Tracking a Tracker

    It was a dark and stormy night and somewhere it was very likely that a spriggan was conning a bunch of adventurers to go out and kill for him in exchange for a single air shard. Fortunately Setsuna was not doing that nope, in fact he swore off that particular tavern until the rain turns to snow. No more trying to fight air. So here he was sitting infront of a fire looking over a map of eastal with a whole lot of smudges on it. Next to him was a pot of hot tea and a pair of cups. He had offered to discuss his job with Shiruba if there was interest and told him of this little rinky dink place they called a tavern off the port. It smelled like fish but you didn't get ask to go get wet.

Tea is exactly what Shiruba needs after all that. She hangs her cold weather jacket by the small fireplace all such taverns have because there's not furnaces commonplace in this world so it can dry out. Then walks over and claims a seat at the tabe with Setsuna. "So you were talking about needing a tracker?"

    Setsuna looks up and grins as if he just won the lottery. "Well well well look what the rain dragged in." Pouring the tea into the second cup he passes it over to Shiruba, " Yes a tracker. I am putting together a small party and need someone to help do the tracking. I am rather bad at it you see. Perhaps this is perfect, maybe you know a better place to even begin to start looking." He gestures at the map infront of him. " I am seeking to capture a dire wolf, and need a tracker."

Shiruba accepts the cup and takes a good long sip from it. Then scoots a bit closer to peer at the map. "Yeah, Eastel is a good place to start looking. Lots of undisrupted forest area, both larger animals and monsters to prey upon." She takes another sip, and if the remark about knowing were to look was a joke because she's part wolf herself she doesn't seem to react much to it. "I imagine you're looking for either a tamed summon or a mount?"

    Setsuna looks at Shiruba for a moment then back to the map, "Yeah. The Labrynth Maze dungeon was a location I was considering. Lots of possible places that we could find a pack if we don't mind dealing with the teleporters. Then again lots of forest everywhere. Who knows what we will find. " Setsuna was still staring at the map as if he was actually seeing the location, all business at the moment it would appear. " Yeah this is for a mount, as well as monster researching." Setsuna sips his tea and considers more.

Shiruba mmhmms. "Teleporter mazes are even harder to navigate than normal ones, because there's no physical passage between sections to track. Or to actually plan were you go. It could be a expedition that turns a lot longer than intended."

She sets her teacup aside and looks the map over a moment. "Mmm." Then turns to retrieve one of her own from the scroll case strapped to her quiver. "While we are far from fully mapping Eastel we've made progress with the NWA making a presence there." Her tail flicks aside as she turns back to the table and spreads it out next to Setsuna's own. "When hunting predators, more practical approach would be to find the location of the creatures they prefer to hunt themselves. Dire Wolves in this region are more like to share aspects with grey wolves or timberwolves. And yes, while related subspecies there is a difference."

    Setsuna grinned as he could hear Shiruba getting into the planning of it all, "I didn't realize the NWA had been mapping the area so diligently." He takes another moment while examining the map provided by Shiruba. "Thats a good point I hadn't considered that. Gray wolves if I remember preferred things like deers and such if they could get it but would settle for rabbits as well at times. Given the time of year I would guess that the dire wolves were hunting some form of deer like animal."

"Deer, antelope, moose, dryads, satyrs.. though those are more goats. But yes. Also whatever bun-bun variations are around." Shiruba runs her fingers along her map from Fort Ouph that they were near, down to the southern coast were her Alliance has been busy. "Honestly I wouldn't put it past dire wolves to be adapting to hunting goblins and the such, they're also rather common amongst the Nature entities in the region.... Yeah, Eastel is very dense with monster populations and nests, so we've done what we can to get the regions near us and the Root Town safe."

    "Ok so we have a list of prey..." Setsuna trails off as he follows Shiruba's finger for a moment, "We need a place where adventurers don't often go, some where off the beaten path." Taking a moment more his finger points to the coast, where a river is pouring into it. " Near fresh water as well, somewhere near a river or lake like this one. " Hmm so many places to be they would likely have to go scout after the rain..." Where are there caves? Somewhere they could hide from all these storms." It was an idea, at least a starting idea. They had all these requirements, if only they had a computer to narrow it down to a single area.

