Storm raises an eyebrow as she listens to Nill but just nods.

"Yeah... Okay..." She shakes her head and then looks beyond Nill. "Let's go this way instead."

She steps past the pixie, her tail swishing along behind her. She glances down at Nill once more and then begins heading toward the other end of the alley, away from the center of town.

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Storm gives Nill a tentative smile when she lands and steps up. "Yeah. Honestly, probably best not to be too touchy right now. When I'm stressed, I can lash out. And I'm... Usually pretty picky about who touches me anyways."

She sighs, closing her eyes for a moment while she takes in a deep breath. She exhales slowly and opens her eyes.

"I suppose I didn't snap at you, did I? But I did growl. So I'm sorry for growling at you. You startled me and I don't get startled."

She glances over her shoulder towards the main street and then back at Nill. "I'm not really in the mood to socialize anymore. But we can't leave town right now. So... Want to wander around with me until... I dunno? I'm ready to sneak into the tavern I suppose."

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Storm scrunches her face in confusion. "I... Okay. I guess?" She shakes her head and then raises a hand, holding it out to Nill. "Can you come down, please? So we can talk?"

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After leaving the tavern, Storm slips around the side of the building to disappear from view of the front door. She leans against the side of the tavern and takes a deep breath. Her nose wriggles. She lifts her head and sniffs the air. The smells of the sea, the sweat of the workers, the dust from the roads, it all fills her senses. But after some effort, she focuses and pinpoints the scent she wants. 

After a few seconds of searching, Storm follows her nose around the tavern and to the back. She looks up and spots wings fluttering way overhead but the figure attached to them is so close to the roof, she can't make out their form.

"Nill? Nill is that you up there? Will you come down?" Storm shouts up at the rooftop. "I'm really sorry for snapping at you yesterday. Please come down."

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Stella's smile brightens. "Oh! I was in the guild last night helping out. Which one was E'ni'cala? I'd be happy to meet her and lend a hand."

Storm pushes away from the table. "Right. While you guys go to the Guild of Light, I'll look for Nill. See ya."

She doesn't wait for a response before heading for the tavern doors.

Stella watches her leave and then turns her attention to Vesta and Zukar, who rises from his seat as well. 

"Well, I suppose I am free. Shall we?"

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Stella perks up. "I am! I'm a healer actually." She glances at Storm. "I was the healer for our party when Storm and I were traveling together. But I've learned more since then. I've gotten better."

She leans on her elbows on the table. "Since Storm has found a new party to travel with, I assume you all have a healer?"

Storm grunts, idly twisting the tankard in her hands. "Why don't you worry about your own party? We can handle ourselves."

Stella looks at Storm. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to impose. I just want to offer my assistance if I can."

Storm sighs and her shoulders slump. "Right. Can't turn down a healer I suppose." 

Stella shrugs. "I mean, you can. You can tell me to fuck off."

Storm chuckles. "Like you'd listen."

Stella chuckles. "You know I live to help others. I'll do whatever I can to help. People are suffering. Dying. I don't want to sit by and let it happen if there is something I can do."

Storm nods but says nothing.

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Stella watches and listens intently, her eyes on the runes and Vesta's fingers as she traces them. 

"Fascinating..." She says, softly as she watches, fixated.

When Vesta drops a rune, she leans to the side to watch her pick it up, gaze still fixated on Vesta's hand and the rune in it. Then when she closes the bag, Stella sits up and grins.

"Oh thank you! That sounds like a good thing to me." She tilts her head slightly. "Well... Maybe not the secrets and fears bit. I try not to keep those. They can get you killed."

She turns to look at Storm, who is still facing Vesta. "Storm?"

She sighs. "Sounds like... You're meant to be here for some reason. Maybe it's got to do with the famine."

Stella gasps. "Oh! Right! Are you all trying to figure out what's causing the famine?"

Storm nods. "Yup."

Stella leans forward. "Any leads?"

Storm sighs. "I'm not sure. I just hit things."

Stella quirks an eyebrow and looks at Vesta. "You're with Storm so you must be after the same thing, right?" 

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Zukar smiles at Vesta and then leans back in his seat once more.

Stella shrugs. "Let's stick to a general future. I'm not sure I want to know anything too specific."

Storm keeps her attention on Vesta as well though her eyes don't shine with the same interest really. Rather, she appears to be intently focusing on the bag of runes and then Vesta's face without so much as a glance in Stella's direction.

Zukar chuckles and says softly. "I've never seen her so interested."

 

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Stella waits patiently as Vesta rattles out her questions and when she pulls out her bag of runes, Stella's eyes light up. "Ooooh! Yes please! Yes! I would love that actually!"

Storm's shoulders relax a little more when Stella dives into Vesta's offer. 

