Private ✪ Stokbon Meet in a Tavern

[Ayna Nietzsche]

...lightning, with a splash of lemon!

After reaching out through the comms to the first two Players she met in the game, Ayna pushed open the door of some random, small-time tavern in Stokbon, the capital city of Falderen. She had heard about two other, more prominent lodgings in the area, but one of them seemed too expensive for any of them while the other she thought would be packed by adventurers out for coin. This place, much smaller and quieter than the other two, as she could only imagine, seemed like the perfect place to reunite with those two personalities. Sure, @Pete Simpson was supposed to be paying, as Ayna had volunteered him to do so, but she didn't want to drain the man of his funds, especially since he seemed like he needed them more than either of them. @Kamala Graham had that farm in Pormont, so she was good, maybe even better than both of her and Pete combined.

Moseying on over to the counter, Ayna carefully placed Calamity's Light, her weapon of choice, a polearm that was half-naginata, half-guandao, on the floor beside her seat. She greeted the intimidated barman with a nod, and then a wink, just to test his mettle, and maybe tease him for her entertainment, before immediately citing her order.

No use waiting on an empty stomach. Or throat.

"Gimme yer cheapest drink, my good man!"

The accent she wore was horrible, a terrible attempt at a cowboy one, and she decided right then and there to never use it again.

How the hell does that guy do that?

As soon as the barman seemed to go about his job, make whatever that cheapest drink was supposed to be, Ayna plopped her butt on a seat, turning herself around to lean on the bar and stare at the door, watching everyone who'd come in, waiting for the only two Players she trusted. Well, she trusted Kamala. Pete was a mutual, so if Kamala wasn't saying bad things about him, then he's bearable. I just hope Kamala arrives first. That guy gives me the creeps.

@Leyna @Samantha Yurei @Elias Stryker

 

[Leyna]

A lone, meek elf entered the tavern. Just from looking at her, one can deduce that she is quite new this. She is, relatively speaking. But Terrasphere was published, or rather resurfaced, quite recently. That's what the words are. So that means everyone else must be new too. That's what she's thinking of, but looking at everyone around her, she must have missed something.

Either way, she made the decision to find a tavern, and this is the first tavern she found in Stokbon. It's quite homely for a public place. Small and calmer, or she hoped it'll be calmer than she could deal with. She looked around for a bit, scanning the room for players and NPCs alike to talk to.

Is there a difference to them?

However, it would still be a bit intimidating for her to just jump in and engage with strangers. Pete was a different case. It was just him and he made the first contact to her and just her in the middle of nowhere. The tavern.. It would be rude to meddle in random conversations.

Not like I'm desperate for a conversation, though. I just want to make friends and fit in. If I can't, then maybe I should find something else. Or stop playing altogether.

A defeated sigh escaped her soft, glossy elven lips before she decided to just take a seat at the stools near the bar counter. She'll be able to watch the bartender directly and perhaps hit a conversation or two. She found herself sitting near a purple haired girl, who ordered the cheapest drink and went to stare at the door. She's not quite sure whether to approach @Ayna Nietzsche or not.

 

[Elias Stryker]

"...A tavern? It brought me to a tavern?"

For awhile now, Arman has been following this "strange feeling." It was as if there was a guide telling him where to go but rather than being directed with words, he is given these instincts to follow. He could not properly explain or understand what this feeling is but after spawning in Terrasphere for the first time, he knew exactly where the source of this "strange feeling" was coming from — his sword.

Arman inspects the building from the outside, scratching his head while he tries to process the situation he is in right now.

"Well, this isn't what I expected..."

Following these instincts, Arman has developed this impression that he will be going to a very important place. He expected to arrive at a place which can help him become stronger as a player. However, upon being greeted by the sight of this small tavern after his journey, it made him doubt himself. But despite this, he is still being urged by his weapon to enter.

"It wants me to go inside. But why?"

Sighing, Arman pushes the doors open and walks into the tavern.

"Haaa... I might as well see what's going on. Maybe I'll get some answers in there."

Immediately, after taking a quick look at his surroundings, Arman felt like he stood out. Arman is this young, handsome looking man with black hair with strokes of white and blue eyes. He wears a black and white tunic with blue accents, black pants, armored boots that reach up to his thighs, and a short white cape with a black edge. He also wears a gauntlet which is attached to his left arm and a set of faulds at his waist. A sword scabbard hangs at his left side, and red marks coat his right gloved arm. He greatly resembles a lawfully good knight.

