May Syna Smile on the East (Quest/Closed)

[Creeper]

Timestamp: Summer 5th, 512 AV Time: Morning Starting Location: The Injury Ward Who: Ximal, Zandelia, Xalet, Stigandr, Sahashkalila Shurk looked down at the two injured survivors of the expedition east that he'd had sent out last season. There was Hethe, the Jamoura herbalist, and S'Vanka one of the Konti sisters, and a remarkable Healer. They had left the city with a band of six, and according to the birds, returned with fifteen, and were attacked. He shook his head, wishing it hadn't come to this. The bird they had sent from Novallas suggested the group was closer to sixty. How could so many people have gone missing? He had been mulling over this for many sleepless days and nights, and he had decided he must do something. He turned to his Hahk'Shatara brothers and sisters that were waiting behind him, "Find those mercenaries I mentioned to you earlier, if they will not come will not volunteer, then offer them what they desire. This is an urgent matter, an emergency. I will lead them personally. Little Squirrel, you are in charge until I return. Now go." Shurk turned and strode to the far end of the of the Injury Ward, where Doctor Sahashkalila was tending to a wounded man, as she was almost every day. Shurk was a massive mountain of fur, he looked down at the Dhani woman, "Sahashkalila, you are relieved of your duties here in the Injury Ward. We need you for something much more important. Come with me, we will be meeting the others here soon. Gather all of your supplies and anything you will need to survive outside of the safety of the camp. You have one bell. Meet me in the center of the camp. Now go. If there is anything you need, they people here will ensure you have it." Little Squirrel, in her red headed splendor, entered the longhouse, nude as most Kelvics are in the area. She had a Bo Staff strapped to her back, knives strapped to her thighs, and a vicious scowl on her face. She found the three she sought within. "Zandelia, Ximal, Stigandr, get up. Now. You have a mission, and one bell to be ready. Gather your belongings and any supplies you need to survive outside of camp. Meet in the center of camp. Anything you need will be provided for. Do not be late. This is not a request." Master Pikkle was watching as the large purple man trained, smiling as the techniques he showed were true and accurate. This man would become a great warrior one day, he just needed more barriers to overcome. And one appeared to be presenting itself. One of the Hahk'Shatara had arrived to interrupt Xalet's training. "Xalet, we need you for an important mission, I do not have the details, you will be debriefed. Gather your gear, any supplies you need to survive outside the city, and in one bell, meet in the center of the camp. Please, we need your expertise in this."

[Sahashkalila]

Kalila was interrupted in her work by a massive Jamoura striding into the Injury Ward, quite possible the most massive she had ever seen.....and he was coming straight for her. She looked up...and up at the Jamoura in front of her, his words ringing around her head as he continued to speak. She was being released from her duties? There were still so many more patients and not enough healers and doctors to go around. She did not know what she was going to be needed for, but she was not about to argue with the creature in front of her. "Assss you wissh,"she said with a nod of her head and went to talk to a nearby healer, explaining the situation to her before going to look for Jorg.

She found him outside of the ward, looking up at the sky as he sat on the ground motionless. She approached him hesitantly, not sure if he was in one of his "moods" or not, but he spoke before she was able to.

"I know that you are leaving," he said slowly, still looking up at the sky in thought. "You have been an interesting addition here, Kalila, one that I will not easily forget. I will pray to Rak'keli for your safe journey...and return."
Kalila smiled and walked up closer to the older Jamoura, grateful that he wasn't in one of his phases today. She did not know who he was talking about exactly, not one for the gods herself, but she appreciated the sentiment all the same. "I will be back my friend, there iss much that we sstill need to sshare,"she said softly before placing her hand on his arm, giving it a light squeeze before she left him to her thoughts, feeling a little more than sad that she was leaving him.

She hurried quickly over to the longhouse where her possessions were, grabbing her pack and starting to put all of the things that she had brought with her to the Spires in her pack. Thankfully her healing kit always remained full while she was at the Injury Ward and she had made plenty of notes in her notebook to find things along the way if she ran out. She made sure she had all of her clothes and her cloak, thankful that she had gotten it at Centroc's earlier in the week. She felt like she should leave some sort of note for her companions, letting them know that she was going to be gone.....but she did not. She would be back, she was sure of it. With that thought in mind, and after she had rechecked her things twice, she left the longhouse and went back to where they were to meeting, waiting patiently for some sort of direction from the large Jamoura.

[Ximal]

oocin this thread I'mma just have said Xi bought some new clothes a new shirt and a new cloak.

