Elementals: The Black Beast (IC, Sign-ups only)

[Kassaran]

"Damn, that was a fun story."

Eric, with a fresh slap mark on his left cheek, had been watching from the side.

"Showing off your scars, eh Casanova? The ladies do love them some good battle scars. You might get to thaw the icicle if you get my meaning."

He let out a bellowing laugh and gave him a friendly smack on the back.

The slap warranted a rather harsh sounding growl from deep within Erosen's throat, physical contact was a no-no and there was something about the old man's voice that Erosen found despicable. He fully understood what the man meant and shot him a disdainful look. No use in acknowledging him any further than that. Sidestepping and moving away from the old man, he settled to ignore Eric and kept his gaze focused mostly upon the silent girl before him.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

After making her question, Trish stepped back a bit and looked at him curiously, watching him nod and then begin another representation with his vine-controlling powers. Crouching a bit to better observe the scene, the girl devoted all of her attention to it, in order to better understand whatever it was that her servant was going to try to convey. Truth be told, she enjoyed these displays, they amused her, and were easy to understand, unlike the savage language that was dominant in this place. Thus, she watched carefully, seeing how the vines came to life and portrayed the scene, a child running through the woods and then running away from some strange beasts the likes of which she had never seen before being attacked by them.

When Erosen looked up and showed her his old wound, she did as well and looked at it, understanding that he was the child and this was how he'd acquired some of his scars. Looking back down, she continued looking at the display, now watching how the younger Erosen was saved by... The trees, apparently. She didn't know how that worked, but he seemed to have some sort of power over plants, so perhaps the two things were linked. She didn't really know and didn't care to make a conjecture, though, so she simply observed the image as it died down, and noticed Erosen's gestures, nodding at him. He seemed to be distraught so she figured she shouldn't bother him any further.

Noticing the older man from before approach and speak in his savage dialect before letting out a strange bellow, Trish stood up and looked at Erosen, pointing at Eric and raising her eyebrow as if to ask what was up with him.

[Kassaran]

Noticing the older man from before approach and speak in his savage dialect before letting out a strange bellow, Trish stood up and looked at Erosen, pointing at Eric and raising her eyebrow as if to ask what was up with him.

It was almost amusing watching the girl's reaction to Eric as well, and attempting to smother a slight chuckle, he brought his hand up over his face, pinched the bridge of his nose, and then jerked a thumb in the direction of Eric. Maybe she could do the same thing to him as she had done to the other guy. She seemed to be reacting well to his usage of vines and seeing as how the other girl whom he'd shared scents with was gone, he might as well enjoy this young woman's company. She smelled clean, or moreover, pure, like spring water. It was interesting given she had been sailing he figured, so he was unaware of the place she had indeed truly come from. Perhaps all would be revealed over time, but moving on, he gave a quick glance around the small square, then threw his head back and began sniffing the air, soon locking onto the scent of the fire-hair boy and the foul abomination from below.

Taking two steps forward, he paused, then made a beckoning motion towards the girl with the white hair to follow him.

[Constaniana]

"Thank you." He said to Lisoette when she got off of him and then looked at the others. "What was all that about, though?" He asked, scratching his head. He was really confused by this point, by which I mean more so than what was his usual state. "And what is a lo-bear?" He asked afterwards, now looking at Aisha.

“Oooh, nothing~ It’s not something you should worry about.” replied Aisha as she rolled her eyes playfully. Even though the black-haired maiden may be one of the strictest officers in the Sahranjjite army, outside her duties, she’s a lively young woman. Although her earlier protectiveness of Temujin might cause her to be suspicious of strangers, but she relaxed in the foreigner’s company, now knowing they’re alright folks in her book.

[“Aisha, aren’t you to explain something to him? What is it you’re trying to say?”] Temujin now asked his foster sister innocently, exhibiting his naivety.

Flushing with embarrassment, Aisha made a nervous chuckle in response. Even though the boy is hitting his puberty years, he’s still naïve when it comes to the ‘adult’ world. In other words, Aisha is not sure how to explain it to her little brother. But she wanted to protect his childish innocence, believing Temujin doesn’t need to be exposed to such ‘indecencies’ which will ‘corrupted’ his mind and soul. Aisha is trying her best in sheltering him from the ways of the ‘adult’ world.

“By the way…” Changing topic, Aisha asked Aldraniri. “Sir Alsvidster, I must say you’re quite a knowledgeable person. I was under the impression you’re not the type to be well-read because of your looks. You struck me as a swordsman earlier until now. Forgive me if I doubt you about it.” She chuckles.

"Well, thanks...I suppose," Aldraniri said, unsure whether he should feel more complimented or insulted. He thought he might understand Aisha's meaning better if he could speak her language, but it would be a long time before he would be able to make sense of the alien tongue. "Though there's no reason you can't use your brain a bit when you can swing a sword around. Learning isn't just for high-borns."

"What is it you're blushing about, Aisha?" Lisoette asked, looking at the Sahranjjite woman curiously. "Are you ill?"

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Still wondering what the old man wanted, Trish looked towards Erosen and noticed him pinching his own nose before pointing at Eric. The meaning he tried to convey was lost on her, as all she managed to understand was 'Eric stinks', which greatly amused her, to the point of causing her to smile briefly and laugh silently, before noticing that the man clad in plants seemed to be sniffing the air. Upon seeing this, she was a bit disappointed. She had begun to see him as someone much more civilized than the other people of this land. Nevertheless, she didn't blame him, this was obviously because of the environment he was immersed in, after all.

