Andrea had tried her hardest to stay near the exit of the cart. She didn't think it would be a rough ride by any means, but if anyone were to have the chance of falling, she would think it should be her, who doesn't exactly bruise. Despite this the little raven haired one with lovely ears managed to get in behind her, not even sitting in one of the seats. This was also followed by a large armed man, who honestly, Andrea was pretty okay with letting him choose whatever spot he wanted. While she wasn't exactly the quiet type, Andrea felt a little too unbalanced to speak. She was a bit too far from the bespectacled woman to talk to her again, and everyone else was so...intimidating. They were either much smarter, adventurous or worldly looking. The older gentleman probably knew more then Andrea ever would, and the Elven woman could easily run circles around Andrea, literally. She sunk into herself, wondering again if she was qualified to be here. As gentle scenery trotted by, she tried to encourage herself.

Arriving at their destination, Andrea quickly gathered her things and stepped aside, not wanting to be in the way. She listened intently to the mayor, and felt a pang of negativity inside her again. She didn't want to stop anyone from having their own rooms, or rooming with whom they wanted, and denying one herself seemed rude. But laying awake pretending to sleep for 12 hours at a time wasn't exactly her cup of tea. Perhaps she could sneak out? Despite her... heavy steps, she had gotten pretty decent at sneaking about... She sighed inwardly and looked around to the group, all now going about their own business. She decided she should get to it as well, no point loitering here. She decided to take the leap and approach one of the other applicants. Sharing information could assure them both a spot, and more area could be covered as well. And if she wanted someone who could cover a large area, perhaps someone who could fly would suffice. "Hello there." She said simply, approaching the pretty lady with long hair, and wings.

---

@Ruthenselle

Lian was definitely having more luck of the day. Not only was there someone in the dining room, but someone wished to converse! She smiled at the man and nodded her head. "Why thank you," she replied. "I shall be just a moment, I'm afraid Senlin and I are quite the hungry pair right now!"

Her nose twitched and she turned in the direction of the food. As hungry as her little hand-dragon was, however, he was much more curious. He easily made his way down her back, around her waist and then down her leg in one fluid almost serpentine movement. "Go on then," Lian told him, a little chuckle escaping her as she headed over to fill a plate.

The little dragon headed to the table where the man was, easily making his way up the table. He knew better than to sniff at food, having been smacked on the snout more than once. Instead, he simply watched Johan, golden yellow eyes intense. The way he was sitting was much less so, looking like much like a squirrel, paws folded over his chest. His head was tilted one way, and then the other, as if he was assessing the person before him. Who really knew what went on in his mind, though?

Soon enough, Lian was at the table as well, setting her plate on the table before sitting down. She smiled once more, a little amused by the way Senlin stopped staring and turned to her plate. "If I recall correctly, you're Mister Johan, right? Company is always lovely." She prodded at a vegetable with her fork before looking to the older man. "I am Lian, pleased to meet you."

@DepressedSoviet

You know what? The ride was a hassle. Period. And it better have been worth it. Of course she agreed unequivocally that it was to be 'expected'. An arduous journey nonetheless. She could handle the drop-gate, no severe qualms there. But her ancestors were creatures of the sky, and therefore simple genetics caused her immediate family - and herself - to be less resilient with actions created on or received directly from the earth. They had only had just begun, and already she was alert. No, she was a long way past 'alert' at this point! At every little crack in the road or rocks they rode over, she nearly leaped out of the wagon, her hand flying to the sides, clutching it for half a minute. Actually, the first time that occurred, she still had the cookie in her hand. Cheeks flushing, Trilune tucked it away in another pocket. And don't get me started on double bumps on this...this road. Rough. She clenched her teeth. This was precisely why sprinting or horse riding was infinite times better! One would have control over where they stepped, and the second was self-explanatory; horses were clever, gentle creatures.

Trilune found herself peering over at the other newly recruited members longingly. But, wait. Something felt...queer. It seemed to be more crowded. With all of the luggage, maybe she shouldn't be narrowing her eyes and searching the wagon, head tilted a fraction of a degree to the right. That thought quickly vaporized as she caught sight of the man who'd recently joined the group. Trilune's eyebrow quirked skywards, and the corners of her lips suggested a veiled smile. He hadn't exactly sent out friendly vibes to the rest of them. But surely it didn't indicate that he despised the world. Pleased with herself, she fiddled with her jacket's zipper. Cold metal would either stress her or calm her down.

You think the black-haired man may possess an interesting positive story underneath that icy demeanor? The winged elemental was hopeful that she was right on that one, but her sylph mind had other ideas. Indeed, the other option is that he saw or did something that cannot be forgiven. Look at his bag; dangerous, most likely. You probably should refrain from trusting him, her brain advised its master. Something in the last thought suddenly clicked. Have you honestly lost your mind? she fired back, I do not "trust" anyone here. I. Am. Merely. Curious. A hint of a figure the young lady once knew fluttered through her muddy thoughts, clear, like moonlight shimmering a path of light on the dark waters. He - the figure - had a stocky build, paired with the eyes of a more experienced person than Trilune. He had the same twinkle in his eyes. Bright and alive.

"No- please, why meeee- ahh! I was not ready that time. How do they say it? I'm a pickle? Pickle me timbers? I'm in a pickle? That last one's too reasonable-sounding to be true, reasonable things scarcely happen these days," Trilune mumbled under her breath. Her right hand was currently gripping the zipper and her left steadying herself with the top of the wagon's border. While doing that, she was oblivious to the fact that her fellow members were hopping off. Only when most of them had filed out did she realize this, and hustled to join them. The memory of her experience on the wagon was most definitely not being pondered at this moment. Back to serious business. The Mayor, excellent. Furrowing her forehead, she mused over his words, memorizing what he'd said. Announcements like these might be small when given, but it could easily come in handy later. She dipped her head. "Yes..thank you, Mayor. Right away."

