@Forsythe @Ozzy Cross @Kumbaris @Goldeagle1221

Shina turned to Thaddeus as he agreed to accompany them, she instantly felt at ease with her long time friend coming along, not least because she still wasn't all that keen on it just being her and a dragon!

'Thank you Thaddeus, my friend. I appreciate that you are a busy man. Let's head to Minnow's then, shall we? Shina blushed a little at the thought of Thaddeus being worried enough to accompany them on this trip, then quickly shook the thought away. 'Need to keep a level head Shina', she thought.

So off they headed, back to poor Minnow's, a real weird look they would get, especially if the dragon remained her 'true' form.

Shina swung open the door to see Minnow speaking to Rudolph, she seemed to be even more angry than earlier in the morning. Yoshina was also still there; good, it would be super handy if either of these people could join their party. A powerful wizard, a princess who was also a soldier, yes, that would be very good indeed!

'Hi Minnow! Shina beamed, a completely different demeanour to her early anxious self, 'I wonder, if I can ask around to see if anyone would like to join our team for a rescue.... hmmm, hopefully not too much of a rescue, Shina thought ... '...quest, to find Guan! You know he hasn't been back to Lorenstad for many moons now, and that's just not like him. Your highness... Shina ran up to the princess and bowed 'I do hope it isn't too rude of me to ask if you would like to join us?

Taraah - Shina's smithy --> TOM

"Off we go, then! You two, pack what you need and meet me at the inn. And if you have a picture of your missing friend, bring it. I will organize a mob to help us search in the meantime!" The dragoness purred with determination. She raised her wings and reared up on her hind legs, casting jagged shadows over her two companions, before beating them and raising herself to the sky, looping away with the grace of the smallest birds. And, accidentally blowing sand into the eyes of her company.

She headed to the terrible establishment, following Shiina who was walking along the road below her. She could swear the awful sour smell was still attacking her nostrils. Spoiling eggs with vinegar, how dare they! She landed in front of the door with a loud thud, blowing a puff of smoke form her nose before poking her head in after Shiina headed inside: "Fair folk of Lorenstad! A Friend of Sheena's has gone missing, we are going to search for them! Can any of you lend us your aid?" her voice bellowed over even the racket of the patrons.

A chirp then reminded her that the Lapoo creature was on her hsoulder, looking a bit flattened by the wond and frightened.

@RedPandaGamer@Searat@Goldeagle1221

Yoshina could only agree at the other elf trying to dissuade the Dark Elf Woman. "Please listen to reason Minnow." She pleaded. "I have fought dragons before, and they are not particularly fun endeavors, trust me. I should know, I've fought too many battles for someone as young as me."

Yoshina then proceeded to take up Minnow on her offer. She needed a place to stay and income, and 1 silver doesn't sound all that bad. "Sure, but I'm pretty sure the patrons won't be too pleased with me wearing this outfit." She outlined her current clothes. "This is suited for more of a rough and tumble adventurer rather than a barmaid or waitress. I'm sure that you have something lined up in the back."

She went towards the back of the tavern, and, much to her surprise, and embarrassment. She unearthed a particular piece of clothing she least desired. "Oh of fucking course." She muttered, bringing the outfit towards the front, confronting Minnow with the piece of clothing.

"Are you serious?" She said, showing the black and white dress with the frills and all the accessories associated with it. "You could've just said it out front you know? I know a maid outfit when I see them and... ugh!" Before Minnow could even reply, Yoshina went back to the tavern and promptly changed her outfit. Visibly blushing, and completely embarrassed, she returned back to the front of the bar. "I hope you're happy Minnow, I'm very sure your customers would be very pleased seeing me in a-"

She didn't managed to finish her sentence, and her eyes widened up when Shina and the group burst in and see her in the new outfit. A shocking change from her more practical clothes. Yoshina could just curl up and die from the embarrassment alone. Being visibly seen in this new outfit, an outfit incompatible with her personality at all..

She really wanted to just curl up, a Princess should not be wearing this kind of clothing, let alone be seen in public in a servant's outfit, and yet, she couldn't say no to a quest offer. Putting her embarrassment aside, she volunteered. "Yeah, sure. I can go, only if Minnow would allow me to go though." She eyed Minnow, her eyes practically pleading to the dark elf to let her go just for this once.

