And They're Off!

It's so good to have the Protectors back in the Wayward Squirrel again, eating and drinking merrily. Their boisterous good spirits lighten everyone's mood, even Larianne's, although she still glowers at any mention of Tanaka's name.

"She's so stubborn," sighs Clytie. "Absolutely!" Nancy agrees. "Best remedy for that is a good adventure." "Since everyone was summoned, we must be about to set off, right?" Chiasa can barely conceal her excitement.

Ertrude appears from the corridor smiling. The stone wall, that she has fondly nicknamed Rocky, has taken a real shine to her. He declares that, unless she's over 500, she's still just a girl to him.

"He's getting boulder and boulder, I take it," quipped Winton refusing to be jealous of stone, but still planning a secret getaway for just the two of them. Morrow has assured him that things will be just fine at the inn.

What could possibly go wrong? he muses, and then slaps himself in the face, and listens as Ertrude explains what the conditions are.

"I bargained a bit, and promised to oil his surface by hand once a week for a year, but he finally agreed on two conditions: All must dress in their best adventuring garb, and solve the "Frustrating Fifteen."

She holds up a scroll. "They're really something; harder than any of the annual Hink Pink contests. We'll need everyone's brain power here."

Eager to proceed with saving the world as usual, all gather around the spread out scroll:

Looks like the Protectors have their work cut out for them.

(OOC: This is an HA making event, and a puzzle. More info on the OOC thread for this chapter. Please keep all comments here in character. Good luck, Squirrels!)

Willow pushes her glasses up and stares more at the wall then anything else which was why she only did a quick sketch of the team. Not quite sure what to make of the whatever, she wondered if there was a song to be composed, glancing once to May. The rest of team , decked out in their best clothes, not bothering to change when they arrived at the Wayward Squirrel, were concentrating totally on the scroll laid out on the table in front of them. A sigh escapes Willow's lips as she looks at each in turn, happy they are together again. Grabbing some food, Willow finishes her sketch of each to begin the new chapter in the life of the Protectors, then leans over the scroll like the rest, taking meticulous notes of possible answers.

Private OutfitPrivate OutfitPrivate Outfit

didn't have time to create an HA so far for this chapter because of her busy schedule. She's going to try and find some time to make one and post that herself (due to my timezone).

Jean- , Sorn- , Venom , Alfred , HeiYu , Ebele

Jean had arrived early for the Protectors' yearly gathering at the Wayward Squirrel. It was a difference of a couple days, which she spent nearby on minor missions -- deciphering a message, the errand-running affectionately termed "fetch quests", clearing cellars of rats (though how Rattus Faber ever made it there from Fallen London she was unclear; something about the Squirrel nexus, she supposed. And they were pleasant fellows, just looking for a workshop space, which she then helped them find).

That morning she'd had a rather interesting conversation about which plants constituted weeds and which ones were useful -- and which downright harmful and actively dangerous -- with one of the locals, while helping him clear the last sort from his garden. She'd had time for a shower before returning downstairs, and a familiar face dispelled any grumpiness that might have lingered over seed-spitting vegetation.

Sorn had had a difficult year.  His sister was still in marital bliss, his two friends were off together since they were partners and his own lover was missing.  Whether or not her absence was intentional he didn’t know, but it still stung him bitterly.  He had been lost. He healed from his nearly fatal wound last time the Wayward Squirrels heralded, so he sought out danger.  He hoped there might be some at the masquerade ball, but alas there wasn’t.  He saw Jean and Garrin there which helped to bolster his spirits but all in all Sorn was floundering.  Going on the adventure at Nutsy hadn’t helped him much either.  There was no violence for him, no delightful torture or anything else that the man enjoyed.  Though when he left, he did find a brothel and enjoyed the pleasures it had to offer for a span.  One problem for Sorn was that he was in such a vastly different setting and he was set in his ways.  The rules had changed so radically and not even running could help Sorn keep up. 
 
