Alexander
"Useful..?" *The dwarf blinked in confusion a few times, sighing and breathing a little harder than before. The heat was certainly noticeable now, and the smell as well... This seemed like a fire. Was something wrong with the building?* 

"I don't need 'useful' information. I'm not some information merchant, and I ain't trying to pry some well hidden secret outta-" *Her words were interrupted as she coughed just once at the intense growing smell.* "It smells like a fire, what is going on..?" *At her own words, she was prompted to begin looking around the room. Finding nothing, as she didn't even think to look at Manon's own hands, especially with her being a vampire, she started to get worried that there might be a fire elsewhere in the building.*
Debbie
*She too started to notice the smell before looking down at her own hands, having an inkling as to what was going on and where the smell was coming from. In her best attempt to not draw too much urgency, she placed the basket she held onto the bed beside the dwarf. The hands were charred, faint embers glowed beneath the surface. She assume it wouldn't catch on fire as she walked back to the now empty tub of water, sliding her hands beneath the surface as bubbles started rise to the surface. Manon wasn't sure if she needed to control her frustration or force it out into the water. For all she knew she would erupt and create more harm, something that seemed common with the Vampire these days. She didn't have a chance to spend some of her mana to prevent something like this from happening.* 

"Unfortunately, I have fire magic coursing through my veins and I'm not the best at controlling it. It doesn't help when your 'companion'" *She said with emphasis* "Is telling people things without a care in the world" 

*Manon lifted her hands from the water to look at her palms, two matching burns were lining her palm and between her index and thumbs. Something that she noted was that these wounds didn't heal themselves naturally thanks to her bloodcurse. So she resorted to her faith magic to return her flesh back to normal*
Alexander
*Seeing the scorch marks on Manon's hands, M'ralind's eyes widened for a moment in fear, though she quickly calmed herself down and made herself lean against the wall. At this point, she'd already clarified that Terrel had really only told her that Manon was a vampire and that she was bad at being one, so she was confused about why she was still insisting on that point. Nervously, she scratched her ear.*

"I didn't know we even could learn fire magic..." *The burns looked far less than comfortable when M'ra peered down at her hands, but she averted her gaze equally as quick as she had set it down.* "Your companion only told me you were a vampire. He was concerned for you."

*The Lora didn't want to push Manon much further, but at the same time it felt like she wouldn't be able to get the message across unless she did. That she wasn't here to pry information out of her, that Terrel wasn't just haphazardly giving away information to random people.* "Terrel knows me already. He knew I'm a vampire, and he knew I sold artificial blood. He asked for help."
Debbie
"I'm not to pleased to learn that we can learn fire magic." 

*She lifted her hands out of the water to examine where the burns used to be before she healed them using her faith magic. Even though her hands brand new, a faint red line could still be seen. Even the phantom pain of the burns lingered across her tender hands.* 

"I understand that you and Terrel have met before. Forgive me for placing my self-preservation ahead of my companions friends. Just because I have my own struggles, doesn't mean I want other to know about them." 

*At this point the tub of water was steaming hot from the heat radiating from her body, more specifically her hands. The Druid closed her eyes and took a deep breath in and then slowly breathed out as she tried to calm herself down. If only she knew some type of basic fire spell that would allow her to expel this burning flame from within her. If she was in the forest, she could use her nature magic to reduce how much Mana she had.* 

"Thank you for helping me with my clothes, I can join you downstairs after I solve this new problem" *In reference to the rising temperature in the room.*
Alexander
*M'ra's brows furrowed sadly as she invited downstairs again. Wanting to help as always, it felt stifling to know that she actually couldn't do anything about the temperature here, especially not with her starting to feel sweat on her forehead.* 

"Anytime. I'll at least make myself useful with chores." *The dwarf began stepping towards the exit, feeling awkward with how her dress had begun to cling to her skin, not that it was visible with the way that the thing was designed.* "Call me up if you need anything, alright?"

*Her boots clacked against the floorboards, and soon Terrel could once again make out the figure that stuck out like a sore thumb. Her head was hung a little low, but her smile erupted again when she saw his face and dashed over towards their table, hopping onto her seat with a 'hyup!'* "She said she'd be back soon. How's yer bird getting along?" *Her head craned up, scanning to find the furrow with those wide open crimson eyes.*
Frances
*Terrel would be still sitting at the table where they had left him, his chin resting atop while his Furrow would run along it. He held a berry in his hand, keeping it just above the Furrow so that he would follow after it with enough encouragement. He appeared to be focused on his task, unaware of the Dwarf as she would making her way over.

