Gift from the Catnip Thieves
Elethia
Aodh remarks that her outfit complements her well and Elethia pauses and then stares. As Aodh begins to fidget she tells him that he looks rather dashing as well. Perhaps this trip will have a bit of fun in it after all. Elethia smirks. Mr. Scoots sensing trouble promptly goes up to her and swats her ankle.
Aodh
Junu calls on all of them to gather once again and they make their next trek out. The silence in the area continues to make them nervous so they hasten their steps. Arriving at a bridge they are presented with a creature they've never seen before. The creature calling himself a Shishin and informs them that the only way they can cross the bridge is to answer all of the riddles posed to them. "Easy peasy!" Elethia gleefully shouts. "This will definitely be a cinch!" Mr. Scoots sighs and wanders away from her since she has a habit of causing mayhem when she gets too excited.
"Hold on Elethia! The Shishin have told us that once we answer each riddle, at the end you have to prepare a gift for them." warns Lizzy. "A gift?! Me?! I have no idea what to get someone I just met!" stammers out Elethia. Aodh wisely chimes in "Just listen to what it is they like and determine an appropriate gift at the end". "Alright I'll try, but there's no guarantee that they will like it." Elethia grumbles out
They then make their way along the bridge, pausing at each interval to answer that Shishins riddle. Once they reach the last Shishin everyone then gazes at Elethia expectantly. Elethia clears her throat nervously..."Well I know that all of you like magical creatures, lights, sweet music, and muffins. Unfortunately I cannot summon a magical creature nor draw up lights from thin air without chancing the risk of exhausting myself. However!" Mr. Scoots grimaces and hides behind Aodh "I can provide music and muffins for you! I baked a whole batch earlier and I'd be more than delighted to share it will all of you. Tadaaaaa!" Elethia draws from the bag her prized muffins...
"Genuine softness and sweetness, in the colors that you all love, and can be enjoyed by everyone!" Elethia replies with a broad grin. The Shishin gather and each obtains one of the muffins from her. They start to savor their treat until Elethia barks out "Alright it's time for some music! Hold tight because I can belt out a mean ballad!" Fortunately for everyone gathered there, Mr. Scoots races out quickly from behind Aodh and starts yowling loudly to cover up some of Elethias terrible verses. Fuming she begins to grumble and then smiles as everyone in good spirits shares a laugh with each other.
Misfits Dress the Part
Liath
Mia
The rest of the team that submitted HA's

Eva

Ana
Eva glanced around uncomfortably. She couldn’t help but notice the glaring difference between garb of the locals and the Misfits. As the previous captain of a band of rogues, Eva never thought it was a great idea to stand out too much. “Fam, we’re gonna need a wardrobe change if we want to blend in at all here.” Mia looked at the couple sitting by them and tacitly agreed. “I'm not sure if I want to give up my comfortable clothes.” Liath complained. “Besides, where would we even get the money to buy new clothes?” said Jilly. “I was thinking we could just borrow some things and return them later,” Eva said nonchalantly. “And land ourselves in jail? No thank you.” Mia said. Eva sighed. “Fine, you party pooper. Let’s pawn our stuff for money.” And so began the Misfits’ quest for new outfits. Mia watched the others start toward the village and conjured an image of what she thought was suitable garb in her mind. She took a deep breath and, focusing on the outfit, reached out to the universe surrounding her for power. As she murmured a few words to conjure the look, she immediately felt a heaviness weighing down on her chest and shoulders. It was as though she were pulling a large cart that was being loaded up more and more with each second. She released the charm. "That's never happened before." She thought. "I suppose I ought to be careful. I know nothing of the magic in this realm." And so she followed her misfit friends, taking a mental inventory of her pack in preparation for trade. They travelled to the village and found a small shop full of local clothing. They entered the shop and began to browse. The shop keeper looked up and her eyes grew wide. She had never seen such odd clothing before. Her husband came out of the back room and she whispered to him. He whispered back and she frowned. She then walked over to the group and decided to be a good sales person and help them pick out their new outfits. Liath became overwhelmed at the colors and fabrics that are displayed before her. She gasped at the delicate silks that feel so cool on her skin. Her eyes looked in wonder at the patterns that have been woven into the fabric. She had never seen anything like this. She walked over and found a gorgeous sheer top. It is a lovely shade of brown and the sleeves cascade down the sides. She immediately tried it on. She swung her arms and twirled. Ana giggled, "With all the colors around you and you have to pick the most drab one of them all?" Liath frowned. "But I love brown! And the shape and flow of it is lovely! I need to find a bottom that will go with it." Before Liath could find something, Mia grabbed something pink and brought