The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
10
Renown
Female
Dragon's Cradle
in the clouds, my head is clear
386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Leni-Aura Thunderpaw on May 19, 2023 9:05:00 GMT -5
Leni-Aura doesn’t like taverns. She finds them noisy, smelly, and crowded; and no matter what corner of the building she isolates herself in, her chances of finding herself approached by some stumbling, drunken, unpleasant individual is never a non-zero. She can no longer count on both hands how many times she’s gotten herself kicked out of a tavern for ‘rough-housing the patrons’ once her patience has run out— especially since beginning to travel without the company of her caravan. This tavern, though, is… okay... at the moment, anyways. She finds most problems arise during the evening; always growing rowdier as the night goes on; and almost always, particularly, in crowded cities, where all kinds of travelers seek to drink their most recent troubles away. Around noon, however, most inns and taverns aren’t too bad; and this one, being a bit more rural? It’s not the worst. Leni-Aura has hopes that she won’t have to stay another night in this inn, so she won’t have to put up with the evening crowd’s raucous, anyways. The rabbitaur looks up, gazing idly out the window as she taps a pen between her fingers and the table, making a rhythmic tapping sound while she waits. She doesn’t like taverns much, but they make for a good meeting place; it’s nice to be able to refer to a spot by name, but she does… hope that Astrid can read her handwriting… She looks down at the workbook she’s been scrawling in; the same one that Beist had given her months ago to help her begin to write in common. It is, admittedly, a bit amateurish… she might be waiting here a long time if Astrid couldn’t read it… but she had done her best to reach out to the girl and inform her of the presence of Clasp in the Werewolf’s Woods. There was no other way to reach out to her, really... She lowers her ears, breathing an idle sigh while she considers the contents of her letter (and how poorly they may have been written)— but, not for long, as her thoughts are drowned out by the much more unpleasant sound of a drake wolfing down a slice of salmon from her nearby plate as if the concept of chewing is foreign to him. It’s loud enough to catch her attention, and loud enough to make several of the lunch-time bar patrons look their way with slight, uncomfortable expressions at the sounds of aggressive consumption. “ Wh— Nimbus!” Leni-Aura chides under her breath, she drops her pen, letting it clatter to the thin book she’s been writing in while she hisses at the drake. Nimbus, mid unnecessarily loud chomp, stares at her with his head tossed back like a pelican. “ Chew your food! You’re going to give yourself a stomach ache.” A tiny sound rumbles from the drake’s throat; something that sounds a little like a, “ Thorry,” to Leni-Aura (1. Necklace of Animal Speech), but sounds a lot more like a low-pitched growl to the rest of the tavern. Nimbus lowers his head, crunching down slowly on the fish as politely as a small drake sitting on the table of a tavern can possibly manage. Leni-Aura sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation while the inn-goers around her slowly, hesitantly, go back to their lunch-time routines.
Quest Name: Unclasped (Fighter's Guild) Participants: Two or more (Only guild members get the reward) Location: Moonglade Post Requirements: 6 post per person, 200 words per post Reward: +1 Renown Description: We have them now! Recently several guild members have raided known bandit hideouts, trying to find any information about Athena and why the Clasp is involved. Well, we have discovered a document indicating that she has indeed been taken by the bandit lord. We now have everything we need to launch an attack on the main head quarters. But before we can cut the head off of the snake, there are a few large things in our way. Javian has appointed Giants as some of his generals. These things are going to be a major pain in the ass if we try to strike full force, so instead we are asking members of the guild to find these Giant generals and slaughter them. Once we have culled their ranks, we can take on Javian and recue Athena! |
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on May 20, 2023 23:58:12 GMT -5
As someone who had to work on her own handwriting so she could read her own notes and ideas, Astrid struggles only a little to decipher the letter she unexpectedly received from Leni. How the letter made it to Astrid is another matter entirely, but at this point, a few people in the Fighter’s Guild probably have some idea of how to contact Astrid since the girl managed to make a name for herself in Dragon’s Cradle of all places. Still, the letter was simple, and since Astrid knows Leni can struggle to lean on others, she’s happy to help. Sending a letter in return was a bit of a problem, so Astrid hopes she can figure out exactly where to go and meet Leni before she finds another partner.
