*Bryna's POV*
Once we'd filled up my bag we headed back to Hearthstone Town. We hadn't had to stray too awfully far from there. There wasn't a lot of room in my bag to start with. We'd need baskets to fill up before we head back out. We made it back just before lunch, when everyone who'd defended Dueling Rivers was coming. They were near the goo, as it turned out.
It looked like everyone was heading here, except Bibs and Kershka. Tilton was leading them, though he was looking at the goo. I apporached him, seeing Alexander, Plight and the three elves nearby to him.
"Traps went off and did that to those ones, and then some others were teleported away." I explained.
"Sarial will like that her protections worked." Sienna commented.
"Well, I hope they weren't teleported away to be annoying somewhere else." Tilton replied.
"They were teleported to a water realm of extremely savage quipper's, like Archimedes' pocket one, Carl." Sienna said, and she opened the doors to the town.
"Well, that ought to be fine then. Doubt we'll see them again." Tilton replied.
"Tilton, I had to scare the rest inside by using the forest. Then this morning they were all acting shamful, so I fussed at them. I know it's acause tensions are high, and they're scared, and the others feel crowded, but I told them they gotta be behave better." I explained while people entered the town, "That's all I know, though. Right Thomas?"
"Yup. They were behaving like children." Thomas agreed.
"I'll have to give them a stern talking to." Tilton said. "But I must talk to the ones in charge around here first."
"I think that might be Dean and Eluvian. They were keeping their people from touching yours." I replied.
"Plight is the co-founder." Sienna said, "But Sarial did ask Dean to manage the bulk of the people."
"Then, I suppose I need to speak with both of them." Tilton replied, as we all went inside.
"I'll find Dean, then." I said, but I froze when I saw the Tiefling man and his daughter. They weren't blocking the entrance down to the town, so I gave them a wide berth and headed down the tunnel to the staired cavern. It wasn't hard to find Dean, and though I'd ran ahead Tilton was already coming down the stairs with the rest. I grabbed Dean's hand and told him, "Tilton needs to speak to you."
"Well, that suites me just fine, I need to speak to him, too." Dean replied.
"He's not scary. He just pretends to be, and people are ascared of him. Just use logic and he'll be quiet." I told him, glancing back towards Tilton to ensure he wouldn't overhear my pep talk.
Tilton approached and said, "Is this the Dean fellow I need to talk to?"
"Uh-huh. He's a good fellow." I said, turning loose his hand.
He chuckled and said, "Yes, I'm Dean the 'good fellow.'"
"I am here to speak with you and Plight so we can set up some kind of arrangement until we can get the walls and homes rebuilt." Tilton replied in his straightforward manner.
The three men went together to discuss things in Dean's office, and I patted Thomas' head. I looked at the elves and Alexander. "Are you sleepy, Alexander?" I asked, unsure.
"I am indeed. I believe I will be taking a nap soon." He said.
"Me too, I nap all the time." I replied. "It smells like lunch is almost ready. You should have a good meal first since you and everyone worked hard."
"Nothing like a good nap after a good meal." He replied.
I nodded agreement and looked at the green elf. "I scared Alexander with my trick. Did I do good?"
She smiled at me and said, "Yes. You did very good. Have you had a good day with your friend?"
"With Thomas? Yes. Thomas is great." I replied.
"I think Plight and Sienna can help each other to teach you to swim." She said. "If you still wish to learn."
"Thomas promises not to laugh." He said with a big smile.
"Hmm. I figured everyone would be to busy for teachin' me. But if they're up to it, sure." I replied. "Oh! Where's the bat?" I looked around for it.
"We left the bat, Xi-an, and the fairie dragon at home so they wouldn't get hurt." The blonde elf with green streaks said. "Of course, Plight and I will teach you to swim."
"Ooh. Xi-an sounds pretty." I said. "Can we play with it some time?"
"If she wants to, I suppose." Sienna replied.
I grinned, "How old is she?"
"A couple of weeks old." Sienna answered.
"Oh. She doesn't seem like a baby." I replied.
"She's grown very quickly." She said.
