[b]The Inn: baths[/b]

	As Shye slept soundly, oddly enough considering the hard floor, Nix was wide awake. especially after the initial commotion with Mason and the sudden water wall. All these things going on and Nix was fine. However, there was on thing that entered the room that as soon as Nix layed her predatory eyes on it, she couldn't look away. When Aste's bird few into the room, her pupils widened out into large circles, completely focused on her new target. After all, snacks were great, but there before her was a meal! She hunkered down, not unlike a cat, her tail thrashing from side to side as she focuse un her prey. Slowly and carefuly, she lowly crawled acroos Shye, then Tali, then on to Nailah, her eyes barely peeking around Nailah's shoulder as she hid between Nailah and Lynn. Look looked at it curiously and was wanting to reach out and pet it, but before she could say anthing about it, Nix shook its hindquarters in preperation to launch itself at the bird. And with a great leap, it went for its prey!

	It was adorable to see Lynn with such a cheerful and happy smile on her face. It was clear by her expression that she was indeed a bit uneasy about the whole event that happened, but it was also clear that she was very happy by having met both Tali, Nailah and by all the good things she saw and experienced since she started travelling with the Aliance.

While Nailah was hugging both Tali and Lynn in an innocent demonstration of affection, which was something surprising coming from Nailah, Tali didn't let that opportunity pass as she delicately ran a her finger up her spine, making Nailah's body shiver as she arched her back. 

[color=C86050]"You're lucky Shye is asleep~"[/color] Nailah whispered with a mischievous smirk to Tali after realizing that Lynn was completely oblivious to what was happening, which honestly made her smile a bit seeing how innocent Lynn was.

It was then that Nailah realized, thanks to Tali having said that the strange woman, who was called Aste, that was sleeping on the bath had finally woken up.

After yawning and rubbing her eyes, she took a few seconds to register what was happening as her pet stood on her shoulder. Getting herself in the water after a moment, she turned towards Tali, Lynn and Nailah, apologizing herself for her behavior and asking if Shye was ok.

While Nailah wasn't here to see what exactly happened, she trusted Lynn's words, whom said that it was all just a misunderstanding. She didn't trust Aste completely yet as she was basically a stranger. Well, that could be also said regarding Shye, but she didn't seem to be a bad person... Especially trusting Tali and Lynn so much as to sleep right next to them, being completely defenseless.
[color=C86050]"She will be fine. Apparently she was just really tired."[/color] Nailah said, carefully watching Aste's reactions.

Just after she finished talking though, she saw the small dragonling that Shye had with her suddenly pouncing towards Aste's pet.

[color=C86050]"Hey there, little one!"[/color] Nailah said, laughing as she saw the female dragonling.

[color=C86050]"Unlike her owner, this little one has plenty of energy to spare, right?"[/color] Nailah said, with a smile.

	"Phew---" That incomplete shield had worked better than she'd assumed to be. But it would hold for now, but not in the long term. Still it’s a relief that things worked out all.

Just when she was about to relax at the baths peacefully, Aste caught herself a glimpse of a lizard. No, too big to be a lizard, it seemed to be a baby dragon, and it seemed to be out for her pet swallow Valavin. [i]Whose pet is this? [/i] Aste thought. It’s just one thing after another since entering the baths.

With one silent cast of her Illusion magic, Aste's Pet seemed to have enlarged for a moment. She then uncasted her small flicker of her magic, just to distract the dragon thing for a bit.

Aste's pet swallow, Valavin, flew off quickly along a sprinkle of white silky feathers. He took a sharp dive downwards, landing on the shoulder that seemed to be the safest- the only one that is not awake: Shye.

[i]"Chirp, Chirp~"[/i] Landing on Shye's shoulders with a smooth grace, Valavin let out a few chirps at the predator.

	Tali saw the debacle with Nix wanting a snack. She couldn't stifle the giggle, but she did call for her servitor. "Servitor, come in and play with Nix! and bring a few towels for us!" The servitor came in after a minute, silently handing out towels to all the women there. It was entirely unperturbed by the events transpiring, though it did make a seemingly sarcastic remark to Tali. "Mistress, I see you have become one of the...huggers." It then casually picked up Nix by the scruff of the neck. "That bird is not food. Come now, I will play with you a bit." It then finally went to a corner in the bath and set down the dragonling, offering a finger as a tantalizing moving target.

The comment got another giggle out of Tali. "Oh, I am so glad we figured out how to unlock some personality for you. Comments like those make my day." She wrapped an arm around Nailah, giving her an affectionate squeeze. "Hear that girls? We are all part of the huggers." She put a sarcastic tone on the last word to mimic her servitor.

