"The Mayor, eh? Would be a good target to strongarm. We'll do it your way. I'll convince Jolis; you can take Grelda."
::"I could given prep, but with this one slowly slowly is best:::
"At the mention of something from the market, she perks up a bit from her gloominess. [i]"Find a good dress? I must get the name of the tailor then. Show me what you got."
::"You will like this::
Miya changes back onto her monk form and pulls out off her bag her tattoo kit some new inks and a scroll.
She then takes off her rob so that she has only on simple under garments
Her fox tattoo can be seen moving over her body.
"This is a scroll of Transfer tattoo, see I can make a protecting tattoo like my foxy here but only on my own skin. But with this scroll I can make one and it will shift it to your body. I was thinking of making one in the form of Viska. Once on your skin you can move it around like mine and it will protect you, with a bite if needed. Take off your top and lay down on the bed. Viska would you be so kind as to sit where I can see you, so I can make it in your like likeness. This should only take about an hour, so you want some ink work cool Valeriya?."
She starts to set out her tattoo needles and colored inks.
Grelda merely grunts, not wanting to take the wind out of Jolis's sails.
"So you're bribing me into taking my top off. I may be a Calistrian but I'm not a prostitute." Lera teases Miya but does she asks.
Viska remains seated at the bed, eyes never wavering from Miya.
"Anyone who calls a witch that is in for a bad time Valeriya. Nope its cus a like ya, Your fox people"
Miya climes on top of Valeriya, resting her legs on each side and places her inks and needles ready by her side, then put her left hand on on the center of Valeriya's chest. Holding her arm still she reads the scroll with her right hand.When done she picks up a needle starts to prick her arm, as she dose the ink moves down to her hand and then onto Valeriya chest. As it moves onto Valeriya skin there is a prick of pain as if the needed had gone into her skin.
"Sorry but we have to share the hurt on this, part of the scrolls work. Kind of arousing in a way. Keep still I'm just working on the face"
Soon as the hour passes the image of Viska comes into being on
Valeriya chest, his tail eyes and face. All uncannily like it.
"And we are.... done"
Miya says at last, she paces down her needle and then shifts to her Kitsune from, she leans down kissing the tattoo. Which then comes to life, wags its tail an moves over Valeriya chest. Miya shift back to her human form.
"There you go Valeriya. This tattoo is your and it has two tricks, number one you can will it around your body, its your to move. Second it has a bite just like the real Viska. And like him it will protect you, again you just need to will it to do so. What do you say to that Viska."
As she says this her own tattoo moves over her chest and around her back, it head popping though under her arm and showing its teeth.
Miya looks down at Valeriya with a big smile on her face.
Lera seems on edge throughout the process but noticeably relaxes when it's done. She wills the tattoo to appear on her arm to admire its likeness.
Viska looks at it too and yips happily at Miya's handiwork.
Lera redresses and shifts the fox under her clothes. She turns to Miya. "Great work. Some day you'll have to teach me that trick. Maybe we can give one to the others."
Miya winks at Viska and gets off Valeriya so she can get dressed.
As she does Miya packs her stuff way and gets dressed herself.
"I am glad you like it, sore will but as for giving the others one, sorry to say that was the only scroll they had, and its kind of something I want to keep between us. I just don't think the others would understand."
Once ready she heads back down to the others.
As times passes, Jolis tries to get Grelda to open up .
"The other ladies are taking a while, aren't they?", asks the big warrior. "So. What are your thoughts on the tasks ahead?"
"Same as always. We fight to protect those we care about. We beat a glorious rhythm on our enemies' skulls. We either emerge victorious or die horribly. Either way, it will make for an epic tale."
Miya comes back down and heads to the table.
"So what you been doing Jolis, Me and
Valeriya have been looking at dresses"
She says with a grin.
"Oh, the usual. Talking to Grelda about battle tactics, music, just finding ways to relieve stress", commented Jolis with a smile. "Find any nice dresses?"
"Some"
She stands and showing her arms, they have even more tattoos on then before, they glow a moment and then she has on a long pink dress. She spins around it it.