She will admit that the little stick figure drawings Leni included definitely help.
After some traveling, Astrid reaches the small tavern in a village off the beaten path in the otherwise dangerous Werewolf’s Woods. The people here are either smart, fearless, hardy, or some combination of the three, at least based on what Astrid managed to gather while looking for the spooky place.
“This place looks like shit,” comments an edgy little pixie sitting between Astrid’s horns on her head. Rather than arms, their upper limbs are a pair of black feathery wings with black clawed hands at the end much like the talons of a raptor’s feet. They wear a pair of white pants tied at the knees with birdlike legs hunched over, helping them perch just behind Astrid’s goggles. To keep them warm, they wear a silver shawl with a hood that currently isn’t over their black moppy hair since their shirt is sleeveless due to them having wings for arms. Matching Astrid, they have a tiny pair of goggles sitting on their head.
“Oi, be nice, Wimby,” Astrid scolds. “They’re doin’ their best. Probably.” Placing one hand on Spicy Pawsage’s head, Astrid heads inside the bar and looks around. Luckily, rabbitaur aren’t so common, especially those with drakes, and sure enough, she spots her partner and strolls over. “Hiya, Leni!” she says, plopping down in an empty seat. Of course, many eyes follow her over to the table being that a child walked in with a pixie and a flaming hound.
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
10
Renown
Female
Dragon's Cradle
in the clouds, my head is clear
386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Leni-Aura Thunderpaw on Jun 4, 2023 13:21:13 GMT -5
Leni-Aura sighs; she watches Nimbus for a moment, exasperated but fond, as he chomps on his snack. With a shake of her head, she moves to take her pen back into her hand, when she notices a familiar silhouette. Ears tilting forwards, Leni-Aura lifts her head, and watches with some relief when a young blonde girl with red horns pushes the door open.
Nimbus doesn’t seem to notice her right away, but when Leni-Aura raises her hand to wave at the girl and motion her over, the drake looks up. He opens his wings wide, recognizing Astrid, and makes excited, but muffled squeaks at her. By the time she joins them at their table, he’s swallowed his mouthful of salmon, and his tail thumps happily against the top of the table.
“Hi Astrid, hello Spicy.” Leni-Aura greets; she wants to let herself relax, but the rabbitaur shoots hostile glances at wandering eyes while the girl takes a seat, instead. Only a few of them look away awkwardly; she lowers her ears back, turning her attention back to Astrid; she keeps her voice low. “It is nice to see you again; you got my letter?” Her eyes turn upwards towards the pixie sitting on Astrid’s head after she asks, then adds. “…And you brought a new friend…?”
Nimbus, with significantly less manners, also notices the pixie sitting on Astrid’s head; he trills curiously, reaching out his neck to snuffle loudly at the pixie sitting in Astrid’s hair. “Ah, ah! No,” Leni-Aura grabs Nimbus by the sides and pulls him away from the pixie; he shuffles his little feet while he slides back to Leni-Aura. “Do not be rude.”
He squawks in response, but continues to stare at the pixie.
Leni-Aura sighs, releasing the drake to address Astrid. “How have you been? It has been a while; and I have not seen you much in the Guild Hall, lately. I was worried for you. You have been busy?”
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Jun 6, 2023 18:07:34 GMT -5
Ushering Spicy Pawsage under the table, Astrid finds the hound quickly sniffing at Nimbus and Leni and then the plate. He lets out a friendly little “boof”, his bony tail thumping hard against Astrid’s leg and clanking rhythmically against her greaves. The girl does what she can to quiet him, but it’s to no avail, so she moves one leg a bit to try to correct. The ting, ting, ting is a bit more muffled at least.
“Aye, I got yer letter,” she says. “It's good ta see ya again.” Following Leni’s gaze, Astrid’s eyes trail up to her forehead, as high as they can go, where she can just spot two clawed feet hanging over her goggles and tangled with her bangs in her peripherals. “Oh yeah, Leni, meet Wimbleton. I call ‘em Wimdy. They hatched from a magic egg, an’ now they just kinda hang around.”