Shiruba nods her head in approval. "Clean water would be a place for prey to gather as well, good note." Taps a finger to her cheek. "I can't think of any natural caves off the top of my head, but there's always trunks of the giant trees or abandoned goblin and gnome tunnels one could find their way into."

    Setsuna wonders for a moment longer and then nods his head , " So then the best bet might be to start along a source of clean water, and then track from there. With all the rain, the rivers will be larger then usual, but the moment it lets up all the animals are likely going to be out near it. It should provide fresh tracks." Leaning back Setsuna was more then pleased with the plan but as he sips his tea and looks at Shiruba seeking her opinion on the matter.

Shiruba nods her head. "Sounds like a good start to a plan. I'll have our patrols keep an eye out for signs of dire wolf activity. Wild animal patterns have likely shifted from their usual paths some after the one area got hit by that Wave of Calamity, but this is a good idea of where to start and fan out from."

    Setsuna nods and sips again before he sets aside his cup, " So we have a plan and you seem on board. That makes three of us for now, I am hoping for one more but haven't talked to him yet. I need him to be in a good mood. " Taking a breath comes the hard part now as he looks at Shiruba, "So I don't have much to pay you for the help, however I would of course owe you a favor of your choosing at some later date. I won't even ask questions as long as the favor doesn't sound like it comes from Merek."

Shiruba picks up her teacup for another sip, then stops and squints an eye at Setsuna. "Dare I ask why Merek is the example for that?"

    Setsuna rolls his head back and forth as he considers how to best answer the question. Up till this point the people in his circle would have accepted that as a good enough line in the sand without estion. He was off guard. " Lets just say Merek has asked me for favors that he didn't feel had enough ground to be made public. Favors that would have put the entire Ninetail's kingdom at risk in regards to the undead army. That is about all I can say without breaking promises. " Contemplating the options he feels he danced around that question well enough.

".. Oh." Shiruba holds up her hands. "Say no more. I just thought maybe it was a joke, like how he never seems to sleep and is always wearing black. Even after he finally got rid of the sword."

    Setsuna smiles a knowing smile and then chuckles, " Truthfully I wish that was all I was talking about. Unfortunately that is not the case today. I had really hoped that with the sword not in his hands any more he would make more sense. " Shrugging his shoulders, " Wish I could of got my hands on that sword just to know how much was the sword and how much was just plain simple Merek." Turning his head he stares into the fire for a moment before he looks back over , " So then with the knowledge of where I draw the line, is the price acceptable?"

"That.. is a fair assessment." Shiruba just isn't going to get too deep into the bun-bun hole about certain player's weird quirks. At the mention of price again she laughs. "Are you kidding? This is the sort of thing I would much rather be doing than having to defend entire nations from undead armies and cross-platform invaders, how could I say no?"

    Setsuna welcomes the topic change himself, " I'm glad to hear it but still, you are welcome to keep the IOU in the back pocket. Just in case. " The summoner seems to finally relax a bit as things are starting to come together. " I do have to agree with you though. This certainly seems more fun , then again last time I got to play with the undead i think there was a little attraction there. She even bit me, then again maybe I am reading to much into it. She is a vampire after all."

Shiruba raises a brow a bit. "I've heard rumors of a weird carvinal going around, I'm assuming that's what 'attraction' you're talking about." Yes she's playing double-meaning on that word, she's not that naive to not get what Setsuna is really hinting at. "Actually, you have to give whoever designed the idea credit, a circus show is a phenominal way to sneak 'monsterous' people around."

    Setsuna frowns, " Yeah the sneaking monsters in is impressive. Something not many would think about, the worse part is though that they were funneling people out, food for later I am guessing. Even some of the kids were taken. " It is obvious he is rather displeased with himself on the last bit and looks into his glass of tea before the bar and then back at the tea and sighs. With a sturdy resolve he pours the tea and throws it back like a shot , as if he has done this many times. He then winces as the hot tea burns his throat and he sets he tea cup back down. " So yeah vampire carnivals and now roaming vampire gangs I've heard. Ninetails has a curfew. Likely my next undead investigation when I get back over there."

