"Where they stand in the grander scheme of things, huh?" Flicker repeated quietly to themself as they watched the aasimar walk away, a hint of obvious bitterness in their tone. They shook their head before turning back to Aura. "Ridiculous. Well, assuming that guy is telling the truth, you wanna head towards the feasting tent? Even if that other genasi isn't there, we could probably both use something to eat after... whatever in the hells that was."

Aura squinted at the man and his explanation for what had just happened. She watched the man walk away thinking heavily about what he had just said, "Seek out specific individuals..." She muttered more to herself but it was loud enough that if Flicker was paying attention they would have heard it. "So...he came to us intentionally?" She questioned now a little paranoid. She didn't like people seeking her out, she was usually the one to seek others out. Anyone who knew who she was before Aura knew them was a danger. Not that she was sure the Aasimar knew who she was but still. Her usually carefree expression twisted into one of slight paranoia. It was fun while she thought this was some random encounter. Her eyes quickly scanned the people around them, almost expecting to see a figure from her past lurking in some deep shadows. Flicker was usually the Paranoid one, there were few times that Air Genasi showed anything other than her usual carefree side. As quickly as the expression passed on her face it was gone. "Yea, I am starving from all this wondering around anyway, lets go get some grub." The stupid smile she usually wore returning to her face though the words of the Aasimar man remained in the back of her head as she started walking toward the feasting tent. Perhaps a little faster than she would have if the man had not spooked her a bit.

Flicker frowned slightly as they noticed a moment of paranoia overcome their fellow genasi, only for her to put on a smile and start to make her way towards the feasting tent. Flicker followed, considering whether to say anything. After a long moment of going back and forth, they finally spoke. "Hey, don't worry about that guy," he said. "I'm pretty sure he's just a weird kook who uses the whole 'seer' thing in an attempt to explain his strange sleeping habits. I don't think he really knew anything about us." While Flicker did mostly believe what they were saying, they were aware of the fact that the aasimar knew they had been looking for someone, and that he had referred to Flicker as 'Blessed of Corellon'. However, the fire genasi was choosing to write those off as lucky guesses more than anything else.

The large earth Genasi stopped halfway back to a table near the edge of the tent walls. With a half turn he was able to see the source of the voice calling for him. The person appeared to out of breath as if they had been in a rush to get here. He was sure if this person would be a potential friend or just someone wanting to see if they story they heard was true. Better to prepare for both he supposed.

"Who's asking?

The water genasi girl looks towards the person who spoke to her. She noticeably looks at his hands before she answers him, still catching her breath somewhat, "Aloha! I'm Cascade..."

She continues as soon as she recovers her breath (which wasn't long), this time, her tone serious and professional after she clears her throat, "And I'm here on behalf of my Ohana and Home, to request his aid in our time of need,"

Her voice perks back up to the cheerfulness she's shown before, "So! Have you seen him? I heard he's supposed to be here in the Feasting Tent. But..."

She looks around again and she finishes, "I don't see anyone who has hammers for fists. Or has fists that look like hammers..."

A short chuckle erupts from the earth genasi at Cascade's comment at finding a person with hammers for fists. He is here in the feasting tent but I have not seen him as I have yet to look in a mirror yet today. I also would hope I wouldn't have hammers for hands as it would make smithing a little bit difficult." He look down at his large calloused hands then back up at the new arrival. "Though I suppose my hands are about the same size as some of the hammers I've used. I don't know how Hammerfist would be able to help your Ohana." He poses the last word as a question not knowing what it ment. "Or you home."

Cascade looks surprised as Jørmund speaks and answers her question. When he finished speaking, she starts with a verbal realization, "Oh! You're him!?"

She then comments thoughtfully, "Huh....Looks like I was wrong about the name thing. Good to know!"

She then shakes her head to snap out of the other thoughts and focus on the matter at hand as she realized something, "Wait. You don't know how--? Why else would I search for you?"

She then clarified, "You've defended your Home and Ohana--Family--and I want to be able to do the same. But I need help to do so,"

"You see, we received word that there have been unseasonable snowstorms in the Northlands, and everyone's worried that raiders will come and attack Zephyr. Our natural means of defense will not be enough as things are right now! So, will you help us?"