it to Liath. "Here's something with color!" Liath looked at the skirt with skepticism. She never cared for pink, at least not on her. But she decided to try it on so her friends would leave her alone. Jilly caught sight of her new outfit, "Oh, now that looks pretty on you! I think you will turn a few heads with that." Liath blushed, "Thank you! I feel like a cherry blossom." "In the dirt." Ana murmured under her breath. Eva and Mia laughed and Liath shot them a harsh glare. She grabbed a fan that was sitting on the counter and whipped it open. "Be careful," the shop keeper warned. "That fan is more than meets the eye. The blades are very sharp and can cut someone." Liaths eyes widened. "Oh I think this will be most useful indeed!" Ana came over with one more accessory for Liath. "Here, if you're gonna be a flower in the dirt, you should wear this branch with flowers on your waist." She stifled another giggle. Liath wrapped the belt around her waist and looked in the mirror. "Actually, I think this works well. Thanks Ana!" Ana turned and looked at a few of the Kimonos that were hanging in the corner. One of them caught her eye, it was shorter than the traditional ones. "This one is cute!" She smiled. She tried it on and matched it with some pink shoes. Eva saw her first. "Now you look like a local! I think you'll blend in just fine." The rest of the misfits agreed. They continued, with the help of the shop keeper, and managed to find suitable outfits for their journey.
As the Misfits answered the riddle from the last Shishin, Miakoda caught up with them and whispered an urgent message into their midst. They turned, and as the seven Shishin gathered to collect their gift, all bowed respectfully. Mia bent to one knee, presenting the trinket to them above her head.
"It isn't much, but I hope it's novelty brings you joy and comfort if you are ever in need of it. Along with this small creation, most importantly, I want to extend to you our sincere gratitude for your help along our path." She glanced back to the others with a nod, and together the Misfits said, "Thank you."
[spoiler=The Rougish Companions Cross Bridges as They Come to Them] “I am NOT wearing a dress!” Garrick declared emphatically.
Alia rolled her eyes. “Afraid they don’t have your size...or color, Goliath?” she quipped as the trio entered a shop which looked promising. Having been freed from the ignominy of immobility and treated to drinks, they were now on a small side quest for proper attire in order to blend in with the locals a bit better.
Lark giggled. “It doesn’t have to be a dress,” she said. “You could have genie pants...so long as they match your eyes,” she teased.
At the moment Garrick’s eyes were dark and smoldering. As he thought about the ridiculous genie dance they had witnessed, he snorted and shook his head. “You’d come closer to getting me in a dress,” he said. “That display was...well, I have no words.” Looking over at Lark, he said, “Your song was much better.”
“Thank you,” Lark smiled and then quickly and lightly kissed his cheek, causing the ranger to flush slightly.
“Aw, Goliath got his first kiss,” Alia teased.
“It is not my first and would you stop calling me that,” Garrick half snapped. “Go find some clothes.” He stalked a few feet away from the girls with a huff. Goliath indeed! He wasn’t some hulking brute like the name implied; in fact he was rather average...in every way, the ranger thought with a slight sigh. Average height....of course to Alia’s slightly over five foot stature, he was a bit of a giant. He had some muscles to be sure but that was to be expected after growing up on a farm, but still they weren’t large and noticeable like his older brother’s. Even his hair was average, Garrick thought to himself, being neither brown nor black but something in between. Most people in his village just saw him as the dark haired second son of Alarick and then later as the one who joined the mysterious group called the Rangers. Even there, though he fit in better, Garrick was simply one of the band; nothing about the young man stood out. If he truly examined his motives, perhaps it was one reason he had argued so vehemently to go on the Squirrel’s quest...it was a chance to prove that he could do something different. And in all honesty it was one of the reasons that Leaf recommended him as the elven prince knew the feeling of proving oneself, as well as the rigors of a Squirrel adventure.
While the quiet ranger was musing, the girls were squealing and exclaiming over all the choices of clothing and trying to look everywhere at once. Alia was attracted by a certain color scheme but then darted to Lark’s side as the bard called her to come examine some accessories she had found. ‘Natch and Felicia were also enjoying the sight and feel of the luxurious clothing.
“’Natch, put it back,” Alia scolded as an elaborate dangling earring was about to disappear. The little manchu looked at his friend and chattered. “I know, I know...it IS pretty and shiny, but we aren’t doing that anymore, remember?” the vagabond reminded, though she’d had to curb her own urges...several times. Taking the earring from ‘Natch, she held it to her ear and considered the look and then returned it to its spot. Lark had been looking at hair ornaments and suddenly turned to Alia. “How are we to pay for all these things?” she asked.