Wimdy looks Leni up and down as if they could not care less, then they avert their gaze. “Nice to meet you or whatever,” they say, trying to seem disinterested. In turning their eyes away, they don’t notice Nimbus taking a good whiff of them. “Ack! Hey!” Their wings furl out, and suddenly they’re standing defensively, taking cover behind Astrid’s horns. “What’s the big idea??”
Helping Leni push Nimbus back, Astrid gives the drake a good scratch under the chin. “Don’t mind him, he’s harmless,” she says. “Look at ya, Nimbus. Yer a good boy, yes ya are.”
”Harmless??” Wimdy exclaims. “Look at it! It’ll eat me in one bite!”
“Aye, but he won’t,” Astrid says, chuckling and patting Nimbus. In her distraction, Spicy Pawsage pushes his way up onto the booth seat and starts sniffing at things on the table. Well, this is how things are going to be. The girl throws her arm around the hound and ruffles his glowing red chest. Wimdy huffs and takes refuge under Astrid's goggles.
“I’ve been alright,” Astrid says, trying to recall how much has happened since she last saw Leni. Oh right, the last time they saw each other was the whole uh… Ziev thing. She tries not to let that realization cross her face. She fails. “Definitely busy,” she continues. It seems like Leni doesn’t know that Astrid isn’t in the Fighter’s Guild anymore, and Astrid wonders if Shaa didn’t tell anyone – it certainly seems that way. He does seem one to let others talk about their own business. So she tries to play it off. “Um, yeah, lots has happened, but I can tell ya about it later.”
“I’ll be real honest, I’m not sure what ya needed help with. Somethin’ about… giants or somethin’? Whatever it is, I'm happy ta help!”
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
10
Renown
Female
Dragon's Cradle
in the clouds, my head is clear
386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Leni-Aura Thunderpaw on Jun 7, 2023 16:30:15 GMT -5
Leni-Aura breathes an amused chuff under her breath; the corner of her lips twitch into a subtle smile at the sound of Spicy Pawsage’s little boof. While Astrid speaks, Leni-Aura offers her palm to Spicy under the table so he can have his fill at sniffing at her. “It is good to see you, too.” she agrees; she lifts her eyes to the pixie once more while the girl introduces them. “Wimdy… I see.” she repeats.
They sound disinterested when they introduce themselves; but their disposition completely shifts upon Nimbus’ nosiness. The rabbitaur shakes her head, “It is how he says hello; he will not hurt you.” she tries to explain. While Astrid scratches beneath Nimbus’ chin, the drake starts to thump one of his legs against the top of the table, creating a steady ‘THUMP THUMP THUMP’ that shakes the table. Leni-Aura reaches out to gently hold his foot down, as if it were a natural inconvenience she deals with often. “Besides, he has just eaten; but it is nice to meet you, Wimdy.”
Leni-Aura’s expression remains mostly neutral while Astrid speaks; but there’s a different atmosphere around her than the girl might remember. It’s subtle, but the rabbitaur has been lacking in her usual bite for the most part; replaced, instead, with a sort of melancholy somberness which is hard to place. It could just be that she’s tired, which would not be unsurprising for a mercenary or adventurer of any sort— but it’s a soul-weary sort of exhaustion which has been plaguing her since the revolution of the gods’ deaths; and it only grows worse when she’s on her own.
She does not know what to call it.
Leni-Aura’s eyes lower slightly when the expression crosses Astrid’s face; but she is quick to recover her neutrality, nodding instead when she continues. “I am not surprised.” She admits; and luckily for Astrid, Leni-Aura is not the most socially advanced woman. Reading expression is hardly her strong suit. “If you are still running errands for Miss Veliky on top of your guild responsibilities, you must be tireless.” She tilts her head slightly when Astrid says she’ll tell her later, but before she can ask, Astrid continues— an embarrassed look crosses her face.
