Episode 0: The Arcadian Rose

The air in the kitchen is heady with seasonings brought high by the heat and mixed with a light ambient smoke. There is a large fireplace adjacent to a gigantic wood-burning stove, both taking up one entire wall and surrounded by brick and stone. Another wall holds the larder: shelves and drawers full of dry goods, barrels and baskets of produce, even a selection of cheese sealed in wax. A long counter stretches across a third wall laden with a variety of crockery, pots, and pans with more in the cabinets below, and racks bolted into the wall above hold cooking implements and several dried spices. Splitting the countertop are two large stone basins currently occupied with used cookware and plates. In the middle of the kitchen is a large island made of stone and a hardwood top. On the side facing the larder are four tall stools, leaving the counter and hearths free of clutter.

Seated at the island, in the midst of light laughter, is the young human and the water genasi. A plate sits between them on the counter, fileted fish drizzled with ginger, garlic, and oil over a bed of rice. Morena abruptly freezes as Coda enters the kitchen, whatever mirth across her face gone as quickly as the morning dew. The water genasi, on the other hand, continues to smile even as she turns to see the newcomer.

Coda notices that the bundle upon the genasi's back is no longer there, yet the material that made up the sling is still worn. The halfling's perceptive eyes note a new occupant, however; a slender serpentine creature of deep blue that rests coiled upon the counter next to the genasi. This tiny creature resembles a dragon with its blue scales, four legs full of talons, a pair of horns above its head, and an elongated snout with sharp teeth. There the similarities end, as it lacks any wings and its snake-like body ends in a large fin that surrounds its tail.

"Hello, Mr. Ostinato!" beams the genasi. "Fire's not out, so I can whip up something else if seafood's not to your liking." As she speaks, the genasi pulls a portion of fish from the plate and coos as she holds it out to the tiny beast. The morsel is instantly snapped up and swallowed, and the creature purrs.

Morena says nothing as she watches the halfling. Even the tiny creature twists its long neck to get a good look.

The water genasi continues to feed the tiny wingless dragon on the counter, but answers the halfling. "Pull up a chair, Coda," she says, her voice almost like a lullaby as she strokes the creature's head.

There is a slight eye-roll from Morena, but she says nothing and looks down at the plate. She stabs a small piece of fish and busies herself with dinner.

"Your meal," says Morena curtly.

The water genasi clicks her tongue, still without taking her eyes off the serpentine creature on the table, and Morena looks down at the counter. "As brusque as my sister is, she has a point," says the genasi. "But you said you could not eat for a battle of your conscience, yes? What conflict rages within your mind?"

The genasi turns to look at Coda in silence. Finally she laughs, deep and full from her core. Even Morena covers her mouth with her hand, though she continues to look downward.

"Was this your worry, that we weren't getting paid?" says the genasi, rubbing at her eyes. "Oh Master Coda, you are a gem! Believe me, we have want for nothing. Keep your coin and fret not about our well-being; the Rose provides."

She pushes the gold back towards Coda. "Now, as mentioned earlier, you need to eat. You have a task before you and long days ahead, so have a full belly and get a good night's sleep. Would you like boiled shrimp?"