[i][u]Robyn and Valencia[/u][/i]

The man looked down at Valencia with a raised eyebrow, silent during her tirade. Then the corner of his mouth quirked up in amusement.

[color=orangered]"Feisty,"[/color] he said, voice laced with what might've been respect. He looked between the two women in front of him, much less exasperated than he'd been upon arriving. [color=orangered]"Also, that was rhetorical. Obviously you don't know how you got here. [i]I[/i] do, I just have no clue [i]why.[/i]"[/color] His expression sobered as his eyebrows drew back together and he looked down at the two of them like they were an odd puzzle he couldn't figure out. He seemed to give up, shaking his head to himself. [color=orangered]"Cináed,"[/color] the man introduced. His easy smile was back and he dipped into a low bow that seemed just a bit too exaggerated to be sincere. [color=orangered]"And I would never [i]dare[/i] harm ones so fearsome as you two"[/color] [i]That[/i] had definitely not been sincere. When he straightened up again, he leaned on his staff and glanced around. 

[color=orangered]"As for where you are… I don't think this field in particular has a name, but the town over there,"[/color] he nodded in the direction of the rising sun, [color=orangered]"I'm pretty sure is Nocklin. I dunno. I don't really keep up with all the little settlements."[/color] Cináed scratched at his neck and opened his mouth to speak again, before closing it and looking back at the women.

[color=orangered]"You two got names?"[/color]

[@LizLegend][@ariplotter]

[hr]
[i][u]Bishop, Caleb, Cronus, and Morgan[/u][/i]

As the con artist made his lumbering escape back towards the town, and the men discussed their next move, the river rushed and babbled before them. And if they listened closely, a soft, keening cry could be heard from the water. 

At first glance, the river was empty, save for the stones and algae resting along the bottom. The current kept the visibility low, but upon careful examination, life could be found. The creatures seemed almost translucent as they flitted through the water. The only clue to their existence was the way shadows danced over the rocks, obscuring them from view. Then, one of them breached the water in an elegant dive, its call like a song.

[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/qT8IZJg.jpg?1[/img][/center]

It wasn't a very attractive thing – with a vulture's face and thin, antennae-like hairs protruding every which way. But its body made elegant arcs, shimmering fins trailing behind it as it dove. More and more jumped from the water in a flowing display. And then one noticed the strangers. It glanced their way, diving one last time into the water. When it rose again, it flew in a smooth arc over the river and to the men, its song ringing through the air.

One by one, more of the creatures gathered around the men, dipping and swimming through the air. They grew less cautious, getting closer until fins were brushing against their clothes and skin. One flew up and paused in front of Morgan's face. It tilted its head to the side for a moment, taking him in.

Then it opened its mouth and sprayed a stream of water at him. It darted away, its song sounding more like a bubbling laugh, and its companions followed its lead. Soon enough, the men were all being sprayed by the flying creatures, herding them towards the bridge.

[@Billsomething][@FateWeaver][@Bishop][@jordy0403]

[hr]
[i][u]Clifford[/u][/i]

As Clifford crept towards the horses, sounds of eating around a campfire could be heard. The voices of the bandits could easily be picked out around mouthfuls of food, but higher, more feminine voices rang through the night as well. 

[b]"Aww, c'mon babe, you know–"[/b]

[b]"Don't [i]babe[/i] me, Jost,"[/b] a woman cut him off, [b]"The last ones you sold me didn't last a week. Consider it insurance."[/b] She spoke in a sharp, exacting voice, her words cutting through the air. Jost replied in a more subdued tone, too low to clearly make out among the other night sounds. The horses snorted a bit and stamped their hooves as Clifford approached, but otherwise made no move.

Then a knife sang through the air and embedded itself in Clifford's left foot.

[color=hotPink]"Well, you're an ugly thing,"[/color] a higher, smoother voice said. Ten yards to his left there was a woman – more of a girl, really – leaning against a tree, shrouded in shadow, but every now and then the firelight flicked against her skin. A silver bracelet, same as the one the woman in the tent wore glinted in the light. [color=hotPink]"Got yourself a runner, Jost,"[/color] she called. Muffled curses could be heard, as the bandits scrambled up to investigate.

[@SepticGentleman]

[hr]
[i][u]Charles and Luce[/u][/i]

In a foggy wood, two more forms flashed into existence. As they slowly awakened, the only thing clear to them would be that [i]they didn't know where they were[/i]. Like so many before them, they'd been stolen from their lives and dropped in a world of strangers. It was impossible to tell how long they laid there after being transported. But eventually the snapping of twigs and rustling of clothes could be heard, along with an awkward, uneven gait. 

The footsteps paused for a moment between the two bodies. Then a wooden staff nudged both of them in their sides.

[b]"C'mon, sprouts,"[/b] an old woman's gravely voice said. [b]"No use pretending you're still in bed at home. Best to get a move on."[/b]

[@User][@Alina13]