[Aithe]

Aithe looked at her surroundings, squinting her eyes against the sun. It wasn't a very...welcoming place. But that didn't matter now. The only thing that did matter was getting the venom for Mahesa...and quickly. Supposedly, if she left Mahesa long enough, she could go insane. Though it was really hard to believe anything that angel said. Buying the venom would've been easier, of course, but she hadn't the faintest of clues where to find something like that....and the price probably would've been outrageous. Not that she was stingy, of course, but a month of paydays wasn't going to happen if she could come out here and get it herself for free. Besides, she had wanted an adventure for some time now...and now she had it.

With a loud, heavy sigh, Aithe took out her sword and stuck it lazily in the ground, leaning on the hilt. Where were the rest of the questers? She had managed to recruit two willing creatures. Sanura, of course. She loved Sanura. And Ryou...a no-brainer.


C'mon, she thought desperately, pictures of Mahesa's funeral flashing before her eyes. Where are you guys?

[Sanura]

Ow! Ow! Ow, thought the black kitten, stepping on twigs and rocks as she ran as fast her kitten body could move her. Spotting Aithe a little ways ahead of her, she leapt into the air, covering half the distance in a small arc, running the second half. It helped her move faster or something. Whatever. Panting for a moment when she reached Aithe, her body began to stretch, forming the human body of an 18 year old girl.

"Sorry it took me a little while," she said with genuine sincerity. She'd only just met Mahesa, but even she knew that it would be important that they get the jar oif hydra venom. She couldn't let Aithe's friend die, so she'd have to do everything she could to help.

[Ryou]

Ryou had kept his eye on the black kitten with the silver chain, following her with a heavy run. He had figured that it was Sanura, the girl from the quest. When the kitten reached Aithe, however, his suspicians were proven correct. He looked at the two gravely, then tugged at the hem of the police shirt he'd been given to wear. This is really uncomfortable, he thought with slight irritance. Or maybe it wasn't really irritance. Maybe it was a pathetic attempt at taking his mind off of Mahesa, trying to focus on the task at hand.

Looking around him at their surroundings, he shivered slightly. Not exactly the most welcoming and humble place if he'd ever seen one.

[Aithe]

Aithe looked up from her sand-shuffling and saw a small, dark figure coming towards her across the horizon. A taller figured followed. She smiled, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Sorry it took me a little while

It's perfectly okay... she replied, then became serious. Now, let's get down to business. We're hunting a Hydra...so where would we find it?

[Ryou]

"I don't know," Ryou said, shaking his head. He didn't know much at all about Hydras, just that he and Sanura were three levels under that of what you should be to go near them, baby or adult, and Aithe was two levels under it. But whatever had to be done to save Mahesa, he would do. Even if he did have to die.

"I really wish I'd gotten healed after the Scorpion quest," he mumbled to himself. The fact that he was sort of hurt could end up a big problem if they faced off with danger.

[Sanura]

Sanura looked at the ground, thinking to herself. They were hunting something that could potentially kill them all, but might be able to heal Mahesa. So where to look? It was obvious that she didn't have as close a relationship with the human as Aithe and Ryou had, but she still felt horrible that something like that happened to someone so nice.

[Kaida]

Kaida walked slowly through the safari. She hadn't wanted to go on this quest, but being in NY was extreamly boring. As was bing in the grove. As she neared the spot which she was told to meet, she noticed a black cat, followed by a man sprinting forward. Raising her eyebrow, she assumed these where her quest mates. Great. Well, I'm not going to put up with any crap thats for sure. I dont need to do this, she assured herself.

Nearing the small group that had formed, she walked up to the woman who was talking. How about the jungle? She said nodding in its direction. Kaida took a good look around. To one side, a large jungle awaited. To the others, tall mountians. Where they stood was in the grasslands. As Kaida eyes each team member, she realized she didn't eben know why they were here. All she knew was that it was dangerous, and a quest. The names Kaida. Can anyone tell he why were here? She asked, half caring.