- 2 sm two cotton shirts
- 5 sm wool cloak
all brown.

Dreams, how sweet dreams were, the pale horrors they could bring, the sweet guiding relief thy could deliver, ot the strange provocative thoughts they could incur. What ever a dream was right now Xi was loving his. It want much to shout about but Xi was dreaming of squeezing the life out of wren slowly, having him beaten and bloodied, blood pouring from his nose and empty eye sockets, lifeless broken arms and no tongue left in his mouth, broken teeth all that remained. Xi just envisioned the picture, crushing the air out of his body slowly, listening to the strained breaths. Bliss, calm, no remorse. Xi found nothing wrong with this picture. He wanted it to happen, and on his face a smile had carved it'self into permanent being there. Some part of him knew this was wrong bot most of him didn't care. The sweet gasping sounds of short breath, the soft sound of him drowning on his own blood oh it was pure happiness. and then the call. The picturesque scene faded from his mind into a fuzzy mass of black. Xi scrambled into focus he eyes sharpening back into adjustment with the natural light. He hated mornings. Scrambling out of bed, to the sound of a female voice. He clambered out of bed stretching off the weariness of asleep. As he flicked his still half shut eyes across the way eh caught site of the source of the voice, a red headed naked female. Fantastic. Now i was mildly regretting the fact he slept naked as well. Growling out a strong yawn he stared at her, fore fronts of his mind plagued with thoughts about his dream and the words she was spouting. Who the petch was stigandr? Him zand and this stig were selected to go on a mission. What horse-shyke was this? Yawning wide and stretching not caring about his current state. Soo mission outside of camp, survival gear, don't be late not a request? Petch this. Xi groaned in pain a little as his shoulder acted up. He was always sore these days. Cracking his neck lightly he decided now might be a good time to dress. Having bought new clothes yesterday he felt better about what he was going out in. Still he kept his shredded ones with him should he need to cannibalize them for make shift bandages. Sliding on his undergarments and then his pants, rolling them up to above his knee before fixing on his boots and grieves, rolling down his pants he slipped his new brown shirt on, clean fresh new, his old cloak and shirt in his body pack which he abruptly slipped over his person. Standing he fixed his vambraces over his forearms and gauntlets just slid on. His eyes still weary with sleep he pulled his hair out of his shirt tying it back with a single strip of tightly tied cloth. His beard had grown out a little and covered his face in a thick black lining again. Blinking the sleep from his eyes he slipped his axes into place. Now he was ready. Heading out he grabbed some provisions off of the table in-front of him slipping them into various pockets over his body pack. Staggering out into the open air of the morning caught him with a smack of freshness he wasn't ready for. Opening his eyes with surprising force. Standing out in the open was a fairly chilly looking kali. Xi strode up next to her and yawned. "What brings the healer extraordinar out at this time of day. Aren't you normally with patients right now ? He flashed her a quick light smile friendly mutual understanding.

[Stigandr]

Stigandr was getting the few hours of REM sleep he needed every couple days curled up warmly under his horse blanket. He was...happy...to have people around he could trust enough that he could get this kind of sleep and know he would not be harmed. The people, rather the Jamoura and Kelvics mostly, had given him a sense of calm in the Spires that he found plesant and inviting. This was a place he could see himself staying and living in, knowing he would be accepted for who he was. These thoughts had preceeded him falling asleep and had been present in his dreams, but they were taken away in a heartbeat at the sound of someone talking. Opening his eyes, the Kelvic quickly stood in alarm only to see Little Squirrel standing there, telling him, a guy named Ximal and Zandelia to meet iin the middle of camp. Things sounded serious and urgent. Quickly Stigandr mo ed to gather his horse blanket up and rolled it as small as we could, strapping it to his pack that had his clothes in it. He had long since abandonned his clothes upon seeing so many Kelvics, like Little Squirrel, in the nude. He felt his best like this, the lack of clothing who he was. He had at first kept at least pants on around others, like Sahashkalila, to help their unease but he decided this is him and he stopped wearing anything at all. Taking out his pack and starting to leave, he noticed Sahashkalila's stuff was moved, as if she had been here. Odd. Dismissing the thought as something to ask later, he followed Ximal outside where he noticed Sahashkalila standing where he was supposed to go to. Seeing her made him smile and he moved over to her, his bare feet padding the ground softly. Good morning, Sahashkalila. How are you? " he spoke with a little less formality in his voice when around her, getting used to speaking more like a human, though the nuances of language still escaped him frequently. As he stood close to Sahashkalila, he dropped his pack and dug out his shoes in case he needed them, leaving his clothes in there.