Only when she climbed up in the seat next to him, would he eventually lift his head away from the table and shift his gaze over to her. Seeing opportunity in the Elf's brief distraction, Tzu would quickly nip the berry out of his hand, enjoying his cunningly earned reward. Terrel didn't seem to mind, bound to give the bird his treat eventually, but it seemed he had regained company.*

"He's getting along as well as he can be... Probably doing much better with the wolves gone."*He'd say.*"Usually he doesn't like to be out in the open for long, at least not since we got the pups. He'd just hide in my hair for the most part, but seems like he's enjoying himself now."*The Elf would say, holding out a hand to Tzu and allowing the bird to run along his arm and reclaim his original resting place around the Elf's neck. It was where he typically stayed, but after Ansel and Blur the bird usually kept to his hair out of view.*
Alexander
*Nothing conquers a romantic's heart like an adorable little animal, and Tzu was crossing all of the right boxes for her. M'ra had hidden away her discomfort from before like it had never existed, plopping her arms on the table and resting her chin against them as she looked up to the little bird next to Terrel's head.* "He's just the cutest thing, ain't he? It's a shame he didn't take my offer for a little pat though. I swear I ain't too rough!"

*Despite her dwarven strength, she wasn't exactly lying about not being rough. She looked feeble in comparison to both her parents, especially her father, built like a barrel as he was.* "How old are the pups now? Are they growin' up fast and healthy?"
Frances
"Just need a little convincing."*He'd say, lightly picking the bird up from his shoulders and holding him out to her.*"He won't really go to you without something to catch his interest. Usually berries or something, but I think he cares more for that than the parting."*He'd say, holding back a chuckle at M'ra finding the need to point out that she isn't too rough. It wasn't like the bird would understand any different anyways.*

"The pups? Yeah, they're doing just fine. The eldest is just about a year old now, the others about half a year behind him. Left them with someone Okami knew so whenever he gets back from them, you can meet him before we'd have to set off again. Been in Salvania for quite a while now and we have a lot more traveling to do after. At least according to Okami, but you'll have to ask him for the details. This whole journey was his idea after all."*The Elf would explain.*
Alexander
"Okami... Can you tell me what he's like?" *Her head tilted curiously. One of her hands went to pull her hair over her ear, only to remember that she had tied it up in a bun, and instead went to scratch behind her ear.* "Ah, only tell me stuff you think he'd be fine with you sharing though." *The experience with Manon had... Given her a little something to be cautious about.*

*As if by instinct, her hand was starting to reach out to Terrel's shoulder, but luckily the table was too big for her to reach it from this angle, leaving her hand just hanging in the air while she vacantly stared at Tzu, enthralled.* "I'd like t' know the reason for yer journey, actually. Feel like that's a pretty important detail, no? Haha!"
Frances
"In one word, rambunctious."*He'd answer in her question about Okami.*"But he's alright as far as some people go even with the crazy ideas he comes up with at times."*He'd idly pet Tzu atop the bird's head, continuing on.*

"Oh you don't have to worry about him. He's less reserved about things as far as what I know about him. He has the most details on where we're going. Some island place he wanted to visit, so I decided to tag along."*In noticing her staring at Tzu, Terrel would hold the bird out to her, saying:*"You can pet him if you really want to, you know."
Alexander
*The girl's eyes shone and her smile came out with brilliance as Terrel held out the bird, getting up on her knees to reach closer and pressing her small hand against Tzu's back. She pet him softly, her arm not holding much weight to it and being gentle so as to not make the bird uncomfortable.* "Last thing I want is to get pecked, huh?" 

*On the topic of Okami, M'ra had already forgotten everything that Terrel had mentioned about him while they were walking to the tavern, so she spoke up and asked again.* "What's Okami then? Yer group's got two elves, boutta have a dwarf. Is he an elf also? Am I makin' a big ruckus bein' the weird one~?" *Her voice got more playful and drawn out as she went on, clearly more concentrated on patting the bird than on the conversation.*
Frances
*The Furrow would seemingly curl into a ball under her touch, almost like what a pill bug would do under the pressure of someone touching it.*"Well he is known to be a fighter."*Terrel would jest in response to her question.*"It's main reason why I decided to keep him with me." 