    The place may be a little Tavern, but it doesn't mean there can not be shows and music. In this case with a bit of magic help the lights of the flames begin to dim just slightly.

Then the sound of music starts to play, as then the sound of a 'clup clup' of hooves walking across the wood platform of the stage. Walking out to the audience to see, was one exotic imp, wearing very little to the imagination with an ivory staff in her hands. Copper coil rings around it, with a small ruby-crimson orb at the bottom and a much larger one at the top.

With a twirl of her staff she slams it down on the wood and then walking out from behind her are two iron constructs that /look/ exactly like her; Or at least fairly close.

    Then she begins to dance slowly to the music, using her own magic to keep the staff steady as she loops her leg around it and twirls around, before going down low. The two constructs acting as extra dances to the music.

This little hot and seductive moves were indeed getting several of the perhaps already drunken lads attention and you can bet those Landers had their eyes on her.

Shiruba quickly nods her head. "Oh yes, don't get me wrong, what they were doing is definitely despicable... but you have to give even the fiendish credit where it's due. It's better than underestimating them, and the disasterous results of doing so."

The conversation is interrupted by someone coming out to put on a show from the drunkards hiding from the seasonal storms. Wait, is that Katherine? And... Shiruba leans forward a little and squints a little, trying to disconcern what those secondary dancers really are. After they were just talking about the circus trickery....

    Katherine then slowly gets back up and twirls her staff, as she kicks her hoof in the air, so do the constructs. When she twirls, so do they. At this point, they are matching every step she takes, she crouches down low, so do they.

If she shifts her hips such a way in a sexual manner, they do as well. It isn't until she gets down really low at the very front of the stage, do they not follow, but continue the earlier steps.

    The Magus imp, extends her claws and comes dangerous close to sliding her nails gently under a man's chin, before she slowly gets back up and walks back with a sashay to her steps to the center to join in the dance once more.

Shiruba, if she runs an inspection, will notice that Katherina's MP is /slowly/ ticking down.

Shiruba tilts her head. That MP trickle... so it's some manner of spell, then? Okay, that's less weird. Animated objects and all that. Not an unsual wizard trick in RPGs, though she's not seen it done to this level before.

Tilts her head the other way. She may be watching the actual show too, but that and a twitch of the ear is all the real indication you get out of her that she's more than passively watching. Those moves are pretty impressive... and possibly pushing certain ratings... but are there REALLY any ratings when they're LIVING here now?

Erufu had ideas she had been busy also very unhappy with a certain lion-man. Oh, gods was she unhappy with a lion-man, she'd also had a few drinks she's watching the dancing and calls out., "Not too bad with that dancing." She's more appreciation the skill of the dance and she's had a drink or two in her.

"Keep it up your great!"

    The dance continues a bit longer, seductive moves tied with grace and elegance. As the music comes to an end, Katherine slams her staff down once more and a dark 'poof' of smoke rises. Once that smoke settles she is gone, along with her constructs.

The crowd is cheering and guys whistling. They want more, but alas, there would be no more show from the Lady Magus. Instead, the woman would eventually come out at least taking note of /one/ person amongst those seated which was Shiruba. Katherine isn't sure if she has crossed paths with Setsuna yet.

    As she walks across the floor, she does so in her normal sultry manner, wearing a robe over her body and still holding that staff of hers, this time there are no constructs following her about.

As she does make her way over to Shiruba and Setsuna, she passes by Erufu and gives her a playful wink. "Thank you for the compliment, my lady. I am sure you are not bad yourself." Once she makes it over to Shiruba, she leans on her staff and smiles at the two. "Hello, my lovely Shiruba, how are you doing and who is your lovely friend here, hmm?"

Shiruba adds to the polite clapping. And turns her head a bit when she hears another familar voice. "Oh, hello Erufu!" she had been so focused on the matter with Setsuna and then the performance she hadn't notice the elven ranger was there.

