Rez rode to this town amidst its festivities already being underway. He slowly drank in the sights as well as the delicious smells of various foods being cooked. Hitching his ride he got off to wander quite purposely as he continued taking in the sights. It was noon and the sun was shining over him making the redness of everything even redder. Truth be told the amount of red was a bit too much. One hand in pocket fondling his purse enthusiastically, he moseyed over to a stall to get a drink and the something to eat. Grilled mystery meat was always a good a treat to go with this refreshing drink!

He then turned around and wandered around before seeing a raised platform that was a stage for something. He couldn't quite tell but there was a crowd and some fuss going on. Intrigued but not wishing to get involved he just moved closer to get a better listen of what was being said, but stayed at the periphery.

Mara froze as the band prepared to play. She was horrified that Elayna wanted her to take the lead. Surely it wasn't her outfit that provoked the dancer to believe there was some semblance of rhythm within the mergirl. Truthfully, when she said she couldn't dance, she meant she had two left feet. She was terrible! Her heart beat in her throat. What was she going to do? The petrified look on her face was enough to convince anyone that she really didn't know what she was doing.

No matter what Mara tried, she could not will herself to move. Even the lively music that started could not convince her to dance. She looked at the dancer, pleading for help.



A short lived swell of pride rose within Kest. He was about to ask Veragwen if she was free later or sometime along the festival when a serious matter rose. While the guardswoman was very able, something he had seen first hand, he thought that no woman should fight alone. The large pile of food was placed on the bench while a small bowl of chili and bottle of water made their way into the boy's waiting hands.
"Eat on the way, kid! We have to help her!" he grabbed Richard by the arm and ran after his beloved.

When they arrived at the alleyway behind Veragwen, Kest spotted a group of ruffians surrounding a girl. It took a certain kind of man to target a lone girl. Especially a group of men. It wasn't fair. He pulled a dagger out of his pack, he always kept one on him. This was no ordinary dagger, though. This weapon allowed him to not only use his speed, but utilize his strength as well. Not many people could use the punching dagger with as much finesse as him. Maybe this was his time to shine for his lovely obsession! Oh! How he wished to walk down the road with her by his side.

The thought of his dreams coming true were suddenly replaced by extreme anger. Kest realized the the victim wasn't just any girl. Mergirls were always targeted, considered weaker than the males. He gritted his teeth and stepped forward behind Vera, completely forgetting about Richard.
"I think you guys need to take a few steps away from the lady." He was not as kind as Vera would be. Given the chance, he would kill these thugs. He didn't hide it either.

Murasame felt scared for the first time since the day Armond had saved her, a feeling she wished she'd never feel again, but such as was not her fate. She squeezed her eyes shut, expecting one of the men to grab her at any moment. However, the sound of someone sliding to a stop next to her caused her to open them again. Looking to her side, she saw the familiar form of the guradswoman, Veragwen. Moments later she was joined by two other boys, one of whom she had recognized from the stand earlier. They were both willing to defend her, a complete stranger, from this group of thugs. Murasame moved back a little, sensing the tension building between the two sides. Most of the group had backed off, not wishing to find themselves in the dungeon, let alone on the receiving end of the woman's blade. Three men, however, weren't intimidated in the least. One happened to be the leader of the group, the other two just lackeys. "You don't scare me, girl!" the leader said, lunging at Veragwen with his sword. The other two turned to Kest, one wielding a rapier, the other a dagger. The one with the dagger swung first, attempting to slash Kest's midsection, while the one with the rapier timed his thrusts to prevent a counter attack on his comrade.

It was here that Murasame realized just how helpless she really was; there two people were outnumbered and still fighting to protect her despite that. Why am I so useless to everyone? I can't use a weapon...I don't know how to fight...and I rely too much on other people...I'm worthless...why does Lord Armond even keep me around? she thought to herself. She watched as Kest was starting to get worn out, it was likely the duo attacking him would prevail and kill the boy. No. Stop it. she thought. She felt tears stinging her eyes, "Stop it." she said quietly, though no one could hear her. "Stop it!" she said, a little louder. Still the fighting continued, her voice not reaching them. She felt her anger rise, "STOP IT!" she screamed. In that moment, her voice was amplified and it spread out like a shockwave, all those in the immediate area affected by the sound. Everyone had to cover their ears, the sound of her voice strong enough to rupture eardrums. After the shockwave dissipated, another person had shown up, having heard the scream. "Just what do you think you are doing to my maid?" Armond asked those gathered. He looked between the groups, piecing together what had transpired, pointing at the three disarmed men, "I want these three locked up." he said.

