Travels with a Goat Guardian, Makeshift Costumes, and One Tough Survivor

Klytie, convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that she knows exactly who this strange man with the deadly flute is, decides to take a risk and do the entertainment, since Larianne is looking a touch emotional at this point.

Quickly, she requests that Lappy manage some "melodious puppy noises" and twirls around three times to get into character:

She smiles widely and presents her decanter oozing sweet smoke while she starts to dance. The sides of the man's mouth turn up just slightly.

"More, Lappy! Larianne, you sing, too. I think he doesn't like pink--so how about...."

This evokes a chuckle, so she decides to copy two other faerie godmothers she saw in Vibrissa's holo-crystal, and starts to change colors as she bumps a hip:

"Pink! Blue! Pink! Blue!"

"He's getting there," whispers Larianne. "Just a little more."

"I've got it!" Klytie exclaims. "We need..."

"...PURPLE!"

At that, the flute-player throws back his head and roars with laughter.

"I'll buy you a beer if you cut that out!" he manages to choke out."

"Okay!" Both girls chorus together, and Lappy politely asks for a bowl of water.

"I'll change back!" Klytie whips back into her traveling clothes.

"Thank you, Junu," Larianne whispers.

"How did you know?"

"Hayao told us what happened and no one would make us prove we weren't a danger to Tanaka unless cared very much. But we all thought you were dead," she adds.

"And I thought he was. My whole heart filled with hope when I heard the baby survived as well. He was the feistiest little guy."

"Bigger," says Larianne. "Still feisty!"

Junu smiles again, and plays a new melody which releases everyone. "I apologize for the inconvenience, but drinks are on me. We'll have to be fast, though! Whoever is generating that smoke won't be far behind."

Junu buys you all several rounds of whatever you want while you fill him in on what's happening and he details his injuries and miraculous survival. When he too heard the rumor of a noble girl trapped in the center of a river and held inside a castle fortress, it stirred a hope that Chiasa might have survived as well.

He's been tracking clues and rumors ever since. It's been a journey of nearly ten years from that first rumor intil mews of the Master being in Ellak City.

"Downstairs in the basement," he explains, "there are remnants of a portal. I suspect that, since he's alive, Tanaka found the Master, and they went through it. To Sinhae, I imagine, since all the others entrances are blocked by the patrols of the new regime.

"There is an essence of the Great Horangi about it, and also the Guardian Dragon, so I think I might be able to find the melody that reopens it.

"But it's been weakened from the conflict with the creatures above, so I'll need energy from all of you to build enough to take us all through. If we can reach Sinhae and find the Temple of Sinhintaenghwa, I think overcome everything we need to."

Larianne does not waver. "What shall we do?"

Junu holds up his arms. "Hang on to me, and concentrate on whatever you hold dear."

Larianne picks up Lappy and tucks into next to Junu while Klytie wraps her arms around all of them.

"Please," Larianne asks all of you, "join in, for with the Protectors, we cannot help but win."

Junu lifts the flute and the sweetest sounds of hope, love, and longing fill the basement confines. There is a clatter above, as though the innkeeper is resisting unwelcome presences, but you all persevere,

The portal begins to glow, and a small hooved creature emerges, bringing a soft blue light that pulls you slowly forward into its glow.

Suddenly, the glow brightens until you have to close your eyes against the dazzling light, and when you open them again...

...an unfamiliar sea washes around you, alive in the twilight. You are on a stretch not far from a nearby village. The little hooved creature dances away into the mist.

Junu puts down his flute, while sweat drips from his forehead, and silent tears streak his cheeks. "Sinhae," he murmurs. "At last, I'm home!"

He shakes himself into more awareness. "We have a difficult journey ahead and we must find a suitable place to set up operations. A little searching should give us a sympathetic inn. But we can't travel in Sinhae dressed like this! Let's see what we can find in the village ahead."

(OOC: Dressing for Sinhae is the challenge this time. See the OOC thread for explanation.)

Nightshade decides to pick something Sinhae appropriate yet easy to move around in, after all he was flying Solo and had to be ready for any surprises.

He hides his sonic Screwdriver in his pocket as the light of the saber might attract attention and instead picks us a spare Sai, just in case.

Klytie is watching Larianne pace along the edge of the village with Lappy sitting close beside her. She can't hear what her new friend is saying to the pup, but it's evident she is impatient to be off.

"So what's going on with the lovely Lari and Tanaka? Junu asks pleasantly, dropping down beside her.

"I'm not totally sure. She says he's completely annoying and they barely get on."

"Of course they don't," Junu chuckles. "I'll have to wrap bells around your ankle, so you jingle the next time she pulls it."

Klytie laughs aloud, a merry sound much like small bells itself. "She claims he aged her three years with some kind of antidote, but it wasn't intentional. Three years didn't seem like something to get mad about to me."

"That's because you're immortal."

"No, not at all. I'm not really a faerie. I'm a changeling. So I have to always carry around these."

She holds up a tiny sack. "Eternal mints. Try one!"

Junu takes the mint from her hand and pops it in his mouth. "It's delicious, but what does it do."

"Extends your life. You only need one a week to keep from aging."

"What?! Do you realize people would kill for these?"

"I do, but they'd be no good stolen. You have to be given one by a faerie. The sack refills itself, so remind me next week. I figure you lost some years yourself, falling off a cliff and then wandering in exile, so it's the least I can do."

She leaps up before he can thank her. "Oh, there are the others!" she exclaims, as the Protectors make their way toward them. "We can move out now!"

Following the suggestion of the Rangers, who have scouted the path ahead, the group take the mountain trail and heads straight north at the fork. The day is lovely and breezy, and it's smooth going until they encounter a bridge across a small chasm too wide to leap.

The bridge is sturdy enough for everyone to pass, but it's guarded by at intervals, with small creatures resembling a cross between foxes and extremely small bears. They wear colorful silk robes in rainbow hues.

As you approach, the one in red steps forward. "Are you those who want to pass or those who should pass?" he, or maybe she, asks.

"We are those who need to pass, and definitely should," Junu states pleasantly, although he begins to lift his flute.

"Then you will not use that, nor will those in back ready spells, or attempt to fly over. You might succeed here, but you will fail in your quest without the coins." The creature perches on a bridge rail cheerfully.

Junu lowers his flute. "What would you have us do then?"

"Nothing much. We are Shishin and we mean no harm to those of honest heart. We especially like magical creatures, along with sparkling lights, sweet music, and muffins!"

Klytie goes forward. "You're sort of fairies?"

"Much like you, pretty one. We are spirits of places and things, in our case, bridges."

"Can we pass? And what do we do to obtain coins?" Junu asks again.