@Forsythe @Ozzy Cross @Kumbaris

Shina was knocked forward by the dragon who landed with a loud THUD on the ground, 'Well, I suppose that's one way to make an entrance!' she thought. As they all came through, she was met with a VERY different looking princess/soldier. She was dressed in what could only be described as a little girls maid dress! Shina felt bad for her, Minnow must have given her that ghastly uniform for the job.

'Wow, I mean, you look...um...well you look like a very well-dressed maid. Shina glided over to Minnow and whispered, 'Minnow, I don't think that's appropriate for a princess do you? Um also, can we borrow her for a mission pretty please? We're going to go on a quest to find Guan.'

As she looked over to Yoshina, she saw that quite a few of the inn's patrons were also looking...this was no way to treat royalty! 'HAVE SOME RESPECT EVERYONE! SHE IS A PRINCESS, SHE DESERVES YOUR RESPECT! Shina quickly grabbed a coat from the back on a patron's chair and handed it over to the princess, 'If you would like to, we would be very happy to have you join our quest. You may want to change into something more suitable though'

The dragon's earlier bellowing had also made everyone turn to look at them, most with a look of fear, some with intrigue...

'Um sorry for our disturbance. Our group are looking for anyone who would like to help us search for Guan. Some of you know it is not like him to be away for so long. If you are interested, please come and introduce yourself. But know that this mission may involve defending ourselves and even fighting, so you must be able to hold your own. We will wait for you outside the inn'

Shina turned to leave and a flashback of Guan came to her ...

Taraah - TOM

"Phahahaha haaaaaa~~~" roared the dragon's laughter upon seeing Yoshina in the maid getup, more smoke puffing from her nose, making the establishment a bit hazy as if it was more of an opium den rather than an inn. "Oh hime-chan, hime-chan! How far the nobles of the east have fallen!" Humans - they so silly. Shiina was trying to do more for her dignity than the princess herself, something Taraah admired the Firetail for - utterly futile as the effort was. She certainly failed to keep her sense of decorum - In fact, the believed she would never be able to look at Yoshina in the same light ever again.

Hearing Shiina announce that they would wait outside, she backed out of the Inn entrance, curling herself into a neat pretzel like a cat in the middle of the street. "So, how does this Guam character look like? I have eyes better than all of you combined, I can tell people apart from leagues up in the air, but I have to know what to look for. Or do I just stay visible and he will come trying to slay me like you did?" she grinned at the firetail. She was not bitter about it, but she enjoyed the guilt shaming a little bit too much.

With all the fuss going on and all the shouts and calls of her name, Minnow fell into contemplative silence that would rival a recluse dedicated to the Maker’s word. A thoughtful hum vibrated from her throat, putting her in zen as she pieced together all the action spilling about her. The elf’s brow knitted and she pinched her chin, the look of a philosopher (or at least a thinker) creasing her forehead.

“First,” Minnow finally announced, a finger jabbing into Yoshina’s back, “She wore this on her own volition. Second!” She folded her arms. “I have never seen this outfit before in my life. THIRD!” She gritted her teeth, eyeing her friend Shina. “Can you tell your pet dragon to stop yelling at my patrons?”

“And finally!” Minnow held up a finger, “yes, you can go, Yoshina — but don’t bring the dragon back with you.” She stomped her foot. “ANYTHING ELSE!?” Her eyes dared a challenger, the look of Grandma Dessalt very much alive in her descendant’s left eye.

@Forsythe @Goldeagle1221 @Kumbaris @Ozzy Cross

Shina knew it wouldn't be long before her friend threw a fit...after all...Minnow had not been this busy in ages! She chuckled at her response to the princess's maid outfit, she knew it wasn't Minnow's style, but maybe she was trying something new?

She baulked at the term 'pet dragon' though, she didn't want people to think she had started siding with dragons. There was no denying that she needed the dragon's help, but she was not her pet and certainly not her friend...it would take a long while before that would happen. But her existence would surely help them through some sticky spots.

'Hah sorry Minnow, sorry! I didn't mean for everyone to barge in like this. And thank you for letting your new 'servant' go with us, I promise I will TRY to bring her home safely' Shina thought about it; it wouldn't do well at all to be associated with the death of a princess! She would have to protect her...what a bother!

Shina turned and walked out of the inn, princess in tow and saw the dragon curled up. She asked whether Shina could tell her what Guan looked like...

'Hmm well, he is about my height, long grey hair and he tends to wear his lucky satchel with him. I'm afraid there are not any other interesting features, at least nothing to see from high above. He does have a scar across his face, and i'd recognise him straight away from his smell....he always smells like sandlewood.