He moved to Murasame, "Are you alright, Murasame?" he asked. The woman nodded, "Thanks to them, yes." she replied, motioning to Kest and Vera. He turned to them, noticing Kest and approaching him, "You have my most sincere gratitude, young man, I don't know what I would have done if I lost Murasame. She is not only my maid, but she is a very dear and valuable friend to me." he told the boy. He looked at Veragwen next, "As usual, Lady Veragwen, I am once again in your debt for protecting Murasame. I do apologize if we've caused you any inconvenience, and I will pay for any damages that she may have caused as a result of her unique talent." he said, bowing in apology to her. Murasame followed his lead, though her eyes were on Kest; he was the reason she lost control in the first place, but why?

Veragwen said nothing as she gracefully parried the man's sword with her shield, not only knocking his weapon away form him but also, sending him to the side as his momentum carried him past her. She held her blade to his neck, "You should be. I suggest you do as you're told and stay there." she said, with a pretty smile.

She turned to aid Kest, but then Murasame let out a scream. Vera had to cover her ears from it's effetcs. As far as she could tell, the girl was a half mermaid like Mara, but Vera was pretty sure Mara couldn't do something like that. What was in the world was she? She shook her head and bowed to Armond, "No trouble at all, Lord Armond. Protecting people is what I do and it doesn't seem like anyone was hurt." she said, looking around as she checked all the civilians, "Property can be rebuilt, but a life cannot. Still, I'm sure everyone would appreciate your help with it." she smiled at him.

Vera let out a loud whistle and gestured at the men to have them locked up. She then turned to Kest and inspected him for injuries, "Are you alright, Kest? I appreciate your help, but you really didn't have to put yourself in danger like that. I can handle some silly bullies." she said, smilimg up at him as she looked him over.

----

Elayna giggled and smiled at Mara, "You're very cute when you're nervous~" she said, as she took the girl's hand and twirled her around. She then twirled around herself, still holding Mara's hand, and then twirled the girl around again. "You're thinking too much about it, though. Who cares what other people think! Have some fun with me won't you please? I think you deserve it." she said, giving the girl a wink.

Thinking too much..? Was dancing really just letting go of herself? Was it just like this..? All Mara knew was fighting, was swinging her scythe like dancing? It spun her around, kind of like what Eleyna was doing to her. Now that she knew that, Mara felt the restricting pressure and nervousness fall away. She closed her eyes and imagined her weapon in her hands; not having the weight was going to throw her off, but she also would be able to go faster. Mara could see a vast battlefield before her. She rolled her head, loosening the tight muscles. Repeating the process through her body, just as she did every morning before practice.

If you looked away, you might have missed the small yet sadistic smile that crossed Marmalade's lips. Before her was not the crowd of onlookers, but a gang of enemies that she needed to defeat. Her arms went up, arced to the right to create a powerful upward slice. The rest of it came naturally as she slipped out of battle and into a calm but enthusiastic dance. Elayna had been right. She had been thinking too much about what she was required to do. Despite making a show of her combat skilled, Mara was actually having fun. This dancing business wasn't so bad after all. The crowd was equally surprised. Some tension still lingered, but most of it had melted away. Finally, they saw her as more than a fish girl. More than an abomination. As an equal.



Kest was much faster than the grunt wielding the dagger, able to parry his attacks with ease. The other one was much quicker. The punching dagger he brought with him was simple and straight; there would be no way he could attack with his weapon. He gritted his teeth as he began to tire. Why wasn't that kid he brought helping them?
An opening!
Just as he blocked the rapier with his own blade and moved to connect his fist with the attacker's stomach, some kind of sonic wave erupted from the girl they were fight for. He and his adversaries covered their ears, unable to handle it. Once it had gone, Vera saw to the rounding up of the thugs.

A new person entered the area, and after some chatter, approached him.
"Yeah, not a problem." Kest said as the noble and the girl walked back toward the event. He looked at Murasame as she passed by. She looked so.. familiar. Who was she? He paused for a moment and stared at her as she walked off. He continued to watch her as he made his way over to Veragwen.
Who was that girl?

