"Being prepared for the worst sounds pretty reasonable, right now.  Obviously the Change is deliberate - we're sure of that - but I have to hope someone will soon notice some people aren't showing up for work, or classes..."  Then again, absence was hardly cause for much concern at Rae-lynne's university - and with Teagan stuck here in-game, who would be worried?  Time was so compressed here... an awful lot could happen before her own disappearance caused any sort of serious investigation.  But surely others would be more immediately missed - some would have room-mates, or families, or... something!  She frowned, then shrugged.  It was definitely good to hear there was a group like the G4 making the time in-game a bit safer for everyone.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>"Thanks, Youmu.  Good luck to you, definitely, and let's meet back at the inn to swap stories and compare notes afterwards.  Drinks are on me."  Rayne waved cheerily, more relaxed now that a decision had been made - and feeling entirely comfortable with the choice she'd settled on.<br/><br/>She shook Sylvia's offered hand.  "It's my pleasure.  And yes, I guess I must be... or the first since any previous ones quit or restarted from scratch, I suppose."  Sylvia should prove an excellent guide... Rayne liked their odds.  "Team archery, that's us.  Umm..." Rayne had an uncharacteristic flash of crude humour, and she let it out: "Bows before hoes... or something."  She laughed a little at her own joke, covering her mouth and looking as embarrassed as she suddenly felt, but she quickly stood straighter and grinned.<br/><br/>Though Sylvia's mind apparently turned easily to the "blue" humour.  "Oh!  I... actually Dixon.   I hadn't thought..."  she blushed, then grinned even wider.  "I could make some comment about keeping your hands off Dix, but... I suppose you can pet him anytime."  For her part, Rayne didn't make the reach to another joke about Chestnut, though she did cock an eyebrow for permission before stroking the mount's neck.  Similar to Horse, except in colour.  "Hi, Chestnut."<br/><br/>"Ah... an urban terrain specialist, hmm.  You could be really helpful in Port Lannis - still lots of creatures to root out, and a particular dragon somewhere that needs his proper comeuppance.  But for this quest... well, you've done it once, right?  So obviously you're the one with skills.  Oh... and speaking of this quest, I have what might be a stupid question."  Rayne waggled her bow.  "This is quite handy for bringing down a stag, magical or not.  But I think the quest message said 'capture'?  Is that really an issue?  Or do we just have to bring it down, and it'll just, sort of, magically hop up and wander off afterward?"  She glanced back to town.  "Otherwise I could probably use some sort of specialized gear - but it doesn't look like Stag's End is exactly well-stocked right now.  I admit I flew over here hoping to work out a plan on the ... well, on the fly."<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Rayne's puzzled expression smoothed out after Sylvia explained why Youmu was off after nothing at all.  "Oh, I see.  Right then.. let's see what we can see.  Oh, almost forgot."  Rayne slipped on her Lenses, purchased for this very purpose.  Her vision being remarkably clear, and in particular, the prints of the G4 group's departing feet fairly jumped out at her.  Despite her fancy, fashionable eyewear, however, the area seemed entirely devoid of stags.  Indeed, she came close to blinding herself, raising her bow and knocking the Lenses askew with the tip.  She readjusted them sheepishly.  "Maybe I should just aid you, oh Ranger.  Just imagine the grass is green cobblestone."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Rolls</div><div class="spoiler_body">Perception: 1d20a12 Result: <strong>14</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=86738)<br/>Survival/tracking: 1d20a10 Result: <strong>15</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=86739)<br/></div></div>