soft rustling, and the avian Magical spoke up from beside her. He had noticed the barrier too, it seemed. "It makes sense that The Crone prepared a shield around Eastmire. I am only glad we entered it before the creatures reached us," Estefania replied, thinking of the walls around Aesyth and the Circle's easy alliance with the City Watch. She raised an eyebrow at the mention of thieves and syndicates, but had no time to comment upon the matter. Up ahead, Anais had thrown open a door and, despite Vivi's assurances—which they heard even from this distance—screamed over the sudden outpour of noise. The condesa slowed her stride as her eyes fell upon the conspicuous, garish sign above the door: "The Drowned Hag," complete with a tasteless drawing of some sort. Weary as she was with the whole ordeal, entering such a place was unpleasant. Only because it was unfamiliar. And, she whirled around to check, a bit unnecessary. The creatures were still there, barely visible in the distance over the darkened waters save for their hellish eyes, but they had not moved an inch from where they were last seen.

When she turned around, everyone else had entered the seedy establishment. With a long-suffering sigh, the Condesa smoothed down her skirts and hesitantly waded into the fray.

---

The Drowned Hag
​

"Calm down, miss. The good folk of Eastmire deal with those beasts on a nightly basis. And as far as I know, The Crone has created some sort of magical barrier for this village, hasn't she?" Essien piped up over his glass of Bog-wine, having observed enough to satiate his curiosity of the noisy newcomers, the lot of which eclipsed Zenzi's entrance in terms of pandemonium and attention garnered. Inside, he shared Bran's disbelief that the odd group—they looked like a bunch of teenagers out on a field trip, with an exasperated Magical as a tour guide—had managed to piss off five of the Agta, but then again they had been warned from their arrival that the tree monsters were a prickly sort. No pun intended.

He leaned forward as Mabel shimmied past his back, along with a couple of other waitresses as they begrudgingly set up another table in record time. Dirty glares were cast at Jeb. One lady made a suspiciously threatening motion with the dish rag hanging over her stained apron. Essien watched and waited as the rest of the newcomers settled in on their seats. He caught Bran reaching for a knife and staring at a large, muscular demoness. She glared back at him, furtively, and something behind her began swiping through the air at a dangerous speed. It took him a while to figure out what it was.

What did they say about cornered animals…?

"I hope you're not planning on hitting someone with that tail," Essien said, voice light, and nodded at the ferocious, barbaric-looking Magical. Under the low tavern lights, her red skin shimmered with a strange, almost unnerving light. He raised his cup, and one finger lifted off the side to point at the beautiful green bottle, still half-full. "I'm just starting to like my drink. It's not often Mabel gives me anything worth drinking. You're free to try it, if you're a drinking sort."

Mabel apparently caught wind of that comment, as she was just about finished handing off a menu to one of the newcomers, and scoffed.

"Oh, stop waving your tail. You're liable to drive out a couple of planks and I doubt you can afford to pay for the reconstruction," an annoyed Estefania interrupted from her spot beside Aeor, which she had settled for after a stretch of grumbling and a couple of inches of distance—the farthest their cramped set-up allowed. The condesa had acquired a couple of menus as the others went about their business, and without peering away from her copy she daintily slid another towards the tiefling, her hand whipped back as if she feared skin contact. The menus, which were pieces of water-stained reed paper with an attempt at a decorative border twisting down the edges, had around three or so dishes written down in charcoal. From the looks of it, these were prepared for tourists such as themselves… in a manner of speaking. "My abuela said, nerves are a result of hunger. And it's certainly been a trying night. I've half a mind to stuff Anais's mouth with something just so she would quiet down." The last part was said in a rushed, irritated whisper, and the Condesa raised her head when she heard an argument about payment. At least, that was what Liam's reply sounded like: aggressive.

"Are we having an argument about something as simple as food payment?" Estefania exclaimed, sounding both disbelieving and alarmed at the notion. Add to the fact she remembered that she had not eaten anything since this morning... It seemed like such a long time ago. At the memory, her stomach suddenly roared. "I'll pay for it, just give me some peace for Bathala's sake." She reached into her pouch and slammed down a fistful of Gualtierran pesos on the table's surface, the fat, metallic coins going down with a heavy whoomph. Queen Graciela's profile winked and glinted under the low light. "There!"

@Fox of Spades @Fox of Hearts @Redshift @Rosé Moon @SilentxChaos

 

[Fox of Spades]

In the face of imminent death one man had decided to... buy her a meal? Anais eyes flitted across the Drowned Hag, aside from mild annoyance, no one seemed to care about the arrival of five giant tree monsters. She was lost in awe when Vivi tried to explain, and she remained lost as Liam arrived and began to argue over dinner of all things.

Was she missing something?

