Into the depths? [@Click This][@Crimson Paladin] [hr] “Presumption of innocence? Sounds like something that old hag would come up with. Law this. Innocence that. Urgh, it makes my head hurt with the illogicalness of it all.” The robed woman turned towards Novak. “But a deal is a deal. Fine then. Find the orb, and bring it to me. And make sure you don’t let that one near it when you do.” Lazhira said nothing, though her expression was one of worry and mild distress - she obviously didn’t take too kindly to this agreement. “And...just so we’re aware, human.” A chuckle. “No one. No one, breaks a deal with me. I always collect, deceive me and I’ll make that head of yours emptier than you made it yourself.” The God would find the mannequin it had been dancing with, and pull it back into an embrace. “Now go on, leave. Get to work, before my friend here gets hungry. We wouldn’t want that.” Seemed like the God's patience for conversation may have run out, now. Might be best to leave, unless they had an especially pertinent question. “Do be careful though on the way out...the foolishness of mortals can’t always comprehend the words of a God and may act...rashly.” And with that ominous little farewell, the woman began resuming her dance with the mannequin. [hr] Nobbu and the Fox [@VitaVitaAR][@PKMNB0Y] Depending on where Misaki would attempt going, results may be slightly different. The Herbalist would be gracious enough to allow her to store anything she found there, and also discuss at length anything that the scholar might have in question. She however, did not seem to know what bamboo was. A brief discussion later though, she would mention there was indeed, a plant that may be similar in composition. She'd have to go a bit of the ways into the forest to find it, somewhat back towards where the Kyrnith's little shrine was. A tall plant with a hollow inside, that grew fairly tall. The locals called them 'Windcatchers' for the fact they often grew above most other plants and had leafy tops that would indeed 'catch the wind'. Perhaps not quite exactly 'bamboo' but it seemed like a decent thing to check locally. She also would tell Misaki she was free to use the shop if she needed it for something. A friendly old lady, it seemed. Mie would prove a bit more useful in that area if she decided to go. It wouldn’t be hard to find her. The Oni were currently starting to pack up the wares for storage during the night, and Mie was lounging on a table. A pipe in one hand and a bowl of alcohol in another. “Ah...Misaki, huh. Sorry, shop’s closed for the evenin’. You want anything else come back tomorrow.” She’d say with a relaxed tone. “You wanna join me for a drink though? I'm not gonna bite or steal your coinpurse, promise.” [hr] The Roma Mob [@ERode][@Pyromania99] [hr] Isidore and Leuca would be the first to arrive back to the front of the palace. Sorcha was already waiting on them by the time they would arrive. Most of the Shadow elves were giving her a rather wide berth, if any walked past. It was difficult to tell from her usual serious expression, but she seemed somewhat troubled, though upon noticing Leuca her expression would soften slightly. “Sorcha!” The young Sirithen would run over, greeting the blond haired human with a hug again. “I wasn’t gone for that long.” Sorcha chuckled, patting the elves head with a loving hand. “Ehe, well no, but I still like seeing you.” “Well, anyways...Isidore. I trust you had no trouble with the locales?” She asked, scrunching her nose lightly. “...were you [i]drinking[/i]? With...Leuca?” “Oh, uhm, no I didn’t drink anything if that’s what you were thinking. We just went to a tavern. There were some really friendly dwarves.” “Uh-huh. Well if Leuca says that...thank you for looking after her again, Isidore.” Sorcha would focus her attention off Isidore and Leuca, her eyes drawn towards Augusta, who was just now walking up as well in a stark contrast of garb that was distinctly more locally sourced. A flowing blue and gold dress, with a starry pattern made of lighter colors inlaid near the breast of the dress. An overall fairly simple piece, designed more for everyday use than anything fancy or flashy. It was also a slight bit heavier than perhaps it looked, if only because it was made with a bit of extra padding and thickness. It wouldn’t be protecting against any direct blows, but as long as she paid attention she could easily avoid most direct injuries. [hider=Goddess Note] Item received: Protective Dress Created by a Shadow Elf tailor, this bit of design work while simple, is still fairly impressive and will at least offer some protection against injury as long as one is careful not to take direct blows. [/hider] “And you’ve...gotten a change of dress, I see. Somehow, I think shadow Elf attire fits you better...” Sorcha mused quietly as she’d look over the dress. “Anyways, now that you’re both here...I’ve spoke to the queen and informed her of what has happened. You’ll be meeting her, so make sure to be on your best behavior.” Sorcha would say, motioning them to follow. Of course, they could still backout now if they wished. They were not obligated to follow through with meeting the Queen. Supposing they did, however… The path to the palace was lined with a number of guards, stoically guarding their charge wordlessly. A pair would open the large metal doors