[center][h2]Phinuphus Tahnqin[/h2]

[h3][u]-=Parting Sharks=-[/u][/h3]
[i]--The North Gate--[/i][/center]

As Phinuphus stepped into the yard joining the northern gate, the large capybkin gave pause, surveying the scene with a steady gaze, wiggling his nose in thought. Phinuphus' nose waggled with a confusion of scents, and before him was a bed of chaos, broken men and women all bested by his new companions. Things appeared to have gone quick, but there were clearly more than two sides to the melee. Raux looked to have beaten something or one bloody, still heaving with the effort. And his gaze finally settled on a young drow that seemed oddly familiar, somewhat roughed, but seeming to only have eyes for the raksha at that moment. It was a strange scene, but with the blood in his nostrils and his leader in his cups, Phin had other things to worry about.

Szazah, still drunk, seemed to be making his way by instinct to the center of everyone, his gate tired. He radiated sullenness. Cheed wordlessly slid off of Phinuphus' back as he walked forward and then stood on his hinde legs, easily taller than any of them. The capybkin seemed to sway very gently in the evening air, perhaps with a gentle breeze... perhaps with the dance of a cup or too.

"It is with a heavy heart, and scarred soul, that I must inform you all that..." Szazah continued almost as if by wrote, but Phinuphus found himself barely listening. The wreckage of flesh scattered about the yard was an ill omen for a mission of peace. Certainly one needed protection in the wilds, but just what would it mean to the people they saught, that each of them was so battle ready? It was good that Phinuphus had loosed his fury elsewhere this day.

Presently, Szazah stopped speaking, apparently waiting for protest. Well, Phinuphus certainly had his to say.

"It is not right, Szazah." Phinuphus folded his arms, looking down at him with a cold defiance. "It is by the meddling of a meek and mean man that you do this. You will do what when The Tengu arrives; coach him from a stinking barstool so that when Dripood and he come to blows, each swing will come all the heavier for your keeping their pots to a simmer? And you, clinging to every cup as though it is your last friend, listless as a dandelion in my fur and for what?"

Phinuphus turned on a heel, gesturing to the surrounding camp as he ranted on and began pacing around his companions and their leader. "Taken with the wrong turns this [i]Moving[/i] is a contemptible cancer in a man's mind. When are you expected to truly rest? You are poisoned by luxuries and loftiness. What man or woman can tell you who you are when they are too busy asking or telling you what to do? Hard journey is a better respite. You truly think your best place is here, growing more impotent by the day?" The beastkin finally turned to look at Szazah again, barking capybara irritation, "[b][i]HNNNOHHH[/i][/b] lion lying in wait should indulge in the torpor of their pack. [b]What good does this do you or the rest of us?[/b]"