Storm nods, catching the not so subtle hint in Vesta's statement. "Alright. We'll leave you two to it. I'll get Nill a bath and some new clothes. See if the barber is still awake too."

She looks at Nill and smiles. "Welp. Let's get out of here, Nill. Get you all cleaned up and all."

She gives Vesta a nod. "Thanks for the.... Thanks."

She stands up from her seat and heads for the door, tapping Nill on the shoulder as she passes. She exits the vardo.

Tristan visibly relaxes when Storm announces they are leaving and then lets out a sigh of relief when Nill exits.

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Storm gives Nill an encouraging nod when Vesta asks for her hand and then watches quietly.

Tristan tenses as he watches Vesta, his attention now entirely on her.

After Vesta does her thing, Storm lets out a sigh of relief. "Well, sounds like we've got some time then."

Tristan relaxes as Vesta comes out of the vision and sets a gentle hand on her thigh. 

Storm tilts her head as she examines Nill. "Maybe if we get her some new clothes and stuff, they won't even recognize her." She shrugs. "Well, either way, I'll probably be with her. So I'll keep an eye out for anything unusual."

Storm looks at Vesta. "Thank you for looking. I know it's a risk every time you do. So I appreciate it. I'm just..." She looks down and chuckles half-heartedly. "Saige would help her. If she were here. Saige wouldn't just leave someone in need."

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Storm shrugs. "She likes black." She looks over at Nill and sighs. "I feel kinda shitty actually. I should have gotten you some better clothes already. I'm sorry, Nill. You're probably freezing too." She quirks an eyebrow. "Wait. Are you cold?"

Tristan clears his throat. "She needs more than new clothes. Look at her hair. And her nails." He makes a face and then shakes his head. "I think a trip to the bath, a barber, and the tailor are definitely due."

Storm finishes her tea and sets the empty cup on the table. "I can see to it. Don't worry about it."

Tristan nods, sipping his tea now that it has cooled. "I imagine Queen Sofira may be able to help find a tailor that specializes in winged people."

Storm shrugs. "Or...I can cut little slits in the back for her. It doesn't take a specialist to do something that simple." She twists and flaps her wings, showing off the tears in her top that allow the wings to fit through.

Tristan makes another face. "But without proper stitching, that shirt is going to fall apart. Quickly. If you don't want to go to a queen for help, I can ask around and see if I can find someone."

Storm groans. "Sure. Fine. Just nothing uppity. I'm not made of money." She looks at Vesta. "Lets take a peek then. If you think you can do it safely. Make sure we don't run into extra trouble or anything. Sounds like a good idea to me."

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- The winter was harsh and cruel. Food was more scarce than usual. The cold bit deeper than it should have. A lot of familiar faces are missing after this cold and hungry winter. Not everyone was lucky enough to see the snow thaw...

- A group of new heroes has been achieving the impossible in villages and towns around Ariad. The group, known only as, “The Vanguard” has taken down an army of over a thousand goblins on their own. They saved an entire village from a bandit raid, not a house was burned and no one died. They help the common folk in many more ways as they travel around Ariad. People are saying they may be the solution to their many problems since the current heroes seem to be… erratic.

- Baroness Jade, a Ramtovi woman, and Zuiigri of the Artisan’s Guild had an explosive argument in the Seshtau Embassy and none of them have been seen since. The heroes are falling apart. Is there any hope left for the kingdom? Perhaps “The Vanguard”….

- Terrified whispers amongst the townsfolk of Imyr speak of werewolf sightings in the bog on the outskirts of town. Trade has trickled to a stop and the townsfolk are frightened to leave the city even in search of food.

- Lord Tristan Greyshield, who has been frequently seen with a Ramtovi woman, has been practically inseparable from her. Students of the Academy whisper about how much class he is missing and Foresetidale is aflame with rumors that they have run away together as Lord Tristan was seen accompanying her out of town, where no one has seen them for weeks now.  The Baroness, with rumors still circulating about her own romantic affairs, clearly has no control over her twin brother. Is this the end for the Greyshield’s?

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Tristan relaxes a little more when Vesta gives his hand a reassuring squeeze. When she sees his shoulders loosen, Storm also relaxes a bit more. 

Tristan leans forward and adds a spoonful of sugar to his cup and stirs it gently. "Apologies, Nill, Storm." He looks at them each in turn before lifting his cup. "I'm just a bit... Well. I'm sure you can understand why I'm a bit nervous."

"Not really, honestly. Nill hasn't done anything to you. And she's not a relative of Saige. Unless..." Storm's smile turns wicked. "Is it me you're afraid of?"

Tristan sighs. "No. I'm not afraid of you, Storm. It's just that you... Have a tendency to surround yourself in chaos." He blows on his cup of tea very gently before taking a sip.

Storm shrugs and reaches for her cup of tea. "Eh. That's fair enough. Chaos does tend to follow me." Her wings twitch behind her and she flicks her tail. "Obviously."