At Veragwen's question, Kest broke his focus and looked at her. Now that the question had been asked, he felt a sharp pain on his side. Feeling around, he winced as he found the shallow cut. He hadn't even noticed the man with the dagger get to him.
"I got hit, but its just a scratch. Besides, what man could resist coming to the aid of such a beautiful woman?" He wanted to sound tough for her, but the truth was: it hurt. A lot.

Elayna smiled as Mara finally got into the groove. "Atta girl! I knew you could it." she said, as she danced with the mergirl. It reminded her a bit of fighthing with her greatsword. Elayna always fought with a certain elegance she brought from dancing, and it seemed Mara did too. "It's not as hard as you thought, is it?"

"Oh, do you plan on competing in the tournament at the end of the festival, Mara? I was thinking of doing so myself and I think a match with the two of us would be quite enthralling. Wouldn't you agree?" she asked, giving the girl another wink and a twirl.

----

Veragwen looked down at where Kest had touched. Without thinking of it much she lifted up his shirt to check his side, "That looks like a little more than a scratch, Kest." She said, frowning. "Regardless, we should get you patched up. A scratch can still get infected. I think I can take care of it, though." She reached into her pack and pulled out some ointment and spread it on the cut. "That's something my father invented. It's basically a cure all for cuts and stuff. It helps it heal quickly and helps with the pain." she said, giving him a smile. "Be more careful, alright? I don't like seeing you hurt."

Jerus watched as the girl finally started to relax and dance, though he noted the way she moved. It was less of a normal dance and more of a way that someone familiar with a weapon would move, but he couldn't quite place it. Still, he was glad she was having fun. "Now if only the rest of the world could be so carefree and happy. Then it would be better." Smiling at what small happiness there was though, he stood and gave a passing wave at the young girl that had been brought up on stage, heading out and away from the performance stage and back into the festival.

"Now then, let's find some more food to try..." He stopped after a moment and got a kabob from a nearby stand, looking around. It had occurred to him that the young girl had had someone with them when she'd arrived to the small area but that he hadn't seen the guy when he left, so he headed back and took his seat once again. The mini-games didn't particularly appeal to him today, but maybe in one of the following days.

Richard had never exected anything like this to happen. Instead of enjoying a meal and planning his next move, he was suddenly dragged along by the arm by Kest to chase after Veragwen. Richard tried to argue that Veragwen was the guard captain for a reason, but his words seemed to fall upon deaf ears. Before he even had a chance to rest, he was being rushed in to yet another situation that could end with him killed.

As the two finally caught up with Veragwen, Richard finally understood just how dangerous things would be. That girl is surrounded by thugs! he realized, and this guy is dragging me straight towards them!

Kest finally released him, and Richard unceremoniously tumbled to the ground. When he was standing and coughing up dirt, Kest had thrown himself in to battle. It was an impressive display, but Richard wasn't in a hurry to follow suit. Why in the world would he thrust himself in to a situation like this? He was going to get himself killed if he went anywhere near that fight. He wanted to run, but his legs left him frozen where he stood. He could only watch as Veragwen and Kest risked their lives to rescue the girl. That's all he could do, wasn't it?

As he watched the duo battle their way through the thugs, he started to wonder. Why did they both risk their lives this way? With only the two of them, it wasn't likely that the odds were in their favor. Even with Veragwen's help, they were still outnumbered. Did they even think of what would happen if someone managed to pierce them with a knife?

It didn't seem like they considered that at all. In fact, someone else had joined them, standing by the mer-girl's side. The other thugs seemed to have backed off, and the three who attacked had been beaten as well. Before he knew what was happening, it was over.

As the others tended to fresh battle wounds, Richard could only admire their strength. He had only stood to the side, fearing the worst for all of them. He could see now that everything turned out fine, despite the wounds. The girl they were rescuing was safe, and he was no help whatsoever. He could only try and convince himself that he would be in the way.

