Seemed like the meeting was over. Everyone would go with the oracle to hunt down the six artifacts the pass heroes used to slay these evil gods. Sounded simple enough. And there was going to be enough trouble along the way to keep things exciting. Without much else to do everyone went their separate ways. This would likely be the last chance any of them would get to quit the quest or find something else to do. Rochelle didn't even know why she was here in the first place, but now she had a reason to stick around. At least until she got bored and wandered off.

With nothing else to do Rochelle left the church and headed back to the tavern. She'd get a few drinks, maybe listen to a couple of stories, rent a room, and go to bed. She supposed she ought to learn more about the others she'd be journeying with, but she had a feeling that they'd go out of their way to make themselves known. So Rochelle headed to the tavern and brought herself a bottle of whiskey and two cups. If anyone wanted to drink with her she had a cup just for them. But once the bottle was out she intended to go get some rest, unless there was another bottle waiting.

Well that was the end of the night. Find a place to rest for the night and set out at the crack of dawn. The start of many a tale Melfenius mused. The elf asked a question but the Oracle had already left and everyone else was dispersing. Melfenius headed out of the church, back into the town, unfocused. She would spend the night as she did most, wandering around the town, looking to see if anything bad was happening. With no need for sleep or sustenance attempting to rest was a waste of time so she simply roamed on the offhand chance she could be helpful. Melfenius wondered how things would go with this many... Eccentric people. There was no guarantee all of them would even show up tomorrow. Oh well, nothing to be done for it but carry on. That at least, was something Melfenius was quite good at.

As each of their merry little band asked questions, the Oracle did her best to answer them. Lotte listened in with mild interest, a snickering expression painted on her features. Mecha gods? Heroic stones and relics of old? Magical powers? Was Lucius really sure he had picked the right group of adventurers cause honestly, half of them seemed like they were fated to die on this journey.

Not that she was harboring such thoughts as to blow up her newfound allies. Heavens no. It was just a funny little thought to ponder. Honestly. In any case, the question and answering seemed to be over with for now as the others roamed around to find a place to rest for the night. Was it really night already? She could have sworn it was still the middle of the day…

“Man that was super informative. Guess we should go find Malkai before he gets himself in trouble again,” Lotte said, once more clasping Flan’s hand and dragging her out of the church. “Wonder where he went-oh wow! Look at the big doggy!” Lotte exclaimed, running up to try and pet the thing. “Such a good boy…I’m gonna feed you so many bombs…”

---

Seeing that her skeleton companion or associate of sorts left...Claire nervously finishes fixing the church up as everyone started to go their separate ways for the day's end. She/He waves at the lady in charge and her associates as Claire starts to head out herself.

"Err...what to do now? Guess...go back to the bar and ask for a meal."

Claire eventually does find her/his way back to the tavern and tries to order anything seafood typed food there. After all...it would calm her/his gut feeling about home. Plus relaxation results in calm thinking before the long journey that Claire decided to partake in. It was her/his chance at finding a true calling...to anything really. Claire does notice that one of the people who attended the meeting was there and it was the brave outgoing short lady from before. She/He notices that the lady was consuming quite the large amount of alcohol...and was quite worried for her.

"A~Are you sure you'll be okay to go in the morning? Please don't drink too much...there was enough trouble today as i~is. Oh but sorry for interrupting your drinking...I'll just go back to eating my fish."

@Norschtalen@Eklispe

Nephele

Nephele tucked her head down and backed away as she prepared for Khristina to instruct everyone to stop acting like barbarians and accept the fact that they were chosen by Lucius for a reason. This went on for several moments before Khristina transitioned into the first objective of the quest. "Now... If that is all the questions you have, then I suggest we all rest here in Edivid, tomorrow we head out for Agni" Was the last thing Khristina said before dismissing the group with one last tap of her staff. Both Loralei and Khristina start to leave and Nephele gulps before following close behind.

Nephele kept her head down as she looked at the ground and followed Khristina and walked beside Loralei. She leaned over to Loralei and whispers "Am I the only one that feels that Lady Khristina was nearing her limit of... tolerance?"

