"Note. Tree. Nap?" KD blurts out, blinking, and slightly lost for words. She steps forward, shaking herself. "Would you like to join us on this quest? It'd be fun. Oh! You should meet Halcyon. Hal?" she says, turning to show the mechanical monkey, who has been hiding bashfully behind KD, both small metal hands holding the tip of its tail, head slightly ducked and nervous-seeming at the new arrival. "Hal, this is Nova. She is idiosyncratic, interesting, and interrogative. Ideally impetuous, I'd add." KD's right eyebrow rises a millimeter. Hal's light blue lights where eyes would be flare upwards briefly. A slightly interrogative, unsure R2-D2 noise can be heard.

"I, uh, agree!" Demetrios pipes in in regards to Lilly's proposal, carefully eyeing the new personality about. She... looked innocent enough? No ill intentions detected... "The more the merrier?" He shrugs. "A tavern would probably be the best place to find an escort to a dangerous mine. Adventurers looking for coin tend to end up there... Huh. Kind of reminds me of us, in a way!"

When asked to join, Nova’s facial expression would look a little surprised, then torn as if she had to weigh a decision. “I should really get back to Adabra…” But the moment KD stepped aside to introduce her to her little monkey friend, Nova’s attention was completely captured by it. Her mismatched eyes would go wide, practically twinkling in wonder. “Hi Hal!” She’d beam, bending forward to get a closer look while KD continued. Nova would glance up at KD with wide eyes and her cheeks growing pink. “Those are big words.“ She’d blurt with a couple blinks before she’d lean in closer to whisper to Hal. “Did you understand them all?” 

Hearing the big metal man pipe up to agree with the little redhead, Nova fed off of the energy. “Okay!” Her smile would widen against her rosey cheeks. “You convinced me!” She’d bounce. “I can do a quickie!” Pivoting on her foot, she spins and hooks her arm under KD’s. “And we’re off to see the-“ Nova trails off humming a tune as she starts tugging her new friend along with her, skipping towards the tavern. 

Reaching the establishment, Nova playfully pushes the door open with her foot in her excitement before stepping through with her companion. They’d come almost bump into a hooded patron that was on their way out of the establishment. “Oop!” Nova would squeak.

KD turns and flashes Onu a "well would you get a load of--" half grin as Nova bounces up from a communion with Hal to hook the artificer's arm and... dance? across town to a tavern. She does her best to participate in the gallivanting, though it does not come naturally. Hal, however, does his best bashful leonin impression whilst dancing on two feet a step behind KD and Nova, pantomiming the skipping, playful gait, obviously committing it to memory for future use.

KD's eyes seek the face under the hood of the exiting patron as Nova's enthusiastic foot bursts open the door.

Perception: 10

"Sorry!" Lilly was not the one bumping into the stranger but it never hurts to be polite. She waited for the figure to move along and allow the group to get inside and check on Raskin. Unless... "Are you happen to be Don-Jon Raskin?" They never had a description of the man and was better to be sure they are not missing him.

Lilly would realize she wasn't actually bumping into a stranger. The hooded figure was larger than her but not imposing.... Recognizing the attire, they've bumped into her before!

Sniff sniff. Nova grins and leans forward. "Boop!" She reached, poking the figures nose. "Who you foolin', Fae!" Nova giggles as she tip toes away.

After a wiggle of her nose, familiar scarred hands reach up and wizard pulls her hood down to reveal pink cheeks from being exposed. "It's supposed to rain..." She'd say quietly, mostly to herself since Nova already scampered off. Violet eyes would then meet with those looking at her. "Raskin?" She'd offer a small knowing smile and wink.

Nova had bounced over to the counter. She'd place her hands on top to lean over it, she'd call out. "Oh yoohoo!"

Bang! The counter would shake, then a very unimpressed Toblen would rise from underneath. He was rubbing his head. "Nova." He'd breathe.

"Yes! Morning Toblen! Goose eggs for breakfast?" The woman would snort to herself. Toblen didn't appear to be as amused. "Okay, okay." She'd smile sweetly. "Where's the Jon?"