"I've seen Ramtovi around telling fortunes but I've never really given any thought to my own fortune." Stella glances at Storm but returns her attention to Vesta. "Plus, I absolutely love magic and I've never seen a fortune teller work theirs up close."

Zukar leans forward slightly and lightly squeezes Vesta's thigh before speaking softly in Ramtovi. "Darling, don't do anything strenuous. Please."

Stella glances at Zukar but returns her gaze to Vesta, waiting patiently with a smile on her face.

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Storm sighs, her eyes closing as she rubs her forehead. "Yeah. I still need to find her. Apologize. Assuming she isn't absolutely petrified of me now."

Stella looks from Storm to Vesta and leans her chin into her palm. "Brand new. Popped in through the guilds rez circle actually."

Zukar sits down beside Vesta and slips his hand onto her thigh. "Well, I'm sorry to hear about your introduction to the city."

The elf shrugs one shoulder. "The goal was Volaire. I made it, didn't I?"

Zukar nods with a soft chuckle. "I suppose that is true."

Stella looks to Vesta. "So, are you friends with Storm?" She shakes her head. "Silly question. Obviously you are. She's not growling in your direction."

"Hey. I'm not that mean." Storm says defensively.

"Sweetheart, you're a-"

Storm growls. "I'm not your sweetheart."

"Okay. Sorry." Stella turns back to Vesta. "So, anyways, what dirty little secrets can you tell me about Storm?"

Storm rolls her eyes.

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"Sorry to hear about Nyx... If I'd..." Storm sighs and her words trail off as Vesta and Zukar approach.

Storm looks over at Vesta and Zukar after Vesta greets them. "Morning."

The elf looks over and smiles. "Good morning!"

Storm sighs. "Oh right. Vesta, Stella. Stella, Vesta. Stella, Tristan. Tristan, Stella."

"Actually, please call me Zukar if you wouldn't mind. My old name..."

"Attracts unwanted attention. I gotcha." Storm nods. "Sometimes you need a new name and a new start."

Stella looks to Storm. "You didn't take a new name."

"Sure I did. You think my parents named me Storm?" Storm lifts the tankard but doesn't drink, holding it still for a few seconds and then setting it back down. "Why don't you two have a seat? Join us."

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After getting a night of fitful sleep, Storm trudges down the stairs from the tavern room. She reaches the base of the stairs and looks around. Sitting at a table all by herself is the elf Storm had left with previously. Storm sighs heavily and walks away from the stairs. She passes the bar, puts in a quick drink request, and then walks over to the table with the elf.

At first, Storm just stands by the table and stares at the elf. The elf gives the draconian a hesitant smile and gestures to the chair across from her. Without a word, Storm pulls out the chair, spins it around, and sits, resting her arms across the back of the chair.

"Alright. Lets talk."

The barkeep brings over a tankard of ale for Storm and the two fall into quiet conversation.

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Zukar squeezes Vesta's hand in his, replying in Ramtovi. "I know what you mean. There is always something going on, isn't there?"

He lifts her hand to his lips and kisses her knuckles before nodding towards the door and speaking in common. "Let's get to the mage's guild, esha vel."

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"She startled me." Storm groans and drags her hand down her face. "I'll find her."

Storm turns around on the stool and picks up her swords from the counter at the same time. "Sorry. Not trying to pick a fight. I'm just..."

She shakes her head and walks, very quickly, toward the door.

Before Storm reaches the door, the doors swing open and a tall, blonde haired woman steps in. She has long pointed ears and bright blue eyes. She and Storm nearly collide, both bouncing back in the nick of time. 

"Shit. Sor-"

Storm drops her swords. Then steps back. 

"Storm?" The woman's eyes widen and she steps forward.

Storm stops. Then she quickly scoops up her swords while she reaches out and snatches the woman by the arm.

Then Storm freezes again. "Y-you can't be here."

"Well, to be quite honest, I'm not entirely sure how I am here. See, I-"

Storm turns and begins walking back through the tavern, elf in tow.

"Storm, I can explain-"

Storm snakes her way around Vesta and Zukar, her eyes briefly catching Vesta's before she snaps her eyes forward again.

"If you'd just slow down-"

The draconian pauses only briefly to throw some coins on the counter. 

"Taking a room." She says gruffly and heads up the stairs.

 

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Storm bristles when Nill leaps onto her back and let's out a sharp snarl then says through clenched teeth. "Off. Nill. Please."

Then she turns her head to face Vesta and sighs. "Hi. Fine. Tired. Bad booze."

She looks at the barkeep. No offense." 

He shrugs and goes back to cleaning the bar.

"Sorry if I'm a little... Grumpy." She looks back down at her tankard. "You wanted to talk?"

Zukar sits down with Vesta but says nothing.