Mentions [+]

@Darkmoon Angel, @cloudystar, @KoL, @Lucius Cypher, @Eklispe, @TheWindel, @Norschtalen, @Solaris, @dabombjk, @Ryougu

"Your not the only one... I really hope that Khristina is ready for such a responsibility... Of course, she was chosen by Lucius for a reason, just like how everyone in this group was chosen..." Loralei had her doubts about this whole thing, but if everyone here was destined for something greater, who was she to judge.

"What are you two talking about back there? Come on, we have the whole day to ourselves, what do you two want to do?" Khristina asked with a caring smile. "I'm fine Miss Khristina..." "Nephele... What about you? Any ideas on how we should spend our evening?"

Nephele nods with agreement to Loralei "Im sure Lady Khistina shall do great. After all it is our job to trust and believe in our mi-" She would stop as Khristina started to speak. Followed by Loralei "Why do I have to choose?!" She was sweating and panicking. She looked to the ground all flustered and sighs "Can't we just do normal things?"

Wolf looked at Lotte with a confused expression, but continued to lead the trio deeper into the forest. Sometime later and they'd stumble onto a wolf pack that had just finished killing a deer and were in the process of forging it when the group would arrive. It was a pack of twelve wolves, eight adults and four pups, and none of them seemed too happy at seeing the three humanoids. However Wolf simple stabbed his sword into the ground and gave the others a glare, and they seemed to back away.

On the scene Malkai didn't really question what exactly went down, and he knew his purpose here. "Roight. Guess I'll butcher da deer. Boobies if you'll lend me a hand at skinnin an' choppin we'd get this done quicker. Lolibomb see bout making a fire. And don't kill no one! Rather not hafta eat deez wolves." taking out his knife Malkai went to the deer carcass and started to skin it.

Meanwhile the wolves were watchful, in pups in particular curious. They and their mother approached the group to investigate, nipping at Lotte and Flan's heels while the mother kept a watchful eye for potentially hostile movement. They didn't seem hostile, or at least Wolf pacified them.

It wasn’t long before someone joined Rochelle at the bar. It was that effeminate twerpy little kid Rochelle didn’t pay much attention too. The kid looked far too young to be on a journey like this, but the elven features may mean this child-like person was older than he or she looked. Frankly Rochelle couldn’t even tell if the elf was a boy or a girl, so for simplicity sake this kid was a boy. Or maybe even a man. When he came over to speak his concern Rochelle reached out and pulled the boy closer to her, intentionally pressing his face against her breasts.

”Oh, how sweet. Worried that I’ll have too much to drink? Well, can’t let this bottle go to waste. Cheers!” Rochelle poured herself and the kid a glass of whisky, downing hers immediately. She lifted the glass up to the boy’s face, peering down at him as she held him even closer. ”C’mon, just one cup! Or are you too good for my drink?”

@cloudystar

Claire

Claire's cheeks turned extremely red which only made her/his differently colored eyes stand out more...as she/he tries to escape a bit but is too weak to resist the woman. That and it was his/her only chance to make a new friend...and sure the young-looking elf rarely drinks alcohol, she/he quickly replies,

"I~I'll drink a cup or two if you want to be friends! I'm Claire...sorry...and I guess as a healer, I should carry...a~a part of the task to down the rest of this whiskey. Please go easy on me."

Claire's soft and somewhat squeaky voice resulted in her/him turning even more red as she/he tries to grab the cup of whiskey and down it as quick as Rochelle can. After doing so awkwardly, she/he hiccups a few times and is even more red...despite the tan skin covering up for some of it.

"Wow *hic* so much warmer all of a sudden...should p~probably *hic* make some water to cool us off. Would you like that ma'am?"