"Nova, you know where the facilities are."

"HA!" She'd guffaw. "That's a good one!" Nova would give him a hard push in the shoulder. "Or was it the Don?" She'd muse, hoisting herself up onto the counter and casually pat the spot next to her for KD and/or Hal to join her. Nova's feet would dangle kick as she'd scan the room. "Don Jon Ratskin!" She'd chime throwing her hand up in the air as she remembered. Big mismatched eyes would look to Lilly with pride. She got that right, right?

Toblen would run his hand down his face.

"WHO'S ASKIN?!" A deep voice booms from the top of the stairs revealing a tall silhouette. The figure lifts the brim of their hat to reveal a dark skinned man hardened by years of experience.

Don-Jon Raskin

KD steps forward in Nova's wake. "Glad we caught you. I'm KD. We've been told there may be some trouble at your mine. You might require some assistance. Support. Backup. That kind of thing. Been there recently?"

Raskin tips his hat to KD when she introduces herself. "Trouble?" The man puts his hands on his hips. "Trouble's me waitin' here for what feels like a tenday, for some escorts." He starts taking heavy steps down the stairs. "Back in my day, we showed up bright eyed and bushy tailed fifteen minutes before work." The man walked and talked like a giant. "None of this here 15 sum hours later." He finally reaches the bottom step. "Grew tired of waitin' and was just about to head on out." He takes large strides across the room. "The Townmaster promised some of 'Phadalin's Finest'." He pauses to scan the one presenting herself. "You them, or their replacements?"

"We can be!" They were supposed to only give the message but now, when they saw the meant, it felt wrong to leave him on his own. "The letter said there are wererats there in the mine. That you should not go in there at all now." She pointed at Nova and finished. "Nova knows who is fighting those rats."

“Wererats!?” Don-Jon repeats. “Those varmints must be eradicated!” Then scratches his chin a moment before muttering. “Hate to resort to negotiating with them…”

Having fallen quiet behind the group, Fae’s brows would knit in concern at the mention of wererats.

“Cheese solves everything!” Nova would blurt thoughtfully. “Good for setting traps and bribing! Mmmm training treats…” She trails off. 

Onu would smile as he sees Fae pull back her hood with her delicate, scarred hands.  Something about her presence gave him comfort, and hope.

Nova, on the other hand, was a whirling dervish of energy and chaos.  Just the thing he could have used in his old life as a distraction to rob these folks blind - but the hero gig seemed to pay more so......

"Wererats indeed.  Although I'm not sure cheese is the best solution, my dear.'  turning to Fae, the monk addresses her directly 'Have you ever encountered creatures such as these wererats?  Any tips on facing them?  Should we stock up on cheese?' the last bit said with a knowing smile and a cocked eyebrow.

Meeting Onu’s gaze, Fae offers a small smile as he addresses her. “I don’t believe we’ve officially met Sir Onu.” She dips her head and reaches a delicate hand out in greeting. “Fae Black…” Lifting her head, violet eyes would fall over him. He’d garner an amused smirk from her at his last question that’d cause her dimple to sink into her cheek.

“At one point they inhabited the Shrine.” The very one she sought access too but could never get close enough too... “Though it appears they’ve been driven from there and have holed up in the mines.” Fae looked thoughtful. “They are no typical ‘varmints’.” She’d admit. “They’re quite cunning, but do share stereotypical telltales of rats and lycanthropes.” She’d pull out her prized journal and begin turning to a section. Although whether and worn, it spoke volumes of well loved and cherished it was. If one looked close enough they’d catch glimpses of detailed sketches throughout the pages. “As a humanoid they’re twitchy with darting eyes, much like a rat. Most importantly, as a lycanthrope, they have tough hide that makes them immune to attacks that are not magical or silvered.” 

'Ahhh, that last bit is helpful indeed - we may need to stock up or retool ourselves?  Sir Paladin?' A broad smile from the monk as he deliberately mirrors Fae's phraseology.  Women don't typically interest him, but this one, this one was..... well captivating.