Sorn slipped into the house undetected.  He hadn’t used magic, though he certainly could have.  No, he used the agility of a four hundred some odd old elf.  The dark elf frowned once he inspected inside.  There was nothing worth plundering in this rat trap.  Not even the food was worth it—which was saying something since the drow was starving.  He sighed and exited the house.  The growl from his belly worsened his mood.  Zhah, his ever present pixie offered him one of the nuts he was snacking on inside Sorn’s pouch, but the sorcerer refused.  The nuts would last Zhah but would do nothing to fill his own belly and the drow was getting increasingly skinnier.  He had wandered around aimlessly for a while now.  His clothing was still impeccable despite the travels in that none of them were ripped, but many of them carried blood stains--all carried dirt. He had not stayed at an inn for a while so he could not clean them. He had no home of his own after all.  Sure he could return to the happy couple but that only made him angry and pained him.  The drow finally made it to the inn at the Wayward Squirrel.  He was tired, in need of food and a shower and clean clothing.  The current outfit Sorn wore consisted of a green trousers, a white shirt, green traveling cloak and boots. These were definitely a set of clothing that carried  a few suspicious red stains on them in places.

Jean's smile faltered when she registered her friend's rather sorry state. He looked pale compared to his usual (true pallor would be difficult for a drow), not quite bedraggled but certainly off. Sick, perhaps? "Sorn!" she called as she drew near enough not to need to shout across the room. "It's good to see you, and from the look of it just as well our group's meeting up before the official Protectors' gathering. Would you like to start with washing off the dust of the road, or something else?"

Sorn glanced over at his name.  “Greetings,” he replied hoarsely, yet there was a tiny trace of a smile.  “You wish me to wash the road outside?  Why?  Surely it shall get filthy again.”  He shook his head.  “If it is all the same to you, I would much rather eat something.  It has been many days since I have last had sustenance.  Though if you really require my magical services to clean the road, I shall oblige I suppose.”

“I meant a bath,” Jean clarified, smothering a laugh.  “It’s a common phrase, ‘the dust of the road’.  However food is readily acquired.  My treat~”  Indeed, the Squirrel had a wonderful selection of edibles, and after the bonus pay from the rats Jean figured she could cover not only Sorn but any other teammates that showed up.  It helped that she tended to travel cheaply, leaving her funds for other things when she wanted to indulge a little.

“Oh,” Sorn replied, “I was unaware of this phrase.  A bath would be delightful and I shall soak in one for quite awhile, but food most assuredly first.”  He smirked.  “Well if it is a treat for you to spend money on my meal then I must oblige and let you treat yourself.  Of course, if you want to further the treat and join me in my bath, you are most welcome to do so.”  He gave her a lecherous smile as he made his way to the table.  Menus were of no help to him, since he was still not reading “human.”  Still he ordered a steak, salad, fruit, large tankard of beer and for dessert he asked for an entire raspberry pie.  When his food arrived the drow had to exercise patience and eat slowly.  He was so very, very hungry. 

Approaching the Tavern, Ven paused along the gravel road just to take it in. It had been a handful of years since he had last lain eyes on the place, and much like himself, the Wayward Squirrel hadn’t seemed to have aged one bit. Strange how the letter of summoning always managed to find its way to him, even as well traveled as he was. Now that he was back again, familiar scents lingered in the air as the muffled sounds of jovial reunions rang in the warriors ears.

A slight chill ran down his back, but he shook it off and pressed onward. With his clawed hand resting on the hilt of his sword, Ven closed the distance to the front door. Hesitating a moment he pushed his way inside the building. Once therein, people clamoured, glasses clinked, and out of the corner of his eye Ven spotted a face more familiar than the rest. The corner of his mouth twitched upward slightly.

Approaching quietly, Ven tilted his head. He had expected Jean, but finding Sorn here also was curious. Perhaps the two had begun traveling together, he had spotted them both at the Masquerade after all. “Greetings.” Ven mused as the slight smile slipped from his face. The scent of roasting meats and ale gave the tavern a cozy aura, and Venom gratefully took a seat close by to rest his feet.

Alfred ran down the road towards the Tavern, cursing under his breath. Of course he'd known that once he'd set foot on the tropical beach, he was bound to get a call from the other members of Steve; and as his run of 'bad luck' continued, he missed three of his train and flight connections so he was a lot later than he should've been.

Stopping at the door to catch his breath, he entered the Tavern and spotted everyone sitting at a table. He recognised Jean and Sorn, but there were a couple of others he wasn't too sure about. Realising he was too hungry to care who was there, he approached the table and flopped onto a chair. "I know I'm late," he muttered, "but better late than never, right?"