@Norschtalen

With daylight yet running its course for the cycle, the young dragon was finding that locating food in the village would be a lot more trouble than he originally thought. It seems there is a distinct difference between unwanted and very edible vermin and someone's pet. At least that was the impression he got as an elderly lady picked up her dog from the ground and eyed him suspiciously as he walked by. Sure enough, he could sense the distrustful stares of the villagers, word of his "outburst" at the church having spread and people's conclusions were already being drawn. All in all, he thought it better that he realize he had no place here now, instead of while that old lady back there is screaming for help and pummeling him with a long broom or something.

Viranti was far from giving up on the quest, but at least for the night he'd retreat back out of the settlement. He wasn't expecting company but didn't feel in any position to turn anyone down should they want to join him for some reason. Sighing loudly upon remembering where he'd rather spend his first day as a free "man", he followed the trail out of Edivid, trudging along it until a sizable patch of forest came into view, intending to set up camp there.

Nemo stayed at the church for a while, inspecting the remains of the robot that was before him. He did this for a while and before he knew it it was dark outside and one of the people who tended the church politely asked him to leave "OK" he replied drowsily. The kid got up, gathering his supplies and drudged out of the church. His visible eye was half open at this point and he slouched as he slowly moved along the streets of the town. "What to do, what to do" he said, his stomach growled "Food, shelter, I don't want to sleep on that damn metal hammock again". He was sort of acting like a pansy at this point. He continued along for a while "Inn" he said to himself as he decided that he was going to use some of his funds to purchase food and rent a room. He walked into a tavern and saw some of the people that were also called by the oracle. He ignored them and sat down. His bag and walking stick fell to the floor as he took his seat and he slouched down resting his chin on the counter that was before him. His half open yellow eye, which had a slit pupil and a slight glow stared at the bartender "Food please" he said, monotone and disinterested. The bartender took his order and walked off. The boy then closed his eye and began to focus "I wonder where that dragon is" he wondered

"Tch. I'm not a 'ma'am'. My name is Rochelle. Remember it!" The gunslinger poured the two another around of whisky and were not halfway through the bottle. She even took a bit of a swig straight from the bottle. "So you're a healer, huh? I've bet you've been to a lot of fights then. Seen some nasty injuries? I once saw two men rip another in half. Crazy!"
Rochelle teased Claire as she continued to hold him close to her chest. If he was a healer Rochelle hoped he could stomach any sort of injury they get. Rochelle does not make clean kills.

@cloudystar

Claire nods his/her head, still hiccuping as she/he tries to get a response out. She/He was extremely bashful and red-faced as Rochelle keeps Claire near her chest, though tries to show some sort of confidence when she asked him about his/her skill. This was the one time he can actually make a good impression! Claire tries to focus very carefully on her/his words as she/he begins to speak...

"I've...been in the forests a lot. And fished a lot. I always experimented with healing fishes or other *hic* sea creatures for practice if not myself. Same with forest *hic* creatures. I haven't been that dangerous of *hic* fights...wolves at most. But I *hic* definitely won't falter from healing you or any other *hic* friends of the group. I'm not much of a warrior...but I'll heal to the best of my ability!"

Trying to raise her/his mug with bravado and taps Rochelle's with it for a toast, he/she giggles a few times as she/he takes another drink from the whisky...getting quite drunk very fast probably due to a certain someone's insistence at making the healer with a weak constitution drink.

@Norschtalen

It was a curious thing.

When Viranti first entered the forest, and after he stood in bewilderment at how much shade there was for a few seconds, he noted the ambient sounds of wildlife, the birds chirping to the spontaneous accompaniment of various calls by scurrying mammals and even larger creatures. It was the presence of these larger creatures that he was most interested in as he was unwilling to risk eating the bulbous and colorful growths on the branches and bushes.

Unfortunately, Viranti found that there was a learning curve involved with hunting deer in a forest for anyone unfamiliar with either. It seemed like an eventual matter, but it wasn't long until he came across a wild bear during one of his attempts, the large, furry beast roaring loudly and charging at the dragonute. Viranti frowned, not at all thrilled that he wouldn't get another chance to hunt deer before the day was through.

...