The earth genasi looks at Cascade curiously. It had never occurred to him that someone would seek him out to help defend against raiders from the Northlands. There would be a good chance that some of his own kin would be part of this raid, especially if there was unseasonable weather. With a few moments of consideration Jørmund nods and gestures to a nearby table walking to sit down in an unoccupied chair.

If Cascade joins him he states, "Yes I did defend my home and family. Those I travel with will most likely be eager to help. I will help how I can, but if any of my family are in that group of raiders I will not fight them.". He paused for another moment considering something he had not. "I could possibly convince my kin, if they are in the raiding group, to stand down. I cannot say for certain if they will listen to me though."

Cascade follows Jørmund to the table, and sits across the table from him. When he informs her that he would not fight his family and would instead try to convince them instead, she nods in understanding, "If you can convince them, that'd be fintastic! I'd try to convince my ohana as well if I was in your slippers,"

She then realizes out loud, "Oh, right! You and your friends probably want payment for helping out, huh..."

She thought out loud, "I can't really promise any gold or treasure. That's something the Harbormaster is in charge of, so you would have to talk to him..."

She then suggested, "Ah! I can promise room and board at my place while you're in Zephyr. I can also fight by your side, since I am asking for your help. And! I'm pretty good with my woodcarving tools! I'm more experienced with ships, but I can carve other stuff. So, maybe I can make something for you and your friends. How's that sound?"

@rush99999

Rala was eager to return the halberd, best not to keep a warrior from his tools while he is still in a good mood. As he thanked her, she gave a nod and listened to his advice. She seemed relatively safe here, for the time being, might as well get something to calm her nerves. As the orc was (presumably) heading off, she called out to him.

"One more thing before you go. I ran into a foul woman named Nanna May, be weary of her should you meet her" She said, studying his reaction carefully before she passed him to head towards her next watering hole.

@Birdboy

The orc paused and looked back at Rala when she called out to him. At the mention of Nanna May's name, it becomes clear to Rala by the orc's reaction that he's heard of her. "You've met Ms. Midnight, eh?" The orc asked. "Well you needn't worry 'bout me. She an' 'er lot are more in the business o' findin' good folk an' turnin' 'em to evil, so I ain't really the sort they'd go fer. Either way, thanks fer the 'eads up. Very considerate of ya."

As Rala then passes the orc on the way to the feasting tent, she notices various tattoos and tribal markings on the orc's body. With what she knows of orcish history, Rala realizes that the orc she had just spoken to was in fact part of an orc tribe. She wasn't sure which tribe he was a part of, but from how well decorated he was, Rala could determine that he was a good distance up the totem pole from the average rank and file orc.

Aura could tell her companion was searching for words to say to Aura, it was silent for a bit while they walked but eventually Flicker spoke up. Aura simply smile "Yea some weird kook is probably right." Aura didn't believe that, she knew there were people out there who really were seers, and the fact that the man knew they were looking for someone without them telling him was enough proof enough to Aura. She didn't say anything else as they walked and she kept her hand on the stoppered bottle that hung from her belt by a small chain, her vessel and pact boon all in one, the one thing her father gave her when bestowing her the powers she currently wielded. She rubbed small circles on the bottle a small signal that she was still slightly uncomfortable. She considered for a moment retreating into the vessel but decided against it.

She didn't say anything else as the two of them walked to the tent, and she seemed to pause at the entrance to it to gather herself, though she played it off is if she was telling Hawk to stay on her shoulder. The bird's feathers fluffed up as if it was annoyed that she thought she needed to tell him that. Afterward she entered the tent and scanned the people within. It took her a moment but she eventually spotted Jørmund, Plasm, and a stranger settling into a table. She moved to approach her group only to realize they seemed to have stumbled upon the individual she had been out searching for.

"You guys found them first, no fair. Flicker and I looked everywhere for them." She whined as she approached them seeming to be back to her normal self, probably so the others didn't notice she was in any form of distress earlier. She also didn't seem to care that she was interrupting a conversation which was normal for her. She scanned the individual, the Water Genasi they had gone off to find. "Hello there gorgeous. Name's Aura, that's Flicker." She motioned to the Fire Genasi beside her. "Were my friends here polite enough to introduce themselves or do I have to do that for them." She winked at the woman as she took a seat at the table, she assumed the others had already introduced themselves though she did notice they were missing Rala she said nothing about it. She was more focused on the stranger.