Sorn was still hungrily eating when Ven arrived. “Greetings. Are you also traveling with us?” he asked. He was hopeful as Ven intrigued him. The drow was not hurting for food so bad now and relaxed a little as he enjoyed the food. He waved mildly to Alfred. “You are not late yet,” he said as he licked his lips and took a sip of beer. “This is most wonderful,” he said to no one in particular. Zhah was now on the table in his sprite form eating a small tomato.

“Definitely not late,” Jean added, still wearing the wide grin that had split her face when Venom turned up. “It’s good to see you -- both of you. Either of you want to grab something to eat before the official meeting?”

A small grey form poked her head out of Jean’s satchel, and rubbed her eyes. Hey everyone.

“Did we wake you? Sorry Sihr.”

Mm. With a shake to dislodge the last of her drowsiness, the faeling slid out of the bag and went to circle Sorn’s head once, slowing long enough to brush against his cheek, and then went over to land on Ven’s shoulder.

Pausing just outside the Wayward Squirrel, HeiYu smiles down at Mee. "Well, here we are again. " Entering the Squirrel , she quickly spots Jean and ... is that Sorn? He looks as though he's had his own problems since she last encountered him briefly on the Gigantic. Approaching their table she quietly asks "Would you mind if we join you?"

Ven watched as Shir emerged from her hiding place and floated over to rest on his shoulder. Pleased to see she was still alive and well. “Morning, little one.” He mused, while keeping a curious eye on the small sprite who seemed to oddly match Sorn. Ven nodded at the latter’s question. “If you will have me.” Not thinking of what his words could be construed as. “No food for me thanks.” It was enough watching the others enjoy their food to keep his own stomach feeling full. Ven nodded a hello to the man he had never met with the rather impressive scar over his left eye. just before his attention was again taken by another newcomer. He nodded toward the glittering woman who had approached the table. and introduced himself to both of them. “Hello, I’m Ven.” He tried to smile.

The form of a small teenage girl rustled under a pile of what looked like garbage in the alley behind the Squirrel Inn. She yawned and stretched one arm straight up into the air. After a moment she cleared off the actual garbage that had been thrown on top of her and rolled up her sleeping mat. She quickly stowed it in her pack and hoisted it onto her shoulders. Ebele was quite used to sleeping out under the stars and found it odd that so many people flocked to dimly lit and stale stagnant sleeping quarters inside Inns for a nights rest.

She meandered into the Inn through a side door as if she owned the place and sauntered into a back corner to wait for some unsuspecting person to lose track of their breakfast. Of course they'd only lose track of it after she managed to grab it while they were distracted, and there were many distractions in the Inn this morning. Everyone was talking about some news she didn't really care about. In fact, she noticed, the Inn was near four times over capacity this morning. Ebele grunted as someone shoved her with a sharp pointed elbow. She tried to make herself look taller and broader than she was, even though she was strong she didn't look it.

After another quick scan around the room, Ebele saw her next meal. A cloaked man sat at the end of the long dirty bar and greedily ate his morning fried eggs and corn-cakes while leaving his oat gruel unattended off to the side. With the stealth of a black feline the girl reached her slender arm forward and snatched the oats. Smirking in self-satisfaction, Ebele stepped back quickly while noting that the man hadn't even realized half his meal was missing -- yet.

With breakfast now secured she found a nook under a window and leaned back into the shadow under it and watch all the strange people. After finishing off her last bite she heard a low growl and dark voice of someone she knew, Sorn. It couldn't be, yet it was. Sorn was sitting there in the Inn eating like everyone else. Ebele stared at him and felt an electric thrill of excitement course trough her body.

Ebele giggled at Zhah and wanted to run up and join them but he was surrounded by many people she did not know. Instead of joining him she walked across the Inn and stood near a table opposite him and stared at him. He talked with a woman and man, the man had a large scar running down his face. She took note of a clawed warrior with an impressive sword and thought of the gift Sorn had given her. The weapon even now grew warm at her thought as it lay hidden in a sheath in the small of her back.

As if in an abrupt awareness of someone staring, Sorn looked up almost started by Ebele's deep gaze. He said nothing but she knew he'd recognized her. After all it hadn't been so long ago that they'd been together on that horrible ship where he had begun to teach her to access and control the magic inside of her.

It seemed like she floated as she cautiously moved forward towards him. "Sorn," she whispered. "What are you doing here?" She tried to stay away from the strangers and keep her voice low so as to seem unobtrusive in case she needed to run.

