Teislyn the Bard Arrives At The Wayward Squirrel

Teislyn jumped out of the carriage with Lini in her arms and waited until her luggage was brought down. She waved bye to the others who were her carriage mates and turned to look at the Squirrel. "Here we are again Lini, ready for another adventure?" Lini snuggled into her chest and murmured something inaudible, but Teislyn figured it was a yes. She picked up her bag and walked through the door, as soon as her foot hit inside, Lini jumped out of her arms and ran straight to a big lump with a bow on its tail sitting near a table. Lini jumped on Doom excited to see her friend again. Teislyn couldn't help but laugh because when Lini landed, she upset Buttercup off Doom's back, who was on the floor in a hiccuping heap.

Teislyn waved to everyone who was there and gave Frieda and Dace a big hug and kiss on the check. She saw Aicha and gave her a quick smile and nod, they had an odd type of relationship, but not one that was open or warm, but one of mutual respect. She introduced herself to the newer members of the group and hoped that they would have time to get to know one other. "Let me get the first round everyone", she said. Flagging down a waiter, she ordered and in minutes drinks where on the table.

Frieda the Alchemist and Dace the Vagabond Arrive By Fighter Pod.

Frieda landed in the small fallow field where she had in years past. A little paw-painted sign had recently been posted "Reservd for Laddi Freeduh" and she imagined that her little friend Chester had made it for her.

Frieda and Dace unloaded their luggage and shut down all of Passion Flower's systems to conserve power. Reactor cores were difficult to come by in this world. The two cousins wasted no time marching the quarter mile toward the Wayward Squirrel, they kept up a steady stream of chit-chat about family, fishing, food, and Frieda was most curious to hear whether or not Dace had met anybody special recently. Frieda was always ready to play matchmaker for Dace.

Doom picked up her small satchel with her teeth and trotted happily just ahead of Frieda and Dace. Frieda smiled at the honey badger, who had insisted on a long, hot lavender soaky-bath and scrub down just before leaving Omen. Doom demanded that Frieda tie a new ribbon on her tail tail too. Apparently, Doom was anxious about the trip, was she expecting to meet somebody special? Her satchel contained an extra ribbon and a bottle of lavender bubble bath that Frieda had concocted just to clean dirty little honey badgers. Perhaps Doom had met somebody last year and anticipated seeing them again. Funny little thing, what were the chances?

Doom didn't seem to mind Buttercup hitching a free ride, the little butterfly faerie was passed out on Doom's back in a most unmodest fashion and Frieda was tempted to reach down and smooth Buttercup's flimsy skirt back down over her bottom but Dace restrained her. "She's got to learn for herself that her bad choices in life have consequences, one being public humiliation for appearing like a cheap and easy faerie drunk."

Upon entering the Wayward Squirrel, There were many greetings from the hosts, regulars, old friends and new. Frieda met the new members of the Organized Chaos team, Lady Spiderwebby ( Webby) the vagabond, Jianni the ranger (who also demonstrated some very fine bard skills) and Sequoia the warrior. Frieda passed out hugs and kisses as was her way and then got down to business of getting as much news and gossip from each of them as she could. Their luggage was collected by the porter and deposited in their room upstairs while Frieda continued to meet and greet her Protector Friends. Doom immediately found several Protectors willing to share their food with her and ate until she was stuffed to the gills. She found a comfortable spot near the fire, laid down and pretended to sleep.

Only a few moments had passed when Frieda suddenly sensed a brooding presence from the large overstuffed sofa near the fire...Aicha. Frieda excused herself from the others, took in a deep breath, calmed her spirit and approached the Mage. She knew better then to bow and scrape, demure, flatter or condescend, Aicha was a force to be reckoned with. "Aicha. Once again we are called to serve together, I trust you are well and that your own personal quest continues? I am pleased to be in your presence. I pray that I may be of assistance to you if you so desire." Frieda resisted the urge to step forward and embrace Aicha. "I would give you a hug and a kiss, for we have known each other for many years now and have many shared experiences. But I will, as always, respect your domain." Frieda stood straight and attempted to look Aicha in the eye. "Know this one thing, you are my friend and I love you."