[Aithe]

Aithe looked up at the new arrival, a bit surprised. But she decided not to question her. Help was help, and seeing as this was a creature that they shouldn't have been hunting until level seven, they needed about three times as many as recruits.

How about the jungle?

Well...I don't know anything about Hydras, but I guess mountains wouldn't be a good location...and neither would this place. So...let's go there first. She tried to throw Sanura and Ryou a reassuring smile, but it didn't end up as reassuring as she would've liked.

The names Kaida. Can anyone tell he why were here?

She paused. It was still rather painful to talk about. Our friend, a human named Mahesa, is dying...and we're trying to get the venom that little -donkey- healer asked for. So, yeah... she trailed off, thinking for a moment, then looked at each face in turn.

Now listen up. Before we start this...er...quest thing, I need to establish a few things. First, I think it's fair for me to say that I'm the leader here...for many reasons. One, I'm a higher level than all of you. Because of that, I'd have the best chance with this creature. Second, I have the most experience. Don't argue. I've been around for about three hundred years, a feat none of you can match, not even you Ryou. So if I give battle orders, follow them. And finally, if I tell you to run away, and leave me to die or whatever... she looked Sanura hard in the eye, do it.

Then Aithe began her way towards the jungle

[Kaida]

Kaida trotted after the dragon as she made her way toward the jungle. The little speech she gave itching at her skin. Whoa now, hang on a moment. I don't know anyone here. And i wont presume to think im the strongest. But i'll tell you what? I'm not about to die doing something i'm ordered to do. I don't know about these two, but i have :potty: good instincts, and i'll use them with or without your orders.

Kaida sent a defiant look toward the dragon. She came out here for adventure. And if she was about to be bossed the entire time, and in a rude manner no less, she would just turn around and go home now. Asuming the dragon was thinking along the same lines, Kaida voiced that little fact. As I said, I don't know you. I don't know your friend. I'm here to help, for reasons only I need to know. If you can't accept that, I can just go home. It's up to you if you need my help or not. She said looking directly into the dragons eyes.

[Aithe]

Aithe turned to face the shifter, face hard and expressionless. She approached her in two long strides, then stretched up to her full height (which was rather tall). If you assume I would order you into a situation where you would face death, you are sadly mistaken. Part of being leader is putting your team's health before yours, and I'm no different. I have sucessfully led my dragons for a while now, so I'm pretty damn sure can lead a party of three. You can go home, sure. But I have lived in your mind for the last few minutes, and I know you like adventure, as I do. And lemme tell you something. You aren't going to get adventure like this for a while. The scorpion quest is over, the Hind is gone...there is nothing left to fight for. So come if you want, or go if you please. I care not. Because I'm here to do my job, and get all of us out of here alive. You shifters are not the only one with instincts...

[Kaethe]

Slipping out of the background, Kaethe watched with bemusement as Kaida attempted to exert her will over Aithe's, just because she didn't enjoy taking orders. If the little shifter didn't calm down, soon she would find herself as bait for the hydra. Deciding to make her presence known, Kaethe stepped forward and introduced herself to Aithe.

Hello, Aithe. I don't believe you know me, but I am Kaethe, and I am here to help you in your quest for the Hydra Venom. Eyeing the group of questers gathered together in the little clearing, she couldn't help but remark None of you seem exactly like the warrior type. I suppose I could help in that capacity.

[Sanura]

Sanura wasn't paying attention to Kaida and Aithe's argument, really. Instead, she was mulling over the last part of Aithe's short speech. Leave her to die? No. She wouldn't, couldn't do that, no matter if Aithe told her to or not. Shaking her head, she focused back on the others.

"So... Should we go? I mean, we can't really waste time arguing..." She looked sharply at Kaida, before turning to the silent dragon. Placing her hand on his arm, she said quietly so (hopefully) only he could hear, "Don't worry too much, Ryou. I know you care about Mahesa, and a lot. We'll do the best we can to get this hydra venom, promise. Just... Don't beat yourself up over it."

{{Gmod of Ryou with permission}}

[Ryou]

Don't beat yourself up over it.

