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"Well, nothing so exciting as that, really." Shalelu slides an arm around Haru's shoulders. "Just hunting for enough supplies for the trip home."
Haru blushes a bit but snuggles into the hug happily. "Truth is, I'm not sure we're going to be going home just yet. If I know Ameiko, she's going to want to learn more about this whole business with her inheritance." She rests her head against Shalelu's shoulder and sighs softly, letting herself relax into her natural, furry form.
Friday cocks his head to side, not really sure what she had meant. "In whatever way you would like. I know how to use the hard materials, as well as paints and inks, um, wait, let me see if this works..."
As much as he liked to converse with just their thoughts he admitted to himself and his chagrin, that he was still not a very eloquent person. So instead he tried to show her the images he had not only created before but those not by his hand that he had seen and that inspired him originally, if it was even possible for their connection to work that way.
His thoughts fell on the drawings and painting he had done in the previous days before switching to professional works by esteemed artists he had fond memories of. From beautiful landscapes that covered entire walls to ballrooms filled with dancers to noble ladies wearing elaborate dresses to sensual ladies not wearing much of anything.
While the carnality of some of those pieces were obvious Friday had always admired them, even as a child, for their mastery and showmanship of recreating a person's body. He had seen men illustrated this way as well, but he didn't remember those as well as he did the woman.
"... sorry about that, was their anything you liked? he thought, though frankly he would be thrilled to illustrate her in any way she picked, even simple sketches.
Friday actually blushes a bit.
"My apologies, I got carried away. I'm sorry if that made you uncomfortable."
At her suggestion he smiles and nods. "You reading? Yes, that sounds lovely, and I would be honored to. I actually believe you enjoy reading more than Miss Valeria. I can start whenever you wish."
Ameiko comes back up the dirt path to the caravan, the look in her eyes at once unnerved and resolute. She walks with purpose, her shoulders squared and her back straight.
"Folks, I've had a bit of a chat with my... my grandfather, and I've come to a decision." She starts, folding her arms behind her back. "I'm supposedly the heir to a throne on the far side of the world, and the people who once swore fealty to that throne are suffering. I want to take this caravan to Minkai."
Sandru blinks in surprise and looks at the wagons. "Well, I'm not sure how well our supplies are going to hold out--I only planned for this trip to be between Brinewall and Sandpoint--"
"--I know, Sandru." Ameiko nods at him. "But I want to go all the same."
She turns to the rest of the group. "What about the rest of you?"
Friday smiles again as she agrees before he quickly turns his head around.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I feel horrible now..."
"Of course!" Friday blurts out without hesitation.
Though whether it was completely for Ameiko's benefit or to journey to his mother's homeland was uncertain.
Haru smiles and turns to Shalelu, whispering, "Told you."
"Oh, I'm in," Valeria said, "was thinking about travelling anyway. And I'm curious about what this can do, although I think you should be the one to hang onto it." She held up the box containing the seal, having finished examining it for now, and offered it to Ameiko.
Ameiko nods at everyone who speaks up. "Thanks, guys."
She turns to Kavell as he begins to leave with Koya. "Kavell? How about you?"
He paused and frowned just slightly his eyes sliding to Koya for a moment.
I have never really had a home but the road, your majesty, but i gave my word to madam Koya to see her through her adventure so in my case I suppose it rests on her. If she is up for the trip and trials then I am your humble servant.
He answered
Shalelu doesn't say anything, instead simply nodding.
Sandru grins. "Sounds like a trip--I can't really pass that up!"
Koya nods. "I'd love to go--gotta see more of that old, wide world, eh?"
Ishgha sighs. "...very well."
Zaiobe & Spivey nod together.
"Alright... now that that's settled, does anyone have any unfinished business in Sandpoint? Because if we're going to Minkai, we're not exactly going to be able to contact anyone there for a long time." Ameiko's nose twitches.
"No." Friday simply says.
His eyes slid torwards the pretty barbarian for a moment...
I have no need to return to Sandpoint. I was heading back to the castle to collect and hopefully restore some of the paintings there, it is a... shame to leave it behind to rot away in silence. unless you have other needs of me your majesty.
He said with a slight blush and a nod,
My glaive is yours.
Kelda blinks and looks over at Ameiko.
"Uh? Oh... sure. Sounds like a good trip." She mumbles, looking quite groggy. It looks like she just woke up from a nap.