"Ooh. Okies." I replied. I looked towards the mess hall where lunch was starting to get served. "See? Nose knows." I giggled.
The boy elf ruffled my hair and said, "Let's go get a meal, hm?"
So the group of us, coupled with a significant amount of people, headed over for a meal. I was amazed they were able to supplement the unusually large grouping of people. Towards the end of our meal, Tilton, Plight and Dean joined us having reached some agreement.
Sienna took Plight's hand, and said, "You and I are gonna teach Bryna to swim while Atanya naps."
"I do remember something about teaching someone to swim." Plight replied in a light tone.
"Will you teach Xi-an to swim, too?" I asked.
"I don't think she would like to learn to swim." Plight replied.
"No? How come?" I asked.
"She prefers the air." He said.
"But she can't be in the air all the time. Well, maybe she can. I dunno." I frowned. "I haven't interacted with someone her kind before."
"Well, unless you hang around in a lot of caves, I'd imagine not." He replied.
I tilted my head and said, "She's like me."
"What do you mean, 'like you'?" Plight asked.
"Well," I looked around to ensure only the right people would hear, then I lowered my voice some, "She's more like Mama, but different, too. But she's a lycanthrope. I smelled it. I'm a wolf sort."
He looked at me and said, "That's a lot of information to process all at once.. I'll be right back."
Sienna was looking at me, curiously. "What else can you tell with your nose?"
"More than either of us wish to discuss." I said.
"Noted." Sienna said, amused.
After lunch was over, Tilton addressed his townspeople. He told them that their town was needing to be rebuilt, from the walls to several houses and that they'd repair the walls, then people would be able to start returning. In the mean time, they are to behave and follow the laws of the town they are residing in, and help where needed. If he heard of any particular troublemakers, he was sure there was a shack in the woods where they can stay.
He then rounded up the Dwarves that were available to start working on the walls and paved paths back at Dueling Rivers. Before he left with them, I asked him if Bibs, 'Daddy' and Kershka were ok. They are fine. I hugged his leg and told him I was glad he was fine, then I told him I love him and to be safe on his way home. He ruffled my hair and told me and Thomas to look out for each other, then he left with the Dwarves.
Plight was heading back towards us with an uncertain expression. He looked at Sienna and said, "We'll need some clothing."
Sienna raised her eyebrows, "So, she is like Bryna?"
"She can wear some of my clothes." I said, getting into my bag, "Well, if she's not bigger than me." I took out a pink shirt that had a sunflower embroidered on the front, and then I took out a pair of shorts that I couldn't really fit anymore and offered it to him. "Here."
He leaned down, accepting the clothes and said, "Thank you. I'll be right back."
"Do you want help, Love?" Sienna asked.
"..Yes." Plight concluded.
While they were going back to where Plighrlt had gone, Sienna said, "I'll sew her some clothing while you teach the girls to swim, then."
"Well, that'll be excellent." He replied to her.
It took a quite a few minutes, but they returned with Xi-an in the slightly big for her pink sunflower shirt, the shorts fit her cause she was a little pudgy toddler. With long white hair, pale skin, black eyes and pink lips. Plight was carrying her.
Sienna had a bag with her that probably contained things to make her clothes with. Her brother, Alexion, looked mildly surprised. Sylvia, their mother, smiled at Xi-an.
Once they got to us again, Alexander said, "Aw, what a cutie."
"She is." Sienna agreed. Then poked Plight's nose and said "This makes you a father, you know? You did hatch her."
"I suppose it does, are you alright with that, little one?" Plight asked the girl.
She seemed a little shy to speak, or can't? But she nodded in response. And looked around at everyone. She was squinting a little. It made her look like she was in a bad mood. I realized the light may be a bit much on her eyes.
"She might need a sunny hat." I said. "The wide rimmed ones that shield your eyes from too much light."
Plight looked at Xi-an and said, "So, too much light?"
Xi-an tilted her head back and looked up at the odd ceiling that reflected the sun. I couldn't see her expression to read it.
"Or it's acause bats are near sighted, are you Xi-an?" I asked.