A room with as many windows as possible. That would be her preference, but it wouldn't become reality if she kept being tardy. This time, her mind was set firm on not losing. One of the larger rooms might be fitting. Besides, she didn't mind sharing with another person in the group, and she couldn't select favorites among them, since Trilune hadn't really gotten to know any of them. As long as they didn't mind open windows. Not long after she strode inside, she noticed one of the other women advancing toward her. "Hello, hello." She took a second brief look at the lady. Human, or something else? That was two things that felt peculiar today. Then again, she'd signed up for it. Holding her nerve around species she'd never heard of was practically part of the job description, even if it hadn't been in print, correct? Spicing things up in life with brand-new things - it was truly happening. Fascinating. Might as well get to the point, then. That's what the Mayor had told them. "So... do you have something in mind? I figured I would go investigate after exploring the rooms. Getting to know the building in case of an emergency or clues it may offer, you know?" She shifted her weight onto her left foot. "My name is Trilune, by the way. Very sorry for not mentioning that earlier," the female chortled, embarrassed. Her hand adjusted her hair, brushing it aside, and ran down the edges of her white wings. "Yours? I hope to get to know you. Truly, you are most intriguing already. I am sure you have a story the world does not know. But now is not the time for stories, we are on a mission." The creature's mouth extended into a knowing smile, both her eyebrows now raised inquiringly. Trilune nodded to herself at the last part. Thrilled. She finally had the chance to change something for the world, and it wouldn't be ruined so easily. Oh, and the wagon ride? It was worth it, a hundred and one percent.

@deadpixel101

"Please, come join me ma'am. An old man like myself can use all the dining company he can get, and I'm sure you'll make a fine conversation partner."

"If I recall correctly, you're Mister Johan, right? Company is always lovely." She prodded at a vegetable with her fork before looking to the older man. "I am Lian, pleased to meet you."

Alice clenched her suitcase tightly while looking around for someone to hitch with. Her crimson eyes lay on a girl with dark hair who seemed to be enjoying the situation the same as she was.

"I'm Rhea Heimlich from Comet-by-the-Sea. It's a pleasure meeting you, Miss..."

"Hello there." [Andrea] said simply, approaching the pretty lady with long hair, and wings.

"Hello, hello. So... do you have something in mind? I figured I would go investigate after exploring the rooms. Getting to know the building in case of an emergency or clues it may offer, you know? My name is Trilune, by the way. Very sorry for not mentioning that earlier. Yours? I hope to get to know you. Truly, you are most intriguing already. I am sure you have a story to world does not know. But now is not the time for stories, we are on a mission."

Mayor Casworon Toll remained very still and proper at his post on the porch, his spine straight and chin up, offering a little nod to each of the detectives as they passed him with their luggage. There was a palpable air of urgency about him: a twitch of his fingers behind his back, a shift in his weight from foot to foot, a strained smile on his face as if he wanted very much to demand the immediate commencement of their investigation -- but he held his tongue out of civility and hospitality. At the same time, his eyes darted occasionally into the dark pine woods that bordered the opposite side of the road.

After everyone else had gone inside to claim their rooms and their suppers, Mayor Toll remained by the door like a skittish sentry.

Rook leaned stiffly against the porch railing, a forbidding scowl on his face while he watched and listened to the shut-up village.

The old wagon driver set about rearranging his cargo for the rest of his delivery, which had been displaced for the passengers.

"E-excuse me, sir. Thank you for taking us to town. Here's a little tip; its money I was supposed to use for travel through the gate, but I didn't exactly have a gate to travel through before arrival. I know you aren't supposed to talk to us, and you don't have to if you don't want to, but I'd like to ask a couple of questions pertaining to why were here. Do you know anything about Kenver Edwards, from four days ago, or Sewena Toll, who disappeared yesterday?"

The wagon driver dropped to the ground with a curious tip of his bald head, and he accepted Jenna's tip with a surprised grin. A proud sparkle came to his eye, and he nodded fervently.

"Yes, miss, thank you miss, you have no idea how hard it was to keep from speakin' a word for the whole ride over here! But I made a promise, I did, 'No talkin' 'less you're talked to,' and I keep my word, Miss, I keep my word! So thank you for speakin' ta me, it's such a pleasure, I'd've had a sour day otherwise." He gave a tinny laugh and shook Jenna's hand in both of his.

"Now, as fer your questions." He tapped his shiny head. "I don't know much about the mayor's daughter, poor girl -- but Kenver, well he was my boss until he up 'n vanished. We stayed the night here on our way from Four Stones with a delivery of skiurium ore -- that's the reddish shiny sorta stone that the mechanikers use, rare stuff and expensive -- so when we got up in the morning and part of our supply was gone, Kenver had a right fit. He went tearin' across the village, bangin' on doors, demandin' his supply back." The wagon driver flung his knobby hands in the air to emphasize just how crazy Kenver had got over the loss of his merchandise.

"Well, just when I was suggestin' that maybe we should just report the theft an' let the authorities deal with it like they properly should, Kenver he pointed out at the woods -- right here," He stretched out an arm and pointed into the forest across the road, "and he said, 'Hey Breok,' he says to me. 'Breok, you see that guy out there?' And I looked, and there indeed was somebody peeking up over the edge of that boulder out there, starin' at us. I couldn't tell much except he had kinda wild reddish hair -- kinda like mine, only on his head." He stroked his scraggly beard with a chuckle.