"Magic of many garments, means I can have a dress for any occasion"
The her fox tattoo overlays her face, making her look like she is waring a white fox mask.
She blinks with big dark eyes.
"finding ways to relax A? I know we could hear you throw the wall."
She giggles and spins around the room. Masking the sounds Jolis and
Grelda had been making.
"OOoo haaarrrr oohhhaaaa hahaha"
"Always wondered what a Half-Orc was like. I bet she had you pinned down the whole time."
"I'm free later tonight if you want to find out," Grelda says to Lera. It's unclear if she is joking.
Miya cartwheels past then flipping over the table land astride
Jolis. Her legs each side of his lap she bobs up and down.
"O! O! Jolis Arr arrr hahahaha"
She Jokes going still and patting his head.
Then with a fake stern look on her face.
She pitches his check and says in a telling off voice.
"You brake to many hearts, Bad Jolis bad"
As she sits there some magic like teeth bite down firmly but not hard on what is between his legs.
"You not brake Miya's heart will you?"
And the bite gets a little firmer, as the magic tattoo of a fox Miya has places it's teeth around something very precious to Jolis.
"Always wondered what a Half-Orc was like. I bet she had you pinned down the whole time."
Jolis smirks, "There were times of mutual pinning. And if I have to throw more gold at Durga for multiple pinnings later", looking to Grelda and Valeriya, "I'm game."
As she sits there some magic like teeth bite down firmly but not hard on what is between his legs.
"You not brake Miya's heart will you?"
And the bite gets a little firmer, as the magic tattoo of a fox Miya has places it's teeth around something very precious to Jolis.
"I can't promise that. I can only promise to treat you fairly", said Jolis with a little nervousness in his voice.
"I can't promise that. I can only promise to treat you fairly", said Jolis with a little nervousness in his voice.
"Besides", Jolis braved, running his hand up Miya's hip, "as I understand it, some nipping is to be expected with fox mating".
She leans in and kisses Jolis on the lips then
Then springs up and off him, landing on the floor bear foot, she swings her leg over a seat and sits down.
"If I did not know better I would say you had had a fox lover, Jolis, you really Do get around"
She giggles at the end.
"So then we head off for a picnic in the woods, sounds like and idea."
"A picnic?" questions Jolis.
Boy Miya seems to be all over the place at once. Maybe that's normal for shapeshifters.
The big warrior looks to the others for a read on what Lera and Grelda think.
The big warrior looks to the others for a read on what Lera and Grelda think.
Lera seems puzzled by Miya's off-the-walls energy. Her expression turns darker and moodier when she propositions Jolis. But she says nothing and continues to drink her mead.
Grelda seems similarly sullen and withdrawn. "An army's likely marching on the town. But sure, let's have a picnic," she says sarcastically.
Vitranna sits next to Grelda and sighs.
"Unfortunately we cannot do much until the scouts return. Once we have information then we can act."
"Good we better pack for a few days, I like to take long Picnic's"
She jumps up standing to look at all the dower faces.
"And cheer up, you lot, a little play in the woods will be fun."
Then she stars her sets across the floor, punches and kicks before turning back and carrying on.
"Yes a lot of fun"
"Since the picnic is your idea, Miya", calls Jolis from the tables, "you're responsible for packing the food!"
Turning his attention back to the table, the big warrior greets the bard properly and asks, "So, Vitranna, how did the meeting with the hunters go?"
Miya skips over to the bar and starts making a list with bar maid, who she then sends out to get the stuff.
Thanking Liz, Vitranna goes to inform the rest of her group that the scouts have been sent out.
"Hopefully they will be back within the week with something we can use to our advantage. I'm sorry that I did not ask for permission on this, but I thought this was something best not left up to a 'committee' decision. Action was needed, not debate."
Vitranna waves her hand as if clearing the air.
"Anyway, I intend to stay near the village in order to help improve defenses and keep an eye out for sudden enemy reprisals. Leaving the walls is your choice, but you take your own life into your hands if you do. I just wish we had some fast mounted-cavalry units, but they would not do well in the jungle terrain really."
