"I wish I could've said good morning to Azada." Lilith whined as she walked with Xanvar, Geodoris, Sage who was sharing her umbrella with Josephine as she was flying slightly off the ground. "She left pretty early this morning, something about training." Josephine said, later placing his hand in his hair. It felt weird for him having Azada put it in a somewhat high ponytail but he couldn't find it in him to refuse the princess. The group looked up at the small temple. A group consisting of a priest and a few clerics stood at the entrance, later looking over at the group. "Ah, I assume your name must be Lilith Highreaver. Your sister had passed by before, she had asked us to look out for you and your friends as you wanted to find our temple for training." Lilith's eyes sparkled before hugging her friends before going to the group with Xanvar. Josephine glanced over at Gedoris and Sage, the brother removing his mask, holding it to his heart and Sage landing on her feet as they both bowed to the group. Once the group left, Geo placed his mask back on and Sage went back to fluttering. "Wait.. I'm sorry, we were to bow?" Josephine asked with worry. "It's a custom for us. Have you never read or heard anything on hogfolks?" Geodoris asked as they started walking away from the temple.

"I've read before about the saving curse. Is it really true? Your gods cursing your ancestors in order to save them from a previous curse from an old lady bearing gifts?" Josephine asked, pure curiosity in his eyes. "Pretty much, as my dad told us when we were kids. It's been a habit in our village, whenever someone goes to a temple, we stop infront of it or when a priest travels through our village we bow in respect." Josephine nodded before looking around the town.

Later the group found their way to an arcane shop. Entering the shop, they spotted an orcish female at the counter. "Welcome in folks. Have a look around! There's sure to be items of interest." The shopkeeper greeted. Sage watched as Josephine started walking off into an aisle lined with shelves, she then glances at a few kits. One peaking her interest as it appeared to be filled with different, threads, needles and even a few buttons. "I managed to get a few of those from that strange Airship that settles in Shallion, Azada's friends that imports things from their region? Cost me a lot of gold. They're necromancer tools, specifically for those who are working with dolls. 3000 gold." Sage almost choked as she looked at the shopkeeper who was smirking at her. "Those tools shouldn't cost that much! They had set the price for those at atleast 900 gold!" Geodoris argued, the shopkeeper glaring at him. "Oh, what makes you so sur-" The shopkeeper paused as she glanced at Geo's left shoulder. He had worn a sleeveless red shirt that day which exposed the tattoo of a Purple moon with a light blue lightning bolt resting infront of it. "A stormwalker tattoo.. Wait you're.. oh forgive me. You see it was just a joke. The price is indeed 1200! It was just a simple joke."

"Just how many people have you scammed with this?" Geodoris asked glaring at the shopkeeper. "Uhm..about 3?"

"Well, then, if you were selling one for 3000 when they were officially supposed to be 1200, that would mean that you collected 5400 more gold than you were supposed to." Josephine said as he walked to the group. "Shall we inform Azada of this G-"

"Wait! Don't tell, please! I'll do anything!" Sage hid behind her fan as she gave a mischievous giggle. "I suppose, letting us have our items without a coin leaving our hands can do for the extra profit." Geodoris shook his head at his sister before looking back at the orcish woman who was sweating bullets and glaring at him as best as she could. This was upsetting him as equally as it would upset Azada as the system Azada had put in place not only gave her higher connections for when she'll become a Queen but it also helped his village greatly as more help came from Dulan town to rebuild and reshape the village much faster.

"Fine. Pick what you want." Geodoris smirked before looking at the two. "Sage, Joseph, you heard her. Get what you want, it's on her." Josephine nodded, going back into the area he went from the beginning coming back with a small mechanical object. "Heck is that?" Geodoris asked. "That is an abacus of projections. Using your arcane energy you're able to project illusions, even memories using it, it does however have a dial which when spun for the first time of each day, gives you the total charges it has for that day. The total charges are 7." Josephine looked to the side of it, smiling as he found the dial. "If I get this I should be a step closer to building my camera."

"You're a photographer too?"

"Sorta, My father had one he had bought and i often took pictures with it. It's quite easier for me than picking up a brush or pencil and working on a canvas."