As she remembered, she felt her heart sink. What if he was gone? She never got to tell him how much his training had helped her over the years. More than that, after the blacksmith died, he became like an Uncle to her.

She choked back a sniffle [color=green] 'OK we'll wait her a little longer for anyone else that wants to join. After that, I need to get my gear from the workshop. Thaddeus, do you need to get anything before we go?' [.color]

---

Tags: @Kumbaris@Goldeagle1221@RedPandaGamer@Forsythe@Ozzy Cross

---

The half-elf wizard would have fainted a second time once he saw the draconic face of Taraah, but his full attention was more focused on more pressing matters. His eyes widened to the size of saucers and his mouth inadvertently pursed inward tighter than a Veracuvian Merchant's purse strings during the day of tax collection. His eyes were locked on none other than the red-haired traveler but, more specifically, at the maid uniform she wore. It had been the same one from the lemon incident a while back. Minnow had promised that she had disposed of the outfit...not well enough it would seem. But he was thankful that she played dumb convincingly. Even he would have been fooled if he didn't know any better. Regardless, he'd have to have a conversation with the night elf innkeeper regarding why the outfit was hidden instead of being turned to ash and scattered to the four winds. But that was a story for another time.

Rudolph blinked erratically as his consciousness deemed it was time to return his attention back to the rest of the world. There was something about a rescue, a princess, a friend, and a dragon. Letting out a steady breath, he pretended to had been in contemplative thought regarding the task at hand rather than in a stupefied state from seeing the maid outfit once again. "Ah yes...I suppose I'll partake in it. I only planned to deliver potions to our local enchanter today and return to my home but this is a more pressing matter."

Some ways away from town was the shack of the local skald Gunner Gunnerson. Currently the skald in question was suffering a hangover as he sat up from his cot. Gunner toss the empty bottle away before he stumbled onto his feet with a groan. He rubbed his temple as another way of headaches hit him

"By the gods what did I do last night?" The question was left hanging in the air.

The skald try to remember the events of last night. Last thing Gunner did remember was sharing one last drink with the other members of the expedition he recently sign onto. The ogre maneater got out a bottle of some ogre moonshine and challenge the group to drink it. Gunner rose to the challenge and down the bottle then everything went black. Leading him back to the morning.

'Last time I am drinking the concoctions made by the ogers for a while' Gunner figure he should head into town and find something to cure his hangover. If that fail he would go drink it off. Make sure he looked presentable the skald set off to town.

@Ozzy Cross @Searat @Forsythe @Kumbaris

Shina was quite taken aback when Rudolph volunteered to come along with their merry band, she had always thought of him as a recluse. Someone who was far too wise to spend his time on adventures. Nonetheless, she was happy to have someone else who was powerful.

'Thank you Rudolph, we are honoured to have you along with us. Shina bowed and offered him a seat on a tree stump. She had always been taught to respect sorcerers.

Thaddeus had started to do a very odd jig in front of them, Shina tried to hide her smile, this wasn't the time or the place for dancing but she couldn't help but smile internally at the man.

Turning to the rest of the group she felt quite the sense of comradery. 'Thank you all for wanting to help me search for Guan. I brings me much joy to know you are all willing to go on this difficult quest. Especially those of you who do not even know him, I thank you. I must go to my workshop to stock up on my supplies. If anyone else needs to do the same, do so now. We will meet at the edge of town'

Shina turned and headed towards the workshop, Lapoo in tow.

It had been nearly two weeks since Calleida had flown, and the rush of wind caressing her feathers felt wonderfully refreshing. The harrier tilted her wingtips and opened her beak in something close to a smile as she felt herself rise up another ten feet almost effortlessly, floating on the power of updrafts. Flying was almost too easy for a bird of prey. Much better than being a hummingbird. Good lord.

Calleida angled down as she neared her destination. She could people-watch villagers wheeling carts down the road, milling around the tavern, Captain Thaddeus dancing in the middle of the road, the usual. Wait... behind him... was THAT a-

"Hey! Captain!" the hawk exclaimed as she dived down toward the small group standing around the reptilian creature sprawled on the ground. She splayed out her wings to land gracefully, misty gray-green eyes locked on Thaddeus with awe.

"Hiya, it's Calleida," she began. Though Thaddeus could likely recognize her voice by now, she found that fewer mishaps happened if she simply introduced herself wherever she went.

