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Miyari's ears perk to alert as she tries and fails to hear all this quiet talking that Ali is doing, but she shrugs and helps to check that everything is secure before heading Windhornwards. "It's nice to have the opportunity to make some money relatively easily... I'm afraid that a clerk's wage did not provide me much in the way of savings."
The inside of Miyari's ears redden with embarrassment when she realizes the likely gap between her wealth and Roswitha's. "Ah, yes, I would be happy to help you carry it for a share of the profit!" she says, a bit too quickly.
Miyari also is careful to examine the man for a moment before considering the offer.
"That seems like it would be good for us to do," says Miyari with a bit of hesitation as she starts through her own pockets to turn up absolutely nothing. It turns out that an aspiring writer far from civilization does not make for rich living.
"The Windhorn Estate? I suppose, if that is the direction that we're going," says Miyari while she turns around to look towards the man. "Someone has an estate out here? Seems a little far out."
"Indeed, it seems as though this area is a fair bit more well-travelled at least," says Miyari, sniffing the air lightly. "Though I suppose it could also be some kind of herd of animals that act in some way we don't know! I hope it's a person out here, though. A friendly person!"
"Or perhaps the wagon just continued on, having met no resistance or end, and to this very day it is still just rolling along on its path," comments Miyari, tone light. "But given that it is our job to explore the area, I suppose there are worse things to do than following an aimless wagon."
At the sound of the crack, Miyari hops up lightly in surprise, her tail becoming visibly fluffed out and more rigid. She does not need any more motivation to scoop up Arielle, and then scamper off after Roswitha away from this place.
"Okay, well, let's get going, yes. My parents always advised that if you feel a sense of unease, as if you are about to be eaten, you should likely move along," says Miyari, taking on a wise tone as she passes on such parental advice. "And I feel uneasy." She watches Ali as he finishes the sketches, but seems quite tense and eager to move off.
Miyari walks forward with the others and quietly makes a few notes and a couple of quick sketches in her journal. She nods towards Glen while her eyes are on the page and says, "It does feel like a rather uncomfortable place... These statues seem almost too true to life."
"Ready, yes. Let's take a look," says Miyari as she gives a nod and starts off towards the statues, eager to do just that.
Miyari shrugs a shoulder and says idly, "My mother taught me that it's best to be suspicious of strange meat. I did not think it was terribly practical advice at the time, but this time I suppose that I will put it into practice. But I suppose there is no harm taking a closer look at the statues, just to see them. It seems like an interesting sight, at least. A little curiosity can surely do no harm."
Miyari shrugs a shoulder slightly, "I do not entirely understand why a hunter would leave a deer corpse there between those statues. Perhaps it is meant as some kind of sacrifice, to some kind of giant gods or something. I do not know enough about religion to say, but does that not seem plausible? Perhaps more plausible than a few giants turning to stone and requiring sacrifice to remain in such a state." She looks over towards Glen as if to get his opinion on the reasoning. "But unless you wish to solve this mystery, I suppose we should move on from a place where there may be danger."
"If he's spotted by something over there, he'll need help," says Miyari as she stares out after Glen. "He's pretty hard to spot, though, and I think whatever over there is too still to be alive... I just don't know what it is. Statues or something? I haven't seen them move anyways... but it's a curious sight out here."
Miyari drags her claws through her hair to try and get it under control after waking up from her second sleep period. "I don't think the order of breakfast duties has been established... but I'm pretty groggy. Sleeping out here is not the same at all as a warm bed!" She gets up and stretches, arching her back in a distinctively feline way.
Miyari quickly jots the information down in her journal, "I appreciate the information. As I said earlier, we're pretty new to this area, so I like knowing what we may come to expect around here. It would be interesting to see an actual unicorn!" She rubs her eyes lightly and continues, "Is there anything in particular that you are hunting in this area? My ancestors were hunters, but I've never done much of it."
Miyari thanks Cerius for the information about the kobolds, and tiredly tries to continue engaging in conversation and hear more about what's happening in the area.
