Episode 1: A Helping Hand

Haesh steps downstairs into the common room. He has all of his stuff in a bag fastened to his back with a shoulder strap that runs from his right shoulder to his left hip. Over the bag you can plainly see his shield. The shield is worn and dented in a few spots, but still in good condition. With each step Haesh takes those around him can hear the clinking of his chainmail. His chainmail contains areas where there is a faint rust and it seems to have gone through a bit of wear and tear.

As Heash enters into the common room he stands by a table and grasps his warhammer with one hand at the head and one hand at the bottom of the hilt. He lifts it over his head as he takes a big stretch.

"Mornin'" he says to Rhiann. "Is there always this much clamor in the morning?"

"Yes," is Rhiann's simple answer.

Packed up and bouncing down the stairs, Parallel spots Rhiann, but maintains cover when asking, "Madam, might you have something for breakfast to go? I have a ship to catch."

Rhiann holds a large sack out to Parallel. Inside is a months' worth of dry rations and a few small metal tins. "See Precipe," she says, tipping her head toward the kitchen.

To Haesh, Rhiann says, "There is a general store across the intersection. Daresouk Orecloak is the proprietor and likes to open early, so whatever else you might need can be found there. He doesn't carry weapons, though."

With a slight bow, he says, "Many thanks, ma'am," then heads into the kitchen to find "Precipe", hoping for the exotic azure lass that served the fish last night...

He enters the kitchen area. If he sees the genasi, he'll walk up to her, "Precipe, was it? I was directed to see you for breakfast, and perhaps additional provision for a sea voyage?"

If he sees someone else, he'll inquire about a "Precipe".

The kitchen air 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 topped with ceramic plates, 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 and empty stone basins, presumably for washing dishes. 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. Diagonally opposite the kitchen door is an exit leading outside. There is a third door in another corner between shelves on one side and two stacked crates on the other. Both doors are currently closed.

The water genasi is at the stove, still carrying a bundle slung across her back. She is mixing a bubbling stew in a large pot, rotating a large wooden ladle through a hodge-podge of starches and vegetables. As Parallel approaches, he can hear soft humming in a slow melodic tune akin to a lullaby.

"Breakfast?" confirms Precipe, ending her song and turning as the halfling addresses her. Up close, Parallel can see a bit of age in the genasi's face, enough to place her in her mid- to late-twenties if he had to guess. Precipe smiles as warmly as the hearth and says, "Certainly, young Master! Fetch me a crock from the counter." The genasi picks up a small bowl filled with a handful of minced green flakes and dumps the contents into the pot, then resumes mixing.

Parallel snatches up a crock and spoon, and looks up at Precipe expectantly.

"It smells delicious!"

Being very close to his mother, grandmother, and sisters, Parallel is drawn to this fascinating woman, particularly as she seems a loving and caring mother. He smiles at her and says, "I know that you're busy, but I'd love to see your baby, if you don't mind. I'm really good with kids, and used to play with my little nieces and nephews all the time. I come from a big family and haven't seen them in quite a while..."

Precipe stops mixing, frozen in place. "My..." she begins, but does not finish the statement. There is a long, almost uncomfortable pause, and the genasi finally turns to face the halfling. For a brief moment, Parallel feels something otherworldly begin to flicker in the periphery; a musky, ancient presence that funnels his senses towards Precipe's dark eyes, rigid with intensity.

Then it is gone. The stew bubbles and the fire cracks, while steam escapes lidded pots further back on the stove. Precipe's smile softens her features and she touches her shoulder while making a clicking sound with her tongue. "It's all right," she coos.

A slender serpentine form of deep blue rises up from the bundle, climbing to perch upon Precipe's shoulder. 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.

"This is Marinna," says Precipe, reaching to scratch under the creature's chin. A low purr can be heard. "I keep her in there so she's out of the way when I'm working." The genasi then holds her hand out for the crock in Parallel's hand.

Back in the main room, Rhiann addresses Haesh. "One more thing. Another agent has arrived and will be joining your team. I trust you will bring them up to speed." She tips her head over to the stairs, where an elf has just arrived.