"I-I don't know," she answered Bran. "One of them rose out of the water, then suddenly there were five of them chasing down our boat. Why... how is everyone so calm?" Were giant tree monsters an everyday occurrence here?

A loud thump echoed throughout the Drowned Hag.

Anais jumped as Aeor's tail crashed into the floorboards. The distinct cracking of wood resounded throughout the tavern as splinters were sent flying into the air. "Hey, hey!" Her attention shifted from Bran to Aeor. "Stop. It's okay! The monsters are out there, inside is good - safe!" Anais would have raised her arms into the air had she not been cradling Vivi. Still the poor carbuncle was yanked around like a tiny plaything. "We'll be okay for now."

How long it would take before the monsters arrived... that was uncertain. Still, people were acting very calm. Anais was befuddled, until a pretty man with flowing locks explained the situation to her.

Oh, so they weren't going to die. Good.

Unfortunately, the relief was short-lived. The Condessa and the pretty man started talking about Aeor and Anais felt the need to stick up for their latest companion. "She won't hurt anyone. Right?" She locked eyes with the Tiefling, waiting for some sort of respond, some form of confirmation. "We're in this together anyway, it was just bad timing for first impressions."

Estefania had said something about stuffing her mouth and Anais rolled her eyes. "In case you forgot, you almost left us to die." It was clear that the Pyromancer was going to hold that against the Condessa for awhile. She shut her mouth after that, and even as Estefania paid for dinner, found that she wasn't quite hungry.

 

[SilentxChaos]

​

Great. Another one, was Zenzi's first thought when she first saw Estefania, a girl who appeared to be in the same vein as Beetle Hair (whose name had yet to be revealed to her, not that she cared so much). But, considering the girl's company, Zenzi was willing to forgo initial judgments until she knew more about hers, and her groups, situation... sort of. For now.

The group's appearance, and Jeb's invitation to them, had Zenzi ready to bolt. Though the cards in her hands were good, and that Yagg's was going a long way in expanding her the Yilani's capacity for socialization, this was too many. Too many people, too close, and too strange. The iblis for one, looked too nervous for someone who looked so ferocious. The small Magical Zenzi didn't know how to deal with. Was she a pet to the fire-headed girl, who seemed to have clouds instead of flames between her ears? Was she her own person? The little bunny was the most adorable thing Zenzi had yet seen, she suppressed the urge to reach out and stroke one of those long ears.

Zenzi shook herself and stood. In this array, she believed she could sneak out before the old man recaptured her--

"Liam," Zenzi uttered in shock. She smiled, exposing yellow fangs and forked tongue, her grin looking to split her face in half. Her eyes lit up behind the goggles. Finally! Fields had returned with her money; she could leave now. Get far away from this swamp and its guardians, from the visitors and pushy strangers. West, she thought of traveling. She hadn't been that way since....

He was fidgeting. He snapped at Jeb, staring at her then not staring at her. She looked him over and his robes were dirty. He'd must've been traveling with this group. Surely, he met them on his way back from-- but no, there couldn't have been enough time.

The Yilani, gripping her metal staff, hissed furiously. She moved around the table with sharp movements, like a snake darting through foliage, to stand before Liam Fields and jab a finger in his chest. "Where. Is. My money?" she demanded.

At the same time, the iblis snapped her tail, causing the floor to crack, her companions rebuking her. She seemed on the verge of an anxiety attack, flitting over her horns as if to cover them and her eyes darting every which way. Zenzi gnashed her teeth, flinching at the splinters hitting her. Reaching into her bag near the table, she drew out an rugged, worn cloak and tossed it at the Tiefling. "There. You use if you wish." The Yilani indicated to her horns.

It was hard to tell if the act came from consideration or annoyance, but the Yilani had no wish to be injured by her tail while in a rage against someone else. Zenzi rounded on Liam again. "You. Explain now."

@Rosé Moon @Fox of Hearts @Warden

 

[Warden]

"If I stayed and fussed over every creature I met, like you do, I would never be able to move," Estefania scoffed at the incensed pyromancer and rolled her eyes, the ubiquitous expression of snide exasperation visible over the frayed menu she handled. "The situation involved numerous hostiles advancing on us and you wanted to exchange pleasantries? The right thing to say is, were you trying to get us killed? Hmph. Be responsible for your decisions."

Chin haughtily jutting upwards, she swivelled on her stool and pointedly avoided facing the other girl's direction. Unfortunately, this meant she was turned towards Aeor, who was suddenly assaulted with a cloak from yet another Magical. Reptilian, this one. The Gualtierran noble wrinkled her nose in disgust.

In front of them, "Zenzi" bared her attitude against one of the newcomers, a snow-haired man in long robes. Essien's chest quaked as he heaved out a long, dramatic sigh. So much for a peaceful night. There was Jeb, then Laron, and now these strangers... It wasn't enough that the horned creature was whipping her polearm of a tail at high speeds and the two girls, both of whom appeared deceptively innocent, descended into the beginnings of a catfight. Now Zenzi seemed to feel the desire to claw someone's eyes out.

