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Sylanwood, Diremaw: The Frozen Slopes: Treasure Room, Time: 3:40 PM
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Elowen's eye wasn't soaked in tears of sorrow anymore, it was soaked in joy. The joy of guardians saving and her ancestor's legacy came true.
The elder dragon finally woke up from the battle earlier, looking around before spotting Elowen. It quickly rushes toward her and leans its head down for her.
Elowen pressed her hand against its head, "You can go now. We are finally free of this beast that has been enslaving you for years."
The elder dragon flies up into the sky, reuniting with the pinecone dragons. Elowen looks at the sky with closed eyes.
"Soooo... Should we deny or?" Ace said, but in an instance, Mianne shook her head with an idea:
"If you think about it, It will help us grow better and they might even pay us!" Mianne was excited. Finally, after all this time, luck was now on their side.
Ezra took the letter as he read it for himself and noticed a comically small text at the bottom, "P.S: Only one person could take the job, and yes, you would get paid." Ezra blinked a bit as he felt like a grandpa at how small the text was.
"So, only one can take the job so we need to decide," Ezra stated as everyone looked at each other with a clear intent of deciding who would take it.
Ace decided to step up, "I think I should take it, considering this is a serious job for any of you to handle." Ezra nodded while James clapped for his friend.
Mianne was looking at him with a raised eyebrow, "Yeah, but if you think about it, Bada is expecting James, so we should let him go." Mianne made a good point.
Ace could only sigh before deciding to argue back, "James has already started a week ago; he should have a break from this once in a while."
Ace and Mianne were glaring at each other, creating an uneasy tension for James, Elowen, and Ezra.
Seeing the tension between Ace and Mianne, James decided to step in, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. "Guys, let's not argue about this. I appreciate you both wanting to look out for me, but I'll take the job. I can handle it," James said with a reassuring smile.
Ace and Mianne exchanged looks and eventually nodded, understanding that James had made his choice.
Ezra chimed in, "Since James is going, I think it's also a good idea to return Princess Elowen to her kingdom. She's been through a lot, and it's time for her to go back to her people."
Princess Elowen cheered like a child who had just received a wonderful gift. "Yes, yes, I want to go home! Thank you, all of you!"
With their decision made, they began to leave the mountain, ready to embark on their next journey.
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Sylanwood, Diremaw: The Living Room, Time: 4:30 PM
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"Oh, thank you, thank you!" Leo hugged his daughter tightly. They had finally returned Elowen safely to Diremaw Castle.
Ace nudged Mianne playfully. "Heh, job well done?" Mianne nodded, both enjoying the tender reunion.
"I don't know how we can ever repay you!" Leo exclaimed, wiping away joyful tears. Seraphina held her daughter close, relieved to have her home.
Seeing his chance, James declared dramatically, "Don't worry about it! Seeing your happiness is payment enough!" Elowen gazed admiringly at her heroic rescuer.
The line sounded oddly familiar to Mianne, but she couldn't quite place it.
"Please, I must give you something!" Leo insisted. Snapping his fingers, the butler entered, wheeling in an enormous bag. Slicing it open revealed a staggering sight - a fortune in gold coins!
"Holy sh...!" Mianne started, quickly covering her mouth when she remembered young Elowen's presence.
"Holy...sh?" Elowen puzzled over the unfamiliar expression while her parents shot Mianne irritated looks. More curse word education was in order.
An overwhelmed Ezra stammered, "R-Really, you don't have to..."
"We gonna feast like royalty, baby!" enthused Mianne, eyes glittering at the mountain of rubles shining before her.
James rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish at Mianne's enthusiastic reaction. "That's a generous offer, Your Majesty. But saving the princess was reward enough."
He shot Mianne a look trying to convey refusing excessive rewards out of modesty. But she was already diving excitedly into the pile of coins with glee.
"Ooooh I'm gonna get a diamond-encrusted chaise lounge and five pony carriages!" she squealed enthusiastically. "Thanks, rich people!"
James sighed while Ezra pinched his nose in embarrassment.
Leo and Seraphina exchanged bemused glances. "Well please, take however much you'd like," Leo offered.
"At least stay awhile and rest," added Seraphina gratefully. "A grand feast tonight to celebrate our heroes and the return of our beloved Elowen!"
At the mention of a party, Mianne's head popped back out, eyes sparkling. "Did you say feast?! Count me in! Come on guys!"
She eagerly hauled a bulging sack of gold coins along as she dashed excitedly towards the castle living quarters. Ezra shook his head but smiled good-naturedly while James shrugged.
"Might as well celebrate a job well done before heading off on the next quest!" He scooped up a few handfuls of coins and followed his eccentric friend down the castle halls. Ace trailed behind, charmed by the royal family's generosity and grateful for a chance to unwind after their latest adventure.
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Sylanwood, Diremaw: The Grand Banquet Hall, Time: 5:00 PM
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The grand banquet hall of Diremaw Castle was filled with light, laughter, and the aroma of delicious food. Heroes and royals alike gathered around the massive table, enjoying the celebratory feast.
Mianne's eyes were wide as saucers, ogling the endless parade of exquisite dishes. "Now this...this is how to party!" She eagerly piled a little of everything onto her overflowing plate. From tender roast goose to buttery pastries, the spread was fit for legends.
Even reserved Ezra couldn't help grinning at the lavish hospitality, sampling roasted vegetables and rich stews. "Truly fit for kings," he nodded appreciatively toward their hosts.