Miyari relaxes a bit when Cerius kneels and she says softly, "My apologies, Cerius, can't be too careful out here. No, we're not bandits, quite the opposite really. As for news, we're fairly new into the area ourselves... we've dispatched some bandits not long ago, near Bokken's, and we're on our way to investigate a disturbance with the kobolds. Seems they've been more active lately, and more of a nuisance, so hopefully we can determine some underlying cause."
Miyari stands and raises her right hand in greeting, though she crosses her other arm so that she has quick access to her weapon if the need arises. "Hello there," says Miyari as her eyes quickly take stock of his weapons, "What leads you to travelling at this hour? It's quite late or quite early, depending on your perspective."
Quietly, Miyari says softly, "I do not wish to alarm anyone, but there seems to be something on that hill over there... we should be very cautious." She points up towards the distant humanoid shapes to try and get the others to see what she does. "We have fewer numbers, and Kalica and Armin were probably the most battle tested of our group..."
Miyari nods to Ali. "I suppose it would be best to get some of the exploration done sooner than later, while we travel towards the kobolds... your route works for me. Hopefully, we do not find ourselves in too much trouble passing in that direction."
"I thought she was here just a second ago, but I am certain that I'll be able to sniff her out," says Miyari, glancing about. The figure of speech, of course, is not a figure of speech and she sets about doing precisely what she said so that she can put Arielle to bed.
At learning how far south the man who might be Bokken's brother is and noting the information down in her journal, Miyari suggests to Glen, "Perhaps it would be best to get better established before seeking him out. However, I have a name, that he might have joined a bandit group led by someone named Kressle? Possibly something worthwhile to keep in mind." "I would not mind seeing if Ciri wants to come along," says Miyari in reply to Ali's question. "If we're going to be using an interpreter, I want to make sure that it's translated smoothly. Though it might be worthwhile to at least start studying it, but I want to handle the kobold situation first." "A hunt is all well and good, and I would absolutely like some of that head cheese, but if something is riling up the kobolds, it may be more time sensitive..." The young catfolk shrugs. "Unless there are objections?"
"Sounds good to me," says Miyari, "Though if we are prioritizing Bokken's brother, I'd like to suggest we look after the kobolds next."
Miyari's ears flick back when Kalica calls humans 'vermin', "Er, humans can be valued allies." She wants to distance herself from Kalica's opinions in the face of all the humans who seem to be in their little group. "You are what you are, not much to be done about that." "I appreciate it, Ciri. I will let you know if we decide to deal with the kobolds first," says Miyari pleasantly. "Hopefully we will be able to sort things out without too much headache."
"I wouldn't want to destroy them without at least trying to be diplomatic first," says Miyari to Armin. "Just because someone is from a race considered monstrous does not mean that they have a monstrous nature. I would rather do what is right and risky, than wrong and easy." To Roswitha, she continues, "Kobolds are not completely uncivilized, as far as I know, but maybe less civilized than many races. It's quite possible that we can sort something out with them."
"I used to have trouble telling humans apart," admits Miyari, "It still sometimes throws me off when someone changes hairstyles. But..." To Kalica, "Ali and I were speaking to Ciri already, so I would not say she butted in any more than I did."
"And I just bet you'd like to find out," replies Miyari to Ciri. "The bell?" wonders Miyari, looking towards Glen, "I guess that could be useful for finding him. I am a bit worried by Bokken's attitude towards the idea of finding his brother. There seemed to be some... tension there. I wonder what that's all about?" Miyari opens her journal again to finger through a couple of pages that now have text on them. "I guess that is the only one that we'd be looking for a specific person, though, and at least we have a possible lead. Getting gold to outfit ourselves, though, may be more pressing."
Miyari stares blankly at Roswitha for a few moments. "Well... I suppose I assumed that they are a tribal group that does not do much trade with humans in the area. From what my parents told me, not everyone in the Jati spoke much for common. For some, it's not necessary. It's just a useful trade language. I imagine most races learn their native language as a priority and common second, but I can only speak to my own kind. I grew up in a human settlement, though, which is why my speech is not accented." Despite her explanation (and a hint of pride in her voice), Miyari's common is still tinged with some influence from her parents' language. "You speak Draconic, Ciri?" asks Miyari, "I would not mind learning a few words, I can do hissy and it may be useful to ask the kobolds where the loo is, though I don't think it will be enough to negotiate with them."