Noticing that Erosen began walking away and beckoned for her to follow him, she began stepping towards him, a thin layer of ice manifesting beneath her feet as she moved, as if to shield them from the dirt of the port city. She felt rather curious regarding where exactly he meant to take her, so she followed him quietly, looking around as she did.

---

"...It's nothing I should worry about? Then why did you bring it up in the first place...?" Tristan quietly wondered, speaking mostly to himself as he had noticed that by now Aisha was talking to Aldraniri. He was still curious about what a lo-bear was, but he figured that he could simply ask about it sometime later, since right now it didn't seem like anyone was in the condition to answer him. It was a little mean to just spark his curiosity and then offer no explanations, but he felt that it wasn't something worth bringing up right now, given how they seemed to be speaking amicably about other topics by now. Thus, he simply listened, in his usual mildly confused state. All this talk about lo-bears and brains and high burns didn't make a lot of sense to him, but then, things said by Gallians hardly ever did.

[Kassaran]

Still wondering what the old man wanted, Trish looked towards Erosen and noticed him pinching his own nose before pointing at Eric. The meaning he tried to convey was lost on her, as all she managed to understand was 'Eric stinks', which greatly amused her, to the point of causing her to smile briefly and laugh silently, before noticing that the man clad in plants seemed to be sniffing the air. Upon seeing this, she was a bit disappointed. She had begun to see him as someone much more civilized than the other people of this land. Nevertheless, she didn't blame him, this was obviously because of the environment he was immersed in, after all.

Noticing that Erosen began walking away and beckoned for her to follow him, she began stepping towards him, a thin layer of ice manifesting beneath her feet as she moved, as if to shield them from the dirt of the port city. She felt rather curious regarding where exactly he meant to take her, so she followed him quietly, looking around as she did.

Noting that the girl was in tow behind him, he moved towards the establishment where the rest had filed in, and noting the location of the fire-headed boy and several others in the party, he moved over by them. Putting one hand in the air to gain their attention, he was certain he'd caught the attention of at least one of the new-comers. These new-comers looked nothing like any of those here, and for a moment, the feral elemental didn't trust them as they appeared to have somewhat narrow eyes. He however pushed this past him, noting it was simply a natural reaction having known people did this usually when they were being cunning. He'd seen it from afar many times before while stalking hunters and poachers alike. Turning back to the girl, he made a gesture as though inviting her to move near the location of the fire-headed boy and the two foreigners. Needless to say, he was less than happy to also note the abomination was present, but so was her elemental patron, so for now she could stay.

Giving the deamoness a rather horrid look, he refocused his attention on the two new foreigners, intently examining them as he began to circle the table, his nose and eyes heightened to an almost painful extent. It didn't help that the dinginess of the bar and its patrons were also affecting his nose and he shook his head clear of some of the misty-eyed spiders in his mind and the fog they were bringing with them. Whatever this place was, it was playing havoc with his respiratory system and soon enough he was having slight trouble breathing.

[Minroz]

"Well, thanks...I suppose," Aldraniri said, unsure whether he should feel more complimented or insulted. He thought he might understand Aisha's meaning better if he could speak her language, but it would be a long time before he would be able to make sense of the alien tongue. "Though there's no reason you can't use your brain a bit when you can swing a sword around. Learning isn't just for high-borns."

"What is it you're blushing about, Aisha?" Lisoette asked, looking at the Sahranjjite woman curiously. "Are you ill?"

“Eh!!!?” Aisha recoiled with the look of surprise at Liselotte’s question. Flushing with signs of denial, evidently shown by her rosy-tinted cheeks, she didn’t know how to answer such question but she didn’t want more people, whether they’re foreigners or fellow Sahranjjites teasing her and Temujin being a romantic couple. At least Liselotte didn’t ask about how far did the Sahranjjite’s relationship with her little brother.

“What in the Heaven’s name are you talking about? I’m fine! Really!!!” She blurted out.

[“Aisha, are you okay?” Temujin asked his adopted sister. [“You don’t look okay.”]

Something in her mind snapped!

[“I’M FINE!”] Aisha cried before pacing away outside the tavern. She is embarrassed indeed.

“Oh dear gods, I…” Temujin griped. He turned and spoke apologetically to the Aldraniri and Liselotte. “I apologise on my sister’s behalf. I swear to the Heavens, I have no idea what’s gotten into her all of sudden.”

[Constaniana]

Between the sudden entrance of the scary animal man and the bizarre reaction of Aisha that culminated in shouting she couldn't make sense of, Lisoette was rather frightened indeed.

"What'd ya do, young miss? Ask her to show off her bosoms?" one of the patrons called out, sparking a roar of laughter in the room.

Ignoring the joke, Aldraniri turned to look at the young Sahranjjite, shaking his head a bit. "Don't worry about it too much, lad. Females are strange, confusing creatures, after all. I've heard here and there that when they hit womanhood they start having a whole week every month where they're even more confusing and irritable than usual, but I wouldn't know too much about it it..." The Galllian scratched the back of his head, before glancing through the room and spotting Erosen entering.

