The Exploits of Misfit Company

Yvan's eyes are wide when Stella pulls them both into a hug, though his look quickly softening when he hears her words to them. He can't help but smile and return the embrace with both of the girls and eventually Vastra too when she joins in. There's a warmth there that lingers even after the hug, an assurance that their bonds would never be broken so easily.

The goliath doesn't stay for too long, though, admitting he had something else that needed to be taken care of and that they could find him in his room had he been needed for anything else. He clicks the door shut behind him once in his room again, and his eyes go immediately to his work space, noticing the silken wrapped parcel. "Always thinking about others..." He says to himself with a small smile dancing at the corner of his lip.

He is careful in the opening of his gift, but he takes a few seconds to admire each piece left inside. Every parcel was made with such adoration and care. Alys had poured so much heart into everyone's boxes. It was more than just commendable. That warmth he had felt prior returns when he holds the gem of memories, taking a glimpse back in time. The festival... the recovering of the mansion... his talks with Kasha... the banquet... He ends it off with their shared time in the garden... and their dance. It causes him to look at his dresser then back to the gem. He carefully wraps it back in the white silk and returns everything back inside the box (aside from the drawing, which he hangs up above his work area space), and sets it aside. 

With that memory fresh in my mind, he moves to recover the parcel he had hidden away before and another wooden carved box unseen to the wizard, and begins working once again.

Yvan was uncertain if Alys would have returned to her room, or if they had decided to have another sleepover in Stella's room. Regardless though, he quietly approaches her bedroom door and knocks, then waits to hear for an answer. 

Had he received one, we'll play it out.

Had he not received one, he carefully sets down the gift near her door.

When opened: 

Alys’ cheeks couldn’t get any redder as she sank into Vastra’s hug. “You’re very welcome...” The elf would snuggle into her a bit more as she returned the hug. “Thank you, for everything.” 

Of course deep down Alys had hoped Yvan would stay, but she understood him taking his leave. She was grateful for his company for the deliveries and sharing this time with Stella and Vastra. Thank you, Yvan. The elf would send a gentle mental note. Goodnight.

Alys was content where she was, happy to spend the evening in Stella and Vastra’s company. Snuggling up and falling asleep wherever she happened to be. As an elf, she never had to sleep, but she grew to enjoy it. And after an extremely emotional time, she was ready for a human nap to reset.

Waking with an abrupt snort, Alys would ping awake. A few blinks and her eyes would glance around to remember her surroundings. She’d wipe her mouth as she’d slowly unfold herself. With a small smile, the elf would take her leave in the morning, hopefully not disturbing the other two resting.

Alys was attempting to tip toe her way back to her room to clean up for the morning before making her way out to the garden when she’d get almost bulldozed over by solid blur. “Oof.” The blonde would let out the last bit of air she had left from the impact. A smile would grow on her lips when she’d register it to be their one and only... “Good morning Kasha.” She’d say softly, pulling her into a tighter hug, resting her head on hers. After a moment, Alys would move a hand to gently start petting Kasha’s hair, occasionally working through some of her tangles with her fingers. “How are you?” Alys’ voice remained soft and she wouldn’t let go either. The halfelf could hang on as long as she’d like, the elf was content where she was. “Did you have fun getting into mischief?” Alys would slowly take a peek at the druids face. ”Welcome home.” Pulling her own sleeve up, Alys would gently start wiping the splotches of make up from Kasha’s cheeks. “I missed you too.” Alys knew Kasha didn’t say it, but she felt it, or maybe imagined it. But she meant it all the same.

When Kasha finally pulled away, she looked at Alys lovingly, studying her face. Where Kasha was rugged, Alys was beautiful. Kasha, a mess, and Alys, clean. When Kasha was trouble, Alys was good. Even now, her sweaty crusty face would have many anyone else turn away. Even half naked in her jungle jane outfit from yesterday, there was dried dirt a chocolate stains on her exposed arms, legs, and stomach. If there was anything to separate Kasha from the rest it was her eyes, they sparkled an unnatural green that told of story of someone from two worlds, the magic one clearly shining through, but still with the earthy look from her father - a mere lumberjack. 

But, while neither part of the mundane or the magical world, Kasha found a home among others of her kind. Then..why did she, at times, feel so alone?