Before Cascade got an answer from Jørmund, another voice spoke up. She looked to see an air genasi and fire genasi approach the group. She commented on the Air Genasi's words with a shrug, "To be fair, I kinda found them, despite Jørmund not having hammer shaped fists,"

She sounded a little proud at the last part of her sentence, starting from 'despite'. It sounded like it was a small accomplishment to her.

She greets the both of them after Aura introduces herself cheerfully and with a wide smile, "Aloha! It's nice to meet you! I'm Cascade. Are you friends of Jørmund?"

After Aura asked about introductions, she answered "Oh! I know he's Jørmund, and they're--" She stops, looking at Plasm and she looks blankly as she realizes she doesn't know who Plasm is,

"Ummm..." Cascade could only say that as she gets stuck on the realization.

Flicker also didn't attempt to make any further conversation as they headed toward the feasting tent. They could sense Aura was probably still feeling a bit off about that encounter, but they weren't really sure what else they could say to put her at ease. They weren't really good at small talk either, so after a while, they just sort drifted into their own thoughts, all the while keeping an eye out in case any other strangers tried to approach them so they could make sure they and Aura could avoid them.

Eventually, they reached the tent without further incident, and found not only has the aasimar been right about the water genasi being there, but that she was with Jormund and Plasm as well. The fire genasi gave a small, involuntary snort at this little coincidence, before raising their hand in a slight wave at the newcomer, who asked if they were friends of Jormund's. "Friends, traveling companions, chaperones," Flicker answered. "It's all the same thing really." When they noticed the water genasi looking over at Plasm, they quickly spoke up. "Oh that's Plasm, they're..." They looked at the plasmoid. "They're harmless... mostly." They quickly turned their attention back to Cascade, raising their eyebrow as they looked between her and Jormund. "You one of his many fans, then?"

Cascade looks to Flicker as they spoke. Her eyes drifted to their hair in curiosity for a moment, before she registered his last question. She answers normally at first, "More like a...self-appointed emissary than a fan,"

Then she realizes the situation, "Oh, that's right! I already told Jormund, but I haven't told you if you're his friends! And he did say that you guys might be eager to accept,"

She then continues, "You see, there have been unseasonable snow storms up in the north. Because of that, my hometown, Zephyr, and my Ohana there are worried that raiders are going to come and attack. I heard Jormund had washed up recently, so naturally, I thought he would be the best man for the job of helping protect Zephyr from raiders!"

She then asked Aura and Flicker, "So, would you be willing to help as well? I can't promise gold or treasure as a reward, but I can promise that I'll fight alongside you if need be, room and board at my place, and any wood carving projects you want or need from me! What do you say?"

@Guardian Angel Haruki@XxFellsingxX

The orc's words haunted Rala and she skittishly hurried to the feast tent. The whole time she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being followed, but she didn't notice anyone over her back. Her mind was racing and she quickly scouted out a nearby bar to order a drink. With a large swig of liquor in her belly to calm her nerves, the veteran rogue scanned the crowd one final time. No one seemed to be watching her, but she quickly scouted out two of her associates, easy to see in a crowd. They were with a tough-looking blue woman. She began to mosey their way, hesitant to join them right away. Instinctively she blend in with the crowd until she was right beside them. There, with her face turned and covered by her long hair, she listened in for a moment.

The woman in question was requesting something simple enough, but Rala had a bad feeling about the whole thing. She tended to have those often, however. Her friends seemed eager and naive, so she jumped in to assess the situation for herself.

Stepping forward and towards the group, Rala snuck up behind the lady in question and put a hand on Cascade's shoulder.

"We aren't a charity, and we don't need an extra mouth to feed" She said with a huff.
"Surely there is more to this situation. Unseasonable storms? Sounds like the work of someone magical" She skeptically concluded, now encircling the woman and standing between her and her companions.
"In any regard, why should we trust you stranger?"

Flicker frowned as they listened to Cascade's request, and was about to open their mouth to speak where Rala suddenly materialised out of nowhere and voiced suspicion of their new acquaintance.

"And people say I'm paranoid," Flicker muttered. "Though you do have a point." They looked at Cascade again. "Surely there were other people who could have aided you and your village. Why come all this way looking for Jormund? Especially considering you didn't seem to know he had a group with him. Don't get me wrong, guy's tough but he is just one guy, and definitely not the only one out there willing to stand up to raiders and the like." Despite the questions, Flicker's tone was far less accusitory than Rala's. They did sympathise with Cascade's plight, but after their last job had went awry, it probably was worth being cautious and getting as much information as they could before they agreed.