"The same for both. Answers the riddle each of us gives you, and then, at the end, your Jincar must make a perfect gift for us appear. Easy as falling off a log, or in this case a bridge."

He giggles and it is echoed by all the other Shishin.

"We'll do it," states Larianne, coming up and giving a little head bow.

"Oh, goody! Games! We love games. Okay, first one in mine, then you have to move to the next brother or sister in turn, and answer a new one. There are seven riddles for seven coins and only your Jincar can make gifts, unless of course, you don't have a Jincar. Then we'll make do with an Illjimae. They're always into everything.

"Ready? Let's play!!"

Red Coin Riddle

What English word keeps its sound, even if you subtract four of its five letters?

Orange Coin Riddle

No one has ever seen me, nor ever will. I never was, but am always to be. Yet everyone waits for me, either in hope or in terror, for they always know I will come. What am I?

Yellow Coin Riddle

There are three relatives gathered. One stays in places and never gets up. Yet the second eats whatever the first has to give, and yet is always hungry. But the third is there only so long as the second eats, and then goes away, never to return. What are these?

Blue Coin Riddle

Doom, Evil, Not, Stun, Letter, Bad, Snap, Warts. Which one of these does not belong with the others, and why?

Green Coin Riddle

Behead sixty eight and leave eighteen. How can you do this?

Indigo Coin Riddle

I travel through caves as well as mountains, and many have heard me, but no one has ever seen me, and I refuse to speak unless spoken to first. What am I?

Violet Coin Riddle

We bear the truth and carry lies. We cannot be judged by size, for we can hurt without moving and poison without touching. What are we?

(OOC: More instructions in the first post on the OOC thread for this chapter.)

Well, if Cerac had known dressing as a woman in sheer clothes would have done it he would have tried it. Snorting softly he went back to his group, still proud of what he had come up with. “I ken be usin’ a drink or three,” he snickered, latching onto his lover as he became unfroze, then watched keenly, sure Sorn would bust a nut any moment.

Kara felt surprisingly calm, not exactly amused but more concerned as the minutes grew. All the bards were rather silly, some downright terrible but in such a way it was kind of hilarious- if only she were in the mood to enjoy it. As soon as she felt the spell lift she spun, slamming into Sorn and wrapping her arms around his neck. She didn’t use words but kissed him instead, hard and fast before lifting her head. “We are here to help- don’t get yourself in trouble,” she murmured softly. They just needed to settle down, have those drinks and relax before they moved on.

Dash laughed. “You’re little song was inspired,” he said slapping Cerac’s pert ass affectionately as they wove their hands together. He saw the burst of speed as Kara practically inhaled Sorn. Well… that was one way to dispel anger—if it worked and the pair found a bathroom or inn.

Sorn was just about to start his barrage of magic when all of a sudden, Kara grabbed him and started kissing him. His lips parted in shock more than in response to the actual kissing. He wanted to hold onto his anger—he really did but the little wench wasn’t making it easy. He started kissing her back without realising he was doing so and suddenly he was more concerned with the woman in front of him than the stupid (and lucky) flutist. “Fine, you little witch,” he said with a hint of annoyed affection. “Alright, lets drink as many drinks as possible so the bastard will at least be really broke,” Sorn said with a laugh as he visibly relaxed. “Maybe we could have an orgy as well.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Well o’ course it was. If I threaten tae attack will ye kiss me like that?” Cerac teased, though he knew there was little time for it. The crowd was already moving off and they had to follow if they wanted to know what was going on. Besides, he would never pass up a chance for a drink.

Laughing huskily she nuzzled his cheek then hooked her arm through his as she tugged him along. “Perhaps- but we do not have time for that now.” Wait, did she almost agree to… maybe. For now they all needed to settle and enjoyed the drinks, though Kara abstained from alcohol and made sure all the boys did not over imbibe. “We need our wits about us after all.” Especially as they listened to Junu detail what had happened.

Dash took a healthy drink from his pint of blood beer. His fangs were extended but he was getting a nice little buzz. Blood and alcohol together—it was heaven. He eyed the drows as they interacted with each other. They were really good for each other, weren’t they? Kara smoothed Sorn’s rough edges easily. She really seemed perfect for him. Then again, him and Cerac seemed made for each other as well. Where Dash was quiet, mellow and easy going—Cerac was exuberant, charismatic and well…a goofball. Dash was never wont for entertainment when his lover was a round. He took another guzzle of his drink whilst he contemplated how things had worked out for them all. They were like puzzle pieces, fitting nicely together—this odd family he now had. Taking Cerac’s hand, he squeezed it. Maybe he was too quiet, but words just didn’t say how he felt half the time. And he felt peace now.

Sorn gave Kara a smirk, a carnal smirk at that. Excellent, orgies a plenty when they had time. It was that (he was one to enjoy physical pleasure after all) and the thought of drinking Junu into the poor house that finally took the remainder of his anger away. He had 4 drinks before he even noticed no alcohol for Kara. “Do elves in your old realm not drink? Do they get affected easier? In this world it is extremely hard to get drunk for fae kind. Unless they are drinking fae brews.” Sorn had exactly that, fae brew—which was insanely expensive as well. “We are also immune to sleeping draughts and spells… though Raven has said that her husband-to-be-Alchemist, actually makes an effective potion that has indeed rendered her asleep.”

Cerac did not need anything fancy. A good old beer did him just fine. Looking to Dash at the light squeeze he beamed a smile, content even in the midst of all the turmoil going about. He’d wandered for so many years in search of family, finally using his blood to track down his Uncle. Now his family was ever growing. He vowed, as they made their way forward so they could be swept into a new realm, that he would not lose anyone he cared for.

Kara sipped her juice, content with the tart flavor. She didn’t mind sharing herself with Sorn, she knew he would not judge her. As they rose to their feet she answered him. “I choose not to drink or take anything that might affect my mental awareness. I’m not sure if those in my realm are affected easier- I’m a healer and I can’t do what I do if I am not in full control.” It was simply a moral choice. That and she really did not like the taste of alcohol. “He’s a smart man then, she is very lucky.”

“I respect that, gorgeous woman,” Sorn said, giving her a nibble on her ear as they prepared for the new realm. He was happy—he had her by his side, bought enough expensive drinks he could almost hear Junu’s wallet crying—it was now a good day. He didn’t even complain as Dash started picking out things for him. He did wrinkle his nose at the lack of a headdress, but otherwise, everything the lad had given him worked nicely together yet, kept the “Sorn-ish” look.
When Kara came out of the dressing room, Sorn’s jaw dropped. “You keep looking more beautiful as the moments pass.” He winced at the saccharine words he was spouting, but damn if it wasn’t true.
The outfitting done, and arriving at the bridge, Sorn saw and felt the spirits before they spoke. In fact, thin wisps of black smoke where dancing around Sorn’s body. They looked like smoky hands. His eyes changed from red to electric blue and it looked like he was becoming slightly transparent.