Essien glanced at Bran. His violet eyes were slightly wide, in a way that showed both surprise and disbelief. Also a healthy dose of you've got to be kidding me and I'm not a caretaker but I feel... (Additionally, there was some mild sympathy in there that his card game had been thrown off track with the force of five hyterical charging ladies)

First things first.

Still waiting for the tiefling's response, Essien directed his attention to the issue he felt easiest to diffuse: the two children. Let Jeb handle Zenzi and her Liam. "Why were you traveling at night, anyway? Eastmire is notorious enough to discourage that... But I feel as though there is an important reason." He cocked an eyebrow. "No psychoanalytic nonsense, just plain observation. Teenagers and... whatever that is--" his eyes flicked towards Vivi for a moment "--rushing to Eastmire in various states of wear and tear. And you don't seem to be friends, either. So what gives?"

 

[Rosé Moon]

The hood that had been thrown onto the fiend-skinned woman seemed to stop her nervous, anxious movements. This hood really was exactly what she needed. With a scurry of movement, her hands rose and positioned the cloak so that it better obscured her horns and face. Aeor knew that she'd been seen, and if those who hunted her were here, it was too late -- however the hood still brought comfort. Then the red one spoke,

"I no know your name, but we didn't leave monsters outside. Even now, they are all around us."

From underneath the hood, the demon-woman's eyes cast in shadow set a look of intimidation to her. It better exemplified the warm, almost enticing, light her eyes gave off. For a moment, Aeor just stared at Anais, but the words of the sword-wielding girl from the pier, and this new oddly dressed man. When Aeor's eyes left the red one, they moved onto the angry one. Who until now, interactions with had been... er, violent. So, naturally, Aeor followed her stead towards the table they seemed to be being sat at and sat beside her. Had her tail still been lashing about, she was sure it'd been thick enough to split. Then she pushed the paper towards her, and had it not been for her newly acquired hood the look of sheer befuddlement would be ever-present.

What is this!?

The eyes of the tiefling shined through the hood with a new-found curiosity. The language of common outside of her home was so strange. The constant straight lines -- it all seemed much too uniform. In her time outside of home however, she had come to understand most of it. Maybe not complete sentence structure, but single words, especially food, were not all that difficult for her. The numbers too, that were oh-so common in the outside world. Now the tiefling Warrior felt uncomfortable, and unsure.

"U-uh..."

The woman let out suddenly, seemingly towards the 'Condessa' that had presented her with the menu. The idea of a restaurant was foreign to her. In all her time, she had avoided inhabited cities and town, and when she had to go into then, she never went in buildings. Now the woman sat straight and now towered over nearly everyone, and looked towards the condessa with a puzzled expression.

"We... pick food? and you--"

A pause-- contemplation. She cleared her throat and thought,

"--are giving coin?"

How she said 'coin' made it obvious that she was only parroting the word. This was true, for in Vi'seeks, they traded. The closest thing to a currency was jewels, and they were only as valuable as who you were trying to barter with. She'd learned 'coin' had been the strange metal pieces some used to describe their trade pieces.

Aeor was utterly surprised by this, if she had understood what was going on correctly. So surprised, she didn't respond to what the man in dark clothing had said.

@Warden @Fox of Spades @Fox of Hearts @SilentxChaos @Redshift​

 

[Redshift]

Bran's grip the fork at first tightened, then loosened, before he slowly placed it back onto the table surface and sat down. His gaze remained sharp with a little discomfort as he took in the somewhat rowdy new arrivals, along with his new aquaintance's reaction to them. He wasn't sure what to make of any of them.

But the boss seemed as calm as ever. Relatively speaking, Essien's expression spoke volumes. Not that it reassured him that there was no threat - just that if the threat was preceeded by words, the boss could calm things down.

"Tae village is protected," he said simply to the shouty woman, his fingers clenching and unclenching around his sweaty palm. With everything outside, and now so much going on inside, it was all well beyond his comfort zone. He was quite stressed. "We were told naethin' unchancey gets in."

And yet, they were being sat down for dinner, resigning themselves to their new situation. Bran held his tongue. He didn't know who these people were, and until they started making some iota of sense then their problems didn't concern him either. The only one who did make sense was Zenzi. And Zenzi notably didn't come in screaming of pissing off every bit of local fauna within the nearest twenty acres, so immediately gained more respect through that alone. Also didn't smash up a bit of this nice floor. Although now seeing how quickly she deflated he wasn't sure if the demon was similarly overwhelmed as he was. Huh.