She looked down at me and said, "Both."
"Yay! She talked Thomas!" I said, hugging Thomas, and laughing. Thomas wasn't as impressed as I was. "We can be friends with Xi-an, too, right?"
"Well, do you want to make a couple friends?" Plight asked her.
Xi-an said, "Ok."
He smiled at her in a doting manner and took us over to the pool where the water slide let out into. Xi-an wasn't shy about the water at all. Sienna made herself comfortable and got out some cloth to make Xi-an clothes. I was fine entering the water, after putting my bag next to Sienna.
Thomas was also not shy about the water. Jumping in himself. And so the lesson began. I really didn't like entering the water past my waste, even with the encouragement Plight gave. Rather than focusing solely on Xi-an, he split his focus between the two of us without issue, and even responded to Thomas when he spoke. The man was skilled at dealing with kids.
Things were going alright until the water touched my ears and I was splashed by accident. I unfortunately ended up grabbing Thomas and clinging to him. He took it pretty well, though, climbing out of the water and waiting for reason to return to me and my shaking to stop.
Thomas pet my head and said, "Not even in the water now."
I looked around and was slow to release him. "Sorry, Thomas." I said quietly.
He pet my head again and said, "It's ok. Thomas is a good swimmer."
"Are you alright?" Plight asked.
"Yeah, I just panicked." I sighed.
"Are you alright to get back in and try again?" Plight asked.
"I'll try." I replied.
"Why did you not transform?" A man's voice asked. I turned with dread entering my body. Sure enough, the Tiefling man was there with his kid. Before I could even play dumb about it, he spoke again, "I'm not hunting currently. You don't need to be afraid, just curious."
Sienna had stood, walked towards Thomas and I, then said, "Back up."
He backed up like she'd told him to. "Easy, like I said, I'm just curious."
I had no intention of speaking to him, of answering him. That was ok, because Sienna said, "Since you see that you frighten the little girl, I recommend leaving her alone."
Plight was coming out of the water, Thomas stood in front of me, and said, "Yeah. Scary people not allowed."
"I'm a monster hunter. My job is to hunt lycanthropes and vampires that are problematic. This is clearly not the case here, but I am in the area hunting a loup garou." The man replied. "My name is Sam Set, and this is my daughter Samaara. Since you are right that I shouldn't frighten children, I will make myself scarce. I will be in the area until I find the loup garou, however. Once the walls are up, I'll return to the Inn with my daughter and her mother."
"I am glad you are not here to cause trouble. But the little one does seem to have quite the fear of you." Plight said.
He nodded and walked away without another word to any of us. Sienna crouched and said, "Good job, Thomas." She pet me and asked if I'm ok.
I nodded slowly, taking a deep breath, and looking towards Plight. "I think I'm done trying today."
"That's alright. You two go play." Plight said, he looked at Xi-an, "Do you want to go with them?"
"Ok." Xi-an nodded.
I wasn't really feeling up to playing, but following Thomas' lead we started a simple game that Xi-an would be able to keep up with. He was a good kid in that way. Soon enough, though, I snapped out of the funk from the fear and began enjoying the game. About time nap time came around, Thomas was the only one with energy. Xi-an and I were done.
With that we went over to Plight, who'd been watching us from a distance. Xi-an began crying as soon as she was close to him, and I explained to him we needed naps. I was gonna go nap outside somewhere. And she was just over tired from playing too much. I really thought about fighting it, but I know it was no good. I was too tired for that. Though, I didn't want to leave Thomas alone.
With Plight tending his shifter toddler, I headed to out of the town with Thomas following me. When I told him he should stay in the town so people could look after him, he asked who'd look after me, since I intended to sleep. I couldn't think of a logical argument to that. Plus he told me to follow him. He led me to a lumberyard, explaining that it'd been abandoned for some time, and therefor we could use it. Again, I couldn't argue that. My brain was to sluggish to do so.