It was odd, being in yet another strange but beautiful place and Kara was content to allow Cerac help her dress by picking her clothes. It wasn’t something she would have picked for herself but her dark skin hid the flush of pleasure she felt as Sorn approved. It showed in her bright green eyes though. “I thought it might be too much.”
Perhaps not then, they wanted to blend in after all. “You are looking very handsome yourself,” she grinned. So were the boys in her opinion they made quite a nice looking group. Far too soon they were faced with their first challenge and among them all they managed to get all the riddles. All of them looked to Sorn then, curious as to what he might create. Only… Kara was a little startled at what she saw.

“Fuck me sideways and call me pappy,” Cerac muttered. Make that two surprised people.

Dash was staring—a full mouth open, drool coming from the side-gobsmacked stare. “What the…” He could feel the death magic, being half vampire after all. Odd, he thought, he’d never felt this before from his friend. What Sorn did next was nothing short of awe inspiring and a little creepy if you asked Dash.

Sorn looked at them but they could tell he didn’t see just them. When he spoke, it was with a quiet spirit-like echo. “My white markings are not merely pretty things, children. They are runes to keep my spirit within my body and others out. Half my name is hidden, as names are power. I did not exaggerate when I told you, I was a very powerful sorcerer. I am the most powerful my kind has seen in a male. Mother hoped I would be a necromancer, but that I can talk to spirits is itself a rare gift she took as much advantage of during her horrible life.”

Then he faded for a moment and his eyes went milky white as he saw the spirits and worked his powers. It was harder to use his powers like this, but he needed to speak with them to figure out what gift he should create. Smoke rose around him as yellow lights flashed and the earth rumbled around him. Numerous sets of lights began to appear beside him. The lights looked like hundreds of fireflies all dancing as soft pleasing music played. Then he collapsed into Kara’s embrace as his legs became rubbery. She lowered him to the ground. He was solid now and his eyes shifted back to red—with just a light hint of blue around them. “These lights are magical,” his voice was weak as he explained his gift to the spirits, “these are dancing lights which play music pleasing to you. They will attract magical creatures to them, like pixies and unicorns.” He was panting with effort to talk. Clearly he had drained a lot of magic from this and was exhausted.

How could anyone fuck someone sideways? Sounded about impossible but Kara was more in tune with Sorn than with Cerac’s odd phrasing. The boys were both riveted but then so was she, though Sorn did have a pretentious way about him when he spoke that almost made her want to smile. So confident and full of himself! With good reason of course, she could admit that. Heart racing she was there when he finished, helping ease him to the ground. Well she remembered what she had been told about healers there. Warily but outwardly calm she managed to transfer some stamina potion into the flask of water she had on hand using magic then placed it to his lips. “Have some water Sorn. Take a moment to recover.” He knew it wasn’t water and obliged as she helped him take it. And in less than ten minutes he felt much better. He allowed Kara to help him upright as Dash patted him on the back and remarked how amazing that was. Sorn smiled and simply said, “Just wait till I get you all in the bedroom.” He chuckled deeply in his cocky-manner. Hopefully the spirits would like his gift and they could go about their way. He would recover his magic soon enough but it would be easier if he was away from the spirits.

Starboard looks around. "this is not the girl you are looking for."

backs away slowly.

Nightshade thinks for a minute then quietly turns around and enters the nearest inn

"I need your kitchen for two hours, here's a little something for the hassle" he tells the innkeeper and throws a few coins on his desk.

"Oi you can't..." Nightshade flashes the innkeeper's his Sai hidden beneath the folds of his clothes, if the coins are not enough then his weapon would pay the rest.

two hours later Nightshade re-approached the bridge with not one but 7 gift wrapped boxes, he even added glitter to them just because.... well faeries!

Inside each box was 7 muffins he had baked himself with the rainbow theme in mind, each gets a box, each gets all 7.

P.S. due to the site re-sizing please open in a separate tab to view in full size, all art is by me and I want you to see each properly :)

I have a box full of rainbows!

*Strawberry Delight :-

Fresh strawberry pieces baked into the muffins with whipped cream on top and candy strawberry heart decorations

*Orange Dream:-

Orange Zest and buttermilk muffin with a smear of candied orange and white chocolate combo on top

*Lemon Diva:-

Not one but the FOUR lemon zests per muffin for that extra OOMPH, a sprinkle of poppy seeds and mint leaves for decoration.

*Blueberry Simplicity

Fresh Blueberries picked from the inn's own backyard and just a hint of cinnamon make this classic a must have.

*Carrot Nibbles

Carrot and walnut muffin made with brown sugar and decorated with cream cheese, sprinkles and a little carrot made of fondant.

*Chocolate Lavender

For the Chocoholics is a rich dark chocolate muffin with a smear of lavender infused cream cheese on top and decorated with edible flowers

• Gumdrop Grape

For those young at heart but with adult privileges! Red Wine infused Muffin with gumdrop decorations and granulated sugar dusting.

NO artificial colours or flavors used!

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/01EOcYm.png[/img] "Be right back!" Mira startles the group by taking off running towards the direction they came from. Her path takes her back to a pond the travelers had just passed before reaching the chasm. The air there is sweet, scented by the largest lotus flowers in all of Sinhae. The creamy blossoms jostle each other as they float on the water.

"Basil, bring me that one, that one, that one, those two, that one, and that one-no the other one," Mira requests. "You're a darling, thank you. Be careful not to muss them please."

The diminutive dragon makes quick work of the task. Once the blooms are at her feet, Mira taps them with her raw diamond staff. She chants an incantation that turns their centers into glowing orbs of light. The mage removes her silken wrap from around her shoulders and fashions a sling to carry her gift in.

floating flowers

• Diamonds in the Rough

((ooc: ignore, moving post further down))

Reaper and Lovecraft darted forward when the first bear...fairy...thing gave out it's riddle, shouting the answer at the same time then laughing. They hooked their elbows together and made their way from one fairy bear to the next, taking turns answering the riddles and giggling when they were passed through. After the last had been answered they spun in a circle, bouncing a little.

"We did it! We finally actually answered something!" Reaper's face was split in a joyous grin, matched by the one Lovecraft was wearing (and which was seriously disturbing the rest of the group - unused to seeing that pair smile like that).

"We totally deserve a reward." Lovecraft was nodding as she dragged out a few photos, sharing them with Reaper, the rest of the team catching glimpses of very muscled torsos - the smiles on the pair's faces turning a lot more salacious.