He sighed. At least the newcomers seemed to be calming down. He exchanged a look with Essien, before walking towards the door to peer outside. "Never heard anyone piss off five of tae bastards before..." He mumbled to himself as he went.

One of those days it seemed.

 

[Fox of Spades]

Great the condessa was being all smug and someone - a snake lady - was asking Liam for money. As if the night hadn't been chaotic enough, at least Aeor seemed to doing better now that she had the cloak over her head. Anais gave the Tiefling a small smile, opting to ignore the Condessa's words in favor of a nice and warm meal.

The strangers were nice enough and the pretty man was asking questions. With Vivi in her arms, Anais took a seat at the table. The Tiefling, despite the grace with which she had leaped and fought, seemed to be in awe at the menu. It was kind of adorable, like watching a child going to their first ever carnival... if that made sense.

"Ah, right! We were going after a bunch of crooks. They tried to kidnap the nice old woman who employed us. Uh, it's kind of a really long story." Unlike most people, it seemed Anais didn't have any problems blabbering information to a bunch of strangers. "You see, we were all that Circle when some weird sickness made a bunch of people go crazy. Something about a plague?" She looked to her friends for confirmation. "Anyway, apparently this rich guy named Corrin is involved in it and he went missing, so his mom hired us to find him but things got complicated as all hell. Some guy blew up her roof and tried to kidnap her!" Without batting an eye, Anais continued. "We followed them kind of, then the Magemother sent us here."

After answering the pretty man, she turned to Bran. "The tree monsters were pissed cause Aeor kind of attack them with a stick."

 

[Fox of Hearts]

Small animals survived by hiding or running away from their predators. Magicals Vivi's size were no different. She hated being so close to three dangerous looking Magicals, two of whom were clearly a predatory species! The Magemother's reassurances did little to quell the mind-numbing fear that wrecked her body. Failing to escape Anais' clutches, Vi was forced to remain in close proximity to three very real threats to her very existence. The rabbit's eyes began dilating visibly as her breathing became shallower and faster after she failed to remain calm. Her shoulders were completely stiff at that point and her head felt strangely light. She clung tightly to Anais' arms as the redhead sat down at the table. With the constant jostling on hold, Vivi felt marginally better. She tried taking deeper breaths in an effort to calm her strained nerves.

Her queasiness was about to disappear completely when Anais started swinging her legs under the table. The energetic swinging caused Vi to be bounced up and down erratically. She clawed desperately at Anais' arms but nothing could damper the young mage's energy. Vi's lightheadedness returned in full swing all of a sudden. White stars danced in her vision and the surrounding voices grew dimmer. It wasn't long before the blue color of her face turned into a sickly green. Vi barely recollected clamping her hands over her mouth before the world went black.

The bunny flopped head first over Anais' arms. As the mage continued fidgeting, Vi's limp body jerked about like a ragdoll clutched in a child's arms. A curious gurgling came from her half opened mouth. Bubbles formed between her lips and rose in steady stream not long after she fainted. They floated upwards towards the ceiling, where they popped silently. With her body in shut down mode, she was finally at her calmest.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Liam's first instinct was to march towards the door, exit and fly back to Aesyth. There he'd return to the Circle, go straight to his room and lock himself away for the next few days. His feet were itching to go but he knew nothing good would come of this. He needed to deal with this right now. Why do people have to be so annoying? He grumbled to himself.

"Do I look like I have the money?" he snapped. "These people aren't security personnel I hired to guard me across the swamp." His nostrils flared as he let off a huge sigh. "Didn't we agreed to meet in three days near the abandoned mines? I intend to keep my end of the bargain after escorting them. I have two more days."

He started fisting his hands in agitation. He was clearly under a lot of stress although he refused to break eye contact with the livid woman. He thrust out his hand and pointed in Bran and Essien's direction. "Look! It's not like anyone at this table will offer me 900 gold pieces for a job I can do in a day or two. How many people carry that kind of money around?"

Powdery snow began falling around him as Liam's annoyance increased a notch. He had a feeling that Zenzi wasn't entirely convinced and that meant needing to prolong this useless argument. Whirling round, he pointed to Essien then Jeb and finally Estefania. "Can one of you convince her? I give up! I know she won't listen to anything I say."

He was waiting for an answer when he overheard Anais' explaining why they were passing through Eastmire. He wanted to shush her but, before he could, she mentioned the Magemother. That idiot! Why did she have to mention the Magemother in a crowded pub in Eastmire? Didn't the girl know how to keep her mouth shut?

He slammed his hands on the table and glared at Anais instead. "Shut up! We don't want the Crone to know we're here. Got it?"