Leaning against the door jamb at the base of the stairs and taking in the scene before him is a tall, slender elf. His easy smile and relaxed countenance almost successfully distract from his inquisitive green eyes - eyes which, when their gaze finds each member in turn, reveal an honest if skeptical nature.

"Greetings fellow 'monster hunters'," he says with wry smile. Revealing his full height, he stands up from his casual pose and crosses the room toward the group - green-brown robes flowing about his slender frame. Despite being fresh from the road, he seemingly has not a trace of dust or dirt on his person. Not one strand of light gold hair is out of place.

He gives a genuine smile which his eyes match and introduces himself as Golwen. "I'm honoured to be able to join you in this worthy endeavour. I'm sure you'll find my talents useful and trust my company won't grate...too much." He chased his last comment with a quick wink.

Turning to Rhiann, "And, of course, my thanks to our hostess for facilitating my introduction." A brief but courtly bow hinting at a juxtaposition between upbringing and comportment.

Parallel absently hands over the bowl, stunned by the serpentine creature that emerged from the bundle. Fascinated, he begins to reach a hand toward it, then comes to his senses and pulls back -- this thing could take his arm.

"She's beautiful...wha...um, what is she?" he asks. It then dawns upon him that there has got to be a great story here, "And how did you come to possess her?"

Precipe turns to the stove, her back to Parallel. The creature's eyes maintain an intense focus on the halfling... at least until the stew is ladled into the crock, when it rotates its head away to watch the transfer of food, talons kneading the genasi's shoulder in anticipation.

"She is... well, I don't know what a scholar would call her," says Precipe, her quiet voice rising like steam. "But she is a friend, not a possession; I don't own her as one would own a pet. We've been together since..." And the genasi turns back to Parallel, capping the crock and holding it out to him with a soft smile. "Well, for a long time."

"Mornin'" Haesh says to Golwen

While stifling a yawn Haesh says, "Well... I'm heading over to the general store. Anyone who wants to go is welcome to come."

Haesh starts for the door and gives a quick look around to see if anyone else is coming. He then heads towards the general store.

Parallel accepts the stew and returns Precipe's smile, while wracking his brain to remember all he can about dragon like species. Noticing Marinna's interest in his food, he holds the bowl aloft in her direction to share.

"Is she hungry?"

Parallel has not encountered any wingless species of dragon before. He assumes that the large fin and blue color might denote its natural environment, but he's not too sure.

Precipe's smile never wanes. "Always," she says. Marinna claws the genasi's shoulder, snout stretched forward towards the stew-filled crock. However, the creature seems hesitant and keeps some distance, either uncertain about approaching Parallel or restraining itself on the genasi's behalf.

Precipe dismisses the halfling's offer and says, "You are quite generous, Master Halfling, but that is for you and your journey. The Rose provides for us, so we are not in want."

Accustomed to a different style of social interaction, and unsure how to read the situation, Golwen decides it best to sit and observe.

He throws a quick nod to Haesh in response and with a practiced flourish he unslings his bow, gathers his robes about him, and slips into a chair with his back to the wall.

Waiting to meet the other members of the crew, Golwen sends a quick mental communication to his small friend keeping watch outside. Watch over our new friend and let me know if trouble finds him.

Naozar bounds down the stairs dressed in practical and nondescript (if a little well-tailored) travelling clothes and a pack slung onto his back. His posture and body language is completely different from the night before. In fact, if it weren't for the mask covering his face he would seem a totally different person. He decides to keep using false name "Jandral" though. "Good morning!" he greets the room cheerily, his voice rougher around the edges and a lower register than the one he had used the night before. "Mmmm...something smells good!"

Haesh steps into the Ugly Giant and scratches his chin as looks at all that is laid out before him. He starts rummaging though the boxes in the center of the room.

After several minutes Haesh approaches the desk with his arms full of items. Haesh uses his elbows to start sliding some of the items on the overcrowded desk out of the way, not seeming to care if anything falls off.

He then lays out the following:
10 candles
1 lamp
3 oil flasks
1 signal whistle

He looks over at Daresouk and says, "How much for all of this? Also, can give me a few pieces of chalk for buying so much?"