"Ah yeah, that seems more like it," Springjoy nodded to Kaiidth, turning to comment to Tea but finding her missing (again - where did she keep bouncing off too). The Shishin (because these two were paying attention at least) mentioned something about a gift and magic and Tea bounced up from the side of the bridge (where she'd apparently been dangling and only slightly glaring at Lovecraft, who probably pushed her if they were all honest with themselves). Tea rolled her way over to where Lovecraft and Reaper were now only slightly drooling, totally lost in the pictures they were flicking through - and deftly grabbed the snapshots from them, dicing them up with her sword and watching the pieces flutter away in the breeze.

"Heeeeey! Those were ours damn it!" Reaper's eyes were flashing, small sparks starting up on her fingertips, but Tea bopped her on the end of the nose, effectively shocking her out of whatever it was she was planning.

"You need to make a gift for the Shishin!" Kaiidth tried to direct the conversation back to where it was supposed to be.

"A what for the who now?" Springjoy trotted up and spun Reaper back around at the question, pointing at the riddle-givers and answered again slowly.

"You...need...to...make...a...gift...for the Shishin (the bears). They like muffins, and sparkly lights, and magical creatures, and sweet music."

"A nice gift?" The others nodded and Reaper turned back to Lovecraft, voice in a mock-whisper, "it's like they don't even know me wife. How the hell am I supposed to make a nice gift? I mean, have they met me?"

"Yeah, well...you still have to do it." Lovecraft rolled her eyes and jabbed Reaper in the side, making her yelp and mutter before she moved off to the side and sat down, dragging things out of her bag. She had pomegranate seeds, water, and some booze. Oh, and sugar (where the hell did all these sugar packets come from?). She spread everything out in front of her and dug through Lovecraft's bag, earning a kick to her hip for snooping, but manged to come up with a small bowl. She dumped the items all into it (probably a little heavy on the booze, but who was counting) and gestured for Spike to get his butt over to her (he could be a useful dragon for once). Reaper flipped through the book she'd been keeping her weirder spells in and found the one she'd used to create that little mud man the summer before, taking out a fresh sheet of paper and modifying the spell a little (actual living golems were not the goal this time). She mixed the ingredients together, snagging a loose scale off of Spike and dropping it in, yanking her hand back and sucking on the puncture wound the little shit put in her thumb when he bit her for the trouble.

"That's enough out of you - it was falling off, that didn't hurt at all." He squinted at her and huffed out a bit of smoke from his nostrils, but didn't move away, so she was reasonably sure he knew that was true. She mumbled the modified spell, stirring everything clockwise. Small figures started to form when she was nearly done, tiny bodies sparkling and glistening in the sun. "Spike, a little fire please?" The dragon glared at her again but when she arched her eyebrows he snorted and complied, soft flames blowing over each of the seven little figurines, their bodies taking on the rainbow hues of the fairy bears they were meant to go to. The seeds embedded in them sparked in the sun, their antlers and tails made of tiny strands of crystalline sugar, tinkling with every shifted movement. Reaper scooped them up carefully and carried them over to the bears.

"They're totally edible, also not alive! They move and all that, but they're definitely not actually living this time." She passed them off, matching them to each bear, a wide smile on her face that she was sure was making everyone nervous - especially since it was paired with her continued reassurance that these were definitely not living creatures. She could hear the rest of the team whispering to each other behind her.

"Why does she keep saying that?" She's pretty sure that's Kaiidth asking.

"Oh, there was a thing. With a golem. There may or may not still be a thing with a golem actually." And that would be Lovecraft answering for her. Reaper passed the last kirin treat over and headed back to the group.

"Reasonably sure they're not alive is pretty much the same as not actually alive right?" She muttered it quietly to Lovecraft, thinking it was quiet enough, but entirely unsure when a horrified look crossed over Springjoy's face.

"I mean, close enough." Lovecraft wobbled her hand back and forth and shrugged.

((OOC: for anyone wondering kinda what they looked like: kirin click [/url] - but you know, made out of food and booze))

Junu and the Protectors stood waiting, then staring at Oceahna and motioning for her to go on with their hands.

"Ooooh! Oh, me? Oh, yes, it would be me!", giggles Oceahna who was new at this magic and helping and everything else! "She looked at Misty and thought please help me!

Misty thought and thought some more. She stared at the fairies. "What do they love, what will make them help us?" She smiled and grabbed an old cigar box, some hair gel, and that silly vial of glitter Oceahna carried everywhere and scooted them over to Oceahna.

"What do I do with this stuff? Is is supposed to help me win those cute little bears, er uh, fairies over so we can be on our way?" Misty concentrated on the image in her head and sent it to Oceahna as hard and fast as she could.

Oceahna picked up the glitter, waved it around a bit, looked at her friends with an uncertain smile then pointed at the cigar box and hair gel.

[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/pamelalou/glitters/5be6cbfe-2ea6-4c6d-9b82-a42d37fb6cf7.jpg[/IMG]

"Yes!" the travelers all yelled in unison, "This just may work!"

Sitting at Misty's feet was a beautiful Unicorn Music box. [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/pamelalou/glitters/d6539d7f-884a-4318-9341-c59dbce6ddbb.jpg[/IMG]

"Open it please, young friends," Oceahna said to the fairies, out loud this time.

OOoooing and awwing the blue fairy stepped forward. "Just push the lever, there. I promise it won't hurt you!"

The fairy touched the lever and out came glitter, everywhere, maybe a bit too much glitter? Well, it was glitter anyway!

[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/pamelalou/glitters/glitter.gif[/IMG]

Inside was a tiny wand with a muffin on the end.

"Go ahead, take it, the box, the wand, the glitter, it is all yours!"

Misty stared intently as Oceahna for a moment as the fairies all rushed to put the glitter in their pouches and pick up the music box and its contents.

Oceahna motioned to Junu and he strode over to her. She whispered to him and he called the Travelers over. They huddled, whispering, for a moment and nodded to Oceahna.

"Umm...excuse me. There is just one more thing," she said to the fairies as they turned to look at her expectantly. "There is the wand comes with one extra something, just for you 7. Yes, it will give you muffins as many times as you ask but there is 1 special wish you may have granted. It must be unanimous between you all and it must be used for good. There are dire consequences if you make this wish any other way." Oceahna looked at each of them directly in the eye. Each fairy in turn nodded their furry heads.

Oceahna and Misty looked at the other Travelers and spun in a circle before accepting the coin the fairies offered. Everyone was happier than they had been in awhile. After lots of hugging, kissing and bowing, Junu and the Travelers were on their way across the bridge.