Thinking for a minute she then pipes up.
"Is there any reason we can't build a central platform high up in the center of the village? Kind of like a crow's nest from s ship, but bigger? We could station lookouts and archers there. We could set up spikes or other traps as defenses against flying attacks too. It might give us an extra minute or so of warning if they attack suddenly."
"That would announce our intentions to declare war on them. This village is demoralized and may not come to our aid. We need to rally them before we do anything that involves this village."
"Both of your suggestions hold great merit", considered Jolis. "Though Vitranna's defensive effort would be more successful if we tried Lera's plan to get more on our way of thinking. More hands make faster work."
"Besides I think the real reason behind Miya's 'picnic' is to be able to discuss these issue privately", reasoned the big warrior.
"Also, it's getting late." Looking to the changeling and the half-orc, "I believe these two have plans for the evening. Since we're back here, I want to go the the temple and pray on what we have learned and experienced."
In a moment of deep thought, Jolis looks to the friends at the table. "I think we did some good. But our actions brought trouble back to this village, yet I think we all knew it was only a matter of time. We must be ready for when the hammer next falls."
"Yes we can talk more over our picnic"
She says, looking around the room to see if anyone is watching them.
"I think there's no better place to start rallying the people than here at this very tavern. There's ale, there's song, there's rooms with beds; everything a growing rebellion needs."
"Perhaps, enchantress," soothed Jolis, "but the hour is late. Maybe after a good night's sleep should 'the grand rebellion' commence."
Looks at the others.
"The the very F**k has gotten into you lot, Stay here and drink, got to bed with a hot drink and slippers. Wait for others to scout out things. In other words sit around the fire and wait for the BAD GUYS to come slit our throats. What is it with you lot, if Richard was here we would be making plans, DOING things not talking about slinking off to bed, hiding in town or staying the the inn until the war comes to us. GET A GRIP WILL YOU LOT, Richards gone OK, but that dose not man WE give up thinking for ourselves. WE have to get out there and kick them again, Plan A is shot, we blow it out the water, now we have to get started on Plan B. Which is not an early night, and hiding in the Inn, IT's HIT them again and strait away, Do you think THEY will we sat around procrastinating. NO, they will be getting ready to act and SO should we. Lets get out there, find them and hit them again!!!"
She stands
"That is unless you stay here looking into you beer and pillows. Guys, not me, I'm heading out and NOW to couse more trouble for the ones out to kill us, Now you can come with me or you can stay here and have your early night. You choose."
She makes her way to the door and stands by it waiting to see who has balls.
Grelda finishes her ale and stands up, walking over to join Miya. "She's right. We'd be better off taking the fight to them. Find some outposts, thin their numbers. I'm ready to crack some more skulls."
She smiles at the large half Orc, then looks accusingly back at the others.
Jolis stands up from the table, clearly annoyed.
"Wasn't it you who talked about 'having a picnic' less than 5 minutes ago?!"
Regardless, Jolis makes for the door. Turning to the hyperative squirrel monk, the big warrior asks, "Did you get the provisions?"
"Yep, I went to market earlyer"
Holds up a sack full of rations.
"The Picnic food"
"Well then let's get going." To emphasize this, Jolis give Miya's tush a quick, sharp slap on his way out.
As Jolis give Miya's tush a quick, Miya rolls here eyes and saps out her hand to Jolis Crutch and gives him a feel back in a very manly way, then makes a manly stance and in a deep mans voice she says.
"I do so like my Boy meat frisky"
The turns her back and walks out the door.
Lera is mildly shocked by Miya's outburst. "I was talking about starting a rebellion, not sleeping in."
She looks flatly at Miya as she switches from outraged to bluntly sexual. "I'm not a soldier or a scout. I'll help if you think I can but I think we should focus on our defenses now."
Unperturbed by the young woman's tirade, Vitranna stands and slowly heads for her sleeping perch on the roof of the inn as she speaks to Val.