"And Kenver yelled out to the guy, spittin' mad, and when we got no response he ran out into the woods and around that boulder to snag him." Breok scratched the back of his head and huffed a sigh. "Well, I waited a bit, and he didn't come out again though I called him. And I went over around that rock and he'd gone." He turned up his palms helplessly. "Kenver was just gone. Me an' a bunch of the villagers, we combed through this forest, but we didn't find anything at all." He shook his head. "I'm sorry I'm not much of a help, but thank you much for listening anyway."

Once Breok's story had finished, Rook silently shifted to his feet and made his way into the inn and to the dining room without so much as a glance to the others. Without relinquishing either his bag or his weapons, he helped himself to a bowl and a generous ladle of stew before finding a seat at the most remote table in the room, where he could keep an eye on the entirety of the dining hall -- and listen in on all their conversations -- while he ate.

“Alice. Alice Pines,” the dark-clothed woman said. Her smile didn’t let up and her hand reached true to shake Rhea’s in greeting. It seemed she too had been bored by the journey’s voyage here if she was willing to speak to her. “Well, there’s no use in keeping you on standby, yes? Would you like to room together for the night Miss Heimlich? You’ll find that I can be quite the entertaining roommate.”

As she waited for an answer from her, a sight beyond the windows caught her attention. A young girl who she had noticed to be among their group was talking to the driver. Hadn’t there been instructions to not speak to him at all? However, the young lass probably had something planned in mind, because really, why else would she openly break a rule like that?

Yet there was also the fact that this supposed mayor was…how to put it…well, he was acting like he had been overdosed on medication. Oh dear, what to do? The obvious choice lay in speaking to the mayor, but she was also very curious in the conversation happening outside. Well, time to be in two places at once she supposed.

“Oh, Miss Heimlich? Would you be a dear and recruit our third roommate? She looks to be enjoying herself a little too much,” Alice said, directing Rhea to the window and pointing at Jenna. “Have fun with that. I need to find ourselves a prim and proper room,” she finished, letting Rhea go on her way before approaching the skittish mayor.

“Ah, excuse me Mayor Toll. I was meaning to ask which rooms did you assign us to. I have two other women with me who’d like to act as roommates-goodness you look like you’ve seen a ghost!” Alice said, titling her head and taking in the man’s expression. “Would you like a glass of water dear? Or perhaps I can lend you an ear? It sounds like you have something you’d like to scream aloud.”

---

Oh, today was a good day! A very, very good day! It had started out good when Miss Crumsby let Uwen have some of the leftover porridge from yesterday. And it got even better! Uwen then got to play with some of the village children. And then, then! When Uwen went back to the stable for his afternoon nap, he found a letter! For him! He never got mail!

Miss Crumsby had to help Uwen with some of the bigger words. But once he found out he would get to be a nice detective too, the biggest smile grew on his lips. There were even some gold coins in the envelope! Uwen had never had any money. He didn't even know what to spend it on, but had was happy to have it!

Miss Crumsby helped him pack his sack. Uwen had a bad habit of losing his belongings, so Miss Crumsby suggested he keep his things in a sack to break the habit. And it works! Most of the time.

He packed a few snacks, some baubles he was fond of, his shiny coins, and the ID card that he wasn't allowed to ever, ever, ever lose.

With a hug to goodbye to Miss Crumsby and a pat on the head for the horses in the stable, Uwen went on his way to the Gate.

Once there, after putting a handful of cookies into his bag and thanking nice Miss Hedra, Uwen waved hello to the man sitting on the wagon.

Once the man saw Uwen's ID, Uwen thought the man looked worried. When Uwen asked why the man was worried, the man said that Uwen was really big. Which Uwen was. Really big.

He didn't want the man in the wagon to worry. The man in the wagon had said that Uwen was early, so Uwen told the man that he could walk to Riffraff. Uwen was good at walking, he could walk for a real long time.

After patting the horses on the head and saying a cheerful goodbye to the wagon man, Uwen began his journey.
_____________________________

After two and a half hours of brisk jogging down dirt roads, Uwen had reached his destination. He was a bit sleepy and a bit hungry now, but he didn't want to be late. Miss Crumsby had said that if he was late he would be in trouble, and he wouldn't get to be a detective then. Uwen didn't want to be late.

Still jogging down the road to what he could see as the wagon, along with the worried man sitting on it, Uwen noticed that it was quiet. It was never this quite back home. People were always talking and singing at Miss Crumsby's inn. Never quiet. Uwen hoped that the people were okay. He hoped they would be talking soon.

Stopping in front of the wagon, Uwen smiled and waved again at the wagon man! "Hello again! I told ya I was good at walking."

There was a very upset looking man standing on the porch. He looked important. And annoyed. Uwen hoped he wasn't late. If he was late and the man was annoyed because of him Uwen would feel bad.

There was also a girl talking to the wagon man. She was much smaller than Uwen. She seemed nice.

"Uhm, I'm not late, am I? I'm really really sorry if I am." Thinking fast, Uwen opened up his bag and took out his stored cookies. Hoping to save himself from getting in trouble. "I brought cookies!"

Jacky had pleasant conversation with Lian and arrived at their next destination. It looked like a fairly large building as the man who had explained it to them earlier had indeed described. Them a whole lot of chaos happened as everyone began disembarking from their various positions atop their little battleship... No it was a wagon, but to Jacky it seemed rather silly to have such a large company travel atop such a thing, as it wasn't as safe as a larger or armored vehicle.