Two HA's to be judged Verrek & Myra

Remainder of the team Akalia - Lilith - Valera - Krios - Matthew

[spoiler=Entering Sinhae] Verrek sighed shakily.

So the minstrel was Junu,that explained his rash emotional behavior. He was young, or at least, young by the Shade's standards.

Verrek sent a silent thanks to SilentOne then turned his attention to Valera, carefully moving toward her and the giant stone beast.

"Everything alright Captain?"

Valera took off her hat and brushed it while giving out a sigh of relief. Turning to Feng, the pirate hit the stone beast with her hat several times while cursing in an incredibly thick accent nobody would understand. After calming herself down, Val turned to the Shade and grinned, "Aye things will be fine I would hope... Feng'n I will be sortin' things out later. Won't we, ye stone idiot?" She shot a sharp glare at Feng, who in turn snorted dismissively.

Stretching her legs and carefully putting her hat back on between her long rabbit-like ears, Valera paused for a moment. "Verrek, where do ye s'pose that wretched elf got off to?"

Before Verrek could answer a voice came through loudly on the callstones. "... Now we just need to find the others."

"Speak of the devil... and she doth appear..." Valera sighed as she face-palmed before looking up at the shade.

Verrek grinned in relief and pulled out his own call stone. Where in the world did the elf get a call stone?

"Hoy Akalia! Sounds like you made it out, I'm sending SilentOne to lead you to the café we came to find."

"Well thanks for asking." The crow told the shade though their telepathic bond as he flew off to find the elf and fetch her.

"Please and thank you!" Verrek replied with a smirk.

Back in the alleyways, Akalia dropped the stone in her hand in surprise as Verrek's voice came through. Callstone?

Akalia picked up the stone and held it between her forefinger and thumb examining it. Who knew the shiny stone that she found had such a purpose? Knowing that it wasn't the place to ask such questions, Akalia shook the thoughts from her mind.

She yelled back into the stone, "Thank-you! I'll keep a lookout!"

Without a care in the world that the busy world around had stopped to look at the grinning elf and hopping goat, Akalia looked to the skies for SilentOne. It didn't take long for the duo to spot him, and even less time before they were in the cafe eating, drinking and listening to Junu's story with everyone else.

The last thing she expected though was Junu's flute calling a strange hooved creature that glowed so brightly that the cafe disappeared and was replaced with an area that Junu called Sinhae.

Sinhae, Myra marvelled, what a beautiful place! The misty beach at which the protectors landed after going through the portal looked somehow magical in the twilight. A picturesque village lay ahead, its hundreds of lighted lanterns swaying lightly in the gentle wind.

Although the night in this part of the world seemed to be approaching quickly, all the little shops were still open and friendly chatter emanated from them. Merchants exposed their goods for sale on wooden shelves and tables, some even outside on the cobblestones which paved the little streets and narrow alleys. Many shops offered food and commodities yet there were also some which displayed a rich choice of garments, kimono-like in appearance yet with colors and patterns specific for this area.

The alchemist slowly went along the shop rows, dragging Krios along.

The young mage was muttering, what was wrong with his clothes? They were comfortable and he was used to them, there was no need to buy new stuff. However, he knew he had to stay in line for the greater good, better to get it over and done with. He spotted a shop nearby apparently specializing in yukatas, a more snug variety of a kimono made from pure cotton, and tugged at Myra’s sleeve. "Myra, let’s go over there, I know these garbs, they are fitting for a voyage!” Krios explained and the friends headed for the shop.

The shop keeper, an elderly woman with long braided gray hair clothed in a silver-black hakama, looked up and smiled at Krios. She then spotted Myra and made the well-known protective sign against the evil eye. The shop keeper hastily closed the shop door and let down the shutters. Krios and Myra stopped and didn’t know what to do about this. Myra thought hard about anything she could have done to offend the woman yet to no result. Perhaps, the alchemist pondered, the woman took me for somebody else.

A few metres further, a young woman, clothed in a white haori and with some kind of chop sticks in her pinned-up black hair, smiled at them, sympathetic, and beckoned them over. "Looking for new clothes, are you?” she asked the friends with a friendly voice. They both nodded, awkwardly. "You’re looking foreign enough, we’ll have a lot to do!” the vendor told them, not without anticipation.

Once inside the shop they scanned through racks and shelves, compared sizes and touched the soft fabrics. The shop keeper showed them to the fitting rooms, arms full with garments and accessories. "I’ll close for now so we’ll be undisturbed.” she announced. With a look at Myra she added "It’ll be much safer for the both of us!”

Outside, Akalia wandered through the streets of the small of the village, looking for any place that might sell clothing that would allow her to fit in. After her failed attempt at blending in at Ellak, the elf was determined not to stand out here either.

Through her slightly aimless wandering, Akalia saw both Myra and Krios with their companions just up ahead of her. Through the soft glow of the surrounding lanterns, Akalia noticed that Krios looked a bit disgruntled. She tried to strain her ears to listen to them as she motioned for Gunther to follow, but had a hard time hearing through all the conversations surrounding her. Slightly annoyed, Akalia finally took a glance to where she had followed the group to and found herself in the middle of the marketplace. The stalls all around her glowed with life as merchants peddled their wares and villagers browsed the products each stall offered.

She looked back up to find the mage and alchemist, but they were nowhere in sight. Now on her own, Akalia decided to follow the villager’s examples and look through the various fabrics and clothing that the merchants offered. Everywhere she went though, everyone seemed to ignore her. They looked right through her, as if denying her very existence. She started to get nervous and picked up Gunther and held him close to her. Then she remembered Verrek's lesson in Ellak about standing up straight and being confident. The elf placed Gunther back on his feet, straightened her back and held her head high. Looking down to Gunther with a smile she spoke in a soft whisper, "Let's go find some new clothes."

She scanned the various stop fronts until her eye settled on a pretty white and green outfit. Walking over to it with purpose she felt the soft fabric and held the outfit to her body. Satisfied that it would cover all the proper parts but would still allow her the freedom of movement, she took it up to the shopkeeper.

"I want this."

The shopkeeper ignored her.

"Excuse me. I said I want this."

Still the shopkeeper focused on his other patrons. Akalia closed her eye and took a deep breath. Am I not confident enough? Too confident? Because I'm elf? Or...? Akalia shifted her gaze to the bow on her back then up to shopkeeper once more.

"I'm taking this."

Before Akalia could turn around and walk out of the store, the shopkeeper spoke in a harsh whisper that was just loud enough for her to hear.

"Fine. Take it. But keep to the shadows. People like you don't exist, shouldn't exist."