[Xalet]

"Haaahh..." Xalet breathed deeply as he preformed his movements, slowly and fluidly. At least as well as he could manage. Learning to utilize two blades at once was a challenge, almost like learning to fight all over again. The basics were still there for him of course. His stance, his grip, his vision of the field of combat, but the movements were completely different. The blading of the body, the transitional movements of the hands, and most importantly the constant switching of the lead foot in and out of his offensive and defensive transitions. The purple skinned warrior wasn't alone of course, but even with the Pycon, there was still another aiding in his training. "Right hand thrust, pull rearward, left hand parry, transitional spin, downward chop. Right hand parry, collapse the arm into an elbow strike, step into the opponent, right thrust kick...this is freaking ridiculous. What is the point of all this?" Xuphim grumbled as he begrudgingly held up his part of the bargain. He was going to aid in Xalet's training for greater freedom during the Summer season. "It helps to hear the movements before I execute them, it allows me to focus on the form instead of the steps. We have the unique advantage of having two separate pieces of consciousness, why not use it?" the man whom had been the dominant force behind the body all these years explained. He could get no further with Master Pikkle's training before a member of the Hahk'Shatara vaguely described a situation developing. Relaxing his arms down by his sides Xalet slowly slid the razor-like edges of his twin blades into their sheaths. Master Pikkle's style of fighting was so greatly different from Xalet's, given their grossly dissimilar frames and sizes, but Xalet still felt very fortunate to learn what he could of it. The chance to integrate foreign concepts into his otherwise rigid Syliran fighting style were more than welcomed. Even the presence of the Konti martial arts taught by his Patron were overshadowed by the balance and acrobatic talent of the Pycon. It was something Xalet believed with his weight and equipment he could never duplicate. "It was an honor, Master Pikkle." he said simply, bowing slightly at the waist before he moved to round up all of his items back at the longhouses. Having practiced without the restrictiveness of his armor Xalet knew he had to replace those items quickly if he was to make it to this debriefing on time. Once he arrived the ritual began. He slid on his tunic first, running his hands across the fabric to ensure it did not bunch. Next came the gambeson, a thick cotton fiber layer of armor and padding that kept the bite of the chainmail from his skin. The chainmail hauberk was next, running down to the tops of his knees. It was potentially the most cumbersome piece of his armor, but it was also the primary defense for any attack that made it between the 'gaps' within his plates. His globose cuirass came next, hinged upon one side and strapped securely upon the other. From leather and metal loops upon the shoulders his pauldrons could be affixed, a tie moving around his wide biceps in order to keep the shoulder and upper arm armor from wandering about during movement. His guardbrace came down upon his left shoulder. That shoulder was the one that most often faced toward the threat, holding a shield securely upon the arm that extended out from it. It took the most punishment, and thus required a more stable defense. Plate bazuband style vambraces covered his forearms and the tip of his elbow. Upon his legs cuisses kept his upper legs from harm, while shaped shovel greaves, poleynes, and finally sollerets covered his legs and feet. His finger gauntlets had a thick rawhide glove riveted to them, allow him to grip more easily. Now he was ready. His helmet rested in his pack, along with some simple travel supplies. His horse wouldn't be needed until he more properly understood exactly where it was he would be going. Stepping up toward the center of town the violet hued monster of a man looked about at the rest of the people gathered. Some of the faces he recognized, but most he did not. It was better that way, hopefully Xuphim had not damaged the sanctity of the Knighthood beyond all repair. That's when he noticed a woman Xuphim had run into previously. Xalet looked at her briefly, but his facial expression was different from any Xuphim often wore. It was cold, almost flat. To the keenest or most insightful eye there was even a hint of embarrassment.

[Zandelia]

It was with a sense of foreboding that Zandelia was left with, the summons barked at her as if she were a inconsequential puppy that needed to be told its place. The tone grated against her in many ways, not least in the fact that the mercenaries in the Spires – the Crimson Edge included – were perhaps all that kept the whole reclamation operation from imploding. She had helped much in her tenure there and deserved more than to be slapped at with words, especially when they told her nothing of what might lay in store for her and the others. The Jamoura commanders might not care overly much about their safety, but they had been entrusted to her and she did not like being ordered to possibly put them in harm’s way without forewarning.

I wonder how draconian they would be with a blade through their throats… she thought to herself darkly as she considered whether to even attend the summons. It was a futile exercise in imagined resistance however, she knew all too well that it was in her best interests to arrive, even if it was to hear the proposal and leave afterwards.

