<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;">First off, I'm incredibly sorry for the huge delay. &gt;&lt; I've been out of town most of the week, and the rest of it I've been spending moving out of my old apartment. Things ought to be relatively stable for me from now on though, so I'll likely be able to keep up with posting better from now on. So again, major apologies. &gt;&lt; I'll try to get back up to speed with this post now.<br/><br/>Also, like Kitts said, I'm really enjoying being able to play this game with you all! I hate not being able to devote as much time as I want to this, but thankfully with summer around the corner I can change that!</div></div></div><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Before reaching the Shattered Talisman</span><br/><br/>As Alexei tailed the group through the evening streets, he couldn't help but wonder if he had wandered into a dream. In the black frame of the night the city had turned into a new world, almost a polar opposite to the Lakehaven they had first seen but in many ways just as beautiful. All around him, the wolf could see the nature of the town inverted, the illuminating vines and various other details operating under different rules in order to persist during lightless times. Alexei had always been fascinated with such sights and the musings that came with them, and it was in such places he really allowed his mind to wander.<br/><br/>Jamming his hands into his pockets, the lupine dawdled behind slightly as he took in the evening-touched world around him. A small grin crossed his face upon seeing the nocturnal anthros that had taken the place of the daytime guards. It was one of the great things about anthro civilization, he thought. They were a melting pot of some of the most different people imaginable, and when they lived in harmony everyone could find a place in society in accordance to their nature. Unlike humans, who had to push some of their kind past their normal cycles to stand guard during the night, they could simply call on the nighttime species to watch for them while they slept. Everyone did what was natural for them. They could just<span style="text-decoration: underline">be</span>. He liked that.<br/><br/>It wasn't long before the market district came into view, along with the scattered individuals shutting down their shops. Like he had noted earlier, it was such a polar opposite to what they had seen earlier that day. Before, the district had felt truly alive, where everyone in the city swarmed and traded with one another. It was chaos, but in a good way. Now, however, Alexei could feel the serenity of the cool night flow around him, in the silence that fell like a blanket over the entire scene. It was the sort of place to put someone like him at peace... then again, it was also the sort of place to make someone like him feel lonely.<br/><br/>Tearing his gaze from the shimmering plants, his gaze alighted on his companions as they walked before him. Even before Brady's arrival, he could feel good spirits radiate from them wherever they went, and Alexei knew each of their natures contributed to it somehow. This was most evident with Kahmori, as exemplified by his readiness to jump on the wonders around them and comment on them. He was the very definition of outgoing. No matter how subtle his cues were, he could always find a way to talk about it, make it interesting, have people laugh about it. It was that ability (well, that and that sculpted body of his) which made people gravitate towards him, to want to be with him, get close to him, share some of that good vibe with him. No matter what the situation, he could almost certainly come out of it with a new friend.<br/><br/>However, that was not to say Xali's social skills paled in comparison. Alexei knew she was as smart as they came, aware of how to think of things and when to open or shut her mouth. But that was part of her allure. She had a mysterious seductive air about her, one that dared people to try to decipher her and find ways to get close to her. That, coupled with her regal persona and her beautiful figure, made her quite an eye-catcher, always able to have others see her in the best light possible.<br/><br/>Then, of course, there was Brady. He had only known her for all of a few hours, but already he could tell she rivaled Kahmori in his enthusiasm. She had a young carefree atmosphere around her, one that showed itself easily whenever she had a tale to relate or something to show. On top of it, she had many novelties about her, from her psicrystal Crew to the strange transformations she could undergo. It all added up to equal parts fascinating and curious, all bound up by her friendly personality. How could anyone resist that?<br/><br/>Lastly, there was Vendra...<br/><br/>Maybe that's why he felt for her so much. They were the ugly ducklings of the group, the people that just didn't quite fit in. What did he have to offer the little social dynamic they had established? Nothing that came to mind right away. Then again, if such was the case, he had been doing what he had been aiming for his whole life. If he could blend into the background, he wouldn't have to worry about rubbing up against people, making his presence known. And if they turned out to be bad people, he could easily escape to continue his own pursuits. It was safe. Yeah, that was it. And if it was safe, it was good for him! Yeah, that's right!<br/><br/>Yeah... right.<br/><br/>With a sigh, Alexei cast his gaze back to the glowing vines casting their light across the street. At least he could indulge in that...<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Upon reaching the Shattered Talisman</span><br/><br/>For all its inviting nature and such, the first thing to catch Alexei's attention at the Shattered Talisman was the sound of the wolf soldier being helped out of the inn. The ever-vigilant lupine tensed up as he saw Chelsie help him out onto the street, knowing that alcohol had a way of making people more dangerous than they normally were. However, he allowed himself to relax again upon realizing nothing was out of the ordinary, just another soldier who had a little too much of a night on the town. A smirk crossed his face as he watched Tann wander off, bringing to mind the rule he used to keep himself in check: drink for the taste, not for the sensations.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>“Brady! It‘s so great to see you again, would you like me to prepare your room this evening?” Smiling brightly she turned to the others. “If your friends are seeking accommodations we have rooms available” Quickly she turned to Kahmori “We have rooms fit for the tall, handsome and gorgeous ones” Her eyes turned to Xali “We have rooms suited for feline princesses” Her focus shifted to Alexei “And we always have rooms for the proud and noble warriors of the wolf tribe. We even have rooms for the lovely humans that grace us with their presence”</div></blockquote><br/><br/>A warm grin crossed Alexei's face as Chelsie addressed their group. This town was full of beautiful people, he couldn't help but think to himself. No wonder why everyone seemed to have good to say about Lakehaven. "Alas, I do not hail from Yiemo's tribe, but it makes me smile that you may mistake me as such, Miss."<br/><br/>Upon hearing Chelsie's offer, the lupine prepared to speak up but ended up letting himself hang back while the others stated the arrangements they desired. A small grin crossed his face upon realizing how long they had been waiting for this opportunity. The poor kitsune had to watch him and Xali enjoy a meal while forsaking not one, but TWO over the course of the day. And odds were Xali's moment with Plaur earlier had left her in a condition that could've warranted some warm water hours before. Alas, at least now those problems could be remedied.<br/><br/>"Err... I ate already too actually," he replied sheepishly after the leopardess. He kept that particular note somewhat hushed, knowing that Vendra was nearby. His hand trailed down to his coin pouch, which jingled ever so slightly with its contents. "But a chance to wash up and maybe a little snack to nibble on would be very much appreciated.