	Nix stumbled when the bird grew in size,  Hissing at the now huge bird, though as it went to normal and flew off, Nix leapt at it, missing it by a feather. When it saw that it landed on Shye, it's hair started to raise and a low growl, well low for it anyway, rumbled from it's tiny chest. Before Nix could do anything though a servitor walked up to it reaching down to grab her. She 'roared' as ferouciously as she could at it, wings splayed out and rattling, tail spiked out and her eyes looking redder than normal. Surely it would be a ferocious display if she weren't the adorble size of a kitten. Instead when the servitor picked it up by the scruff of the neck with an irritated chirping sound, all the fight left it, with a fairly dissapointed looking face as her attempt at intimidation had failed in humiliation. However, this seemed to dissapear quickly as the servito started playing with it. Nix perked back up and attacked the finger like her normally playful self would. turning every now and againt o make sure that damn bird wasn't doing anything funny.

Lynn watched the the small dragonling seemed to go after the bird, which thankfully seemed to stop before it could get too out of hand, Tali calling upon her servitor to intercept. While it waws cute, the bird seemed to belong to Aste, and it becoming a menu item wouldn't be good. Lynn watched as the servitor played with it, having a strong urge to go over and see if it would let her pet it.

Shye, once again, started to stir. Even though the rest was short lived, she felt much more relaxed than she was when she had arrived. Tali would be able to hear a longer breath as she she started to wake and get out of the rhythmic breathing one had while sleeping. Her body tensed up for a moment as Shye realized she had fallen asleep, she about nearly shot up into a ready stance as her normal instinct when waking up unexpectedly. However, she remembered somewhat what had happened and instead was able to slowly sit up, a bit confused as to how she so easily fell asleep. She held her towel up with one arm as it had become looser during her sleep, and brushed some hair behind her ear as she looked around, quickly looking around as if she  had lost something, relaxing as her eyes settled on Nix playing with the servitor.  She then turned to Tali and Nailah. [color=DC143C]"I appologize, I don't normally just fall aslep like that.."[/color] turning a bit red as she realized the others were uncovered and she was asleep on her lap. While she wasn't as embarassed as someone like Lynn would be, her porcelain pale features only made it seem worse than it actually was. She tried not to stare and avoided looking over save to make eye contact to who she spoke to, after all, it is impolite to stare. [color=DC143C]"Thank you for helping me relax, all of you. My mind hasn't been quite...[i]at ease[/i] as of late."[/color] she said a bit shyly.

	Just as Shye's small dragonling pounced, the white haired girl was quick to summon an incomplete shield to protect her pet followed by a small illusion to make it look larger just before it flew away and landed right on Shye's shoulders happily chirping at the dragonling, almost as if it was teasing it. The dragonling, obviously not happy to see that the small swallow had landed on it's owner's shoulders was quick to hiss at it, which honestly was incredibly adorable coming from that small and cute dragonling. If Shye was still asleep after all that, it wouldn't be for long.

Nailah herself couldn't help but to giggle seeing the scene, especially when Tali asked her servitor to come and play with the dragonling, who went from hissing and being hostile to playing with the servitor's finger as if nothing was happening.

[color=C86050]"The huggers?"[/color] Nailah asked, laughing as Tali replied to her servitor's sarcastic remark.

[color=C86050]"I wonder if that was the first impression you two had when you met us..."[/color] Nailah said, raising an eyebrow and looking for Tali with a smirk on her face.

[color=C86050]"Oh look at it! It's so adorable! Especially when it's hissing and growling~!"[/color] Nailah said, giggling as she watched the small dragonling playing with Tali's servitor from a distance.

Not surprisingly, after all that ruckus, Shye finally woke up. Nailah carefully watched her and couldn't help but let out a teasing grin as she watched her body tensing up just when she realized she was sleeping on Tali's lap.
[color=C86050]"Oh don't worry my dear... You did seem to be really tired and stressed..."[/color] Nailah replied with a kind smile towards Shye. Especially for Shye herself, she would quickly realize that Nailah's attitude towards her had changed significantly. Almost as if she wasn't suspicious of her anymore.

[color=C86050]"I don't know what are your circumstances of what you've been through, but if you need someone to talk or even someone to just hug and relax, I wouldn't mind to help you."[/color] Nailah said, with a kind, almost motherly smile towards Shye.

[color=C86050]"After all... I think we can take one more on the 'Huggers' group, am I right girls?"[/color] Nailah asked as she looked to Lynn and Tali.

