[Color=gray][center][h1][Color=silver]M[/color][Color=lightblue]i[/color][Color=cornflowerblue]r[/color][color=green]i[/color][color=mediumpurple]s[/color][/h1]
[Img]https://i.imgur.com/qDMVZHa.png[/Img][/center]
[Color=darkturquoise]Race: [/color]Changeling
[Color=green]Class:[/color] Part-Time Fighter
[Color=cornflowerblue]Location:[/color] Port Verge, Lhazaar Principalities
[b][color=white]Interactions:[/color][/b] Meiyu [@Tae], Arya [@potter], Phia [@princess], Menzai [@samreaper] Bastion [@Oso], Corin [@Lava Alckon]
[b][color=white]Mentions:[/color][/b] 

[Color=tan]Equipment:[/color]
[hider=Equipment]
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Lots of Clothes
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Arming sword
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Battle-axe
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Mace
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Daggers
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Bow & Arrows
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Shortsword
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Leather Armor
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Half-plate Armor
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Hide Armor
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Gliding Cloak
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Toolkit
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Camping Equipment
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Locked chest filled with old trinkets that ARE NOT FOR SALE
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Magnifying glass
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Diary
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Sketchbook
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Pencils
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Dried and Cured Meats
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Nuts
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Second Locked Chest with self-care products
[Color=mediumpurple]⋆[/color] Bag of holding[/hider]
[Color=lightblue]Attire:[/color] Beige trousers, brown tunic, and worn brown boots
[color=Peru]Gold Balance:[/color] 40GP (-5 for Minerva’s hearty supper) 
[Color=silver]Injuries:[/color] None.
[Color=white]Current Persona:[/color] [b][color=tan]Minerva[/color][/b]
[hr]

[color=peru]“What’s next?!”[/color]

With her hunger and thirst satisfied, Minerva still found herself wanting. It was only natural for a woman who yearned for more out of life. Oh, how she wished she could defy time itself whenever she noticed the sun making its ever-fated descent. Even here, in the unsavory Lhazaar Principalities, the sunset would mark its beauty as it sank into the horizon, a view she’d make sure to catch from any window that would permit it. 

The party of familiar faces would eventually find themselves sorting out sleeping arrangements. Now, our favorite feline shifter would have been fine with everyone piled onto a single bed, but for the sake of keeping things tame for the others, she kept her ideas to herself. But it wasn’t just that…

Her eyes had lingered on each of their faces longer than usual, attempting to keep her memory of them in perfect permanence. With all her antics toward them, she found herself growing fond of them. 

[color=peru][i]Maybe these crystal shards aren’t so bad… They might very well be the reason I get to see them again. Or maybe…[/i][/color] 

The wishful thought faded as doubt took hold of it, causing her to wince as everyone made their way down the hall to their rooms. Being the last to enter the living space meant for herself, Meiyu, Phia, Arya, and of course, Stella, Minerva shot one last look down the hall toward Menzai and Bastion. The two were committed to remaining in the hall to provide an additional layer of security for everyone else. An honorable deed. It was no wonder Wendel had the two in such high regard. 

[color=peru]“I’ll keep Phia safe for you, Menzai.”[/color] It was a cheeky joke made in reference to when he had left Phia in her care after the crash. Minerva winked playfully at the wolf before wearing a sterner face for Bastion. [color=peru]“And Bastion! As my second in command, I need you to hold down the fort while I’m off in dreamland. I won’t be long. It's a promise.”[/color] She eyed him seriously, before a brief smile warmly broke through her expression. [color=peru]“Have a good night, you two… And don’t have too much fun in there alone, Corin!”[/color] She did hope he'd be alright sleeping alone, and then she just hoped he was one of those people who enjoyed time by themselves. That felt... easier.

[color=peru][i]Maybe I’ll wake up tomorrow…[/i][/color]

Minerva entered the room last, but she kept her presence noticeable for the others, immediately pointing to one of the bottom bunks.

[color=peru]“This one’s mine!”[/color] She declared this as if it meant everything before dashing to the bunk and sitting on it with a quickness. The other women found their bunks without argument. Phia unsettlingly took the bunk above hers, which didn’t help with Minerva’s eerie feeling toward the half-elf. Meiyu quietly claimed the other bottom bunk across from her, and Arya accepted taking the bunk atop hers, though there was a stiffness about the tiefling that reminded her a bit of Menzai. Like a star up high, Arya was right there and perceivable, yet felt so unbelievably distant. [color=peru][i]I’ll mess with her… tomorrow. I’ll wake up tomorrow and change that.[/i][/color] Minerva was more determined that that was the case, but still it was but a wish. 

