City of Cresthall

Ashley searched and searched. Finding armor in her size was sometimes a struggle. Eventually she found a well crafted breastplate that fit her just right. The steel hid some of her feminine features, but it was well made to deflect weapons strikes. She played for it and had it sent to her room Crispy had done.

Right on cue, Crispy's stomach growled.

"Goodness, all that shopping's made me famished." she admitted. "Come on. Let's find a place to eat and then we can do whatever else you wanna do."

They went off to have a late lunch. 

Ashley and Crispy find a nice bistro that sells large open faced sandwiches. They are large, round and layered with a red amuse, various cheeses, and your choice of meat and vegetables. They are sliced into triangular portions and sold in such portions. Famished from shopping on a small breakfast, Ashley orders a "Meatzilla" off of the menu.

Nearly drooling, Crispy orders the same thing, and paid for the meal. It looked amazing. She was a huge lover of meat - the protein, as well as daily exercise, kept her fit lean muscles fed and sexy. Used to eating like a starving pig, she had to control herself and do the best she could to eat with proper form and dignity - something she wasn't used to.

As they ate, Crispy made a few jokes, and said other silly things that made Ashley laugh. They shared memories about their adventures so far, and the sandwich was delicious. Crispy, as subtlety as she could, tried to imitate Ashley's eating habits, as she was becoming a bit self conscious with herself that Ashley might be embarrassed at how she ate. Numerous people would stare at them both, as if a beautiful blonde and a dark haired bikini clad athlete were an uncommon thing around these parts. Ashley, however, was not oblivious to Crispy's behavior, and called her out on her observing her, gently. Crispy laughed and told her a story.

Cora was abandoned by her mother to the church when she was 9. The Church did their best to try and refine young Cora, but they found out this was near impossible. Young, uncivilized, and scared, Cora attempted to run away numerous times. Finally, at the age of 12, she succeeded. The streets were harsh, and taught her to survive - but deep in her programming was a burning anger and hatred she couldn't control. She slowly descended into despair. One night, dying in an alley at the age of 15, by the grace of Hell someone noticed her broken and beaten. The Commander took her in, and it took a secret military organization to assess her, break her, retrain her, and to program her. To say the least, it was agonizing. The Academy did not give up. It was very tough love, but one thing they didn't really train was manners. If they did, Cora, a long time ago, had forgotten them. She told Ashley about the time she was fired. She would never ever forget that day - the day she threw it all away.

Major Perkins kneeled in front of the Commander. The mission was a failure. Because of her, Xanathar had killed her partner Aerik, his family, and the rest of the team. Everyone except her. Everything she was, she hated about herself. Only sadness, death, and despair followed her around. 
"What a disappointment you are." The Commander said softly to her, gripping her jaw, holding up her face so their eyes met. Tears welled up in her eyes, they were filled with sadness and anguish, and regret. She reached up and pushed his hand away, and looked down again. She had nothing to say. She had messed up for the last time.
The Commander spoke to her with pity, with shame, with disgust. "When I found you, you were in that alley..filthy, feral, monstrous, an ANIMAL. But, we took you in. I gave you a FAMILY." 
Perkins looked up at the Commander, tears all over her face. "They're all dead, now. I got them killed..It was my fault."
He looked at her for a long while. Before he let her go, he had to know. "What have you done?"
She didn't answer, she just cried. There was nothing that could bring back everything she had just lost.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!?!"

Crispy snapped back to the present, realizing that she was in a daze after telling that story. Sure, there were more details to it, but..she didn't want to ruin lunch over it. Looking at Ashley, she smiled. "Tell me something more about you?" Crispy almost begged, anything than to talk about how terrible her life is, and what a horrible existence she's had to deal with since. "I'd love to know everything about you. Just..a little something. To be closer to you."

Well, Ashley starts My family wasnt as bad as yours, but we had our own troubles. Dad was kind enough. But he was a bad gambler. He spent most of what he earned at the dice halls. Mom worked as a seamstress and clothes washer. A skill she taught me, that I turned into a spell. Ashley pauses to eat her awkward sandwich with her utensils. She was enjoying Cora's attempt to mimic her and her almost success. She enjoys the effort being made and pays no more mind to it. She continues I was an only child so they relied on me to earn my keep when I was old enough. I helped my mom and started showing a bit of talent for magic. Eventually I wanted to live for myself. They resented my decision and haven't spoken to me sence. But I dont regret joining the military. After basic training I was approached by a cleric of Lethander that was part of the army Corp of medics. He had danced my talent and taught me to focus it through prayer and worship to The Morninglord.

Ashley continues to reminisce about her training and a few of her remembered patients. She isnt quite ready to talk about the incident in detail just yet.

Bennett nods, taking a mental note of where to purchase swords. "How much for a regular breastplate?"

"My father hated me, and my mother didn't want me." Crispy said. "How much I would give to feel the love and warmth of a parent." She was quiet for a few moments. "It scares me how anger and death are so easy for me. Like it's in my blood."