He would have explained more but that involved going into detail about the history between the Crone and the Magemother. A subject that he was sure that this blabbermouth wouldn't understand. Already he felt like a big target was painted on his back. Great! Just great! Why doesn't she just tell them that I'm a Circle Mage too? That was the only left to say. He sneered. Now he regretted getting involved even more than ever. He should have ignored that blast. If he kept on flying until he reached the Circle, he'd be back in his room right now instead of getting worked up over an idiotic girl and an impatient Zenzi at this godforsaken pub in Eastmire.

 

[Warden]

Of course the barbarian would express discomfort at civilized ways, no matter how diluted it was in this mosquito-infested, backwards hamlet. Estefania's lips curled up into a small, if not smug, sneer. The expression was swiftly concealed by a coquettish turn of the head, by which the condesa set her gaze upon the tiefling. "Yes, coin. Money. You can purchase whichever fare can satisfy your... tastes. Basic economics, the law of supply and demand, etcetera," she daintily paused, then added, "read your choices from the menu." Despite her relatively short temper and dislike of Magicals, the young lady managed to power through; the topic was breached with heavy condescension coloring Estefania's tone, but at least, nothing bad happened.

The menu itself was very, very simple. Eastmire was, after all, a fishing village that catered to its theme with a sort of pride. The Drowned Hag, too, served its function as a merry lounge while neglecting culinary development. There were a couple of meat cuts, a stew of fish and vegetables made vaguely unappetizing by a crude drawing, and a few more dishes from swamp flora one would never think was edible.

Essien froze at the mention of Corrin's predicament.

Was that why the brick-headed bastard failed to show up for days? It didn't take a genius to connect one dot to another. Scarcely a moment from when he began his ruminations, the answer snapped into place like a fully realized jigsaw puzzle. Corrin had been attacked, exactly on the day the carriages were bound to arrive, by a group of semi-competent mercenaries. The Magemother responded quickly, although her efforts were foiled somehow--not good, elevates mercenaries to competent--and as a desperate move she sent these... individuals to finish the rescue.

She must have been well and truly out of her wits to have sent these misfits. Even with the Accord between Aesyth and Eastmire, they were a whole new kind of low. Note, the unconscious rabit creature being manhandled by the fresh-faced redhead, and two Magicals. One of which attacked the Agta--guess who--and the other was causing a scene by picking a fight with another Magical and jabbing fingers at everyone else seated; the second time the man turned to him, Essien glared back. He could feel his hair turning gray at the temples.

"Wonderful," Essien muttered, running a hand over his face. After a deep sigh, he straightened his back. At once, an aura of business-like severity settled around the man, almost as tangible as a mantle. In a clear, commanding voice, he said, "Meet me at my room upstairs once your individual concerns have been settled, if you please. I have a proposition for you all... Concerning our mutual friend, Corrin. Any questions you may have will be answered then, and only then."

Essien smoothed down his vest and gracefully stood up, then strode away from the group. If they went, fine. If no... It was no big loss.

---

Following the, well, loud declaration of affiliation by Anais, and the bad-tempered response-and-confirmation from Liam, it was impossible this important bit of confirmation had escaped anyone's notice.

As Bran approached the door, he was waylaid by one of the waitresses, a freckled woman with frizzy copper hair. She wrung her hands nervously, and her eyes darted from left to right, falling upon the odd group more times than what could be considered casual. She darted close to him, almost beckoning, and whispered.

"Sir, so sorry but I think... If I heard it right, those visitors over 'ere were sent by the Magemother." Another panicked glance. "Could you be so kind as to inform The Crone? She... She may be asleep in her hut, at the center of Eastmire. Or something. But she has to find out. I can't imagine what she'll do if...!"

 

[Rosé Moon]

Most of the words on the menu she understood, by themselves, but as whole meals and all together, they confused her a bit. With her head cocked towards the condesa, the Tiefling's eye scanned the menu with obvious interest that mirrored Estefania's respect -- Aeor made it plainly obvious that, despite understanding the girl was supplying her with a meal, her respect for her was mutual to the hers. That confusion did not seem to stutter her anxiousness though! If there was anything in the world that the fiery skinned Tiefling was passionate about it was cool mud pits, and hot meats!

What finally peeled her eyes away from the menu, which to Aeor was a banquet of sublime food, was the loud, and sudden voice of the man in the clothing that seemed too sharp not to be somewhat funny. What he said left her with a puzzled look, and a tilted head. Where she understood his words, the Tiefling couldn't help but feel she was absent on some context. This didn't seem to burden her for long, though, for food was the immediate priority.

To her infinite displeasure, however, a sudden rattling began to shake at her, from the crown of her head-- from her prized, crystalline horns. From what the Tiefling understood, her horns were capable of picking up on magical energies. As well as 'amplifying' them to some degree. That didn't mean a whole lot to the Tiefling because, well, she didn't know what 'amplify' meant.