“…You… could not read it, could you?” Her brows furrow, lips pursed; a flush crosses her face, but she physically waives it off. “It is… It is fine. I am sorry, I am learning to write in common, and it is… hard.” Her shoulders fall, as if deflated by the sigh that punctuates her sentence. “That is why I also sent the pictures; at least you could read one of them…”
The rabbitaur twists the loose strands of her braid around one of her fingers while she continues, “The Guild has found that Athena has been taken by the Clasp’s lord,” She starts, “They have been appointing giants high into their ranks, and we are working on quietly taking them out before we move in on the Clasp. There is one of those generals in the Werewolf Woods.”
Leni-Aura lets the hair she’s twirled fall from around her finger, and after a moment, she adds a little more quietly with a sheepish undertone, "Was my hand-writing really that bad? You only knew of the 'giants' part?"
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Jun 7, 2023 18:56:17 GMT -5
It’s clear from Wimdy’s expression that they do not trust the friendly drake that could easily snap them up in its maw one bit. From their hiding place, tucked under Astrid’s little red horns, they just grunt in reply.
“Aye, I’m still doin’ work fer Miss Veliky,” Astrid says with a nod and a proud grin. “Finally got meself hired by her, so she keeps me busy when the world ain’t ready ta explode.” Then her voice drops down, just enough so no one else can hear, but it’s clear whatever she says is the most exciting thing to her. “We’re basically family now, but don’t tell no one ‘cause she’d never admit it.” The satisfaction comes out in Astrid’s voice and is accompanied by a childish smirk as she sits back in the booth.
Sensing that Leni has some hidden embarrassment about the letter, Astrid quickly picks up her voice. “O-Oh! No, it ain’t yer fault or nothin’. Letters don’t always arrive in great condition and uhhh–” Her eyes cut over to the hellhound perched on the bench beside her, who sneezes at his unmentioned name. “Someone had a half a snack. Bless ya, Spicy.” Another tail thump and boof as he nuzzles into his small master.
“Common’s tricky, I know that. Bit more complicated than dwarvish if ya ask me,” Astrid says. She didn’t exactly realize that Leni struggled to write the letter because she’s learning to write. Because the kid’s own handwriting isn’t the greatest, she’s gotten used to identifying the important parts of words. Admittedly, she can’t always read her own. “Lotsa letters look the same, an’ I don’t know how ta spell most of ‘em. Cantio’s been tryna help teach me more ‘cause proper ladies gotta know how ta write…. An’ also ‘cause if I don’t write good enough fer folks ta read fer work then it just slows us all down.” She offers a shrug of understanding. “An’ don’t even get me started on the folks who use all the loopy writin’! That definitely all looks the same!”
Astrid would much prefer to chisel letters and runes into metal than write with a flimsy quill that breaks every third word. Luckily, Cantio can mend them with his light magic, otherwise, they’d have to bulk order them from…wherever quills come from.
“They still ain’t found Athena…?” she asks in a worried breath. “Seems like she’s been gone a long time. I never had a chance ta meet her…” It doesn’t once occur to Astrid that she’s speaking in the past tense because her melancholy is quickly replaced by stubborn determination. “The Clasp’s been a pain in the rear fer long enough. ‘Course I’ll help take down one of the generals. Maybe I can show ya all the new stuff I learned since last we saw each other!”
