[center][color=#8F5608][h3]Lachdonan Obrien[/h3][/color][color=purple][h3]Ruby Dewer[/h3][/color][color=#040BD9][h3]Amalthea Stone[/h3][/color][/center] Ruby sat and waited for the last of the introductions. Esmeray, who decided to not leave her introduction to her brother, and asked them all to look past the rumors so they could all work together. Ruby hadn’t forgotten that many blamed her for the deaths of the rest of the chosen, including her mother, but...that explanation never felt right to her. There was no concrete proof just theories and maybe it was because of their god’s bond but Ruby was more inclined to believe her then speculation. After Esmeray came Jonah who said very little and nothing new if you knew anything about the water chosen, as Ruby could remember plenty of times growing up she heard from a distance either him or his master playing their instruments. And then, that was it, Ka’ora told them all to enjoy their rest for as long as they had. Ruby was content to sit in the shade of the tree for awhile longer, playing with the shadows of the leafs as she did, as she spoke to her familiar. [color=purple]“Cecillia, do you want something to eat? I could get you something?”[/color] To this her familiar chuckled. [color=purple]“It’s alright Ruby.”[/color] She said in a soft voice as she started to crawl down her body. [color=purple]“I will find my own food. You should go get your own, besides, Lachdonon is calling to you.”[/color] With that Cecillia crawled off Ruby, sinking into the shadows to start her hunt for food. Ruby sighed, Cecillia had been trying to get her to socialize more before all the strange events that brought them out here happened, and now it seemed she was jumping right back into those attempts. Well, she was right, she needed to eat. But that didn’t mean she went over right away as she watched Amalthea argue with her familiar before going over to Lachdonon and start talking to him. She felt like it would be awkward if she just went over there now and started talking to him so she waited a moment for a better opportunity. Lach and Mia both paused in their eating while Thea went on her own tangent and didn’t answer him right away. After a moment Lach continued eating his food, while Mia watched and ate with interest...mostly because of the idea of chicken sounded great right now. And the scene was quite comical...reminding her of some of the times with Lachdonon. When she finally answered him, he nodded. It made sense, fire and emotions going well together. However...he had a feeling the zen lessons didn't...quite stick. He smiled at the thought and sat up more when she stood up, and moved over to him. Surprised she decided to just sit back down next to him. Mia had finished her food a bit ago… but was still slightly hungry. She hopped up onto Lachdonon’s shoulders and laid down across the span of them. Her tail twitching side to side as she got a closer look at Thea and more importantly….the chicken. She mentioned he seemed comfortable outside and he nodded, [color=#8F5608]“I’ve been out a few times you could say… with my father.”[/color] He wasn’t going to just tell people he snuck out of the walls. That stuff could get him killed by zealots. He was shocked at her straightforwardness. But he appreciated it. He gave a genuine smile and said, [color=#8F5608]“I tend to go against the mold as well…”[/color] Eurika smiling and in his arms flashed in his mind. Normally the Goddess of Earth and the God of lighting hated each other….yet he couldn’t resist her charm. Bringing himself back to the current conversations. [color=#8F5608]“I’m all for making new friends. Especially cute redheaded ones.”[/color] He said with one of his mischievous charming grins. Lach glanced over to Ruby once again and noticed she still didn’t have any food. He waved for her to come over as he got up and grabbed a bowl for her. [color=#8F5608]“Ruby! Come on over I want to get to know you as well!”[/color] He walked back to his seat and sat down while still extending his hand towards her with the food. There was another seat next to him on his right. For a minute, Ruby had went back to messing around with the shadows as she waited for a chance to join the others where they were sitting and she didn’t have to wait long. She looked up as Lachdonon called over to her again and felt herself blush a little as she realized that perhaps she should have just went over the first time, even if the timing would have been awkward. Wanting to fix this whole situation before she felt anymore embarrassment, Ruby picked herself up and went over to them, sitting down to the right of Lachdonon where there was room. [color=purple]“Um, thank you.”[/color] She said, not sure what to say at first as she took the bowl of food Lachdonon offered her. [color=purple]“I um, wish to get to know you all better as well. It’s good to know your teammates.”[/color] She said, knowing she was just echoing what Ka’ora had said just a little while ago but she was never the best at breaking the ice. Lachdonon nodded and sat back slightly when he did, He sighed inwardly as he reached into his pouch and wrapped a blue silk ribbon unconsciously around his hand. He honestly wish he could be out here alone...searching for that beast, but now he had to play nice with the others and do the mission. It's not that he didn’t like the others...its just that he needed to take care of things. But he put on a smile… what he had done for the last six months...more so again in the last two. He glanced to Ruby and asked, [color=#8F5608]“Well?”