The man starts to feel nervous — out of his element. He begins walking forward with a fast pace, keeping his eyes glued to the floor in a shy manner to avoid eye contact with the tavern's patrons and staff. Eventually, he takes a seat and occupies one of the available tables which just so happens to be close to @Leyna and @Ayna Nietzsche.

Just what am I supposed to find here? Come on, give me something...

 

[Kamala Graham]

...herb gardener, with less emphasis on the "b"!

Kamala was already in Stokbon when she received the message from Ayna. Her farm in Pormont was going along well, but they needed things to help it grow, things other than her Nature Spirit Magic, so she had to make the trip to the capital to round out some supplies. Of course, the farm in question was not just hers alone. It was more of a community farm, one that Kamala was able to establish with a bunch of other friendly NPCs, a lot of them from Saine Fells. Unlike a kitchen or a pot, a farm appreciated more hands. The more, the merrier.

After parting ways with the farmer NPCs she came to the capital with, she went on her way to meet with her two friends. Well, she considered @Ayna Nietzsche a friend. @Pete Simpson was more of like an acquaintance, someone who just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Did Kamala trust him? Sure, but that's not saying much. Kamala was not one to trust anyone fully, not even herself.

Finally, she gently pushed past the main door and made her entrance. Ayna was at the counter, which meant that she was not hard to find. With a squeal and a makeshift giddy dance that only last for a second or two, Kamala made her excitement to meet a friend well known.

"Ayna! It's been a while, sweetie! How have you been?"

She gave her fellow Beastfolk a tight, warm hug, and two smooches on the cheeks. That was when she noticed the familiar-looking elf (@Leyna), sitting nearby a lone cutie at a table (@Elias Stryker), from a few days ago. Those Lion Tail boys sure were...something.

"Oh, hey, I know you! From the Lion Tails thing, right? Who's your boyfriend? uwu"

Kamala had not seen a lot of Players that ended up together, so this could be free real estate.

@Samantha Yurei

 

[Chrys]

...just a glass of water, por flavor.

In the real world, Pete Simpson knew his way around bars, especially pubs. He may not have the same brilliant social life most of his peers have, if any, considering a lot of them were tied to their women now, househusbands, slaves of capitalism, but he does have his fair share of the nightlife. This wasn't the real world, however, and this version of Pete Simpson wasn't yet well-acquainted with the taverns and inns of the capital of Falderen, Stokbon. Heh. Stokbon Syndrome. He chuckled to himself as he pressed on in the streets, remembering a joke between him and another Player, Rook the Quick, during their adventure involving those dog people. Can never teach old dogs new tricks.

It might have been quite the coincidence then, that Pete was now meeting up with two dog people, Beastfolk really, that he had met a few days back, both in the most hostile of circumstances. With the exception of a few women, Pete has always had bad luck meeting their ilk. That's precisely why he stopped trying in the real world. The only difference was, in this world, he at least had the Rings of Saturnine to keep him from being a lonely loser. Not much difference if you're just talking to yourself, though.

Finally finding the Wicked's Rest tavern, Pete put on a wide smile and decided to go with his most flamboyant personality yet, opening the front door as loudly as he can before scanning the room for his friends, if not just one of them. Fortunately for him, they were both already inside and not that hard to spot.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my girls! How are things in your side of this world?"

Surprisingly, someone familiar was right next to them, the first Player he met in this game, another woman but this time an elf. She, too, was very attractive. Hard not to make yourself attractive in this game.

"Wait a bloody second, @Leyna? Fancy seeing you here! How have YOU been, love?"

Lastly, there was the strange guy at a table next to them. He looked every bit special. Pete had a hard time missing him, too. Was he Leyna's friend? Maybe more than a friend?

"Who's this bloke at the nearby table then?"

@Ayna Nietzsche @Kamala Graham @Samantha Yurei @Elias Stryker

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

Taking note of everyone else that entered the tavern, Ayna found her patience running thin, especially after the barman gave her some sort of disgusting swill in a mug. One sniff of it almost made Ayna puke. She turned to the barman, who was already busy cleaning a mug, with a scowl. In her head, she wanted to grab the man's head and dunk it in her mug, forcing him to drink whatever crap he was trying to poison her with. But then she remembered she did order the cheapest drink he had, so this was all his fault.