We went into the larger of the three buildings, where there was a bed in the back. Thomas was disappointed that it was dusty. We cleaned it up a bit, then I fell asleep. I woke after two hours, like always. Filled with energy again. Thomas had found buckets for us to be able to finish that quest we were doing. Since that was the case, I decided that we should try and figure out if we could get him into the guild with the current state of things. He agreed.
Unfortunately, they were in no mood for it, we discovered. Rather than get upset. I patted Thomas' head and told him that just means we train him up. Or head to another branch. There were more guilds than this one, after all. Leaving the choice to him, he thought it over.
"Thomas has wanted to go to the Capital." Thomas concluded.
"That's not exactly nearby, but I'm up for it if you are. The rapscallion is a bit busy to mind some kids." I said.
"Yes. Far too busy to watch Thomas." He agreed.
"Alright. Let's go see Plight and Sienna, then. Cause one of them can summon those pegasi." I suggested.
On the way back out of the area, being sure to not hassle anyone working, we stopped by Bibs' house since it still stood. Just being dutiful, I asked Kershka if we could see Bibs. He of course let us in. Bibs was working quickly at his desk and muttering. If I was gonna try and be sneaky, now would likely be the right time. But I felt like I owed him the bare minimum of honesty. Especially since I was involving another kid in my plans.
"Daddy?" I said tentatively.
He set his tools down, taking a deep breath, "Yes, little one? What can I do for you?"
"I'm getting up to some mischief, and thought I should at least tell you that we won't be where you're expecting me to be." I told him.
"And where might you be?" He asked.
"The Capital." I answered honestly.
"The Capital? And what makes you want to go there?" Bibs asked.
"Thomas said he wants to see it. And the monster hunter said he's hunting a Loup Garou in this area." I said.
"If there is a loup garou in the area, then.. heading to the Capital may not be the worst idea for you at the moment." Bibs replied.
I nodded. "Maybe so. I don't smell of their curse, so they'd attack me as much as Thomas or anyone. Plus Thomas can join the guild there and possibly have an easier go of it than I did. Cities usually have odd circumstances like ours."
"This is true, will you be bringing anyone with you?" He asked.
"Maybe. I could ask Alexander's son. He seems to have less to do." I said.
"Well, as long as you have someone escorting you, it'll be alright." He said. He opened a drawer and took out a ring, offering it towards me, "And this will let you call me if you need me."
I accepted it and said, "Thank you, Daddy. You don't gotta worry, I been on my own for a while. And now Thomas is with me so we can help each other. Plus, Silkrend."
"I did forget the mighty guardian Silkrend." He said.
I giggled and said, "Silkrend let's me get my sneak boost."
"He is a perfect little guardian, then, isn't he?" Bibs said.
"Yup. Me and Thomas'll take care of each other, ok?" I smiled.
"Ok. But do remember you can contact me any time." Bibs said.
"Yes, Daddy. I'll remember." I said firmly.
"Alright. Give me a hug before you go." He said.
I nodded and gave him a hug, though I didn't recall any of us being particularly affectionate. It was fine. It'd been a long time. Time enough to be a sentimental sort. "I love you."
"I love you, too. Do you happen to know when you'll be back?" He asked.
"A few days, seven at most. I plan to use the East route, since that gets us that way faster." I answered.
"True. It would get you there a fair bit faster." He said.
"The mischief part is I didn't plan on us letting Tilton know." I admitted.
"Oh, that will be interesting." He said.
"He's busy and probably will make his own assumptions on our whereabouts unless you correct him." I replied. "I won't be upset if you do."
"I probably won't tell him. Just let him run around and figure it out." Bibs replied.
I grinned and said, "That would be amusing."
"Indeed." Bibs replied.
"Ready, Thomas?" I asked.
"Thomas is ready!" He said, confidently.
I nodded and waved at Bibs. As we started to leave, Kershka opened the door for us, after we'd gone out, I asked. "Is there anything you need to get from your house, Thomas?"
"Thomas is as packed as Thomas can get." He said.
"Do you not need fresh underwear?" I asked.
"Fine. Thomas will pack." Thomas said, rolling his eyes.
"I'll wait for you, okies?" I said.