The beast took a while to skin, but Viranti was eager to try cooking chunks of it on a spit over the fire pit he made next to a pile of leaves where he'd be sleeping. He had dragged his kill to a clearing, wanting to see the stars before he slept for the night. As he thought and mulled over while he relocated what was left of the bear's carcass elsewhere so he wouldn't be bothered further: the stars were unlike the celestial bodies overlooking his homeland. Though, as he just about gorged himself on bear meat and drank what he could from a nearby lake, he did feel marginally better, the animal's flesh almost having a sweet quality to it, although that could have just been because of how hungry he was. Either way, it was the first good thing that's happened to him since this ordeal. And so, with little else to do and with the crackling fire to keep him warm, Viranti laid down in a curled position over the bed of leaves, his tail curving in front of his legs.

The curious thing was: The forest was completely silent, as though even the nocturnal creatures were disinclined to make a sound. This would continue all the way until the dragon left for the village in the morning.

Nephele

Nephele nods with agreement to Loralei "Im sure Lady Khistina shall do great. After all it is our job to trust and believe in our mi-" She would stop as Khristina started to speak. Followed by Loralei "Why do I have to choose?!" She was sweating and panicking. She looked to the ground all flustered and sighs "Can't we just do normal things?"

Khristina giggled a bit. "You always were a nervous wreck Nephele. Alright, I guess we'll head back to the inn then, it has been a long day." Khristina said smiling as she walked back to the inn to turn in for the night. "You'll be joining us, right? Or do have somewhere to be after we leave town?" Loralei asked Nephele curiously. After she got answer, Loralei would head to Khristina's room to check and see if she needed anything and then headed to her own room to rest for the following day. Khristina lied in bed reading a bit of her tome before turning off the lights. "We will save Gaia... I promise, Lucius..."

---

After a bit of preperation, Khristina was out the door of the inn, with an apple in her mouth and Loralei close behind. She waited on the edge of town where a gate leading to Agni was open and ready to transport the group, the red glow of the elegant gate seemed as fiery as the kingdom it lead to. "I hope they are as willing to help as they said they are... Would be a shame if we were to go on this journey with only a few allies by our side..." "Don't worry Lady Khristina... I'm sure they will all arrive." Loralei reassured her. Khristina sat on a rock beside the gate and waited patiently for the others to arrive.

Waking up with the sun shining on his face, Ryuuga sat up. Looking at his surrounding he remembered he'd slept in a nice couple's shop. The sunlight came in through a high window, which made the room very well-lit so early in the morning. Making his way down from the upstairs room, Ryuuga admired the work he'd done last night, the sight of a job well-done always satisfied him. It would've too, if he hadn't seen some spots he'd forgotten.

Quickly getting the cleaning tools again, he finished up the job he'd started the day before. When he sat down again and looked at the clean shop, almost sparkling. After admiring his job for a couple more minutesand slowly waking up, he left a 'thank you'-note and stepped outside. Breathing in the fresh morning air filled him with new energy as he headed to the tavern to order some breakfast.

--One tasty breakfast later--
Ryuuga stood up and ordered an extra bit of food for during the trip. This would probably become his lunch. Once more stepping outside, he realized he had no clue where to go, so he decided to look around from higher grounds. And as it would reveal, the oracle was waiting at the gates. Jumping down and landing 'gracefully' (this means not breaking his legs or falling face-first onto the ground) he went on his (merry?) way. Approaching the oracle and company with a casual "Hey."
@Darkmoon angel and probably @Lady Athena

Nephele sighs deeply before nodding "N-n-n-yes…. I am a nervous wreck…." She giggles nervously before continuing to follow Khristina and Loralei "I will be joining you…" She had somewhere to be while they were out of town. The girl stood outside the inn, she was unsure what to do with her life at the moment. Nephele sat outside the inn the whole night, she was deep in thought.

