Private - Nesting Trouble

Nestled not far south of Dunnstads, the high-rising cliffs of Druuk Island made it appear as though a fortress in the middle of the sea. Shipwreck-ridden beaches pervaded an aura of doom and dread, which in turn sprouted concern as faded sails hovered on the horizon, concern that would only grow further still as one approached Nacre, the hollowed cave it resided within from a distance resembling a gaping, unforgiving maw.

It would be no exaggeration to say that the island’s reputation preceded it. An island where the craven and lawless had been sent, there was no way it could possess any form of civilization or order. Or at least, so it was said.

Castaways of society building a town from the wreckage of old ships, however? One couldn’t get many more points for resourcefulness and rogueish charm than that.

Regardless, the residents had also proven more helpful than she would’ve thought when she told them she’d been hired to deliver a letter to a man recently sent there. They quickly led her in the right direction, making sure she went down the safe paths, provided she pay a small fee, and thus she was able to find her man without a hitch, at least, not counting that he told her that he needed a couple days to respond to her client, in the end. Not that she was about to complain, as she actually managed to find a place with both decent beds and decent wine.

In truth, she could have stayed there for the next two days while taking the guise of a traveling fortune teller, but rumors of treasure and great vistas proved a tantalizing prospect, even if a few were likely traps. She instead took to the road – or sand, as it had often been – and attempted to see if she could track down one of the more credible rumors about a treasure chest some men left behind when a “screeching beastwoman” flew into the old, abandoned tower they’d been using as a base in an area named Cutlass Cape.

Treading carefully around rotting stones and brittle boulders, Alkaid noted that at least one of those fleeing men had been caught in one of their own traps, now hanging by one foot, a large portion of his midsection empty. Laying strewn across the ground was a rather full coin purse holding some coin and a flawed ruby, a sure sign that this one was a bit greedier than his comrades and had paid for it. Doing her best not to look at the man’s lifeless face, she gathered the pouch and placed it into her bag, then headed toward the edge of a nearby cliff to ensure where she should head next.

Some distance west of the cape, she could now see that there was a system of tunnels that lead out toward it, revealing a path that was not on her map, which only showed a long, curving path that took her further inland. Given she couldn't exactly see the entrance to said tunnel, though, she merely had to keep moving along the path, hoping that rumors of bandit activity in the area were false given the nearby monster...

Of course, that was assuming the monster still resided in the tower. If it didn't they'd have no reason to leave. But if it did, well, she may just come across another scene like the one she'd just seen.

@Comet

 

With an ability to slip into conversations as so desired, or to eavesdrop effortlessly if curiosity is present, Comet entered Druuk Island with a handful of information; enough to lead her towards potential treasures. The unfamiliar location should've been frightening regarding the rumors players and NPCs alike tended to spread around. These words were taken lightly by the adventurous young woman with a determination and greed to match the shadiest of thieves residing on the island. An intense interest replaced fear but unfortunately couldn't take over the anxiety that consumed her soul. These worries focused on whether or not the treasure would be there. And if it were, would she be alone? Or the first to venture to Cutlass Cove for the same reasons? With a shake of the head these thoughts were temporarily cleared for greed claimed its place as the dominant motivation for Comet to continue this questionable adventure until proven a fool or ending the day in failure.

The body, nearly torn in half and decaying, sent wary eyes widening in surprise. He'd almost succeeded in his endeavors. Almost. And suddenly her hands trembled further at the thought of ending up in the same, shameful position. Though her body would instead materialize away it'd be an embarrassing feat to accomplish. Self-homicide with greed as a second-hand man to the deed. That couldn't happen, she told herself to remain positive, not unless mistakes are made... which they won't be. A continuous pattern of fresh footprints caught Comet's attention so much so that she'd unintentionally begun to follow them. With quite a rogue-ish selection of masteries stalking humans or animals or pretty much anything that moved and happened to be rendered trackable came with a practiced ease. The unrest of persistence sent Comet quite a bit always before she'd met the creator of the fading footprints. A tanned woman with generous curves led the huntress to a promising path that sounded particularly familiar to the instructions given to her long ago about the free treasure laying around. Setting a quick pace, she decided to make herself known out of the unsettling atmosphere of it all.

"You're here all alone?" she spoke up from behind, arms crossed over her busty chest, keeping distance from the stranger to ensure protection. All of these inner precautions painted as cockiness and a sense of power on the outside. "I heard this path leads to a dangerous place. You should turn around while you can," with a flip of the hair she observed the luxurious skin, hair and body of the other woman before continuing. "considering your armor, of course, not that it isn't flattering on you," with a pause she grinned, almost letting go of her friendly persona in the moment of introduction, hopefully hinting at her former rudeness being a huge joke. "I could always go along with you. It could be fun to have a partner and safety in numbers, yknow. As long as you don't mind? Maybe we could trade information."

@Alkaid Zexis

 

A glance back. In the cloudy sky far above and to the east glimmered the set of eagle-like wings, the figure's faint silhouette accompanied by a second loud, yet distinctly avian screech. On both sides reared jagged rock, leaving Alkaid no path of escape should need arise apart from the stony trail now in front of and behind her, which had descended into a gorge that would eventually circle around to the Cape, any sign of her much sought-after cavern entrance unfortunately absent amidst the walls rising around her.