As the others seemed to begin growing irritated discussing something that Aeor felt she had no business in, her eyes began to dart left and right around the table, quickly searching for what might be the source of this sudden, yet waning frequency her horns were detecting. Then she was pretty sure she found it. The 'brave hero beast' from the boat seemed to be encountering dire straights at the hands of the empty-headed Red One! Aeor eyes widened as she spied the small creatures foaming maw almost in in sequence with the resonation fading from her crown. Was the hero beast gone!? Had the Red One suffocated the small brave beast!?

Without a moments warning, or a seconds hesitation, the chair that the considerably large figure had been seated in shot backwards, skid across the wooden floor, slid into the deficit of floor her tail had broken into fell back into the bar and then into a bar stool. The bar stool toppled over, into another stool, which only didn't domino the next one thanks to the weight of it's inhabitant. The chair had shot backwards, it seemed, because the infernal woman was know atop the table, in a crouched position before leaping a short distance across the tabletop and in front of the smaller pyromancer.

"Ete monel! Jidoska! Ce huara Bi'eeksa!"

With a flurry of angry, intelligible words, her arms shot towards the fire-mage, what must've appeared to be quite threateningly. However, her touch had been soft, and gently as she scooped the comatose magical from the girl and then leapt from the table with enough force that the entire structure seemed it might snap in half. In a single motion, the near seven foot tall woman had soared across the bar, landed at the door and escaped into the night, seeming to stuff the fallen Vivi underneath her newly acquired hood and into the darkness it provided. The Tieflings horns, pushing up on the hood, provided a small cuby for the carbuncle that might easily emulate the safety of a den, or hide-away.

@Warden @Redshift @Fox of Hearts @Fox of Spades @SilentxChaos​

 

[Fox of Hearts]

Drowned Hag: Cards Are Folding

Tonight didn't disappoint! Jebediah has been prepared to spend a hefty sum to wheedle secrets out of the newcomers, however, by listening quietly he learned enough to make a small profit. He couldn't help smiling to himself as he finished the wine in his glass. Aye, the young man from before might have escaped his grasp but he got a killing in return.

There were a few questions left unanswered but like any self-respecting information merchant he knew when to bow out. He placed his glass back onto the table and began gathering the cards. Zenzi had left hers on the table but Bran looked like he was about to follow after Essien.

"We should play again, son. I believe we could win if we 'ere partnered up."

He smiled broadly, knowing that he would definitely be happy to see Bran again. This man was working for the most interesting person in this tavern and getting close to Bran was a good way to learn more about that gentleman.

"Don't be a stranger when we meet. You never know when you wanna buy something of mine." He spoke cryptically. "I have lots that many would pay for in gold bars."

As he got up, the man threw down a pouch. Like Estefania's, it burst open to reveal a mix of gold pieces and Lidaran paper bills. There was only one Gualterran peso among the lot.

"That oughta do for the tip. Mabel won' let me 'ear the end of it if I 'ere ta leave withou' giving her her due."

He picked up his hat and placed it back onto his head. Facing the only two women left at the table, he tipped his hat respectfully. "Good night and enjoy ya stay. Fair fortunes be with y'all."

-x-x-x-x-x-​

Aboard the Tiefling

Carbuncles dehydrate easily. This wasn't a serious problem for Vi back on Florencia, because she could always swim in the ocean to replenish her fluid levels. Travelling to Aesyth took her further and further inland, so Vi needed to make a conscious effort to drink at least a half litre every two to three hours to stay hydrated.

Today she had forgotten to drink enough water. All that fretting meant that her mind was too occupied to notice the telltale signs of dehydration. So, Anais wasn't entirely at fault! Vi's dizzy spell was sixty percent dehydration and forty percent Anais.

Aeor taking Vi outside proved to be the smartest thing anyone could do for the bunny. Once in shutdown mode, a carbuncle's body would try to absorb as much moisture as possible to heal itself. The moist swamp air had just enough water in it to start the process.

Vi's intense headache was first to disappear. Her flakey skin became a little smoother after that as a faint green glow came from beneath her skin. Before long, her blue complexion returned. Vi groaned softly as she pressed a hand against her forehead.

"Ano'e … Aui!"

She grimaced slightly having sat up a little too fast. Strangely, her dizziness disappeared quickly. Vi was surprised! As a novice healer, her healing spells shouldn't be this powerful.

"Ano'e…" she repeated. Strange indeed! She wondered what was speeding up the process. "Lidagat, lua'ole makai…?"

Even though she considered herself very religious, Vi couldn't help being skeptical. Saying that Lidagat, the Great Goddess of the Seas, had healed her didn't explain why her spells were much more potent than usual. She concluded that someone or something was speeding up her recovery. Possibly, a fellow healer was close by.

"Alo? Hay alguien?" she called out from her perch. The hard bedding was surprisingly comfortable. The curve fitted her body nicely and for that Vi was grateful. Someone must have freed her from Miss Anais and placed her here to rest.