By the time she turns back forward Katherine has ended the stone, dismissed her assistants, and come out in an end-of-show robe instead. "Hello Katherine, that was quite the.. interesting performance." She gives Setsuna a light nudge with her elbow so he can introduce himself.

    "I haven't had time to really, hmm, stretch my legs in awhile." She flickers her hair gently before she shifts her weight. "This staff of mine ate up so much of my time, but it has been," Her fingers run down it slowly, before gripping around it once more. "Well, well worth it."

The imp gently raises a brow, "How has your exploration been?" Then her glowing lavender eyes fall on Setsuna. She tilts her head, before taking his hand, well sliding a claw along it, before moving it aside. "Ah, yes, I faintly /do/ remember now. 'Tis a pleasure either way, Setsuna, my dear sir. Though, as I do not remember if I gave a proper introduction then, I shall do so again."

She goes to rest her free hand near her cleavage, "I am Lady Magus Katherine Tanzer of the Outcast. It is an honor and pleasure to meet you once more." Then gives him a loving wink. "Mind if I join you two, hm?"

Erufu is just taking in the show as she moves to finish up and she laughs a bit at her. "Not bad at all, Oh I'm a bette singer honestly." She admit as she takes s hip at her drink. She pauses for a moment "You two here on a date?" The Pooka asks with a grin on her face while she looks backt o Kathrine for a moment. "I'm Erufu, by the way."

"No!" Shiruba interjects abruptly, it almost actually sounds like a bark. "We had a possible collaberation to discuss and this was a convenient place to get out of the stormy weather after other morning ventures." Her cheeks are a nice shade of flustered now, though, and she quickly resumes drinking her tea to try and cover the embarassment.

    Setsuna gestures to a spot for Katherine to join them and then as he hears Erufu's comment and the response he grins and looks at Shiruba and then over at Erufu, " You will have to forgive her, our alliances alas have deemed our relationship to be a front against them and has banned us from interacting. We snuck away here and she gets very defensive." He says while failing to keep a straight face, and is likely about to get hot tea poured on him but worth it. As he looks over to Katherine, "I've heard the term the Outcast before, but who are they?"

    Katherine spots Shiruba flushed little cheeks and that causes her eyes to narrow in a mischievous manner. She lowers herself down and leans over to Shiruba, "Hmmm? Is that-- a little red, Shiruba?"

The imp gently reaches over with a claw and softly goes to poke her cheek with a coy little smile. "You look so /cute/ when you are embarressed~." She says with a sing-song like voice.

Her eyes then look over to Erufu, "Also, perhap next time you should sing for me, my lady Erufu. Mayhaps I can be a dancer for your song."

    Then Setsuna decides to be a bit of an ass and Katherine walks around him, not sitting down just yet. Instead she /leans/ over him. Her bosom almost against him and she purr softly in his ear. "You shouldn't /tease/ like that, Setsuna. Its rude." Then snaps her teeth close to his ear before she stands back up, to then with an easy twirl, sit down in the offered chair.

"The outcasts are without kingdom or home. We are-- more neutral and thus go where we please and how we please." The Magus explains resting her staff then across her lap, as she sits in a lady like fashion.

Erufu grins even more widly at the pair as she looks at Shiruba's reaction. "Guess I'm on the mark humm?" She laughs a bit but doesn't press ie ven more for a moment. "I didn't see anything so long as you ain't no goblin or helping no goblin. I won't say a thing. Well maybe you should change alliances Setsuna!"

She looks to Kathrine for a moment.

"Oh I could do that sometime!"

And poor Shiruba was sipping the end of her tea at that exact moment, which goes into a wasteful but comical sputter across the table when Setsuna lays on that snarky response. Not that Katherine and Erufu are helping much at the moment either. But her gaze narrows a bit at Setsuna. "You -do- want to come back from that dire wolf hunt in one piece, right?"

Then turns a bit to point at Erufu. "And just because I look like this doesn't mean I'm trying to flaunt it just because I happen to be talking with a guy." Then slids out of her seat with a mutter to go find something to wipe up her unhappy accident.