Then she turns her eyes to Vesta. "To be honest.... I don't know if you should look either. Originally, I wanted to see what she should do. If anyone was looking for her. That kind of thing. Just a peek to see if helping us is the right thing for her." She lifts her cup of tea and takes a drink without bothering to blow on it. "Now though... I don't want to accidentally poke the bug bear, ya know? And if Nill doesn't want to look yet anyways..."

Storm sighs and gives Nill a reassuring smile before taking another drink of her tea. "I dunno. She's been a slave. I just don't want her to end up back there so I want to try and help her."

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Storm nods to Nill after hearing her answer and then heads inside the vardo. She finds a seat and takes it then turns to watch Nill. 

When Nill recoils and falls out of the chair, Tristan startles as well with a yip and tenses in his chair.

Storm watches Vesta and Tristan carefully and then chuckles, peaking a little too loudly. "I don't mean to laugh, Nill. I just think it's kinda funny that you touch metal and flinch but you've got all those piercings." 

She chuckles awkwardly, looking at Vesta as she is clearly trying to relieve the tension in the room.

Tristan, however, remains tense and is focusing entirely on Nill. Which draws Storm's attention once more.

"If Nill is going to make you two this uncomfortable, I can take her home." She says with a slight growl to her voice. Then she clears her throat and sighs. "She's not going to hurt you. She's just lost. And looking for friends." 

Storm looks at Vesta, forcing her to make eye contact while she ignores Tristan. "She's a good person."

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Storm snorts a laugh. "Clearly. But ya know what? Better strange than evil. I've met plenty of that in my life." She jerks her chin in a nod. "I'll try that cinnamon tea if you don't mind. Sounds spicy. I like spicy."

Tristan clears his throat and smiles, relaxing his shoulders. "Yes. Tea. That sounds lovely. Thank you, darling."

He turns to follow after her to assist her inside.

Storm looks over at Nill. "You okay? You still want her to take a look at things for you? She's very skilled. I... trust her visions. So far she's been right about most of it." She shrugs. "But it's your choice."

Storm raises an eyebrow and tilts her head. "Do you know why the Fae are attacking the kingdom? That could be helpful information if you do."

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Tristan remains quiet with an arm around Vesta. Storm sighs and gestures to Nill. 

"Well. Uh. She came from the Sidhe. Just found her way here by complete accident from the sounds of things. Saw my wings and approached me in the tavern and well... I've been helping her ever since." Storm smiles at Nill before looking at Vesta and shrugging again. "So I guess she's going to help us with things to pay me back? I keep telling her she doesn't have to but I definitely won't turn down extra help when it comes to this famine and sleep stuff."

Tristan clears his throat. "I don't know much about the Fae but Auntie S used to tell us-" He looks at Nill and then Strom. "They are tricky and like deals. They always make good on their deals. Just not always the way you expected or want them to."

Storm nods slowly. "Right. Well. I don't think we've struck any deals. I'm just helping cuz she was lost and needed helping. I'm not going to let her suffer because of what she is."

Tristan chuckles awkwardly. "I think it's lovely you're helping her. I just hope-" He stops.

Storm frowns. "Hope, what? Exactly?"

"I just hope you are both being careful is all. The Fae just attacked us last year. We should probably be cautious of- Well..." He clears his throat and looks away from them. 

Storm folds her arms across her chest. "Yeah. She does need protection from the Fae. She was a slave. So you're right. We will be careful."

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Tristan stares wide eyed at the pixie at first but then clears his throat after she looks at him and gives her a polite smile. "You may call me Tristan." 

He also does not reach for Nill's hand as he steps out of the vardo and over to Vesta's side. He slips an arm around her and smiles at Storm.

"Hello again."

Storm watches Nill's reaction to them closely before returning to Vesta, glancing at Tristan for a beat. "Yeah. Sup. Where ya been? You okay? I heard about the Baroness."

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Coming down the road, towards Volaire are two winged people. Storm and a small, unknown person with black veins and shimmering wings. They are speaking to one another as they make their way to town. When the vardo comes into view, Storm points.

"I think that's my friend's vardo. Sure looks like it anyways. But shouldn't she be in...?" As Vesta steps around the vardo and Storm sees her, Storm raises an arm and waves. "Vesta! Hey!"

A man with short brown hair pokes his head out of the vardo door and looks in their direction. 

"That's her fiance. So, just a heads up, they are both very uh... Clean people. I mean literally. They don't like dirty things. He's rich so he's kinda worse about it." Storm informs Nill as they approach. "But they are both nice enough. Vesta wants to help people and she's very protective of her fiance. She'll probably want to feed you honestly. If she's even got any food."

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As the pixie walks through town, every Draconian she passes looks in her direction with a twitching nose, but they do no more than look before returning to whatever was occupying them. The other people of the town also give her quick glances and they too go about their business once they've taken in the sight of the pixie. No one approaches her as she makes her way to the tavern.