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
10
Renown
Female
Dragon's Cradle
in the clouds, my head is clear
386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Leni-Aura Thunderpaw on Jun 16, 2023 20:50:48 GMT -5
“ Ah… I do not envy you,” Leni-Aura admits honestly, “ But if you are happy with your arrangement, that is good.” The Rabbitaur leans in only slightly when Astrid’s voice drops; her ears swivel towards the young girl to catch her voice. She chuffs, a subtle smile quirking the edges of her lips upwards while Astrid whispers that she and the quarterling are basically family; Leni-Aura does not know Veliky well, but that seems a tall accomplishment from what she knows of the little woman. “ Not a word to a soul.” She swears, placing a hand over her heart as she rises to sit straight in her chair. When Astrid starts to speak again, Leni-Aura furrows her brows; she looks down at the close book beneath her hands, and folds her fingers together. “ Ah,” she murmurs; Astrid has a point, although, she had said she’d seen the pictures… so clearly some of the letter was visible, right? Leni-Aura’s eyes cut to Spicy as well, an exasperated expression crossing her face when Astrid mentions they had a snack. “ Nimbus does that often…” she bemoans the little drake, who looks at her and simply trills, as if he has done nothing wrong in his entire life. “ Though, he takes bites out of anything— not just letters.” She reaches out, scratching the drake behind his horns while Astrid talks about common. “ Mm,” she agrees. “ I do not know dwarvish, but most of my warren speak what people here would call halfling; common is… hard. Less punctuation, and some words look the same but… sound different, I do not understand.” Leni-Aura sighs, shoulders slouched; and then perks up when Astrid mentions something called loopy writing. “ There is loopy writing? What is the loopy writing? It is also common? A… a loopy common? You are kidding, it is already complicated enough without the loops.” She raises a hand to press against her closed eyes briefly in her exasperation; she had no idea! Why the hell are there two types of common? They couldn’t stick to just one!? She is never going to learn how to write. “ Naasn enan…” She can’t bemoan the existence of loopy writing for long, because Astrid reminds her of Athena. She withdraws her hand, ears perking slightly; and then lowering. “ No, they have not.” She clears her throat, turning to look back at the girl. “ I also have never met her; it seems she has been gone for some time. We are finding leads of her, though; and it is only a matter of time before we can take her from the Clasp.” It’s only after she’s finished speaking that she realizes something strange about the way Astrid speaks; they? While her fluency in common has gotten better over the months, this sounds strange to her; but she uses that same fluency to brush it off as a mistake on her part. She had even mimicked Astrid's language structure out of habit. “I am sure that when we find her, you will be able to meet her.” She adds; her hazel eyes glitter with slight interest at Astrid’s next words. “Oh? You have learned more of the sky domain?” She guesses, “I would love to see what you can do; it has been some time since I last saw you. You can do more than charge a weapon now?”
It's not meant as an insult, although it could be taken as one; Leni-Aura's voice holds almost a challenge to it.
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Jul 2, 2023 17:29:35 GMT -5
Since Astrid can’t exactly write in this “loopy writing” but she wants to show Leni how absolutely ridiculous it is, she turns to go through her bag and unfurls a pristine piece of parchment. Spicy sniffs at it as if to take a bite, and she bops him lightly on the nose. “Aht, don’t ya dare.” Then she focuses hard, and the paper begins to manifest words in ink before their very eyes. It’s a simple sentence, something along the lines of “Hi, my name is Astrid Stormstone!” which is written in plain, perfect font at the top and then below in cursive. Then Astrid turns the page to show Leni.
“See, that’s the loopy stuff. Says the same thin’, an’ the letters are similar sometimes, but I can’t write it fer meself. An’ readin’ it’s hard! Da calls it ‘cursive’ writin’, but I think it’s stupid. He says most folks sign their name in that stuff ‘cause it’s faster an’ looks fancy. I’d rather just figure up me maker’s mark an’ stamp that on everythin’!” With a huff, the girl sits back with her arms crossed.
“Seems ta me that Shaa’s the only one in the guild that ever actually got ta meet Athena,” Astrid says with a furrowed brow. If the minotaur likes and respects her, she must be a commendable person. “I’d like ta meet her fer sure, especially after all the trouble everyone’s goin’ through ta try an’ find her. Hopefully, The Clasp ain’t messed her up too bad. With all the stuff goin’ on, the guild needs their leader back soon as possible.”
She’s glad to hear Leni is interested that she’s learned more, and Astrid loses the melancholy in favor of devious confidence. A grin spreads across her face as she leans in, and the one canine tooth she does still have looks especially prominent in the dim light of the tavern. “Oh yeah, I even accidentally invented me own magic.”
With that, Astrid gets up, an aura of determination about her. “Now let’s go kick some butt!”
Wanted poster
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
10
Renown
Female
Dragon's Cradle
in the clouds, my head is clear
386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Leni-Aura Thunderpaw on Jul 17, 2023 19:35:15 GMT -5
Leni-Aura leans in, ears twisting forwards and brows furrowing slightly when Astrid pulls a piece of parchment from her bag— one which Spicy seems rather interested in, and hammers home the young girl’s earlier excuse. Leni-Aura chuffs, covering her lips with a curled fist, before laying her palms flat on the table. “How did you do that?” She wonders, cocking her head when words begin to manifest in ink; gods know she can’t read them at this angle, though.