Ryou looked down at the plae girl who had spken to him, seeing her plae hand on his slightly-tanned arm; A large difference. He forced a smile, nodding slightly to show his thank you for her words and Sanura pulled her hand away. Watching Aithe fight with the other 'shifter, he felt a burst of disgust for the 'shifter. She was wasting time that they didn't have time to waste.

An anyeli he didn't know had shown up, saying something or another about them not looking like the 'Warrior type'. His hand wrapped around the handle of the small sword he carried, which he had gone to the back room of the ElysiaMart to get before coming here.

{{Gmodd of Sanura's hand with permission}}

[Aithe]

Aithe was mulling over things in silence, when yet another newcomer came to them. :potty:, she muttered, can't we just get going? We'll be in the middle of a battle and someone will pop in saying 'Hi I would like to join your quest'. But she couldn't deny that it was a relief to have another member...though she didn't look amazingly strong. Hello Kaethe. We've met before in my shop...and other places as well. Glad to have you aboard. Though I wouldn't agree with your 'not being warriors' statement. Glancing at the sun, she added, I really think we should get going now. I'd hate to have to camp out in the jungle

[Kaethe]

Smiling in a anticipatory manner, Kaethe stated her agreement.

The sooner we leave, so much the better. Now, the question remains to be answered, which way sheall we go? So saying, she adjusted her bow and quiver on her back, and shifted her sword belt higher on her hips.

[Synnove]

Synnove stomped through the safari. I'm doing this for us, not for her. He thought to himself. He growled at himself for thinking wrongly.

"I'm doing this for us not for her." He growled.

He looked up when he heard voices and saw a group of people standing around, he assumed the female with the dark hair was the leader since everyone was looking at her. He came into veiw and leant against a tree.

"I'm joining your party here, and before you protest I'm doing this whether you like it or not. This is as important to me as it's important to you." He growled, shoving his hands into his pockets.

[Aithe]

The sooner we leave, so much the better. Now, the question remains to be answered, which way sheall we go?

We're going to the jungle...well, we were until things interrupted it. I have no idea where a Hydra would be, but a dark, thick forest seems like a good place as any. Now...a few precautions. I know it seems like I've made a lot of announcements but...whatever.

First, I'm listening to all of you. And no, I'm not going to stop, either. This is not because I want to hear gossip or whatever things you are thinking of. It is because of our safety. I wouldn't be so...protective if we weren't fighting something that none of us are ready for. But seeing as we are, I am. So don't get ticked at me if I tell you to roll over suddenly because I hear something. Or I'll just send you on your way and hope you make it out without getting eaten alive by something. Next, I will speak to you through telepathy when necissary, so please...don't freak out, she sighed. Now...we've really delayed this long enough. So let's go for real this time. Save your questions for later. And then she took off

[Ryou]

This is as important to me as it's important to you.

Ryou arched an eybrow at the new 'shifter, his look a little less than friendly. "And what, exactly, makes you think that, 'shifter boy," he nearly growled. This quest, as far as he could tell, meant the most Aithe and himself, not some 'shifter who shows up as they're getting ready to leave.

Turning, he followed Aithe without another word.

[Sanura]

Sanura nearly jumped out of her skin when Ryou finally spoke, voice cold and accusative. Glancing at the 'shifter who had just shown up, the one that caused the tone of voice the dragon had used, she shrugged. Hopefully we can cover a lot of ground, and soon. We need to hurry. I guess I should shift. I'll be able to move faster that, she thought. Besides, if she needed to say something, the only one that needed to know was Aithe, and the dragon could hear thoughts.

Bending over, her pale skin became laced with fur, until only a small black kitten stood where the girl had been. Meowing, she trotted after Aithe and Ryou.

[Synnove]

"And what, exactly, makes you think that, 'shifter boy,"

"I'm not going to steal your girlfriend if that's what you're thinking. At least you still have yours." He mumbled as he followed the group. He spotted a familiar face but was too annoyed to bother to argue with her again.