The reddish tint of the town made Caelyn stick out like a sore thumb. With her hair and robe bothing being blue, she seemed very out of place. Word had spread to her about a week long festival being held in Seles. The festival was to honor those distant heroes of course. This event would attract many people. Hopefully she would be able to gather information about the mystic she was seeking. Caelyn's train of thought was interupted by a large growl. At first she thought it a fiend, and her hands instinctively tightened around her bardiche. She soon realized however that the monster was in fact her stomach. Caelyn could feel the heat starting to spread to her cheeks, and could only hope no one heard it.

Before diving into her investigation about the mystic, Caelyn decided it best to slay this fiend by endulging in some of the festive foods. "Get your smokin' hot chili, fresh from a volcano's ass here!" She could not believe the man's sales pitch! But as crude as it was, the aroma from the man's "ass chili" was indeed delectable. Ah, why not? Caelyn thought to herself. "I'll be takin' a bowl if ye do no' mind. How much?" Caelyn did her best to do a smile for the man, but he was just down right repulsive. "Fer a pretty thing like you? It's on the house! Careful though, those icey blue eyes may make this here chili cold before you get a bite." He threw a little wink at her at the end of the sentence just to reinforce that he had hit on Caelyn. After perhaps the biggest inner battle she ever faced, Caelyn managed not to throttle the guy. She even told the man thank you for the food.

The chili was amazing! Caelyn's affinity with ice and water however did nothing to dilude the heat from the chili! My how her mouth burned! Caelyn got up from eating just to get hit with some kind of shockwave. Her ears immediately started ringing. After extending her jaw a few times, her ears finally popped and alleviated some of the noise. I better go investigate the source of that noise, someone could be in real trouble. Caelyn thought to herself as she scurried through the crowd. She came upon the scene in time to see three men arrested and hearing a fancy dressed noble proclaiming about a woman being his maid. To her surprise the guard captain of Seles was a woman. She couldn't help but smile. It made her think back to her foster dad being in the town guard back home.

One of the guys involved in the brawl received a pretty nice little gash. The woman was looking him over for injuries when Caelyn noticed a guy covered in dirt standing there turned in on himself it seemed. "Are ye alright? What happen'd here? Are ye needin' any medical assistance?" She knew the situation was mostly handled, but still wanted to help anyway she could. Caelyn started dusting off the man. Then she looked him over for injuries. He did not appear to have any, so she examined his face. She saw his soft features on his face and his freckles. He seemed exhausted and if the questions didn't pull him from his thoughts then surely being dusted off would! "Sorry for all the questions. Mah name is Caelyn." She extended her hand in friendship.

Marmalade stopped spinning about and looked at Elayna, her eyes full of determination. "That's right, I am entering. I'm going to prove to everyone how strong I am!" A grin formed on her face as she clenched her fists before herself. "A battle between us would be exhilarating! I look forward to the chance." She held her hand out for the dancer to shake.

It wasn't long after, Mara realized her brother was missing. She jumped down, and looked around the group. Every moment that passed, she became more and more worried.
"Kest? Kest?! Where are you, brother?"



Kest sucked in his breath sharply as Veragwen pulled up his shirt. Even if she was a guardswoman, it certainly had to be inappropriate for a woman to do such a thing! Before he could protest, she had rubbed some kind of ointment over his wound. He winced again. It had been deeper than he had let on, but her hands were gentle. Some woman had walked up to Richard and started asking if he was okay. Where were all these people coming from? Taking a look around, the area wasn't exactly romantic, but it was as personal as it was going to get tonight. Bunch of criminals, some guards, a boy, and a strange woman were all about to witness what he had hoped would be a private conversation.

"S-so.. Veragwen, I was wondering.. uhm.." Damn! Why did he have to be so bad around women?! All he wanted was to ask her out on a date. Why couldn't he just do it?!
She is right here in front of you! SAY SOMETHING!
"I w-was.. w-wondering... wondering...... "
COME ON! JUST DO IT! YOU'RE A MAN AREN'T YOU?! His mind was screaming at him to say it. What did he want to say again? Looking into her eyes, he suddenly lost all willpower. He sighed, "I was wondering if you were okay.."
Damn it...

"Come on.. we should be getting back to the festival..."

