<@Soren> "These...guests are asking about a woman that was evidently on this ship, by the name of Elli. Do you know where she might have gone?"

 

Kansu nods, "Yes, have you seen her?"

 

The woman narrows her eyes slightly, as if focusing on her thoughts; ‘Elli? It doesn’t ring a bell... Oh; actually, isn’t that the name of the carrier DeFay said would be picking up the medical supplies? I can’t imagine she would be on the ship yet...’

 

<@Soren> "Well, go and check to be sure they haven't been picked up yet; and get yourself patched up too, while you're at it. I need to talk to our guests." He pauses. "And Maneck too, while I'm at it."

 

She stands and dusts of her shirt; she looks confused for a moment as she turns and goes to examine the cargo by the ramp.

 

Soren turns and grabs the other Soren's body. "Right, well, I better put this...somewhere."

 

Gorland thinks for a moment that if it was a construct, it should be examined..but says nothing.

 

<@Soren> "The rest of you have a runaway to find."

 

Maneck flushes slightly as he stands, "What do you think you're doing?"

 

<@Soren> "Well, for starters, I'm not telling anyone about what happened, as that wasn't my intention. For now, I'm putting this somewhere until I can find someone to do something about it; and using the time to gain some information."

 

<@Soren> "What you should be doing, on the other hand, is filling me in on destinations, cargo, contacts, anything I need to know."

 

Gorland stomps foot on the deck of the ship slightly. "I can take one rider for the search."

 

Kansu pulls out a piece o animal fur and starts packing snow around it.

 

<+Kansu> "Wait here a second, Gorland."

 

Goroh looks around the ship

 

Kansu tosses the snowball on the ground and starts chanting. Ice spreads out around the snowball, forming the outline of a compass rose.

 

Kansu walks up to Gorland, "Take me. The spell I cast will find her if we get near."

 

<+Gorland> "She most likely headed fro that place...What was it, Setello?"

 

Gorland turns to Maneck. "How do we get there?"

 

Maneck narrows his eyes defiantly, but nods; "I will find the charts; but I do know we are headed north east for Vassar after this stop."

 

Maneck then looks to Gorland; "I am not sure; I do not navigate on land. Ask someone in this town."

 

<+Gorland> "Hmph."

 

Gorland knocks Kansu up onto his back, then takes off to find someone in the town.

 

<@Soren> "See to it, then." He turns his attention to Mina and Kansu. "I need to follow this. Catch up with you soon as I can."

 

Kansu points south, back towards the inn, "That way."

 

Gorland nods and turns to that direction. "Mina, you are lite. I can take you as well."

 

The woman starts to approach Soren after checking the cargo; "Soren... one of the crates is gone, and it doesn't seem a payment has been collected; I did find a scroll of parchment resting on one of the ration boxes, however."

 

Mina shrugs and climbs aboard

 

<@Soren> "Alright. Have the scroll handy?"

 

Gorland takes off for the inn.

 

She nods and holds the scroll out to Soren, which seems to be tied nicely with a pink ribbon. "I didn't open it; as it is addressed to you."

 

Goroh looks up

 

Goroh sees an empty crows nest upwards.

 

<@Soren> "Let's see what we have here..."

 

Gorland, Mina, and Kansu head south towards the inn, as it was on their trip towards the docks, it is a long, frigid walk.

 

<+Goroh> "Hm. Odd."

 

<+Goroh> "Hey, Soren, is it customary for there to be fire raining from the skys here? 'cause I'm pretty sure two of the guards were hit by some kind of fire from the sky."

 

Kansu ignores the cold as usual.

 

The woman glances at Goroh as he speaks.

 

Gorland is a bear. a polar bear.

 

<@Soren> "Not my problem anymore." Soren mutters, popping open the scroll.

 

Goroh sighs, then turns and heads back to the inn

 

Mina shivers slightly then pulls a spare scarf from her bag and begins to use it as a makeshift bandage for her wounded arm "You know I used to think the heat of the wastelands were bad, but I'd take it over this cold anyday." *Mina grumbles slightly*

 

Kansu looks at Mina, "Oh, I forgot about something."