Doom was jolted awake and instantly aware of her dear friend Lini on her back. At last! She had missed the little Lure and could barely contain her joy. The whole reason for coming along with her staff, Lady Frieda, was so that she could be with her friends, especially Lini. Now the adventures could begin. Doom had a fleeting memory of a bear named Kiburoth and wondered if he was coming too. But Lini's telepathic sense of happiness and companionship caused those memories to quickly evaporate.

Frieda was overjoyed at seeing Teislyn enter the Squirrel and made a beeline for her friend. A tear welled up as she gave the Bard a hug and a kiss..... "I have missed you! We are going to have a great adventure, I can just feel it!" Frieda introduced Teislyn to all the newest members of the Organized Chaos band of Protectors and soon it seemed that all had been old friends.

No sooner had Teislyn's order of a round of drinks for the house gone out then Ertrude and Larianne appear mulling over another one of Ertrude's contest entries. When Frieda and Dace finally got a chance to look at it, Dace shook her head, "I just don't get it, it makes no sense. Why do these puzzles have to be so difficult?" Frieda just scratched her ears and started muttering to herself. ""....hells bells...."

After an hour, the Organized Chaos team members all handed Frieda their work. She looked them over quickly and gave them to Ertrude with a smile "I hope this helps Ma'am, good luck." She bowed and returned back to her friends. She was in serious need of getting caught up on consuming her portion of ale, she was already behind by at least four half-pints.

The HINK-PINKS that the Organized Chaos Compiled:

: MATTE FAT CAT BRAT SAT AT THAT FLAT HAT MAT

Local cat found at home after extensive search and generous rewards failed.

Flat black feline, "Brat" known for his propensity toward obesity, had gone missing from his millionaire owner's home two weeks ago. House staff and local animal control officers performed a door-to-door search for three days. A $100,000 reward was then posted in the local newspapers and other news media, which soon had the entire county looking for the cat. It was reported this morning that Brat was found at the porch near the back door lying on what appeared to be a fedora style hat which seemed to have been run over by a car. While the owners are happy to have Brat back in good health, town's folk are crying fowl and hoax. One local has filed a $100,000 lawsuit claiming that Brat ruined a priceless hat once owned by Humphry Bogart.

: TRUCK STRUCK CHUCK BUCK DUCK: "WHAT SUCK LUCK!"

Troubled international celebrity, Charles the Buck, was injured in a hit-and-run accident this afternoon as he strolled along Hollywood Ave signing autographs, according to his publicist, Dicky Duck. The unknown driver of a black pickup fled the scene after the wreck and has not yet been apprehended. According to Mr. Duck, Charles experienced moderate injuries, including the loss of his right antler, but is reported to be in stable condition by the hospital staff. "What with the failure of his last movie at the box office, and now this, can his luck get any worse? This really sucks!" Mr. Duck bemoaned. The authorities are asking the public for any pertinent information regarding this case.

: SWELL BELL HELL KNELL DRUNK MONK SUNK TRUNK

It seems that the beautiful new bell recently purchased and installed in Wolfbane Monastary Chapel was priced at 'fire-sale' prices for a reason. According to the clergy the bell sounds beautifully, but instead of summoning worshipers to the chapel, it seems to summon demons. The clergy are looking for a possible remedy, but in the interim, have resorted to standing on the portico ringing their hands.

In a related twist to the story, one of the clerics found himself in a lot of trouble this morning after heaving a large case filled with priceless religious artifacts into the nearby lake. Apparently, worried about the troubles with the new bell, led him to drinking until completely inebriated. In a state of alcohol-fueled paranoia, he claims he was, "trying to hide the trunk from demons." There are no reports yet on whether the trunk has been recovered. The cleric has been disciplined by the head of the order.

: BIGGS PIGS SWIGS CIGS EASY PEASY SQUEEZY CHEESY

Local hog farmer, Eldon Biggs, younger brother of Ronald Biggs, another hog farmer, has taken to feeding his swine a curious new diet designed to keep the animals not only happy, but relaxed. "I purchase all the ale from the local pub when it goes flat. It's like liquid sandwiches, full of vitamin B and calories. And it's cheep! nobody wants old flat ale, 'cept me hogs!" He adds the ale to other spent grains and brewery by products he obtains from the nearby brewery. "The ale sure keeps 'em happy!" he explains. "Happy hogs is fat hogs."