Jacky went to disembark himself when he heard one of the others ask the mayor a question. For a moment Jacky turned his head with eyes very keen on what was going on between the two of them. Then he remembered his manners and turned away, wishing not to overhear what was likely their business and their business alone. Thus he followed a couple of the others towards the dining hall and sat down at a small table at the corner of the room, not ordering anything. Just staring at the wall, wondering what the hell he was doing with his life.

"Miss Alice Pines, huh? That’s really an exquisite name," Rhea thought as Alice went on her own quest for information while Rhea was left with the mission of fishing yet another roommate, to complete a happy trio. "Well, I guess that I should do my part on this story as well. There’s nothing to gain by dilly dallying."

After setting her luggage besides the door, where she could keep an eye on it, Rhea walked to where Jenna was talking with the driver, not long before the old man began packing his things to go do the rest of his chores. Right about the same time an ogre, or whatever else kind of gigantic humanoid came in, offering suspiciously familiar looking cookies. "Ara ara, I hope I'm not disturbing your... sweets distribution event?" Rhea said, raising a finger to her chin while cocking her head aside, her mischievous smirk still gracing her lips as she continued, "I'm here to invite you to room with us, Miss—" however, she came to a halt when she noticed that she hadn't introduced herself.

"I'm very sorry for my lack of decorum," the mismatched-eyed woman said correcting her posture, "I'm Rhea Heimlich, a humble bookseller and coffee connoisseur, pleased to make both of your acquaintances."

"Now, where was I, again? Ah, yes," Rhea's eyes were like a cat's as she took every detail of the two before her into consideration, before continuing, "My charming, newly acquired roommate and I, thought that we could fetch a third lady to round our numbers. You seem to be the best candidate around, so... what do you say about it? Ah, but before we dismiss the companionship of our muscular friend here and enjoy a little ladies-only fun, let me be sure of one thing."

Rhea skirted around Uwen before stopping in front of the giant, smiling playfully, "As I made my way here, I could overhear the driver mentioning that Mister Kenver disappeared behind that boulder there," she pointed to the large rock, being sure to grab Uwen's attention, "What do you say, my size-advantaged friend, do you think that you could move it so that we can investigate any possible clues over there? If you do that... I'll have a special treat just for Y.O.U.~"

“Ah, excuse me Mayor Toll. I was meaning to ask which rooms did you assign us to. I have two other women with me who’d like to act as roommates-goodness you look like you’ve seen a ghost!” Alice said, titling her head and taking in the man’s expression. “Would you like a glass of water dear? Or perhaps I can lend you an ear? It sounds like you have something you’d like to scream aloud.”

The mayor blinked dazedly at Alice, and his lower lip trembled despite his valiant attempts to remain proper and vigilant. "There are no assigned rooms, Miss," he said by way of distracting his thoughts. "Any of the upstairs rooms are available to you for the night's stay, please do choose whichever of them seems most appealing . . ." His voice trailed off to a squeak, and while Alice watched, despair glimmered in his small eyes.

"My daughter, Sewena." The name triggered a desperate passion in the mayor, who finally unclasped his hands from behind his back and flung them with his words. "I should have been a better father! I ignored her most of her life, always working, always locked in with my letters, barely saw her face. She resents me. She told me so, the day before she . . . when I told her I didn't approve of her boyfriend, Jory's his name." His expression flashed with anger.

"We've pounded on Jory's door -- he lives at the end, in the house with the fox-statue out front," he pointed down the dirt road, "but there's no response and the door's locked, which is quite unusual for this town. No one has seen a hair of him since Sewena didn't come back from the woods. I fear he has her! My daughter's missing and in trouble and she hates me and I'm a useless old man."

The prim and proper middle-aged mayor crumbled into tears, then, and sank down to sit on the floor of the porch. He could do what that glass of water.

Once he'd caught his breath again, he had one other thing to say: "I was only told secondhand how she didn't come home. Miss Tregonning knows more than I do. She rents a room to Sewena, next door."

---

Thus [Jacky] followed a couple of the others towards the dining hall and sat down at a small table at the corner of the room, not ordering anything. Just staring at the wall, wondering what the hell he was doing with his life.

The dining hall was beginning to warm with people and chatter and a fire crackling in the hearth, but Rook remained as sullen and forbidding as the moment he had joined this little inexperienced troupe. There was one who came in, though, who stood out from the others.

Rook ate quietly, studying the room for a few minutes. Eventually he got up and piled a new plate with food, filled a cup with water, and then -- after traversing the room -- uncerimoniously banged the plate and the cup down in front of Jacky.

He gave Jacky a glare, threatening him to refuse the food, before he sat down in the chair opposite Jacky and folded his arms to watch and make sure Jacky ate.

"Why are you here?" he demanded in a quiet, gruff voice, after a long while of only glaring. The question, though, was asked in all sincerity: there was no implication that Jacky should be anywhere but here, only that it was unclear what Jacky himself thought of it.

---

Stopping in front of the wagon, Uwen smiled and waved again at the wagon man! "Hello again! I told ya I was good at walking."

Breok lifted his head from speaking with Jenna to see the green ogre lumbering toward them with a grin and a bag of cookies, and he raised his bushy red eyebrows at the sight.

"Yes you did," Breok replied with a mystified grin. "Ha! Yes you did. Well, I didn't know 'f you'd make it but ya did, and no worse fer wear. Next time, though, we'll have a bigger wagon, yeah?"