Armond had straightened up by the time more people arrived, deciding it was time for him and Murasame to depart back to the stage, he had been looking forward to the dance after all. "Of course, Lady Veragwen, I will arrange to have the payments made once I return to the castle. Come now, Murasame, let us return to the stage and enjoy ourselves." he said. Murasame nodded, giving one final look at Kest, she couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity somehow. She followed Armond as he led her back to the stage, eventually the pair coming to a stop as the man had bumped into someone. Peering around him, she noticed another mergirl like her. Murasame recognized her as the girl pulled up on stage earlier, it seemed they had missed her dancing after all. Armond was looking down at the girl, offering his hand to help her back to her feet once more, "I apologize, I should have watched where I was walking, are you alright?" he asked her. After a few moments, he realized who she was, "Your name is...Mara, right? I overheard your name earlier, it's a shame I wasn't able to see you dance, I was looking forward to seeing such a beauty as yourself up there. Oh well, perhaps another time, yes?" he suggested, smiling kindly. Murasame had moved away again, she was clearly not enjoying the fact Armond was paying this other girl so much attention.

Once the song of the Red Eye Dragon began again, he turned to look at the stage, "One of my favorites, it contains the essence of the dragon's firey spirit, suitable for the start of a festival in my opinion." he began. He turned his attention back to her, "However, it is not my absolute favorite of the songs. Out of them all, it is the White Silver Dragon's song I enjoy most, and I will explain to you why. The feeling the song portrays is significantly different from the others, and I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that the White Silver Dragon's song was created by none other than Dart's beloved Shana. If you listen to it as closely as I have, you can tell there is plenty of feeling in the song, almost as if Shana is expressing her own feelings of love to Dart. She loved him with everything she had, even after all they went through together. I do not know about you, Miss Mara, but I would give everything to be loved the way Shana loved Dart." he finished, finally looking away and back at the stage.

Elayna gestured to her greatsword leaning against the wall nearby, then shook Mara's hand, "I look forward to it, darling. Of course, if we don't meet at the tournament I wouldn't mind a friendly duel sometime either." she smiled at the girl, but then she ran off looking for her quite handsome brother. "And there she goes. I'll have to keep an eye on that one." she giggled, then resumed her dance for the Red Eyed Dragoon.

---

Veragwen looked up at him as he tried to formulate words. She smiled at him as he finally finished a sentence, "I'm fine, Kest. Not even a scratch." she said, as she turned her body around for him, allowing him to inspect her and unwittingly giving him a look at her shapely features, "Did you really think some thugs could touch me? Besides, it was just one of them, you had two and you came out with just a scratch! Pretty impressive." she smiled at him. "But I....get the feeling you wanted to ask me something else... That kind of question shouldn't have left you so flustered." she said, raising an eyebrow at him. "Are you sure you're not hurt elsewhere?" she asked, looking him over again.

Jerus smiled as the two girls danced and then clapped when the one who had been called up on stage climbed down in search of her brother. Realizing that he should of been paying better attention to where the guy she'd been with went, he stood to go offer his help when the noble from earlier, Armond if he recognized the face correctly, accidentally knocked her down. Well, least we know nobles aren't immune to everyday accidents as well. Reaching the trio, he kneeled and smiled at the young girl. "Very pretty dance, though an experienced eye could see the way you used your familiarity with fighting to make it so. Well done. If you'd like, I can help you find your brother." That addressed he turned to Armond as he stood.

"Lord Armond, the man who was framed for so much death. Glad to see you aren't scared by the few idiots who think you actually killed your family in that fire. Jerus Jericho, traveling black smith in training and warrior." He offered his hand for a hand shake.

The appearance of the strange blue haired girl was just another event on a growing list of strange happenings that day. Richard almost wasn't surprised at being bombarded with questions from seemingly nowhere.

"Are you alright?" she asked, "What happened here? Do you need any medical assistance?"

Richard could only manage to slip in a "No" while she checked him over for injuries. "I'm fine. There are others over-"

His train of thought crashed when she started to dust him off. Who in the world dusts off random strangers!? he wondered. Actually, a better question had formed in his head.

"Who are you?" he asked, failing to hide his lingering surprise.

"Sorry for all the questions. Mah name is Caelyn." She extended her hand in friendship.

It seemed that she really was trying to be friendly, and her enthusiasm was easily winning him over. The only appropriate thing for him to do was to shake her outstretched hand "My name is Richard," he replied, "It's nice to meet you. I hope you weren't caught up in all of this here."