    Setsuna's inner imp reared it's head as he sits there for a moment before Shiruba reminds him that he doesn't have to come back from things in one piece if at all. He looks at the mess for and does feel guilty so he does his best to clear it up after. " Shiruba is right, we are just out here prepping for a monster hunt and didn't want to get pulled into another storm related quest. " He refills his and Shriuba's cup with tea and motions for another empty tea cup. Others could bring their own drinks but if Setsuna was buying, it was tea or water. Looking over at Katherine and considers that which is the outcast, " Hmm only other outcast I know of is Merek,maybe . Your group must not get out much."

    Setsuna's inner imp reared it's head as he sits there for a moment before Shiruba reminds him that he doesn't have to come back from things in one piece if at all. He looks at the mess for and does feel guilty so he does his best to clear it up after. " Shiruba is right, we are just out here prepping for a monster hunt and didn't want to get pulled into another storm related quest. As for switching Alliances, lets just say some people in the NWA don't like me personally. " He takes a moment to do his best impression of someone in NWA, "I am without honor." He refills his and Shriuba's cup with tea and motions for another empty tea cup. Others could bring their own drinks but if Setsuna was buying, it was tea or water. Looking over at Katherine and considers that which is the outcast, " Hmm only other outcast I know of is Merek,maybe . Your group must not get out much."

    "Oh, there are /many/ of us." Katherine says to Setsuna. "Just most don't proudly announce it. I, for one, and proud of my lack of affiliation. It allows me to," Her fingers tap on her staff. "Do as I wish with no limits placed on me."

Then the imp goes to slowly stand back up, she taps the staff twice on the ground as a few runes flicker. It would not be shortly after a humanoid 'knight' like figure walks out, made from the same material that the dancers were made from, but reconfigured just slightly. "Now then, if you both, well, I suppose now /one/," Then laughs, "Eitehr way, if you please excuse me," She looks over to Erufu as well, "And you as well, my lady." She looks at Setsuna. "I should get a move on to my next little spot."

Erufu just makes a face at Shirub for a moment "Oh no need to threaten mmm, sides do you want to turn it into a contest? I do not." She'll drop it there now but she may be having too much fun with it. "Some people don't want to get caught up in Kingdom Affairs after all. HAve a good evening and a wonderful show Ms Tanzer!"

Shiruba huffs as she sits back down. Setsuna provides more tea, and she got herself something 'a bit stronger' while she was up. This is a tavern, after all. Just sometimes she forgets that in this 'game' she is technically old enough to drink. "Take care out there Katherine." Can she call those automatons if she needs to fight like a summoner does? Who knows. Maybe she doesn't want to know. That would be creepy to fight.

"Let's stick to archery competitions," Shiruba replies to the other ranger.

    Setsuna gives a nod in his seat as Katherine excuses herself, " See you around I'm sure Kathy. " At the name choice he watches the human automaton curios how it reacts before looking at Erufu and Shiruba. " So that was really something." Sipping his tea he considers if there is much more to say before looking at Shiruba. "So then I can reach out to you on the chimlinks when ready to meet up. I need to find a healer for our hunt. " Looking over at Erufu, " I don't think we have met before."

    The construct doesn't seem to care. It seems to have no will of its own and only follows Katherina as she goes to walk out, using her magical abilities to protect herself from the rain that is pouring down.

Darn magic. Ruins all the fun.

Shiruba nods. "Yeah. Give me a ring. I'll let you know if our scout patrols pick up on any evidence of dire wolves to narrow down our starting points."

Erufu smirks for a moment "All right lets keep it to that I should go crawl to another tavern for a bit I think I want to see more. I need to get Orcbalg to be more social." She mutterrs as she gets up to leave herself.

5tSetsuna downs the last of his tea before he stands and looks outside, "Please no more rain." Turning back to Shiruba he smiles, " Who knows I may remember the flowers next time. A dozen roses right?" Giving a wink he heads on out of the tavern. Setsuna was so going to be murdered in the woods.

    Setsuna downs the last of his tea before he stands and looks outside, "Please no more rain." Turning back to Shiruba he smiles, " Who knows I may remember the flowers next time. A dozen roses right?" Giving a wink he heads on out of the tavern. Setsuna was so going to be murdered in the woods.