"Oh! I wanted to ask, does anyone speak draconic? I believe that's what kobolds speak, anyhow... I can speak in my people's language, and some elven. I speak goblin as well, but it's admittedly pretty rough. It may be useful to find out what's stirring up the kobolds and settle things there with as little risk to ourselves as possible," says Miyari.
"I do not think this was a case of mistaken identity, and he did not seem undead. But I'm fairly certain he is dead now, barring some kind of strange time..." Miyari wiggles her clawed fingers in front of herself. "Stuff. I cut his throat, and he stopped moving. Seemed rather dead to me." "Ali, did you see the-" Miyari cuts herself off, then explains the four different tasks that were posted up on the bounty board. "Do any of those appeal to you? I assume that we'll come across bandits quite naturally out there, so we'll likely work on that one without really seeking."
As soon as she has an opportune moment, Miyari updates her journal. Her ears flick at the sound of Ciri's voice. "She is under our protection. It's best we not get into the details." She makes a few notes in the margins and then binds the journal shut once more. "And I intend to remain alive for some time yet."
"Well..." starts Miyari, "I have been having some strange moments and memories myself, so I hope you don't find it distressing that I take some comfort in your double memory. Perhaps we're not going mad, at least, and instead the world is going mad." She offers a slight shrug of her shoulder, but otherwise does not comment much further on the way back. When she catches sight of the requests board, she takes note of what's written on it so that she may transcribe it from memory once they get to a dryer place.
Miyari sighs as Bokken asks for more things, and she updates her journal. "I appreciate it, Kalica," says Miyari hesitantly, "But in this case, well, it's for the best that we engaged in this fight. They were intimidating Bokken for profit and who knows what else they might've been up to. But sometimes" She turns her attention towards Ali, "A dark druid? Do you remember where he might be? Or if he would be willing to provide us with information."
"I read about that kind of... protection scheme before, but I just thought it was something from books," says Miyari, sheathing her blade and digging her slightly shaking hands into her pockets. The young catfolk walks back towards the others, "This Happs. Who was he? Did you know him, Ali?"
Miyari makes a bit of a face when she sees the kind of damage done to the leader, and she wipes her blade off against the bandit leader's clothing. She seems content to allow the remaining bandits to scatter. "Well. I suppose it should not be surprising that there would be bandits like these all over. Is everyone alright? Any injuries?"
Miyari points at Happs and retorts, "But it will be over soon enough!" She raises her blade and runs across the battlefield, directly for the leader of the bandits, easily hurdling over the unconscious dog and bandits. When she gets near to Happs, she leaps up with both hands on her blade to perform an overhand chop on the mounted man.
Miyari thrusts her blade at the bandit between herself and Ali, remembering to swing her claws as well as an afterthought. She growls,
Miyari also swipes her claws at the bandit near Ali, a low growl coming from her throat.
For a moment, Miyari sees herself being surprised by Kalica's course of action, using that 'forward memory' to spring to action.
She steps forward and slashes clumsily at the bandit near Ali, extends the claws on her free right hand and exclaims, "Get your hands off of him!"
At first, Miyari seems about ready to follow Roswitha's lead and let the bandits conduct their business, until they 'ask' to be handed the reins of their animals. First, she speaks to Bokken, "We will be able to handle ourselves against... tengu ninjas, not to worry. And we will protect you from any threats in this area." She turns her face towards the bandits. "I will assure you," says Miyari, raising her blade defensively, and speaking hotly, "If you try to appropriate our animals or anything else, then you will never encounter a tengu, a ninja, or anything else. Ever again."
"Tengu Ninja Protection Squad?" says Miyari, voice dripping with contempt for these bandits. She looks bewildered when Bokken accuses them of being Tengu again, glancing back over her shoulder. "Er, we've established already that we are not Tengu or anything of the sort."