"That's the wild man of our group. As you can see, he doesn't like Lisoette, and he acts like an animal," Aldraniri explained, feeling it best to not inform Temujjin about the reason Ero-san didn't like the blonde. "He doesn't bite, I don't think."

[Kassaran]

Aldraniri explained, feeling it best to not inform Temujjin about the reason Ero-san didn't like the blonde. "He doesn't bite, I don't think."

It was to this declaration that Erosen almost felt obligated to prove the young man wrong, but he withheld for more than just hygiene. He had almost immediately frozen when the young woman with the cunning eyes had turned to run away from the group, but holding back from taking pursuit as every bit of trained instinct and habit raged through his mind, he managed to regain his concentration to bring his attention back to the fire-headed boy. Giving him a rather dark look to accompany the first he'd given to Lisoette, he also found himself surprised that the young man had heard the growl within all this mess, but then again, maybe he was used to it. Turning back towards the ice-girl, he lifted an arm as though to introduce her to them, though he wasn't certain for a second if she had indeed followed him inside the rather questionable establishment.

[Ameriganastan]

"What's everyone doing in here?"

Eric poked his head inside the tavern...and ducked the knife that was tossed at his head by the owner.

"Come on, Mickey! I thought we'd gotten past that little incident from last time. Besides, they reattached her toe. And it only took six weeks to fix all the damage."

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Tristan watched, puzzled, as Aisha seemed to get really flustered because of Lisoette's question. She really seemed to be overreacting in regards to something that didn't seem that serious, and he simply hoped, when she said she was alright, that everyone would just leave it at that... But then, all of the sudden, something the younger foreigner said to her caused her to scream and run away for some reason he really could not discern, which concerned him, making him think that perhaps she wasn't alright at all. Did she need medical attention or something? Or maybe she just needed some time to breathe. Whatever the case, her reaction wasn't something he had been expecting at all. But Temujin didn't seem to worry about her. Rather, he seemed to worry about the impression she left on the group, so Tristan figured it was nothing too serious and simply let it be. She'd probably come back on her own in a bit, anyway.

Afterwards, he noticed Erosen walk into the tavern, along with that girl who gave him a strange vibe. He decided to simply observe from his seat as they approached.

---

Trish walked behind Erosen as he headed towards one of the buildings near the docks, the layer of ice beneath her feet continuing to form and perpetuate itself even as she moved into the building, sidestepping a strange girl who was rushing out of there. She didn't pay her much mind, and continued on to where the man with the plant clothes now stood, apparently circling a group of people who seemed rather peculiar. He seemed to be having difficulties breathing for some reason, the awful smell of this place she supposed. It was quite unclean, unlike the northern islands from which she hailed, perpetually covered in pristine ice and snow. He also seemed to react negatively to something one of the people he was circling said in his savage language, but she didn't understand it, so she paid it no mind.

When Erosen motioned for her to come closer, she did so, and examined each of the people present closer. A young boy with strange round crystals before his eyes, another one with an armor and red hair, a blonde girl with a funny headgear, and... A boy of about her age, with white hair like hers. He seemed to be touched by the ice as well, and gave off a strange, familiar vibe. She found herself staring at him. Perhaps he would be more civilized than all of the people she had met in this land thus far?

"...Hello, I'm Tristan." He said at last. So much for that, the girl thought, letting out a sigh. Tristan blinked.

"Did I do something wrong?"

[Minroz]

Ignoring the joke, Aldraniri turned to look at the young Sahranjjite, shaking his head a bit. "Don't worry about it too much, lad. Females are strange, confusing creatures, after all. I've heard here and there that when they hit womanhood they start having a whole week every month where they're even more confusing and irritable than usual, but I wouldn't know too much about it it..." The Galllian scratched the back of his head, before glancing through the room and spotting Erosen entering.

"That's the wild man of our group. As you can see, he doesn't like Lisoette, and he acts like an animal," Aldraniri explained, feeling it best to not inform Temujjin about the reason Ero-san didn't like the blonde. "He doesn't bite, I don't think."

Tristan watched, puzzled, as Aisha seemed to get really flustered because of Lisoette's question. She really seemed to be overreacting in regards to something that didn't seem that serious, and he simply hoped, when she said she was alright, that everyone would just leave it at that... But then, all of the sudden, something the younger foreigner said to her caused her to scream and run away for some reason he really could not discern, which concerned him, making him think that perhaps she wasn't alright at all. Did she need medical attention or something? Or maybe she just needed some time to breathe. Whatever the case, her reaction wasn't something he had been expecting at all. But Temujin didn't seem to worry about her. Rather, he seemed to worry about the impression she left on the group, so Tristan figured it was nothing too serious and simply let it be. She'd probably come back on her own in a bit, anyway.

Afterwards, he noticed Erosen walk into the tavern, along with that girl who gave him a strange vibe. He decided to simply observe from his seat as they approached.

“Ah, I…” Temujin paused. “I-I see.” He nodded in understanding. But it will not allay his concerns for his adoptive older sister. Nevertheless, Temujin accepted the older boy’s advise and wait for Aisha to come back. After all, he’s the one booked the room for themselves – him and her.

He then greeted another of Aldry’s companions (Ero-san) with his polite bow, acknowledging the wildman’s presence. “Nihao, pleasure to meet you.” The boy spoked.

