"May I tag a long, then? I have some magic that can help, as you have seen. I will not be a burden," she says, her own curiosity getting the better of her.
At Edon's comment, the fox sticks out his tongue at him.
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Corin yawns. He puts down his glass, his hand shaking. I'm going to get some rest. I would like to find a cleric before we go down into the tower again. I'm not sure how much use I'll be if I can't shoot straight.
He tries unsuccessfully to hide his worried expression. He stands, moves to walk away and turns back to the remaining group. Brave Adventurers!
Smiling, he turns to walk away once more.
"Are you still hurt? I can still heal your wounds," Tsukiko says as Corin starts to leave.
The Fox hops off the bar, runs up to Corin, and headbutts him. Corin feels healing magic enter his body, but it does little to alleviate his ability score damage.
"Goodnight to you as well, Corin-san. It seems that Kage is rather fond of you," Tsukiko says with a small smile.
After eating her fill and finishing off the tankard of whatever drink she had. Her cheeks color as the alcohol warms her belly.
"Merr-san and Gwibble-san. Please excuse me. The road has been long today, and I do not wish to delay you in the morning. I wish you good dreams and a pleasant slumber," she says before standing and bowing to each of the two remaining members of the party and going off to bed.
Once in the room she has rented for the night, she makes sure that Kage is with her before closing the door. She begins to ready herself for bed, taking off the boots and outer layers of her clothing.
<How long do you plan to stay in that form, brother,> she asks in minkaian. <We are many months away from home. Our parents will not find us here, if they are indeed still searching.>
She sits on the bed in her nagajuban, looking at Kage with a worried expression.
<How long has it been since you have talked to me, brother? I sometimes wonder if you truly are a fox instead of a kitsune.>
She lays down her back to the rest of the room as she wonders if she's not being a hypocrite. How many months has it been since she has been anything more than human? Perhaps she wants to be human. That would certainly make life easier. Maybe if she stays human long enough, she will forget she can change. She never did like how she looked in her true form, anyway. Compared to Kage, she is just plain. Nothing special about her.
She pulls the covers tight around her and goes to sleep. Perhaps tomorrow will clear her mind of her worries.
"How long are you going to hold off on learning how to change into your four-legged form?" retorts Kage as he shifts back into Kitsune form.
"It's faster, more agile, and harder to hit, plus it allows you access to places you would not be able to get to in eiher of your other forms."
"Besides, you know our parents. they will never stop looking for us."
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As Tsukiko drifts off to sleep, Kage returns to fox form and curls up at the foot of the bed then goes to sleep.
"Th-thank you, Merr-san. You are too kind," Tsukiko says with another bow.
<I am not as talented as you, brother,> Tsukiko answers, facing the wall. <You were always the intelligent one, the gifted one. Mother and Father would always praise your skill and achievements. I am just an embarrassment, a girl that can't even remember her basic manners.>
She pulls the covers tighter around herself.
<If they are still looking, it is only you they are looking for, not clumsy, empty-headed Tsukiko. You heard them talking about me before we left, didn't you, brother?>
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"Still missing a few pages of your book Corin? I thought a good night of sleep and some food would have set you right," says Edon as he pours some tea and gets started on his porridge.
Leaving some time to really savour a second helping of porridge Edon chips in, "Maybe we can find someone who has a more hands on approach to problem solving while we are out." Edon looks around at the little group of adventurers and guesses that in a proper fist fight the small amphibian would come out on top.
Despite how late Tsukiko went to bed, she wakes before dawn to begin her prayers. When she returns, she gives you a hug as she speaks softly in your ear.
<Thank you, Kage, for not treating me like Mother and Father. You have always been kind to me. I wanted you to know that I see that even when I'm mopey.>
"Are you still unwell Corin-san," Tsukiko asks as she pauses her breakfast, unsure if she is ambivalent about the food or if she despises it. The tea, at least, was more to her tastes. "Forgive me for my ignorance, but what is the Shrine of the Seven Roses? I have not seen such a shrine in my travels."
"They just want me to be their whipping boy."
Kage followed Tsukiko down the stairs and hopped up on the table, taking one of the bowls and eating quickly.
<I know, but it still hurts,> Tsukiko sighs.
As the strange, black-furred fox eats one of the bowls set out for the others, Tsukiko's face turns red, and she slowly slides down in her seat.
"Oh Kage, why must you vex me so," she mutters under her breath.
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Corin tucks into his food with a gusto that belies his thin frame. He thanks Talia while spooning in more porridge. Tank yoo. slurp. dis is rully gud fud. slurp.
He really only lifts his head when Edon asks him about his book? Which book? Lost a page? Oh, he means me. He lifts up his spoon to show Edon, his hand visibly shaking.
Better than yesterday. He says with a smile before noticing Tsukiko not eating her porridge. He slowly reaches out and slides it to him and begins to eat again as she asks him a question. He stops eating her porridge with a cheekily guilty look on his face.
Gulp. I'm okay. Just a bit shaken up. This is my first real adventure.
He returns his attention to his food.
Seeing Corin look both mischievous and guilty at the same time brings a smile to Tsukiko's face as she raises a hand to stifle a budding giggle.
"At least it seems to be going better than my first one," she says. "Nothing is on fire and the people who hired you still have their clothes," she explains as she takes a sip of tea and lets the pause linger for a moment before giving Corin a concerned look.
