Billy
This place still being used?/

There's nothing here/

I can't see your post/
Peter
Oh whaaa thats weird, yeah ill resend/

*It's mid-afternoon. A centaur stands towering in the middle of the tavern, her head almost scraping the wooden beams that support the ceiling. Her torso is covered in dense, incomprehensible runic tattoos, stretching from the base of her stomach to the curve of her shoulders and all the way back down to her fingertips. 

She sways back and forth stiffly as she sings, the light, reserved taps of her hooves like a quiet backbeat to her song. The words she speaks are in some unknown language, as rustic and foreign as her presence itself. 

The small crowd seems disinterested in her performance. And despite her rehearsed smile, the tiniest stillness in her eyes lets on that she seems disinterested in the performance, as well. Nevertheless, she continues to sway, continues to sing, continues to hope for the odd tavern-goer to toss a coin her way.*
James
*She sighs walking into the tavern hiding her guild badge not wanting attention after that embarrassing chase she did earlier, she heard the singing turning towards it genuinely surprised*


 "I've never heard a centaur bard before, neat... It sounds interesting, i kinda like it even though I can't understand a word she's saying,".


*She walked up to the large centaur having to look directly up to see her as she searched through her pouch grabbing a handful of 7 silver coins tossing them to her hoping to maybe get her attention, she also did a small wave*
Peter
*The sudden flash of silver catches the centaur by such surprise she stumbles over the lyrics to her song. She lurches forward, desperately swiping at the coins as the fly through the air. She manages to catch three of them, but the other four clatter to the ground.* 

"Uhp—" *She mumbles awkwardly, looking to the generous stranger and then to the coins on the floor.* 

*Her eyebrow twitches. Part of her is instantly furious. How could she throw the coins so carelessly? Did she not know how difficult it was for centaurs to pick things up off of the floor? How typical of the two-legs...*

*She shakes her head, tries to push that voice out of her mind. This stranger just gave her nearly an entire day's pay! She should be grateful. She blinks once, twice, puts on a smile.*

"Ahem. Thank you! *She says as she bows deeply.* "I didn't really think anybody was listening, to be honest." 

*She begins the awkward, arduous process of lowering herself to the ground. Widening her stance leg by leg, trying not to knock over nearby chairs, as she strains to bend all the way down to the coins on the floor to pick up the four coins that fell.*
James
*She instantly realized her mistake as she dropped to the ground picking up the four coins standing back up with a smile taking out two more coins for the possible inconvenience she caused offering them out to her, holding out her hand*


"My apologies... I'm just so used to human sized bards, it was just habit... So I'm giving two extra coins just incase you happened to sprain yourself on accident... Buy yeah of course I was listening, I could hear it throughout the bar! I quite liked the tapping of your hood to simulate a drum!"

*She watched her do her now bow and Chuckled* "It may be because I don't see centaur too often, but the way you bow is quite interesting if I may put it that way"
Peter
*Saskia takes a step back as Aldea not only picks up her coins but offers two more. Saskia waves her hand dismissively, with a forced laugh as she does.* "R-really, you don't have to. It's not that big of a deal..."

*Her eyes scanned the girl up and down suspiciously. Why would a two-leg do anything to help her? Perhaps the money was just spare change to her, and she was just paying to watch the centaur flounder. Perhaps she didn't think Saskia even capable of picking things up off the floor at all, and was patronizing her like some sort of hapless foal. Perhaps...*

*The idea that perhaps the stranger was just being nice flickered across her mind.*

"I—I'm glad you enjoyed it," *Saskia says, now somewhat embarrassed as she realizes she wasn't giving her all in the performance.* "It's a song of my tribe. My mother taught me. It's... It's very important to me, actually. I don't think this stuffy tavern does it justice."

*Something deep within her relaxed ever-so-slightly as she talked to this kind stranger, like a grip being loosened. Saskia still felt undeniably like an outsider, an oddity, and yet.. This person had stooped down to pick up her change for her.*

"Anyways," *Saskia straightens up, pocketing the coins.* "With that many coins, you've pretty much paid the rest of my shift. What is your name? I feel almost obligated to ask."
Billy
Now I sleep, I'll respond tommorow, but your pretty good, im sure I'll be doing better when I'm awake/
Peter
Sounds good, have good sleeps!/
Billy
You good to continue
James
*She shrugged* "I just feel like I should, but I'd you really have a objection atleast let me buy you a drink for the good performance"


*She nodded* "Mhm, I like all kinds of music especially lesser known bards, Ive learned they are usually hidden diamond! And ah a song of your tribe, that's very interesting, hmmm, your right a song of that important requires somthing bigger!" *She giggled* 


"Oh wow... You don't make very much If 8 coins is your whole days work" *She frowned slightly feeling a bit bad* "Ah yes my name... It's Aldea Whitiker of the new Sunlight guild... But between you and me, nobody heard that... I like to stay on the low if possible... Whats your name my centaur friend?"
Dan
*Saskia pockets the silvers wordlessly, it seems like her hesitance was merely a platitude. She needed every coin she could get, and as much as she hated it, she was in no position to refuse hand-outs. The realization that her livelihood was still in the hands of others seemed to sneak up on her. A moment of fear, doubt. Maybe her family was right. Maybe she was better off on the farm. Maybe that was more free than whatever this was.*