[/color] He said with a well practiced smile. [color=#8F5608]“What about you… have you been outside the walls yet besides today?”[/color] Ruby stirred her soup a little as Lachdonon asked her if she had ever been outside the city. He seemed...uncomfortable. Whether that was to do the the surroundings or the reason they were here was something she couldn’t tell though. [color=purple]“No.”[/color] She answered concisely, [color=purple]“This is indeed my first time. I had been curious over the years about what it would be like out here though. After being told for so long that Haven was the safest place for us, I had expected it to be more...chaotic out here. But it seems almost peaceful.”[/color] Ruby sighed, [color=purple]“But I know that's just a facade when there are monsters out here. They are the reason we’re out here after all. But there's a part of me that hopes that maybe once we sort all of this out that perhaps...we won’t need to stay in the city as much?”[/color] She finished. She had tried to be careful with how she worded her thoughts. Just talk of going out beyond the walls could rile quite a few up. Besides, it would be up to the Gods more than anything. Thea absently stroked Dart’s feathers as she listened to Ruby, she could understand what Ruby meant about it seeming peaceful. There was something refreshing about being outside and breathing the air which seemed fresher than that in the city. [color=#040BD9]“It would be nice if one day we didn’t have to stay in the city and could spread our wings. I’ve lost count of the times I have felt enclosed and wished for space and quiet even though I know most people are just grateful that the city is safe.”[/color] She grinned. [color=#040BD9]“But then I have never been one for thinking like ‘most’ people.”[/color] Dart snorted quietly. [color=#040BD9]“Indeed. No one could ever say you are like everyone else. Unfortunately.”[/color] [color=#040BD9]“Oh hush.”[/color] Thea said fondly. She looked at her now empty second bowl and debated getting a third but decided against it. She didn’t want to seem greedy to everyone else. She’d always had a very hearty appetite and Dart had often commented on how surprised he was that she didn’t weigh more than she did. [color=#040BD9]“Right, I’m off to get my own dinner. Don’t eat the whole stew while I’m gone.”[/color]Dart said pointedly before flapping his wings a few times and then lifting from his perch on her shoulder. He had winged away a few moments later. [color=#040BD9]“So.”[/color] Thea said looking at her two companions. [color=#040BD9]“What do you think we’re likely to find out here? I mean monsters obviously but what sort of monster? I’m going to take a wild stab in the dark and guess you’ve seen some before.”[/color]She finished nodding at Lach. Lach only nodded his head, finding it funny that these two have a similar thought process as him. He looked down and thought back, no one ever went outside the walls. None of these chosen had any real battle experience. Just training. Hell even the previous chosen had few and far inbetween that had actual battle experience. Just like Eurika…. If he was there maybe he could have saved her. Even though she was powerful, he could have protected her. He had countless battles outside the walls on his own, surely his experience would have been valuable...but the Gods, didn’t think so. He was pulled out of his thoughts, his hand clutching the silk ribbon tightly when Thea asked a question. He looked to her and hesitated. He had been out a handful of times with his father any maybe one time did they encounter anything...and it was the undead. If he revealed more he could be caught in his lie. [color=#8F5608]“Undead really… usually this close to the wall there's not much here. Because the God’s power usually makes them keep their distance. However there is the Storm Reaver…”[/color] He said softly. As he then looked to the two and said, [color=#8F5608]“Just don’t get separated from the group.”[/color] Thea got the distinct feeling there was more that he wasn’t saying but didn’t push as it wasn’t her place to pry. Hell she didn’t care if he any of them had secrets as long as they didn’t risk her life she was happy to let them be. She nodded as he mentioned Undead, she’d heard that they were likely to encounter those. The Storm Reaver...she had of that too though not much except that it was deadly. Not wanting to dwell on that she smiled wryly. [color=#040BD9]“You mean wander off in an unknown wilderness and be a damsel in distress? Not likely. “[/color] She glanced at the others gathered in various little groups and then looked back at Ruby and Lach. [color=#040BD9]“So we seem to be an...interesting bunch. I sure wish I had gotten to know you all a bit better before being sent out here of course. Not sure why I didn’t to be honest though Karkand did keep me pretty busy.”[/color] She chuckled slightly. [color=040BD9]“But then I took any excuse I had to work with him. If you knew my family you’d understand why.”[/color] [color=#040BD9]“Never did like your house.”[/color] Dart said from above as he landed on her shoulder. [color=040BD9]“Bloody cold if you ask me and the house isn’t much better.”[/color]