[center][h2][color=b284be]Damon Howard[/color][/h2][/center][hr][hr]For some reason, David thought Odaya needed ‘defending’ from his comment. [color=b284be]“Are you saying you’re charmed by me?”[/color] he joked, but that conversation soon met its end.

Eckehart had a lot to say about the world – Yo’Bikur aka The Dreamland – and Damon listened to it quietly, absorbing the man’s words.

Then, his friend or acquaintances began comparing various trinkets they’ve received. [color=b284be]“Oh, you guys got some stuff?”[/color] he asked curiously, inspecting the trinkets. He wasn’t jealous per se, but it did occur to him that he could get something for himself, too. He glanced at the pair of sneakers that hung off his fingers uselessly as he carted them along. [color=b284be]“I’ve got an idea – be right back!”[/color] he said to no one in particular, and dashed off to the nearest stalls he could see.

They were set against a series of buildings which looked like they belonged in a desert. Colourful, patterned textiles stretched between the buildings, and hung above the stalls.

Damon approached a lizard-person merchant, and explained his issue. He didn’t mind going barefoot as much as he’d thought, but would still prefer some kind of footwear. However, his claws had almost ruined his. He showed the bipedal lizard the holey socks to demonstrate. [color=b284be]“…I only have this to trade with, though,”[/color] he pointed at the sneakers sheepishly. [color=b284be]“Unless you’d take…?”[/color] He had a wallet in his inner shirt pocket, and showed the shopkeep some banknotes and coins. 

After some bargaining and bartering that was difficult for Damon to make heads or tails of – being used to buying at a fixed price – he parted with his sneakers, socks, and a relatively non-significant amount of dollars. (Maybe the merchant was interested in foreign currency?) In exchange, he received a nice pair of leather boots. As the lizardfolk apparently also had tough claws, they knew how to make durable clothing. For some reason, he got a matching pair of leather gloves as a bonus. Or a gift. Or an incentive to come again. He wasn’t quite sure.

It took a bit to find where he was supposed to go; a kind and dashing harpy helped him. He received from them a large, beautiful feather that he tucked into his belt.

He managed to return to the group while it was crossing the great stone bridge. Odaya found him, returning his jacket. [color=b284be]“Oh, alright. Nice dress,”[/color] Damon said, a bit distractedly. As amusing as it was that the little gremlin child practically had a ‘fantasy princess’ transformation, there really was so much else going on just then.

When Audrey first mentioned wanting to return home, Damon wasn’t concerned yet. What really caught his attention was Eckehart’s answer. [color=b284be]“Does that mean Rulania has no friends?”[/color] he frowned. It’s what she’d asked for, and she had to wait for some to come from another world? [color=b284be]“And she’s [i]sixteen[/i]?”[/color] They were the same age, but it struck him that the princess was young.

Then, both Ambrose and David chimed in to Audrey. [color=b284be]“Guys, I’m sure they were just inviting us, and maybe they were too eager, but if there was a way here I don’t see why we couldn’t go back whenever we wanted-”[/color]

He looked at Eckehart. The man seemed concerned. His words were concerning. [color=b284be]“Oh.”[/color] Damon swallowed, a thread of anxiety taking root. He suddenly remembered that when they were swallowed up by the surging water – similar to the depiction of Tyrdania, a part of his mind noted – it wasn’t just wonderful. It had been terrifying. And showing up here had been all sorts of weird and confusing.

But everyone also seemed so friendly, and open, and inviting. They were practically celebrated, their presence here welcomed. They were appreciated by the natives, even though they were all just some strangers, really.

Damon didn’t know what to do about the disparity. [color=b284be]“…Let’s just go talk to the princess.”[/color] He agreed with Eckehart that she might know more.