To add another layer of controversy to his already curious feeds, Biggs also tosses into the slop cartons of cigarettes he obtains from a nearby cigarette manufacturer that sells culls and floor sweepings. "Them cigarettes keeps them hogs calm and less likely to worry each other. Ain't nothing worse then a hog hurting another hog." He laughs, "I means, who doesn't like a drink and a smoke to calm ones's nerves, eh?"

"Course, I've always fed them stuff I get from the local factories, This shipment of outdated spray cheese for instance." Biggs points to a large drop-shipment of Whizzy Fromage cartons. "Them cans'll make feeding the little squealers a piece of cake...or cheese!" He laughs.

Local animal rights advocates are looking into the legal ramifications of feeding hogs alcohol, tobacco and process cheese spread and are pursuing under-age drinking and smoking statutes in the matter and in the case of the cheese spray, animal cruelty laws.

:" FOG SMOG FROG LOG

Local factories are producing quantities of a thick mixture of smoke and sulfur dioxide into the surrounding areas. Please pay attention to the warnings that have been set into place and do no attempt to drive anywhere. Also, pay attention to the croaking along the sides of the paths, the frogs on the logs are there for your safety to not fall off the bridges and other steep areas.

: SMUG BUG LUG RUG

Local rug merchant, Lonnie Bug lost a recent small claims court battle this Wednesday over a dispute regarding the poor quality of one his recently installed rugs. Prior to the actual court case, Bug had bragged to friends that in the unlikely event he lost the case, he would literally haul the disputed merchandise on his back to his store. Under the terms of the case, not only does Mr. Bug have to reimburse the client the price of the installation, now it seems he is also required to make good on his promise of carrying the returned merchandise on his own back.

Beef Thief Brief Chief Bank Tank Sank Hank

“Famous cattle rustler Clarence Henry Billiard had a meteoric rise, followed by an equally swift fall. The reformed criminal, who had worked his way up from ordinary teller to vice president of Crystania Central Bank, last week was appointed by the board of directors to the top position. But the stockholders objected to the new CEO, and the bank's stock price fell precipitously, causing the bank to go from number one bank of the nation to number twelve. Yesterday saw the newly promoted leader fired by the board.”

Akalia bent by the river cupping water in her hands and bringing it up to her mouth to quench her thirst after the days hike from the city. Gunther slowly followed behind, but gave up a few feet from his master and lied down to catch his breath.

"Look over there," Gish, a gullah (a kind of cockatoo) said. "I'm pretty sure that's a goat. Or possibly it's a baby ibex."

Videnicse, in mynah form (a relative of starlings), looked down to where Gish had seen the creatures. "Is that an elf with the goat? Maybe we can lure it away with food."

"Maybe - my aunt says goats eat everything," Gish told her. "So it might not be hungry."

"We can give it a carrot," Nicsy loved carrots. She was feeling generous.

Gish preferred parsnips. "If you want." She dug around in their traveling snack pack that was draped over a high branch, and pulled out a parsnip slice. "I'll see if it wants this." The gullah flew down toward the goat with the snack in her beak.

"Hey!" Nicsy found a carrot stick and, holding it firmly, flew after her companion.

"Look here, goat," said the gullah softly. "Tasty treat for you! Just come over here."

The tired goat didn't seem to show much interest.

The other bird flew in closer with her offering. "Come on," said the mynah. "Carrots are the best. You want the carrot..." She was a very charming bird.

The goat lifted his head and looked at her. He bleated. Nothing more.

Finishing her drink, Akalia looked behind her at Gunther who had just bleated and noticed two birds carrying food in their beaks. She got up from where she sat and joined Gunther on the soft grass. Hmmm, thought I heard talking. Maybe, some people are around?

She looked over at the pair of birds once more; one was carrying a slice of parsnip and the other a carrot a stick. Her stomach growled and she placed a hand on Gunther's head, "You must be hungry. I wonder if they'll share? If so, you get the parsnip as pay back for eating through my clothes in that cave!"