“Well, looks like I should make plans for my absence at least, just in case” she muttered wearily as she set about drawing up contingencies.

It was an easy enough matter to inform those present in the Longhouse that command would shift to others in her departure. She names a select few rather than one so as to broaden the scope of command and the pressures of the position. Ana, Shadowfang, Apos and Leon were those whom she chose – for varying reasons. She had full confidence in their abilities, or perhaps rather their lack of desire to displease her in the long run at least. With her duties thus delegated she took stock of her possessions and wondered what she should take, knowing that she could not take everything she might wish to – the load too cumbersome for travel. She sifted through it all and eventually ended up with something akin to serviceable gear. Her clothing was simple enough to decide as she never really took it off these days – normal cotton clothes beneath a layer of studded leather armor – that itself beneath her soft Shadowsilk Robes. Her cold iron gauntlets and spring blade were always upon her forearms and her weapons secreted about her person deftly. No, what she had had to decide upon was everything else.

“A small pile indeed” she whispered to herself as she noted it barely filled her backpack.

Within was found only food, water and other necessities. The ropes she kept tied at the small of her back as always but she had decided to take her lantern and spare oil reserves just in case. Toiletries were a must, as was her flint and steel kit. She placed her books and quills with ink pots inside just for boredom’s sake really. Her gold was stashed at its very bottom and her remaining sleep eggs and stinger replacements were put in too, just for a rainy day’s work – they could be of use in more situations than capture she knew well enough. With that done she merely attached it to her tent and its own accoutrements and she was ready to go, striding out of the Longhouse without much hurry. It took her very little time to find the destination, finding all of the others already arrived, Sahashkalila and another – an Akalak if she did not miss her guess – in accompaniment also.

“The real question is not how everyone is, but why we are here. I for one do not think this looks like a foraging party, and I would bloody well like to know what’s in it for those as are part of the Crimson Edge before I let them risk their lives an whatever trip this is” she asked out loud, purposefully looking at those she knew, meeting their eyes solidly so as to try and hammer home her words.

After all, it would not do to get involved in something without first negotiating terms she thought to herself, her years in Sunberth having forged some mannerisms that would never die.

[Creeper]

Shurk approached the ragtag group, pleased that all of those that he'd selected had shown up. His fierce eyes stared through each of them in turn, studying every detail as he had been doing for several days now. Yes, he'd chosen well. Each one of them was perfectly suited as a member of his team, assuming they could follow orders. There were the two that appeared as if they could handle any combat situation, and come out in one piece. Then there was the healer, who could patch up anyone during the journey, as well as her Kelvic companion, who would be able to support everyone in their positions, no matter what the situation. Finally, and likely the most important, was the leader, the one eyed beauty. She would be able to control the ruffians better than himself, and was clearly suited for it, as she was the only one questioning the mission at hand, the rest falling in line. Shurk walked up to the woman, Zandelia by name, and stared down at her. Her attempts at intimidation and negotiation were rough, unpolished. But at least she was trying to do what was best for her people, the trait in which she was picked for. He smiled largely, his large crushing teeth and incisors flashing, an intimidating grin that would make a bull Olidosapux shake in its fur. "Ah yes, mercenaries would like payment I suppose. I cannot give you an exact figure, but I've been authorized to ensure that your group of... swords-for-hire go home with as much wealth as they can carry. Your comrades will receive this if we succeed in this mission, regardless of your survival. You can accept this mission, for the betterment of your people, or you can leave this camp of ours with," he reached down and flicked her meager coinpouch, "this..." There was a sudden loud snort, and the group would see a surprising sight. There was a massive cart being pulled by two, large, white horned beasts. Some of them might know them as Olidosapux, massive beasts of burden that had never been tamed before. And sitting atop the cart holding the reins was a small woman, blonde in hair and dark of skin. But next to her sat a face they had all seen at least once or twice. It was Centroc, sunkissed skin, old tired face, and a large smiling grin. He hopped down off of the cart, surprisingly nimble despite his ragged appearance. The cart continued eastward, the woman having no trouble guiding the beasts, the wheels bouncing easily over the roots that were so common in the forest. The Eypharian merchant approached the group, two arms of his crossed, the other two hidden beneath a cloak, subtly, that if they weren't aware that he was Eypharian, he'd be mistaken for human. "I think I would like to join this little party, and you may have the..." glancing up and down Xalet's body, "Manpower for a journey, but I think you might need a bit of creativity. So count me in." A voice replied from Ximal's shoulder, a presence the mercenary hadn't noticed previously, "And count me in as well," There, was the Pycon known as Master Pikkle, hands on his hips, a small club strapped to his back. "Now can we get this show on the road, or must we squabble over some mere Mizas?" Centroc turned to Zandelia, "Yes, surely you of all people would prefer to be owed a favor rather than gain an extra pouch of jingles, correct?"