---

Rhea skirted around Uwen before stopping in front of the giant, smiling playfully, "As I made my way here, I could overhear the driver mentioning that Mister Kenver disappeared behind that boulder there," she pointed to the large rock, being sure to grab Uwen's attention, "What do you say, my size-advantaged friend, do you think that you could move it so that we can investigate any possible clues over there? If you do that... I'll have a special treat just for Y.O.U.~"

Both Mayor Toll and Breok the wagon-driver looked from Rhea to Uwen, curious about this simple request and hopeful for what it might divulge. A few curtains moved in the windows of locked-up homes.

Under the assumption that Uwen would accept the cryptic promise, the following would transpire:

The woods were full of pine trees, fragrant and sappy, and hard with rocks and boulders between them. The boulder in question came up to about Uwen's waist -- to an average sized man, it would still only come up to chest height -- but was wide and cumbersome to wield. Uwen, as strong as he was, would certainly find a way to take the boulder out of the way of the investigation.

The soft dent in the earth where the boulder had been was crawling with beetles and larvae and ants, but there wasn't anything particularly fascinating about it. There was now a very good view, however, of the footprints and scuff marks that had been made by several different pairs of shoes and a couple of bare feet, marked in the shallow dirt. After Kenvar had gone missing, a few of the villagers had walked around the boulder trying to find him; they had obliterated any evidence that might have been left there. There wasn't even a hair nor a thread of cloth here left of Kenvar.

After considerable examination, however, one might discover a very different footprint left in the loose dirt at the far side of the clearing: it looked like an enormous pawprint, perhaps that of a very large cat, pointed toward the deep of the forest.

---

@TheWindel@NorthernGR@Gareth@KoL

Johan looked with genuine interest at the hand-dragon as its owner left to get food. He carefully searched his memory for everything he knew about the species, while carefully assessing it, even watching as its eyes tracked his movements as he slowly wagged a finger in front of it. Eventually the woman returned, correctly recalling his own name, and introducing herself.

"Well, it is very much a pleasure to meet you, Lian. And yes, I do agree that company is nice to have, especially with a good meal." He stopped to take a bite of chicken from his fork, and a sip of his beverage, before speaking again.

"And it must be said, meeting someone with a hand-dragon as a pet wasn't something I expected from this trip. In my experience,
they're usually found in the company of tribal shamans, herbalists, and other occult-based professions, so its interesting to see one in the possession of someone seeking to become a private investigator."

@Greenie

Lian chuckled, lightly stroking Senlin's head with her free hand. "That would not be the first time I've heard someone mention that. I found him while I was with my troupe. We're what you may call nomads, or gypsies, travelling in caravans." The dragon seemed to be listening to the two speak, but at a glance, it was hard to tell if he was understanding what they were saying.

"I decided to take this job offer to find a different way of life," she added after she took a bite of her food. It was quite tasty, different than what she was used to, but good. She broke off a morsel from the meat on her plate and held it out for Senlin, who very quickly gobbled it down.

"You seem quite a mature and knowledgeable man." Lian wiped her hand before looking to Johan with a smile. Unlike a few others, it seemed she wasn't all too familiar with who her dinner companion was. "If I may ask, have you any ideas pertaining to the case, with what we've been told so far?"

@DepressedSoviet

Ah, there it was. That inkling of words that drew out the mayor’s innermost thoughts and insecurities. Everyone had a story after all, and Alice was far too used to listening to the troubles of others. She stood in silence as the mayor explained his plight, all of it, to her. The daughter, the disappearance, and the boyfriend. Oh, and the forest. Whatever that may have entailed.

As the mayor broke down and sobbed, Alice watched him with unreadable eyes. Whether it was apathy or just simply a cool regard couldn’t be said, but she did leave to go get him that glass of water. When she returned and offered it to him, a smile was gracing her lips. Well then, that was as good a lead as any. And who knew? Maybe the twin disappearances were somehow connected.

“There’s no need to fret Mayor Toll. I’m sure your daughter loves you very much. The kindness of a woman’s heart has no bounds, or so I’ve been told,” Alice said, leaning on the wall and humming with a finger rested against her chin. “It’s quite possible she left you out of anger given your last interaction. But anger is only present when someone feeds the flames. Who’s to say your daughter isn’t regretting her choices and hiding in fear of your anger Mister Toll?”

---

"Now then, Miss Jena, please consider our offer. There'll be a place waiting for you if feel like joining us," Rhea said to Jena, before turning to her much bigger interlocutor. "I'm much obliged, my big friend," she said with a smile stamping her face, taking a quick stroll to her luggage and retrieving both a notepad and pencil, as well as a box. The former would be used to record a sketch of the rather uncommon footprints marking the ground close to the place where Mister Kenver was last seen, while the former was the special treat Rhea promised to Uwen.

"You can keep it if you like," Rhea said, pointing to the box. Inside of it, the giant would find half a dozen rather fresh marmalade tarts, sprinkled with sweet powdered vanilla. Truly a first class treat. "If you ever feel the need for more, you are welcome to visit my humble establishment. The address is written on the underside."

Having done all her assigned chores, Rhea returned to the side of Alice just as the behatted woman brought a glass of water to the seemingly distressed mayor. "Well, that may be true, Miss Alice. However," Rhea said, approaching the conversing duo from the side, "isn't it also said that no force in nature can rival a scorned woman's spite?" She added playfully, perhaps in a bit of ill-spirited tease, before revealing the sketch of the paw mark. "Not only have I invited our possible new companion, but also found an interesting bit of information that may or not be related to Mister Kenver's vanishment. As soon as we are settled on our lodgings I shall look around the tomes I brought to see if this matches the outline of any known beast. Unless, of course, you may be aware of what creature could produce such marks, Mister Toll?"