Pushing herself up from the ground, Akalia straightened out her clothes and formulated a plan to get a piece of the carrot. With a gentle smile the elf approached the Mynah and held out right hand to gently pet her.

The mynah - Videnicse - was focused on the goat and somehow let the elf get close enough. Startled by the feeling of being petted, she dropped the carrot. It was - soothing. Her eyes closed and she stretched her neck out.

Gish saw her chance and held the parsnip bit out to the goat. Finally, he seemed to notice she was offering food, and his tongue licked it right out of her grasp. The gullah flapped away as the goat crunched up the piece of vegetable.

When the mynah opened her eyes, she saw the carrot stick on the ground near the elf's hand. "Hey!" she protested. Now if the elf ate the carrot stick, would she ever convince Gish that goats definitely liked carrots better than parsnips? Would she have to give up a second one of her tasty carrot sticks? So unfair.

"Greedy elves," she muttered.

Akalia gently caressed the mynah, surprised that she had even allowed it. Even more so when she dropped the carrot stick on the ground before stretching her neck out.

With her other hand, the elf snatched the carrot from the ground and looked over to Gunther to see him grab the parsnip from the other bird.

"Stupid goat," she mumbled to herself as she stopped stroking the mynah. With carrot stick in hand she broke it into three pieces. The first piece she ate, and the other two she offered to both birds while kneeling down.

"I'm Akalia, and he's Gunther," she nodded over to Gunther who was happily crunching on the parsnip. "I wonder if you little birds have names too? If not, I can name you like him!"

Gunther just started at his master and cried.

Gish looked over at Videnicse, then ate the offered piece of carrot. After finishing, she looked at the goat. "Nice to meet you, Gunther," she said. Turning to the elf, she added, "Thank you, and well met. My name is Gish."

While the gullah was talking, the myna had flown. Videnicse felt embarrassed by having assumed the elf would eat the carrot... she knew not all elves were like the one she knew best, of course. She flew up to the tree branch where she'd left her things. It was too heavy for her to fly with, so she nudged it off the branch and as it fell, swooped down with it. Nothing breakable in there fortunately. (If there had been, it would already be broken, as this wasn't the first time she'd dropped it.)

The myna landed on the satchel and looked at the gullah. The gullah added, "My friend has a name too."

Videnicse said hurriedly, "Oh yes, my name is Videnicse," pronouncing it VEE-deh-NIX, "and please, go ahead and have the carrot, I have more of them in here." She tapped the bag with one claw. "Gish, he's definitely a goat, not an ibex," she added. She'd heard the elf say so.

Akalia looked at Gish with a wide eye. So she was who I heard talking. I wonder if that means... Her thought was cut short when Videnicse introduced herself and offered that last third of the carrot stick to the elf.

Akalia gladly popped it in her mouth as Gunther sauntered over to the river to grab a quick drink. While chewing, Akalia placed her attention back on the duo, "What brings you to this part of the forest?"

She quickly scooped up Gunther as he made his way back to the group, before he could bunt, who she hoped would be, her new friends, "Sorry! It's how he shows his affection!"

"Oh, he's very sweet," Videnicse said, turning from side to side so she could see the goat. Having your eyes on the sides of your head could be quite awkward when you mostly were used to more binocular vision.

"My family lives near here," Gish said. "We visited them and were just finished saying farewells when we saw - Gunther and, were curious about him. We hadn't seen one of him before, only bigger goats."

Videnicse tugged at the satchel's toggle, unwinding the string from it so she could open it. This wasn't especially easy as a mynah; her beak was not quite right for the task, nor her claws, and certainly not her wings. She decided it was going to be even harder to get it closed again if she did work it open, and left it closed and half unwound, crawling inside instead to find another carrot stick.

"And ibexes," she added from inside the satchel. With a carrot in her beak and buried in the bag, she was hardly audible.

"What did you say, Nicsy?" Gish asked.

"Bigger goats and ibexes," she repeated, still rather muffled.

"Never mind," Gish said. "And what brings you and Gunther here too, Akalia?"

Akalia nodded along with Gishes story as she watched Videnicse crawl into her satchel. Gunther now sat calmly on the grass beside her.