The next day when Khristina and Loralei were out the door. Nephele would be asleep, though the slamming of the inn door as it shut would send her into a panic and she would rush after the two other people. Nephele seemed completely drained and exhausted at the lack of sleep she had the previous night. She would collapse beside the rock that Khristina was sitting on. The girl would look up to the man known as Ryuuga and would wave weakly to the man. She wouldn't say any words though

Malakaus woke up in the middle of the forest next to a dying fire and a pack of wolves. He vaguely remembered what happened yesterday: at some point someone had the bright idea of feeding the wolves wine and things got crazy from there. Getting back onto his feet the other wolves seemed to stir, wondering what the large orc in iron was doing. "Neh. Wolf! Get up, iz time to go." Wolf was curled up with the others, but upon being called the feral canine yawned, picked up his sword, and followed Malakaus out of the forest and back to the town.

Seemed like his old friends had left him for greener pastures. Suited him just fine. Better that he got to know some of these other folks than to just keeping sticking around the old timers. Right now it only looked like three of the people from before were here, one who was the oracle. "Aye." Malakaus called out to them. He was still groggy and sleepy, but if they were going to be marching out soon he'll get over it. For now he just ate a simple breakfast consisting of a dry sandwich and water from his waterskin. "Dis it?"

Viranti’s world shrunk and his perception was hindered by a dissonant haze, not that the pitch black backdrop that made up this setting left much to be observed. Parallels could be drawn to before he first woke up in this world, except he really couldn’t move and just layed on his back, limbs sprawled out and him facing upward, him at least discerning that much. The feeling of being bounded and immobile was epotently familiar and wholly unwelcome, and he struggled in place to break free, but wasn’t in the least bit successful. His efforts gradually grew in urgency and progressed into full blown panic.

After a tense few moments, the deeply alarmed dragon finally moved his right arm and swung it in front of his field of vision. But what should have been a cause for relief turned anything but, his bare hand and forearm appearing to petrify into hardened sandstone before cracking and jaggedly splintering apart before his eyes.

Viranti’s eyes surged wide open, his body coming alive in a frenzy of movement that climaxed with him jolting into a roll off of his bed of leaves. He breathlessly surveyed his surroundings and found that he was back in the forest, just prior to sunrise. Now on his knees, his breathing slowed gradually and indeed was visible in the frigid early morning. His left arm helped hold himself up as his right hand smoothed over his face and down his head and horn. It was fair to say: that was all the sleep he’d be getting for the time being.

...

Viranti had eaten all he could the night before and decided to spend some time sitting by the lake, his feet in the water. The marvelous novelty of a sizable body of water wasn’t lost on the hunter, him feeling what it might be like to be a human stumbling across a similar quantity of gold or treasure. He smirked thinly as his feet played about under the surface, proud of himself that he wasn’t empty headed enough to jump right in the first time he saw it and probably drown within minutes.

Lingering for a few moments after daybreak, the young dragon exited the forest, taking only a few of the supplies he had gathered the previous day and headed back to Edivid, quietly in thought throughout the trip. He arrived to find the Oracle and some of the others waiting next to a fantastic “structure” of some kind. “I am here, Oracle,” he spoke simply, eyeing the gateway skeptically. “This is where we must go?” His unfamiliarity with this mode of travel may go without saying, but he was willing to enter this portal with little question should it be necessary for him to do so.

---

---

Rochelle woke up in a dingy room with all the pillows, blankets, and even the bed tossed about. She was half-naked and the first thing she checked on was her gun, which was laying underneath a pillow with no ammo. Seemed like she shot something last night, but she could hardly remember. Her head was sore so she knew she had been drinking. "Ugh. Got to get ready..." Gathering up her clothes Rochelle dressed herself again, loaded more bullets into her revolver, and headed down stairs. Seemed like most everyone had already gone. She headed over to the innkeeper to pay her rent as well as pick up a meal to go. Who knows how long it'd be before they'd reach civilization again so it'd pay to be prepared.

Though still irritable and suffering from a mild hangover Rochelle met with the other destined warriors of this vaguely described mission from god. At this point she didn't really know or care about what the quest was, she just wanted to get on with it. "I'm here, I'm here. What's with the portal?" Rochelle waved her hand in the general direction of the gate. The lands beyond seemed familiar, but she wasn't in the right state of mind to start remembering things.