She’s not even going to try.
When Astrid turns the page to her, she lifts her ears; and then, a small look of horror crosses her face. “Wh… what is that?” She gawks, “It all looks the same!” She looks between the paper and Astrid with wide eyes; her brows furrow. “Why does common need two ways of the same thing? It is faster because it is just scribbles. I can make scribbles. That says nothing.” She sits back with a tiny huff, crossing her arms over her chest in a manner reminiscent of the girl before her.
She doesn’t know what a maker’s mark is, but she nods her agreement with Astrid’s sentiment, anyways; because anything’s better than those squiggles, frankly. She almost regrets learning how to read and write!
Is Beist going to make her learn… cursive?
Gods, she hopes not.
The mere idea of being stuck in another writing boot camp with the over-eager werebeast makes her shiver slightly.
She’s grateful when Astrid changes the subject, “Mm.” Leni-Aura agrees, fading back into the conversation with a slight shake of her head. “I have heard much about her; she seems a respectable warrior and talented fighter. It’s a shame what has happened, especially with…” she trails off, and then does not continue after clearing her throat; instead, allowing herself to redirect to Astrid’s next comment.
She makes a face that could either be read as surprised, or disbelief. “Your own magic?” Leni-Aura repeats quizzically, “You jest.” But, Astrid does not jest; in fact, she looks more confident than ever, and the rabbitaur would be lying if she said she wasn’t intrigued by the comment. When Astrid stands, Leni-Aura does as well; the chair she’s been sitting on tips awkwardly with the weight of her four legs, and rattles a bit after she’s jumped off.
“You cannot say you’ve created your own magic, and then not show me.” she remarks, offering a glance at Nimbus; who snaps up the last slice of salmon on the plate and waddles towards her. She outstretches an arm, creating a bridge to allow Nimbus to walk to her shoulder unhindered. “We will kick butt,” she agrees, pocketing her workbook and quill, and placing a few coin on the table. She waves at the bartender to signal she’s leaving, before turning back to Astrid. “If we were not to go fighting, I would ask for a spar; but it is best to make our way ready to fight... I suppose I will have to wait, unless we can find a quiet place for a demonstration.”
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Jul 23, 2023 21:20:47 GMT -5
“Huh?” Astrid blurts a little before she realizes that Leni refers to the parchment. “Oh, it’s magical parchment! Can make an image or write whatever I need it ta just by thinkin’ about it! Saves me a lotta time tryna design stuff.” She beams proudly, having found an unexpected number of uses for what someone simply thought was a really nice piece of paper when she acquired it as a reward for some work she did.
Hearing Leni equally as put off by the cursive writing as she herself is, Astrid nods with wide eyes under a furrowed brow. “Aye! It’s the worst! An’ don’t get me started on some a’ the physicians! Theirs don't even have loops!” As the subject shifts, she rolls the parchment up and packs it away again.
Of course, everything turns back to the situation at hand: Athena is missing, and there is a Clasp general to take down. “A’ course I’ll show ya,” Astrid says. "Best place ta use the energy is takin' down the Clasp."
Spicy Pawsage almost snatches up the abandoned salmon when Nimbus beats him to it. He lets out a small snort of smoke in dissatisfaction, and Astrid ruffles his ears. “Don’t worry, ya’ll get ta eat some bad guys soon.” This is only somewhat of a joke. Somewhat.
“So, where’re we headed?”
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
10
Renown
Female
Dragon's Cradle
in the clouds, my head is clear
386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Leni-Aura Thunderpaw on Aug 26, 2023 15:06:38 GMT -5
Nimbus inhales the rest of his salmon before Leni-Aura can tell him to share it with the hellhound; she offers him a a tired look, before looking at Astrid and Spicy Passage. “Sorry, I will buy you something when we get back, Spicy.” She promises, “If it makes you feel any better, he is not good at sharing with his brother, either.”
