Furry-Within

"The only things we can expect to find here are the standard trade goods. Mainly things like Raw Meats, cloth, wood, maybe some camping supplies. Thistlewood is relatively small even for a lumber town. Being this close to the mountains sees few heavy travelers. Still we may find a few shops that have what we need." Perrine sounded like she was reading right out of a text book. Elita just kept quiet for now. The town is arranged in a circle at the center around a large marble statue of a creature known as a Kirin. This horse like creature is covered in fine dragon scales and possesses two horns upon it's head. Essentially it looks like a scaled horse with a hint of dragon thrown in. It is a male adorned in a fine suit of what appears to be leather armor with it's hands resting upon the handle and hilt of a two handed sword as if standing a careful watch over the town. The statue faces north toward the mountains and is aptly named "The Sentinel Q'ilin" In the circle of the center of town is a small blacksmith shop that stands right in front of the statue with the towns small lumber Mill right next to it. Going around the statue, clockwise from there is the "Finery Shop", the famers market, Town hall, A shrine to Karea, a General Store, two small stands with fresh meat from local hunters, A good sized stable selling mounts of all kinds, a shop the sells camping gear and traveling supplies, and finally a small shop that caters to those of a magical nature. The street is a mixture of fine cobble stone and red brick. A few house can be seen standing behind the various shops in the center of town.

The town was busy with people flitting from one shop to the next as well as several merchants patroling the street selling their goods and wares from the backs of their carts. Perrine pulls her heavy hood tight over her head tucking her chin down. She was trying to avoid any direct eye contact with the townsfolk. Elita didn't seem to feel the need as she took to looking around curiously. Her skull cap keeping her real identity hidden from those around her. It made the both of them seem like an elegant lady and her shadowy body guard as they slowly mingled with those around them.

Sethis:  "M'Lady, perhaps you would do better sitting in the shade of the porch, out of the sun until we can obtain additional mounts for the next leg of the journey," I intoned, allowing my voice to be loud enough for any passers by to hear without it being a full shout or overly exaggerated.  "With what those foul brutes did to your stallion, you are surely in need of a little rest..."  I continued to natter on, seeming like an overly concerned servant belonging to her household, while Nyxis got the hint and played the part of a serving maid, though she did little to change the exotic look of her features, or the thin revealing clothing she wore.  Some families had servants in such garments as displays of power, wealth, and also to remind such individuals of their places; which was to obey those in power utterly.

As I talked, I slipped a pouch of coins into Perrine's hand, and another into Elita's, knowing that she had little in the way of money.  "Just find yer'self a nice place to rest for a bit, and Sethis will find mounts appropriate for your ladyship!"
I glanced to Varia but she had already moved Erron over to a trough before the only visible inn at the towns center, the elemental making a show of drinking the waters within it.  I broke away with a slight shuffle, moving quickly for the large stables across from the general store, and finding the owner; a believable lie already in mind as to how 'Lady Elaria Triel' and company had lost most of our previous rides...

Nyxis:  "I swear...if I didn't know better, I'd say he was enjoying the chance to act," I murmured, moving a little closer to Elita and giving a slight bow of my head but with a mischievous smirk.  "Would you care for a drink, M'Lady?  The road must have been very taxing for you these last few miles..."

"Hamming it up much?" Elita retorted under her breath at Sethis' acting. Perrine snorted and shook her head. She heard the unicorn mumbling. "Go along with it. We need to maintain appearances for now." Giving Elita a nudge just after taking the small bag of coin. It was not much, but it would do to get the things they would need. Elita merely swallowed her pride for a moment and then lifted her head beaming with the best fake smile she could muster. "Yes. I could use a bit of rest after our long walk. Perhaps a cool refreshment is in order as well and maybe  a bite to eat?" She beamed as she sought out some place shady and went to sit down. Now Perrine was the one making comments under her breath. Something about laying it on just a tad too thick as she moved away towards several of the shops. It was time to see what she could dig up for the long road ahead. The town was bustling with patrons and merchants so the small group, thus far, had gone entirely unnoticed and what guards there were lurking about were busy dealing with other things paying the group no mind at all. This was not, however, cause for them to drop their guard. Those dragons earlier were only part of a larger search party. Though she could not make any out right now Perrine knew that foot patrols were probably not far off. Even with Elita's nifty little skullcap there was good chance she might still be recognized.