*He'd rub at the bird's side again, waiting for M'ra to finish petting him before he'd return the bird to his shoulder so that Tzu could relax. In being questioned about Okami, he'd eventually say:*"He's a Kemonomimi. Manon and are really the only Elves in our strange bunch. And trust me, everyone's a little weird. Some more than others, but it's what makes journeying more interesting. Never know who or what you'll get to see. You'll probably get what I mean if you decide to stay along for a while. That's hoping the group can get along in the meantime or it's bound to be a long trip."
Alexander
*Satisfied with the amount of adorableness her hand had acquired, M'ra put her chin back down on her two hands once Tzu had been brought back to Terre's shoulder, looking up at him with her cheeks slightly puffed up.* "Not knowing who or what I'll see just makes it sound like the perfect journey to go on, don't it?" *Her round face had a mischievous little smile on it.*

"I think I'll stay with ya. Need t' meet with this mysterious Okami! He sounds like a right bundle o' stories!" *Shrugging on the spot, M'ra began to stretch her arms out, looking towards the counter of the bar.* "And to start that, I should get a room for tonight, hm?" *She flashed a brief wink at Terrel, rotating on her seat and hopping off with a twin clack of her boots.* "I'll see ya in the mornin', since I know which room's yours. Give Tzu a few more berries with the money I gave ya!"
Frances
"Fortunately for you, he likes to tell stories."*The Elf would say with a chuckle, part of him imagining the trip with Okami going on about whatever stories he had while M'ra listened in fascination. Terrel didn't care much for the stories, but it at least filled the silence of their constant traveling.

With M'ra heading off to go get a room for herself upon confirming staying with them for a while, the Elf would come to relax in his seat once more for the time being. Eventually he'd have to head back upstairs, though for today, he had some free time on his hands, causing him to not have to rush as much for things. They had a new companion for now. One could only hope that would be a good thing in the future with their trip across the continent. He'd take the coins M'ra had given him out of his pocket, deciding he might as well get some more berries for now with what it was worth.*
Debbie
*Manon finally calmed down enough where a burnout wasn't likely anymore. The only way she knew of this was the water no longer boiled despite her hands touching the bottom of the tub. Even then she spent a few minutes just looking at her hands, wondering what would become of her if she continued to let her emotions get the better of her. Death seemed the most likely answer, probably hurting people around her as well.*

*She stood up from the tub and dried her hands off against a towel that was hanging nearby. Giving the room a final look around, double checking that she had most of her clothing drying on strings that extended from one wall to another. Feeling like she had enough clothes drying, she left the room and made her way downstairs. The Druid made nearly no noise as she made her way back to the table down below, sliding into the seat across from Terrel though her attention was mainly focused out the window than on the elf himself. She wasn't entirely sure what to say now that they were alone, bringing up the topic would probably just provoke her in some sense but she did say she'd come back down.*
Frances
*With Manon taking the time to make sure everything was fixed up, Terrel would have went ahead and ordered the berries as M'ra had suggested. He'd take one of the berries from the cup of fruit they brought out, offering a berry to Tzu before the bird would take it and soon disappear into his strands of hair. He'd look over as Manon would make her way to the table and sit down only to stare out the window. 

For a while he'd allow the silence to ensue between them. He wasn't sure how the talk with M'ra went, but in Manon's silence, part of him suspected that she was still upset from earlier. He'd shift his gaze to the cup in front of him, eventually grabbing one of the fruits from it before pushing the rest towards her.*"Berry?"*He'd ask her in offering of the rest of the fruit in the cup. His bird had already eaten his fill anyways. At any rate, Terrel would just save his appetite for later.*
Debbie
*She pulled her arm back from the table as the cup of fruit slid towards her. Leaning back in her seat slightly as she peeled her eyes from the scenery beyond the window and onto the cup instead. She reached forward and picked up a few raspberries and placed them into her mouth. Silently she passed the cup back to Terrel as had taken what she wanted. Moments later Manon resumed people watching, Watching people go about their daily lives doing ordinary things. This could've been her, she thought to herself. She could've just been an ordinary person who gathered supplies and treated wounds from battle or common everyday mistakes. At least she would've known what she needed to do daily, as of now she felt like everyday was uncoordinated. The looming threat of hunger always pressing in the back of her mind as days passed. Going to new locations just made her feel anxious that someone might try attacking her once more.*

