Quest for the Traitors: Highlands [Ended]

[The Jenn]

((OOC: This takes place once breakfast is concluded, likely at least a day or two into your travels, wherever you'd like it to. You have not yet reached the small community in the northernmost part of the region, where your intelligence has instructed you to go.

Posting order consists of me, and then the two of you. It honestly doesn't matter which of you posts first or second after one of my posts. Please don't feel the need to wait on the other person so long as I've responded. It just isn't necessary. If a full week goes by without any activity, I will forcefully move the plot along and play with whoever remains. Please try not to let this go inactive. That would make me a sad panda.))

The Highlands were a pleasant place to visit, especially in autumn when the trees had begun to sprout touches of fiery reds and vivid yellows. Even the plants flaunted the colors of their residents at this time of year. Crops seemed lush and healthy whenever the pair passed by a field, even though the area had relatively little agriculture. The classic beauty of the landscape, whether natural or carefully manicured, was impossible to deny. The region touted itself as one of the most magnificent in the entire kingdom, and it apparently had every right to do so.

Residents didn't even spare a glance for a high-ranking resident of the Range, though Ophelia's obviously unusual appearance and darkly vivid heritage earned her one or two disapproving stares. Generally, people wouldn't interact with them unless they made a specific point of it.

In the southern part of the countryside, rolling meadows and flat land were the norm. As they ventured north, however, gently rolling hills began to appear and in the distance they could see the not-quite-mountainous region of the true Northern Highlands. The further up they traveled, the cooler people got towards them, though not in a blatantly obvious way thanks to their rank. Answers became less helpful, fewer people would bother to stop, and the general impression of 'outsider' could be felt radiating from anyone they spoke to. People remained polite, but it was a 'barely tolerable' kind of politeness. Northerners with little exposure to or patience for the diversity of the Capital were generally considered to be the most elitist and true to their region.

The pair was sent to one of the northernmost and exclusive areas in the region. Lucky ducks. How they traveled was up to them, with several options at their disposal.

[Jaguara Katial]

The cold attitude bothered Maji as they made their way north to the destination that they were instructed to go towards. From what she could tell from the directions that were on the map, they were close to their destination though she was not quite sure how much longer it would take. It had gotten much colder the farther north they went which she had not expected even though she was use being outside and in the elements. Only because of that fact was she hardy enough to tolerate the slight chill when it made its way every so often underneath her fluffed up feathers.

It was the feeling that she got from the natives of the region that bothered her most. The coldness from them chilled her bones more then the weather ever could have and if it were not for her traveling companion, she would not know quite what to do.

It was getting quite late as the sun was beginning to set and it was probably time to rest for the day and start again tomorrow. She looked to Ophelia and wondered how tired and hungry the older female was. Maji could tolerate it, she was use to the hard life and if need be she would keep going all night and would ignore her hunger if that was what the doe wanted to do. “Do you want to stop for the night? I think we might be close…”[/b] she would leave it up to the female to decide what they should do next.

[Vyn]

Ophelia was long accustomed to the harsh stares of others, even these unusually icy stares did little to upset or disrupt her as she idled along with Maji. Conversation was sparse, mostly because Ophelia was more focused on getting to their destination than idle chatter, but as they began to draw closer and closer the thoughts of settling down for the night became more appealing and Ophelia nodded.

Hunger and exhaustion had slowly begun to gnaw at her and Maji's question came as a relieving distraction. Nodding casually, she flashed a low smile and glanced around through the lengthening shadows for a discrete area which might be good for setting up camp or a small inn which might accept them for the night.

"I think resting for the night sounds like a good idea. If we'll be there soon, it'll be best to be rested before continuing on." Ophelia shifted slightly, running her fingers along the edge of her satchel as she debated the next leg of her journey. Maji had heretofore been a wonderful companion for this quest; she had good stamina and rarely, if ever, made any complaints despite the fact that she appeared cold in this chilly region. "If you're cold, we should probably try and find a small Inn for the night, it wouldn't due for you to catch a cold."


(Forgive me if this isn't of the greatest quality, I'm heavily exhausted at the moment and lacking time to think properly. >_< Fwee. [thwaps her chaotic household])

[The Jenn]

From an aerial view, it would be apparent that their trail led to a small inn perhaps a mile and a half further up ahead. There were trees occasionally dotting the landscapes and on some of the hills, but for the most part the area was open meadows with the occasional small stream. Few other places would look as appealing to rest.

The inn itself wasn't a large establishment, made to hold perhaps a dozen guests at most. Appetizing smells wafted from the chimney and open windows, roasting meat of some kind, and a lantern hung out in front of the door to welcome weary travelers. As night had only just begun to descend, the light had been put out very recently and shone with the brightness of a full container of oil.

A sign hanging next to the lantern proclaimed it the "Nipping Bander".

