[color=A9A9A9][center][h2]The Dragon's Dressmaker[/h2][/center]
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[@Eviledd1984]

The road leading to the Southeastern beyond Tunisian Forest was clearly in disrepair, easily notable from the loose stones that paved it, as well as the overgrowth starting to rip into the delicate stone flesh of the paved pathway before Maria. It was clear enough to see that wherever this road had lead before, it was not a path still traveled by men and monster alike. The air started to grow colder the further South she traveled, given the Coldstep Pass being just a few miles away. However, one could not lose heart as an adventurer, and with her first job riding on the line, one could assume that Maria wanted to make a good first impression.

What lied before Maria however was not so much a forest as it was a massive bank of fog with a scarcely visible treeline standing tall overhead. The fog was sparse at first, but venturing deeper would only get one lost in the thick vapors. Just when it seemed likely that turning back from a wild goose chase was a better choice, two glowing amber eyes glowed like lantern lights through the bank, the soft sounds of breathing visible beyond. This was no spook or bugs in the shape of eyes; be it man or monster, something was watching Maria closely, and not caring if she was looking. Actually, it did care, it wanted her attention and as such snapped its fingers twice. Suddenly,
a woman's voice rang out: [color=A9A9A9][b]"You...if you are the one sent by Bart, then take my hand. The Fog does not receive visitors, save for those blessed by its Guardian. Have you the courage to step forward? And the requested...je ne sais quoi?"[/b][/color] Her words demanded response, in a tone that sounded dignified and reserved. Judging from the way the eyes were bounding up and down, Maria could assume she was getting a look in. [color=A9A9A9][b]"Very...fluffy. But I suppose not tacky. You will have to do...if you choose to come. Are you...all that they have sent?"[/b][/color] her voice rang out once more, the woman extending her hand, covered in scales black as night, and her fingers formed in the shape of monstrous claws, long and sharp as daggers.

Sensing that it might be a bit much to be told to hold hands with a knife-handed monster, said knife-handed monster suddenly pulled its hand back, eyes vanishing for a moment before they suddenly shone once more, a length of rope being held out for Maria. [color=A9A9A9][b]"I do not want you to hurt yourself. One who chooses to aid deserves no harm."[/b][/color] The air seemed to get a bit lighter, the slight angle of tilt the eyes now possessed suggesting whatever this woman looked like, she was tilting her head in a mix of curiosity and anticipation. [color=A9A9A9][b]"Long have I watched over this land, but you are the first of your kind that I have ever seen...unless you are merely a very oddly accessorized human."[/b][/color]
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[@Rune_Alchemist] 
Magnus' ears perked up as he heard someone just arrive, yet having been a...like, three days ago acquaintance. Arletta had returned, and the Minotaur who had worked with her on his first quest swiftly rose to his feet, striding over with a smile on his face. He seemed really happy to see her, despite the somewhat...nonexistant terms on which they parted. Magnus however had never stopped worrying about his temmate, and as such went over and gave her the most potentially fatal friendly hug in existence, which wasn't as bad as it could have been. [color=FF5353][b]"Arletta! I was so worried when you and the others just...dissapeared!"[/b][/color] he said, letting her down after he realized that he was like... almost twice her size and almost thrice her weight. [color=FF5353][b]"...S-Sorry."[/b][/color] he said, taking a step back to give her personal space once more, and to collect himself.

[color=FF5353][b]"Where did you and Liliana and Gor? I went to um...take care of that job and you and they all were just...gone. S-Sorry, I gave the reward money to Bart, but I promise I'll make it up to you sometime!"[/b][/color] Magnus blurted out, hurriedly bowing his head to apologize to the female knight before him. He'd long since wondered if his previous companions were okay, and now was the only time he felt he'd get an honest to goodness answer on that question. Raising his head back up, but still slouching a bit in his stance, Magnus scratched the back of his silvery mane and made it kind of obvious that he was anticipating her answer. It seemed he really had worried for her, Liliana, and Gor this whole time, even if it had kind of been an incredibly abrupt splitting of the party into...Magnus by himself and them going off on their own to do something. Hopefully, Arletta wasn't super mad about being hugged like a teddy bear.