Dang it, Kamala, Pete... Where the heck are you guys?

She took one swig of her gross drink, kept herself from vomiting it all back in the mug, and turned to her comms again. Ayna almost sent both her friends more messages, annoying them to just run to the tavern or maybe she can run to them, but then @Kamala Graham came with all the sunshine of a mid-morning countryside affair. She was hard to miss.

"Kamala! Finally! Been waiting so long!"

She welcomed the other Beastfolk with a hug but founds hers unexpectedly tighter. Between the two of them, it made breathing a little harder than normal. Fortunately, it didn't last that long, and Kamala was already chirping at some elf (@Leyna) near them. As if cue, @Pete Simpson burst in, and Ayna immediately rolled her eyes. With Kamala now keeping her company, Pete's arrival was no longer necessary.

Wait, maybe I can actually make him pay for all of us...

"We're not your girls, Simpson. Lyrwick's still drowning in crap, though. You'd like it there. Would feel home to you."

She tried to throw him some shade before regrettably taking a sip of her gross drink for a second time, almost puking if she had not turned around just in time to discreetly hide her disgust at the concoction.

What is in this pisswater?!

But Pete also swooned over the same elf and some random guy (@Elias Stryker) at a nearby table. Ayna wasn't quite sure what was going on, but it dawned on her that they must've met other people while she was stuck in Lyrwick. That's fine, though. I've made other friends myself.

Sometime later, some disheveled stranger stormed into the place, panicked and seemingly desperate. He was yelling for help and saying stuff about bandits having attacked him and his dear wife, their wagons ransacked by the hoodlums. He had said a lot more stuff, but Ayna had already laser-focused on the part where he declared a reward for the rescue of his wife and the destruction of the bandit camp not too far from where they were. Music to Ayna's ears.

Finishing her drink, surprising even herself, she turned to her nearby companions with renewed vigor, her lips a playful smirk.

"Sounds like a fantastic way to make some easy money! Who's in?!"

@Samantha Yurei

 

[Leyna]

Observing how the bartender worked, she imagined how she would be in their shoes — serving drinks and chatting with the patrons as she entertains them, all with a glee. Soon, she shook her head from the imagination and start thinking about reality — what she, an elf and a new player, could do right now.

Should I order a drink now? Or should I... start a conversation with her first? Hmm.

At the stool she sat, thinking of what to do. Oblivious of her surrounding. She doesn't really want to drink any booze this early, yet she doesn't feel like ordering some plain water. Not ordering anything wouldn't be 'fitting in' in this situation. Pondering there at the counter, and eventually she raised her hand to get the attention of the bartender. That's when someone behind her exudes their excitement a bit too much and startled her, making her turn slowly after being surprised. She's not relaxed at all in this environment, not yet, so even a little stimulation could result a significant reaction from her.

...

She watched the source of her surprise greeting the purple haired girl. There goes her chance to start a conversation and socialize. Wait.. It's a familiar face that came. The beastfolk girl from the other day. It's someone that can save her from this dilemma.

"Hello. The stars aligned for us to meet again in such a place in the right time. I have been well, after a fashion. How are you, @Kamala Graham ? Also, nice to meet you, @Ayna Nietzsche. I am Leyna."

She smiled gently seeing her, somewhat relieved. What was she relieved from? Then she raised an eyebrow hearing her question after.

"Boyfriend..? For I don't have one..?"

She looked around to see someone sitting close to her. She didn't notice this boy at all. She was too absorbed before.

"I do not know of this pers-"

Just before she could finish her sentence, another familiar face entered the tavern with a loud bang. It's @Pete Simpson entering her. She was hoping for someone more charismatic to enter the room and greeted them. Not Pete. He may have well intentions, but he need to get his act together. Maybe the @Elias Stryker boy near her could be better than him, even though they looked like they're in the same predicament. The want-to-be anime protagonist.

"Hello Pete. I have been well, sort of. Um this is.."

She smiled courteously seeing him greeted them, and then turned around to the stranger boy. Please don't be a weirdo. He seemed rather aloof. Maybe she could ask and befriend him.

"Um. Greetings. Meself is Leyna. If I may implore thy name, what art it be? It could be in our best interest to be acquaintances."

She practiced her fancy speak to the stranger boy. Why?