Severely confused, Akalia left to find a private place to change. While changing her mind wandered to Verrek's promise of a new bow. With a new goal in mind, the elf set out to search for the Shade. Gunther followed slowly behind her, not at all impressed that she had tied her old clothes to him.

Verrek had held back from the rest of the group, melting into the shadows of the stalls and turning away from the bustling main market Street.

Far too much activity for his taste, and already he could tell there was a different sort of culture here.

Verrek had long since given up on trying to keep up with all the various cultural and ethnic quirks that civilizations cycled through. And it really was a cycle. Different areas would emphasize their own perspective of religion or superstition or even of physical characteristics in different ways by each generation and it could be exhausting to try to keep up with all the changes when you lived for thousands of years like he did.

Verrek had gotten good at finding the people who thought objectively in these diverse cultures. Such people could give him tips on how to best respect the current state of things without being offended by his questions. The best place to find them was here on the more residential streets.

The Shade found a quiet corner that offered a good vantage of the connecting streets. He took a moment to adjust his gear, the average-sized compound bow he had saved for Akalia nestled neatly inside his own, much larger compound bow slung at his back.

Once he was convinced everything was secured against potential thieves he turned his full attention to scanning the streets from where he stood nigh invisible in the gloom. There was still a fair bit of traffic here in the residential area but it had a different kind of energy. Folk were going about their chores carrying flat baskets of dried spices or towers of laundry tied with string, some were visiting neighbors playing checkers or tile games on beautiful tiny gazebo porches amidst meticulously maintained fenced gardens.

The roads here were cobbled like the main street and it was frequented by playing children and the occasional heavily laden bicycle. Verrek noticed that there were still a few merchants who had shops here, mostly necessities that residents would need on a regular basis.

The Shade noticed a group of men and a few sturdy women passing at the far end of the street, by their attire it seemed they had just come from a long day of work, likely farming. As he watched them pass he spied a sign for a clothing shop on the corner of the street the workers had gone down.

Due to the location of the shop it likely had good sturdy garments meant for the working class. Just the sort of place the Shade hoped to find down-to-earth sort of fellow who could give some good advice and maybe help him pick out an appropriate getup for this new land.

Verrek strode down the street toward the shop, noting SilentOne far overhead keeping the Shade updated on the movements of his companions. Outside the shop Verrek stopped to examine a few garments and found that they were indeed made with good sturdy material and strong stitching. Approving of the selection he entered the shop.

At the counter a stout woman with pinned-up black hair looked up and peered at the Shade over a pair of tiny spectacles perched on the tip of her nose.

"Oh, foreigner huh? You sensible to come to me, or you take good advice. Come, I make you look Sinhae."

Without further ado she shooed the tall black-eyed man over to the fitting area. Verrek caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror; ridiculously tall compared to the short stocky woman his long black hair and pale scarred skin coupled with his long dark sweeping coat and arsenal of weaponry made him look like an assassin. All except for his eyes, black with a silver iris, they made him look like a demon.

Verrek thought this woman must be highly sensible or crazy to not balk at his appearance.

"What you like for style? No, don't speak, I see from you wear you like Hayama, pants worn by farmer or fisherman. And black, much black, good color, but not for you pants, I give you green, make better hide in garden or street, you trust me, yes. You no wear hat? I say you do now, here, good strong straw hat, made not from straw, but very special fiber. Secret. Very strong. You afford, yes?"

Verrek had since undressed behind the changing screen and put on the outfit the woman had picked out for him. A pair of brighter-than-he-would-have-liked green wrap pants, or Hayama, a complicated dark shirt and green shoulder guard. He also got a few other accessories like a short cape to cover his bow and even a mask that tucked into his collar when he didn't need it but could be pulled up to cover his chin and mouth. However, what was most fascinating was the hat. It looked like a dark grey straw hat but like the woman said, it wasn't straw, but some unidentifiable fiber that appeared straw-like but was very strong. The hat also had a nice weight to it, he could probably throw it a good long ways. When he had first seen it Verrek had been prepared to politely decline but once he put the hat on he knew he could actually put it to good use.

Verrek exclaimed in awe over all the items the woman had chosen for him and pushed the money across the counter to her. He asked if she could tell him anything he should know about the town and the culture. The woman shook her head saying her common speech wasn't that good and maybe he would find some willing guides over on Main Street, since the shopkeepers there dealt with foreigners more often than she did.

Thanking her again the Shade rolled his old coat and other articles of clothing and tucked them into the bag he had sewn onto the side of his quiver and left the shop.

Verrek immediately felt much less conspicuous, though he would like to meet back with the others and give Akalia her new bow so he didn't have to carry it. He moved off, slinking into the first shadowy alleyway he came across and making his way to the main street that was as busy as ever despite the waning daylight.

With SilentOne's aid he soon spied Akalia up ahead through the crowds.

Back in the closed up shop, Myra and Krios were very well cared for even when the young shop keeper sometimes looked a little bit haunted, shooting glances at Myra now and then when she thought the alchemist wasn't paying attention. Myra was too polite to ask and Krios was in his own world, concentrated and determined to find a fitting outfit as quickly as possible.

Finally, they both found an ensemble to their liking and to the utmost satisfaction of the vendor who tried to make them look like born Sinhae people, ready to blend in and not making a spectacle of themselves.

Krios decided for a smooth golden and cream yukata, some kind of kimono summer robe, soft and comfy with a fitting cloth belt and shoulder accents.

"You look splendid, Jincar!" the dark-haired vendor stated and fixed his imposing shoulder guards for a last time.

Myra chose a long silver and rose kimono dress with a flower-adorned waist belt and a mellow back bow and the girl pondered a wide fan as further decoration. The shopkeeper helped Myra to pin up her long silvery-blue hair into the traditional Sinhae buns and put one of the pearl-adorned chop sticks into it which Myra had admired already before.

"Myra, let´s go” Krios demanded, "I want to find Verrek, we had this interesting discussion about energy transfer this morning…” and he rushed ahead, already leaving the shop.

With a shake of her head, Myra paid for their clothes with polished black pearls, one of the common general currencies you find all over the worlds. She thanked the vendor for all their help and turned to the door, scanning the crowd outside for Krios.

"Be careful, Danhak!” the young shopkeeper said low-v

Abigail quickly tied her waist sash and joined the travelers who’d been gathering outside. She arrived just in time to hear that the rangers had scouted a path up the mountain and that they were leaving right now. Abigail looked over at Kalyna, who looked more than ready to begin the journey and suddenly felt a rush of excitement. “I wonder if the people here are friendly to outsiders” she whispered to Kalyna.

“I hope that they are,” Kalyna said with a smile.