It wasn't long until Minerva and Phia found themselves engaged in most of the conversation in the room, discussing what they had gotten into in Port Verge while separated and sharing stories to pass the time. The two were definitely the loud and lively bunk, and the bonding made from their conversation diminished Minerva’s feelings toward Phia’s dreaded double wave. She still did it, though, and that can't be overlooked!

When the opportunity arose, Minerva made her way to the bath but also tried to keep up the conversation from afar. Her favorite thing at the time was doing poor impressions of the group and other people they had encountered, with her voice echoing through the bathroom door left ajar. The bath itself offered an ultimate reprieve, removing the faint scent of the peaches she once battled and the opportunity to free herself from her clothing. 

[color=peru][i]I can’t wait until tomorrow…[/i][/color] 

She urged the thought this time and forced it into her reality. It was no longer a mere hope or wish. Minerva was set on waking after her slumber tonight, already thinking of what she might eat for breakfast as the sun rose again.

[color=peru]“Much betterrr!”[/color] Minerva exclaimed cheerfully as she left the bathroom bare while holding what she had previously worn. She caught a brief, perplexed look from Arya, who had spent much of her time by one of the windows, but her brief look was more from surprise than judgment. Meiyu and Phia, on the other hand, continued with what they were doing; the former was helping herself to some tea and reading, while the latter continued conversing with her whimsically.

Things eventually slowed down as the four women set their belongings aside and grew more comfortable in their beds. Then the room darkened to match the night beyond them, leaving the feline shifter to just her racing thoughts.

[color=peru][i]Wendel… you picked a good bunch, and I can’t wait for more… Tomorrow… Yeah, tomorrow is gonna be great… I’ll have some fun with Meiyu and Menzai… I’ll whip Bastion and Corin into prime fighting shape… Phia and I will talk until our lips fall off… And I’ll get [i]you[/i] to open up some more Ayra… I wonder… I wonder if you’re troubled too… like Bastion… like me… Well, that’s something for tomorrow. Tomorrow…[/i][/color]

[color=peru]“Good night…”[/color] Her voice had finally achieved the volume of a whisper as she felt herself drifting to sleep. [color=peru]“Don’t let me sleep too long.”[/color] Minerva shut her eyes to the world, but mentally clung to it. She mentally clung to [i]them[/i] and their faces she had burned into her memory.

But her time was over, and as many times as she fought against the chaotic flow of change, this was not a battle she could win. 
[hr]
Day whisked away night, and with it, Minerva as well.

The feline shifter was lying still, covered only by her blanket, when her eyelids twitched ever so slightly. It was her last visible action in what she called her “playtime.” And then, for a second, her skin and hair were drained of all color, blanking the slate before applying the next persona of Miris’ “crew.”

[center][B][color=khaki]Minerva was dragged away... Frame shifted and settled, from restless to sure. Gone was the fleeting, the wild, and obscure. In its place lie a calm that refused to bend. A watcher, a warden, a blade for a friend. Bright, roaming eyes now narrowed with aim. Who lies in her stead, and what is his name?[/color][/b][/center]

Malikendor of the Shifting Sands opened his eyes with purpose, quietly taking a deep breath in this strange, unfamiliar place. Many questions about his current predicament filled his thoughts, but they would not linger for long as his eyes searched his surroundings. [color=tan][i]A room in a tavern. Shared? Shared with women. And I am without clothes… Minerva...[/i][/color] His calm gaze found a woman looking directly at him from the top bunk across from his, watching him with fright beside her raptor companion. He did not panic. He did not attempt to explain. Malik simply stared back. [color=tan][i]A tiefling… A-[/i][/color] He blinked several times, confused by what his mind fed him. It was as if he knew her name for just a second before it escaped him like fleeing prey into a thicket. 

When the woman seemed to calm herself, his attention shifted to the layout of the rest of the room, his bag, and the faint scent of salt in the air. [color=tan][i]We didn’t make it to our destination just yet.[/i][/color] Malik gave Arya and Stella a nod before he wrapped himself with his blanket, left his bunk, retrieved his bag, and quietly walked to the bathroom. Unlike Minerva, he shut the door with the clicking of the lock audible enough to stir lighter sleepers awake. His next order of business was to dress and equip himself. After that, he would start reading the journal before advancing too far forward. He would commit to this plan before asking questions of those within the room. 

