Chapter 1: Lady Luck's Curtsy

Baraq hisses. "The best way for the fledgling to fly is to kick her out of the nest. If she is not prepared for the journey, let her suffer and learn better for next time. Assuming she survives." The aarakocra stalks after Rolen and Catriona, intent on following them.

Catriona hurries along, trying to find Bartholomew's Travelwares and Finery, hoping the others don't decide to leave without her.

Krieger returns to his room for a few minutes to collect his things and don his armor.

Cat ducks into the shop and has herself a look around.

Cat opts for boyish clothes: a shirt, breeches and sturdy boots. And a plain, green cloak to replace the red one she left home in. She dresses in the travel clothes and pays for them and that should've been it, but the pretty dresses catch her eye and she can't help herself from admiring them and daydreaming. "What do you think, Chuck-Chuck? Maybe after I find this Crown of the Forest Queen or whatever I'll keep it for myself? I'll come back and show the stupid lords and ladies of Waterdeep who's boss! I could come back and make that bitch Sofia Adarbrent my chambermaid!"

Baraq strides into the shop, talons resounding loudly against the ground. "Are you done?" she squawks. "It is time to fly." Her head angles for another predatory assessment of the child. "Move."

Rolen steps in front of Cat, blocking Baraq's gaze of her "We do not have chains on our necks. If you feel like moving, you go but you do not have command over us. If she wants to shop, we will shop and it will not be rushed."

Baraq hisses, stepping up to Rolen until she is beak-to-nose with the elf. "You wish to coddle her during this time of urgency. Fine. Catch up if you manage to figure out which way your ass is facing." She snaps her beak and turns away, stalking out of the shop to return to the others.

To who ever is with Ada

I wonder whats taking so long the faster we get out of this place the better. I had the weirdest dream last night...

Rolen stares down Baraq, unflinching, smiling as she leaves. He walks to Cat's side, places a hand on her shoulder, and stares at the dresses for a few seconds "Which one is your favorite?"

"The green one with the purple slashes." Catriona breathes before she can stop herself. She bites her lip, embarrassed, fearing Rolen will laugh at her frivolity. Sure, he defended her from that beast Baraq just now, but he's probably just being nice. He couldn't possibly actually care about some stupid dresses. Even though they are pretty. "I'm sorry I've kept everyone waiting. I'm ready to go now."

"That is a very lovely dress, one befit for a queen." Rolen stares at the dress with a smile, removing his hand from Cat's shoulder when she mentions leaving. "You have no reason to be sorry, we are not on a deadline. If you wish to go though, I'll catch up, I wish to peruse a bit longer." Rolen crosses his arms behind his back and begins to wonder off into the rest of the store.

Suddenly curious about wha Rolen might find interesting here, Cat tries to pretend to keep looking at dresses but she's actually peeking to see what the elf is doing.

Rolen wanders around the shop, stopping at no location longer than the last, he doesn't seem interested in anything in particular but more of looking around.

Catriona moves up to Rolen, only a little embarrassed about being caught peeking. "What're you buying?" she looks past the elf at whatever he's holding or looking at. "I've never gone traveling before. Except the one time father took me on one of his ships. I wouldn't know the first thing about preparing for a journey." she confides.

"I don't know yet, for now, I'm simply browsing." Rolen smiles as he places the stuffed bear he was holding back down "Naturally, it depends on the type of journey, you wouldn't take climbing supplies on a journey across the sea. You can safely buy food and water, no matter the journey." He stops and looks at a toy drawstring horse before moving on "Our destination leads us to the mountains, we know they are cold mountains, so warm clothes and the ability to create fire are our key needs." Stopping again at a table full of games "Another thing you can't go wrong with but not required like food and water, is something to pass the time" he picks up a pair of dice and smiles at Cat then rolls them.

"Well I simply grabbed backpack from the guardhouse when I ran - I mean, when I left home. It's got rope and torches and stuff. No warm clothes though." Cat fingers her new green cloak. "I wonder if this'll keep me warm enough."

Cat picks up the dice and rolls. "Hmmm...two fives. Did I win? I don't know this game." Suddenly, Chuck-Chuck skitters down Cat's arm, grabs the dice and pops them into his mouth. "Chuck-Chuck, NO! Those are not nuts! Give them back this instant!" Catriona holds out her palm, and the squirrel spits the dice out sheepishly.