“There’s no need to fret Mayor Toll. I’m sure your daughter loves you very much. The kindness of a woman’s heart has no bounds, or so I’ve been told,” Alice said, leaning on the wall and humming with a finger rested against her chin. “It’s quite possible she left you out of anger given your last interaction. But anger is only present when someone feeds the flames. Who’s to say your daughter isn’t regretting her choices and hiding in fear of your anger Mister Toll?”

"What?!" The mayor's tear-stained face raised to stare in shock at Alice for her blunt words. "Are you insinuating -- do you imply that my daughter has anything to fear from me, her loving and doting father?" His voice cracked in the wake of a lie. His mouth trembled, though his eyes flared defiantly. He had thought of a very good reason his daughter might be hiding from him -- but he was very certain it wasn't something these detectives needed to know. "I want only what's best for her! She knows that! We've moved on from the past!"

"Well, that may be true, Miss Alice. However," Rhea said, approaching the conversing duo from the side, "isn't it also said that no force in nature can rival a scorned woman's spite?" She added playfully, perhaps in a bit of ill-spirited tease, before revealing the sketch of the paw mark. "Not only have I invited our possible new companion, but also found an interesting bit of information that may or not be related to Mister Kenver's vanishment. As soon as we are settled on our lodgings I shall look around the tomes I brought to see if this matches the outline of any known beast. Unless, of course, you may be aware of what creature could produce such marks, Mister Toll?"

Mayor Toll jumped a little at Rhea's presence, having not noticed her in his passion to defend himself, and he blinked his small watery eyes at the pawprint sketch that was presented to him. His eyebrows raised, and he breathed noisily through his nose while he calmed himself enough to focus. "We've only -- we've only seen wolves around here," he said honestly. "Occasionally a bear, but that doesn't look like any bear track I've seen. The hunters will know more about tracks than I do." He shook his head dismissively -- the mayor was certain this track must have nothing to do with his daughter's disappearance, so wrapped he was in his theory of the recluse boyfriend. "There's one of those Von Hochstadt books in one of the upstairs rooms, maybe that will be of some use. I urge you, please investigate Jory Tregear, I'm convinced he's holding my daughter hostage." He added this last in desperation, pointing toward the shut-up house at the end of the row.

The pawprint, upon investigation, might prove to be that of a lion -- or of any creature that might take a lion's form.

---

@KoL@TheWindel

Uwen liked treats, especially special treats, and especially especially treats just for him. His mind danced with the possibilities of what the treat could be! Mutton? Mint Tea? A PET CAT? The possibilities were, as some said, endless! Before even thinking to ask what the treat was, Uwen was scampering off to the aforementioned rock. First giving a smile and nod to the small pretty lady. "Okay!" He said.

Uwen jogged across the road into the forest, stopping right in front of the rock. He looked back and noticed that he was being watched. Some curtains of homes had opened, and the wagon driver and upset man were watching also! With such an audience Uwen knew he needed to put on a show to impress! How else would he get a job with the nice investigator people?

Digging his feet into the dirt, he grabbed at the bottom of both sides of the boulder. And then, counting to three, he hefted the boulder off the ground. First it hovered a few inches off the ground, but, not satisfied he lifted it higher. Now up to his chest. Looking to his audience, they didn't seem very amazed. One house had even closed their curtains again! So finally he lifted the boulder above his head, straining himself to do to so. Then Uwen tried to take a step to move the boulder, but sadly tripped under the weight, dropping the boulder onto an unsuspecting tree with a crash.

Well it was out of the way! At least he still got the treat.

Picking himself up from the ground and brushing the dirt and tree branches from himself, he looked to the crevice where the boulder had once lived. As far as he could see there were just a bunch of bugs and- OOOH! A beetle! Uwen excitedly grabbed the shelled insect from the dirt and popped it into his mouth, chewing into the deliciously crunchy bug.

Once finished with his snack Uwen moved to the next part of the investigation, footprints. There were a lot of them! Big feet, small feet, fancy shoes feet, really big cat feet! That last one jumped out at Uwen. Most of the footprints came from the village, went to the boulder, and went back. The cat prints didn't. They went out into the forest! Did the missing man get turned into a cat by an evil wizard? Did he ride a giant cat into the forest for fun and lose track of time? Was he always a big cat in disguise? Uwen would have to bring these theories to his new friends.

Uwen jogged back to his new friends, specifically the small lady for his reward. "I Found a whole lotta footprints, and some of em was from a really big cat!" He explained. "Oh, and I found a beetle!"" He added on with the same amount of enthusiasm. Watching as the lady came with his reward.

He took his treat with pride, looking back to the forest. "The big cat went more into the forest." Scratching his head and then nodding, having made up his mind, he continued. "I'm gonna follow the cat!" He then broke back into a jog across the street. Unfortunately missing the mayor's pleas to investigate elsewhere.

Almost as an afterthought Uwen stopped at the treeline and shouted back, "You guys can come too! It'll be fun!" He then began tracking the cat tracks, snagging the first of his treats from the box.

Johan listened intently as Lian spoke, chuckling slightly as the small creature next to her quickly ate the small scrap she handed him. "You seem quite a mature and knowledgeable man." she said to him, which made him smile slightly. "If I may ask, have you any ideas pertaining to the case, with what we've been told so far?" Johan thought on the question carefully for a bit as he dined, before finally speaking.