 

[Samantha Yurei]

… What'd I miss? Am I late?

It has been approximately 3 days, 4 hours, and 4 minutes since Samantha Yurei received her very first non-NPC notification in-game. It took some time familiarizing herself with the basic game controls and the User Interface, but after a few tutorials and introductory quests, she bravely ventured out to find out exactly what this ping was all about.

It couldn't be all that serious, could it?

And so, after almost three days of traveling from her spawn point in Eastern Brisshal towards the designated location in Stokbon, fighting escaping some monsters along the way, and basically living off of the starting equipment and rewards just to survive the journey, Sam was, in some way, shape, or form, here. At the...

"... Wicked's Rest... A tavern? Wack."

Entering the establishment, she notices the hysterical man and gives him a wide berth as she checks her Palm Menu to review if she's in the right place. Sam assumed that yelling is commonplace in taverns like this, but what piqued her interest was the mention of a reward.

Rescue... Destruction... Bandits... Oh no. Anyway,

She continues her scan of the vicinity for anyone of note. Well, there are a few, for sure. But who or what gave this anonymous notification? It just showed her some rough coordinates and a tag of "something important".

Well, if it's something important, it will ping me again. But for now, I have to keep myself fed. "Starvation" is not something I would like written on my virtual gravestone.

She sighs before turning towards the hysterical man, slowly raising her hand as if volunteering for the slaughter.

"Aye! I suppose I can be of help with this bandit problem."

She'd give a pained smile realizing what she's done, and knowing that everything that follows will not be all peaches and gravy.

 

[Kamala Graham]

Caught a tad surprised by @Pete Simpson's arrival just after hers, Kamala immediately took to him and also gave him a tight hug, giving him quick kisses on his cheeks. Holding him by his arms, she flashed him a warm smile, beaming at the reunion.

"Pete! How are you? You look good! Pormont's doing much better than usual. The fields are ever growing!"

She turned to @Ayna Nietzsche with some playful teasing, shaking her head at how antagonistic her fellow Beastfolk was to their sorry third.

"Oh, Ayna! You're always giving Pete such a hard time. I do hope Lyrwick gets better soon. You sure you should be spending a lot of time over there?"

She gave @Leyna a tight hug as well, almost squeezing too hard because she was so happy to be surrounded by friends!

"Oh, that's so very good to hear, my friend! Have you given some thought about joining Levi and his men? I might be not as inclined. They were very impressive folks, but I just don't feel like it would be the best place for me, you know?"

She then patiently watched the elf interact with the strange boy (@Elias Stryker) at the table near them but soon something else interrupted the mildly joyous sharing of greetings the tavern was celebrating. Kamala listened intently to the man's pleas, though she found the other woman (@Samantha Yurei) a tad too suspicious. She's wearing an eyepatch. Could she be a bandit herself?

Wild generalizations aside, it was only natural for her to heed Ayna's call to action. There was no way in hecking heck Kamala would not help, would ignore the potential to do good, especially when it was right in her face.

"I'm in! I'd like to offer my assistance to aid the disheveled-looking man as best I can!"

 

[Elias Stryker]

After taking a seat in the Wicked's Rest tavern, Arman continues his search for "something important." Accessing the Investigation Mode through his User Interface for further assistance, which made his eyes glow a subtle light blue color, he begins scanning each surface of the building in order to ensure that he does not miss a single detail. Unfortunately, nothing he had in mind comes up. There was no Quest NPC, there was no sketchy landmark, there was no magical object, and there was no loot he can take. Without getting in trouble that is.

Arman continues to question his instincts and why they brought him here since there was nothing special about the place. He wanted to leave for nothing was giving him a purpose to stay. Sure, it is possible for him to interact with the ultra-realistic NPCs and even order a meal or two, but Arman felt he would be too awkward to engage in a conversation with them. It also doesn't help that he has the inability to smell so Arman can't enjoy the scent of what food and drinks were available in the tavern. But looking at the quality of some of the items being passed out, maybe it was a good thing. However, his search was not entirely fruitless.

Just as he focuses on the people to his right, he learns that they were fellow players of Terrasphere. They were situated by the table next to his. Arman should have learned about their presence sooner but he was too absorbed by his surroundings. A very observant man, he is.

Other players? What are they up to?