Nimbus licks his lips, chittering quizzically at her; to which, Leni-Aura flattens her ears and offers him a side-eye. “You do not.” Her response is met with a grumpy, deeper squawk; and Nimbus turns slightly so that his back is facing her while he pouts. She rolls her eyes, motioning for Astrid and Spicy to follow. “We are going to the Werewolf Woods.” She answers, “I have an idea of the location within it; the past few days I have talked to many of the locals here to get information while I waited on you.”
She adjusts the clasp on one of the bags on her belt as she walks, ignoring any side glances the strange group receives as she pushes the door to the inn open; she holds it open for Astrid and Spicy to walk through. “There have been a few disappearances to the west of locals; including a thievery from a trade path which runs close to the woods. I do not think it is wrong to presume they may have holed up somewhere in that area, given the amount of activity which has been reported. Even if it is not the main camp, it is a camp, that much I am sure.”
She steps outside after Astrid and Spicy Pawsage have passed through, and follows them back into the streets of this quaint little wayside town. “I would have sent Nimbus in to check, but I do not want to put him in that kind of danger without knowing what he is going into. I could not do that to him; so I am afraid we will be scouting the area for the first time together.”
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Aug 31, 2023 22:18:32 GMT -5
Spicy Pawsage still lets out another huff, but he accepts any affections given to him by Astrid as a distraction. Luckily, the half-dwarf keeps snacks on hand at all times, so she shoves one in his face and gives him some more pets. “Who’s his brother?” Astrid asks, looking over at Leni. “Ya got more little drakes runnin’ around at home?”
As they exit the tavern, Astrid doesn’t notice any sideways glances, or if she does, she opts to ignore them. They’re not uncommon for her to receive, so she doesn’t take much notice. Nodding along as Leni explains, she thinks that all sounds reasonable. “No, I wouldn’t ‘a sent him alone either,” she says. “Knowin’ the Clasp, they’re on the lookout fer any scoutin’ critters.” Then Astrid smirks a bit. She has a way around that.
“They wouldn’t be expectin’ a scoutin’ ghost, though.” The smirk becomes a grin when she looks over at Leni. “Ya remember Melodia, don’t ya?”
The trek through the forest to the west isn’t too terribly intense, luckily. If there’s a trade route being stolen from, then there will be breaks in the foliage by the people responsible. That’s a good place to start.
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
10
Renown
Female
Dragon's Cradle
in the clouds, my head is clear
386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Leni-Aura Thunderpaw on Sept 1, 2023 18:37:03 GMT -5
Leni-Aura blinks.
For just a few brief heartbeats, she appears taken aback by Astrid’s question; or perhaps, by her own words in describing the relation between Nimbus and Lil’ Frijole. It’s hard to gauge which has elicited such a response. She recovers quickly; as they exit the tavern, she clears her throat, cheeks dusted a rosy hue.
“No, I do not.” She admits, “But you remember the Behir that followed us from the Lightning Fields? It has taken to Ulrich; it travels with him, now… He has named it Lil’ Frijole. Nimbus and he get along as well as you might expect.” Nimbus chitters, tilting his head innocently.
She nods when Astrid agrees that the Clasp would likely be on the lookout. “Yes.” She sighs; but her ears perk when the girl continues, referencing a scouting ghost instead. At first, she’s puzzled; but then it clicks. “Ah. Your spirit mother?” There’s a spark in the rabbitaur’s eye. “That is a good idea. She cannot get hurt, can she? Quiet… and it would be reassuring to have extra eyes before we go in blind.”
Leni-Aura leads Astrid along the path to the west while they speak; and by all accounts, it’s well-worn and easy to travel. Deep marks in the earth suggest that many a wagon, many a horse, and many a merchant has traversed the same paths; but there is no sight of any travelers on this road today. She has traveled this road several times without true issue, although, during the evening hours, she can’t help but feel…
Watched.