Inside, the tavern is bustling with afternoon energy. There is music playing and people are eating and talking at their tables. There are only a couple of empty tables this time of day. Most people are eating lunch, a small bowl of some sort of stew and a chunk of bread with an ale. A waitress, a young woman with blonde hair, is busily moving around the tavern with a tray of ales. Another waitress, a young woman with brown hair, is setting down plates at a table. And at the bar there is a barkeep, a large bearded man, wiping down the counters.

At the end of the bar, the Pixie would catch a glimpse of shimmering, multi-colored, four-panel wings. If she examines any further, she would see a tail resembling that of a lions swishing behind her as she sits on the stool. She has black hair spiling over her shoulders, and from her angle at the window, the pixie would see the tips of purple horns.

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Storm's eyes flutter open and she immediately sits up and looks around, tense and ready for action. But upon seeing no enemies and recognizing the familiar tent she and Saige share together, her gaze drops to the ground. There, on the cold, hard ground beside her makeshift bed is Saige.

"Saige!" Storm reaches over and shakes the Elf. 

Storm shakes her even harder when she doesn't respond. 

There is a soft fluttering sound behind Storm and she twists around and snarls. But there is nothing behind her. Snarling softly, Storm returns to focusing on Saige as panic rises up in her chest. 

"Saige! SAIGE!" Storm begins shouting her name as she shakes the Elf.

The tent flap flies open and Ruvean pokes his head in. There are other voices flowing into the tent from behind Ruvean but he is blocking their way in.

"Everything okay in-" His words fall away as he looks at Storm, eyes wide.

Storm tears her attention from Saige to look at Ruvean. "She isn't waking up!"

Ruvean rushes into the tent and drops beside Saige opposite to Storm. He begins shaking Saige as well.

The Elf remains unresponsive.

Storm frowns. "A couple instructors from the Academy fell victim to some sort of... Sleeping curse. And Lord Julien of Seshtau too. Now Saige?"

Ruvean visibly swallows and looks at Storm, but his eyes focus on her shoulder. "Saige carried you in here a few minutes before we heard you shouting. She looked fine but you? She was carrying you in her arms and didn't say a word to anyone before she dipped off into your tent."

When Ruvean continues to stare at her shoulder, Storm snarls. "What?!"

Ruvean points a shaky finger at Storm.

Storm freezes. She stares over her shoulder and her eyes widen in disbelief. 

Wings. Multicolored and big. Without meaning to, her wings expand and she jerks away instinctively but they move with her of course. Storm reaches a hand back and grabs the edge of her wing. She hisses through her teeth as a jolt rushes through her. Her wings were sensitive to touch so she withdraws her hand and stretches her back. Her wings flutter open fully and she works the muscles in her back to test the movement of the wings. They are four panel wings, like a butterfly... Or... A Faerie.

"What... The... Fuck?" Storm says as she turns her head both ways to look at her very colorful set of wings.

She stiffens once more as something waves up near her face and then plops back onto the makeshift bed. She looks passed the wings, down to the thing that had plopped onto the bed. Swishing behind her is a long tail. Storm snatches it in her hand to stop it from flicking around. She stares at the tail that continues wiggling in her hand as though it has a mind of it's own. Scales fade into golden fur as the tail extends down and the tip is fluffy darker fur. She stares at it in confusion. 

Storm releases the tail and begins looking for any other new appendages or changes to her body. She finds nothing else new. Her yellow scales still patch her skin, her horns still rise from her head, and everything seems to be in the right place. The only exceptions being the colorful wings on her back and the tail swishing chaotically behind her. She grimaces as the tail swings wildly behind her.

She turns her attention back to Ruvean, ignoring the heads poking through the flap of the tent. 

"She did something reckless to save me, didn't she?" Storm runs a hand over her horn to stroke her black hair. "Dammit, Saige! Stop-!" She looks down at Saige, her words failing in her mouth. "Fuck!"

Storm twists again to look at the wings and tail. She shakes her head. 

"What the fuck am I? What kinda deal did you make this time, Saige? And... With who?" Storm huffs out a deep breath. "Probably that chaos guy. Or maybe..." Her eyes widen for a moment before she snaps them shut with a cringe. "Dammit Saige."

Ruvean clears his throat. "What should we do for her?"

Storm turns to look at Saige once more. "Look after her. So far no one has died, that we know of anyways, so just keep an eye on her. I... Have someone I need to talk to. Then I'll be back."

Storm stands up and nearly falls over, tipping to the side immediately. Ruvean jumps to his feet to grab Storm and steady her. She mumbles her thanks and then without another word, stumbles and sways over to the corner to grab her glaive before slipping out of the tent. She says nothing as the family gathered outside the tent hammer her with questions and other bits of conversation she was not ready for. Instead, she drunkenly walks in the direction of Volaire, leaning on her glaive for extra support.


 

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Commander Noctis

 

Baron Linneus

 

King Vlastimir