"She's just upset by Richard's disappearance. I can understand her need to just DO something rather than wait. Unfortunately, we are not experts on this jungle yet, and this place is the best defensible at the moment and an obvious target if the enemy wants to retaliate. I would rather be here to help if they need it than be wandering and lost in the jungle in the hopes of running into the enemy randomly. Let them 'picnic' tonight and I'm pretty sure I can find them quickly enough in the morning if we need them. Heck, I'm pretty sure Jolis doesn't have 'hiding his tracks' in his vocabulary anywhere."
Valeriya is talking to thin air at the end as Miya just leaves. But she hears from the door way the words that follow her. She spins around and walks back in. She is now angry.
"Your right you pair, I am angry that Richard is missing and your not fighters, A tooth puller and hunter know nothing of the ways of war. You also don't know anything about espionage, because the BAD GUYS will have spies here, yes shocker but you can bet you a&& on it. So do you know the two things that will happen with your idea of staying and digging a holes to hide in. One, the bad-guys will know what what your doing and two waiting here just helps them NOT US to regroup. They will have time to regroup and ready an attack knowing full well what we do here. What we just did will have thrown the enemy, they will be expecting us to come back here and fortify, So we DON'T do the expected. We head to there lines and attack again. Even a small ambush will throw them off make them rethink and hold, are you getting it now. Gods save is from Civilians play war, but it's up to you, a good night sleep or real war, you pick."
Then she walks out again this time giving herself space to not hear what they say next. They ether come or they stay, its up to them but her mind was made up. Keep pushing the fight.
As she walks she thinks to herself.
"I can't blame them for wanting to hid, they are civilians after all. What do they know of real battle and war."
She looked young but that was skin deep, Miya was a killer for hire who had been in the thick of war more than once. Bloody and deadly fights to the death where there was no winners or losers, Just the ones left standing at the end. But Stormspeaker she was upset about Richard but this did not mean she was wrong.
Knowing Miya has a lot on her mind, Jolis remains silent as he let's the monk vent her frustrations as he keeps pace.
She looked at Jolis
"Thank you for understanding, I know they want to play it safe, there instant is to hid from danger. But you can't with this one, you have to run to the fire to fight."
She looked for her map.
"What we need to do is work out where to attack, where can we hit them. The map we have, it may show locations held buy the enemy that we can hit. Something close that we can harry."
She checks it and says
"You want to be a hero Jolis then as the old saying goes. And how can one die better than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of their fathers, and the temples of their Gods?."
While the other bar patrons pay little attention to most of your conversation, a hush falls over the room as it erupts into shouting. Durga steps out of the kitchen to see what all the fuss is about, but by the time he comes in, Miya is already heading out of the door, Jolis and Grelda shortly behind. The other bar patrons start to murmur to each other as the barkeep pours two ales and sits across from Valeriya, sliding one across the table to her.
"Sounds like quite the disagreement. Not an unfamiliar one though. There was a time not too long ago when somebody or another would have that fight in this bar every night."
"You want to be a hero Jolis then as the old saying goes. And how can one die better than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of their fathers, and the temples of their Gods?."
Jolis, still following the monk, airs his concerns.
"Dammit! Don't you think there's nothing I would want to do than just charge Di<khead's fortress and kick all kinds of a$$! But remember the last time I did that: I was dire wolf chow. Since then I've been trying to use some semblance of foresight..of planning. I don't want to make the same mistakes over again."
"Agreed so we play hit and run, we don't take on the whole army, we just move fast and strike fast."
The sun is setting as Miya's group heads into the forest for their "picnic". The immediate area around the village is relatively quiet, thanks to the hunters' diligent patrols. You have to travel several miles before you start to notice the first signs of danger. The road west is well-worn and littered with detritus from Grin's monthly caravans to and from the village. From what you've learned, this leads to an outpost very near to the palace, but you don't have any more information than that.
When Valeriya and Vitranna set out the next morning, they're able to pick up the trail (with Viska's keen nose helping them along), but the others have a head start. It will take some time to catch up.