Aura listened to Cascade as she spoke, or at least it looked like she was listening, her party would know that she likely was more focused on analyzing Cascade's physical appearance than actually paying attention to what the woman had to say. Though she did catch the part about Jørmund not having hammers for fists, which threw her off. "Why would Jørmund have Hammers for fists?" She questioned just before Rala appeared and began, well, being Rala.

"Now now Rala, some tack is needed when getting information out of people, appearing from the crowd and throwing around accusations and suspicions is not the way to do that when Cascade here is being so adorably polite." Her attention stayed almost entirely on Cascade as she spoke. "Though there are some valid points from both Rala and Flicker." She motioned to Rala when Aura said her name. "I get Jørmund has quite a reputation but why him specifically? Did someone send you to find him or did you just hear the tales and decide he was the man for the job? And if you were sent by someone, why did they send you? What skills do you have to offer us if we were to help you?" Her voice never lost the honey sweet tone she normally used when she was flirting with someone, nor did her smile leave her face. This was where she excelled, with carefully crafted words and a friendly demeanor Aura generally could get people to open up enough to read them like a book, and if she couldn't her less trusting companions could pick apart things that made little to no sense.

"You must understand darling, we, first and foremost, have the best interests of our companions at heart. So any and all information you can give us here and now would be much appreciated." Aura had settled casually in her seat, resting her chin on the back of her hand, propped up by her elbow on the table, leaving the more threatening personas to the others. She hoped that Cascade would ignore, or at least brush off, Rala's more skeptical and aggressive approach to the stranger.

When Aura asked her question, Cascade shrugged and answered, "Because I thought they were the reason his last name is Hammerfist,"

Then Rala appeared, and Cascade looked somewhat shocked at the older woman's words. A charity? But Cascade could've sworn she addressed the matter of payment. An extra mouth to feed? She wasn't asking them to babysit her...

What was going on? Cascade was getting confused as well as saddened by the suspicion and slight hostility shown to her.

The saddened and confused look slowly goes away as Flicker and Aura add onto Rala's points while clarifying that they're only asking to look after each other. She answers Aura after she reassures her, with a small reassuring smile of her own, "Oh--No. It's fine. I understand,"

She rubs the back of her head bashfully and comments, "Yeah, I am taking a pretty big leap of faith, aren't I? I guess it was unfair of me to expect you guys to do the same. Don't worry, I'll tell you everything I know regarding this situation,"

She answers Aura and Flicker regarding Jormund, "I wasn't really sent to find him: I decided to go find him myself. Everyone was talking about the snowstorms in the north and how they were worried that the raiders would come,"

She continues, "I heard the stories about Jormund and thought he was the best man for the job. And after talking with him a little before all of you arrived, I believe I was right,"

She smiles as she clarifies, "He is willing to try and talk to the raiders out of it if his family is among them. That gives me hope that this possible problem can be solved peacefully,"

She continues, "Not to badmouth the other adventuring parties, but...a lot of them didn't inspire the same confidence. The last adventuring group I met called themselves the 'Murder Hoboz',"

She gave a shudder at the memory.

After shaking off that memory, she continues, "As for what skills I have to offer...Well, I'm good with a trident and a shield. I can swim and breathe underwater. I can talk to people. I know how to steer boats and ships as well as repair them. And I have some divine magic,"

She brings out her necklace from under her shirt, her holy symbol shaped like a dolphin leaping through the air. She asks the group, "Do you want me to recite my oath?"

Rala kept a permanent scowl on her face as the others quickly softened her jagged approach. They seemed to appreciate her rationale, though her lack of tact was definitely evident in their damage control. Nevertheless, she eyed Cascade wearily as the bubbly paladin patiently answered question after question. Rala wasn't sure what to think about the girl's story. Was she a fool or a fiend in disguise? Raising the holy symbol seemed to clarify.

"no need for Oaths" She nagged in a grunt, waving the girl off dismissively.
She seemed far too sweet to deceive them and it was slowly dawning on Rala that she was too defensive with this stranger. She was just jumpy after what the orc had told her.

"Jormands a fool if he thinks he can reason with raiders" She said with a snicker, a thin smile slipping onto her face.
"But if my friend is going to risk his life for your village, I'm not going to let him do it alone"