Of Faeries and Mystery

[ShiroTenshiRyu]

“Ha a new guard in the ranks. Did they warn you about me?” a grizzled voice asked to the guard sitting across the hall. The guard, a towering seven foot Rhino, could only laugh at the man.



“Oh yes they told me all about you, Z'erra, but your days are long gone. Now shut up I don't want any more noise from you.” The Rhino went back back to his writings. Z'erra a slenderly, well built dragon, of ebony scales. His left wing was torn in several places, though his right was in perfect condition. His head was adorned by two rather large ivory white horns that came to a viciously, sharp point. His eyes were a dark and harsh reddish purple that could pierce the courage of even the bravest warrior. Z'erra glared at the new guard. He'd waited long enough, the time for revenge was here.



“Did they tell you my good fellow, what today was?” The Rhino turned to him and gave an uncaring shrug. “Today marks a thousand years since I was placed in this putrid, hole in the ground you mortals call a prison, and in these thousands years my powers have slowly been building. Today my revenge begins you fool.” A powerful purple and black shock wave radiated from Z'erra leaving the Rhino unconscious.




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Being the fur he was Kai didn't want to make a huge scene. He posted a bill to the board of the Tavern and left swiftly and quietly. He wouldn't stay to persuade others this was a dangerous road, and he wouldn't have furs deaths hanging over him. The posted bill read as such:



I am looking for experienced furs only. We will be crossing dangerous terrain, and will be with out proper shelter for several days at a time. The exact purpose for this adventure will be discussed at the meeting point. Any interested furs should meet up at The Black Weasel Inn by sundown. We leave at dawn.



Kai was hopeful that some furs would respond. He took his time moving through the city to get to the meeting place to wait for the others. He loved his fair city of Umbra. Despite the crime and the occasional killings. It was a relatively peaceful city. As he tromped from the city square to the inn, passed several young furs playing with some basic magic. Magic was rather rare now in Gersia, but most who possessed it either attended the academy here in Umbra or in Lux.




Several of the City Watch passed by the group of children as Kai continued onward. The Watch was a good group. Some were previously members of a Lord's Guard for this family or that, but they defended the city with the same vigor that they would defend their Lord. Kai smiled as he pushed open the door of The Black Weasel in and he took a seat at the bar. It was time to play the waiting game.

[KittKat chunky~]

Katka walked lazily in the warm afternoon sun, babbling sounds of the city all around as she strolled down the street with one paw resting on the pommel of her sword. She listened with half an ear to the other two guards beside her as they chatted between themselves. A pair of wolves, brothers in fact, assigned to patrol with the young feline. Leisurely they walked left onto Baker street, she knew every street and alley just by the feel of the cobbles beneath her boots.

Halfway down the line of shops the younger of the two brothers frowned as they passed a group of children, wisps and flashes of magic flying between their fingers  "Hey... No messing with magics in the street, off with you y' rapscallions." The older of the two wolves chuckled as the children scampered aside. "Let them be now, the kids mean no harm." To this all Katka listened in silence, nodding with a wry smile as she stepped aside for a black leather coated weasel walking in the opposite direction.




Eventually they reached the end to their patrol,  another trio of guards already stood waiting to take over. Words and handshakes were exchanged as the younger of the two brothers took off his helmet, clearly eager for a tankard of ale and to put his feet up. Katka instead stood to one side behind a small gathering around the Tavern message board, reading the bill posted there over the shoulder of an old fox at the front. The fox scratched his head with one claw, muttering "Wot kind of mongrel would apply for this, no mention of payment but plenty of supposed danger... You'd have to be desperate." 

To this Katka read the proposal with a curious frown and said distractedly "Perhaps for some the lure of adventure is enough? I daresay they may feel like they have little to lose." 

The fox and several others turned at her voice, his milky eyes glancing down to the telltale grey cloak around her shoulders and then back up to meet her own blue gaze. He shook his head and laughed before walking away. "Yes, although some of us may have less to lose than others..."

[Cyril]

"A drink would do us well, wouldn't it...? Keep an eye Cathal, there may be money to make." Camille talked towards his small cardinal, which was gliding shortly behind him. As he entered the tavern, he hummed quietly to himself before approaching the tender. With a few coins in his hand and a careful thought, he thought on what type of drink he should get himself. His cardinal then pricked him in the back of his head before returning to his body through his open shirt. After the purchase of a small drink spirit, he examined the paper that the cardinal had lead him to, shortly after overhearing a certain feline comment upon the desperation on this offer.. With a sigh, he spoke once more in the corner, quietly. "Do I need to do this one specifically?" Which his companion soon assured him via mental contact.