---

Outside the Tavern

Surely enough, Aisha is outside, hiding away from the plain-sight. Panting her breath, she put her hand over beating heart in the effort to calm herself down. Something aroused in her mind, it is filled with fond memories she spent with Temujin, whether they play games together when they’re little kids or study together in their preteens. Aisha didn’t know why but it’s not her first time she got that dilemma regarding her feelings towards the certain brother. As much as she wanted to deny, the black-haired maiden slowly begun to realized she’s in love with Temujin all this time in spite of his young age.

[“Oh gods help me…”] She uttered. Heightening her insecurities and joy, her heart fluttered like a butterfly in the air. From that point on, Aisha didn't know what to do with her newfound feelings.

[Constaniana]

Tristan watched, puzzled, as Aisha seemed to get really flustered because of Lisoette's question. She really seemed to be overreacting in regards to something that didn't seem that serious, and he simply hoped, when she said she was alright, that everyone would just leave it at that... But then, all of the sudden, something the younger foreigner said to her caused her to scream Andrew run away for some reason he really could not discern, which concerned him, making him think that perhaps she wasn't alright at all. Did she need medical attention or something? Or maybe she just needed some time to breathe. Whatever the case, her reaction wasn't something he had been expecting at all. But Temujin didn't seem to worry about her. Rather, he seemed to worry about the impression she left on the group, so Tristan figured it was nothing too serious and simply let it be. She'd probably come back on her own in a bit, anyway.

Afterwards, he noticed Erosen walk into the tavern, along with that girl who gave him a strange vibe. He decided to simply observe from his seat as they approached.

---

Trish walked behind Erosen as he headed towards one of the buildings near the docks, the layer of ice beneath her feet continuing to form and perpetuate itself even as she moved into the building, sidestepping a strange girl who was rushing out of there. She didn't pay her much mind, and continued on to where the man with the plant clothes now stood, apparently circling a group of people who seemed rather peculiar. He seemed to be having difficulties breathing for some reason, the awful smell of this place she supposed. It was quite unclean, unlike the northern islands from which she hailed, perpetually covered in pristine ice and snow. He also seemed to react negatively to something one of the people he was circling said in his savage language, but she didn't understand it, so she paid it no mind.

When Erosen motioned for her to come closer, she did so, and examined each of the people present closer. A young boy with strange round crystals before his eyes, another one with an armor and red hair, a blonde girl with a funny headgear, and... A boy of about her age, with white hair like hers. He seemed to be touched by the ice as well, and gave off a strange, familiar vibe. She found herself staring at him. Perhaps he would be more civilized than all of the people she had met in this land thus far?

"...Hello, I'm Tristan." He said at last. So much for that, the girl thought, letting out a sigh. Tristan blinked.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"I don't know. Like I said, girls are weird," Aldraniri replied, giving a shrug.

"That's mean," Lisoette pouted.

"It's true!" He insisted, before glancing at the ice girl. "Is she a mute too? Kroisoto was bothered enough by one of them...oi, where is he anyway? I haven't seen him and Charlie for a while..."

Mickey scowled at Eric, readying another throwing knife.

"Bugger off. You tried stewing my iguana! I'm not forgiving that any time soon!" The innkeeper snapped.

[Ameriganastan]

"I don't know. Like I said, girls are weird," Aldraniri replied, giving a shrug.

"That's mean," Lisoette pouted.

"It's true!" He insisted, before glancing at the ice girl. "Is she a mute too? Kroisoto was bothered enough by one of them...oi, where is he anyway? I haven't seen him and Charlie for a while..."

Mickey scowled at Eric, readying another throwing knife.

"Bugger off. You tried stewing my iguana! I'm not forgiving that any time soon!" The innkeeper snapped.

"Hey, you were the one who hired me to cook for you that one time! And I warned you that my specialty was stewed iguana!"

Ducking one that came too close for comfort, he ducked back outside.

"Jeez. Try and do something nice for somebody and they act like giant bitches."

Fiddling with his beard, he spied Aisha sitting further down the road.

"What's your problem, mopey? You look depressed."

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Tristan simply listened to Aldraniri, wondering why he assured that girls were weird, when Gallians in general seemed to be. Hell, as far as he could see girls seemed much saner than their male counterparts, though then again, perhaps they simply acted the part in order to better fit in and simply exaggerated... Or something. He frankly had no idea and having to guess at everything gave him a headache, but he knew that if he tried to ask would most likely get him one of those strange half-answers full of "metaphors" and odd Gallian sayings and words he didn't understand at all, which would in turn raise more questions, so he figured guessing was the healthiest thing to do for the most part.

As his mind worked, he simply sat there blinking at the redheaded boy, but after a while he simply shook his head. "Oh, Kroie? I have no idea. He went off with Charlie to somewhere else I guess. They seem to get along really well." He observed, shrugging, ignorant of the implications there, before turning to Erosen. "Hey, who is she, you... Umm... Err... Person..." The white-haired Elemental said, furrowing his brow and scratching his head a little before pointing at the Nature Elemental. "Ummm... Who are you, for starters...?" He asked.

[Agritum]

"Maybe...maybe we should have a nice rest and then delve more into the matter, Kroie." Charlie replied, glancing around. "I may be well informed about culture and science as they currently are, but I happen to be quite...lacking in knowledge, when it comes to the complex political and dynastic mechanics of the Federation. Pardon me for that."