"Well, most of my knowledge and wisdom falls under the expertise of supernatural creatures of various kinds. Back in my day I was quite the adventurous type, and spent much of my time investigating the habits and lifestyles of such creatures. It was enjoyable, though incredibly dangerous, and as I got older, I found that I just couldn't keep up the same pace. So after publishing my various research notes and documentations as a series of encyclopedias on the various creatures, I used the money to ensure I'd be financially stable for as long as I needed, and decided to apply for this job, so that perhaps my knowledge could still be used to help people, and I hopefully wouldn't get mixed up in the more dangerous aspects of dealing with the various creatures of the world."

"As far as what I think about the current case; This village is in a forested area, so there are plenty of opportunities for people to go missing, many of which can involve supernatural creatures, but many of which do not. As far as which creatures in a forest might kidnap someone, I'm not too sure yet. Without having any current evidence, it could prove to be anything from a werewolf, to a griffin, to a manticore, and a multitude of this in-between. Hopefully we'll be able to find some evidence that supports something, and soon at that."
@Greenie

"You don't need to worry, Mr. Mayor. I brought my own collection of Mr. Johan's books," Rhea replied to the Mayor's offering first, before addressing his worries. "I'm sure that a look on Mr. Tregear's house will not hurt... likely."

"What do you say of coming with me, Ms. Alice? No, in fact, I insist that you do," Rhea said, linking her arm to Alice's before going on her way to the house pointed by Mayor Toll. "If the worse happens, at least one of us can make it back. Or that's the plan, right?"

Once they arrived at the cottage, at the end of he muddy street, Rhea wasted no time in knocking at the door vigorously, before announcing their presence. "Is this the residence of Mr. John Tregear? We are hired detectives of the Tin Dragon Agency. We would like to make a few question on behalf of Mayor Toll, if possible," she said, falling silently afterwards as she waited for a reply, or any other sound from inside the house.

"Well that makes quite a bit of sense," Lian replied after Johan told her about his knowledge of supernatural creatures. Perhaps he knew more about Senlin's kind then? It would certainly be useful if she read a book or two by the gentleman. Most books she had read were fiction rather than fact. Perhaps she would be able to ask for a copy, or maybe there was a library nearby.

All that was for later of course, as she quieted to hear his thoughts about their current objective, the case they had been assigned to solve. She listened intently, taking notes in her mind at his observation. It was true, the village they were in was perfect to stage an abduction and keep it quiet. The forest offered many hiding places to someone determined enough. An animal attack seemed even more obvious if one continued with the 'forest equals danger' point of view.

That sort of thinking, however, could very well be what a kidnapper could be banking on. "I feel that perhaps the Mayor may know more than he was letting on," she murmured after a moment. "But I don't think it would be worth questioning him... I'm sure others would have already, and a person questioned too much will become irritable. The villagers, however, may have more information. I also wonder if such cases have taken place before or not..." Her voice trailed to a pause.

@DepressedSoviet

"As far as what I think about the current case; This village is in a forested area, so there are plenty of opportunities for people to go missing, many of which can involve supernatural creatures, but many of which do not. As far as which creatures in a forest might kidnap someone, I'm not too sure yet. Without having any current evidence, it could prove to be anything from a werewolf, to a griffin, to a manticore, and a multitude of this in-between. Hopefully we'll be able to find some evidence that supports something, and soon at that."

"I feel that perhaps the Mayor may know more than he was letting on," she murmured after a moment. "But I don't think it would be worth questioning him... I'm sure others would have already, and a person questioned too much will become irritable. The villagers, however, may have more information. I also wonder if such cases have taken place before or not..." Her voice trailed to a pause.

While Lian and Johan discussed the case, a sleepy silence enveloped the dining room. Tables had gone quietly empty, the platters of food had gone lukewarm, the coffee was cold. Filtered sunlight sifted gently through the open window; the fireplace crackled warmly. It was hard to believe that anything could ever go wrong in this perfect little village.

Then Uwen tried to take a step to move the boulder, but sadly tripped under the weight, dropping the boulder onto an unsuspecting tree with a crash.

The walls of the village houses shook with the noise of splintering wood and thunder; curtains shifted furiously behind sealed windows, and suspicious eyes peered out at the scene of destruction. Surely the citizens of Riff-Raff were now convinced, if the disappearances hadn't been enough, that to step outside their bolted doors would be certain death.

Almost as an afterthought Uwen stopped at the treeline and shouted back, "You guys can come too! It'll be fun!" He then began tracking the cat tracks, snagging the first of his treats from the box.

Following the reverberation of Uwen's assault on the unsuspecting trees, the forest had gone still and silent. The ogre's footsteps crashed heavy in the underbrush, accented by the crunching of a boxful of snacks, as he made his way through the wild pathless woods.

The going would not be easy; rocky slopes dipped suddenly, roots and thick thorny bushes grew in his way, a creek and muddy ground passed straight across his path -- but pressed into that mud were two more footprints identical to the one he had found at the boulder's former location, pointing onward ahead.

As he walked, the forest began to come to life again; the trees rustled, a mourning dove cooed, a woodpecker assaulted the bark above. Bright purple butterflies hovered over a mass of little white flowers; buttercups gleamed on a cascade of vines. Uwen would find a broken sapling and a tuft of reddish fur, but otherwise there was little more evidence to be gleaned -- until, far ahead, he would find a clearing of bright green grass, and an old well at its center.

---

Once they arrived at the cottage, at the end of he muddy street, Rhea wasted no time in knocking at the door vigorously, before announcing their presence. "Is this the residence of Mr. John Tregear? We are hired detectives of the Tin Dragon Agency. We would like to make a few question on behalf of Mayor Toll, if possible," she said, falling silently afterwards as she waited for a reply, or any other sound from inside the house.