After finishing his drink, he stood up and grumbled to himself, "remove yourself from my body and listen, I don't want to fall into a misfortune."

With his cardinal in tail, Camille walked down the towns' alleys. Besides owning surname of power, Camille had no position nor interest in the town. He possessed a fair amount of charisma, but didn't talk to others much mostly due to the nightmare which accompanied him, and never openly responded. However when Cathal had led him to opportunities, they were always rewarding and important; although the bird at times made him look like a madman. Thus, Camille listened loosely while he approached the Black Weasle Inn. His flashy clothing tend to draw attention(also due to his bead's occasional taps), that he didn't fully mind. However when he walked through the door and ordered his typical brandy drink, the lion had to ask Cathal at a medium tone;
"Have you found the ad writer, yet?"
Such a task shouldn't have been too difficult, surely.

[White Wolf Guardian]

Xeric walked down the city block, as many times before. His regular customers looking for oddities and warriors that needed weapons repaired had long since been taken care of, his once a daily drink was the last of his errands. Business was not nearly as profitable lately and the local tavern always had another traveler looking for work to be done. The drink helped mend the worries and the simple jobs from conversation added to the moment. While it wasn't much, there was always hope for more than a short commission, perhaps even a signed agreement. While lost in thought and reflections about days of recent and nights to come, a mostly absent Dodecarchy pulled at Xeric's shirt from his bag to point at something up ahead. Xeric snapped to it and looked onward.

A weasel seemed to quickly make his way out of the tavern and into the street in the opposite direction of Xeric, towards the inns and youths of the city. "I've been here at least three months and I've never seen that weasel. Probably nothing of interest, however Dodearchy is usually hiding. That means that I should be either concerned or intrigued. Perhaps the job board has something new to bring to the table? Maybe that IS hoping for too much, either way I still need that beverage." Xeric stopped to watch the weasel get further away into the distance, then started up his walk once more. Upon approach to the tavern he casually walked through the front door to see the typical crowd of city bottom barrel variety.

Dodearchy had long since been back to hiding in the sack and Xeric nodded to the barkeep for his usual order upon entry. The wolf turned his attention to the job board, trying to not seem any more eager than usual to see what may or may not be offered for work. Upon approach he found a new note attached that read about a seemingly shady meet for an undisclosed assignment. "In any case, this does not sound like my kind of work. However... I am starting to get desperate. The Black Weasel is not my favorite place and even more ironically I almost guarantee the weasel I saw earlier is associated with this message." Xeric's attention was detracted upon hearing a whistling noise coming from the long counter.

The wolf turned around to see the barkeep impatiently pointing to a fizzling glass sitting in front of him, with an empty stool adorning its proximity. Xeric turned once more to look at the note then turned back and sat down in front of the drink, dropping coins on the table. He picked up the glass and downed it in less than 3 seconds, bringing the bottom of the container crashing down to the wood finish. "I've got some work to do fellow proprietor." The wolf pushed the empty cup forward to the befuddled owner of the tavern and walked out the door

"I better have a damn job, or I'm going to look like a fool. There is no group of adventuring jacks that wouldn't go without someone who can supply them along the journey; as long as they don't try to gut me in my sleep, this should be the most ideal task." The wolf marched up the road in the direction of the Black Weasel. All the while Dodearchy was rubbing his eyes inside the sack and battering his head with his legs in torment at giving Xeric the indirect idea to make something of the weasel's appearance.

[ENOJI Kengura]

Days seem to pass as fast as seconds to Enoji. 10 beats out of his heart seem to pass fast as well, especially right now since he's trying to break into a house. Quietly of course. On a balcony of a old, but ginormous residence, he begins to slide across the splinter filled wall, surprisingly not being affected by the harsh pain...then again, he lost all feeling to his back in an unfortunate accident, causing the loss of his parents. The young wolf never forgets the day...not that he can.

Crouching down, he fixes his pullover jacket, and jeans to minimize sounds from his movement. The creeke noise of the wood flooring in the balcony begins to weaken as the young wolf then pours a clear chemical, named as the "Wood Sound Ripper", getting it's name from it's ability to lower or even stop creaking from wood. Enoji begins to open the wooden door, into what seems like a vacant kitchen. Thinking about his means of escape, at the balcony rail to see that there isn't an opening under the rail. He goes to it, takes out a small glass vile with the label: Acidic! He takes out his knife, takes the cork out, sticks the tip in the vile, and draws a green acid circle on the wood. Going back to the door, he throws another small over the roof to the front of the building. Once the vile hits the ground, A  huge cloud of smoke was made, catching the attention of the two tiger guards.