Charlie was obviously unnerved. While she trusted Kroie and didn't really doubt his words, she feared that her companion was throwing too much conjectures and hypotheses around, and that he suffered from a lack of evidence. "But...just to know, you're really sure it was the army?"

"You don't need to apologize for that first part, Charlie. That world is something you're born into...or I suppose, in my case, miraculously thrown into after being randomly plucked from what would have doubtlessly been the life of a peasant orphan," Kroisoto responded, trying not to sound snobby about it. "I don't have certain proof like a packet of orders commanding the raid, but...well, they had grenades, and their muskets didn't look too shabby either. Gunpowder is rather difficult to come by, so I would be disinclined to believe my kidnappers were common criminals. And they were well-organized, too. At one point one of them said 'Major', too...I suppose they might have been a band of deserters, but I don't see why they would continue using military ranks. But you're right; a good rest would be good before going into this problem more," he agreed.

"It wouldn't help to keep a bit quieter. You did a good job with trying to conceal yourself, I'll grant, but you could still use some work on it," a male voice said, as a lanky lad about their age stepped out of one of the alleyways. Kroisoto's body moved like lightning; his left hand drew his sword and pointed it towards the stranger's throat, his right arm went back to shield Charlie, his feet dropped into a fighting stance, and his blue eyes locked onto the interloper. He was clad in a faded green jacket, brown breeches with black shoes, with a leather belt slung across one shoulder, scratched-up glasses, and light brown hair pulled back in a short ponytail. His clothes were a bit tattered and patched, thought not terribly so; he had the appearance of a cluttered scholar rather than a pauper. "Easy there, Your Grace, I don't mean you harm. Just a friendly pointer. Though I would have thought a high-born like yourself would be a bit more rehearsed in secrecy and intrigue. I suppose you haven't had as much practise in your years, eh?"

"What makes you think I'm high-born, or that you know me at all?" Kroisoto asked, his hand steadily keeping his rapier pointed at the lad's throat.

"For starters, your accent's posh and educated. Though it does occasionally slip into that charming, rustic Aurennian highland accent, meaning you haven't been always been around the castle or merchant's mansion where you learnt that more sophisticated, urbane way of speaking Galllish. So I can deduce from that fact that you're adopted. That sort of stance isn't the one a commoner is likely to pick up either. Now, what adopted Aurennian noble has black hair, blue eyes and wouldn't want people, especially military people, to be aware of his presence?" the stranger enquired, grinning ever so slightly.

Kroisoto didn't dignify the question with a response, still keeping his sword ready to paint red in the alley. "What's your name, you strange person?"

"Walter Lanmere, pleased to meet you," he replied, cheerfully ignoring the insult and bowing to the two of them. Kroisoto lowered his blade at the sound of Walter, though he still regarded the youth with a wary glance. "Well, I'm glad that's somewhat convinced you that you don't need to kill me. Always a relief not having more weapons pointed at your throat."

"You'll have to forgive me being wary of a stranger bursting into what I had thought was a private conversation. But you've saved us considerable effort. Tell us what you know about Watchtower." the blue-blood responded.

"What's it to you?" Walter asked, taking his glasses off and wiping the lenses a bit.

"Uh, Kroie, shouldn't you ask him about, well, who he is, for first?" Charlie whispered in a preoccupied tone, eyeing Walter. "I understand that you view him with a certain suspicion, but given that he's been quite diplomatic towards us, I feel that you should reciprocate said approach, if only to convince him to share more information with us." she suggested.

"At least, that's what I learned in my Dialectics class. You just need to have enough charisma to pull it off." Charlie added.

[Minroz]

Fiddling with his beard, he spied Aisha sitting further down the road.

"What's your problem, mopey? You look depressed."

“Huh!” Aisha nearly jumped at the stranger’s question. Instinctively, part of her wanted to draw out her blade, out of warrior’s reflexes. As a human being, she didn’t.

“What the-!? I…” She paused and looked down flustered. “It’s nothing, respected sir. Nothing concerns you. It’s something I should handle it myself, I don’t wish to bother you with...please.”

She didn’t want to tell this man, much less a stranger, that she’s in love with her foster little brother.

[Constaniana]

"Uh, Kroie, shouldn't you ask him about, well, who he is, for first?" Charlie whispered in a preoccupied tone, eyeing Walter. "I understand that you view him with a certain suspicion, but given that he's been quite diplomatic towards us, I feel that you should reciprocate said approach, if only to convince him to share more information with us." she suggested.

"At least, that's what I learned in my Dialectics class. You just need to have enough charisma to pull it off." Charlie added.

Kroisoto gave Charlie a slight nod, before sheathing his sword and putting his hands at his sides, shifting out of his fighting stance. A relaxed smile came across the posh boy's face, and he gave a slight bow with his head.

"My most humble apologies if I came off as churlish, mister," Kroie apologetically said, "My lovely companion and I were merely curious about this certain shadowy organization of troublemakers, and had been told by your brother John that you were a knowledgeable person about them. You do have a brother named John, correct? A fishmonger, very talkative...apologies if we've mistaken you for someone else and wasted your time." If Charlie said Kroisoto needed charisma, he would have charisma coming out the wazoo.

"John sent you?" said Walter, surprise in his voice. "Well, yes, I do know some things about Watchtower..."

"We could compare what information we have on them," the blue-blood cordially suggested. "We've encountered them as well, in Haventown."

