[@Arthanus]

Pox went for a particular painting, it was faded, but it was the picture of a beautiful woman, her lovliness not marred by the ravages of time.  She wore something odd, a dress of a time long passed.  He seemed to be quite cheery.  [color=green]"Well, Im not going to let this one be buried in such a hole.  Belongs in a gallery."[/color]  Still studying the picture, they talked about Gwen.  [color=green]"She could have fooled me."[/color]  He said in response dismissively.  Then Alm told her story and Pox gave him the attention he is due.  He listened, she had a sad story.  And while Pox listened, he was motionless, not a single waver of his beak as the lenses seemed to focus directly on him.  A moment later, Pox spoke.

[color=green]"We have our methods Sir Alm, and our differences.  I hold her in no lesser light but my discipline is all I have.  To know someone uses it improperly, regardless of their reasons or intentions behind them, I just have to voice my opinion.  And lets face it sir, my opinion means quite little.  I'm just the strange man in the mask.  I don't hold grudges nor will I treat the Lady Gwen any differently.  I really must apologize to her.  Sometimes I get so passionate you know?  I won't say anything about what you told me, I don't think she'd like me knowing about her.  I believe we started off on the wrong foot.  Might have been the mask.  Probably the mask."[/color]  Pox left it at that.

There was something so bizarre about his reactions.  Sometimes they just seemed so... 'planned'... practiced.  Anything that belittles himself to maintain a professional relationship.  And anything that keeps him from really talking about himself in any specific ways.  It wasn't intentional deception, it was almost reflex.

[hr]

The trip back was much the same.  Pox pittering about the group like a mother hen to make sure they didn't die of heat stroke, checking his supplies and making lists.  He still spoke longingly of getting a beast of burden to make these trips easier.

He did try to embroil himself in the everyday working of the group:

Namani and her relics with Alm.

Yui and her plans for maybe making a flame thrower.

He tried to talk to Hafrbjǫrn and his crew but it was an intimidating prospect and Pox couldn't get more than a simple [color=green]"How's it going big guy?"[/color] before it looked like he was was annoying him.  [color=green]"Alright good talk."[/color]

He tried to get some information from Octavia about what happened to her in the tomb, offering his two cents on the subject but he knew he was going to need some research.  Besides, she spent the time leanrning archery with that fancy new bow of hers and magic to prove it.  He only bothered her when she had a moment.

He even apologized to Gwen for his rudeness back in the tomb.  He would be positive regardless of her reaction.

He was just back to baseline, as if nothing had ever truly happened.  They were alive, with some others, including some lost trinkets.  If only they saved more.

[hr]

Back at Gatehouse, Pox used his portion to restock, though he did disappear from the group for a day in order to take a personal trip.  He needed to go to the nearest messenger house and prepare a letter.  He needed to check in, offer his story, his claims and jobs and his position to certain interested parties.  The task was something he would no tell anyone about.  Apothecary Business.  Again, avoiding anything specific on the subject.  And keeping his correspondences a secret.

Once the mandatory task was done, he went about his research for Octavia and preparing his potions for the next tomb raid, wherever that might be.