"I should send a letter to my parents, let them know where I am going, unless there's time to return in person."
"Wouldn't they want to go as well? Friday asks the Kitsune.
"I should send a letter to my parents, let them know where I am going, unless there's time to return in person."
"We can make the time to return, certainly." Ameiko scratches her head. "I've got to make arrangements to give the Rusty Dragon to someone I can trust anyway."
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"And if I don't tell my family what's happening then Dad's gonna track us down and kill me." Valeria admitted.
Ameiko nods in understanding. "Alright then. Sandru, I want this caravan ready to move by tomorrow. Everyone else, finish whatever business you've got here. We've got a helluva journey ahead of us." She smiles, her face beaming.
Her smile proves to be infectious--soon, just about everyone in the caravan is smiling and getting their things together.
The day winds on as the party finishes up any remaining business at Brinewall. Kavell & Koya's trip into the castle proper goes without incident, and before long they return with arms full of artwork from a bygone age. Koya is practically beside herself with joy the whole walk back, chattering nonstop about the once proud castle.
With business concluded, the wagons start trundling back through the forest and back to civilization...
-----------------
The days seem to pass in a blur as the caravan follows the road back to the small coastal town of Sandpoint. Most of the caravan is in particularly high spirits--Sandru in particular is holding his head high with pride.
During a quiet moment after dark, you catch a glimpse of Ishgha as he works on the piece of wood you gave him. It's no longer a formless block of wood, but a very detailed humanoid shape. The hobgoblin has carved it into a facsimile of another hobgoblin in proper full plate mail armour, this one clearly female. The amount of detail put into the armour & face is extensive... almost obsessive, even.
Kelda, meanwhile, is starting to move her arm with greater dexterity than before. She occasionally picks at the cast in a fit of annoyance.
Zaiobe, on the other hand, is considerably more patient. She poses for your sketch with a languid, composed demeanour, an open book in her hands. She's arranged herself so that her curves are prominent in her posture, encouraging you with a little smile.
"So, how are you going to tell your folks?" She asks when the caravan stops, restringing her bow.
-----------------
Toilday, 2nd of Desnus, 4715 AR
The town appears on the horizon as the caravan comes over the next hill.
"Well... there it is, folks. Home sweet home." Sandru says.
Friday was glad when he saw the paintings being returned with the others.
On the first day heading back he tries his best to capture Spivey, her constant movement amusing him rather than annoying him. Having a non static model that stayed still just long enough was good practice.
After an attempt to capture her as she was he resigns himself to simply focusing on each part of her individually to make an accurate azata. He titles it Happy Guardian and shows it to both Spivey and Zaiobe, the latter to see if she'd still be interested.
The next day the aloofness was gone. Friday was... actually pretty nervous, similar to when he showed the sketches to Shalelu and Haru in the tavern. Only tenfold. Gently gripping his mother's necklace he spent a good while trying to calm himself before he tried to draw the Harpy. He had to get this right.
Trying not to blush he went about sketching Zaiobe once she was ready. He had to constantly fight his hand to not snap his pen out of anxiety. Smiling back at her he continued on till the point he worried he might be keeping her too long. He held off on naming this one before he showed her.
"Um... is this... okay?"
Spivey seems quite happy with your sketch of her. When she notices the other, less successful, sketch she looks a bit sheepish.
"You were a great model." he happily responds to the Azata as she looks over the sketches.
"You were a great model." he happily responds to the Azata as she looks over the sketches.
"Despite my best efforts, apparently." She giggles. "Thanks."
"You are quite welcome." he says while bowing to the tiny woman.
"I'm sorry, I was just worried I'd make you look bad," he responds while fidgeting slightly once Zaiobe takes his hand. "I'm glad you like it though."
As to her question his mind goes blank and he tilts his head, never having really thought about how he began drawing before. "Um, painters are highly regarded in Ustalav. I spent my childhood looking at painting after painting in my master's house when I wasn't guarding him... and sometime when I was. He noticed, so he gave me supplies one day and told me to start drawing everything I saw so that I would be focused at more important times, and so I would be more keen-eyed. I think. I was sill a child so my memories of it might not be exact but I believe that's how it happened. Whether it was or not that's still how I went about creating some actual happy memories there. Sorry, this is probbaly boring you. Would you like me to turn the sketch into a painting? You wouldn't have to sit still for that."