"What the hell?""Yeah, let's check it out." They both leave. Bingo. Enoji quickly opens the door to be greeted by cobwebs everywhere, which excited Enoji. Why would there be guards on an old place like this? He looks around the residence, searching the drawers, cabinets, under the bed, but can't find anything. "What the heck?! This place was supposed to be filled with silver!" Suddenly, his stomach begins to churn as he realizes he yelled too loud and decides to run the balcony. But it's too late. A tiger guard was blocking the door to the balcony, holding his sword to Enoji. He yells to Enoji as Enoji raises his paws,"GET ON YOUR KNEES! NOW!" Enoji's mind races for a way to escape, but after realizing he may not have...he complies. Slowly getting to his knees, he says, "Is this how you treat a poor, desperate boy?" "I'm guessing poor and desperate would mean SLY and DANGEROUS. Enoji, you are under arrest for 36 counts of breaking and entering and..."

As the guard continued to talk, Enoji noticed something. The balcony wood. It has weakened from the acid and now, a huge gaping hole is in perfect view. Probably the reason why the guard was at the balcony instead of the door, he could've herd the wood hit the ground.

Then suddenly, the guard began to grab Enoji's arm to put handcuffs. Enoji needed to act quickly, so he used the loose handcuff to hit the guard directly on the face, ran to the balcony, jumped through the hole, rolled on the ground to safety, and ran.

........

The house now filled with guards, Enoji obviously didn't want to go back. After running a safe distance, Enoji decides to calm down and walk around the town of Gersia. Passing the alleyway where he spends most of his nights, he begins to hear rustling noises. Surprisingly not scaring Enoji. "Sunova, you can come out!" The tiny two inch girl Faerie then flew out and landed on Enoji's muzzle. "Hai Enoji!" She quickly flew around Enoji and lands on his head.

Sunova was a Faerie, but the reason didn't turn into a Nightmare, like many of the ones attached to criminals and killers, was because Enoji is only trying to provide for himself...and...for his now dead family...She found him in an alleyway of his town, Venox.

"I was waiting for you, Enoji! Where were you?""Uh...well I..""It doesn't matter now, YOU'RE BACK!The young wolf was shocked, her voice meant something was up, especially when he had recently commited a crime. "I have something to you. she then pulled onto the enoji's jacket and took him to the tavern bill. "read it! I think it's going to be fun!" Enoji does .....and nods. without saying another word, he walks to Black Weasel and pushes the door open with his hood up, while Sunova tried to keep up.

[ShiroTenshiRyu]

Sitting at the bar Kai was impressed with those who had shown interest in his bill. Though he'd been at the bar since the posting, but Theon had been poised to watch the bill the whole time. After a few hours of waiting, Theon wandered into the bar. The long, slender, beast was about two feet long and a six inches tall. It was covered head to toe in white fur with black stripes place randomly about it's body. It moved swiftly and silently to Kai's shoulders. The taverns local patrons ignoring the animal they'd grown to associate with the bar. Curling around Kai's neck, Theon pointed to the few furs who had read the bill and shown up, as well as the faerie who had taken the bill. Looking over his new potential team mates he was impressed. He thought for sure he'd have to hire mercenaries again despite how disastrously it had gone last time. Leaning into the bar tender he pointed at the furs Theon had distinguished. "A round of drinks for them Horace. And when Holly serves them tell her to escort them to the back." Downing one last drink he smiled if only briefly. "Maybe this time they'll come back alive." It had been far too long since any one had survived a trip with him.




As he moved to the back he thought a bit more about the potential members of his team. The first, a grey wild cat, was wearing a grey cloak which gave Kai some relief. A warrior who once protected a lord would certainly make a valuable member. The second, a grey lion, seemed to have the glow of magic about him. Another mage never hurt when adventuring and odds were in his favor that it would serve to diversify their group some. The third and fourth, a two wolves, seemed to be a bit of a mystery to him. They had no traits to say what their skills were, though judging by the appearance of the first wolf he was always prepared. The second wolf was young. Possibly younger than all the rest, but he seemed to have the look of one who'd seen more than most.




"I hope this group turns out to last Theon." The creature licked Kai softly. "You're right Theon. Maybe I'm worrying too much."

[KittKat chunky~]

A palpable silence fell over the bar as Katka walked in, the door swinging shut behind her. Squinting slightly after the warm evening sun outside she looked between several of the patrons of the Black Weasel Inn, a couple gruff looking wolves and weasels of various statures hanging around one end of the bar, all stared back in silence.