She grimaces as she looks back to the bandits, gripping her blade tightly, but looks towards the rest of the group to gather their mood towards engaging. "It seems awful unseemly for healthy men to be taking advantage of an old man," grumbles Miyari to herself, loud enough that her companions ought to be able to hear her. In a more forced, friendly way, she calls to Happs, "So, how do you go about protecting against these tengu? What sort of fee do you have worked out here? We've been exploring this area and have seen nothing of the sort, so it mustn't be too hard a job."
"Well, we have to pick a direction anyways. Better to choose a direction we know something we might want to find is than just amble about," says Miyari, rather practically. She seems almost proud of herself for using such good reasoning. "Heads up," says Miyari, squinting off, she draws her sword so that it's at the ready just in case, "Riders. Bandits maybe?"
It does not take Miyari much convincing to leave the smelly hut, and she starts out as soon as Bokken indicates wanting them gone. "Yes indeed, let's. Why don't we take a look for those fangberries? We've got to chart down that way anyhow, and," she looks over towards Glen, "Maybe you'll be able to find a use for them as well? Who knows."
"Ah, thank you for the journal," says Miyari. She seems quite pleased by the gift and forgets all about the catfolk doubting incident. She immediately starts working on some notes.
"Well, we'll keep that in mind," says Miyari absently, before a realization crosses her face, "Do you happen to have a journal that I could buy from you? In fact, it might help me to keep it in my memory that you have some need from us. I tend to be, hm, a bit absentminded, and I'm afraid that I have nothing to write on anymore. I would really appreciate it, perhaps if I could have a journal on an IOU basis? To make sure that we remember that you want fangberries, and to keep notes on your brother's appearance so that we will recognize him when we run across him. All I can spare right now for it is..." Miyari rifles through her bag, and then says in a discouraged tone, "Soap? Otherwise, we'll need to set off on our way."
"Not me, I'm afraid. Not-so-fresh out of coin. But my friends likely have something left over," says Miyari politely at being asked if there is anything they'd like to buy. "What did the Stag Lord and this Kressle person look like? I want to make sure we can keep an eye out for anyone who might stir up trouble for us in particular."
Miyari gives Bokken a bit of an incredulous look when he speaks, but does not comment on it, simply deciding that he does not know what he is talking about at all. When she walks into the hut, she makes a hissing sound and covers her mouth and nose, "That smell is a bit overwhelming... I guess that is alchemy, though." She looks to Glen for confirmation that alchemy is just naturally smelly, since he dabbles in the craft far more than she does. "How do you know the stag lord controls the ninjas?" says Miyari, "What are these ninjas doing to you?"
"Tengu ninjas have scales? Then... why did you even suspect me of that in the first place?" huffs Miyari a bit indignantly. She follows Bokken inside. "Anyways... Glen is not a kittenfolk. He is not a catfolk at all. Only I am, out of our group here." She pauses a moment and then asks, "The Stag Lord? Who is that?"
Miyari blinks slowly and says, under some strained politeness, "I am certain I am not a tengu. Fur should rule that out, in fact. I am a cat-folk, and if you think that catfolk are nonsense, I would ask you to think again. I happen to be an expert of knowing what I am." She glances over towards Glen and says, "To be honest, I don't even know how ninjas dress, but I don't think they look like Glen. He has an interest in alchemy and solving problems, though. Based on the little that I have learned of you in this short bit of time, I think you would like him if you got to know him."
"Well, I suspect that tengus wouldn't go through the trouble of dressing up as a catfolk if they were going to put on a disguise. Humans are more common and more commonly trusted," reasons Miyari. She looks skywards and muses further, "And my associate here, well, I think that tengus are normally taller, and it would be unwise for a ninja to put so much pressure for so long on their knees. Should they need to spring into action, it would not suit them so well to have their legs tingly and numb." She nods, very conclusively, "And if you then accept that Glen and I are not tengus, then I hope that you'll accept my vouching for the rest of our number."
Hopefully, she finishes, "But as I said before, perhaps we might be of some kind of assistance to you? If there are tengus in the area, it would be something we're quite interested in documenting."
"Ahhh!" cries Miyari, putting her hands over her ears at the explosion. Thinking they are discovered, she shouts in return, "We're not tengus! We're just explorers! We come meaning no harm, and found this place as it is. If you calm down and don't throw any more bombs or acid at us, maybe we can help you with something!"
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