Remembering she wasn't in Florencia anymore, the rabbit switched to common tongue. "Hello? I … thank you. Yes, I want to thank you, please."

 

[Fox of Spades]

As bubbles floated into the air, Anais stared curiously at sea bunny in her arms. The usually twitchy and loud magical had fallen limp, and for a moment, a look of concern flashed across the redhead's face. Did she do something wrong? The sea bunny had been screaming an awful lot back on the boat. Maybe she was tired? "Hey, um, Vivi... are you okay?"

Her concern was short-lived, because in the span of a few moments, she had two magicals screaming at her.

Liam wanted her to pipe down and the horned woman was yelling in her foreign language. Anais winced, leaning back as Vivi was plucked out of her arms and as Aeor disappeared into the night. "Uh, should we go after them? I don't think the sea bunny was doing too well." Where was the horned woman even taking her? Did this warrant concern.

Seeing as it was out of their hands, she turned to the exasperated pretty man. Like Aeor and Vivi, he left after leaving them some instructions. His friend from earlier was a little ways away from them and seemed to be talking to someone.

Welp, it was just her, the good ol' condessa, angry bird man, and lizard lady.

"Fine night we're having, ey?" This was very awkward. "So, Condessa? Since you're in such a generous mood, can I order this before we go and meet Pretty Man upstairs?" Anais picked up the menu and pointed to a rather fancy (and expensive) meat dish.

 

[Redshift]

Headin' outside

Bran looked at the waitress impassively as she spoke. He knew of the magemother of course - everyone knew of the magemother - and the birdman seemed to want to keep that association a secret. But the Crone was the leader of this town, this place under her protection. He turned his sharp gaze to the half open doors, to sure enough see some massive, shadowey shapes retreating and melding back into the darkness.

He didn't say anything. He simply nodded. Then dodged the flying demon woman with a yelp as she rocketed by. With one last look into the inn - meeting Essien's gaze somewhat pointedly as they both were making their leave in different directions it seemed - he turned and stepped outside.

Yeah, the monsters were definitely retreating. He breathed a sigh of relief, before fixing his gaze on the hooded woman. She dwarfed him, and Bran wasn't a short man himself. "Sae, looks like they've calmed a wee bit," he gave demon woman the side eye as he spoke. He still had completely no idea what to think of her - and was ensuring they had a good few feet between them both at all times. She turned her head a little, and he caught a glimpse of something small and blue under the hood. He narrowed his eyes, his posture still defensive. "Ye best get back inside before ye faize anythin else." A sigh. "What a night..." he mumbled.

With that he shrugged, regathered his bearings, before striding quite quickly towards the centre of the village. Never let it be said that Bran couldn't find his way around a place. He shook his left hand, the mild tingling subsiding as he went. That's better. Maybe he should have stayed for the food after all, if he was getting tingly fingers. Steak would have fixed that. Sigh.

And this must be the Crone's hut. He looked up, before raising his prosthetic hand to knock urgently.

 

[SilentxChaos]

Collab between @Fox of Hearts and @SilentxChaos
​

Zenzi folded her arms. Liam was clearly agitated, and the mention of the Magemother and the Crone caused a brief hiss heard only by Liam. These two entities she knew little of, except they were not allies, and they had powers she'd rather avoid. That she would have avoided, if it wasn't for one baykuş adam (owl man) who owed her money but decided it'd better to wrap himself in the plight of such a conspicuous group.

"I listen, Liam Fields," she retorted at him, "I listen when you say you pay when the job is done. I listen when you made no say of not having my pay when we came to Eastmire. I listen when you say, when you return, you have my money. Your end of the contract you fail to uphold. Now," Zenzi made a grin without humor and that showed all her pointed teeth and fangs, "Now there will be no leaving my side until our contract is done."

Liam imploded. He hated how Zenzi assumed he was going to be okay with having someone following him around! He wasn't! He hated entertaining people more than necessary and she knew that. She bloody ought to! They were in the same camp for three months.

Feeling pressure building up between his temples, Liam closed his eyes to shut out the rest of the world and he recited verses from the Ballad of Himhir inside his head. The usually soothing lines did little to dampen his anger and Liam found himself becoming increasingly agitated. He opened his eyes in time to see a thick sheet of ice shooting out from beneath his palms and engulf half the table.

He shoved away from the table in panic. Liam barely had time to steady himself when Aeor leaped into view like a violent red whirlwind. The suddenness of her entrance made him reel backwards into Zenzi. They crashed into one another and he ended up on floor in an undignified heap.

"Which idio - shit!"

The unmistakable sound of wood fissuring cut through the bustling atmosphere, drawing more eyes towards them. Liam's cheeks coloured with shame as he stared at the frozen wood pieces lying at his feet. The ice was damning evidence against him but he hoped no one realised it yet.