	Tali rolled her eyes and looked at the other women before practically pouncing into the water. She stayed under for a minute before floating back up. "Mmmmm, that is good. As for another in the Huggers, I have no problem with it. Shye could use the comfort it seems. My song doesn't normally get people to sleep THAT quickly."

She casually scooped a hand down in the water and splashed Nailah with it. "Besides, it isn't like we are some official group. We are just some girls that like a good hug and cuddle. No need to be stuffy."

	Lynn, speaking up even though she had no idea who Shye was, was glad to have another person in the group to talk to. [color=7FFFD4]"Of coarse!"[/color] she responded nodding to Nailah, she then turned to Shye, [color=7FFFD4]"But you have to watch out, they are a bit clingy,"[/color] she said jokingly about the two and she herself went into the water as well.

Shye looked to them, a little taken back by their openness and for caring about someone they didn't even know. Especially since the one knew she was a possible enemy from meeting her before. She wasn't even sure when she got here. And the other woman used a song to put her to sleep? That explained a lot, but something in her mind wanted to tell her it was some sort of trap, nobody did these kind of things, she was lucky she wasn't captured or killed while she was asleep. Normally these things would be true, but ever since she met the Alliance, she had been proven wrong. From what she gathered, they had sensed her inner turmoil before and tried to help her relax by forcing her to relax as she couldn't herself. Looking at it like this, while still very strange, it was actually quite the gesture. And her collar, just before she fell asleep the one girl put a type of barrier on it to weaken it. It was a bit much for her to take in, but in a weird and... well...[i]good[/i] way.
[color=DC143C]"I...I don't know what to say. All of you have gone through so much to help me, barely even knowing about me, even after attacking one of you."[/color] she started looking down a bit. [color=DC143C]"Before I met the people of this alliance, I never knew there were people who could show such kindness. I always may have thought they were out there, but...not for me."[/color] She considered their offer of her joining and she shook her head, more out of being unsure of the proposal than outright refusal. [color=DC143C]"I don't know if could accept such an offer. Surely me traveling along the Alliance would only bring more problems, especially if you are on the way to Fotia. All of you have done so much for me already, it wouldn't be right for me to keep endangering you further."[/color]



[b]The Inn: tavern[/b]

		Aeden stepped into the Inn once again and made his way to his room. He wanted to take a quick, cold bath to clean the blood from his body from his knife wound. When he made it to his private bath he drew up the water and got right to cleaning himself finishing within a minute or two. Upon finishing his bath, he re-equipped his gear and found his way to the beautifully vandalized table to wait for the others to complete their errands.

He wanted to tell Shye the good news right away, however he had no clue as to where she was and decided to wait in a place he knew she likely would come back to.

	A black gash, riddled with divine darkness gleaming with an enigmatic purple reflection, opened further and further. The location, Pearl. Right outside of its gates. This would be the second visitor of this humble town of merchants and fine goods. The second to travel by powerful spells cast by descendants of the like. This one was very far from like the other. The almost angelic man Aeden who was seen as a particularly special agent of the Aion in the eyes of ignorant onlookers. Sporting a halo like it was a symbol of his purity. The one who stood at the open gates of Pearl now was a hooded man. His face further shadowed by the bright sun above. The fresh breeze gave black birds new vitality to fly over head as he walked to the Inn. Sniffing the air as if inhaling for a few moments and correcting his direction. He came to the Inn's doorway and let it open. Merely standing and observing those within....

	Aeden stared at the open door of the inn as soon as it opened. At first he wondered if it was Shye, but as soon as he saw the figure was very much different from Shye his curiosity shifted to wondering who exactly this was. It took a particularly cautious person to hover at a door like that. Aeden decided to patiently wait and watch until the newcomer made their move.

	Allard looked over to the newcomer after just finishing taking care of his smaller blade. He sheathed it, and then drew the large heavy blade, inspecting it, making sure it was good to go for the day. He looked up to the hooded figure as he had finished and sheathed it as well. The person seemed to just stop at the door and start looking around. [color=9ACD32]"Looking for something in particular, friend? Ya seem a tad bit lost."[/color]

	The long flowing cloak of this mysterious figure began to recede as if an illusion was being lifted from the eyes of those before him. He stretched his left arm out to his side, over his sheathed blade attached to the hip. The cloak he wore wound up around his arm, contorting into a new form. A simple yet elegant cloth that draped over his shoulder. It had the symbol of an all seeing eye, a staple in the royal families of Nero. Not that the commoners of the alliance would know. Wounding up his cloak revealed his face and attire. He was scarred and blind in his right eye, or see it seemed, from previous battles. He wore elegant clothes with black gauntlets and boots. His sword by his side resonated with a dark enchanted aura. "Hello." He placed a hand on his chest, his gauntlets were like claws and he was steady able to avoid them without worry. Bowing gently before continuing. "I am Algimar. I was told the alliance was gathering here." He looked to Allard with a pleased smirk. Observing the few others inside. He noticed one who sported a Halo and reeked of a Seraphim. "I was tasked by the rulers of Nero to join this alliance. As a representative member for Nero's interests."


