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[img]https://i.postimg.cc/g2DLcGQs/giphy.gif[/img][/center][hr][hr]	Arnora walked over towards the bar, looking at some of the people who were inside of the building, it was certainly very loud she was certainly preferring this atmosphere rather than the creepy Witch Coven house with all of the spirits there. She took a moment and eyed the small group she had been traveling a little bit, since coming off of the Aricie. [color=#81BEF7]"So what are we going to be doing now? We have a full day here."[/color] Arnora asked looking over towards Minerva. She of course did promise Ahote, and Grimspound to continue their little chat from earlier as well.

	Grimspound had followed the others, knowing he'd be getting a reaming for this tale when next her turned up by his grandmother's hearth. Rubbing the back of his neck slightly at the uncomfortable thought, the man sighed in forlorn displeasure. The rowdy tavern, however, was proving a adept balm to these troubles as he trailed after Minerva and Arnora. Their acquaintanceship becoming a bit of something more. [color=CadetBlue]"I, for one, plan to pick all of your tales from the lot of you."[/color] A friendly grin on his face as he perched on a stool, raising a hand to the bartender. [color=CadetBlue]"A Blood Wine, bartender if you will."[/color] He grinned to the man before turning his attention back to his companions. [color=CadetBlue]"Of course, I'll share some of mine in return. It'd only be fair."[/color] While he was interested in trying the Kingslayer, Grimspound wasn't in the mood to go on a crawl tempting as it was.

	Ahote sat down next to Minerva. The tavern was definitely alive with excitement and colour. Multiple colours swirled over people and shifted around them just like the changing of the winds. He couldn't pinpoint one to anyone specific but one things was for sure, all of Ahote's senses were on high alert in this place. It was awfully loud as well, his advanced hearing now making that any easier. If anything, this place set Ahote more on edge than the witches house had. 

	He ordered himself the house whiskey and shifted, trying to relax. He knew the whiskey would assist with that. He looked over at Minerva, watching her closely before he followed along the conversation with Grimspound and Arnora. Perhaps they should all get to know each other a bit more. 

	[color=#1E90FF]"If you are so interested in getting to know us Grimspound, perhaps you should go first,"[/color] he said. 

	[color=B8675D]"Yes, Grimspound, tell us all about yourself,"[/color] Minerva said with a bit of a smirk. She took a sip of her Dragon's Kiss, all while maintaining eye contact with him.

        Arnora ordered herself a House Whiskey as well, as she looked over at Grimspound, and then Ahote as well, and then Minerva and smirked slightly at Grimspound. [color=#81BEF7]"The men should be the first to tell the ladies something about themselves first then, and since you are offering Grimspound you should be the first."[/color] She smirked as the bartender gave her drink and quickly paid as well, taking a sip from it.

	Grimspound chuckled and did a jester's bow from his seat, giving a sultry wink at Minerva. [color=CadetBlue]"Well, what shall tale I tell you?"[/color] The traveling scholar wondered aloud as he considered the tale to weave. He had no problem sharing bits and pieces with these folk, it was fair after all and customary. He wouldn't spill all however, it would be a disservice to his mother's people who were intensely private folk to outsiders. Within the clan they were almost too much within each other's business. Which was perhaps why his grandmother dealt with so little nonsense when it did come up. [color=CadetBlue]"I was born to a clan in the Land of Long Nights. Very matriarchal you see, we menfolk were unwanted muscle and had even less to offer by way of brains."[/color] He shook his head in mocking dismay of this fact, in truth the men who were born of the clan generally did stick about either within their village or in neighboring villages. Providing something of a ring of protection about the home village of the Dyrki. 