Garrick had wandered near them, keeping an eye on things and heard the question. “The Protectors are always provided with what they need,” he said. “I don’t know who actually pays or if the things are donated to the cause, but Leaf assured me that I wouldn’t have to spend my life savings for the quest...which is a good thing since it’s not much.”
“You mean we can get as much as we want??” The girls looked at each other in excitement and Lark’s eyes glowed.
Shaking his head, Garrick said, “We can’t take the entire shop inventory...just what we need. Besides, we’ll be traveling and can only take what we can easily carry or wear. Don’t think Pony and I are playing pack mules for you two,” he added.
“I can pull my own weight, Goliath,” Alia informed her companion. “And what I get I’ll carry too.”
“And I’ll try not to bring anything I don’t think I’ll need,” the delicate bard sighed and replaced a few items.
“Since we don’t really know where we’re going or how long we’ll be traveling, I’d suggest a couple of outfits at least,” Garrick said. “Just to be prepared.”
Alia and Lark nodded and then hurried to start gathering possibilities and trying them on. The colors and combinations seemed an endless source of possibilities and both girls found it so hard to narrow down their choices. After more time than Garrick thought they could spare, the bard and vagabond reappeared. He had to admit that they both looked stunning in the local clothing. Of course Lark had gone with vivid colors and flowing materials that seemed to accent her free spirit and gracefulness. To Garrick she looked like a living rainbow, but somehow the look worked on her. Alia had picked bright colors, wanting to stand out and be different. Well, she did, Garrick thought with a half smile.
“Very nice,” the ranger commented. “But I hope we don’t have any rough terrain or those flowing skirts and dangling shawls are going to be hanging on everything and they will be in shreds.”
Alia frowned at the ranger. “Always so complimentary and optimistic, Golaith. Pity more men can’t be like you.”
Garrick scowled back at the sarcasm. “I was just pointing out the obvious.”
“Well, here’s something obvious,” Alia retorted. “We aren’t just light headed bimbos. We have another outfit picked out for traveling.”
Lark looked a bit hurt and uncertain at Garrick’s remarks, but then nodded at Alia’s. “Yes, a lady likes to look and feel pretty, Garrick,” she said. “And we’re starting our trip looking nice. We can always change later.” She eyed the ranger. “And you haven’t gotten dressed yet,” she added.
“I told you, no dressing up for me,” Garrick said. “And you always look nice, Lark.”
“Thank you,” the bard said with a smile. “But you have to change. We have to look like the locals.”
Alia looked at Lark. “Or we could just leave him here,” she suggested.
“Think again,” Garrick said. “I’m going.”
“Then get changed,” Lark directed.
With a sigh, Garrick admitted defeat and hastily went through the men’s section, plucking colors that he liked at random. Within a short time, he had transformed into his local look. “Now are we ready?” he asked impatiently as he emerged from the dressing room.
“Yes, and I like it,” Lark smiled and went over to give his arm a squeeze.
Garrick blushed and said, “Glad you do. Let’s get our things packed up and head out with the other Protectors.”
As the road became rougher and steeper, Lark faltered slightly. Garrick looked back and asked, “Would you like to ride on Pony for a while?” He kept his mouth shut about her flowing dress being the problem that he’d foreseen it to be.
“No...I’ll be fine...in just a minute,” Lark said, her hands at her waist.
Alia watched and grinned as her new friend began to loosen her obi.
“Wh-what are you doing??” Garrick asked, his eyes widening. He darted a look around at all the others passing them and giving the lovely bard either curious looks or wolf whistles. “Stop that!” he ordered with a hiss, speaking to both Lark and the others.
Laughing now, Alia began to hum stripper music and Lark joined her in both the humming and laughing as she removed first her obi and then the golden sash, twirling them about her head for fun. Her hands pushing while her hips shimmied, she slipped her skirt down her hips.
Garrick’s mouth went dry and he felt as immobilized as he had earlier...and just as frustrated and helpless. He knew he should stop her, or at the very least look away, but he found himself unable to do either and instead stood watching every movement in a cross between transfixed horror and rapt attention to see what was revealed. Surely, he thought, she wouldn’t really...
With a final swivel of her shapely hips, Lark twisted her body and the skirt fell to the ground to reveal...
“Pants?!” Garrick gasped, staring at the bard.