"Did you slay this dragon?" the harrier gushed, hopping a couple times. "That's AMAZING! You gotta tell me the whole story! I was just on my way to..."

The bird's beak went slack as her keenly focused predator eyes finally strayed away from Thaddeus enough to notice the curled-up creature blink with eyes larger than Calleida's head. She jolted back, tripped over her own tail in a wild flurry of feathers, and finally managed to right herself and dart behind Thaddeus' boots.

"IT'S NOT DEAD!"

@Ozzy Cross @Forsythe @RedPandaGamer @Searat @Kumbaris

Roa floated carelessly in her hammock, the only light in the room a weak sunbeam trickling in from the hatch over the stairs, filtering down through the river water above. She didn't know how long she waited in between dreaming and awake, but she didn't have the presence of mind to care. Tired and rested in equal measure, she enjoyed the almost overbearing warmth of her blanket as she slowly drifted into wakefulness. I should get up.. Another, deeper part of her disagreed, and she did not move for a moment. The warmth lost it's comfort after a mew more moments and she pushed herself up, reaching forwards in a well practiced motion, hand finding the magical lantern which ignited with a flameless light at her touch, casting a pale light over her room. She couldn't help but flinch at the sudden brightness.

gently pushing away from the wall, Roa floated through the middle of her room, enjoying the sensation of the cooler water before stopping herself with a wave. She stretched for a moment before catapulting herself towards the back of the ship. As she reached the stairs, she angled herself towards the hatch. sliding bolt out of the way, she slowly pushed the hatch open with a firm shove. Swimming out and into the open water, Roa took a moment to admire what amounted to a garden for her. The waters by her workshop were by far the most colorful thanks to the numerous aquatic plants she'd transplanted from the sea or bought from a friendly botanist. Feeling almost giddy, she pushed the hatch closed before kicking off from the bottom to swim up to the surface.

Surfacing in the morning light, Roa took a deep breath of fresh summer air. She looked over to the town proper a short ways uphill from the docks "Good morning, Lorenstad." she said to nobody in particular... Her expression turned puzzled as she realized there was no one on the docks despite it being an ideal time to catch an easy meal. "Where is everyone?" she questioned aloud. Is there some kind of festival today?...

@Ozzy Cross@Zanavy

Taraah - Scaring patrons away from entering TOM

The dragoness briefly almost fell asleep. She could not help it - The skies was clear and the sun was caressing her scales, and the cobbles in the road were sooooo waaarm. She started to not off, her eyelids getting heavy, only for yet another loudmouth animal to make an appearance and noise. She raised her head, blinking the tiredness from her eyes and focused on the hawk thing, eyeridges creasing in a frown: "What in Bahamut's shiny scales is this town's deal? Your citizens are a menagerie of all races, yet everyone seems to hate dragons and wants to slay them on sight! Can you not see the irony here? You have neighbors who are as much danger as I am." she growled.

Thaddeus then mentioned that he has fought a dragon before, which gained Taraah's attention instantly, her head swinging to face the half Mesmer. "I can only conclude that it was either a friendly spar or that you did not have all wits about you at the time? You know, you being alive still and all. That or you ran into a dragon who for some bizzare reason took a pity on you and let you live?" She said, a bit more guarded now as she raised to her feet. She took a long whiff of the sea farer. Dragon eyes were their best sense, but their smell was also very keen. The scent of the sea was still fresh on him - he must have indeed arrived recently. But then, she took a step back, ready to pounce as she smelled something distinctly familiar: "Where. Did. You. Get. It."

Taraah - in front of TOM

"I am not scared, I am enraged!" The dragon roared fiercly. "However you came to posess it, someone either slain one of us or, even worse, robbed a grave!" She continued more calmly, but her face still looked serious. How dares someone disturb a body's rest! The soul remembers the body and mind when it reincarnates according to her kin's beliefs. Disturbing graves is a higher sacrilage than taking a trophy from a slain opponent, there at least the dragon died in battle, hopefully gloriously!

Once her anger abated a little, her brain registered the rest of what Thaddeus said. She carefully looked him over. She could not see his heart beating faster, sweat or anything that would betray he was lying. Did she dare take a chance on him? "I want to believe you. I desperately want to believe you." She finally said, her posture relaxing from 'ready to murder this entire town' to just 'ready to dodge a blade'. "But I will want to know more. If I am not satisfied with the answers, I will lay that bone to rest. And you along with it if need be. But let us find Shiina's friend first."