Abigail was about to respond with a few pieces of information she’d heard when the group started walking down the mountain path. The sky was such a deep shade of pale blue that Abigail had a hard time looking away from it. ‘It’s so beautiful here,’ she thought, as the breeze gently played with her hair and robes.

After walking for a length of time the group came upon a deep chasm. The chasm was much too wide for crossing without some sort of a bridge or the use of magic to fly over.

Moving through the group to the front, allowed Abigail to see that there was a small bridge that spanned the chasm. The bridge looked sturdy enough, but she saw 7 fox-like creatures standing along the bridge. As she stared at the creatures she decided that they also resembled bears. One of the animals spoke to the group and told them that they were Shishin, a magical creature. The Shishin speaking to the group was wearing red and he told them what they would need to do in order to use the bridge and collect coins. Each Shishin would give the group a different riddle to solve and if solved correctly, the group would pass and be awarded a coin.

“I wonder what the coins are for,” Abigail whispered to Starboard.

Starboard looked at Abigail and pursed her lips together in a mouth shrug, “I don’t really know, but we definitely need them in order to succeed in our quest,” she said.

Shalinda moved closer to Abigail, “The Shishin said that we would need to present him with a gift.” Shalinda looked worried, “the problem is; only we, who use magic, can give him the gift.” Shalinda looked around the group and then back towards Abigail.

The entire group started talking about ideas for a gift. “They said they like muffins,” Yasha said with a smile. “I could run back to the nearest home we passed along the way and pilfer a muffin?” Yasha winked and smiled not-so-innocently. Levity shook her head, “that will not do; it must be an honest gift.”

“Oh! I have an idea,” exclaimed Alexia, who up until now had remained silent. “Something that explodes and glows brightly, they mentioned liking sparkling things.”

After hearing Alexia’s suggestion, Abigail had an idea, “Ok, I have something that we can work on. Thank you for your help,” Abigail said to the group with a smile. She pulled Shalinda aside to talk to her about pulling off her idea.

A short while later Abigail and Shalinda gathered up their team and walked towards the Shishin.

“For your delight and pleasure, we come with honest hearts,” Shalinda said with a flourish of her hand. She created a beautiful array of sparkling dust that spread out in front of the Shishin.

Abigail joined Shalinda and made a gentle sweeping motion from the group towards the sun. “To honor you and pay respect to all Shishin, we present to you a shared gift,” Abigail said. A bright ball of light appeared in the center of the sparkling mist that Shalinda had created. The ball of light expanded and shimmered in every color of the rainbow.

Shalinda uttered a soft incantation while Abigail focused all her energies on maintaining the array of light. As Shalinda finished her spell, a perfectly baked muffin appeared in the center of the light. The muffin was large enough to feed all seven of the Shishin. The muffin seemed to change color as it floated in the air.

“It smells of rose and lemon,” said the Shishin in mostly green.

“I smell dragon fruit and blueberry,” whispered a Shishin in mostly yellow.

The Shishin in red spoke, “I smell spiced apple and honey.” His eyes showed that he was puzzled, as he looked towards Abigail and Shalinda. “How is this possible that we all smell something different?” he asked.

“In order to honor you fully, we have created a muffin that will change its flavor to the one you most desire,” Shalinda said while bowing towards the Shishin.

Abigail stepped forward and let the muffin fall into her open hands. She approached the Shishin wearing red and handed him the muffin. Abigail took a step backwards and bowed. As soon as she bowed she whispered an incantation and the muffin sent out seven mini light explosions that softly crackled in the air above the muffin. As the crackling subsided the light works left a shimmering dust that covered the muffin, causing it to glint and gleam in the sunlight.

The Shishin wearing red took a bite from the muffin and passed it to each of the Shishin. Shalinda smiled and took Abigail’s hand. “Together now,” she whispered to Abigail. The pair focused their energies on the muffin and from its center sprouted a beautiful soft pink cherry blossom. The blossom opened fully revealing a tiny glowing colorful dragon. The dragon leapt from the muffin top and began to grow in size as it flew around each of the Shishin. The sound of a magical flute began to softly trill music that matched the dancing flight of the dragon.

Abigail and Shalinda bowed together and watched as the Shishin looked very pleased.

and the other Wayfarers - Aery and HeiYu

A gift presented.

The Protectors from Reaver walked over the bridge and met with the first bear. Two of them knew the answer and they shouted it out at the same time. After that they continued to the next bear where three of them knew the answer. Soon it became a competition between them to answer as much riddles correctly.

"I know I will win this thing" Ilaera said to the others with a grin. She received a smile from the others and she knew that they wanted to win it as well. But then they came to the third riddle and no one seemed to know the answer to that one. "Oh dear" Esme said. "That means we won't get the coin". Ilaera was deep in thoughts about it, but she didn't seem to know anything that related to the riddle. She saw the others were confused about it as well. But then they heard Potch scream something, they couldn't hear it, but Jett obviously did as he gave an answer to the riddle.

After they received the answer from Jett and got coin they all believed it was very logical, but it made some of them nervous to answer any more questions. Therefor in the end Kenny was the winner as he had answered all the riddles after the third. "I could have fought them to get that coin, ya know" Sashi said with a grin and her hand on her weapon. "No, you couldn't have" Ilaera said. "You will get your fight eventually".

Getting closer to the end of the bridge made Esme nervous, as she wasn't sure on a gift to give to the creatures. She had been talking about it the entire time with her friends and they had given her a lot of advice and they had remembered her to what the creatures had said too. She needed something sparkly, something with muffins or something singing. One of her friends had said that the coins had the color of the rainbow, so why no have something with a rainbow. That last had made her confused even more.

She continued her walk with the others, deep in thought about what to do. And then it hit her, she didn't have to pick just one of those things, she could do all of them. She focused on what she knew about creating things. "I have to use a lot of energy for this" she told her friends, "so I will be tired after it I guess". She then focused on one point of the bridge, deep in thoughts and whispering words, no one could really hear. Her friends saw a light appear in the spot she was looking at and they all took one step backwards, not sure what was going to happen.

Esme thought about the rainbow and she thought about the muffins, she also thought about magical creatures and music and singing and sparkling lights. It took her a lot of time and a lot of energy, but eventually she saw how a creature turned into shape in front of her. She created a little dragon, full of magic lights. It was a creature that ended up red, but soon everyone on the birds could see it changed orange and then yellow and so on in every color of the rainbow. It was a beautiful sight to see. The lights of the rainbow were bright and they created colors in the sky. It didn't make a rainbow there, but if you followed the colors it sure looked like it. Then the little dragon shaped figure turned up a paw and on top of it appeared a plate, a plate full of muffins, in rainbow colors as well. The creature continued to shine and glow in his rainbow colors and started to walk with his plate, he looked like a waiter with it. Esme started to whisper more. Her friends could see that she used up a lot of energy, but she still seemed to be strong. The dragon in front of Esme now started to sing a very lovely, soft song. No one knew the words and no one ever heard the melody before, but it was beautiful and it whispered of hope and dreams and the best days to come. The dragon walked towards the creatures and stopped singing his song. "How do you do?" he then suddenly asked. "I'm a gift from reaver". The dragon then continued his song, while walking further, still glowing in those beautiful colors, as he offered every creature a muffin from his plate.