She kissed Alys on the cheek shamelessly, and backed away towards upstairs. She did, however, take a moment to draw a heart with her fingers, and the magic sparkles lingered there for a moment, letting Alys know exactly how Kasha felt about her.

When Kasha trotted upstairs, she found Vastra.

"Vastra, can you clean me, please?" she asked, standing there spread, as if waiting to be presdititgifiaitivied.

"Of course." Vastra casts Prestidigitation on Kasha, then gives her a hug. "Thank you for the gift, by the way. It was very nice."

"Oh, you!!" she squeaks, and ballet dances away, clean.

 That same morning a cart arrives driven by a halfling almost matching the description left behind by Bixby. After hailing whatever servant happens to be on watch for their arrival and passing on the news, it is the passenger in the back that soon after has the driver's attention. A rather stout individual bearing curly horns like ram and covered head to toe in armor disembarked following the short exchange. A faceplate completely obscured his face,but there could be no denying the somewhat mechanical nature to his armor. For within 5ft of him, the faint sound of clicks and whirs can be heard with every few moments. Despite the nature of the armor it moves with a fluidity uncommon to constructs. Odder still than the armor itself is what appears to be a large cookpot somehow attached to the back, and seeming to function as a backpack. Though he carried a satchel as well that anyone would recognize

Once he sees any member of the party approach, or is escorted somewhere to meet them, any ather sidebar with the halfling or idle looking around is sideline to greet them with boisterous yet baritone voice, "Well met and good morning! As per yer request, I made sure to gather all I need for a variety of gumbos! But, a good chef would know a bit about his more casual consumers, least he spoils their mood. Haha!" He grins. "I also brought along a few breakfast muffins and scones as a sweet appetizer and 'taste' of my skills." Just for added emphasis, the tielfing flips up face plate revealing a scarred and weather beaten face of a middle aged man that still held hints of a once more handsome red-skinned mug, and waggled bushy brown brows at those gathered.  

With that, he takes out and presents a metal box that upon opening fills the room within seconds with the sweet, mouth watering scent of freshly baked goods fit for a Sunday brunch. Beneath that scent is that of apples, blueberry,  cinnamon, and pumpkin of the four vary flavored scones contained in the box.

Scones:

 
Rough Appearance:

Stella ducks out of the mansion at the sound of the cart, waving. "Hey there, Courage, right? Welcome to the Misfits." At the smell of the scones, her eyes light up, and she gives the tiefling a grin. "Congratulations, you're in. Come on inside to meet the others, we can get you settled."

Kasha pops out of a nearby shrub, suddenly, giving Stella an askew glance at both her and the newcomer. She eyes the newcomer. "Whoa, whoa, who the **** are you?" she asks warily, as if she was some sort of tough guard dog. "And what the hell is this?" she looks at the scones. "Are you a magazine salesman?" she said, cautiously, sniffing the air around this..new person.

"No Kasha, remember how-okay, you probably weren't listening," Stella admits. "This is the new member of the Misfits, since Bix...isn't here anymore. Kasha, this is Courage, he's an artificer and apparently an excellent chef. Courage, meet Kasha, our resident druid and the source of all of our wildlife contacts, as well as dinosauring in battle."

Kasha trusted Stella with her life, so when Stella spoke, Kasha more or less listened. As she did speak to her, she looked at her and back to the stranger, staring at the newcomer with distrust and uncertainty. But, she did trust Stella, so Kasha nodded and relented just a tad with a nod. She struck a pose and waved her hands in a strange manner. "Yeaaah, that's right, yo. Resident dino and expert in all things nature, homie g, you dig? Half human, half elf, all insane in the brain, biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiTCH." And she froze in her pose. If she was wearing a hat, it would be around the back.

Still very much wide-eyed and flabbergasted since Stella's bold acceptance, the cogs finally appear to start rolling again about a half a minute since Kasha's introduction. Without meaning to, the near dwarf sized tiefling laughs and says, "Quite a colorful lingo you have going for you, Ms. Kasha! Haha! But, a pleasure to meet you. In the event we encounter either of those things, I will be sure to try my best to avoid being underfoot." His grin falters for a second after looking between the posing half-elf and tin, before then offering to Kasha more directly with a brighter smile. "Care for a sample? I cultivate my own special ingredients that guarantee not only a lengthier freshness, but to add just a smidgen more pep to your step when you need it! Do try one and let me know what you think."