"Eh, you get used to the way you hold your tools the more you practice. Speaking a which, I need a new sketchbook." Josephine's eyes lit up. "You're an artist? You don't seem. You know..the type." Geodoris gave the vampire an unamused look from behind his mask. "What do I look like, the musician type?" 

"No, I'd say the gardener type."

"Gardener!? Why you little-" Before Geodoris could reach for the artificer. Sage pushed him to the side as she had set the sewing kit down on the counter with the abacus and three spell scrolls. "That would be how much?" She asked.

"That's a total of 3200 gold." Sage smiled, looking over at Geodoris, who glanced down at her. With that they gathered their things, Sage standing next to Josephine as she opened her parasol the moment they opened the door to leave. 

"Azada!" The silvette, looking up and waving to the group as they walked up to her after an hour or two of walking around looking at merchant stalls. "Oh hey guys. Is that an abacus?" Azada asked as she pointed at the object in Josephine's hands. The vampire giving an excited smile and nod. "We had just came from a magic shop awhile ago. Over that way."

"Oh thanks for letting me know. I'll be sure to check it out. I'll meet you guys at the tavern tonight." Azada said as she walked off. Sage groaning. "I was gonna ask if i can grab lunch with her."

~

"You really weren't kidding on these negotiations, now were you." Azada said as she approached the entrance of the palace. Zorcyr looked up from the flowers, turning towards the princess. At the time, she wore a short sleeve white button up shirt, royal blue wide skirt with white lace, the front shorter than the back. "I don't fool around when it comes to Linnetis." Zorcyr said as he held his hand out, Azada staring at it before shaking it. "Shall we go somewhere private?" Azada asked, folding her arms under her chest as she rested her chin on her knuckles before walking off. As the two walked through the halls of the castle, Zorcyr took the time to look around. He spent most of his time in Linnetis, never really having a reason to leave the waters; so it was quite surprising to see so many different types of flowers and decorations around the town and in the castle. Streamers of white,purple, black and gold were all around. "I find it strange. I thought I would've gotten a letter for a scheduled meeting in Linnetis. Yet here you are, in Shallion." Azada said as she looked over her shoulder at the male, he was only an inch taller than her, her being 6'0. "I felt as if this was more of a ...special... meeting." Zorcyr confessed, watching as Azada stood at a door. Opening the door and walking in, Zorcyr noticed it was somewhat of a lounge. He watched as Azada sat in a chair near a window, one leg over the other as she rested her elbow on the armrest, her head leaning into her palm as she stared at him with a small soft smile. "Well, then... shall we begin negotiations? Prince Eagleclaw?~"

Zorcyr found a seat, sitting in it with a heavy exhausted sigh as he closed his eyes, the room went quiet, the birds singing fading away into the sounds of the deep ocean. Opening his eyes he gripped the sides of his desk as he looked at the numerous piles of papers. Half of them he had already read through and rejected. Most of them were royal families of different ranks hoping to get him to marry their daughters, other papers were letters of negotiations for trade and increasing armies. He glared down at the papers he hadn't checked as yet, his elbows on the desk as his hands were interlocked. A knock at the door caught his attention, straightening up as he glared at the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, a monochrome female owlfolk poked her head in with a coo noise escaping her beak before Mave poked her head in as well. "Hi honey!! Guess who's her-"

"No wonder I feel more annoyed today. Mrs.Feathers is here." The owl lady glared at the prince, spreading her wings as she hissed at him, becoming more annoyed when he grabbed a few papers and spun his chair around to face the window. Mave hummed before she rose off the floor, floating over to her son. "You've been cooped up in your office for two days. I'm glad Nireta was able to get you out one time but now this is ridiculous."

""I'm fine mother-"

"Doesn't seem like it. I mean look." The owl lady spoke up, pointing over at a tray with dishes piled up, Mave gasped, covering her mouth with her hands causing Zorcyr to sigh and throw his head back.