"Bigger goats, hmm. I hope he doesn't get any bigger. He's already big enough"

Akalia sat thinking for a moment about having a bigger goat before hopping to her feet. Gunther jumped to his feet and mimicked his masters deep breath before bounding off away from the river.

"This is my forest you see! Just over there is my home!" She pointed off in the direction her little companion had run in. "It's been awhile since I've been on an adventure, so I thought to see the human city near here. Quite normal compared to those I've seen."

Akalia pulled a small crystal from her pocket and stared at it sadly. "I really miss adventures."

She cupped the crystal in her hands and yelled as loud as she could into it, her face turning red, "Hello!"

With a shrug of her shoulders, she returned it to her pocket and faced the birds with an eager smile, "Do you want to go on an adventure?"

The gullah cocked her head at a quizzical angle, looking directly at Akalia.

"Absolutely yes," Gish said. After listening to her family bragging about their own accomplishments and telling her how she'd gone wrong - they all agreed she was wrong, but none of them agreed on the reason or the solution - and telling her how she had to look out for and take care of Videnicse, as if Videnicse were her nestling, she was sure she was ready for adventure.

Videnicse had been thinking of answering somewhat differently - but she heard that tone in Gish's voice - and she was not eager to go back to the elf town they'd been living in before, for her own reason. So she didn't immediately object to Gish's answer. She ate a carrot stick.

Before the question about the adventure, though, Videnicse thought - What was that yelling? So the mynah peered out of the satchel to see who Akalia was yelling "hello!" to. And stared at the crystal.

A magic crystal! She had heard of such a thing - that had the power to grant her dearest wish - to fix what was wrong with her once and for all: a singing crystal. If this elf had magic crystal - going on an adventure with her wasn't just a nice way to make Gish happy, and stay far from the elf she didn't really want to see - it was also possibly the exact thing she was destined to do. She could barely contain her excitement in the tiny avian body she wore. She squeezed back out of the satchel and - with a flurry of motion - transformed into fox form.

Now she could properly enjoy the excitement! Videnicse - now a pretty red fox with fur far cleaner and more thoroughly combed and fluffed than a typical woodland dwelling vixen, but otherwise of ordinary fox size and coloring, danced around, chasing her tail and scurrying with excitement. Crystals! Adventure and crystals... it was all happening.

Gish's covered her eyes with a wing. She found it embarrassing when Videnicse overdid the enthusiasm. "She likes the idea too," Gish said, not looking.

If you're not one of the guests at the debut and you want to try this dish, be sure to make a reservation soon. The main ingredient is in short supply this year. Usually found by following the albino baleen who feed on them, this year's large plankton count in the area has prevented most of the marine mammals from searching out the delicious crustaceans.

"The yearly return of wayward wanderers and friends this year was met with joy, merriment, and heartbreak, but not the kind you were expecting. Returning adventurers to the local tavern were greeted with a new dish on the list, a new kind of chili to spice up the evening. But, for those unfortunate to order were met with heartburn as extra hot curry powder had accidentally been added to the mix. Yet, the evening was not entirely soured as some adventurers turned the unfortunate affair into a chili eating challenge."

"Thank you for allowing us to assist you. We are the Galactic Misfits (); I am Sailor Galaxia, the warrior guardian of the Milky Way. Aodh the bard (), Tana the ranger (), the mage, Ameana the alchemist professor (), the wordsmith who was invaluable to our composition, and .

Outfit Not FoundPrivate OutfitPrivate OutfitOutfit Not FoundPrivate OutfitOutfit Not Found

The second annual pie-tossing event was held last week, with many bakers and pastry-makers rising to the occasion.

This year, despite the name, more than just crust-and-filling desserts were on the menu.

Contestants launched everything from cream puffs to multi-tier cakes for best vertical or horizontal results to secure the prizes for their chosen charities.

The awards this year were to the Clean Air of Crystania Foundation in third place and the Safe Architecture for Aerial Animals Brain Trust in second, with the Seer Jude's Hospital for Magical Diseases securing the grand prize for an animal-safe shoo-fly pie at an altitude of 422 feet.