[Sahashkalila]

Kalila stood there nervously in the cool air with Shurk, not sure if she should say anything or remain silent. The large Jamoura unnerved her slightly with his size, and the urgency for this trip made her nervous as well. She pulled her veil and cloak tighter to her and was thankfully interrupted from her thoughts by the approach of Ximal, someone she did not expect. His comment made her lips quirk slightly and she looked up at him, shifting her feet slightly. "I apparently have a purpossse to fill my friend,"she said softly, falling silent once again and setting her pack on her shoulders on the ground. She did not understand why Ximal was called, but she was certain that fighters would be needed, and he would be able to fill that role.

Someone else that she did not expect to see, but filled her heart with a light happiness was Stigandr, her Kelvic friend. The corners of her eyes crinkled from the smile that lit up her face at his approach, her cheeks blushing slightly as she adverted her eyes from his form. She knew that he felt the most comfortable this way, but she still never failed to blush when he was around her. "Good morning Ssstigandr, I am pleasssed to sssee you here assss well,"she said softly, moving to stand closer to him, feeling slightly calmer in his presence. "I am well." More people kept arriving, and she frowned as she saw the purple man that she ran in to most recently was one of them. He looked...different, the expression on his face cold and detached as if he was devoid of emotion. Ironic since he did not seem that way when we met,she thought to herself before moving her eyes away from him, coming to rest on Zandelia.

Their relationship was...strained...at times, but Kalila knew that the situation was dire if they asked Zandelia to come along, and Kalila felt better knowing that she would be there. Her words though, were typical in fashion, and Kalila nodded towards her as their eyes met, showing that she approved of the question, her curiosity piqued. It was the Jamoura's words though that caused her to evaluate the situation, suddenly understanding why she was asked to be there. Whatever mission they were going on was dangerous, and she was there to help the injured and save the dying....at least she hoped that was the reason. Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a cart being pulled by two white beasts that she had never seen before and a small woman leading them, Centroc seated next to her. What was he doing here? It seemed that several important people were coming along with them, which only caused her to worry slightly. She stepped closer to Stigandr, her arm brushing his as one more person made their appearance, someone that she had not had the pleasure to meet....and of all places he was situated on Ximal's shoulder. Interesting.

Kalila chose to remain silent though, she was not the leader of this band, nor did she want to be. And so she watched the exchange with interest, wondering what Zandelia's answer would be.

[Ximal]

