<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;">For the purposes of this post I'm assuming that Brady's introduction takes place before Helix's response about Sura. Conversation orders tend to get a bit confused in PbP.<br/><br/>Also, the perception I'm getting of the nature of magical study in this world is that human societies like Rel and Vanadiel focus on formalized magical study (wizard and cleric), whereas the anthros tend towards more intuitive and primal magic (sorcerers, druids and psionics). Hence, I'm presenting Xali as not entirely understanding how psionics are different from magic despite her high arcane knowledge skills.</div></div></div><br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>"A pleasure indeed to meet you, Madame," The crystal says, proffering a limb to Xali. "You may call me Crew."</div></blockquote><br/><br/>In spite of herself, Xali lets out a squeak of alarm when the innocuous-looking crystal sprouts legs and begins moving and speaking, and her tail straightens out and goes rigid with the pale yellow and black fur standing on end. The movement of the bizzare construct was disturbingly reminiscent of a spider, a type of vermin which had always sent shivers down her spine. But after a moment of cringing surprise, Xali realized that 'Crew' had introduced him(?)self politely.<br/><br/>"Oh my!" Xali blushed, stooping back down and taking one of the crystalline limbs in her hand gingerly and shaking it. "My sincere apologies, Crew. I daresay I was as unprepared for your introduction as I was for your mistress's. If I may say so, you are a rather exotic creature. Are you a familiar of some sort?"<br/><br/>Speaking the word 'familiar' sent a slight, outwardly imperceptible shudder of guilt through Xali, a rare emotion and faint when it did appear. She'd had several familiars of her own in the past, but... it had never lasted. She might acquire a new one at some point, but a familiar was a weakness as well as a strength.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>“Unfortunately arcana is not my forte. However, the grand daughter of Yiemo resides in our graces."</div></blockquote><br/><br/>Listening intently to Helix's words, Xali was already beginning to mentally sketch out a list of priorities for the upcoming task. When the imposing tiger revealed that Yiemo's granddaughter could assist her, Xali was a bit surprised; she hadn't believed the wolf clan had much aptitude for arcane magic.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>“Upon meeting her, please excuse her…” Helix struggled for a moment to find a word suitable word “…Boldness. Being the granddaughter of Yiemo obviously granted privileges in the past that we can’t supply way out here. She means no harm.”<br/></div></blockquote><br/><br/>However, Xali took note of the obvious hesitation in Helix's voice, and couldn't help but be just a little nervous. He was obviously reluctant to speak about it for some reason. It could mean many things. Perhaps this 'Sura' was merely abrasive and arrogant, but likely it wasn't so simple as that. Xali smiled thinly. "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." she said, volunteering her thoughtful companion to accompany her when dealing with this strange sorceress. A few moments later, as if just now realizing her faux pas, Xali shot Alexei a slightly embarrassed look. "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?"<br/><span style="font-style: italic">*euphemism for arcane magic.</span><br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>In seconds, the little chameleon has sprouted at least a half-foot in height, and her outline has gone from beanpole to hourglass.</div></blockquote><br/><br/>Having already been surprised twice, first by Brady's appearance and then by her companion crystal's animate qualities, Xali took the lizard girl's glamorizing transformation in stride, watching the entire process with interest. Even though Brady had uttered no magic words and made no obvious gestures, her entire body rippled and changed from a skinny little thing with a massive tail to a voluptuous female form. Was it a natural talent, then?<br/><br/>In any case, the new Brady with luxurious red hair not dissimilar to Xali's own and a perfect hourglass figure (Xali self-consciously tried to hold in her gut, still sporting a small bulge from her earlier victim) was very intriguing. When Kahimori spoke up, complimenting the new look, Xali easily discerned a note of excitement.<span style="font-style: italic">Hmm, VERY interesting...</span>she thought to herself. It seemed that her earlier confidence about the security of her previously unchallenged position of desirability was premature.<br/><br/>Indeed, Xali noted as her eyes wandered down Brady's supple, delicately-scaled body, she couldn't deny that she felt a little excited by the prospect of traveling with the Iguan herself. And she was so disarmingly enthusiastic, plus clever to boot!<br/><br/>The leopardess laughs, her momentary tension dissolving. "Oh dear, you shall have to be cautious around this one, Brady." Xali indicates Kahimori with a toss of her head. "He's a shameless rake, and mischievous too."<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>Smoothing a hand through his headfur, Kahmori gives Helix a little wave "Well! I guess we are off, then. Got the map and our guide...heck, give us a few days! We'll apply boot-to-butt to this necromancer, and be home in time for tea!</div></blockquote><br/><br/>Xali laughs again at Kahimori's promise. "And so infectiously optimistic! But whether we repast in triumph quickly or only after great difficulty, rest assured that we will cleanse the crypt of this necromantic stench. Farewell, Helix, and with luck we will be able to trade good news when we meet again."<br/><br/>Glancing around at her companions, Xali considers. "Scribing takes some time, so I had best travel to see Sura now if I'm to be prepared by tomorrow morning. Perhaps visiting her would hold some profit for our new companion and Kahimori, but I couldn't say... though Alexei might find it enlightening." Xali follows along with Brady and Kahimori for the moment as they head out the door.