Physical arcs of sweets and samples of pre-flight delicacies delighted the visitors to the event, but one particular frosting provided impetus to an unexpected substance as well as the attendance record.

Luphin Roquefort showed up to the auctioning of his estranged brother's inherited cream cheese frosting recipe with a large bag of gold and became enraged when the mini-event was cancelled due to the ancient family parchment being misplaced, throwing his weighty wallet at the event organizer's head.

Investigation on the missing or stolen parchment is underway.

The organizer is expected to recover with no long-term complications, and Luphin Roquefort will be receiving his just desserts for the rash action in court next month.

Kestra and Kwixis are exhausted after a day of flying around. They haven't found food in a couple days since the weather's been uncooperative. When the rains started, they had walked along the road, but after a few hours, Kestra decided to coax Kwixis into the air. He was able to climb above the clouds so they could dry in the sun, but then they couldn't see below to catch anything moving. And when the sun set, they had to land so they could rest. Tonight they landed in the forest and happened upon a tavern. The warrior's stomach started to growl loudly. The dragon's stomach growled louder in reply. Kestra laughs. "Let's go, my friend! I think we've found some food ahead!" They find a spot in the back for Kwixis to dry off. They are startled by an unexpected voice. "Your companion is welcome to dine with the rest of the companions here." Kestra looks around but doesn't see anyone there. "I'm down here!" Kestra looks down and sees a happy little dog wagging his tail in excitement. "Um, you can talk?" "Yup! My name is Lappy! Please head inside to get warm and dry! I'll make sure your dragon is taken care of!" "Oh, okay... thanks!" Once inside, Kestra finds a roaring fire toward the back of the establishment. She walks over and removes her wet cloak to dry off.

The warrior is finally beginning to feel human again as she tucks into a bowl of stew when she feels something curl around her leg. She nearly jumps ten feet off the bench. A chuckle was heard from behind her. "I'm so sorry about that. My cat, Salem could smell your dinner and is trying to coax you to give him some." Kestra turns and sees a middle-aged woman standing there. She then looks at Salem, who seems rather annoyed. "Thanks for blowing my scene Jinx." He scowls. "Salem, be a good kitty and go find the other companions, they are all being fed right now." The black cat slunk away in a huff with his tail in the air. He didn't like being called kitty. "I'm Jinx and I'm a mage. Do you mind some company? I hope we can find some friendly faces." Kestra introduces herself to the mage. "It looks like there's an adventure brewing! I'm sure we can find a group to travel with!" The two friends chatter away as the night went on.

Hethlic Psuedoantheus may look as jumpy as ten snakes stuffed into an arsenic green coat, but that's not true: he's actually one single snake, terrified out of its mind, stuffed into an arsenic green coat recently soaked in seawater. As someone who escaped from the life of a petty officer at sea under an excessively whimsical captain-agent of a certain empire, Hethlic has nothing to do but trade its share of capital from the voyage (twenty sets of untested dream-lenses), and perhaps find some use for the useless skill of calligraphic preparation of natural samples and maintenance of glow-eel capsules on land. Finding the way to the Wayward Squirrel he warmed himself by the fire waiting on ... something, anything to keep him out of the clutches of the scurrilous Captain.

True was weaving through other teams of adventurers and protectors when two large shadows suddenly swoop along the cobblestone street. Her eyes are drawn skyward by a shout from up high. Jeice, dangling from a glider, is dropping rapidly from the sky with Torchy, her companion flying alongside. Other people look up, some puzzled, some shocked, but True just laughs, familiar with the antics of these two. An errant wind catches the glider just before landing but Torchy corrects it's course, helping Jeice land nimbly. "Whoop! Now that's what I call an entrance!" the Ranger shouts, pulling off her helmet and trying to finger comb the tangles out of her silver hair. Torchy let out a piercing squeal and did one more slow circle before landing with a light thump beside her, raising up on his hind legs as Jeice gives him an affectionate pat on the head and let him rub his muzzle on her face. "Got your message True and couldn't resist coming by glider! They were so much fun during our last adventure!" Brushing off her clothes, she looks around "Where's the rest of the team?" she asks after giving True a big hug. "Isn't that Gleep clinging to that rock over there?" True shakes her head ruefully and states "Would it kill you to wear a dress Jeice?" looking at Jeice' pants. Jeice snorts indelicately "Considering I was flying a glider, yes, it probably would at that, True!" Slinging an arm around Atrueheart they then walk into the Wayward Squirrel looking around eagerly, Torchy bouncing alongside them.