Time had slipped through his hands.

The small scare that his Wingly origins had been discerned had sent him headfirst into a panic. But of course nothing was out of the ordinary, nothing at all. he was too careful to have made a blatant mistake that could get him discovered upon sight. In the reflection of a passing mirror, he discovered his dye was still holding. It would for at least another week or so.

So how? he wondered tonelessly.

It would bother him now that such a noble had known his origins. Especially after he tried so hard to hide them. With a sigh, he pulled over his hood and was determined to go through the rest of the day in obscurity. He wouldn't speak to the humans, glance, or even pay them a droplet of mind. No, he would treat them like the water-stains they were. Natural and soon to be dried by the Wingly presence that was the sun.

Thinking that took him back to the initial fury that trailed suspicion towards him. Humans were so, infectious. When one decided something, everyone else soon fell in line. It made them intolerable. Just thinking that one's wrong could transact to thousands doing the same made him stiffen. Beneath his dark, large hood, his bronze eyes became fixed in a furrow; rage beyond anything he had felt in months.

It'll always be the humans. Ancient text told of destiny's grand favoritism of them since their creation, Faeri was resolved to ranch away destiny's hold on events and claim it as his own.

He sighed inwardly before smoothly rubbing the green sphere around his neck between his thumb and index. If only you were still around.

Faeri found himself sitting far away from the performance he attended earlier, though her voice still fell kindly into his ears. He thought... for a rebuking moment, that if any human could be tolerable, that it'd be her. Especially if she voice her words in a melody the whole while. He gripped the knotted staff that carried him across the land before placing it across his knees.

"Only I will know those thoughts," he said, almost as if convincing himself the secret was safe.

While in the middle of trying to find her brother, a passerby had knocked Marmalade over. She didn't care whether or not it was an accident, she was just happy Kest hadn't been around to see it. He was sometimes too overprotective. He held his hand out for her to take, which she did, but not before another young man came and started speaking to her. He noted that she had been using her experience with a weapon to her advantage and smiled, "I was hoping no one would notice. Thank you, but I can find my brother on my own."
He went on to talk to the noble, called him Armond. She recognized the name, he had been accused of murder. What was he doing here?

Armond knew her name. Mara had said it earlier, but she hadn't expected some man dressed like a noble to remember the name of some mergirl.
He went on talking about the song Elayna sung for the Day of the Red-Eyed Dragon. She didn't have time for his prattle, she had a brother to find. Still, what he said about the White-Silver Dragon's song sounded very sweet. She herself had never even heard any of these songs.

"I've never heard it before, it sounds like a lovely ballad. Please excuse me, gentlemen, I have to find my wayward sibling." With that, she wandered into the festival.
After some time, she noticed someone sitting on a bench. She couldn't say for sure, but he looked kind of lonely so she sat next to him. "Hi." she spoke cheerfully, completely forgetting she was looking for.. anyone.



Kest smiled slightly as she turned around, proving that she was indeed unharmed. He took the opportunity to gaze longingly at the perfection that was her body; from her taut thighs to her voluptuous breasts to her beautiful face. This woman had no equal. He was a firm believer in actions speaking louder than words, and it took all his will power to not simply pull her to himself and kiss her.
You could do it, you know. Kiss her.. but what if she doesn't feel the same? She could lock me up in that dungeon of hers. The idea of being locked in her dungeon was not unpleasant, but he wanted to hold her in his arms, not stare at her through the bars of a cell.

He blushed slightly when she mentioned he had fought two and only got a scratch. "I didn't do as well as you, or I would have been able to subdue them. We should spar sometime."
Oh Gods.. that was almost like asking her out on a date, right? I could live with that..

At her words, he flinched. Veragwen was calling him out. His heart started beating a mile a minute and rose up into his throat. How could he tell her that he wanted to take her out? It was all he wanted..
As she looked him over, he couldn't help what he said, it just slipped out.
"Marry me."

He remained still, statuesque even, for a few long seconds.

He side eyed the intruding woman, his bronze orbs capturing her. Inside the folds of the large hood Faeri hid the placidity that smoothed his face. The gnarled staff that rested on his knees were moved out of her space. A soft yet hassled sigh came from the youth as he leaned back, feigning discomfort with her cheery presence.