Seeing Nova accidentally bump into Fae actually relieved the paladin. The group had planned to go and speak with her later on, but it was almost like fate that she ended up right where they were going to go next. He gives her a wave and confident smile, acknowledging her and hoping to let her know her presence was more than welcome as the now growing group would press onto their next quest.

As the group had been speaking to Don and getting more information on the matter, Demetrios falls silent as he rubs his chin in thought. It wasn't until Fae started speaking, reciting a passage from her book about them, that he lifted his eyes to scan the group, before settling onto Onu when he refers to him. "I... suppose so." Demetrios would admit with a sigh. "My magic is fairly limited, and my sword isn't silvered, nor magical... I wouldn't want to be dead weight... And, erm, maybe we could... pick up some cheese?" He perhaps wanted to humor Nova's idea, but who knows? It could actually work! 

"Can we make your weapon silvered?" Lilly joined the practical discussion of what to do with the were rats. She did not really like what she heard - twitchy shady people with thought hides - but it was comforting to know they are not invisible. "There is a blacksmith here, right? Or should it be a jeweller who makes things silvered? Anyway, we have to ask around and get ready before jumping into the rat holes." Suddenly, a more worrisome thought crossed her mind. An obvious too - after all, the "were" part is quite popular in scary stories. "Is it... Are they... What would happen if they bite one of us?"

Fae’s eyes flick from Onu to Demetrios and then to Lilly as they each spoke. Her cheeks held warmth against her pale skin as she was welcomed to join them by the paladin. She couldn’t help but glance down a bit shyly before looking back up. It was hard to hide the smile she had and the nostalgia that danced in her heart. It had been quite some time since she was involved in an adventure. Even a soft chuckle would leave her lips when cheese was mentioned once more.

Nova bounces from where she sits, then hooking onto the front of the countertop she throws herself back to dangle off the other end, upside down. Her big mismatched eyes would look up at the unimpressed Toblen. “CHEESE PLEASE!” She’d reach up to boop his nose.

”Welp. I mean, can’t go wrong with extra rations.” Don would add with a scratch of his head. “Though back in my day, all ya needed was a little charm.” He’d grin with a wink, giving his fellow men a slight nudge.

The wizards face would fall thoughtful for a moment as she’d thumb through a few pages. “Yes. Miss Lilly brings up good questions. There is a blacksmith here. On the north side of town Mazda Fieldsallder has taken over from their late master, Alder Frakk.” She’d say while finally finding the page she was looking for. Tracing a scarred finger down the page Fae would finally stop on a note. “While in their rat or hybrid form, a wererat’s bite has the potential to curse the individual.” She’d confirm Lilly’s suspicions. 

'Curses and cures aren't exactly our specialty - we tend towards a bash and blast team.....' the monk trails off as he speaks, caught again by the delicately built wizard who radiates power and confidence 'Would you be interested in joining us on this particular adventure?'

Fae glances up from her pages from Onu’s ask. It was more direct and complemented Demetrios’ earlier encouragement. Violet eyes rest on the monk’s. “It is on the way to the Shrine I seek, and they were one of the last ones who inhabited that place… Perhaps I could learn more while aiding you with this task.” She’d bow her head slightly. ”I’m willing to assist in what way I can.”

'Splendid! Now to see about some silvering for our shiny friend here to keep the slivering of our little crew to a minimum!'

KD got some silvered weapon stuff - can she apply them to weapons without a forge? I assume not, so she would inquire about the use of the blacksmith’s forge and work area for Sir Paladin’s sword and… who else needs silvered weapons and bolts?

1 x Pouch - Blue Velour: Complementary
1 x Misc artificer parts - KDs choice
1 x Mix of Silver Beads/Ingots - Weapon Coating 1-2
3 x Heavy Bolt Heads - Creation of Walloping Bolts
3 x Silver Bolt Heads - Creation of Silver Bolts