Calie motions excitedly from a table off to the side and they hurried over. "Well, it's about time you two got here," Calie exclaimed as she brushed some papers off to the side of the table and give Atrueheart a hug. Jeice slugs her on the arm which Calie rubs vigorously. "How's the Alchemy class doing Calie?" Atrue asks smirking at Calie. "You mean the demons from Hell?" Calie asks, shaking her head. "Don't get me started on my advanced bomb making class!" she exclaims. "I have some bad news True about the rest of our team." she says quietly, pulling a sad face. "Amicorn and Talli have decided to join another team of Protectors and Laurie sent a note saying she only has limited time this adventure. So it looks like we need at least three new members." Atrueheart sits abruptly "Well that's sad news. I always hate it when we lose team members. But I know Laurie will help when she can. She'd said something about some fascinating research she was doing on some native lands and native rights that was taking up a lot of her time last letter I got from her."

Atrueheart looks around the room and then asks Calie and Jeice "Any ideas about new members?" Calie, perking up a bit, points over to several people milling around in front of a huge fireplace and says "I think those are teamless Protectors over there looking for some team to join. We should check them out!" Jeice nods her head and Atrueheart looks them over carefully. "Ok, we need a mage, vagabond and a new warrior." she lists, ticking off her fingers. "You two see what you can find out about them and see if any are interested in joining the Fallen Angels. I'll see what's up if I can track down Thorson." Shooing Jeice and Calie over toward the milling group she is sidetracked by Ertrude's wailing. Assuring her that the Fallen Angels would take care of it, she returns to the table as Calie and Jeice walk up with three people in tow. Jeice speaks first and motions toward one of the people. "This is Kestra, of the Peka Glade Sky Warriors. She'd like to fill our warrior slot." Jeice states and then grins and glances back over her shoulder. "She has a Rreign named Kwixis that that should prove very interesting to work with." At Torchy's jealous growl she chuckled and reached down to pet him. "Now now little one, he's much older, I'm sure there's a lot you can learn from him." Pulling another older woman forward, Jeice introduces her as well. "This is Jinx and she's a mage. The black cat winding around her ankles is her companion, Salem. Kestra, Jinx, this is Atrueheart, captain of The Fallen Angels." Calie drags a bedraggled looking character forward and says "This is Hethlic and he would like to fill our Vagabond spot. His small, round companion is Petya."

Atrueheart, looks them over and nods, exclaims "Welcome to the Fallen Angels! The most formidable team of Protectors in the history of the Wayward Squirrel Protectors!" Calie and Jeice nod their agreement vigorously. Motioning them to sit, Atrueheart leans forward and says "Now.. we will have plenty of time to get to know each other on the adventure but right now we need to deal with Ertrude's problem." Kestra speaks up "Thanks for the welcome and we have a few ideas about Ertrude's problem." she nods to Jinx and Hethlic who nod back in agreement. "Yes," states Jinx. "She's been wailing about it ever since we got here and so we've been quietly brainstorming over there in hopes that we would find us a team and would be able to help." Calie pulls her papers toward her and nods satisfactorily. "I've been working on it as well, while I was waiting on True and the rest of the team arrives." Calie hands her papers over to Atrueheart and so does the new members. "OK Angels, looks like we have some writing to do. And then it will be time to celebrate with the other Protectors." The Fallen Angels all put their heads together, scribbling on paper and conferring in whispers. Atrueheart finally gives out a hearty laugh. "That should do it Angels!" she states, waving a piece of parchment in the air. "Now let's get this to Ertrude and find some food. My belly thinks my throat's been slit it's been so long since I last ate!" Laughing the Fallen Angels, hurriedly rush toward the buffet set up for the Protectors, all talking excitedly at once getting to know each other while Atrueheart drops off the Hink Pink to Ertrude.