"Alright. Thomas will be back very soon." He said, then took off.
I looked around at the town. The flagstone pavement was very uneven, needing to be reset. The Dwarven district was in shambles, not a single stone attached to another. The walls were top priority, it appeared, and that construction was moving slowly. But, just like Tilton said, every wooden structure was still standing and looked fine.
After around a half hour, Thomas returned to me. With him being all ready we headed over the bridge back towards Hearthstone Town. Then I remembered the quest I was on. We decided to complete it before heading on. The townsperson we were meant to deliver the two bushels for was in Hearthstone town, so when we apprached her with the two buckets fulls, one mushrooms and the other acorns, she was delighted. She paid us the money and signed the ticket, though commenting we were young to be on quests for the guild.
Since that was done, we went to Plight and Sienna. Xi-an was awake and demanded we play. I patted her head and turned her down, deciding to be direct.
"Where's your brother?" I asked Sienna.
"Alexion? What do you want him for?" She asked.
"I was hoping he'd be willing to go with us to the Capital. Though he doesn't have to. I would settle on borrowing a pegasus until we returned. It's a summons, isn't it?" I asked directly.
"He might occupancy you two..." She said, frowning slightly, then looking at Plight.
"And why is it you two are heading to the Capital?" Plight asked.
"So Thomas can join the guild. Plus if there really is a loup garou around, then it's dangerous for us to do tasks around here." I answered.
"That is true, maybe..." He looked at Sienna, "Maybe your brother will go with them, just in case."
Sienna cast Message to ger brother, and a few minutes later, Alexion walked over. His parents accompanied him, since Alexander had woke up to have dinner.
"What did you need?" Alexion asked in a direct and non friendly manner.
I wasn't sure if I was supposed to answer or not, but Sienna said, "Are you up to taking these two kids to the Capital?"
Alexion hesitated. "Do you not have parents?" He asked us directly.
"Thomas does. But she is away." Thomas said, offended rather than hurt.
"My parents were murdered by monster hunters." I shrugged, "Though I call Bibs my Daddy. He's aware of our intentions."
Alexion frowned and looked at Alexander, "I could almost mistake this situation for Fey involvment." He looked back at us, "Should I assume you'll be going regardless of refusal?"
"Thomas is determined." Thomas said.
"I know the way, and I'm a fair hand at murdering people who touch me." I shrugged.
"That's..." He frowned. "Neither option is responsible." He sighed, then turned to his father, "How does this situation work in the Mundane?"
"Thomas wants to know, are you coming or not?" Thomas demanded.
"I can explain that. For an orphan, it's up to them how they survive and find ways to eat. Thomas' Mama is away, so it's technically up to him, though Tilton's taken responsibility of him in a way. Acause he's afraid of Thomas' Mama. But, Daddy and I both think it'll be funny to let him figure it out on his own if he decides to find out." I explained. "It'll be on me if he does."
"I am not getting involved in any of that." Alexander said.
I grinned devilishly. "You heard it. You're involved."
"I will claim none of that." Alexander insisted.
"Is.. she threatening you?" Alexion asked, bewildered.
"In a way, yes, she is." Alexander nodded.
I waved my hand and said, "No, no. I already said I'd claim responsibility. Plus, I don't give up accomplices names. Tilton's not scary."
With a deep sigh, Alexion said, "Alright. I'll escort you. But don't expect me to look after you."
"Thomas expects nothing." Thomas said.
"I'll look after Thomas." I nodded.
"You can play tomorrow then?" Xi-an asked.
"Sorry, Xi-an. When we come back we can play, but won't be tomorrow." I replied.
She pouted. "Why not?"
"Because we go to Adventure!" Thomas announced and sprinted off.
I giggled, "Little kids are so cute."
Alexion started walking towards the exit, "You are a little kid. See you, Mother, Alexander, and Sister." He hadn't bothered to look back at them.
"Yup!" I said, "See you in a little bit, Xi-an." I said patting her head. "Be a good girl for your Daddy, ok?"
