[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=cornflowerblue]Location:[/color] An unremarkable jungle [H2][center][COLOR=RED]FLASHBACK[/COLOR][/center][/h2][hr] In a quiet jungle far beyond the reach of Karnnath, a young Miris finds herself trekking slowly through it. The nature here was vibrant, beautiful, and, most of all, unforgiving to strangers seeking to avoid the roads. Some wanted a shortcut; others sought to hide their tracks, but Miris, the now-teenage Changeling, only wanted to be in her own skin without attracting unwanted attention, and traveling as Wendel had its perks. I mean, who would attempt to harass a kind old dwarf? Someone who deserved to feel the sting of her sword. With long braided hair and a nimble build, Miris was no longer the small girl carrying a sack of trinkets to sell off. Miris was… Well, she considered herself an adventurer, a path she chose after meeting her very first one who stopped in Rekkenmark. In truth, Miris was a multifaceted individual, taking on various jobs here and there that required someone with moral flexibility and no qualms about taking risks. A Karnnathi spymaster was her client this time, tasking her to deliver forged military orders to an enemy camp just beyond this jungle. It seemed easy enough, and it got her to discover some new places beyond her [i]home[/i]. She couldn’t wait to share with Wendel, especially with his day-to-day becoming so mundane after he stopped working like he used to. [center][color=silver][i]As much as I want to, I just don’t have the energy these days…”[/i][/color][/center] Miris stopped in her tracks, remembering just how heartbroken Wendel was when admitting that to her. [color=white][i]I’ll bring the thrill to you, Wendel. Once I get back, I’ll tell you how things went and how I used everything you taught me to get one up on anyone in my way.[/i][/color] The forlorn look on her face from the memory turned into a hopeful smile as she stepped forward and… [color=peru]“BOO!”[/color] [color=white]“AAH!”[/color] Miris screamed at the face of a spotted feline shifter woman who had boomed her voice from her right flank. Minerva. The shifter’s first impression was far from subtle, nearly startling Miris out of her skin and causing her to reach for her short sword handle. Miris grit her teeth, preparing for a confrontation, but all Minerva did was laugh at her. [color=peru]“You gonna whip that thing out or wait for me to take that too?”[/color] Minerva teased with a grin before jingling Miris’ coin pouch she stole from right beneath her nose. [color=white]“What…”[/color] Miris’ voice was barely audible as she glanced down at her belt, which was, in fact, missing her coin pouch. [color=white]“Return it!”[/color] Miris demanded while moving to unsheathe her shortsword, but Minerva was upon her already. She was so fast, her hand already gripping Miris’ hilt and keeping her from introducing the weapon to their first meeting. Their faces were inches from each other, juxtaposing ease and difficulty in their expressions. [color=peru]“Here.”[/color] Minerva held the coin pouch up, still finding this entire interaction amusing by her standards. [color=peru]“I don’t really want it, anyway.”[/color] Miris was quick to snatch back her pouch and swiftly backstep to create some distance. [color=white]“Then why even take it? Who even does that?”[/color] [color=peru]“Minerva does,”[/color] she shrugged. [color=white]“Who’s-”[/color] [color=peru]“Me! I’m Minerva… Doer of Things!”[/color] Minerva announced this as proudly as a paladin declaring their faith. [color=peru]“And you, changeling? Who. Are. You?”[/color] Minerva took three steps toward Miris, matching each word of the question. Meanwhile, Miris maintained the distance by stepping back, still prepared to unsheathe. She didn’t know how to feel about Minerva. Miris was aware that Minerva could have easily harmed her from the start. [color=white]“It doesn’t concern you,”[/color] Miris said sternly, yet her body language read as discomfort and a lack of confidence. [color=white]“Now I’ll be on my way.”[/color] [color=peru]“Samsies, changeling!”[/color] Minerva didn’t wave. She simply gave Miris a big, toothy smile from where she stood. It was more than enough of an indication of her ability to start walking, so that’s exactly what Miris did. She left the strange woman to her own oddness and continued deeper into the wilderness. [color=peru]“There’s a nice clearing further in if you head slightly right from here.”[/color] Minerva’s voice, heard from a few steps behind her, caused Miris to freeze in place. [color=white][i]Why is she here?! Why is she with me?!”[/i][/color] [color=peru]“It’s purrrfect for taking a little break. A nap even.”[/color] [color=white]“I… I thought you were on your way somewhere.”[/color] Miris asked without turning around to speak to her tagalong. She did, however, shift her direction of travel to what Minerva proposed. A quick sit-down would be nice, and perhaps at that point she'd know what to do about her cat problem. [color=peru]“Yeah, but I guess your way… and my way… are the same way.”[/color] Minerva held back a laugh while Miris held back a sigh. The two of them ventured deeper into the jungle, eventually reaching the clearing where a large tree had fallen to create it. Sitting on a dry spot on the ground, Miris prepared herself to ask Minerva some hard questions. She took a deep breath and… and then she heard a familiar jingling. Miris reached up, already knowing what it was. [Color=peru]“So easy! You were so tense and everything, too!”[/color] [Color=white][i]She took it again. She took it. Not because she needed it… Just because she could.[/i][/color] [Center][Img]https://i.imgur.com/9B1HkY9_d.jpeg?maxwidth=520&shape=thumb&fidelity=high[/img][/center] [/Color]