At the head of the table, little Elowen clapped joyfully at the entertainers and music filling the hall.
Leo beamed proudly next to his daughter, with Seraphina on his other side gazing affectionately at her happy family.
James laughed lightheartedly along with Ace at Mianne's antics as she tried balancing more food than could fit on her plate. For one night, hardship and struggles were forgotten amidst festivity celebrating valor, kinship, and life's simple joys.
As the night wore on, Mianne became increasingly theatrical with her storytelling. "So there we were, faced with FIFTY snarling ice wolves, all drooling hungrily at Ace trapped in the pit!" she regaled, embellishing details.
"Uh, I'm pretty sure it was more like five wolves," Ace chuckled, but Mianne shushed him.
"So I pulled out my awesome fire sword and did a huge jumping spin attack, roasting all fifty beasts with one swing!" She mimed exaggerated battle moves, almost upending a server.
Ezra suppressed a smirk. "Yes, I too recall your 'epic spin attack' nearly singeing all our eyebrows off," he added wryly.
"Pshh, details!" Mianne waved dismissively, the wine buzz making her grandiose. "But you all should've seen their terrified faces when I whipped out my super weapon!"
She attempted balancing a spoon on her nose, going cross-eyed. "My patented 'Silly Face of Doom!'" Everyone burst into giggles at her goofy expression.
"Yes, that certainly scared me, oh mighty warrior," James managed through his laughter. Mianne bowed tipsily, soaking up the attention and praise, accurate or not.
As the night wound down and guests gradually departed, Mianne was still enthusiastically recounting their quest at a steadily increasing volume.
"AND THEN I SUMMOOOONED A DRAGON WITH MY MAGICAL LUTE!" she bellowed, plucking an imaginary instrument, stumbling a bit over her own feet.
James caught her gently as she nearly toppled over. "Whooa, there's my innocent cleric! I think someone partied a bit too hard tonight," he said affectionately.
Mianne blew a silly raspberry. "Heyyy I can rationally... rationally function...am still sober!" She hiccuped loudly mid-sentence. "Seee? Completely comprehensible...compre...understandable words!"
James smirked playfully raising an eyebrow. "Uh huh, clearly perfectly sober. Alright my best buddy, let's get you to bed."
Mianne pouted but was easily guided along by James as she babbled nonsense. Reaching her lavish guest room, she flopped unceremoniously onto the plush bed.
James pulled off her boots as she mumbled into silken pillows. He gently tucked a warm blanket around her now-dozing form. Brushing back some stray hairs, he smiled affectionately before retiring himself.
"Sleep well my friend," he whispered. "You've earned sweet dreams tonight." A soft snore was her only reply.
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???, James's Mind, Time: None.
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Inside James's mind, SwampPurger relished the tranquility within James's head as he silently perused the book within James's memories. "Huh, I never knew about that human."
Thunderbird, on the other hand, was irritated by the silence and twiddled their fingers. The setting was far too quiet for them to enjoy, so they initiated a discussion. "So, any hobbies?"
SP didn't bother answering because he was still engrossed in his book. This irritated TB, who felt neglected.
"All right, buddy. You're such a mood-killer," TB commented, not enjoying the quiet atmosphere and suspecting that SP might be either nervous or simply one of those no-fun types.
"Well, I didn't even like you to begin with. Also, 'mood-killer'? Is that some sort of new word?" SP stated, not comprehending the latest hip slang that the new eldritch had been using.
"It's a cool new thing you can say! I can see the wrinkle on your face, old man," TB retorted. He was determined not to be defeated by this old man and his games.
"If you have any interesting topics, please let me know." SP ignored the insult completely and resumed reading the book, which happened to be about how to treat plants as humanely as possible.
"Alright, fine, stupid wise old dude..." TB muttered to himself. The silence persisted as both of them continued with their respective activities.
The silence was abruptly interrupted as TB finally found a topic to discuss. Somehow, a lightbulb crashed down to the floor, grabbing SP's attention.
"Okay, do you remember that Goda guy, right?" TB gestured towards the magic memory projector, displaying the memory of James and Goda's meeting.
"Mhm, what about it?" SP now seemed interested, closing the book.
"Don't you think he looks familiar?" TB put a finger on his chin. Goda did appear quite familiar to someone.
"Yeah, he does feel familiar..." SP tried to examine him more closely but still couldn't figure out who he was.
Thunderbird shrugged, dropping the topic for the moment. "Well, forget it. It's not like we have any pressing matters in here."
SwampPurger nodded in agreement, reopening the book he was reading. "Indeed. Let's leave that case alone for now."
TB leaned back, crossing his arms. "You're no fun, you know that?"
"And you're too restless," SP remarked, engrossed in the text. "Learn to appreciate the silence."
As the two eldritch beings settled back into their worlds, the atmosphere in James's mind returned to its quiet state. The memory projector dimmed, and the book's pages rustled softly as SP continued his reading.
Thunderbird, still restless, decided to wander around within the mental landscape. "You're missing out on the fun, old man."
SP remained unfazed. "Fun is subjective, Thunderbird. I prefer the knowledge within these memories."
"Suit yourself," TB replied, inspecting the various mental constructs around them. "Maybe I'll find something interesting without you."
The two eldritch entities continued their coexistence within James's mind, each pursuing their interests. The tranquility of the mental space persisted, interrupted only by the occasional rustle of pages or TB's playful exploration.
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