	[color=CadetBlue]"Despite growing up surrounding but hunters and fishers and all that. My interest lied in books, something that drove my family to distraction. Though as my Grandmother says- 'Waste not a proficient goose for the cook pot when it lays eggs just as well as the hens  if not better.' Though I can tell you whenever I tried her patience there was a serious threat of ending up in that cookpot!"[/color] Grimspound jested lightly, though there was a wistful smile at the corner of his mouth stating it was a good bit true. [color=CadetBlue]"Needless to say, I took to travelling when I came of age for it. Eager to see what was beyond my village, though I still stop by my mother's home with my books and scrolls and trinkets. The cousins enjoy the material on the long winter months and the children enjoy the trinkets I bring."[/color] He shrugged absently. [color=CadetBlue]"Though I will admit I think Grandmother was relieved to see me go, lest I blow out the wall to house again."[/color]

	Ahote sipped his whiskey while he listened to Grimspound weave his tale of his home life. It did seem Grimspound was quite proficient with his words and his confirmed interest in books told Ahote all he needed to know that, that fact was true. 

	[color=#1E90FF]"Have you traveled to many places?"[/color] Ahote asked. He had more pressing questions he wanted to ask, but he figured starting out easy would be the more polite way. 

	[color=B8675D]"Don't wink at me,"[/color] Minerva told Grimspound, rolling her eyes. [color=B8675D]"You'll regret it more than you currently realize."[/color] However, she was largely content to let the others just ask questions and she enjoyed her drink, wondering if Grimspound would ever see the real mystery in front of him. 

         Arnora took another drink as she started to listen in on Grimspound once more, and smiled a bit and laughed a bit at Minerva's warning to Grimspound. [color=#81BEF7]"Sounds like a place I would love to stay."[/color] She said as she watched a few of the patrons drinking and partying it was certainly a place she'd love to come by every day. [color=#81BEF7]"So where are you from Ahote?"[/color]

	The traveler shrugged absently to Ahote's question. [color=CadetBlue]"A good few. Generally if a place piques my interest I travel there. Sometimes my clan needs me to get something, or messenger something some where. I find it no burden."[/color] Grimspound noted with some amusement as he grinned with a positively boyish smile at Minerva and Arnora. [color=CadetBlue]"You would, though I'd have to wonder if you could pull yourself away. As for my regrets Minerva... I regret it terribly. Your harsh comments are barbs to this lonesome wander's heart."[/color] He bemoaned with a dramatic flourish of his hand over his chest while the other went to the back of his head. Casting a smirk at several nearby women with a playful wink.

	Ahote rolled his eyes at the overly dramatic Grimspound. How on earth did he get anything done with all the constant flaunting. He smiled a little at Minerva's comment to Grimspound. He was most positive that she would have no trouble laying him out or making him eat his words. There was a dishonest nature about her but Ahote had a thing about getting to the bottom of things. Getting the truth. 

	He looked over at Arnora when she asked where he was from. [color=#1E90FF]"The True North. Hardly touched, it's a beautiful place."[/color]

	[color=B8675D]"Why leave then?"[/color] Minerva asked. 

        Arnora downed the rest of her drink while she listened to Grimspound as he talked, and then simply rolled her eyes when he went to wink at a few of the women nearby. As her attention turned back towards Ahote as he mentioned the name of his homeland she hadn't really heard of it. [color=#81BEF7]"I've never heard of it before."[/color] Arnora said.

	The emerald eyes of the Dyrki lit up with interest as Ahote named his homeland. The True North was a place he had planned to travel to at some point. A matriarchy of sorts with elders the folk listened to. It distinctly reminded him of the Dyrki though his people were not a nation but a family. One that would pick up and move if they needed to. His lips twitched at the thought of [i]that[/i] mass migration, knowing full well everyone would be called to aid in that. With his 'talents'? He'd have an entire clan hunting for him. Studying Ahote he sighed wistfully. [color=CadetBlue]"I would love to see the True North. Sounds like it'd be a wonder to see."[/color]

	Ahote swirled the remaining liquid in the bottom of his glass and smiled slightly. He brought the glass to his lips and finished the ripe liquid. He raised the glass, motioning for another before he set it aside. 

	[color=#1E90FF]"I left because my work there is done. I left to find others who would be in need of what I can provide, of what I can teach. I miss the comforts of home. The open skies, rolling hills. Everywhere you looked was green but there is so much more out there that I wish to learn and approve upon. Perhaps one day we can all go back,"[/color] Ahote suggested. 