*She didn't let herself get too distracted by her inner turmoils.* "You're right, the pay is piss-poor," She replies coarsely, looking with hostility at the half-conscious patrons of the tavern, her voice laced with frustration. "It's not like they were going to give a no-name like me the prime-time gig in front of a full tavern at happy hour. No, instead I'm out here performing in the afternoon for the sleazy day-drinkers who have no better place to be. And they don't tend to tip well. Not like I really even want to be doing this anyway, using my sacred songs of my tribe to coax some grubby hands to pitch me a copper or two."

*Saskia sighs. She turns back to Aldea, realizing she was letting her mouth run. It was strange, she wasn't normally one to say so much to a two-leg. Maybe it was Aldea's aura of kindness and sympathy that made her feel like she could speak the truth safely - or maybe it was the fact that she had already pocketed the money, and didn't have to put on a face just to get paid.*

"I—sorry. Didn't mean to ramble. My name's Saskia, anyways." *Her introduction is somewhat stiff - something still feels off about the whole thing. The word 'friend' holds a great weight in her mind. It is a word she associates with centaurs, not with two-legs. Nevertheless, she doesn't sense hostile intent.* "It's nice to meet you, I suppose. 'New Sunlight guild' sounds a hell of a lot more interesting than anything I've been doing as of late."
James
*She didn't interrupt her at all, she figured it'd be best to let her get it all out than comfort her afterwards as she listened feeling quite bad about how the people treated her here*


Well... I might be able to help with that if you'd like... Because your right, you don't deserve copper For playing such good music, I think you should deserve gold! I'll tell you what, I'll see what I can do about you playing a bad time with the barkeep and get you booked for happy hour if possible"


"Also you don't have to worry it's fine, i understand where your coming from. Also saskia... Hm what a nice name, nice to meet you saskia!" *She held out her hand for a shake as she stood on her tippy toes* "Mhm, i just joined it, it's a adventurer's guild... And it could be your ticket to fame!"
Dan
"Honestly, I'd rather leave singing behind altogether. These songs have deeper meaning than pleasing a crowd that doesn't understand the words. But, an adventuring guild... I like the sound of that..." 

*Saskia looks askance at the outstretched hand. She had seen this two-leg ritual enough times to know what it was, but she had never done it. She hastily takes Aldea's hand, trying not to appear too out of place. Her grip is firm - a little too firm, and the skin on her hands chafed and worn by years of labor. There's a unnatural stiffness to her grip, a mixture of inexperience and lingering distrust.*

 "Do you..." *She pauses, an odd flicker of vulnerability passing through her.* "Do you think that guild would have work for someone like me?"
James
"Awwww, but you were so good at it, oh well its really up to you in the end saskia, but yes it's quite nice there! And I think you'd find more centaur's and other people that would care for you more"


*She was a bit surprised about how she grabbed her hand so hastily but feeling her firm grip she smiled as she placed her other hand ontop of hers* 


"Don't worry, I'm not a threat... You may not have experienced this kind of kindness before but I swear it'll be fine, just loosen your grip a little bit..."

"Well let me think... Sure! They'll just take you through a small entrance exam then you can do basically whatever you want! You could adventure, or you could play music to the nice people in the guild restaurant!"
Dan
*Saskia's grip does loosen, although it's only as she slides her hand away from Aldea's. She sniffs the air, as if trying to smell a lie. Aldea didn't seem like a threat to her — then again, neither did the rest of the two-legs in the tavern. It wasn't fear that filled Saskia's body with tension, it was... Something else. Pride? A grudge? Now wasn't time to meditate on it.*

*Nevertheless, the promise of an adventurer's guild was a shining opportunity. The sort of thing that she had been waiting to hear ever since she'd left Anushken. Saskia was deeply, deeply grateful to Aldea, even if she wasn't capable of expressing it.*

"Can y— Could you perhaps show me where this guild is?"

*Saskia feels her face starting to burn bright red with a mixture of shame and embarassment, and quickly forces herself into a bow to hide it. Beneath her rough exterior, her guise of self-assuredness, there were cracks of something soft and tender, a timid centaur, an outsider in a world that wasn't meant for her.*
James
"Ah thank you saskia!" *She pulled her hand back waving it a bit... Chuckling heh she was strong, she was glad she was a friend*

*She smirked* "No of course not you'll have to find it on your own... Just kidding! Of course I'll take you, it shouldn't be too far away"