Ebele wanted to stay near Sorn though, thinking perhaps she could learn a few new tricks from him - he is an excellent teacher. "If you are going somewhere perhaps I could join you?" She smiled slightly not really wanting to show too much hope just in case he said no.

Sorn was confused as to why Sihr brushed his cheek as she went by, or even circled him. The dark elf’s brow rose, but he chose to remain silent. “I could have you,” Sorn said lecherously, “at least for a night or two.” He had no idea who HeiYu was, despite the brief meeting. Sorn was inclined to tell her to go away, but Venom had instead agreed. He issued a low growl and muttered something in his native tongue that was surely rude. As he finished the raspberry pie, he felt like he was being watched. Ever cautious, he glanced in that direction and spotted the chatterbox that was Ebele. Sorn rolled his eyes at the urchin. ‘Not again,’ he thought. When she arrived at him he said, “I am eating. What does it look like, a sparring match? Clearly your powers of deduction need improvement, Elbow, or you shall dead in a matter of minutes,” he replied tersely. Then she also asked to join the group. He was not inclined to have her or even half the ones gathered join the group. Sourly, he stood up, placed some blood smeared coins the table before remembering that Jean was paying for his meal. He flicked his finger and the coins returned to his hand seemingly on their own accord. Shoving them back into his pocket, he said, “do as you will child, I care not.” He picked Zhah up and shoved the sprite into his other pocket along with the rest of the fruit and vegetables Zhah was eating. Without a single word he stalked off, checked into a room and locked the door. Ebele sure as hell wasn’t sharing a room with him, that much was certain. He drew himself a bath and sunk in. Using his magic, he created heat and jets. After he was finished, he dried off and went to bed in the buff. He wondered if he would regret coming to the Wayward Squirrel’s call. Well…perhaps he could get to kill lots of things, or torture someone—yes, that would be wonderful and one of his hopes in coming. One thing was for sure, the journey would prove interesting.

Squirrel Tales reporting for adventure.

Fallen Angels reporting in and ready to travel!

The Jalapenos Arrive Fashionably Late

There was a shuffling at the door, and then it burst open to let in a strong wind...and also the slightly disheveled Jalapenos.

"OUCH!" Tea yelled immediately upon entering the building, with a glare at Lovecraft who had pushed her through the door."Spring poked me the whole way here because she said I had to finish getting my outfit together for the trip, and I surely don't need YOU pushing me already."

"Well, at least there aren't any hills here", Phoebe said, smoothing her pet Faelynn's, hair soothingly and nuding Reaper who was already trying to get someone to give her a drink.

"Hey! I've been busy!" Terrena was saying defensively to Spring and Lovecraft. "Riiight" Lovecraft poked Terrena too. "And it's perfectly normal to forget what you named your companion."

"Spring was supposed to remember!" Terrena said. "And you almost forgot your entire basket of cats so you can't be bugging me about forgetting!" Spring rolled her eyes and looked over to see Name Pending, Tea's dragon, snitching scones from 's table when he wasn't looking "Seems like someone's already trying to cause trouble over that stick, huh?"

"By the way," she said, changing the topic. "Where's Witchy? I know she's not really coming along for the whole trip but I thought maybe she'd show up for the start?"

"INVISIBLE WITCHY! Show yourself!" Tea yelled. "She's probably already found the rainbow room", Phoebe shushed her. "Now let's go solve us some hinky pinkys!" The entire team groaned. "If we must." Reaper sighed, "But I'm going to get me some happy hour in first!"

Thus, chaotically, the jalapenos began their adventure.

OCC so sorry for our fashionable lateness. I was unable to post as my entire family was ill last night and I couldn't get to my computer. But here we are!

Private Outfit

sorry if i am late rl has been well LOL life in a horrid way.

# POP HEY GUYS! Did you know there was a Rainbow Room Here!??!! witchy puffs puffs puffs

Outfit Not Found

not a clue there was a rainbow room around... Where is it? POP me in, you would be so kind dearest Witchy!

The Hidden Library?????

"Most intriguing, who is hunting and what are they hunting, Cousin? Legend coming to life, myth becoming Fact can be either very good or very very bad, let us learn more of those who search and a Library scrolls by the case and shelf upon shelf of tomes of Lore long since forgotten...we should start theretries to hide his mounting excitement

Again with the stick? You tell your girl that she should be thanking her lucky stars that Lion threw Crown's Evidence 443-A (the stick in question) in the ocean