Turning off the Investigation Mode from his UI shortly after seeing the other players in the room, Arman debated whether or not he should interact with them. Just like how he felt with the NPCs, Arman worried that he would be too awkward to interact with them. Especially since this is the first time he has ever played a game like Terrasphere. Or any game for that matter. One player was a Beastfolk with purple hair ( @Ayna Nietzsche) and the other was this small elf ( @Leyna ). Before he could muster the courage to interact with them, other players start entering the tavern.

The new arrivals to the Wicked's Rest tavern consists of another Beastfolk ( @Kamala Graham ) and another human ( @Pete Simpson ). From how they interacted, it seems that these four players are familiar with each other and have met before. At that point, Arman decided it was best to stay silent and not bother them. But unlike Arman, these two quickly took note of his presence. Even asking @Leyna if she knew who he was. One question about him in particular, @Kamala Graham's, made him cough into his fist and enter a flustered state.

"Sorry, but I do not know her. I'm actually new to Terrasphere."

Arman follows up with his own response after @Leyna clears things up for @Pete Simpson and @Kamala Graham.

He looks to the group and lets out a nervous chuckle and smile. Rubbing the back of his neck at the same time to really show just how shy he felt for suddenly joining in on their conversation. But after taking a deep breath, Arman composes himself. Glancing at each player again with a neutral look on his face.

When @Leyna greets and re-engages in a conversation with him, Arman's eyes widen. He felt that his interaction with the group was already over. But sure enough, his assumption was wrong. Unlike earlier, the knight-looking player speaks with a friendly and calm tone. Not at all nervous or awkward. He would even express a charming smile on his face as he replies to the elf.

"Hello, Leyna. My name is Elias. I'm not exactly sure what else to say. Is this the part where I reveal my role in this game? Is that how it works? Hahahahaha. I'm still getting used to all this. Apologies!"

He finishes his response with a sigh. It is true that he's very new. One can even call him a "noob" if they so choose to.

Eventually, he'd return his attention to the other players by the elf. Shortly greeting them as he stands up from his seat and takes a light bow. His right hand curled into a fist and resting on his chest while his left hides behind his back. Arman was being overly courteous as a player. Then again, it would be in-character of him to do so since he was playing this knight-type of character.

"Well met! It's nice to see other players around here. I was actually looking for something in the tavern but it seems like whatever I was searching for has disappeared."

As soon as Arman finished greeting the rest properly, another player enters the establishment. He sees @Samantah Yurei wander inside and shoots her a friendly wave. Arman was feeling more comfortable now. It does not look like the people who play in Terrasphere are a bunch of bullies. At least that is what he sees so far on his first day in the game.

These guys seem nice... I wonder if I can be friends with them. Hopefully they won't think I'm a weirdo.

While Arman was going through his thoughts, he would be interrupted by this untidy NPC bursting through the tavern doors and calling for help. Since he was a beginner, Arman wasn't exactly sure how to react. But one thing is clear: He needed to help him! And it looks he was not the only one feeling this way.

After @Ayna Nietzsche announces that she will be assisting this troubled stranger, Arman, without hesitating, raises his hand. He couldn't miss this opportunity.

"I would like to provide my assistance if you don't mind my company. Though I'm still new to all this so I will be in your care. But I'll do my best to not be a burden!"

It seems most of the players in the Wicked's Rest tavern are interested in joining the purple-haired Beastfolk.

There was this sudden adrenaline rushing through his body. Excitement? It has been awhile since Arman felt this way. When Arman first spawned into he game, he was already impressed by how everything looked. It felt like he entered a portal where he can hide away from the cruel world he lives in. Distracting himself from all of his problems and traumas. He started to feel like meeting this group of players was the first step to really get into it. Arman feels like the sword has done this on purpose, even if he doesn't get an exact response from the weapon to clarify that it was so.

Maybe this is why I was brought here... Haha... This game is really strange. I have a feeling you're not done here just yet though.

Arman speaks in his head as if the sword could hear him. He still has plenty of things to learn but that is an obstacle he doesn't mind climbing if it means that he'll achieve a great experience in the end. Then as some kind of reward, he would pat the sword scabbard on his left leg. Like an owner would for its pet companion.

 

[Chrys]

Bah. Pete just waved off the hostility from @Ayna Nietzsche, already used to it. Whatever her reason, she really hated his guts. Deep down, though, she probably just likes him and doesn't know how to process her feelings. Probably. The more obvious route is that she's still mad he accidentally did that thing a while back. Girl can hold a grudge, eh?