 

Kansu twiches his cloak, activating the blanket effect it has.

 

Mina grins slightly "Handy..."

 

Gorland is still heading for the inn

 

<@Soren> "Huh. Kansu, Mina? Might be interested in this."

 

After a good trot the group finds itself outside the inn; to which the arrow is still pointing. The lights have been dimmed slightly, and it doesn’t sound as eventful as it was prior to the group’s departure.

 

<+Kansu> "She's inside the inn, aparently."

 

Mina dismounts Gorland "So how do we go about this then?"

 

Kansu dismounts as well.

 

<+Gorland> "..Let me go in alone.."

 

Gorland returns to his normal self, heading in for the inn.

 

Mina takes one step forward "You sure?"

 

<@Soren> "Oh, right." He rolls his eyes. "Whatsyourname...Maneck...have those charts for me yet?"

 

Kansu casts a spell at Gorland before he enters.

 

Gorland does not resist..but obviously seems a little offset by it.

 

Maneck rolls his eyes slightly; "Yes... sir." he clears his throat and says; "Three crates of medical supplies to Vassar; by order of Sir Brigottdryl - that is our next order."

 

Kansu can see what Gorland sees now!

 

When Gorland enters the inn, he finds the common area rather empty; and half the lighting has been snuffed out to save wicks. Other then a cat curled up on a shelf behind the counter, the only living being on the lower floor is the innkeeper; who is lazily leaning on the counter, smacking his teeth together as he chews on tobacco.

 

<@Soren> "Sounds good; once everyone arrives, we'll be off. I'll need a crew manifest."

 

<+Gorland> "...A woman Named Elli..did she come in here?"

 

He lightly shakes his head; "Elli? No, not since she left for the docks; she will be back soon though, I assume. She knows a man who can predict the storms, and has her room booked for two more nights; ain't anyone leaving for the waste in the middle of a storm; not in this season."

 

Maneck glances towards the hull where Mina tossed the other two workmen over. The woman cuts in; "Once everyone arrives? Are you growing soft Soren? You know as soon as the cargo is loaded, we depart."

 

<@Soren> "More hands on deck when we leave, the better. We'll wait only a few minutes."

 

<+Gorland> "Which room?"

 

Aidan sets down on the crow's nest and dismisses his invisibility.

 

The innkeeper raises his eyebrow; "I can't go telling you that. Personal information - you will have to ask her yourself."

 

Kansu unfortunately can't hear as well as he's seeing.

 

The woman sighs and moves towards the cargo, "Alright then, I need to sit down for a moment."

 

<+Gorland> "...I can open each room and invade everyone's privacy..Or just her's."

 

Goroh walks up to Kansu and Mina

 

<+Goroh> "What's happening here?

 

Kansu shrugs, "It LOOKS like Gorland's about to do something stupid."

 

Aidan finally notices that Mina's not on the ship. How bothersome. Oh well, she'll probably come back. These people seem to be an adventuring party, and adventurers stick together on their little quests.

 

<+Kansu> "Elli is apparently in there though."

 

The innkeeper sets a hand under the counter; "If you would just wait until she returns.."

 

<+Goroh> "Oh?"

 

<+Gorland> "You see..I believe She's here..And that you're hiding her..Or you are unaware. Now..If you are unaware, wouldn't you be unsettled that your patron is sneaking in and out?"

 

<+Kansu> "My compass keeps pointing there. And hasn't moved."

 

Mina turns toward Goroh and Kansu "In that case perhaps we should go in our selves?"

 

<+Kansu> "He asked to go alone. I'm just keeping an eye if he does do something bad."

 

Mina get a look of slight annoyance on her face "Alright..."

 

The innkeeper shakes his head lightly; "She is my only guest here currently; and has always come and gone as she pleases while in town. I see no problem with it."

 

Maneck says after a moment; "Sir? We really should be going... looks like you only have myself and Borock on deck and cargo; but there are three good men in navigation below; Charles, Phire, and Artan."

 

<+Gorland> "..."

