Thread: Unlikely Saviors [-:Haru|Luana:-]

Tika continued onwards as the lion walked with proud ease to the lower class area of Skali. Her nose crinkled at the pervasive odor of fish. Gross. She hated fish. Yet her target seemed more than happy to enter an establishment not only named for the nasty creatures but reeked of their dead brethren. A dirty little inn she had never stayed in but knew of. Sad to say most of the windows were coated with a thick layer of grime making her spying a little difficult. She perched on a rooftop with a little growl. Stupid humans and their dirty ways. They really were pretty filthy, especially the poor ones. She was poor and managed to keep herself and her home clean. Well clean was relative. Most spaces were covered in parts and materials, half finished projects and scrap. For a time she waited, plotting her next move. Waiting outside all night wasn't wise. Likely she would fall asleep and miss her opportunity. Few customers went in and out. She huffed a sigh and folded her arms across her chest in frustration. Maybe she should just give it up. Then, as luck would have it, another traveler appeared. He was tall, human tall not pneumafera tall, and wore a wide, scraggly old cloak. Perfect! Tika slipped down from her perch and slipped behind the cloaked human. As he entered the inn she skirted to his right. Inside of crowded places was both more dangerous and easier. Good thing the place was so dimly lit. The human took a seat in the corner and she slid in behind his chair. From her angle she could just barely see the white lion. His fur made him quite easy to keep track of. All she needed was a distraction. From her hiding spot she spied two half-orcs. Was her luck never going to wear out? Not that she was upset by her food fortunes. She readied her tiny crossbow, loading up a simple bolt. To humans it was little more than a dart. To something larger it would just be a mild pain. Just enough to set off a big, stupid, volatile creature. She took aim carefully and shot. The small bolt lodged right behind the half-orc's right ear. The beast stood with a howl of rage. It's friend responded in kind. Humans rose up in panic. The pained creature lashed out and struck a fisherman. The fisherman's friends leaped to retaliate. All hell broke loose. In the chaos Tika slipped between scuffling legs to the kitchen and nearer to the white lion. The brawl started to fill the tavern with the bar maids shrieking for people to stop. Tika held still as a human was tossed across the room right at the white lion at his table. She slipped forward with a hope and a prayer it was enough. Her little legs patterned across and under the table which barely held and reached for the envelope. The general chaos that broke out was precipitated by two half-orcs, their kind considered volatile and short-tempered and Kion seeing nothing which would sway him from that opinion. The pneumafera growled as a bar patron came literally fling his way, and though he stood and was able to block the man from hitting him, the bulk that hit the table jostled it heartily, Kion's drink spilling and the lion catching a glimpse of a hand - a very small hand - snatching the envelope off the table, though now it was soaked with Feywine. Hey! Kion practically roared, though he only caught another glimpse of a little halfling, possibly gnome, female taking off at a sprint, and deftly avoiding the knots of fighting people. Kion grabbed his axe and moved to follow, but his larger bulk made it actually harder to make haste. Despite his pushing to get out and follow her, by the time he exited the tavern she was nowhere in sight. Tika tittered as she fled from the Lion. The tangle of legs and bodies was easy to skirt through and around. No one noticed the little gnome fleeing the scene. She broke out of the brawling tavern and into the night air. Still stunk of fish though. Without stopping she pounded road to put as much distance between herself and the lion as possible. In fleeing she was upwind. Skidding to a stop she bolted down an alley and doubled back. Using her spring loaded hook she swung herself onto rooftops. A little ball of agility she made her was across the roofs at close to the same speed as if she were on the ground. Her hook helped, swinging across wider gaps. She didn't stop, despite the burning in her lungs and legs, until she made it back to her workshop. The little port had a small district of mechanical workers. Mostly they worked on steam boats and small airships. It was nothing like the industrial metropolitans of other human towns. She didn't use her door. Rather she swung herself through her bedroom window. With her precautions it wasn't likely he would be able to track her. Triumphantly she kicked off her boots and pulled back her hood for the second time that night. Despite how tired she physically felt her brain was buzzing with excitement. Not even bothering to wash her face she plopped down on her stool and opened the envelope. An orb rolled across her cluttered desk. Bouncing off a gear and some springs. Ohhh, she let out a breath. It wasn't too exciting but she knew that sphere would hold something interesting. Any orb from the Eye had to be interesting. Tongue between teeth she got out a handset. She didn't use them often but understood them well enough. Holding her breath she plugged in the orb and booted up the device. It hummed and buzzed to life. With a demure flash the information appeared. Her eyes widened as she read and studied the map and instructions. Her guts suddenly grew heavy and her heart began to race. An ancient relic, a sword, that could potentially open a demon gate. The lion was going to be well paid for it. It could set her up for months. There was no true choice. Immediately she got up and began packing her things. The lion should be searching for her for hours. No way he could track her there. She grinned to herself. Congratulating herself on being so sneaky, so very cunning. Of course it was easy work outwitting those lumbering bigguns. No real skill there. While she packed the clothes she wore for thievery she donned more practical traveling clothes. Simple breeches and a warm shirt. Both a little old and travel worn but comfortable. A cloak and blanket roll, necessities for camping out. Damn, if her account wasn't drained she could purchase a pony or large dog to carry. Ah well, she would travel light. Weapons of course. Her crossbow with the necessary tools and tinctures to make new bolts or make repairs. If only she had a pack animal she could bring some experiments. Tika heaved a sigh. Well, with the money the relic would fetch she could spend a few years tinkering and not have to worry. Heck, she could move! Maybe a bigger city. Packed and ready she ensured the fires were out and the windows locked. Peeking out her door she ensured to lock it and headed out. No possible way the lion could have tracked her. Plus she has been wearing her suit, hood and face paint. Big, dumb animal wouldn't recognize her anyways.