"Ah... For what do we owe the pleasure of The Watch having business 'ere this evening, officer?" The black-furred weasel barkeep looked the feline from head to tail, his gaze lingering on the grey cloak around her shoulders, watching her with his one good eye. The other clicked and whirred in its socket as a metal and glass iris opened and closed with the smoothness of fine craftsmanship.

"The Watch has no interest in your Inn tonight. Just here on my own business..." Katka glanced from him to the others, her grip tightening around the hilt of her sword "...and a pint of your fine Weasel Ale, if you will." A long moment passed, then the barkeep nodded. The tension broke and slowly chatter in the bar returned as Katka dropped a few coins onto the counter. Flagon in hand she walked over to a table by the window, drinking down a deep draught of the amber liquid as she sat and waited.

She didn't have to wait long before the barmaid came round with another pint of ale. Drumming her fingers on the table and biting her lip Katka looked around for the person who had ordered the drinks. While there were several who had entered the bar since her, none seemed to be the mysterious writer of the advertised bill. Thanking the maid she simply stood and followed her direction through to the back of the inn, one hand moving slowly back to the hilt of her sword.

[Cyril]

Camille's eyes fell upon the cat as she walked in, a fair amount of amusement falling upon his expression when the guard walked in. With a stiff inhale, he finished his normal brandy only to receive another drink. The maid, not being much of a help, wandered off after giving a drink to the guard from earlier. The cardinal returned to his shoulder, making little noise while the lion got up. "Cathal, stay off of me and follow from a distance." He commanded, adjusting himself and fixing his mane. From the corner of his eye, he watched the cat go around the corner of the inn.

Normally, he wouldn't care much. But he was here in order to find the letter's author, and the extra free drink which was also received in the same round as the cat's was probably not a coincidence. Although he didn't take the drink(simply out of detest for ale and mead), and promptly requested that the barmaid not waste it(however she was going to do that), he got up and followed the cat a bit. Taking notice to the hand she then placed upon her blade, the arcanist kept his focus ready for a flash of telekinesis if needed.

The bar began to fill up with people, a shady young male and a less shady average age wolf. He said little, and followed the cat with his normal and casual stride, although aware of the implications. "Townguard!" He said at an audible volume, close enough to draw her attention if she wished and now at the back of the bar. "Was it you, who purchased the round, and wrote a certain post note? The specific question was his attempt at not being shady, although he was totally aware that following someone probably wasn't a good decision. Shrugging off the thought, he kept his normal toothy grin and waited for a response or an interruption; being aware that his voice had been heard by a fair amount of the bar.

[ENOJI Kengura]

Enoji seemed silent, almost lost as it seem to many. It didn't seem like it to others, but Enoji was paying attention to everything discussed. He took out his recorder, and replays the audio. But before he can hear the rest of the audio, a drink is placed by his hand by a tall lion. Sunova notices and thanks the waiter for Enoji's slight rudeness. The tall lion whispers to Sunova as Enoji listens to his recorder, "Please let the boy know that he must return the back as soon as possible.""????...Thank you sir, I'll let him know." The lion leaves. Sunova turns back to Enoji, angered at him not listening to the lion. "Enoji he said--""He said that I needed to go into the back of the inn, correct?"

Sunova was surprised. This whole time she thought he was listening to his recorder. "If you heard what he said, why didn't you say anything?""To figure out how much he didn't want outsiders to know about this group. His expression showed that this was an urgent matter. Did you see how fast he left? Elementary really." Enoji stood up. "And he gave a drink to only certain people that went to the back."

"Lets go Sunova." Sunova flies to Enoji's shoulder, still surprised at his attention to everything that was going on. Enoji begins to walk to the back when he notices all the faces turn to the door. He turns as well, then runs immediately to the back once he notices tiger guards walk in.

[White Wolf Guardian]

The wolf walks into the inn and sits down at a table, looking about for anyone suspicious. Upon becoming confident there was no trap or planned out attack, he calmed looked down to twittle his thumbs. Occasionally looking up at the doorways and feeling Dodearchy rustling about in his sack, the wolf awaits any sort of unexpected occurrence. The moment lacked intensity, that he was expecting but all the same it felt like the waiting area for a commission interview.

"I'm sure this will move along shortly, there's probably more than one person expected to show up. The tavern is a very popular place among all types of people, I don't find it too comforting aside from the drink. If anything about as close as I get to people in general is when they are buying something. I would also assume that this group leader has done this before which has implications in itself about the longevity of his associates... If he can make it out alive however, that means so can I. I don't take unnecessary risks, aside from trying to keep the pockets from being empty of coin."