Xi-an continued to pout. She stubbornly turned to Sienna instead, and reached up to be held. Sienna obliged, patting her back comfortingly. I waved at them and went to catch up to Alexion and Thomas. Despite Alexion's words, he didn't take his hand away when I reached up and grabbed it.
Once outside, where we'd caught up to Thomas, Alexion began casting his summoning spell, "How quickly do we want to get you kids there?" He asked.
"A quickly as possible. Thomas is in a hurry!" Thomas said.
"Very well." He replied.
The summoning took a full ten minutes. Much to my surprise a huge black fluffy cat was what he summoned.
"Woah." Thomas commented looking up at it.
Alexion lifted me up and placed me up on the massive feline's back. Thomas was the next to be picked up and placed behind me. Three blink dogs appeared, surrounding Alexion.
":No, stay and play with the kids.:" Alexion told them in Sylvan. They whimpered they wanted to come. He didn't understand but firmly reiterated, ":Stay.:"
They blinked away and he mounted the cat behind Thomas. Once he settled in, he looped a blanket around Thomas and I, warning us from removing it. Then he tied us to himself. He then clicked his teeth as he held handfuls of the cats fur firmly in a death grip. The cat took off.
Faster than an arrow, it seemed, the cat ran. I laughed delightedly as we moved. Thomas was equally as enthused with the speed at which we went. Just as it was getting to supper time, we arrived at the gates of the Capital. He undid the rope and slid off the cat, taking us down, too. Leaving the rope and blanket with the cat, and telling it to 'guard'.
We then went up to the gate, and I presented my I.D. per request, saying I vouched for the other two. I made sure to get directions on hownto get to the Guildhall here, but Alexion took us for a meal in a restaurant, as he had money. Thomas and I pigged out on meat while Alexion daintily ate a primarily plant based meal with a small steak.
What he was doing, we learned, was saving room. He ordered several desserts, and a few for us, along with milk. Alexion was easily our favorite person now. He explained he'd heard a fellow back at Hearthstone Town talking about this places desserts and wanted to try it. So, he'd actually wanted to make a trip here himself. He savored every bite.
What was more interesting, was that many of the sweets he'd ordered were not egg based. Like one was primarily cream. Alexion really seemed to like that one, too. His cheeks even grew rosy, as if he were getting drunk. As for my treats, I made sure to pass the ones with egg in it to the boys.
Alexion asked, "Do you not like these ones?"
"I'm allergic to eggs." I whispered to him.
He nodded a little and said, "I apologize, then. I had no idea."
"It's fine, it's fine."
After our meal, it was time to head to the guild, and Alexion followed us, there too. Deciding to get an adventuring license on impulse. I wondered if I should let him, but it seemed like something he'd thought over already. Once they stated their desire to join, the secretary attempted to dissuade Thomas. But I showed them my guild I.D. and they stopped arguing. I helped Thomas fill out his paperwork, and then we had to wait.
Alexion chose to be interviewed by the guildmaster rather than the usual process. Which was discouraged. He declined the reasonable explanation that he shouldn't bother with the guildmaster because it was a tougher situation. Thomas was told to go in a room and wait, and fifteen minutes later the Guild Master came to get Alexion. He went with him without being very talkative. I felt like he was pretty unfriendly. Even when appearing drunk. Some people while I waited by myself thought I was waiting for my dad.
Instead of correcting them, I excitedly agreed with them saying I couldn't wait for my Daddy to come back out. Ten minutes later, Thomas came out, followed by Alexion. They turned in their paperwork and Alexion decided we'd rest in the city over night. Thomas and I checked the board here first. There were plenty of tasks we could do. One such that we chose was extermination of giant rats in the sewer.
We checked into a room in an inn first, Alexion conked out, then Thomas and I went and handled the sewer rats. after completing it, we went to the guard house, with proof, and collected our reward. Then we bathed in the rokm Alexion was sleeping in before turning in the quests. We were both credited for the tasks we turned in. Then we returned to Alexion's room again and fell asleep there. In the morning we had breakfast, then Alexion set us up on his cat mount outside the City and we returned to Hearthstone Town.