Valeria was glad to see Sandpoint again, but was worried about Ameiko. When she had the chance, she went over to the bard.
"Hey, you doing okay?" she asked, putting a hand on her shoulder. She already suspected that Ameiko was getting a bit of muscle ache, probably a side-effect of the kami's possession of her, but wanted to check for herself.
He did indeed notice what he was working on, and its details. He paused trying to decide if he shoudl say anything or not... in the end he did decide to broach the subject.
That is well done, is it of someone or is it a diety figure of your people?"
He asked truly curious. It was good work indeed.
The time he spent with Kelda always seemed to fly by... though it was very easy with how much he found himself near her to notice her picking at the cast.
If you keep messing with it, it might not heal properly then you might be stuck with my constantly looking after it."
He began blushing just slightly.
Is this as far south as you have been? I am not totally a sandpoint native but i know my way about it, would you like to see some of the sights when we get there?
He asked her out witout trying to be as obvious about it as he could have been.
Valeria was glad to see Sandpoint again, but was worried about Ameiko. When she had the chance, she went over to the bard.
"Hey, you doing okay?" she asked, putting a hand on her shoulder. She already suspected that Ameiko was getting a bit of muscle ache, probably a side-effect of the kami's possession of her, but wanted to check for herself.
"Hmm?" Ameiko glances over at you as you approach. "Oh, I'm alright. Mostly."
"Got a bit of a cramp in my back that's been bugging me ever since that kami stopped possessing me, that's all."
"That is well done, is it of someone or is it a deity figure of your people?"
Ishgha is silent for a few moments, not looking up at you. He gently sets his woodcarving knife aside.
"...my mother." He mumbles, reaching for something to sand down the splintered & rough edges of the figurine.
"If you keep messing with it, it might not heal properly then you might be stuck with my constantly looking after it."
Kelda snorts. "Damn it. Kelda has been found out already." She smirks.
It promptly fades and is replaced by a grumble. "Am not used to having my sword-arm wounded like this. Takes longer than I want to heal."
"Is this as far south as you have been? I am not totally a Sandpoint native but I know my way about it, would you like to see some of the sights when we get there?"
Kelda shrugs. "Eh. Why not."
"Is there a healer who can fix my arm faster there?"
"Then I'll do my best to paint you, I'm honored." Feiday thinks while smiling brightly.
Haru chuckles. "They'll be thrilled with the idea of me going to Tian Xia. They've been trying to figure out how to get me to somewhere with more kitsune men than my dad and my little brother, so I can 'find my mate'. They were talking about going to Absalom, ever since Ezren mentioned there's lots of kitsune in the Pathfinder Society."
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Your mother? She was a powerful warrior?
He asked politely not wanting to pry but completely okay with being there to listen. He knew that sometimes thats all that ones needs was someone to listen to feel better about ones problems.
It would take some powerful rejuvination magics to heal it faster im afraid but perhaps the temple there has a more skilled healer.
He said carefully trying to make it sound like he took no offense to iy because he certainly didnt take any offense. He took the time to carefully 'check' on her arm.
With the long winters in your lands.. what do your people do for amusement when the weather is especially bad?
He asked her curious
"I thought so; the kami said your body wouldn't come to harm, but I guess it didn't consider muscle fatigue and the like. Whereabouts is it?" She shifted a bit to feel for the cramp where Ameiko indicated.
"They'll be thrilled with the idea of me going to Tian Xia. They've been trying to figure out how to get me to somewhere with more kitsune men than my dad and my little brother, so I can 'find my mate'. They were talking about going to Absalom, ever since Ezren mentioned there's lots of kitsune in the Pathfinder Society."
"Hmm." Shalelu looks back down at her bow and sighs. "What's wrong with finding a mate in Sandpoint?"
She pauses for a moment. "Aside from the whole kitsune part of it, I mean."
"Your mother? She was a powerful warrior?"
"Indeed. She is an excellent soldier--one of the best." Ishgha's tone evens out a bit. "I know of many hobgoblins who sought to emulate her. Very few have."
-----------------"It would take some powerful rejuvenation magics to heal it faster I'm afraid but perhaps the temple there has a more skilled healer."
Kelda rubs her cast. "Kelda hopes so. Kelda is of little use without her sword."
"With the long winters in your lands.. what do your people do for amusement when the weather is especially bad?"
She grins. "Aside from the feasting and f+~@ing?"