"Haventown? What would they want out there?" The Erilhallian enquired. "I had heard some rumours about them kicking up a scuffle during Market Day or something of that nature, but it did not appear to be that they had any specific goal in mind, from what scant reports I was aware of."

"I wasn't there for the squabble in the Market, but I did witness them attacking a tavern called the Galloping Mare and kidnapping one of the serving girls, a blonde lass named Heilaga Valakrieg, under the order of someone they only called 'The Prophet'. About a week after that we encountered them in a cemetery to the east, where they had gone down into a bloody Inferno to harvest demon blood," Kroisoto replied, prompting Walter to raise an eyebrow.

"...Demon's blood, you say? I know Watchtower has some shady plots and dealings going on, but gathering demon's blood seems a little far-fetched," he said, chuckling a bit, before scratching his head and frowning. "But you said they took a blonde-haired girl, did you? I may have seen them bringing her into the College the other night...thought the moonlight would have skewed my perceptions of colour, and I was unable to get a most advantageous looking spot, due to the guard's standing orders to keep me away."

That revelation certainly took Kroisoto by surprise. "Really? What did she look like?" He paused, furrowing his brow. "Wait, why would the guards be bothered with you, and what's a fringe cult doing in an old, respectable school like Bracksbure?"

"They're infiltrating positions of power, naturally. Bracksbure gives them a place to hide from public obscurity, whether it's their meetings or experiments. But the College isn't Watchtower's only target. There's plenty of talk throughout the city of Lord Wadiere's incompetence in matters not related to gluttony and wenching, and such circumstances give many opportunities to accumulate power. As for the girl, as I said, I was unable to get too detailed a look, but she had hair going approximately down to her waist..."

"That does sound a bit like Heilaga..." Kroisoto remarked to Charlie, before Walter continued talking.

"So you're looking for this girl? Perhaps we could both be of aid to one another. I want to get into the College to document proof of their misdeeds and plots, and you want to find your possible prisoner...what do you say? Do we have an accord?"

[Kassaran]

Tristan simply listened to Aldraniri, wondering why he assured that girls were weird, when Gallians in general seemed to be. Hell, as far as he could see girls seemed much saner than their male counterparts, though then again, perhaps they simply acted the part in order to better fit in and simply exaggerated... Or something. He frankly had no idea and having to guess at everything gave him a headache, but he knew that if he tried to ask would most likely get him one of those strange half-answers full of "metaphors" and odd Gallian sayings and words he didn't understand at all, which would in turn raise more questions, so he figured guessing was the healthiest thing to do for the most part.

As his mind worked, he simply sat there blinking at the redheaded boy, but after a while he simply shook his head. "Oh, Kroie? I have no idea. He went off with Charlie to somewhere else I guess. They seem to get along really well." He observed, shrugging, ignorant of the implications there, before turning to Erosen. "Hey, who is she, you... Umm... Err... Person..." The white-haired Elemental said, furrowing his brow and scratching his head a little before pointing at the Nature Elemental. "Ummm... Who are you, for starters...?" He asked.

Erosen wasn't quite in the mood to speak, and it didn't help that a sudden bout of shyness overcame him, so he simply shook his head towards Tristan, then returned the bow towards the young stranger. He knew not his own name, but knew it was customary for someone to have one. So he decided to avoid talking to Tristan on such a trivial subject and one likely to bring up old memories his subconscious had likely worked hard to repress. However, as he turned to the young man in the strange garb, he couldn't help but have a temporary lapse in his concentration as almost from reflex he spoke in perfectly clipped voice with accent in all in flawless Sahranjjite, "[Welcome to our lands young master, may the love of our goddess serve you well in your times of need]."

It was almost entirely surprising as well that his manners were as appropriate as they were given, but even more so, the fact that he had caught onto the man's ethnicity likely was to put him into hotter water than before. He flushed a bright red from sudden frustration with himself for having again, in almost a five hour span having broken his vow to silence in as many times though he found himself wooed by how soft the Sahranjjite language was in comparison to the rather burly form Gallian took. No matter, he turned, bowed towards the lady in white saying nothing for he knew not what she might indeed understand, and then promptly made himself scarce, retreating into the crowd of patrons within the bar and possibly moving under a table or two to break eye contact. Needless to say, if one actually paid heed to the reactions of the crowd, they'd soon enough deduce his position as being somewhere near the corner of the room.

Here he peeled away the top layer of leaves he'd flattened against his body, inspecting the now wilting vegetation and experiencing a rather debilitating moment of humiliation in knowing that he'd killed needlessly to hide himself. Something he'd never done before given that before he'd been completely uncultured and unaware of such things as table manners. It was perhaps this curse that the daemoness had cast upon him? This curse of knowing how to fit in, of knowing what to do, even though he felt hardly prepared? He perhaps needed to know how to best turn back the terms of this gift, and here he seemed to drop his head in a strange lament, beginning to allow the strange pressure and stress upon him to wear itself into his mind, and praying desperately for a sign from his mistress, he waited alone at the table he'd taken up residence for the time being.

[Ameriganastan]

Fiddling with his beard, he spied Aisha sitting further down the road.

"What's your problem, mopey? You look depressed."

“Huh!” Aisha nearly jumped at the stranger’s question. Instinctively, part of her wanted to draw out her blade, out of warrior’s reflexes. As a human being, she didn’t.