[b]Mason and the Merchant[/b]


	Paying for the strange whistle, Mason thanked the elderly merchant before  heading out with his new equipment. However, as he was about to walk back to the inn, he suddenly realized he needed alchemy equipment! And he knew just where to get it! Without a moment to lose he made his way once again to the Taxis tents to check if Amaiah had any surplus equipment she could afford to let go of.

	Mason was thanked by the elder as he was able to make a decent amount of money from the lad. Rushing with his angelic feathers flowing behind him he was a rare sight to the villagers of Pearl who were walking about. Still thankful for the healing they received earlier. The Aion would be surprised to see Amaiah not in the tent. She was still in the Taxis HQ. However. "Ah the fine Aion Knight Mason was it?" Lucius approached with three of his own personal  knights behind him. "You all seem to be taking your time with getting that artifact. I'm on my way to Vrondi. I hope to be able to tell the King he will be seeing this precious hammer soon..." He came close to Mason, whispering the last few words to him sternly. Before smiling and walking off.

	

[b]The Black Market[/b]


	Dremmick headed outside of the Taxis HQ, going towards the market. He casually glanced about, using his eyes to look around without much movement of his head, as he headed towards a back door to the facility. As he approached the door, and before he saw anyone else, he made temporary clothes from his blood magic, a crimson cloak, hood, and muffler. He went up to the door and gave it two sharp knocks, and waited for an answer.

	A clearing throat like a raspy old beggar who hadn't stopped smoking in ages was heard behind the door. "What business do you have here?" The rusted pipes of a dark brooding voice let out. An eye observing from a small hole in the doors center.

	[color=A52A2A]"The blood hand cometh,"[/color] Dremmick replied from behind his muffler, one eye gazing back out from under his fabricated hood to the person on the other side of the door.

	"Hmm.." A few sounds of metal bars being lifted and unhinged from the doors bindings were were heard for a moment. "You may enter." The door gently opened, nothing but darkness appeared to be within. Only after entering enveloping oneself into the shadow, with the door loudly fastening behind them, did their eyes adjust to the subtle crimson in this dark room. The candles were lit around the place as the only light and each were red. It had a certain refinement to the room. Though it was riddled with chains, whips, and torture devices along the walls. The one who stood by the door was a hooded figure with black hair flowing unkempt down their hood covering their upper face. But they seemed to have a black beard as well and wore a sheathed blade to his side. He led Dremmick to the main purchasing room. Where many things were set aside that wouldn't be found in the normal market. Organs, blood, poisons, forged citizenship badges and other illegel items were available. "How may we help you sir?" Asked the hooded man. Though he seemed alone in this place one could not shake the feeling of other presences. Even as a back room inside was caged shut with a warning painted on it in red.

	Dremmick did take a look at the bottles of blood.While he didn't agree with their methods of gathering it, what was done was done, and to not stock up would be quite a dumb move. The only blood he had on him was Mason's mixed blood, and its effectiveness could vary. It wasn't something he wanted to risk more than he had to, so he picked up a bottle of pureblood. [color=A52A2A]"This will do nicely for starters.... What do you have in the form of rituals and gear?"[/color] he said with a tone of passive interest. Working with these types of merchants were the same as any other. Look too interested, and the price only skyrockets.

	"Ahh... That." He watched as Dremmick plucked the seraphim blood from the counter. Next to it were various other pure bloods of different lands. "We do not specialize in the Therosi's ritual magic here. We mostly serve Dragon slavers. Mixed bloods." He walked over to the door the was labeled with a warning and opened a barred window on it. "Or pure." He revealed a young horse sized dragon inside. It was eating some bloody carcass with chains around its neck. "The strongest of slaves. However I may have somethin for yer." He hobbled over to a shelf and began to rummage through it, gently twisting items and moving them aside to observe. "I have these." He brought down a few blood written ritual papers. Their effects were chaotic in nature however and had a one time use.