She halted in her tracks, focusing on the mid-air figure for a few long moments as it maintained its lofty course, only to breathe an inward sigh of relief as she realized how vulnerable her position was. Not only against wildlife, either. The gorge's rising walls and occasional bends would make perfect hiding spots for a bandit archer, and while the day’s wind had been strong, enough so that white had hovered on the horizon above the shoreline’s choppy waters, that wouldn’t have mattered to an arrow within the barriers of the gorge.

She was, ultimately, confident in her ability to take on a brigand wielding a dagger or an axe. Even if they too were hiding within a cavern tunnel, she could easily get off a spell in time to get an advantage. Yet she was helpless against an opponent that could pick her off from a distance.

Or loose an attack before she could even cast a spell.

Thus, when she heard a voice behind her only seconds later, she jumped as she realized she must've just missed someone she probably could’ve caught within her peripheral vision. She spun towards the speaker, her hand halfway down to her deck of cards, only to halt as she noticed that the speaker wasn't trying to get the jump on her while she was surprised.

Standing arms-crossed some distance away was a tall, lean woman with a hair color that surely couldn't have been natural -- not that Alkaid was exactly one to talk. Coincidentally standing slightly above her due to the path's slope, the woman cut a figure that was just a tad shy of intimidating as she seemed almost patronizing to Alkaid, if not for a hint of mirth then entering the woman's tone. And, Alkaid reminded herself, the words were entirely undeserved to begin with, recent notions considered. Add to that the subtle hint of vulnerability to the woman's words in suggesting safety in numbers, and she saw no reason to deny the offer, knowing at the very least she wasn't dealing with an oppressive, impregnable ego.

In response she returned to a more relaxed posture. The offer as more for cooperation, rather than admonishment. Her pale eyes, once alert and gauging, softened as she flashed a friendly grin. "Sounds fun to me! We can make it a party. Or rather, I should make one." Raising a single palm into the air, her other hand moved swiftly as she opened her menu. "Just a moment. Blasted UI! I could've sworn--ah! There!"

Sent Comet's way was a party invitation accompanied by an inventory request containing a flawed ruby and a bit of gold. "Half my findings thus far," she explained. "The start of more to come, one might hope? Anyway, I assume you might be here for the same reason I am? Not that I'm opposed to questing for alternative purposes, but around these parts treasure hunting seems to be the go-to purpose for about anyone. Off to a nearby tower, myself. Supposedly some nasty monster came in and chased out the folk who had been using it as a base. I saw the mouth of a tunnel that appeared to cut through this gorge and out nearby it, but no luck there yet. Oh. And I'm Alkaid, by the way. Nice to meetcha!"

The woman paused for couple moments, at least long enough for her partner to cut in and introduce herself, only to make a slight addendum to her own introduction. "As you can probably tell from my...armor, I'm a mage. Some wind and lightning, a bit of illusions, but more experienced in prediction and healing and whatnot. Although I have to add that your armor also fits on you quite well, yourself. I'm going to have to nag you for your secret after this is all said and done."

@Comet

 

Without hesitation Comet accepted the party request. She shoved trust into the hands of a stranger. Greed, of course, disregarding any worries or potential dangers or hastily made decisions. The inventory already holding items worth coin sent Comet's blood boiling. She desired nothing more than wealth earned that day. At least, she thought, I'm feeling like this as Comet and not Violet. Had she been granted her husband or father's card, well... Violet would certainly be in trouble versus enjoying what Terrasphere had to offer as the pink-haired Huntress. Alkaid gave valuable information. Emerald eyes scanned their surroundings for another way to get to Cutlass Cove.

Unfortunately, she hardly knew anything about the area other than locations further inland. Both ominous and friendly places. Hopefully they wouldn't get lost. These hidden anxieties shimmered in the depths of emerald eyes so seemingly bored and dull on the outside. "I am," she nodded with a knowing, lopsided grin. Her thin brows were lifted in interest. The inventory had hinted towards their similar motives but confirmation settled their partnership. Made things official in a way Comet felt much more comfortable with. "You saw the dead body too, then? I wonder what kind of monster we'll be dealing with..." she stepped closer to the white-haired woman now that introductions were said and done.

The other appeared to be more relaxed than before. A good sign that opened the two up for a friendlier relationship throughout the journey. Hopefully. Comet would never deny herself another companion. Especially a fellow treasure-hunter who could easily be complimented for having envy-worth beauty. "Maybe the tunnel's covered up, or blocked off, and we have to find it ourselves. It'd make sense for the last group to cover up their path if there's really treasure hidden around here," the pink-haired woman flipped long locks behind thin shoulders before flashing her pearly whites in Alkaid's direction. "Nice to meet you. I'm Comet," a hand held out for shaking; the polite gesture full of meaning in Comet's eyes due to years of training and practice in the skill of socializing. "Where shall we go from here, Alkaid?"

@Alkaid Zexis