"What was she thinking jumping off the table like that?" he grumbled. "She practically crushed it."

He picked himself up quickly and crossed his arms. His brows were knitted into a frown. "Your payment will have to wait, Zenzi. I'll need to pay for this table thanks to my companion."

The Yilani grunted, picking herself up. The tiefling's reaction caught her off-guard enough that she failed to catch Liam and they both toppled over.

"Why claim her mistake?" Zenzi grumbled as she righted her goggles, "Let the iblis pay for it herself."

Whatever she wanted, the situation was now well beyond Zenzi's control. Grabbing her possessions, she kept her staff close as if to ward off further chaos. She couldn't escape it because that would mean leaving behind Liam and a month's worth of income. Didn't mean she had to make friends with any of them. With a sigh, she gave Liam a swift glance to ensure he wasn't hurt, not missing the shattered wood beneath his feet but choosing to ignore it. "Peki (alright), Liam. If you are not to be leaving this circus caravan, my services remain to you. For time being," Her eyes slid to the side, to where Essien left, "You may want to follow him…"

Where is carrot hair? She thought, noticing Bran's absence.

"Right," Liam responded quickly. Grabbing Zenzi by the wrist, he began pulling her away. Now, go go go! He urged inside his head. The waitresses had been called away making this the best time for a speedy escape. He wasn't that keen to pay for a new table since half the damage was caused by Aeor.

Just as he was about to disappear into the crowd, he looked at Anais and Estefania. He mouthed the words "come quick" then squeezed his way through a group of burly men. He planned to leave the tavern for a couple of hours, come back after the staff changed hands and then find "Corrin's friend". He didn't really trust the man but investigating a potential lead was better than arguing with Zenzi. That woman was one stubborn snake!

He led the Yilani into a quiet alleyway filled with barrels. The smell of pickling fish assaulted their nostrils, forcing Liam to press a sleeved arm against his nose. Refusing to change location, he simply released her wrist. He ignored Zenzi after that, choosing to focus on hitching up his robes to keep them out of the putrid puddles.

Yanking her arm back- she despised being touched- Zenzi reluctantly moved to the mouth of the alley so she could keep an eye on their surroundings. It was a reflex from spending a lot of time in human cities, where danger lurked in the corners, more than a fear of being followed or assaulted. This was Eastmire; Zenzi was not an elite fighter, but she suspected she could handle anyone who came their way.

Mostly anyone.

Turning back to Liam, Zenzi almost scoffed when she saw him hitching his robes. Never had she met someone so particular about his clothes while equally fascinated ruins drowning in dust and dirt. The Yilani refrained from commenting. The tension remained placable between them, and she'd prefer gaining solid footing in their situation than further piss off her one ally.

"So baykuş adam. What plan is yours?"

Liam's waist had ballooned to horrific proportions after he shoved the hems of his robe into his belt. He looked like a poofy onion on a black stick. Thankfully, his modesty was preserved by the flowing black pants he liked to wear under his robes. He waddled around like a pregnant woman struggling with the addition bulk around her midsection.

"Not doing extra laundry would be a good start," he answered brusquely. "Not having to pay for her share of the damage would be good too."

He shrugged after that. "Haven't thought beyond that," he admitted. "I guess finding the other two girls would be good. Two girls, a rabbit and a horn person-thing …? Yeah, don't know how to describe that table breaker."

Zenzi turned and blinked at him. "That is not like you. You always thinking." The Yilani turned back to the tavern and released a huff. Now in this situation, she reluctantly began figuring out their next move. Over her shoulder, she told Liam, "Explain how you came to be here."

Liam opened his mouth to protest but closed it quickly. She asked a legitimate question that deserved an answer. He scowled. Answering her question now would mean needing to retell the same story to "Corrin's friend" later. Basically, unnecessary effort and potentially missing out key details here and there.

"I … you're good at sneaking around, aren't you? I'd be happy if you can sneak me upstairs after we enter the tavern. I really don't want to pay for that table."

He figured that what he said was sufficient. He remembered that she was able to add two and two together without additional input. He hoped she got the hint about meeting "Corrin's friend". Surely, she heard the man's suggestion earlier too.

Her eyes narrowed behind the shaded of her goggles, not missing the fact Liam had not answered her question. But she heard his moment of pause and knew his mind was thinking ten steps ahead of his mouth. Her tongue flicked out with annoyance and released a sigh.

"Peki. We wait ten minutes to let things calm. Then go in. Here," removing her pack, Zenzi shrugged off the shaw she'd been wearing (the other one still with the iblis) and tossed it a Liam. "Wear going in. The stairs are near the entrance. Should not be too hard."

@Warden @Fox of Spades @Rosé Moon @Redshift​