*Manon sighed a little louder than she probably had wanted to, it was the only indication that she was lost in thought more than just taking an interest in those around her. At some point she even propped her head up with her hand while her elbow pressed into the wooden table. Naturally her mind drifted to her family, and the feeling of homesick started to fill her heart.*
Frances
*Terrel would let the fruit cup sit between them, finding himself following Manon's gaze as she would look out the window at the people walking by. He could tell she was probably thinking about something. What that was remained unbeknownst to him. Only when she had let out the audible sighed, would he finally look back at her, his gaze as blank as the usual expression the pig mask portrayed.*

"Not enjoying yourself here, are you?"*He'd ask her in a low tone. The here could have indicated anything really, between the city, the tavern, or the group in general, but the Elf figured that if she gave a response, he'd be able to guess what it would be. His face reading ability may have been limited at times, but it never failed to point out the obvious, much like him in this case. Of course there was still the chance of her being upset with what he did, but at any rate, she won't have to worry about it anymore. That problem was long since figured out at this point, only a matter whether she decided to take what was given.*
Debbie
"I'm alive." *Was all she said as if it was a sufficient answer to his question. It was more than everyone she grew up with, they didn't survive whatever attack happened while she was unconscious all those years ago. To complain now just made her feel ungrateful or selfish for the chance at life. If he was asking about with the group, she didn't have the answer. She couldn't tell if leaving to join with strangers was a positive learning experience or not.* 

"Why do you ask? *She pulled herself from the window as she turned her head to look at the Elf, her hand finding the cup once more as she picked up a blueberry and brought it to her mouth. She more pushed the berry between her lips rather than open her mouth, subtle stuff that would lower the chances of her fangs being visible from onlookers. She was curious as to why he was asking her about her feelings. It wasn't something he typically did.*
Frances
"Yes, that would typically be a good thing."*He'd say in response with Manon not really answering his question. Being alive was hardly a determinant of whether or not one was enjoying themself, but the Elf figured he shouldn't have expected any other answer with the dreariness he was picking up from her.

With her asking why he asked, he'd respond with:*"Because I can see you aren't."*The Elf would continue to look out the window, idly counting the people that passed by with his split attention.*"You aren't the best at hiding your emotion and when you try, well... You know what happens, but I guess by now I should have assumed something was up with the *Eventfulness* Since we've gotten to the Capitol."
Debbie
*She didn't say anything at the truthfulness of his words. Manon slouched forward in her seat, with a drawn out exhale. The past few days have been pretty rough and excruciating painful as well. Since she was at a loss for words, she redirected her attention to the strangers outside once more. Her mind now focusing on how to control her unwanted fire-magic without literally turning everything to ashes. The task itself seemed rather difficult unless she closed her mind and heart to her surroundings and kept her feelings in check. Feelings that Terrel so kindly pointed out, that were not easy to hide at all.* 

"I think it might be better if I split apart from the group. I've already caused more harm than good as you both have pointed out. I can't see that changing now that I have magic I can't control. It'd probably be safer for everyone as well." 

*She didn't have any intentions by saying this out loud. Maybe it would keep Kibaru from hunting her down and dragging her back like he said once. Leaving the group wouldn't really solve anything for her either. With her luck, she'd probably just burn down a forest along with all the animals that inhabited it as well.*
Frances
*At her words, Terrel would finally look over at her. There seemed to be an extended amount of silence washing over him while he studied the Vampiress, thinking back to when he had once asked if she wanted to return home early from their travels. She had waved off the idea then, stating that she would like to stay a little longer. He could recall a time before that when he had asked her why she stayed, only for her to seemingly be worried of what would become of them. Now looking back at the events that followed, the Elf could see that this was bound to happen. Perhaps the mix of her new discovery of magic and struggle of vampirism was the last she could bring herself to throw upon the group.

Part of him wondered what Okami would say, the two seemingly getting along the last he had saw them together before he had to leave him with the pups. Perhaps explaining it wouldn't be so hard. The Kemonomimi already had his own plans in mind even if she didn't stay, surely. All the while he was thinking this, the Elf hadn't shifted his gaze away from her, though as the time passed, he would simply give a dip of his head. Acceptance.*

*Turning to face the window once more, he would say:*"It will be a long trip to go back to Ombu."*He'd mention, his voice devoid of its normal sarcasm for something more of its usual low tone. The Elf seemed to be pointing out the obvious, but with Manon's decision debatably made, there wasn't much he could bring himself to say against it. He had tried to convincing her of making her own decisions and now she was starting to.*
Debbie
"I'm sure we'll come across a nice patch of forest once we leave. It doesn't have to be Ombu, though I did enjoy how vast it was. It was just a place that limited interactions with others. I think it's safe to say that I'm not entirely meant to be with others, you can take your pick on examples to support this." 