Crispy listened to every word Ashley said. One day, she thought, I hope that she would confide in ME her deepest, darkest secrets as well. If only mine didn't poison the people I care about.

"How long has it been since you've spoken to your parents? You've made no attempt to reach out to them? Surely, they still love you?" she finally asked.

Ashley stops to think for a minute. It had been a while since she last wrote home. She had been traveling prior to meeting Crispy and the gang, and has had little chance to write a letter home.

I guess it's been about 9 months. Since I wrote them. It's funny. I have more money on me now than my parents ever earned in their life. I wonder what they would think about me having a girlfriend. They always seemed a bit traditional.

“Well, I think you should write to them.“ Cora admitted. “Maybe i’m not the best expert on the subject but if I even had parents, i’d at least try. Even if it’s just to say hello, and that you’re ok. I think that if my parents were around and that there was even the possibility that they still loved me, even a little, I think they'd want to know."

Cora was right of course. And now would be the best time to do so before they start their next job for their overly secretive employer.

I'm going to need a quill pen and ink, and some vellum to write on. And then find a letter delivery service.

Crispys eyes brightened up. “Today, my gorgeous beautiful girl, is your lucky day!” She dug into her pack and pulled out a quill and vellum. “I’ve got two out of three things!” She slid the items in front of Ashley, folded her arms, leaned back in her seat, and smiled - waiting very patiently her Ashley to write her letter. She took out an orange, peeled it lovingly, and began eating it slowly, saving half for Ash if she wanted any.

Now I just need some ink. Ashley smiles happily. Finished with her lunch she stands and holds her hand out, inviting Crispy to go with her. She holds the quill and vellum in her other hand.

“D’oh!” Cora’s face wrinkles in a bark of frustration. “I forgot about that! Yeah, let’s go find some!”

She gladly took Ashley’s hand. Nothing could ruin this day. Was this what it was like to finally be happy..?

Ashley and Crispy enjoy a stroll through the market and eventually find a place to buy some ink. 

Anything else you needed? or shall we head back and you can watch me write a letter t my parents?

Cora was feeling extra generous today, and helped pay for the materials Ashley was looking for. 

"I'd love to head back and watch you write your letter." she smiled, excited. If she didn't have a family, she would encourage someone she deeply loved write a letter to THEIR parents.

They headed back to their room and both got comfortable. Ashley sat at the writing desk and got the supplies ready. Cora pulled up another chair and reclined next to her, waiting for her to begin with a look of glee on her face.

Ashley sits down and begins to slowly pen a lengthy letter to her parents. She tells then about her leaving the military. She tells them about the adventure she has had .And she tells them about the wonderful girl she has fallen in love with. After about an hour and 3 full pages, back and front, she signs the letter and folds it.

There, all done. Now we just need to find a place that can deliver it. 

Crispy startles violently awake when Ashley speaks, jolting to instant attention. "GzNK! I'm awake!" She says, nearly falling off her chair. LOL Just kidding.

Crispy was watching Ashley's face as she wrote, admiring two things, how beautiful she was, and how elegantly she wrote. Occasionally, she would peek over her shoulder, and see what she was writing, and her heart would swell with pride about the mostly good things she wrote about Cora. When Ashley was ready, she gave her a huge kiss on the cheek and said, "Come on, let's go downstairs. Let's see if we can find a place to send this."

They both went downstairs to the barkeep. "Well met." she said. "Where can we go to have a letter delivered?"
"Oi," the barkeep said, slightly amused, looking her up and down for a long moment, "You're that lass running around half nekkid, arentcha."
Crispy eyed the barkeep for a while, puzzled, couldn't tell if he was joking or not. "Ah ha ha!" she said, a long awkward laugh, throwing her hands up in the air. "Guilty!"
"You's not like the regula' girls that come in and out of this place, you know, gotcha some nice lookin' arms, there, sweetheart." he said, slapping her shoulder, playfully.
"Yes, I get that a lot." Cora said, tapping the letter on the counter. "I was in the military." Another awkward pause between them.
"And who's this lovely lass, ya beautiful sista?" The barkeep's smile widened. He took no discrete action to look Ashley up and down as well.
Crispy's face scrunched up in massive disbelief. "No, she's not my..wha-? She's a half-elf..nevermind. Delivery! Please??"
He turned back to Cora, now eyes on her chest. "How izzat you's got no tan lin-"
"DELIVERY!!!!"

Karra will take the container, carefully ensuring not to disturb the contents as he heads out of the guild. He will move out for a couple of minutes then head into town to attempt to locate his party members based on what they mentioned before (the various shops they intended to visit etc.)

Hatt inspects the various things on offer:  Arcana/Investigation: 16.

And how much for these items?

Gasp gives a gentle trill as he looks over the shield being offered. He points to it and mimics Bennett "How much?"

OOC: Just got back from the Holiday weekend!