	Minerva gave Ahote a bit of a funny smile. [color=B8675D]"It sounds [i]amazing[/i] - positively [i]thrilling[/i]. But if you are in need of work, I can see if my employers will take you on as well. We're after dangerous artefacts - with them, we're going to change the world. Make it better. Tear down what doesn't work and rebuild... All centered around a warm light for all the world to share."[/color]

        Arnora waved for the bartender for another drink as well as she leaned back in her seat eyeing Ahote as he told them why he left and mentioned the land as well which sounded very nice as well. She then raised an eyebrow towards Minerva as she mentioned her employers, she wasn't sure what to think of them right now. [color=#81BEF7]"So that's why you are looking for whatever it was from the Port Witch Coven house?"[/color] Arnora asked Minerva.

	Grimspound sat back, falling quiet as he observed the three. Considering what he was hearing. Ahote had left the True North because he had finished work, and desired more. A kindred spirit to himself, the wanderer mused as he took a swallow of his blood wine as he smiled slightly. More of cat's smirk, if his cousin Bera was to be believed, though his mother shared the same half smile that was trouble for those who spied it. Though who that trouble was for exactly, even Grimspound couldn't tell you. Minerva was stirring something and he didn't necessarily like the sounds of it. Organizations were messy and brought about trouble.

	The tone of the conversation seemed to switch with Minerva's response. So did the atmosphere. Ahote looked over at her, his hands growing still from playing with his glass as he spoke of his reasons for leaving his home and embarking on this travel. Her aura only shifted slightly. It became more sure, more confident and passionate. Ahote shook his head. 

	[color=#1E90FF]"I am afraid, I have to turn down that offer. I am not a hunter,"[/color] Ahote said coolly. He was here to help people. To pass on his knowledge and encourage safe practice of their powers. What Minerva was into, was dark and Ahote didn't want to be involved with it but now meeting her, he would keep his eyes and ears open for news of her works and inform the proper parties if she grew out of hand. 

	Minerva nodded at Arnora. [color=B8675D]"The Port Witch Coven supposedly had an artefact that would be able to help [i]create[/i] - conjuration is cool and all, but even if has its limits. If we get enough of these objects, we could be able to bring about real change for people living in poverty - and I guess you just have something against helping the poor, Ahote. It's alright - not everyone is selfless enough to work towards the common good."[/color]

         Arnora looked between Ahote and Minerva as she spoke, shifting a little bit in her seat as she started to think about what she had said, she wasn't really sure what to think right now. It did seem like it was dark as she ordered herself another drink, as the bartender came back with a new Whiskey for her. [color=#81BEF7]"Do these things that you are looking for also have their own limits as well?"[/color] Arnora asked, she was curious after all and wanted to know a bit more.

	[color=B8675D]"Yes - but not when you collect them all and use them together... Though there is a price, as with all things."[/color]

	Grimspound was on alert as Minerva spoke more of her intentions. His green eyes holding interest as his focus sharped. No, no longer was he Grimspound the friending wanderer but the Dyrki man who traveled for sake of his mother's people and the thirst for knowledge that had been kindled in those dark winter nights as he listened to the old tales and lessons. He did not like what he was hearing though he tried to mask it behind ambivalence. [color=CadetBlue]"You insult him Minerva. Just because he wishes not to join your organization is no reason to turn a hostile tongue on our dear comrade."[/color] He chastened the woman in an amused way. [color=CadetBlue]"We all have our own paths to walk. Though I am most curious about this organization, and would like to hear more upon it. Travelling can get expensive."[/color] Nothing he had said was a lie, but he was interested in different things for different reasons. Raising his goblet to Arnora he saluted her point with amusement.

	Ahote finished off the rest of his drink and slid the empty glass to the middle of his table. Traveling had opened his eyes up to a lot of different things and people. For the most part he was easygoing and accepting of opinions towards him but telling him that he didn't care? In some people's eyes, Ahote could be considered one of those poor people. He didn't have money, he had knowledge. He didn't have power, he had passion. 

	[color=#1E90FF]"The common good? For who?"[/color] he questioned her. 

	[color=B8675D]"For humankind, Ahote."[/color]