*The elf could probably pick any day and find a reason why the druid was a horrible travel companion. The more she thought about it, the more self-critical she became. She didn't have anything to offer, truly. She couldn't even pay for her own blood vials, her own room. She bit down on her bottom lip, one of her fangs actually puncturing her own flesh as she began to loath herself for being a thorn in everyone's side. She was tempted to change to subject to the Dwarf, specifically where she had gone to. But pretending to be interested seemed too much for the Druid to manage right now, if she had a way to hide from herself, she would've done so by now. Instead she decided to opt into silence and allow her thoughts to consume her.*
Frances
*Terrel would glance over at her, watching her bite her lip as she drew into silence upon finishing her conclusion of being a burden to other people. Slowly reaching his arm across the table, the Elf would bring his hand in front of her face and snap his fingers once as if snapping her out of whatever thoughts was flooding through her head. It was something similar he had once done to Dark Elf he had traveled with, one who typically had episodes where thoughts and images ran through his mind as well and left him needing to be shaken out of it.

Drawing his hand back to hit cloak, he'd tilt his head back, eyeing her from where he leaned back in his seat.*"So that's what you prefer, isn't it? Secluding yourself from others and living out in the forest for the rest of your life?"*He'd suddenly question her. His voice carried no malice, though even then he poked at her reasoning. The way she kept wording things made it come off as if she were trying to do a favor for others rather than herself. Even in deciding to leave it was if she were doing it for everyone else's sake rather than her own.*
Debbie
*The Vampire straightened her back as she leaned back into her seat, more so to create distance to the finger that was now snapping at her face. Manon had to use her tongue to hold her bottom lip down as her tooth pulled from within her lip. Blood escaped the wound for a few seconds before it stopped rather quickly, mostly due to her vampirism as no purple glow surfaced around the wound.* 

"I would prefer not killing someone. Which apparently I've already almost done within the short time I've spent with you and Okami. I don't think I have the luxury of this." 

*Her hand lifted from her lap until a pale index finger pointed towards the window, towards the many people casually enjoying their day among others. She allowed her finger to hover for a few seconds before returning it back to her lap. She didn't really understand why he thought what she wanted matter in this situation. Sure, she could make an attempt. Harming those around her always felt like a matter of 'when' instead of an 'if'. She just didn't know how often something would happen? Once every month? Once a year? Eventually something would happen where she couldn't feed off of a substitute source. Maybe it'll happen in a city much like this one, filled with people.*

*She picked up a napkin, it could've been used by another person for all she cared as she wiped her tainted blood from her bottom lip. Her gaze fixating on Terrel as she spoke next.*

"What would you do if you had to kill every so often. It's unavoidable, as well. Every week you must pick between an animal or a person, of course there is no guarantee that an animal will be found. And just to put things in perspective, you have an idea of which day, but you're never truly sure. Maybe it'll happen in the evening, or the next morning. Would you feel comfortable surrounding yourself with people or animals?"
Frances
*Terrel would look back at her.*"Manon, killing people is half of what I do a living."*He'd say bluntly.*"I don't care for the blood I get on my hands and frankly that alone would spare me from worrying about being around other people."*The Elf would come to stand up from his seat, walking over to her side of the table as he'd look down at her. Drawing his hand out from his cloak, he would hold the vial of blood out to her that she had given him after M'ra had handed her it.*"But that's not you."

*He'd let out a deep exhale of air, looking back towards the window.*"You'll never have that luxury if you don't try to get it yourself and you can't do that by dodging around the idea of hurting someone at every turn. I don't know what I'd do in that situation."*He'd admit.*"But I wouldn't let a setback like that stop me from doing the things I want to do."

*He'd look back down to her.*"Do you know how long you can typically go without having to kill? Do you know what allows you to last longer than most? Do you know of stationary sources to get what you need and do you have a backup in the event that there is not. That's what I would have asked myself. Learn how it works and learn to work with it. Learn to work with the sources, not always trying to fight them. You're going to get yourself killed one day trying to go about protecting everyone else and the worst part is, I don't think that matters to you, does it?"