"Here we go-"

"Zorcyr! I understand Linnetis is your duty but please! Seriously?! Oh wait a minute. Oh the office is so filthy, look at all the books and papers everywhere! Zorcyr this is NOT you-"

"I will deal with the room later, right now I need to finish reading these." Zorcyr said as he went back to reading the papers. "Let the boy do his thing. He's still stubborn as ever I see. I do want to know how the ball went though, dear sister." The owl lady said as she sat in a chair nearby, crossing her legs. Mave clapped her hands together as she floated over to her sister. They weren't family by blood but they grew up to be like sisters, even becoming paladins together and liking some of the same things. "It went lovely Aceith! Besides Irving trying to get an arrangement between a royal family and Zorcyr." Aceith cooed, glancing over at Zorcyr who was facing his desk at this time, the prince felt the owl's eyes on him, slowly glancing over to her, his eye twitching as he saw her smirk before turning to face the other side of the office as he continued his work. "I assume none worked?" Aceith whispered, Mave giggling as she whispered back.

"Nope, but he did dance the night with Azada~"

"Highreaver!?" Zorcyr heard Aceith shout. As his mother and aunt continued to talk about the birthday ball, his mind drifted back to the day he had visited the princess. To his surprise, Irving and Mave found it... concerning? That he was leaving to visit Shallion to speak on kingdom alliances. The look on their faces left him feeling awkward yet he brushed it off, however he found it amusing when he came back three days after. He had only wanted to go and come back the same day but he seemed to be intrigued by the city. He remembered when Azada had walked him through town, the stares of the citizens annoyed him but he kept to himself.

"Here you are. Careful, the tart is hot, say ahh~." Azada said as she smiled at the prince, holding a pastry she had bought from a stall. Zorcyr stared at the pastry, later having his attention on her hand that held it before he took the tart in his own hand, looking down at it. "Princess." The two glanced at a few hogfolks walking by, raising their fist in the air, Zorcyr watching as she grinned at them, doing the same gesture. "Hm,so your famous mercenaries are of the hogfolk race." Azada giggled. "Well, I am friends with a hogfolk, and asked him if I could hire him. He asked if he could work with a group, let him choose his squad."

"Sounds like you're spoiling him." Zorcyr's eye twitched as he heard Azada giggle. "Please, spoiling him would be letting him get away with anything in Shallion under my name. You may not know since you are as your mother had said at the ball 'cooped up in your office' but I have my roles. One that the people love, and one that struck fear into the hearts of the enemy line." Azada said, with a sadistic smirk, holding Zorcyr's wrist as she took a bite of the tart, looking up at him with an innocent smile as she started walking away.

'Fear huh? I'd like to see that, and maybe try my hand take that so called title from you and see just how much I can break you, Princess'

"Someone's lost their focus. Could it be? Zorcyr is thinking...of a girl? An elven princess??~" Aceith teased, Mave giggling behind the palm of her hand. Zorcyr blinked a few times as he came back to his senses, looking down as he let go of the paper he was gripping onto so tightly. "I think I will be taking a break for now and cleaning up. Aunt Aceith, will you be passing Shallion on your next travels?" The sisters looked at him in confusion until Aceith nodded.

"Good, because I'll need you to do something for me."

"Send a letter to the Highreavers. The Prince, Orion. I have a favor to ask him."

~

"And will that be all?" An orcish lady asked as she counted the gold pieces on the counter. "Yes, I believe that is it. That's 2200 gold pieces there, correct?" Azada asked, looking over the scrolls and potions she had just bought. The shopkeeper smirked. "2200 exactly, My Lady. I do hope you have a good day." Azada nodded before going in her pants pocket, Josephine's watch dangling by the chain. "And you're sure there's nothing you have to repair this?"

"Afraid not. But if you like-"

"I will not be selling it." The shopkeeper gave her a smile. "As you wish."

"Oh one more thing. Mess with my prices again and you'll be wishing you didn't go to Shallion that day."

Azada sighed heavily as she exited the magic shop, slamming the door, looking down at the watch in disappointment. It really wasn't her issue, she knew nothing of the Dermon's watch, not even anything on the type of arcane energy it held, yet she still felt like she needed to help out with it, despite having little knowledge, only remembering the vampire's blueprint he had lying around in the carriage. Azada combed her fingers through her hair. Looking up, her eyes darted around the streets as she looked at the townsfolk walking around shopping. Walking through the street she kept her eyes on the people around her, later lowering her head as she raised her right hand to her lips, her thumb's nail sharpening into a claw, whispering to herself as she quickly ducked into an alleyway a parchment sheet appearing in her clawed hand.