Talliessa watched the small creatures with unabashed curiosity. She quietly cleared her throat once it was her turn to speak, an aura of comfort beginning to fill the air around her. “Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo, little spirits.” Her voice was soft and melodic, though somehow clear to everyone in the area. She bowed her head slowly, then straightened. She turned her head back toward the group of Protectors and gave a low whistle. From behind her friends, her companion loped forward and settled on her hindquarters beside Talli, her large furred black head reaching up to her mid-chest. “My friend here is like you, though she cannot speak. She will not harm you.” Giving the dire wolf a scratch behind the ears, she smiled. “Moriel, I will need you to catch me, should I fall. I can already feel the difference in my magic here, and I do not know the extent of my stamina.” The wolf barked once and wrapped her body behind Talli, bracing her stance. With her staff rendered useless in this realm, she had only her hands and words with which to work her spells.

“Shall we begin?” Talliessa tilted her head slightly, a smirk pulling at the corner of her lips. With a wave of her hands, a warm breeze began to swirl around the gathered parties. The sound of windchimes were carried on the winds, gentle and calming, the sounds clear as if they were coming from all around. Small, sparkling balls of light ebbed out from her fingers and began to dance, carried by the breeze. When more closely examined, the little balls of light appeared to be refracting the light of the sun, sending sparkles and shimmers of light over the group. Talliessa began to sing softly, a high lilting melody in the language of her people. With a shimmer of golden light, the scenery around them began to shift. No longer the mountain path did they climb; instead, they all found themselves surrounded by impossibly tall trees, in a lush forest clearing shaded by the golden leaves from above. Around them, music began to flow and more voices joined into the spellsong, which seemed to emanate from the newly-appeared homes built high into the trees. Pathways of wood spiraled around the large trees leading up to pathways high above them, bridges swaying lightly between the homes. As if summoned by the singing, woodland creatures of all shapes and sizes appeared in the brush lining the clearing, their chattering heard faintly under the music. As the music began to fade, Talliessa’s singing coming to a close, the image faded with it. Shimmering away, the landscape returned to what it once was. The lights faded, and the breeze returned to its former cool temperature, sending chills through the party.

Stumbling slightly and noticeably wavering on her feet, Talli schooled her features back into a soft smile. Leaning against her companion for support, she addressed the Shishin once more. “What you saw and heard was my homeland. A hymn to our goddess of starlight, mother to my kind. A mirror into my world, so to speak. Not many can say they have seen the Elven kingdom Veleria, save those who live there.” She paused, her breathing heavier than usual and her weight beginning to drag her down further. Gentle light began pouring from her fingertips once more, floating forward to surround the bridge in a shimmering golden thread of light. “As for the final part of your gift,” she continued, “similar to the bridges you saw in my home, this magic will protect your bridge from all harm. It shall never weather, never break. Not even the sharpest blades can cut through the ropes, nor the heaviest of creatures crack the wood.” With slight wave of her hand, the lights flickered out of existence. Barely remaining on her feet, Talliessa bowed her head once more, stepping backwards to rejoin her friends, Moriel bowing her head to the spirits as well before following her mistress like a doting mother, ready to catch her should she fall.

A large part of the mage (or Jincar for that was the word she was supposed to use) wanted nothing more than to smile sweetly and then blast the unsuspecting creatures into oblivion. However they needed the coins and perhaps it wouldn't be the wisest to have every magical creature in all of Sinhae trying to attack them, chase them, or give away any cover they might need in the future. So much that idea.

Still, she wasn't really the best person for this task, that much sure. That soft-hearted alchemist-in-hiding would have been a better choice for a 'gift' giver. But for sure she wasn't about to ask anyone for help with this, she'd just pick something.

With a nod to the crew, she moved back a little to a place where she could be alone for a moment or two to think. Not too far from the group in case of attack, but far enough away that their loud voices wouldn't interfere with her concentration. Summoning a chair, she sat and began to think.

The Shishin had said that they liked sweet music, sparkling lights, magical creatures, and muffins. What an odd array of disjointed things to like; there was no easy thing to pick that could cover all the points. What to do? Concentrating, she started remembering her entry into Ellak City. She had passed a great many shops and stalls on her way to the cafe...had there been anything there that these picky creatures might like? A wide grin overcame her face as she remembered something in particular.

'That would do perfectly' Aicha thought to herself unaware that one of her companions had caught sight of her creepy grin an gone a tad white.

Technically speaking, summing this 'gift' would probably count as stealing but then again, the stall owners had obviously been in the wrong to have it to begin with. And anyway, anything that benefited the Jincar was fair in her mind. The process to bring the item here would be a bit involved but nothing beyond her ability.

First she drew a rune circle and did a quick delving, sending a part of her spirit on to scout and find the exact location of the object she wanted. With the exact coordinates in mind, she wiped the circle clean and began drawing a second smaller on on her palm. When everything was perfect, she stood, banished the chair, and rejoined the group.

"I have your gift" she started simply, her voice cutting over the commotion/discussion of her teammates and effectively silencing them.

Stepping forward, she focused her energy into the rune circle on her palm to activate it. There was a brief pause then a small pop as a tiny wicker cage covered by a small rag appeared in hand.

She waited a moment seeing the curiosity build in the eyes of those around her before removing the rag. A small bright orb of light was moving around in the cage.

"This is a devas, a magical sprite that's closely related to a fairy. Their bodies are generally cloaked by this bright ball of floating light you see. Each produces a unique shade of light; since this light is pinkish I'm willing to guess this devas is female. They are generally found living among nature in parts far from here." She placed the cage gently down upon the ground. "This little one is lost, far from home. Some merchant was trying to selling the poor thing, hoping to make a profit. I believe she'll be much better off with you."

"You can leave her in the cage and enjoy her light and her presence. Or you can choose to open the cage knowing that she might fly away. But it is only by opening the door and giving her the choice that you can grant yourself the greatest gift: the gift of friendship." Aicha finished.

With a half smile she turned away, her expression becoming sour the second her face was turned. That speech about friendship had pushed her acting skills to the limits. She grimaced; hopefully she wouldn't have to do any more of that anytime soon.

To Be Judged