“What the-!? I…” She paused and looked down flustered. “It’s nothing, respected sir. Nothing concerns you. It’s something I should handle it myself, I don’t wish to bother you with...please.”

She didn’t want to tell this man, much less a stranger, that she’s in love with her foster little brother.

"Hmm..."

Eric walked in a circle around her, eying her up like a piece of meat.

"Face seems flushed. Defensive reaction. Just stormed out of a bar. Teenager...ah. All the signs of hormone infused romantic infatuation."

Eric had been around a time or two. And had been hunted by more than one angry father of a teenager. But that's a story for another time.

"So, what's this guys deal? Already married? Turned out to be gay? Criminal? Stop me if I guess right."

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Tristan watched Erosen with curiosity as he seemed to simply shake his head at him, not saying anything except to the bespectacled Sahranjjan boy, and doing so in a language he didn't really understand, before bolting off for whatever reason. The white-haired artist scratched his head a little, trying to understand what had just happened, to no avail. He didn't really get what was up with the wild man, he seemed to behave at least as oddly as what he believed the average Gallian to be, and that was really saying something. Either way, though, he figured that Erosen would be fine and that whatever had come over him would simply wear off. It usually happened like that, anyway. For all their oddity and strangeness, Gallians seemed to recover from things rather quickly. Except perhaps Bäurnkrees, from what he'd heard, but that was a different matter.

So, instead, he turned his attention to the strange girl, looking at her for a few moments before speaking. "Tristan." He said slowly, adding nothing else and simply placing his hand against his chest, before gesturing towards her, tilting his head as if to question her, as he'd learned people did on occasion, hoping to trigger some sort of response from her, as she hadn't been very communicative during his first attempt at introducing himself.

Trish, meanwhile, was more or less puzzled as well, if only because everyone in here seemed to be using their primitive language rather profusely and it was making her feel irritated and uncomfortable, both because she couldn't understand them and because their apparent savageness bothered her, and then all of the sudden her servant, who was the only person she'd seen as capable of communicating with her decently, says something to one of the people present, the one with crystals over his eyes, and then bows to her and disappears somewhere inside that strange location, leaving her alone with these strange people. It was not something she appreciated at all, and she would make sure to let him know that in the near future, but for now she went back to observing the others.

It was at that moment that she noticed that the white-haired boy from before was trying to communicate with her again, though in a more civilized manner than before, and one she could understand. He was stating his name, evidently, and requested her to do the same, to which she complied without much thought. "Trish." She said, proving Aldraniri to be wrong in calling her a mute as she spoke, the same slight quiver from before present in her soft voice.

Tristan nodded, smiling, making a few more gestures which he had been taught by the sailors who had picked him up was a mostly accurate way of saying 'nice to meet you', which the girl seemed to respond well too, as she nodded, smiling ever so slightly a well, though only for a moment before readopting her neutral expression.

"Well, she's not a mute, but I think she can't understand us. I wonder why the wild man brought her along?"

[Constaniana]

Tristan watched Erosen with curiosity as he seemed to simply shake his head at him, not saying anything except to the bespectacled Sahranjjan boy, and doing so in a language he didn't really understand, before bolting off for whatever reason. The white-haired artist scratched his head a little, trying to understand what had just happened, to no avail. He didn't really get what was up with the wild man, he seemed to behave at least as oddly as what he believed the average Gallian to be, and that was really saying something. Either way, though, he figured that Erosen would be fine and that whatever had come over him would simply wear off. It usually happened like that, anyway. For all their oddity and strangeness, Gallians seemed to recover from things rather quickly. Except perhaps Bäurnkrees, from what he'd heard, but that was a different matter.

So, instead, he turned his attention to the strange girl, looking at her for a few moments before speaking. "Tristan." He said slowly, adding nothing else and simply placing his hand against his chest, before gesturing towards her, tilting his head as if to question her, as he'd learned people did on occasion, hoping to trigger some sort of response from her, as she hadn't been very communicative during his first attempt at introducing himself.

Trish, meanwhile, was more or less puzzled as well, if only because everyone in here seemed to be using their primitive language rather profusely and it was making her feel irritated and uncomfortable, both because she couldn't understand them and because their apparent savageness bothered her, and then all of the sudden her servant, who was the only person she'd seen as capable of communicating with her decently, says something to one of the people present, the one with crystals over his eyes, and then bows to her and disappears somewhere inside that strange location, leaving her alone with these strange people. It was not something she appreciated at all, and she would make sure to let him know that in the near future, but for now she went back to observing the others.

It was at that moment that she noticed that the white-haired boy from before was trying to communicate with her again, though in a more civilized manner than before, and one she could understand. He was stating his name, evidently, and requested her to do the same, to which she complied without much thought. "Trish." She said, proving Aldraniri to be wrong in calling her a mute as she spoke, the same slight quiver from before present in her soft voice.

Tristan nodded, smiling, making a few more gestures which he had been taught by the sailors who had picked him up was a mostly accurate way of saying 'nice to meet you', which the girl seemed to respond well too, as she nodded, smiling ever so slightly a well, though only for a moment before readopting her neutral expression.

"Well, she's not a mute, but I think she can't understand us. I wonder why the wild man brought her along?"