as they walked up the stairs, allowing the group to pass inside unimpeded. The interior of the palace was well...it was quite unlike anything they’d have seen on earth. Upon entering they were greeted with a large reception hall, made of smoothed, polished stone that would cause their steps to echo across the chamber. Large planters and gardens decorated most of this particular entrance, the bioluminescence of which seemed to serve as the source of most lightning. A source of water flowed from somewhere overhead, flowing through channels above the floor before falling into a pool towards the only path forward - where Sorcha would soon lead them. The Throne room. The first that would draw their eye, was likely the throne itself. Rather than a stone and built chair, it seemed to be made out of a large, living mushroom that had somehow been grown to make itself in the shape of a throne. The mushroom grew from the floor, twisting high into the ceiling so that it would act a large, natural source of light, bathing the entire room in an almost ethereal blue glow. A waterfall fell from some distance above, the water split by a rock and flowing into two separate streams which fell into trenches along the edge of the room, flowing into some underground place likely to be used elsewhere within the palace. The room was overall, shaped like a large hallway. The smooth stone floor beneath them would give way to a plush carpet of a purple hue, but otherwise the throne room was rather bare save for the numerous guards that lined the hall at every door and that flanked her majesty. “The Shadow Throne greets you, cousin from the forests and those that are blessed by the moon.” The Queen in question had taken to stand the moment they approached. She was...well, not quite like any of the other Shadow Elves at all - a blue hue to her skin, with long pointed ears jutting from either side of her head. Much taller than they were, with a slender, almost fey and otherworldly physique. Long white hair fell from her head, tied neatly into a series of braids. She was dressed in a simple, but elegant and regal sleeveless black dress with a crescent moon emblazoned on it. Curiously, stars seemed to have been sewn into the dress, but they seemed to only shimmer occasionally with blue light. Upon her head was a regal looking silver crown, flowing as the waves and inlaid with sapphires. “The one blessed by storms has informed me of what has happened - and on behalf of Gloomhollow, I, Queen Vasserasa welcome you.” She would regard Augusta with a small smile, almost seeming amused by something. [hider=Goddess Note] [b]You should turn the moons cleverness elsewhere, Augusta, but perhaps if you wish to learn...impress me.[/b] [/hider] … Probably would be a bad idea to attempt looking where she shouldn’t be here. Or maybe not - the queen seemed amused by the eye. “I’m sure you are tired, so I shall keep things brief. The Storm Bearer has already informed me of you...but it would please me to have you introduce yourselves.” Curiously standing not far away from the queen was a rather effeminate male elf dressed in a rather tight fitting sleeveless top that showed off his navel. He had dark hair, and the usual greyish hue of the other shadow elves. Currently he seemed to be trying to not be seen. Builder and a Traveler [@PaulHaynek] [hr] “Dunno,” Mie replied rather tiredly. “But he followed a hunter out...maybe he had business with them?” She swiped the stone from his hand, running her fingers over its smooth surface a handful of times. She frowned slightly, but for the most part didn’t seem too interested. “All I can tell you its probably not from around here. I’ve seen similar stones in some mines in Chagawa occasionally, though. Not valuable at all.” She would pause at the mention of a ‘sage’ however, and furrow her brow. “Only sage I know is one that supposedly visited Chagawa once in the past, but the Guardian Beasts wanted nothing to do with them so forbid them from entering. I’ve heard the Dwarves and Shadow Elves have some Sage they revere, though.” She would glance over her shoulder to Haruno, who was currently directing some Oni to clean up their mess that they had made while drinking a bit too much. “And if you’ll excuse me, I need to start closing up shop. You wanna know more about that sage, maybe try asking Enli. I hear they’re pretty connected to the Moon Goddess.” She would walk out to the main tent, climb on a table, pour herself a bowl of alcohol and pull a pipe from her cloak and proceed to light it with a long, drawn out relaxed sigh. Apparently by ‘closing up shop’ she meant ‘watch her workers do it while she gets drunk’. Send Feet Pics [@Cu Chulainn] “Hmph, I told Soyala you were useless.” The man gruffly replied. “I don’t know why we don’t just force feed you this poison ourselves. I’m sure the illuminator would make a delightful sculpture out of your corpse.” He sighed, pulling out a knife and starting to idly consider Malphas’ words. “Ambush huh...now’s probably the best time if that’s what we want.” He continued. “We’ve collected enough for now to use in that fashion, the plants are too difficult to find.” He smirked, giving Malphas a mildly hostile look. “But if you want an ambush...it’ll be you leading us. Put that confidence where your mouth is, outsider and maybe you’ll earn my respect.”