(S/N: For those that eat a scone, you gain 4 Temp HP that last until depleted or your next long rest. The treat is otherwise almost intoxicatingly delicious, and just the right level of softness for easy consumption.)

That's our Kasha, always full of energy. "And I'm Vastra Melloran. I'm one of the wizards of this company. Nice to meet you. Fortunately, Bixby didn't occupy a room, so you shouldn't have much trouble moving in." Vastra reaches takes one of the scones and eats it. "This is very good, Courage! We made the right choice indeed."

Kasha's eyes follow Vastra's scone as she eats it, observing for any ill effects. There was none. Hmph. 

She reached for a scone. She sniffed it. She took a bite. Oh shit. It was good. She stuffed the whole thing into her mouth.

"You win thith round." she said, squinting, cheeks big, lowering back down into the hedge like she was on an elevator, disappearing from sight.

Alys would tip toe forward, correcting her posture as if she had been there all along. “Hi there.” She’d offer a small wave to the tiefling. “I’m Alys.” She’d have a shy smile on her face and was snuggled up in a beautiful Oxford blue cloak with silver white fur collar. “Welcome.” After a short pause, the elf would tilt her head, nose sniffing the air. Her cheeks would darken further as she’d step a little closer. Sweets and treats... Her mouth was watering. “May I?” The blonde had already been reaching for what ever smelt like apples and cinnamon.

Eventually, from behind the group Yvan would stand and remain as silent as ever. Introductories were never his favorite (nor was talking to people in general), but it needed to be done, especially as Courage was going to be Bixby's replacement. While the scones were tantalizing, he remained where he stood and merely gives the tiefling a wave (seeing no need to move forward since he loomed over the others like a skyscraper) and says, "Yvan." 

Though seeming confused regarding the remark about Bixby, Courage still found himself smiling gratefully for the final remark from Vastra. Before he can add to it however, he next kind of watches Kasha disappear from view, giving a sort of awkward and placating grin. Once Kasha is out of sight the nearly dwarf sized tiefling breathes a sigh of relief. "Ah, wha--ah! Alys, was it?" He asked, having been half-startled out mulling over Kasha's last words.

"Ah, but  Of course, of course! By all means! And if you have any special request in the future, do let me know my dear, and I will do my best to secure the ingredients." He adds, holding the last two remaining in the bin for Alys to grab. Each one its own corrosponding flavors. Soon after, Courage finally takes notice of the living statue that was Yvan, and even then only because he's speaking had given him a small start. "Uh... Eheh... they sure make some of you lot big, I see... Pleasure to meet you though, Yvan!" He offers a free hand for Yvan for a shake. "You, uh.. got some giant blood in ya maybe? Or, uh, one of them southern goliaths I've heard a bit about? Can't say I know too many traditional meals from over yonder -- BUT... but, if you have the recipe, I'm more than happy to give it a try."

"Chocolate covered peanuts." Said the shrub.

"Uh, will do, Ms Shrub." Replied the tiefling. "And if you wouldn't mind being a taste tester for some cinnamon glazed ones, or even honey roasted in the future as well, I'd appreciated." Courage adds alongside a hearty chuckle.

"I'll consider it." she said, from a different shrub, unseen.

Alys would nod gently in response to Courage’s boisterous greeting and offer to make any special requests. “We do have a garden out back with fresh herbs and other vegetables. If there’s something missing we can always look to add it to our harvest.” Her voice was soft and maybe even a little timid. The elf was doing her best to be polite and welcoming. It pained her a little bit knowing Courage was an intended replacement, but Alys was convincing herself that he’s simply a new addition. That was an easier bite to swallow. A small smile would tug at her lips. “I have some recipe ideas in mind.” She’s nod as well, agreeing to taste test. 

Holding the scone away from herself as to reduce the amount of crumbs she was inevitably about to have crumble onto her new cloak, she’d break it in two. Alys would look up to Yvan who stood tall and silent. She’d nibble on her half of the baked good while Courage introduced himself. After the moment, the elf would gently nudge her way over to their goliath. She’d reach up, offering to share the other half her scone with him. The blonde would give him an encouraging smile.