"Maybe he likes having another quiet person around that he can grunt and point at things with?" Aldraniri innocently suggested, not thinking of the reason many other men might have said in his place: that Ero-San wanted a different mate since Natalie seemed to have scampered off again. "Though it seems odd the beastling can chirp away in Sahranjjite. He certainly looks like a common Elcrescian...or, at least what Eruke said Elcrescians were supposed to generally look like. Well, nothing else about him is normal, so it's too hard to believe, I suppose."

The redhead looked at the strange girl, figuring he should try to introduce himself to her as well. "Aldraniri Alsvidster," he repeated a few times, putting a gloved hand on his armoured chest.

---

The attractive serving girl, Mia, stopped at one of the tables in the corner, glancing at the strange man covered in leaves, who seemed rather glum. "Oi, are ya alright? Make sure you don't throw those shrivelled leaves around here, or I'm liable to end up sweeping them out. Now, do ya need a drink, or do ya just prefer to sit there looking confused?"

[Minroz]

[“Thank you.”] Temujin bowed to Erosen in response. Thinking about Aisha, he wanted to check on her.

“Excuse me everyone, I need to go to my sister to see she’s alright.” He informed the others before walking away.

---

"Hmm..."

Eric walked in a circle around her, eying her up like a piece of meat.

"Face seems flushed. Defensive reaction. Just stormed out of a bar. Teenager...ah. All the signs of hormone infused romantic infatuation."

Eric had been around a time or two. And had been hunted by more than one angry father of a teenager. But that's a story for another time.

"So, what's this guys deal? Already married? Turned out to be gay? Criminal? Stop me if I guess right."

“Hah, w-what!?” Aisha jolted with shock. Feeling more embarrassed as her face getting bit more redder, she snapped, “What foul accusations you spewed against my honour!?”

The black-haired girl began drawing out her sword, startling bystanders nearby. She seemed to lose her mind as her ‘defensive’ response has indicated.

“I s-s-swear t-to t-th-the gods a-above, I d-don’t know w-what you’re t-talking about.” Aisha stammered. “If y-you’re t-trying to t-take advantage of me, y-you’ll regret it PERVERT!”

When Temu witnessed the spectacle, he was surprised. This is one of the rare times to see his adopted sister being frantic. Normally, Aisha is always a calm and authoritative figure in his life and even commands her own platoon back home. Strangely to him, this is another rare case for her to lose her composure. This piqued his curiosity, Temujin is wondering why Aisha is acting like that since tavern.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Tristan looked at Aldraniri as the latter spoke his mind, chuckling slightly at the thought of Erosen and the girl grunting and pointing at things, though he doubted that was actually why he'd brought her along. Though he couldn't exactly ask him right now, anyway, because he'd run off elsewhere, and so the Elemental figured he shouldn't worry about that too much for the time being. Surely he'd come back and explain things at some point, since he had apparently taken to follow the group, though it did worry him a bit that he might try to explain but not manage to do so, since he hadn't really spoken... Not in Gallian, at least, and Tristan certainly didn't know Sahranjjite. Maybe if it came to that he could as one of the two Sahranjjans to translate? They seemed eager to help Aldraniri, after all.

"Maybe he met a Sahranjjan at some point, just like I met a bunch of Gallian sailors." Tristan suggested, shrugging.

Trish simply observed Tristan and Aldraniri as the two started, as far as she was concerned at least, grunting at each other in their language. She stood off to the side and waited as she watched them with some curiosity. While she found the way they spoke as primitive at best, and the sound of so many voices in the air inside the tavern annoyed her somewhat, she did take interest in seeing how these people from across the blue expanse interacted with each other. She hadn't seen a lot of people back in the white island, after all. Hardly any at all, in fact, which was also why the voices were bothering her: She was used to quietness. Perhaps not in the absolute sense, as there was still noise there, but she was quite simply not used to the sounds of so many living beings together, and certainly not to the voices of these people.

When Aldraniri began repeating his name and placed his hand on his chest, Trish stared at him for a few moments before nodding. He had most likely already heard her name, so she didn't see the need to repeat it and simply acknowledged him with a nod.

[Ameriganastan]

“Hah, w-what!?” Aisha jolted with shock. Feeling more embarrassed as her face getting bit more redder, she snapped, “What foul accusations you spewed against my honour!?”

The black-haired girl began drawing out her sword, startling bystanders nearby. She seemed to lose her mind as her ‘defensive’ response has indicated.

“I s-s-swear t-to t-th-the gods a-above, I d-don’t know w-what you’re t-talking about.” Aisha stammered. “If y-you’re t-trying to t-take advantage of me, y-you’ll regret it PERVERT!”

When Temu witnessed the spectacle, he was surprised. This is one of the rare times to see his adopted sister being frantic. Normally, Aisha is always a calm and authoritative figure in his life and even commands her own platoon back home. Strangely to him, this is another rare case for her to lose her composure. This piqued his curiosity, Temujin is wondering why Aisha is acting like that since tavern.

"Oh, put it away before you poke your eye out."

Eric wasn't scared of some overly-emotional child. He made that point clear by spinning his whittling knife in his hand.

"Never draw your sword out of emotion."

He sheathed his knife and rapped her on the head.

"Seriously, lesson one. You get emotional and try to fight, you find yourself defeated by an opponent who's been swinging a sword since before you were born."

He leaned against a nearby wall.

"And if this is how you act around a stranger, I can see why this crush of yours is oblivious to your affections."