 

Gorland sighs and sits down on a chair, staring at the ground. "...I beg you..I..She's an old friend....May you go up to her room and see if she's there?..Request for her to speak with me, on my behalf?"

 

The innkeeper shifts nervously under Gorland's glare.

 

The Innkeeper nods and heads toward the stairs, "Of course... I will check."

 

<+Gorland> "..Thank you."

 

Soren shrugs. "It'll have to do. Let's get on our way, folks. Straight to Vassar, and we don't stop unless absolutely necessary."

 

As the innkeeper heads up the stairs, Gorland is left in silence for a moment; though he can hear the faint knocking on a door above, and the soft purring of the cat on the shelf; the fireplace cackles now and then as well.

 

Gorland twiddles his thumbs, nervously.

 

<+Kansu> "He should have made physical contact. I could have followed the innkeeper upstairs."

 

Kansu sighs.

 

The innkeeper comes down a moment later; "I am sorry... but she is not in her room."

 

Mina simply shakes her head and begins fiddling with her pendant waiting for something to happen

 

<+Gorland> "..."

 

Kansu starts heading into the inn, "Shall we? He's not getting anywhere."

 

Maneck nods and heads below to relay the message to the navigation room; in a moment the boat is moving away from the docks.

 

<+Gorland> "I shall stay here until she returns, then. And my associates outside will know when she leaves."

 

As the rest of the group is waiting outside, they can see a darkly dressed figure heading for the inn; though it is still a fair ways off.

 

Goroh looks over at the figure.

 

Kansu stops when he notices the figure, "Or not?"

 

The woman stares at Aidan, "Umm, Soren? Who is this?"

 

Goroh ducks away into the shadows so he's not noticed

 

Aidan smiles a toothy black smile. "Hello."

 

The figure continues to head towards the inn; upon getting closer it pushes past the group, heaving with heavy breath as it opens the door and squeezes in; though it almost seems impossible to fit through the door with all those furs and cloaks. The figure moves towards a table and sits.

 

<+Mina> "Well that was rude..."

 

<+Aidan> "I'm looking for someone. Have you seen a pair of spellcasters, one male and one female? I seem to have lost track of them."

 

The cat hops off the shelf onto the counter; watching the figure as if it is a beast that might attack.

 

<+Aidan> "Yes? No? Maybe?"

 

<@Soren> "Your guess is as good as mine." Soren narrows his eyes, staring at Aidan. "No. You can get off of my boat now, by the way."

 

The woman lightly shakes her head; "I.. I don't think so."

 

<+Gorland> "...Why hello, there," Gorland says to the stranger.

 

The innkeeper smiles and moves towards the figure; "Can I get you any-" the figure simple waves a sleeve and says in a gruff voice; "Ale."

 

Aidan smiles again. "That's unfortunate and no thank you, in that order."

 

The innkeeper shrugs and moves to fetch a mug.

 

The cat hops off the table and moves to Gorland's chair, crouching beside his feet.

 

Aidan drifts aimlessly through the air around the mast and hums to himself

 

The woman raises an eyebrow and shifts closer to Soren; "I don't like the look of him..."

 

<@Soren> "If you don't wish to get off, I can simply make you get off. Your call."

 

Aidan stops and turns to face Soren.

 

The innkeeper returns to the man's table, setting a large mug of ale upon it. "Here you are sir..." he says, quickly backing off and moving to his counter.

 

Gorland blinks down at the cat..and tilts head.

 

Aidan gives him an appraising look, and his smile broadens. "I don't think I will."

 

The Innkeeper smiles at Gorland; "That is Moris. Don't worry, he's a friendly one."

 

<+Aidan> "You see, I'm certain that the person I'm looking for will arrive shortly, and I intend to be here when that happens."

 

Kansu sighs and continues into the Inn.

 

<+Gorland> "Cute fella..Didn't see him around before.."

 

<+Aidan> "I'd ask again if you knew where they were, but you'd just lie, so the options are somewhat limited."

 

<@Soren> "Last warning. Get off of here, now."