A crashing and shuffling issued from within the cabin -- then a silent moment before the curtain moved in the window and an eye peered out at the detectives on the doorstep. Another crash, another fumble later, the locks on the door clicked.

shhhhff. clack. clatter. click. thunk.

The doorknob turned, and the door creaked open just enough to allow a young man to squint out at them from the darkness. He was disheveled, his black hair full of dirt, his ripped clothes streaked with grime, as if he'd been crawling through holes for three days without showering. His eyes had a wild gleam to them, though he attempted to hold himself as properly as he could in the presence of the two ladies.

"I'm John," he introduced himself with a nervous tremble in his voice. He caught a glimpse of Rhea's odd-colored eyes and immediately turned his attention to Alice's shoes. "I guess you're here about . . ." he took a shuddering breath. "I have nothing to hide." He stepped aside and opened the door wider; the air inside the house was stale and dusty, with a pungent metallic smell laced with grime. "Please, come in."

There were wires and metal apparatuses and half-finished machines everywhere. Rotting food sat in bowls and plates balanced on the corners of tables and armrests; moldy cups sat in old machines. The sticky floor was littered with paper scrawled with chickenscratch drawings and unreadable notes, some of which suggested a deep study of the drop-gates and the true nature of the ancient glyphs and keys that caused them to work. John laid a boot on some of them and shoved them underneath a chair. There was barely anywhere to walk, let alone sit.

"Can I get you something to drink?" he offered shakily; he clasped his arms behind his back to keep them from shuddering too noticeably.

In the back of the house, by the kitchen, the basement door was open a crack. From within the darkness beyond it, a noise echoed: the clatter of a tin can, a shuffle of movement, and a small whimper.

John coughed loudly, limped to the kitchen, deftly shoved the door shut, and began searching the cupboards for a clean mug. "So, how can I help you ladies?"

---

Outside the inn, the Mayor stood at the edge of the porch, staring down the road where Rhea and Alice had gone. He'd watched them disappear into the house at the end of the row. He clasped his hands nervously over his stomach, his face white as a sheet, and he never took his eyes off that door.

---

The well in the forest was stout and mossy, built of flat balanced stones a hundred years old, so full of vines and tufts of weeds that it had nearly grown into the surrounding landscape. The well itself yawned wide, dark and deep, far bigger than any usual sort of well. The curious thing, though, was the machine.

Something bright and metallic was spinning around and around the lip of the well, too fast to see; a copper ring fit snugly on top of the ancient stone, and along its tracks a hinged metal snake whirred and sparked with an occasional bright blue glow. The outside of the well had been fitted with a dozen little cages; inside each of them, a chunk of precious skiurium ore glowed with a pulse to match the spinning snake. Knotted wires draped down into the darkness of the well, humming gently.

At the far side of the clearing, underneath a rotting fallen tree, a burlap sack had been stuffed into a crevice. Inside it was the rest of the missing skiurium.

---

It was late in the afternoon, Comet-by-the-Sea grew warm with the anticipation of the evening meal, and Albert would hear a tap-scratching at his front door. A little automaton shaped like a dog butted its head against the door. There was a sealed envelope, addressed to Albert, pressed in its mouth.

The letter read thus:

Congratulations!

Your application for employment at TIN DRAGON DETECTIVE AGENCY has been accepted.

Before you can be officially hired as an official agent, officially, you must pass an introductory investigation assignment.

Please find enclosed an identification card that must be carried with you at all times. This card will grant you access to most restricted files and areas, and will act as proof of authority in most situations where such a thing might be useful in your work on behalf of the Agency. Losing or misusing this card will result in automatic failure of your introductory investigation.

Please find also enclosed a sum amount that will cover your travel expenses to the village of Riffraff. You will investigate the disappearance of two individuals: Kenver Edwards, 57, last seen four days ago; and Sewena Toll, 22, last seen yesterday morning.

Take the nearest drop-gate to Timber Moren. A lumber-wagon will be waiting for you and your fellow trainees to deliver you to Riffraff. The lumber-wagon departs at noon today. If you are not on it, you automatically fail your introductory investigation. A HORSE IS WAITING FOR YOU THERE NOW.

The driver has been instructed not to speak unless spoken to. THE OTHER APPLICANTS HAVE ARRIVED AHEAD OF YOU. YOUR ACCEPTANCE IS ONLY DUE TO A SUDDEN NEW OPENING. GO QUICKLY. FAILURE TO ARRIVE BY NIGHTFALL WILL FORFEIT YOUR APPLICATION.

Good luck.

Part of the letter had been scribbled out and replaced by hurried words in the margin -- but the card and the seal were legitimate indeed. When Albert arrived at Timber Moren, he would find a horse -- with the ouroboros symbol etched on its bridle -- tethered by the gate.

A few seconds after the drop-gate at Timber Moren activated, a young man walked out, wearing a dirty, jaded vest over a slightly oversized shirt with the sleeves folded back up above his elbows. A short strap went over from his left shoulder down to his right side where he had his bag. The newsboy cap on his head could easily go unnoticed, blending in with his bright yellow hair. His shorts went just below his knees, and just under it, his socks were pulled up so that little skin was seen on his legs. He held an old leather suitcase with both hands behind his back. After he took a few steps away from the drop-gate, he stood perfectly still, his face white as though all the blood from his cheek had been drained. As he was about to walk to the horse waiting for him, he stumbled forward and ran quickly into a corner, bending forward and hurling half the breakfast he had that morning into a trash. "Oh god..." he muttered in disgust. He rubbed his lips on his forearm, careful not to get anything on his gloves or clothes. He looked back over to where the horse was and flashed a weak smile before digging the card from the letter out of his bag to ready it as he walked to the horse.