“Of course,” Lark said matter-of-factly through her laughter. “What did you think I had on under my skirt? It had large splits in it after all.”
“I...I...well...” Garrick blushed hotly.
Felicia scurried over to the ranger, sat up on her hindquarters and crossed her paws like arms, looking for all the world like a disapproving lady...which she was in a fashion, being a disapproving female marmus. “Shame on you!” she scolded, causing Garrick to blush more. “Lark is NOT that sort of young lady!”
Garrick had never been scolded by a marmus before and the sensation was new, but it still left him feeling as though he’d been told off by his mother. “I...I’m sorry,” he stammered. “it was just...well...I’m sorry,” he apologized again.
Alia stood by, fighting to get her laughter under control, but her eyes still glinted with amusement at the ranger’s embarrassed flustered reaction.
Lark took pity on Garrick and walked over. “Apology accepted,” she said sweetly. “Now Alia and I are going over in those trees to finish changing and we would appreciate a guard.”
Nodding, Garrick did just that while the girls completed their changing and then the trio continued on their way with the other Protectors, feeling less encumbered by their clothing, but still in local dress.
Lark’s first reaction to the Shishin was a squeal of delight. “Oh how adorable!” she cried. “And they speak, just like you, Felicia,” she added with a smile at her dear friend.
Even Alia and Garrick grinned at the fox-bears. None of the trio had ever seen anything like them.
The riddles did not take them long to figure out, though Garrick and Lark ‘generously’ allowed Alia to solve the ones involving numbers and math. Some the group had heard before and nearly shouted out the answer in unison, while others took a little longer and saying over again to catch the solution. It was the gift that had them stumped, especially as there was not a Jincar in their group. Then learning that it would be up to the vagabond to create the gift, Garrick looked at Alia. “Do you think you can do it?”
“Of course I can!” Alia said confidently, but to be truthful, she was far less confident than she wanted to appear. She was no mage and had no true magic at her disposal. The most she could do were a few illusions. Still...there might be a way. She began to go through her bag, looking for things.
Garrick watched as Alia laid things on the ground wondering if they would be able to pass this most recent test. He knew very little about the vagabond other than the fact that she was a semi-reformed thief. How did a thief pull off magic tricks? And what did they offer as gifts?
Lark knelt beside Alia and asked questions in her quiet voice. “They like magical creatures, along with sparkling lights, sweet music, and muffins,” the bard recited. “And they do not harm those of honest heart.” She looked at Alia. “We have honest hearts so no problem there but is there any way to conjure up the other things?”
Alia shook her head. “Not for me,” she sighed, keeping her voice low. She wasn’t about to let Garrick know her uncertainty. “We don’t have any muffins, so that’s out. And the only magical creature I know about with us is Felicia...and we’re not giving her away,” she hastened to reassure Lark.
Nodding, Lark said, “Thank you...not that she would have gone anyway. So that leaves sparkling lights and sweet music. The music I could handle. Oh, I do wish they would allow me to help!”
“You already had your turn...and did very well,” Alia said to her friend.
“She’s right,” Garrick spoke from where he’d quietly moved over to the girls. “The adventures test us all. I’ve heard enough stories from Leaf to know that. Each person has strengths and weaknesses and the trials bring that out, not allowing the group to become dependant on only one or two. Lark, your strength is your way with words and song and you passed your test with flying colors. Now it’s Alia’s turn. This one is based on wits...something a thief has to have in good supply.” It was as close to a compliment as he planned to come for Alia.
Alia looked up at the ranger. “Wow, Goliath, maybe you have a few smarts of your own,” she said. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Glancing back down, her gaze fell on an assortment of pouches and she suddenly cried, “That’s it! I think I know a way to pull this off.” She took a pouch and checked the contents with a grin. “Yep, there’s plenty left.”
“What is it?” Lark asked curiously.
“A special mix of powders that I used for...” Alia stopped and shrugged before saying, “work.”
Rolling his eyes, Garrick said, “Before you and that monkey of yours robbed people.”
“He is not a monkey. He is a manchu,” Alia said indignantly, ignoring the rest of the statement as it was correct.
“Whatever,” Garrick shrugged. “So what do you do with it?”
“Watch and you’ll find out when the time is right,” Alia told him with a smile. “now...what else do I have...?” She opened another pouch. “Oh yes...that might...” The words were barely out of her mouth before ‘Natch scampered over and, living up to his name, snatched one of the items that had just spilled into Alia’s hand. “’Natch! Give it back,” Alia said reaching for the crystal. “we might need that.” The little creature shook his head and clutched the orange crystal tighter, chattering angrily.