The mermaid, he thought to himself, secretly pleased that it was her and not a human. But why?

"What do you want?" he wondered outwardly, his voice a rendition of what a polished, honed blade may have sounded like. "Have the humans showed you their sins already, bared their fangs at you for being different? It was only a matter of time, which is what I was trying to warn you about earlier."

He hadn't meant to say that much but speaking with another non-human was exceedingly rare for him. He felt inclined to do so, if only in hushed whispers.

"... Did you see it? The mob, the masses that gathered without understanding. One declared me guilty of verbally hanging you... and they saw fit to do the same to me, without even considering the truth or looking for it. You're better off... no, even other humans are better off staying away from one another."

Faeri slowly leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees and breathing evenly, though his shoulders were tense and ridged with anger. "Hey," he finally replied back.

editing

Vera put a hand on her hip, "I suppose, but I'm also better equipped. It's not exactly easy to parry or block with an empty hand. And your reach is limited to your arm's length. You can grapple sure, but that's a bit of a double-egded sword, especially against multiple opponents. I'd love to spar sometime, though! Just don't expect me to go easy on you."

She blinked at his mumblings, then blushed, her cheeks becoming rosy. Her ears heard him fairly clearly, but her brain couldn't accept it as what he said. Surely she misheard. She rubbed her arm, and couldn't quite meet his eyes, although his were drawn downward anyway, "That's...um...a bit too early to do, don't you think? We've only met a couple times, but I do like you, Kest. I'd be happy to...get something to eat or something sometime, though." Veragwen wasn't sure she'd call it a date, not yet, but she wouldn't mind the chance to get to know him better. Mara too. "But I can't right now. I'm on duty....but I suppose you could just stay by me. After all, all I'm required to do is keep my eyes open for trouble."

---

Elayna felt a bit lonely now that Mara was gone. She realized she didn't have many actual friends. She knew a lot of people, but not very well. She did have some admirers, that came with her profession, but some were a little too....forward. In which case she chased them off with her greatsword. She had little patience for men that saw women as simple eye candy.

Rez then wandered around passing time burning money in the time honored tradition of carnie games. He stepped up to one little booth area where the hawker was juggling colored rings and behind him were a bunch of bottles. The bottles were arranged closely in a way that the ring more often than not would just land on the top of the mouths rather than encircling the neck.

"Come on up stranger and have a play!" Shouted the hawker at him breaking his thoughts. Rez placed the money and received five colored rings made of wood. The situation wasn't entirely hopeless as there was a way to win that involved a certain technique to the throw. However as the saying goes, "In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." Five disappointing misses later and he had nothing.

"Naw." was all that he said as he took his consolation prize and headed elsewhere. This time he entered a tent filled with what looked to be a very impressive box with some sort of pulley system adjacent to it. This time it was a game of wits, the box was revealed to show some scenery this time it was a beach scene with appropriate props in the foreground and a painted background. He'd be given several minutes to memorize the scene and then spot the changes made.

He won several times but the game wasn't that fun for him so he promptly left in search of something more fun, as he was feeling bored. But then it caught his eyes. And his eyes glimmered with excitement at what the Gods have brought forth to him, a deliverance from his boredom. It was a shooting gallery. In a fit of cocky impetuousness he absentmindedly slammed his money with a shit eating grin and drew a pistol instead of the air gun provided. With a juggle and twirl of the pistol Rez's posture became still as he focused on the moving targets. There was some insipid sounding singing somewhere in the distance which was distracting but soon it would all change.

Just as quickly as he stood still did he explode into movement as his arm became a blur punctuated by satisfying loud pops like firecrackers going off accompanied by the sound of the targets being hit. The guy operating the game was in a state of shock and just was silently as he tried to register what happened. Rez just stood there with grin affixed as he reloaded effortlessly. He managed to hit all the shots he made but it also damaged the targets way more than they normally would. The carnie politely but in no means unclear told the man to leave after tossing him a prize in the face. But at least for him Rez had overpaid which took the sting out from his game being damaged.

His arms were burdened by the prizes he sought quickly to relieve himself of these things he had no use for, but for some reason took instead of declining. He saw some blue haired woman standing around. He just tossed all of the toy animals at her and said, "Here's your lucky day miss." He then walked off to some shops as he felt he had partook in all the festival offered.