[color=95A5A6][b]> Introduce yourself. <
		[Write in: Verity Shadowbane, female human.][/b][/color]

[hr]

	You nodded along to Aika's story, agreeing with her assessment of her master. You hadn't spent enough time with him to know him very well, but his to-the-point focus and matter-of-fact delivery didn't leave much of a hint anyway. As she explained the secrecy of her mission, your brow lowered slightly in concern. Nobody likes being told half-truths, and while she was holding that information from you, you decided to still be honest with her.

	[color=95A5A6]"My name is Verity Shadowbane."[/color]

	[color=7ea7d8]"Verity Shadowbane,"[/color] she repeated back as she held her hand out to you with a smile. [color=7ea7d8]"Well met then, Verity. And thanks again for picking me up."[/color]

	Your hand met hers, and a firm shake between you two solidified the formalities. Still, there was a rather pressing matter that weighed on you both, and as she broke eye contact with you, her thoughts seemed clear on her face as she looked once again down the hall. [color=95A5A6]"I don't suppose I can convince you to return with me, then?"[/color] You spoke with confidence in her next answer, as if she needn't say it. [color=7ea7d8]"How can I? I would be remiss to return empty handed,"[/color] she justified. You let out a sigh, your work would be cut out for you, it would seem. Understandably so, as she was here on her own mission as well. [color=95A5A6]"Unfortunately, I was hired to see your safe return. If you're set on spelunking here further, I'm coming with you,"[/color] you asserted, vowing to see yourself return not empty handed as well. You could see the thoughts bubbling in Aika's head once again, though more a mixture of possible concerns, outcomes, and emotion. Eventually, she nodded and flicked her wrist again, recalling the little light to just over her shoulder. [color=7ea7d8]"All right, then. We'll get what I'm looking for and get out, easy with two of us."[/color]

	[color=95A5A6]"Sounds good."[/color]

	[color=7ea7d8]"Great! By the way, did you happen to poke around the temple yourself before you found me?"[/color]

	[color=95A5A6]"What do you mean?"[/color]

	[color=7ea7d8]"You know, any other doors, or traps or hidden things like that? Or should we just try to clear the rest of those spiders out?"[/color]

[hr]

[color=95A5A6]
	• "Let's take care of the spiders."

	• "There was something odd about the bookcase."

	• "I haven't checked the other side of this room yet."
[/color]