~

Geodoris and Sage sat at a table in a tavern, Sage hiding the bottom half of her face with her fan while Geo kept his mask fully on as they both cocked their heads to the side as they watched Josephine freaked out. "I thought I had walked with it. I'm never this careless with my belongings! It has to be here somewhere!" Josephine said frantically. "Maybe you left it in the carriage. Doll can you check?" Sage asked as she looked at the little mirror in her hand, Delilah sighed as she shrugged. "I already checked the house AND the carriage the moment he started panicking. Perhaps Azada might have it. Last place it was in was in fact in the carriage, clearly Geodoris doesn't have it." Delilah said, watching as Geodoris pulled out his pockets before fixing them, later rocking his chair as he placed his feet on the table. "The only person who might have it would be Lilith, the twins or Azada." Delilah stated. Josephine sighed as he combed his fingers through his hair, looking down at the table. Geodoris glanced up at Axel who exhaled tiredly as he sat down with a tray of beverages, taking his beer and chugging it. "Take it easy, why don't ya old man." Geodoris suggested as he took his own beer, hearing a chuckle from the hogfolk. "Boy, don't get ahead of yourself. I can handle my drinks, it's the boys in the back you should worry about. What's going on with him?" Axel asked as he pointed his mug to Josephine, Josephine was looking up at the ceiling allowing everyone at the table to see the hour hand in his watch eye tick and spiral uncontrollably. "Lost his watch."

The door to the tavern opened, Lilith's giggling alerted the group as she walked in with Cher who was laughing with her. Lilith looked around before skipping over to Sage, sitting next to her as she grinned. "Hiya! How have your day been everyone?" Sage smiled, holding up the mirror allowing Delilah to grin at the young princess. Josephine groaned as he rest his head on the table, Geodoris snorting a laugh as he continued to drink his beer with Axel. "I lost my watch! If I don't find it, I'll have to remake one!"

"Oh! I saw Azada today! She wanted me to give you these! I guess she may have taken it." Lilith said as she went in her pocket, Josephine perked up as Lilith rested his watch and a mechanical part with small gears on the table. The artificer's eyes lit up. "She found an Essence Core? A brand new one at that. This is incredible!! This will prevent any more random breaks for a long time! I must thank her when she comes to the Tavern! This is amazing!" Josephine exclaimed as he looked at the pieces and his watch.

~

Geodoris sighed as he walked into the room he had rented out for the night. It was as simple as any Tavern rooms could be, a simple double bed with a desk and chair tucked under the window, a dresser and mirror on the other side of the room and a door leading to a bathroom. Lazily kicking off his boots, Geodoris sat on the bed, fixing his clothes to get a bit more comfortable before placing his hand in his hair, hesitant about undoing the braid Azada had put it in. While he contemplated on messing with his hair, his mind drifted into his many thoughts and memories.

~

"Pleased to see you again Efrit." Yarmon said as shook hands with the hogfolk male. Geodoris was about 12 at this time, standing next to his father as he looked around the palace. "This must be the little one Geodoris. It's nice to meet you again. You've grown quite alot since last you've been here." Lyra, the Queen stated as she held his face, pinching and pulling his cheeks, his shoulder length hair sticking out in a few spots, his hair slightly unkempt falling in his face, covering his eyes as he shirt was tucked in his pants at random parts with the collar open. As his father had continued to talk with the Empire and the Queen, they let him wander off to explore. He walked along a hallway, later looking out one of the balconies as he looked at the city below, jumping up to lean out a bit. "Wow.." Was all he could say as he looked down at the town before hopping off the ledge as he looked behind him. He flinched at the bright purple eye staring at him from the side of the wall. He hesitantly waved at the person.