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Sept 15, 2023 22:08:09 GMT -5
“A’ ‘course I remember the baby behir!” Astrid says with a big grin. “I remember lots a’ stuff from our trip through the Lightnin’ Fields.” The girl gets a thoughtful look on her face while they walk. “Can’t believe Ulrich kept that little guy around. S’pose he was pretty cute. Lil’ Frijole’s a real cute name too.”
That isn’t to say that Astrid didn’t notice the pink tinge to Leni’s cheeks when they exited the tavern. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. She whips around on her heel to face Leni, though she continues walking backwards. To probably Leni’s dismay, there is a big, knowing smirk on Astrid’s freckled face. “S’pose he’s about as cute as some folks might find Ulrich. How’s he doin’ anyway? I got a glimpse a’ him at a ball a while back, but I didn’t have no chance ta say nothin’ ‘cause I was too busy gettin’ meself adopted.” The pride quickly overtakes the insinuation, but there’s no indication that Astrid will drop the topic. In fact, she’s absolutely insinuating that of course Leni would know how Ulrich is doing.
While they continue along the path, Astrid is about to summon up Melodia when Leni specifically calls the specter her ‘spirit mother,’ and the half-dwarf suddenly becomes flustered about this. “Wha? No, she– she ain’t me ma. Just ah… a real nice spirit lady that happens ta have a soft spot fer orphans. Not that I’m an orphan no more on account a’ me bein’ adopted now an’ whatnot. Um– anyway!!”
With a flick of her wrist, Astrid calls forth Melodia and quickly explains the situation, that they need someone to find and scout a nearby Clasp base. Melodia remembers the last situation at a Clasp base and glances to Astrid’s buckler where dapples in the surface indicate a repaired dent. “Of course I will look ahead for you, Astrid,” Melodia says. “Just… be cautious, as always. You know your father worries after you, and some of these people seem dangerous.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got Leni here! Ya remember her, right? We went into the temple together before we fought Ziev,” Astrid says confidently.
Melodia’s expression does not match her confidence. “Yes… before you fought...a god.” But the spirit relents. “Well, you both made it out safely, which I am grateful for. Be safe today as well.” She gives Leni a nod of acknowledgement then disappears into the woods.
Call Ghost
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
10
Renown
Female
Dragon's Cradle
in the clouds, my head is clear
386 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Leni-Aura Thunderpaw on Oct 15, 2023 18:33:03 GMT -5
Leni-Aura gives Astrid a side-eye while she prattles about Lil’ Frijole; it’s been some time since she last saw the little draconid. “Mm. Nimbus was not happy at first, but he got attached to Ulrich. He picked the name… although, he will not stay little for long.” She admits, her tone forlorn as she speaks.
Lil’ Frijole is growing quickly; Nimbus is, too, which fills her with a cacophony of mixed emotions.
She does not have time to reminisce. Leni-Aura perks her ears when Astrid spins around in front of her. She cocks a brow at the girl and her wide smile; and then a look of mild horror freezes her expression when Astrid speaks again.
What… what is she saying, exactly?
As cute as some folks might find— she can’t even repeat the phrase in her head without it fizzling out.
Embarrassment warms her paws and the tips of her ears, darkening her cheeks as she snorts at Astrid; she turns her head sharply to avoid eye-contact, rolling her eyes as she does so. “Please.” She answers, her tone almost comically apathetic, “Why would I know? I am not Ulrich’s keeper. He goes where he wants, and it is none of my business. We do not travel all the time together.”
With her piece said, Leni-Aura straightens her posture; and with a sudden restlessness, she picks up her pace to hop beside Astrid. Mostly so that she doesn’t have to see the lingering smile on her face, like she is looking through her.
She hopes it is the end of that.
“No? She treats you like a daughter.” Leni-Aura points out; and while her own parental history is… dubious at best, she at least knew the love of her mother to what degree it could be shown. Little could be said for her father.
As Melodia is called forth, Leni-Aura dips her head in greeting; offering Astrid a snide side glance while Melodia frets over Astrid’s safety, even bringing her father into it. “Mm, do not worry,” Leni-Aura tries to settle the ghost’s nerves. “We are not fighting a god this time; only werewolves.”
This is probably not comforting; but she does, at least, consider werewolves a step down from deities.
|
|