[color=C0AE98]"My apologies-jika. This body is just too large-ojika."[/color] The bull-like individual chuckled in response to Bill’s scolding; seemed like a thick-skinned sort, that was always good. [color=C0AE98]"I do not-jika."[/color]

 [color=D2691E]“No worries son, just try to be a bit more mindful in future, yeah? No tellin’ when we might need to hunt us up a meal.”[/color] the dark-haired rancher offered.

[color=82ca9d]"Why are you thinking of food and hunting? It's hardly the time for such things, mind our situation."[/color] a short, dark-skinned woman challenged his complaint about the local wildlife.

He raised an eyebrow,  [color=D2691E]”Well now Miss, that’s on account of I hadn’t had lunch yet when I got rammed through the chest by the bull what kilt me.”[/color] he explained casually,  [color=D2691E]”Can’t fault him none for it, just doin’ what comes natural. Bound to happen eventually if ya work around big angry critters fer long ‘nuff.”[/color]

The elven man who had presumably summoned them finally spoke up as the unsuspecting heroes finished gathering “I am, Aloe. Healer of the Stixx, and zealot of the Goddess of Howling Winds or Alaela. I am your guide, children of earth. I will be helping you in your adventurers of glory and fame! “ he declared before begining some type of incantation which Bill promptly ignored.

[color=FFDDF4]”Nononono – [b]Emperor[/b]! That alone, no miss, or lady, or ma’am, or dame or doll or chick or babe or aaaaaaanything else you can think of! Just Emperor. [i]Maybe[/i], maybe you can add Yuudai, or Oshiro – or whatever combination of the three you want, but Emperor.”[/color] The flamboyant girl complained rather loudly about Bill’s dismissal of her claims, [color=FFDDF4]”Take notes Woody on that – hat wise, eeeeeeeh...”[/color]

[color=D2691E]”Now, Lil’ Miss, I can put up with yer’ fun an’ games, but don’t y’all DARE disrespect mah’ Daddy’s hat.”[/color] the larger man declared firmly,  [color=D2691E]“Sorry. Don’t disrespect the hat, [i]Your Highness[/i]”[/color] he corrected indignantly, sweeping the hat from his head to bow abruptly; sending the mud caked onto it flying off towards the would-be princess as she bolted through the strange gateway.

[color=FFDDF4][b]”An emperor leads while subjects follow.”[/b][/color] she declared as she passed through.

 [color=D2691E]“So.”[/color] the rancher grimaced, [color=D2691E]“Is lettin’ the one who has a gun go through the mystery hole made by a suspicious stranger first not common sense elsewhere, or is that just a Texas thing?”[/color] Big Bill asked the others, replacing his hat and scratching his head.

[color=D2691E]“She didn’t seem terribly prepared for a fight no matter how I think ‘bout it.”[/color] he sighed, drawing his revolver and taking a few steps towards the portal,  [color=D2691E]“Love to stay and chat with y’all but somebody should probably make sure the poor confused gal don’t get herself killed off too quick. Sounds like we need every hand we can get, even the crazy ones.”[/color] the large human explained, stepping through after the once and never queen.
[@Firestorm][@Avemelle][@CelesteEste][@o3o]