She spotted a shop just the far side from where they had entered. They sold camping and traveling gear there. They would have the basic necessities for the long journey. Sleeping rolls and tents. Packs and materials for making mends and repairs the gear would eventually need. She would secure these things first, but that would be all for now. Until they had mounts they would be limited as to what they could carry for now. Elita sat quietly and looked around doing her best to not look too excited or anxious. "So far. So good." No one had really taken notice or interest in her or her "servant" so far. She wondered if she should help, but then decided it may be best to just remain where she was and keep a low profile for now. She snaps out of her little line of thought as Nyxis offers her a drink which she gracefully accepts. "This will do nicely. Now about that bite to eat?"

Nyxis:  I gave the Innkeeper and his wife little chance to ask too many questions about Elita, using a commanding tone that had just enough of a hint of steel to it to make them hurry with the demands for 'My Ladyship'.  In moments a small bowl of vegetable stew, a couple slices of freshly baked bread, and a small mug of mead were ready on a tray for me to take to Elita; the innkeepers assuring me that if she needed anything else they would be sure to have it ready at once.

Looking everything over with a critical eye, I made a noise of barely acceptable satisfaction before carrying the tray outside.  Setting it on the bench next to Elita with a submissive curtsey and bow of my head, I remained like that a moment then moved to the side, keeping my features calm, patient and demure.
A couple of the local males glanced at us, only to do a double take, their eyes clearly roving over my form and I sighed inwardly.
'Never fails,' I thought, ignoring their hot eyes as I tried to keep in character.  The form I took as a humanoid wasn't something I could change readily, and in truth, I had based it off...a memory?  A passing thought from a traveler Sethis had encountered?  I couldn't really say, other than when the time was right and Sethis had needed a companion that was visible, this had been the form I manifested.  How hadn't been important at the time, and I'd never thought twice about it aside from when passers by or even Sethis himself had been openly staring at the physical beauty of this body.  Ahh well...One step at a time...

*One Hour Later*

Sethis:  ...The owner of the stables didn't believe the story for a minute, but it didn't deter him from bargaining like a devil to get as much coin out of me as possible.  It barely put a dent in the money I had access to, but still, five gold sovereigns a piece for four Avvaren's with saddles and bridles was almost an outrage.  Especially for a wealthy merchant woman and her escort.  At least that's how I expressed the sentiments of the character I had assumed.

The Avvaren's were quadruped blends of bird and lizard, as tall as a feral horse, but far more fleet of foot and in some ways easier to ride.  Their bodies were lithe and slender with long feathered tails that  whipped back and forth at a slow walk; their legs strongly muscled with the scales starting just below what would be the knees.  Four toes on each foot bore wicked claws and could kick with the force of a mule, ripping open those on the receiving end of such a blow.  Their eyes were bright and positioned like those of a bird of prey, with beaks equally curved and as sharp of their feral ancestors.  The ones I had chosen were mottle brown and pale white/beige, the feathers along the tops of their bodies a darker gold brown in color, with their flanks and undersides turning milky white with splotches of the brown at random.  While not blessed with the sense of smell like a feral horse, their eyes could pick up things long before their riders did which made them invaluable to messengers.

Carefully leading them around to the Inn where Elita was seated, I bowed to her before tying the reins of the Avvaren's to the picket poles and approached, giving another bow of respect to her.
"As soon as we have some supplies and wares to replace those stolen by the brutes we encountered, We will be ready to leave, Mistress," I said, glancing about briefly to see where the other members of our group had gone to.  "Is there anything else we can get for you, M'Lady?"