"YES!" TerrenaAnimula is excited. "I have time finally and this will be great to get back into things. I am in."

"Me too." Witchy says puffing away on a rainbow smoke. "I just got myself a new phone and can use my Unlimited Data, which by the way is a lie, no unlimited, but limited unlimited, but I am still using it!"

Kaiidth is holding her little bundle of joy that was born during the last Squirrel. "I would love to go. BUT think I will leave my little one at home. Leaving him with you guys seems too dangerous. Tea LOST him last time."

"I didn't lose him! He knew exactly where he was!" Tea_Roll mutters.

"I want to head out with everyone," Springjoy says, "But full disclosure I may not make it to the end, since I am due with another jalapeno before our adventure is up. Absolutely NO babysitting from most of you. Good thing I have a good carrier to tote this one along with me! "

"I was a great babysitter!" Lovecraft sputters. "With that said, I will go too! BUT I am not sure how active I will be. I have been kinda out of sorts."

"Same with me," Reaper agrees. "I am in too. There are always great bars and that's how I trapped my wifey."

"Are you going Tea_Roll?," TerrenaAnimula says. "She will make seven. Is that allowed?"

Tea_Roll is too busy finding unicorns for her collection and ignores everyone. For two days.

"That's IT! We have waited long enough for Tea's answer. She has no choice now. She is going. And when have we been ones to follow rules?" Lovecraft says. "So all is good! Plus, just cus seven of us start, doesn't mean seven of us will make it to the end without a hill or mountain incident."

"I want a stunt double!" Tea_Roll says, suddenly reappearing at the mention of hills. "I nominate Terrena. Any hill rolling goes to her!"

"NO!" Terrena refuses. "I'm not going to take your rolls for you."

Lovecraft sends a reply to GreenRowan with a list of the members of The Dazed Denizens of Crazy Delusional Chopped Jalapeno-Ville and that herself and Tea_Roll will be captain and co-captain. She also placed a very needed warning that explosions are more than likely to occur, as full disclosure for the other teams.

She gets a reply back rapidly stating that The Dazed Denizens of Crazy Delusional Chopped Jalapeno-Ville is too long of a name and they will simply be Legendary Jalapenos. Along with a warning stating that they are not allowed near any of the other teams for fear that their shenanigans will rub off or injure other participants. And that Lovecraft personally has a restraining order out against her by the other teams for fear of hill mishaps.

"US?!" Tea_Roll flusters. "The other teams are full of spies! Hollis, Habeebi, Spiderwebby. Everyone else! SPIES! If spies get hurt that is not our fault!"

TerrenaAnimula giggles. "OH I remember the first adventure when Witchy thought we were being followed and hit Elethia over the head knocking her out."

"She shouldn't have been following us," Witchy huffs. "BUT it was because you stole a panther from her."

"And you ATE her during a different adventure!" Lovecraft reminds Witchy, who looks at her innocently and plays with the bone necklace she has on.

"How am I dangerous?" Reaper adds. "I just want to find the nearest bar!"

"And you all questioned WHY my little one was staying home during this trip?" Kaiidth looks at them.

"Or why I am willing to desert you when mine arrives," springjoy rolls her eyes.

"But...But...I'm an OLD CRONE and EXPERIENCED babysitter! I'm on RAINBOW Smoke as often as i can be," Witchy starts to argue the pros of bringing the babies along. "Oh. Wait. maybe that's not so good for dumplings? No wait, it's GREAT for dumplings, but maybe not so good for babies." She thinks for a moment, "BUT I'M STILL A GREAT BABYSITTER! Why remember I babysat Tea_Roll 's griffin! remember! YES. I remember." Witchy wanders away looking for rainbow, muttering, "If i don't find some rainbow soon. i Really AM going to BLOW SOMETHING UP! I WANT RAINBOW!"

"With that said," TerrenaAnimula looks around at them all, "I think we are off to a great start. Let's get going and see what kind of trouble we find this year!"

Everyone nods in the agreement that sounds like the best plan.

My cat would get on the kitchen counter and eat the plastic wrap on the loaf bread. Just the plastic, not the actual bread. Fat Cat, That Brat