	Dremmick raised an eyebrow at the dragon. He seemed a little irked that they didn't have much ritual gear here, but the further from Nero it seemed the less he would see. Honestly, he was surprised they even had ritual papers, though that didn't keep his brows from unfurrowing. [color=A52A2A]"Only single use papers? Hmm... I could probably use them eventually, it could keep me from writing my own for a bit anyway. How much are you expecting for these? There can't be too large of a market for them here."[/color]

	"Haha. Well these are rare ya see. IF ya use'em wisely." He walked over to a picture on the wall, scarcely illuminated, yet revealed a symbol of the Dragon cult. "Tha Therosi rarely come here thanks to the influence of the Dragons on the mountain. Only blood magic you'll find here is somethin the Therosi know little about." He then reached and grabbed a jar filled with a fleshy balls of meat. He opened it and tossed a few into his visibly sharp jaws. "50 Bronze and its yours."

	When he spoke of blood magic the Therosi knew little about, it piqued his interest. Dremmick looked over to the man, an eyebrow raised, [color=A52A2A]"Oh really? And what kind of blood magic would [i]that[/i] be exactly? I would be surprised to hear about a type of blood magic that's new to me."[/color] Dremmick paid the man what he asked, mostly to give him the incentive for him to keep talking about it, and because, honestly, it was already lower than what he was expecting. He looked at the blood papers to see if it was anything he hadn't seen before as well.

	"Oh you're a different kind of Therosi. One interested in expanding their horizons. Hmm..." He looked through some old dust caked books and picked one. Blowing on it he revealed a symbol for the Dragon cult. "Chaotic blood magic. Forged from the blood of dragons. There are gifts to be given if one follows their lead. But I warn you." He said closing the book he had opened and skimmed through so suddenly the dust echoed with the sound. "Delving into this magic may be too hostile for your typical Therosi mage. That is to say..." He handed the book to Dremmick. "Results may vary."

	Dremmick's eyes slightly widened at the sight of the book as he took it from the man's hand. [color=A52A2A]"Well would you look at that, I suppose you [i]did[/i] have something to surprise me."[/color] he said with a slight smirk.  He stored the blood papers away and picked up a jar of the pure blood he looked at earlier. I'd like to purchase this as well, and I will trade you something you may actually be able to sell for the book,"[/color] Dremmick said as he pulled his fire dagger from his belt. [color=A52A2A]"Not effective for fighting, but strike it against a stony surface and it will light on fire, a fire source, useful for anyone who wishes not to consume magic with a rune."[/color]

	A low chuckle. He examined the dagger. "Oh this seems to have a certain significance to it. However without knowledge on its antique I cannot buy it for more than 3 gold. Perhaps you know the name of this weapon." He asked. Intently waiting for an answer.

	[color=A52A2A]"Hmm....Can't say I do, but no matter. I'll hold on to it for now, was mostly curious what the fetching price would be. Might catch someone's fancy in Fotia. As for my purchase, Most I can offer is ten gold for the blood and the book."[/color]

	With a light cackle the supposed owner of this store bowed to respect to Dremmick's choice of words. "Ah one not afraid to say no is bound for more than those who are compelled to say yes. I look forward to doing future business with your kind. The Therosi always have interesting things to say... And I rarely get visitors.." He bowed one more good to to Dremmick before walking by some candles. With a whisper they were lit. His eyes were now visible and were slit like a reptiles and yellow.

	Dremmick cracked a smile as he saw the man was also of dragon blood like himself. He held up the book to the merchant. [color=A52A2A]If this is what I can look forward to seeing from here, I will be coming back. Stay safe...well...as much as possible anyway."[/color] he stored the book in his large pouch behind him and clasped it. He noticed a candle close to the shopkeeper yet to be lit. He shot a tiny stream of fire at it from his mouth that lit the candle, though he was already turned and about to the door before it could light any part of his face under his hood. [color=A52A2A]"Missed one."[/color]

With that, Dremmick headed back to the main part of the market to pick up fresh clothes so that he didn't have to fabricate his own, then left for the inn. Upon getting closer the crimson hood faded to mist and receded back into him. Oddly enough though, as he entered, there was a strange character standing just inside the doorway, and from their apparel, he instantly recognized them as from Nero. Not skipping a beat though, there was still plenty of room in the large doorway to casually walk by. He paid the person no heed as he went to his room. In there, he changed into fresh clothes, and put the rest of his leather and bark armor, as well as his gear. Oddly enough, he felt more comfortable with it on than it off. He pulled his real hood up though he left the muffler loose as he went back out to the tavern room where Aeden, Allard and the strange person were. He found himself a table, opened his new book, and began to read while keeping tabs on the new visitor.