"H-hey-"

"Meep!" He heard the person yelp, dropping something in their hands, he looked down at the object, two books. In an instant he picked them up, walking back into the hallway as he was able to take a proper look at the person. A girl with bright silver hair, reaching just below her butt, a dark purple dress with a wide skirt. She was a few inches if anything 2 inches taller than him. "Uhm..he-here!" He exclaimed as he held out the books, the girl looking down at them before taking them with shaking arms. The two stayed in silence for a couple minutes, not sure of what to say to one another. Geodoris's breath hitched as he felt a finger in his hair. Looking up, the girl's eyes widened as she stared into his amber eyes. "Pretty." Was all she said. "I'm Geodoris!" The boy said as he held his hand out, the girl looking down at it. "Azada. Come with me!" Azada said as she grabbed his wrist, walking with him through the halls until they got to her room where she had him sit down at her vanity as she began brushing is hair.

~

Geodoris smiled at the memory. It was the first time he had met a child out of his village, Azada being his first ever friend that wasn't of the hogfolk race. He had often been conscious about his looks as his village only had a few humans and mostly Hogfolks, which triggered him to use his father's old cloak jacket which covered the bottom half of his face as it had a high enough collar, even at times hiding his ears under his hair and vanishing his tail. But the more time he spent with Azada and her friends; rather it be, watching the stars, sneaking off to the forest nearby for picnics or even spending time in the palace gardens the more comfortable he felt about himself, of course, he still wears his father's old cloak but it's more of a style. A knock at the door snapped him away from his thoughts. "Yeah?" He called out, the door opening as Azada poked her head in.

"Peek-a-boo~" Azada said, giggling as she walked in, closing the door, earning a chuckle from Geodoris as she sat next to him on the bed. "Thought you'd be asleep by now. Did you forget your promise?" Azada asked as she started undoing the braid he spent minutes wondering to undo. "Yeah yeah, I'm going to bed... was just... thinking of stuff." Geodoris said as he glanced at Azada while taking his mask off, the elf sighed contented as she fell back onto the bed with a smile. Azada looked over at the hogfolk, waiting for him to say something until she took a good look at his face. His eyes were heavy, most likely due to lack of sleep, she also noticed how his body kinda swayed back and forth, it wasn't that noticeable til she kept staring at him. Then she sat up quickly, cupping his face. "Geo! How much did you drink?!" Azada asked, glaring at the redhead who rolled his eyes, resting his head in her lap. "Relax why don't you. I had 2." Geodoris said, raising up to take off his shirt before going back to lying on Azada's lap. "Geodoris, I know you didn't have 2. You clearly had more." Geodoris looked up at her with an annoyed expression. "What's your problem? It's just 2 drinks-"

"Geo-"

"I'm fine. It's just 2, God you're so annoying with this- Ah!" Geodoris gritted his teeth, electricity sparking in his hair, however Azada didn't seem fazed by it as she continued to pull his ear. "Geodoris Vernon, how many did Axel give you?!"

"Ten! Now let go you crazy woman!" Geo shouted, Azada letting go, allowing him to get up and step away from the bed as he rubbed his ear while glaring at her. "And Axel didn't give me, the man passed out on his 7th maybe?" Azada sighed before going to her bag, taking out some clothes, Geodoris looking the other way. "You always act like you're my mother or something." He commented, a smile growing on his face as Azada giggled "Well, it's been like that since we were kids. You technically are my responsibility, since I am the older one-"

"You're 19, in human years. That's just a one year age gap." Geodoris said. When they were younger, Azada had at times treated him like she was his mother, at times he was fine with it when it came to things like doing his hair, teaching arcane magic, etc. Then there were the times he hated her babying like when he climbed trees in the forest and so. He was accustomed to doing those things back at his village so he started doing it in Shallion at times which scared her. What he found funny about them when they were kids to now.

"Funny how you were taller than me when we first met, now look." Geodoris chuckled, feeling Azada's stare. "Haha, laugh it up. I can still reach up there, you know." He heard Azada say before turning around as he heard sheets moving. "..The hell are you doing?" Geodoris asked as he watched her snuggle into the sheets. "What? Lilith is sharing with Sage. Come on. We're leaving tomorrow, we need to get up bright and early!" Azada said as she patted the bed, grinning as Geodoris sighed and walked over, getting under the covers. "Orion would kill me without context."

"He'd kill someone like maybe Josephine without context, we used to sleep in the same bed with Rixto and the others when we had slumber parties, shush." Azada said as she got closer to him, resting her head on his side as she felt the heat radiating off of him. Geodoris looked down at her, smiling as he closed his eyes.