 

The Innkeeper nods, "Well, he is a cat... likes to stalk in the cellar, and sometimes goes out to catch winter hares; when it's not snowing."

 

Soren rests his hand on the hilt of his greatsword.

 

<+Gorland> "I see...Did it just come back in recently?"

 

Goroh steps out from the shadows, following Kansu into the inn

 

Aidan 's voice takes on a mocking tone. "Oh goodness, you're going to suddenly grow to tremendous size and strike me with a lump of metal."

 

"Oh no; I had him in the back room while Elli was performing; Miss Carter is allergic."

 

Aidan rights himself. "I'm waiting for the mage girl from the posters. I can't find her on my own, and I know she's going to be here. I'm. Not. Leaving."

 

<@Soren> "You look frail and easily breakable. If I hit you, you will die. If you get off of here, right now, you get to live."

 

Aidan 's smile finally fades away.

 

<+Gorland> "Is she, now? how unfortunate. Sir Innkeeper...Ever lose a dear friend?"

 

Aidan sprays a fan of fire from his mouth as he hisses through his teeth. "Not gonna happen."

 

The innkeeper narrows his eyes; "I come from Lodir; I lost my whole family in the chaos storm."

 

Aidan drifts even higher and away from the mast

 

The stranger raises his sleeves as if to cover his ears, mumbling to himself.

 

<+Gorland> "...Would you be able to remain sane and level headed if you thought the one you cared about the most..Was right in front of you..But wanted nothing to do with you?"

 

The innkeeper keeps his eyes narrowed as he leans forward, looking Gorland over; "My gods - are you in love with Elli?"

 

Gorland chuckles softly. "The ridiculous part? I don't even know."

 

The innkeeper leans backs slightly; "Ah good; don't be." he then asks, "Can I get you anything?"

 

<+Gorland> "...Don't be in love?...Why not?"

 

 â€˜Let’s keep this between you and me.’ He says; ‘But the last time Elli was here to pick up medical supplies, an eerie man came by looking for her; said he was her partner. Seemed a bit possessive; I assume he wouldn’t be happy if he knew someone was after her.’

 

<+Gorland> "...Can you describe this partner? A name maybe?"

 

The innkeeper lightly shakes his head;  ‘I have no name... but he was always darkly dressed; black hair, black eyes... pale complexion; a deathly cold nature.’

 

Aidan spins backward slowly as he plummets into the icy water

 

Soren shrugs. "You had your warning."

 

<+Gorland> "I see..."

 

The icy cold water splashes over Aidan, waking him from the shock of the attack.

 

Aidan is terrified for a moment as he is assaulted by cold and an inability to breathe

 

The Innkeeper sighs, "Sorry I cannot be more help to you."

 

Aidan barely manages to compose himself enough to fly back to shore.

 

Gorland sighs softly. "...See..I believe Elli is someone else...For some reason, someone I care about..is hiding as Elli..That is what I believe."

 

Aidan uses his fire breath to dry himself and stave off the stinging cold

 

Mina tired of waiting for something to happen heads into the Inn, brushing the large amount of snow off her coat

 

Gorland nods a welcome to Mina.

 

Mina moves over to Gorland "So any luck?"

 

Kansu walks in with Mina.

 

Goroh is already in ((and so is Kansu))

 

The cat's tail twitches as Mina approaches; it stands and moves to run along her legs, as if looking to be pet.

 

Mina smiles slightly bending down to give the cat it's desired attention

 

<+Gorland> "Supposedly she's not in her room..And has been seen with a partner.."

 

The cat meows loudly as it does a few circles around Mina's hands - and then flops onto its side.

 

Mina continuing to fuss that cat looks up at Gorland "Another dead end..great, Soren won't be happy."

 

Kansu checks his spell.

 

<+Gorland> "When she returns.. We'll have found her.. and when she leaves.. We'll also have found her."

 

Aidan flies slowly and low to the ground, seeking a place of healing, drips of blood hissing in the snow and marking his passage

 

<+Gorland> "The Innkeeper seems certain she'll show up, right 'Keep?"

 

The innkeeper nods; "No one leaves town during the storm."