She waits a moment, then bursts out laughing. "Well, some of our maddest warriors put axe-blades on their feet, fly around on ice like angry hawks and slap an orc's head around with clubs. Fights usually break out, but never to the death."
"I thought so; the kami said your body wouldn't come to harm, but I guess it didn't consider muscle fatigue and the like. Whereabouts is it?"
As you run your hands along her lower back, Ameiko gasps and nods. "There. Lower back."
I do not mean to pry and if its a sensitive subject juat say so, your mother, does she still live?
He asked trying to get to know the motivations behind the hobgoblin.
There were many things he had expected the pretty barbarian maiden to say . . . and just as he was about to ... tell her she wasnt useless at all without her sword arm being healthy she grinned at him and well...
He swallowed and his mouth opened entirely unsure how to respond to that. Because well the moment she mentioned thier winter hobbies his mind drifted to one of them, and it wasnt earing.
I...
He cleared his throat and tried again.
Axe blades on their feet? on ice? the blades dont cut through the ice? I bet that is interesting to watch even with the fighting.
He said trying to hide the blush in his cheeks but probably failing.
"I do not mean to pry and if its a sensitive subject juat say so, your mother, does she still live?"
"Last I heard, yes. She took a platoon of soldiers and marched far to the north." Ishgha shrugs. "There is no need to be timid, healer."
--------------------"Axe blades on their feet? on ice? The blades don't cut through the ice? I bet that is interesting to watch even with the fighting."
Kelda grins. "Your face is turning red as Helvig's hair."
"Eh, we make sure ice can support the weight of many men before using it. That way we don't have accidents like last year."
"Also we try to get the orc head into one of two nets."
I dont mean to sound timid... i just dont wish to offend you and your culture through my ignorence. further north? Perhaps on our trip we may hear word of them?
He added trying to smile and sound less . . .timid?
He almost colored more, he felt as if he were caught.
I do not know who this Helvig is, but when you mentioned well your hobbies my mind wandered where it perhaps should have not. This game sounds actually interesting can you play it without ice? I dont know about using an orc head but perhaps I could carve some sort of wooden ball
"Then I'll do my best to paint you, I'm honored." Feiday thinks while smiling brightly.<Then I expect it to be just as well-done as your sketch, Friday.> Zaiobe lets your hand go and smiles at you before walking back to the wagons.
She caresses your cheek with her wing as she leaves.
Friday smiles back and bows. He wants to say or in Zaiobe's case think of something in response as well but as she brushes past him he shivers.
Then he pauses.
Then he frantically looks around for a second before coughing and composing himself.
"I will devote myself to it!" He eventually calls out to the Harpy.
"I don't mean to sound timid... i just don't wish to offend you and your culture through my ignorance. Further north? Perhaps on our trip we may hear word of them?"
"Perhaps." Ishgha taps a finger on the wooden figurine. "If you do have questions about my culture, then ask. But, fair warning--you may not like what you hear."
-------------------"I do not know who this Helvig is, but when you mentioned well your hobbies my mind wandered where it perhaps should have not. This game sounds actually interesting can you play it without ice? I don't know about using an orc head but perhaps I could carve some sort of wooden ball."
"Well, if you have some way of making ground slippery for long enough, it can be done, Kelda thinks. You would need flat lands to play, though."
"And orc head makes it more fun, if messy." Kelda rests a hand on her cast.
"I thought so; the kami said your body wouldn't come to harm, but I guess it didn't consider muscle fatigue and the like. Whereabouts is it?"As you run your hands along her lower back, Ameiko gasps and nods. "There. Lower back."
"If it's still this bad, you should've said something sooner," she complained, "come on; I think I can do something about it before we get to town." She led Ameiko back to the wagon the girls had been sleeping in and directed her to lie down on one of the bunks. "If it were higher up, I could do this without you lying down, but needs must. And before you make any snide remarks, I'm a bit of a masseuse. How I picked it up, thaaats a bit of a long story."
"Ah, quit yer whinin' an' get back here!" the boy's uncle said as he grabbed his lower leg with a hand the size of leg of ham and dragged him off.
"At least I got plenty of practice."
Ameiko gives you a slightly surprised look, but doesn't object as you lay her down in her bunk. "I didn't think it'd linger for this long..." She starts to say, but thinks better of it and pulls a pillow under her head.
"Go ahead."