"Your patrons do still have their dignity, do they not," she asks.
You get the feeling that Tsukiko is messing with Corin, probably because she's fighting to not smile right at this moment.
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Gwibble rises late the following morning. He spends time tending to Gribble in the stable before heading inside. He silently takees a bowl of porridge and a tankward of water before hopping into a chair, looking rather contemplative.
At the mention of the Shrine he turns to Talia. Shrine of the Seven Roses? Is it perhaps consecrated to Shelyn? Corin, this priest might be able to restore you to health, for an appropriate donation he says, with a smile.
Turning to Tri=ukiko he grins at her, So, have you decided to join us on this exploration? Also, whats the deal with the fox? Some sort of familiar or animal companion?
Tsukiko nearly chokes on her tea as she tries not to spray her new companions in surprise. After coughing for a bit, she looks up at Corin and shakes her head.
"No, I am not a witch, Corin-san. My powers are a gift from the heavens. Kage here is familiar to me and my companion, but that is because he stays with me out of his free will, not some mystic bond," she explains while trying not to fall into another coughing fit. "Does that answer your question, Gwibble-san?"
"I have a blanket if that would make it more comfortable for Gribble-san," Tsukiko offers, grateful that Gwibble did not press the issue and doubly grateful to not be subjected to another coughing fit.
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Corin waves goodbye to Gwibble, spoon still in hand. After finishing the last, he wipes his mouth and stands. That was good. Okay, I'm going to check out this Shelyn temple. See if they can fix me up. Anyone want to come? Oh, we should go to the store too Edon. We can sell the you know what there. You know, from down there.
He tilts his head in the general direction of the Witch Tower, grinning.
"I would love to go with you, Corin-san. It is always a pleasure to meet those that follow the Eternal Rose," Tsukiko says, perking up a bit at the thought of getting to see the shrine.
Kage finishes his porridge then wipes his snout clean with his paw. He then hops down and starts walking towards the door, then stops and walks in a circle.
Tsukiko follows Corin out of the inn, Pausing to let Kage follow or at least out of the inn.
"So, Corin-san, are you a follower of the Lady of Chrysanthemums," she asks as they make their way to the shrine.
"Thank you, Nilos-sama, It is an honor to see this wonderful shrine to the Lady of Chrysanthemums," Tsukiko says with a bow.
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Gwibble grins at the man. Yes yes, I am one of the caravan guards. I am in need of some good strong rope to lower my companion down into those tunnels. They seem to be infested with all manner of creatures but we have managed to clear them out so far. Just as well, the Gods know what might have happened if something came crawling out of that hole in the middle of the night.
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Corin wanders across the shrine, in awe of the works of art. It's a few minutes before he realises Tsukiko has been talking to him.
Sorry, what? Oh. Yes. I mean no. No, I'm not. My father wasn't a follower of any gods in particular. He taught me while they should all be respected, worshipping them isn't always needed to obtain their help.
He is once again distracted before he realises his rudeness.
Sorry. Er, Are you? A follower of Shelyn? Or another god?
"Your father sounds like a wise man," Tsukiko says before Corin's flustered apology brings out a giggle that she politely hides with her hand.
"No, Corin-san. I am not a follower of the Lady of Chrysanthemums. I follow the Resplendent Goddess of Fortune, the Starsong. I believe you may know her as Desna. It is from the heavens I am given power, and the Heavens are her domain. In thanks for these gifts, I give my devotion and prayers to her. She and Shelyn, as you call the Lady of Chrysanthemums, are close, though. I often find myself blessed when I sing or play, and I give thanks to the Lady of Chrysanthemums for her guidance," she explains, realizing only after she finishes how preachy she must have sounded.
"Oh, forgive me, Corin-san. That was far more than you probably wanted to hear from me," she apologizes with a low bow.
Grateful for the interruption provided by the end of Nilos' tune and his question.
"Yes," she agrees with Edon, "I healed the wounds he suffered, but he still appears to be unwell. I can help pay for whatever services are needed to make him better."
Kage decides to snoop, using the others as a distraction. He sneaks off into the temple, looking around to see what can be seen.
"Pardon me, Nolis-sama, but how much for the wand? I can use such a a thing if this should happen again."
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"If there are creatures that may crawl out and attack us then I'll help however I can. I have a good strong rope here you can have for 9 silver. Don't trust them kobolds, they have always been trouble, but they’re worse lately. I think they’re preparing for war!"
Why thank you my friend, I will take it. Much appreciated
Gwibble drops the coins on to the counter and heads out to collect Gribble and start building a harness to lower him down.
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"Yes we can cover that, in fact we have enough for a little extra. Could we also have a wand of magical healing? While we are getting this all sorted could you tell us more about this lovely temple?" says Edon politely. Edon is going to spend some time chatting with the priest. Never hurts to make friends with the person who will be putting us back together.
"Ah, no. I cannot by myself, but I can use such a wand," Tsukiko explains, her hands wringing as she fits the urge to hide behind her hat.
"Oh," Tsukiko says realizing just how little she would be able to contribute to helping this group. "Forgive me, Nilos-sama, Corin-san, but I do not have that much gold on me. I can help pay for the other wand and the spell to help restore Corin-san."
Kage returned to his sister's side quietly.