<div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Hey, just a quick heads up that my posting speed will be a bit slow in the next week or so. My finals are a week from now, so I’m going to have to dig in and study quite a lot. l3 Also, I have a writing contest I need to finish my entry for, so that might sap my writing energy a bit as well. Still, I’ll try to post as much as I can. Keep up the good work everyone!</div></div></div><br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>"Indeed," Crew adds. "It will be a privilege to witness your skill at arms." </div></blockquote><br/><br/>Although Alexei’s reaction to the sudden animation of Brady’s crystal was relatively mild compared to that of his companions, his surprise at the small figure’s actions was still plain as day. Even as his arms remained crossed, his casually wagging tail halted in half-sway and the calm pensive look he had been wearing abruptly changed to a tense confused stare. Raising an eyebrow as the crystal not only grew legs but proceeded to climb up onto the lizardgirl’s shoulder, he leaned forward and cocked his head to the side, creating a rather puppyish expression that looked incredibly goofy on his dark well-armored form. Despite making no hostile moves whatsoever, the edgy wolf’s head began to buzz with unsavory suspicions. What is that thing? Is it a parasite? They wouldn’t have to kill it, would they…?<br/><br/>…and then it spoke. The silvery crystal’s words had the effect of setting the seesaw in his mind straight while simultaneously breaking it in half. It was intelligent, and if Brady hadn’t reacted to it yet it was definitely just a familiar of it, so there was no reason for suspicion on his part. However, the serene quietness that usually floated around him had given way, with such unusual sights high on the lupine’s list of enthralling things. It took a good deal of restraint on his part to avoid sticking his nose in the same way Kahmori had done, and it took several moments of staring before the wolf finally realized what he was doing.<br/><br/>“Err… I’m sorry Miss Brady,” he muttered with an apologetic grin. “It’s just… I’ve never seen anything like that before.” He then turned his attention to the crystal itself, making few moves to hide the interest in his eyes. “Your name was… Crew, was it?  You and Brady really caught me off guard for a second. Anyhow, it’s a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to travelling with you two as well.”<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>“However, ill equipped and poorly rested troops will produce poor results. Tonight you are free to rest, I’ve already made arrangements for you to stay at The Shattered Talisman inside of town. Brady will show you to its location”<br/><br/>“The keeps armory is across the hall from Sura’s room. Get yourself any equipment you’d assume you would need for the trip and then report to Sura. She has crafted a few items to help aid in your tasks”</div></blockquote><br/><br/>Helix’s words reached Alexei’s ears as he wrapped up his small awkward moment, eliciting a small satisfied smile on his face. After travelling with the caravan for so long, the prospect of relaxing in an inn had quite a pleasing touch to it, adding to the allure such places already held for the wolf. He had only stayed at inns a few other times in his life, when a few of his wealthier clients were willing to pay his way through their schemes. Otherwise, he spent most of his time camping in the wilderness to save his gold and avoid attention. Still, he certainly wouldn’t pass up an opportunity and he would savor it as much as he could.<br/><br/>Then there was the matter of the armory. The wolf was easily the most heavily-armored out of the group, even with their new companion included. Yet after his close call in battle today he felt like he could use any extra protection he could afford. Then again, he wouldn’t want to hinder his movements too much either. He would have to see once he got there. As for weaponry… perhaps Kahmori and Brady found ghoul-stomping fun, but carving reanimated dead with his special duom was what got his juices flowing. He just hoped he wouldn’t get his vest too dirty…<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>"Well, those with a talent for the sublime craft* do tend to have their little quirks, don't they? I daresay Alexei and I have a few of our own, hmm? I'm sure we'll be able to handle Her Grace."<br/><br/>"Of course, I do not mean to presume on your behalf, Alexei. But you are have some skill of your own with magic, do you not?"</div></blockquote><br/><br/>Alexei was immediately taken out of his reverie by the sound of his name, his eyes widening attentively as he turned to the leopardess. It took him a moment to remember that they had been conversing about Sura, Yiemo’s sorceress granddaughter. Although he hadn’t thought of it much, he realized that arcane magic were another one of the things they had in common, something the wolf felt like he should appreciate more than he did. Perhaps it was time to further their shared interests, but Helix’s tone towards Sura was less than inviting… ah well, it would at least be time to learn more about his craft.<br/><br/>“Yes,” he replied calmly, unfolding his arms to place them behind his back. “I have found that some knowledge of the arcane arts would be a strong asset when fangs and blades are not enough. I doubt I’ve as much skill as a fine magician such as yourself, Miss Xali. However, if you find it beneficial for me to accompany you to Her Grace, I will be more than happy too,” he added with a warm smile.<br/><br/>In the next few moments, he felt the rest of his group prepared to leave for the Shattered Talisman (interesting name, he had to note), a sensation that left the wolf uncharacteristically excited. He was looking forward to a good rest and a chance to prepare for their mission. Turning to Helix, he again offered another respectful bow of his head as he prepared to accompany his teammates to their destination. “It is time for me to take my leave as well, I believe. I share my companion’s prospects. With some luck, we will have this crypt routed of its evils soon enough. I hope to bring you the fruits of a successful mission when we return, Helix.” Now all he had to do was follow… Brady…?<br/><br/>Yet again, the wolf found his gaze transfixed by the lizardgirl’s transformation, eyeing her in astonishment as her figure underwent a radical change. He tilted his head sideways as he watched her mass shift, filling out the once-loose leather vest while her purple hair shrank away then bloomed into a lavish flow of fine red locks. It felt strange to Alexei to suddenly feel attracted to a figure that once looked like nothing more than a child, yet within a few minutes of meeting the girl he had no idea what to think of her. Surprises seemed to burst from her whenever he thought he had figured her out…<br/><br/>Blinking slightly, it took the wolf a few moments to compose himself before his tail began to swish and a smirk began to appear on his face. People with curious abilities were always incredibly interesting to the lupine, who always wanted to see for himself some of the more intriguing sights he had read about elsewhere. He wanted to spend some time with her, to get to know her abilities more, and he knew he would enjoy traveling with her and seeing just what else she was capable of.