Standing near by to kalia Xi had some strange thoughts about what was going to happen ahead. If they needed both him and a healer...Things weren't going to be going down the 'friendly chat' path. Xi hunched his shoulders, adjusting the body pack slightly along with his axes. and the large one across his back. He didn't know how to use them too well but they were more for intimidation purpose than aught else. The clod wind till biting a the air pushed Xi's cloak open slightly billowing through wind and fluttering the loose wool. Listening out carefully he heard the approach of another, Tall by normal standards, but thin, not wiry but not defined. Though abut this man two things irked him, firstly the fact he was fully frontal naked, which could mean either he was completely mad. Or that he wa a kelvic. Xi chose the latter as his summation seeing as they were the only people who walked around naked and didn't give a flying jamoura's ass-cheeks of a care. The second thing which gave him an irk was the fact that he knew kalia, perhaps as a patient? Xi substituted this for another answer to his questions, but this was stigandar? Just how many kelvics were in sunberth? Before he could speak a word to stigandar, Xi's attention was ripped away by the mountain of a man walking towards the group. Purple to boot. Why the petch is he purple? Xi didn't care much for the fact of his skin colouring not his height, extending him over Xi's height by a fair six inches. He was still shorter than bull by two. Xi grinned to himself, the man was armoured to the teeth, whilst everyone else seemed to have little to no armour, and one not even any clothes. Keeping his arms hidden beneath his cloak Xi simply raised an eyebrow at the stoic purple mountain. Impressive, it would be slightly more impressive to see a jamoura jump through fiery hoops though. Well whatever. The last arrival to the group was a familiar face as well, Zandelia. who a per usual set about barking orders, could she not give it a rest for ten minutes? Xi flicked his eyes at her, laying stake to demands before the works even laid on the table? What a rag tag group this was, two giants. One purple, one not, a healer, a kelvic, and the gods-damned queen of the crimson edge? Well, whatever this little 'expedition' was about it certainly wasn't looking to head too far into the realm of pleasant, what with four fighters and a healer. Xi's burns itched, something was coming. Then was the jamoura, big enough to stand level headed on his knuckles with Xi, and to tower over even the purple mountain on it's hind legs. Though as it''s eyes glazed over then, he could feel himself being weighed like a peice of meat as a market stall. A feeling he hated soo much so that the fire in his eyes changed to ice once more. His cold self was becoming ever more present, ever more devoid of feeling and emotion. Liro whispered little words of encouragement, and provocation. Wanting him to go and strike the jamoura for the look. Xi held it in, though the urge was immense. Then the smile came across, clearly meant to intimidate. It was doing a good job of getting his attention, and keeping it. We survive we get all the gold we can carry? That's it i'm keeping your sordid ass alive. Money, the universal evil. Still a necessary one, he'd need more than he had if he was going to make the trip to Alvadas where ever it was. When with a loud snort his train of thought was interrupted by the appearance of a cart being drawn by...What in the name of ovek were they? Huge beasts being controlled and handled easily by a small woman. Xi took a quick measure of the massive monsters, and a fleeting sweep over the shrouded female. Something smelled fishy and it wasn't just Shurks breath. From the back of the cart a familiar face emerged. Centroc, with a face that spoke of mischief. what was that conniving old merchant planning on, inviting himself into the group. Arms folded across his chest, he was planning something or there was something to be gained from this trip. A good merchant never did or sold anything without knowing it's true value. And then a familiar if not entirely welcomed voice. That sneaky little. Was pikkle an assassin in a former life? He certainly moved with the stealth of one. Xi looked at his shoulder, some what leering at the miniature statue perching on it. Xi had't forgotten the blow to the back of the head pikkle delivered. Then centroc spoke about owing favours instead. Xi spoke up now taking over from zand's left off point. "I'm less concerned with the pricing of the venture, than the venture itself. What exactly would you have us do? After all there are, six fighters, two of which pass as leaders. Though one i'm fairly certain will take the reigns, based on their track record. A merchant, and a doctor. So answer this one question if you would be so kind. What exactly are we merry bad of misfits going to do? Because from the grouping i highly doubt were, going for a cheerful little stroll." Xi's tone was dead level, not a single fluctuation. He wanted to know what they were going after or going to do. Else there would not be need for so many to leave at one time in such a large group.

[Xalet]

Xalet had been following orders for so long he doubted he could go against them if he tried. The source of the orders meant something, but if a cause was honest and righteous, the Akalak couldn't refuse. The pang of disgust crept up within him. It was Xuphim's feelings, the feeling of such tongue-numbing sweetness about his light half. Even having lived with Xalet his entire life he had to wonder, was the man really that selfless, or was there something else? Then it hit him, yes, there was Priskil. The woman that caught the eye of his brother, and whose eyes were in turn caught by Xalet's dedication to a hopeful cause. So it wasn't just about everyone else after all, there was something in it for him. "Selfish, just like the rest of us." his voice let that fact be known, although Xalet did not make any sort of response. He simply let those words linger and die out, almost as if ignoring them would make them disappear. Appearing, on the other hand, was various members that appeared to be joining the group, most of which were strangers to the Syliran. He knew of Sahashkalila, or at least half of him knew of Sahashkalila. He had also spent time with Master Pikkle, and of course he knew the capitalist Eypharian salesman, as well as Shurk. The woman with the scar, the exceedingly tall man, and the man without a scrap of clothing were all complete strangers. His trust only went so far when dealing with individuals not from his home city. For now he had to place his faith in the choices made by the Spires. "Master Pikkle." Xalet's voice finally rose up to speak as he gave the Pycon a nod, though it was just barely loud enough to be heard. His speech balanced a fine yet unusual line of being unbelievably soft, despite a likewise unbelievably deep intonation. Before the Spires the Akalak had never known a Pycon as he knew Master Pikkle. As a man whom perused the martial arts, he couldn't help but feel some sort of connection, despite some six feet in vertical difference. "I am under the employ of the Spires." his words were so few now, where as before when dealing with the Dhani he spouted them endlessly. Though the purple skin, height, and outfit had not changed, even the slightest bit of insight could tell he was not acting as he once had. "I will participate. What is the briefing?"