Before finding his clothes in the bag of holding, he eyed himself in the mirror and brushed his hands over spots not visible in the moment. His calloused fingertips eventually found the shard on his nape. [color=tan][i]What is this?[/i][/color] He grimaced as he had even more questions than before. 

After a few minutes in the bathroom, Malik exited, fully equipped, while holding the journal previously held by Minerva and Wendel. He walked across the room, only taking the briefest moments to look upon the other occupants before he sat on the bed. The next awake was the woman on the other lower bunk. He studied her face, but not as long as he had Arya’s because he was sure of who she was by this time. [color=peru][i]Meiyu. Mentioned frequently in the journal.[/i][/color] She smirked at him knowingly, a look that perked one of his eyebrows with curiosity. She didn’t say a word and instead moved about as if nothing was wrong. [color=tan][i]Did Minerva explain everything to them? No… she would have written it… But she’s also… odd about her entries…[/i][/color] 

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/7vasmg2.jpeg[/img][/center]

Malik lowered his gaze back to the journal, taking in every detail he could, and mentally developing a means to escape it. Being passively captured was not something he was comfortable with, even if it meant he was unrestrained. It was still a cage, albeit much larger. There were more lives on the line than his own, so for now, he’d remain with this ragtag group. 

The last woman awoke with a reaction he didn’t wish to deal with, but it was a natural reaction to say the least. There was no lie he could tell that would explain away Minerva’s absence without deeming him some kind of culprit responsible for her disappearance. Phia of the Double Wave was panicked like Arya was, but far more vocal about the predicament. She did not just ask. Phia demanded answers. Who was he? Where was Minerva? What did he do to Minerva?

[color=tan][i]Minerva…[/i][/color]

[color=tan]“I [i]was[/i] Minerva.”[/color] Malik admitted plainly as he shut the book in his hand. [color=tan]“I am Malik, now. And I will pick up where she left off, Phia.”[/color] She shot him a warranted suspicious look, which he couldn't help, at least not now. Malik knew words were empty when facing the unknown. Showing her would be far better. Minerva had left the door open to the secret the personas shared, and now Malik was left to invite these strangers to it. 

The morning progressed with more questions aimed his way, and just as in battle, he returned fire without giving everything away, just as he did with Phia. Unlike Minerva and Wendel, Malik did not initiate a conversation with anyone. The most anyone would receive was his analytical gaze. 

This situation was temporary. This party was temporary. But it was what he had now. Favorable circumstances or not, this lot was mentioned in good light by Wendel and was able to tolerate Minerva’s antics.

Not much time passed before the group was led by three pirates whom Malik marked as subordinates to the prince mentioned in Minerva’s entry. Malik offered no resistance and instead silently thanked Minerva for securing such an opportunity. For him, this was exactly where he felt he should be. The way out of this place would be through the seat of power here, or more specifically… [color=#8FFFC3]Port Verge’s Prince Ravik Dane[/color]. As heavy doors shut behind the group in the throne room, this was the man the group now faced.

[color=#8FFFC3]“I am not sure what misfortune led to your arrival on my island.”[/color] 

[color=#8FFFC3]“But know this now and accept it as truth. While you are here in the domain of Prince Ravic Dane, you stand as property of the Seadragons. For I am him, and everything around you belongs to me. If you wish to live, I suggest you make the choice to find peace with such a fact.”[/color] 

[color=#8FFFC3]“Let’s keep it simple and begin with introductions. I wish for each of you to stand before me and tell me who you think you are.”[/color]

[color=tan]“Prince,”[/color] The manner in which Malik addressed felt more like it was meant to get Prince Dane’s attention than to respectfully address the man by using his honorific. He stepped forward, ahead of a group that did not know him, prepared not only to formally introduce himself to the prince, but to the others as well. His voice wielded pride while remaining steady and firm. [color=tan]“Apologies first and foremost. I [b]know[/b] who I am, for I know my blood. With pride, I stand as Malikendor of the Shifting Sands, son Marakhami and grandson of Malikeh. Valenar Elf of Shivairn.”[/color] 
[/color]