Lark leaned forward to where a veritable rainbow had spilled out of the pouch. There was a small crystal in each color of the rainbow as well as a clear one that shown like a diamond in the sunlight. “Oh! Are those energy jewels?” she asked eagerly. “Where did you get them?”
“You have to ask?” Garrick muttered. “Hello...thief.”
Giving Garrick a quick frown, Lark turned her attention back to Alia. “Are they?” she asked again.
“I have no idea what they are...other than pretty,” Alia admitted. “’Natch found them...which is why he’s not happy about me thinking of giving them away.”
Lark picked up the blue gem and held it cupped in her hand. It warmed slightly and begin to vibrate. “It is!” she cried happily. “They are energy jewels! Oh, Alia, it’s perfect!”
“Okay,” Alia agreed. “What makes them perfect or special other than the colors?”
“They vibrate and emit a soft humming when held by someone with mystical talents,” Lark told her friends. “So that would cover the music part of the gift.”
Alia grinned. “Great!” she said. “Then I think we’re as ready as we’re going to be...if we can convince ‘Natch to return the orange one.”
“I can fix that,” Garrick offered but Alia quickly stopped him with a glare.
“I’ll handle it,” the vagabond stated firmly. And though it took a little while she soothed and cajoled and persuaded the little manchu until she had convinced him to trade for the one clear crystal. Alia pointed out that it was the shiniest and looked like a diamond. Once the swap was made, she hurriedly gathered both pouches, whispered something to ‘Natch that had the little creature darting off and then said, “It’s time to present our gift.”
Lark and Garrick followed Alia to the end of the bridge and watched as she addressed the guardians.
“I now present you an offering as payment for your assistance in our quest,” Alia said to the little fox-bears. With that, she took out a handful of powder and tossed it into the air. The breeze aided her by blowing the powder into some nearby trees while the rest of the powder drifted, shimmering through the air. Before anyone could really react, ‘Natch, now soaking wet from having dived into a nearby spring, scampered through the trees. As the water droplets hit the powder and mixed...
“Ohhh!” Lark cried, clutching Garrick’s arm. “It’s like falling stars in the daytime!”
And indeed it was. Alia was well aware that mixing the powder with water would produce sparkles aplenty, an illusion she used often in pickpocketing. ‘Natch and the sparkles held the onlookers attention, allowing her to lift a few things here and there. But not today. Today it was solely for t
Reaver Avatars
The avatars to be judged: Jettison and Ilaera

Our other team avas: Turokai and Esme

(Sashi the warrior couldnt make an HA this time around)
First posted: 6/29 @ 12:06am
Farseeing Fables outfits to be judged.
https://avatar.subeta.net/602730.png?id=79362 https://avatar.subeta.net/183586.png?s=79956 Edited, trying to make it show.
EDITED post 6/29 @ 10:13 am to correct images because they were not showing up.
Farseeing Fables outfit images to be judged.
[URL=http://s1255.photobucket.com/user/icewhistler/media/Ch%204%20Webby_zpswgfx7hwv.png.html][IMG]http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh633/icewhistler/Ch%204%20Webby_zpswgfx7hwv.png[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1255.photobucket.com/user/icewhistler/media/Ch%204%20Sky_zps3a48fxe2.png.html][IMG]http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh633/icewhistler/Ch%204%20Sky_zps3a48fxe2.png[/IMG][/URL]
Our Team
[URL=http://s1255.photobucket.com/user/icewhistler/media/Ch%204%20Sleeb_zpssvpjdpht.png.html][IMG]http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh633/icewhistler/Ch%204%20Sleeb_zpssvpjdpht.png[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1255.photobucket.com/user/icewhistler/media/Ch%204%20Sky_zps3a48fxe2.png.html][IMG]http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh633/icewhistler/Ch%204%20Sky_zps3a48fxe2.png[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1255.photobucket.com/user/icewhistler/media/Ch%204%20Webby_zpswgfx7hwv.png.html][IMG]http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh633/icewhistler/Ch%204%20Webby_zpswgfx7hwv.png[/IMG][/URL]
(OCC)OMG I am so late. For some reason I thought this was due a different day.
My team had issues deciding which 2 HAs to choose and no one said :( So I was waiting for any sort of comment from people. :( I even just made a poll and was going to ask people to vote since we weren't coming up with answers.
Here our the HA's we made tho to journey in anyways. Late but fashionable.





Kaiidth --- Springjoy --- Tea_Roll Reaper --- Lovecraft --- TerrenaAnimula