Dodearchy remains silent during Xeric's thought process and doesn't change his obvious stance on not fully trusting the situation or Xeric's decision to pursue it. The creature picks at the debris underneath his nails and curls up appreciating the darkness of his hiding place.

[ShiroTenshiRyu]

Kai give a large sigh as he heard the activity of the bar pick up. No doubt his, "guests" were a breed of trouble all their own. "I think it's time we retrieved our guests.


"Townguard! Was it you, who purchased the round, and wrote a certain post note?


"Yep time indeed." Kai stood up and pulled a lever on the wall swinging open a portion of the wall in front of him, revealing two cats speaking to one another one of them the guard. "I posted the bill you four, get in now, fast." Kai quickly ushered the furs in. "I apologize for making this meeting so shady. I'll tell you more about why I called you here in a moment. For now let's take a moment to get to know each other. And before you ask this room is special made by skilled arcane craftsmen. Sound can't get in or out so this conversation is private." Pausing for a moment to catch his breathe Kai took his seat again at a round table made of freshly polished Mahogany. The room was small, maybe twelve meters across and four feet high. There were a few chairs that matched the table scattered around the room. Hanging on the walls were the heads of a bug bear and a small red dragon. The room wasn't much but it was were Kai had introduced himself so many times before. "My name is Kai Novarous, and this is my partner Theon. We are investigators. So tell me who are you four?

[Cyril]

Camille was quiet for a moment while him and four others were rushed into the stranger's arcane room. Cathal quickly reverted to being an occasionally tattoo upon his neck. Sometimes, just sound wasn't enough. The lion's gaze quickly turned upon the teal-haired host, locked while he took a seat out of formality, at the opposite end.
Leaning back in a rather luxurious manner, he broke his fixed gaze to the other feline; speaking in a more gentle tone. "Sorry for the accusation, I guess." He said a bit haughtily, but then he returned his gaze towards Kai.
"Out a type of initial respect, the name's Camille Violette. I'm the loud mouth, although I'm sure you've noticed. But regardless; what are you investigating and what are we doing?"
He leaned back in his chair, telekinetically toying with a few beads from his oufit while keeping his gaze.

[KittKat chunky~]

"Huh?" Katka turned as someone else at the back of the bar called to her, finding a lion with a wide grin and deep blue mane of fur. Cautiously she tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword and muttered with much less extravagance than the lion's own haughty tones "I could ask you the same... Although what might lead you to believe the city watch would advertise in such shady manners is beyond me."

At that moment the hidden door swung open behind them to reveal a teal-haired weasel. Had the situation been less tense Katka might have considered the scene almost theatrical, instead she simply bared her teeth with a half-risen growl as the group of strangers were hurried into the confines of the small room. Once inside she stood for a moment opposite their host, stooping slightly under the low ceiling, her thick tail swishing agitatedly. She glanced sidelong at Camille as he apologised and introduced himself with the same haughty mannerism, she sat down heavily and said simply "Don't mention it..." Then turned to Kai  "...and my name would be Katka Valyria."

[ENOJI Kengura]

Realizing he had nothing left to lose, ENOJI decides to introduce himself. "My name is ENOJI.....Enoji Kengura, sir." Out from behind ENOJI, Sunova introduces herself as well, "Hello sir, I'm Sunova!" Enoji knew to keep his distance from the lynx, because he knew that if this was a hoax, that he could easily be caught if the exit was blocked. He began to think of how much he would've actually lost if this were a trick for him to get arrested. Again he realized....nothing.

"I'm still skeptical about this...Kai. I don't know you, so how can I suddenly trust you? You can say you are a investigator, but how do I know that?" For safety, Enoji then slowly raised his dagger from his back pocket with telekinesis, trying not to show it, to get ready to shoot out to the lynx if he tries to subdue Enoji.

[White Wolf Guardian]

Xeric nearly fell back in his chair as the newly apparent Kai pulled some sort of lever and the wall opened up. His amazement in following the group into the room alone barely allowed him to catch the names of the other three adventurers to be his companions. Upon hearing Kai's statement about him and Theon being some sort of detective group. He stammered, attempting to regain his composure. "M-my name is Xeric Abactor, I'm here to provide services and supplies, while also hoping as with Enoji that this is not some sort of critical ruse meant to take us for what we have. I only carry what is on my back and the skills in my mind..."

The wolf trailed off, really unsure what to make of the grand appearance of the room that he was now in, taking in the details of the table and the wall mounts. "If this isn't legitimate, it would be the most clever scam I have yet to see, I'm hoping this goes well." Dodearchy peered through the top of his bag, at the other people and remained silent, quite apparently anxious but unmoved at the same time from what he was seeing.