*She sees her face fluster for a second before dipping down into a bow as she giggled a bit more taking out a spare gold coin she had and bought them both a drink to go so they wouldn't get thirsty while they walked as she offered the rest to her as a payment for the next few weeks as she waved goodbye to all the people of the bar waving for her to follow*
Dan
*Saskia doesn't say much as she watches Aldea bustle about, tossing the coin, buying drinks, waving goodbye. She's at a loss for words. The easy, relaxed way she moves herself through the tavern... Was this something that all the two-legs did, or was it just Aldea? Saskia was filled with equal parts jealousy and yearning. She starts making her way towards the door at Aldea's wave, awkwardly weaving her hefty frame between chairs and around tables, the wooden floorboards creaking under her weight.*

*She stretches her arms as she hurriedly clears the doorframe. She seems to grow an inch or two as she finally fully straightens her back, without the oppressively low ceiling hanging over her head. She stretches her arms upwards, her lower half twists and shakes with relief as she does. No surprise, this centaur much prefers the outdoors.*

"Well then... Where to, Aldea?"
James
*She was in awe of the tall standing centaur just starting at her for a solid minute before she shook her head snapping out of it reaching high up to hand her the drink as she looked around and pointed* 


"That's the way to go! Now I wouldn't say I'm the most well versed there, but I know the questmaster and the leader of the entrance tests so I can personally recommend you!"


*She talked as she walked close to her not really thinking about any consequences that could possibly happen*

"Now this is very important, do you have any fighting skills? Have you ever tried to kick somthing with your legs? Because the test involves two summoned soldiers in armor you have to beat with shields..."
Peter
*For a moment, Saskia starts to trot, before realizing that Aldea probably wouldn't be able to match her speed. She quickly slows to a walk - no point in running ahead of the guide.*

*The refreshing outside air drew out Saskia's pride an confidence.* "Though their accomplishments have been lost to time, my family is descended from some of the greatest warriors to ever roam the land. Give me something that I can grip with both hands and a point on the end, and I'm sure I can hold my own."
James
*She smiled watching her trot ahead chuckling seeing her fall back she looked back up* "You look like you know where your going" *She giggled*

*She nodded* "Then you'll be perfect! It'll be fun to have another friend knowing me there, I'm sure youll succeed! Spears are definitely the way to go, but those legs are definitely also dangerous"

 *She Chuckled one more time then she dropped to the ground in pain covering her mouth to stop the scream... But before we continue, lets see this from saskia's perspective...*

*While they were walking on on the obvious stone street I can't speak on what she was thinking... But something was weird why did the ground crunch for a second... Why is the ground screaming... Wait a second... That wasn't the ground? Flip perspective*

*As Aldea walked down the street still smiling about her new friend suddenly her face turned sour as a wave of pain washed over her... Then she looked down seeing the hood crushing her foot as she let out a small scream then fell to the floor holding her foot in pain*
Dan
"Wh—" *Saskia's head whirls to the side as she sees the crumpled figure of Aldea wailing in agony. She had already lifted her hoof, but she was quick enough to connect the dots. The **Crunch** She had felt underfoot, the scream she had heard right after it—*

*Her mouth ran ahead of her thoughts as she impulsively reacted.* "Gah! You— you idiot! You have to watch where you're stepping! I didn't— I can't—" 

*She buries her face into her hands. That was me. This is my fault. A sort of fight-or-flight adrenaline kicks into her hindquarters. The sudden, sharp instinct to run away, to remove herself from the situation, to leave this foolish two-leg behind and not own up to what she'd done.* 

*One leg moves forward, but the others don't follow. The silvers, the drink, the offer of a better future... She couldn't just leave this girl to rot. She convinced herself it was purely her own interests - she had to get her recommendation, she had to get into the guild. She told herself it was only because she needed this particular two-leg. But, really, it was the sadness in her stomach that held her back, the bitter injustice of a genuinely good person screaming in pain.*

*She reared up, and turned around. She would not run. But, what would she do? Immediately, the option of carrying Aldea came into her mind, and just as quickly, she pushed it out.*

"No, I'm not just some horse," *She whispered under her breath.*

*Fortunately, there was a second solution. Her mother's Namesake: a healing spell that could mend bones. She began to raise up her hands, but hesitated - this wasn't just any magic, this was a Namesake. Magic passed down from her heritage, the most closely guarded feat of her people. This was a spell made by centaurs, made __for__ centaurs. This magic did not belong to the two-legs.*

*She bit her lip. Without thinking, she began the hand gestures. She crossed her arms together as energy welled up within her, a soft white light spreading throughout her torso. The tattoos across her body began to shine. One in particular on the center of her left shoulder began to glow an iridescent green. In a swift, practiced movement, she pressed the fingers her right hand against the glowing mark, and then in another ritual motion, she pressed those fingers against the mark on her forehead.*

*The air around her, the mark on her forehead, even her eyes began to take on that same gentle green glow. Her hair danced in an invisible breeze, as she brought another centaur's power into her own body.* 

"Marya," *She spoke, invoking her mother's name.*

*Saskia's presence had changed. Her movements seemed to flow like water as she lowered herself to the ground. She radiated a soft, comforting aura, the warmth of a hug. She reached a hand towards Aldea's injury, and the green light poured into it - slowly, but surely, beginning to heal her crushed foot.*