"I'm doing well, Kamala. I'll pay the farm a visit again soon."

At least the other Beastfolk woman was nice. @Kamala Graham had also been hostile to Pete during their first interaction but that was quickly replaced by her innate kindheartedness. She even showed him to her farm and introduced her to a couple of new friends. But Pete was never going to settle in a farm, so he had to leave. Still, it was great to have places to call home whenever the need arose.

"Good to hear that, @Leyna."

He offered the sleepy elf a grin, more of a playful smirk than anything really, though his eyes were already on the other guy (@Elias Stryker), not unlike a father about to brutalize his daughter's suitor, even though Leyna was not his daughter and the anime protagonist wasn't also Leyna's lover. Seems like a pretty decent fella, though. Maybe I was too quick to pass judgment.

The appearance of the random NPC asking for help made Pete think that this was some sort of "living world" quest they had all accidentally walked into. It was an archaic term, "living world," especially considering all the advancements in gaming his world has made. Still, it made him feel somewhat of a sage in this field, even though he wasn't. Pete grew up banned from gaming by his parents, and as he got older, the games got more expensive until he just lost interest in them and focused all his finances more on staying alive. Should've started playing illegal games like this one much earlier.

Following the others' lead, and while keeping an eye on the hot female stranger with the eyepatch (@Samantha Yurei), Pete also expressed her interest in joining the makeshift crew, more like a gang really, in getting some work done. Two guys and a bunch of women? Where have I seen this movie before? Probably somewhere illegal, Pete.

"You had me at money, love! LET'S GO!!!"

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

@Leyna... @Elias Stryker... Ayna tried her best to take account of who's who in their motley crew. Well, who's new, more like it. Outside of herself, @Kamala Graham, and @Pete Simpson, she has never met the two others until now. Make that three. The newest addition to their gang was a pretty exciting woman (@Samantha Yurei). With that eyepatch, Ayna was 100% sure she had a fantastic story to tell. But now was not the time.

"All right, that makes six of us then. Me, Kamala, Pete, Leyna, Elias, and this hot piece of pirate yumminess over here."

Ayna took a moment to give the stranger a wink. Just in case she was interested. If not, then that's all right. It's all just a game, after all. No need to take things seriously here. But if she was? Mm, they're gonna have a good time. All the time. Every time. Ayna had always wanted to try new stuff out. Why not in this world?

But then a more important thought came to mind, breaking her rather raunchy train of thought. He turned to the newcomers with a raised eyebrow.

"You guys can fight, right? Eh, you'll live."

She didn't even take a moment to think things through. In Ayna's head, she could take on some bandits easy peasy. Plus, Kamala was around to heal anyone who got hurt. Leyna and Elias looked like they could heal, too, but that's probably just Ayna being a judgmental doodoohead. The woman with the eyepatch? Definitely a warrior princess. And Pete? Well, who cares about Pete?

"Lead the way, you dumb piece of shit."

Ayna pushed the quest giver out the door and began following them, gesturing for the others to follow suit. Six Players against some bandits? Easy peasy.

 

[Kamala Graham]

Kamala beamed at @Pete Simpson's promise to visit her farm in Pormont again. The farmers would love that. They loved their visitors, Players and NPCs alike. It always made her feel warm inside whenever she saw them enjoying the company of the new people she brought. Like children with their momma's gifts!

"You better! No empty promises please!"

She turned to @Elias Stryker with a warm smile, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"How are you enjoying it so far? I hope whatever you lost, you find again!"

Finally, she gave both @Leyna and @Samantha Yurei a nod before turning to @Ayna Nietzsche who was surprisingly becoming their de facto leader. Hopefully, that wouldn't stick. Ayna was great and all, but she had a habit of being reckless. That never bodes well for a leader, mostly for her teammates.

"Don't worry, don't worry! I'll make sure to keep everyone safe and sound!"

That was not an empty promise. With her Sprouts' help, both the Summer and Spring Courts at her beck and call, Kamala was more than confident that no one in this team would go down on her watch. Not a single one. She started following Ayna's lead, though she took the time to gesture for everyone else to follow them to where the bandits should be before reminding Ayna to be less crass, an impossibility more like it.

"Language please!"