The strength of the fire was not as great as some of the ones she had witnessed in the time that she had grown around Kodama, but it was still impressive and warm, two of the only comforts she had in such a foreign place. This city, whatever it was called, was not one that she remembered hearing about as a child, and yet, it had blossomed right under her nose. This place was the only place that her leads had taken her. This place was the only place that she had any hope of finding Kodama and bring him back home where he belonged.<br/><br/><b>"You don't look like you belong in Westhelm, girl."</b>A burly man with a thick, black beard stated as he placed a mug of ale that she hadn't ordered in front of her.<b>"Grow a little hair on that chest of yours and we'll see how you fair here. You visitin' relatives or sumthin'?"</b>Emery tore herself from her thoughts of Kodama and the little information that she had gathered thus far. A confused look graced her face, and the man stared at her for a long moment before he started to laugh. Swiftly, he patted her hand and gave her a quick nudge.<b>"Drink up. It's on the house. You look like you could use a few, so here's one to get you started. Just stay away from that corner over there, ya hear?"</b>The barman pointed to a shady corner where a group of three men sat hunched together. Their voices couldn't be heard, but the way they nervously glanced over their shoulders told Emery that she wanted to avoid them at all costs.<b>"Don't want a good girl like you gettin' into any trouble now."</b><br/><br/>Emery gave a swift nod, doing her best to not let her curiosity get the best of her. She wanted to know more about those people. She wanted to know what they were up to. It was the intrigue of the secretive unknown, and it had gotten her into more than enough trouble in her youth for Emery to know better. It still didn't stop the 'what if's' from swirling inside of her head. What if they knew about Kodama? What if they could take her to him? What if?<br/><br/>Hesitantly, Emery took the mug of ale into her hands and sniffed at it. It smelled beyond terrible, but it appeared that everyone around her was drinking it. Maybe it would provide her with enough of a distraction. Maybe it would even help her sleep a little easier tonight. She shrugged her shoulders, took a deep drink, and then promptly spewed it across the wooden counter top. This would not sit well with her, and so, she replaced the mug on the counter as well. Better sleep be damned, she was not about to embarrass herself anymore than necessary.<br/><br/>Rising, she took one last look at the bearded man. He was preoccupied with another patron, but she slid a few coins onto the counter for him out of the kindness of her heart. At least he'd given her enough advice to stay away from the crowd in the corner. She turned toward a large staircase near the back of the inn, pausing only when she saw two of the hooded figures walking in the same direction. They barely paid her any attention, only looking at her briefly before they took to the stairs themselves. Where the third companion loitered, Emery didn't know, but as she trailed behind the two individuals to head to her room for the night, she caught sight of something familiar laying on the ground.<br/><br/>To most, it looked like a twig - a small twig that must have gotten caught during the adventurers' travels. Emery knew better. The twig was not an ordinary twig. It was not from a tree or a bush or anything of a plant nature. No, it was a living creature - a sprite-like object, and Emery knew immediately where it had come from.<b>"Kodama,"</b>she whispered, picking up the twig creature and holding it kindly in her hand. She quickly set it aside, out of the way, before raising her voice to capture the other individuals' attention.<br/><br/><b>"Excuse me, friends!"</b>Her voice called out to them as they walked down a long hallway.<b>"Hello? Greetings! I do apologize for the interruption, but I think you're forgetting something."</b>She meandered a little bit closer, a sweet, serene look on her face.<b>"One of you dropped this..."</b>She flashed a piece of gold in their direction.<b>"I thought you might want it back."</b>She waited patiently for one of them to reach for it. The minute they did, Emery roared and flames flew from her fingertips. Reckless, perhaps, but brave, absolutely.<b>"Where is the salamander, you theives!?"</b><br/><br/>Tag:<a class="username" data-user-id="294" data-username="@Annukai" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/294/">@Annukai</a>