[Jaguara Katial]

Maji nodded in response to Ophelia’s answer to her question. Rest would be nice and she could settle down almost anywhere as long as there was some kind of shelter. She was a little shocked by her comment of her being cold and not catching something. “I’m okay…I’m use to the cold…it doesn’t bother me that much, but if we can find shelter I would not turn it down either.”[/b]

As they neared the inn, she smiled a little as a small breeze brought the smell of food along with it. Food was always a good thing no matter how small the meal was she usually never turned down food. She also snickered to herself as a playful smile crossed her face when she saw the name of the inn. She could not read extremely well but Ashwin had taught her a little while teaching she had been in his company, and as such, these were words she recognized. Her thoughts wandered to him and how Miyako was doing, well she was sure as she hoped that soon this would all be over soon and able to see him again.

[Vyn]

As the tantalizing smell of food wafted to Ophelia's attention, a small smile touched her lips as well and she lifted her gaze to the swinging sign of the Nipping Bander and the brilliantly welcoming light standing sentinel above the door. Of course, inside wouldn't be nearly as welcoming.

"Well, I think a better option has just presented itself... What about you?"

The deer/serpent cross was grinning warmly, her spirits lifting considerably at the thought of a warm meal and a bed. She wasn't exactly the neediest of souls, she didn't demand comfort and a constantly sated belly, but that also didn't mean she didn't appreciate a break when she saw it. With coin in pocket and a long walk still ahead, a night at the inn would definitely be refreshing.

"I say we stop here for the night, get something to eat and full night's rest then start off again at dawn." The Corvistownian turned her attention to the bird, musing thoughtfully on the female tagging along with her. Perhaps this would also give her a chance to learn more about Majida. "Sound good to you?"

In the back of her mind, Ophelia's thoughts were also lingering back to her home and what she'd left behind. Her children were with their Father (and mother, in Maxwell's case), and her bander was equally settled albeit in Mephit's unusual care. Banders had apparently won her approval, for she doted continuously on the aggressive little creatures whenever she was given the chance.

[The Jenn]

Opening the door to the inn only made the smells more appetizing. The ground floor consisted of a long counter in front of them, an open space to the left with four tables and chairs, stairs leading upward, and a door that presumably led into some back room. The walls and floors were both natural wood, but it had been scrubbed and polished to a shine. Likewise, all of the furniture looked to be in exceptionally good repair, and there were vases placed strategically around the room with wilting flowers that had no doubt been fresh that morning. Their smell wouldn't be able to compete with dinner, anyway.

What looked like an entire deer's leg slowly spun over the fire that roared in the main room, its fat dropping down and hissing as it hit the flames. There were no other signs of food preparation, so it could be assumed that at least one of the 'back rooms' consisted of a kitchen area. It looked like several slices of meat had already been cut from the rotating leg.

Two of the tables were occupied, two at one table and three at the other. Only one person wasn't from the Highland region, and the black 'J' on her teal-spotted breast marked her as nobility, not too likely to be bothered. The man behind the counter was a Highland canine, a jackal by the looks of him, and he sported a Nine of Hearts on his breast. He looked up as they opened the door, as did his patrons, and slowly raised an eyebrow. "Can I... help you?"

[Jaguara Katial]

“I agree,”[/b] she said with a grin as the idea of a warm bed always made her happy. Ophelia seemed like a very nice person and she was itching to talk to her, maybe over dinner she would do just that. She was quite curious about her heritage because of her markings and well-being quite naïve in the world she did not know much about the peoples of the other regions.

The strange look and way the canine greeted them as they entered the building bothered Maji and unsettled her to the point where she was a sudden loss of words. She was not sure if it was aimed at her, Ophelia or the pair together. “Well…umm…that is…food and lodgings please?”[/b] She finally managed to say after she had gathered herself together. The food was starting to make her mouth water as she continued to wait patiently for the response from the man as she fiddled with her small pouch filled with the items she had received from the queen. She had also noticed the other people in the room but she was trying her best to not look at them for fear of appearing like she would be staring at them all and she really didn’t like to upset people if she could help it.

[Vyn]

Ophelia couldn't help but smile at the way Maji froze up before the judgmental stares they were met with. Perhaps it was because Ophelia was so accustomed to them that the looks almost felt a little like home. Stepping up a bit, she placed herself directly beside and a little bit before Maji in a stance that one could possibly call a little motherly. The odd female had more right and reason to be uncomfortable in such a situation but time had adjusted her well and, of course, a little diamond magic took such awkward situations in far easier directions.

"Yes, as she said...lodgings for two and a warm meal for each of us."

She smiled again, warm and full of charm. It wasn't a technique she was used to using, but considering that she flaunted a Spade upon her breast few would begin to think that the charm was anything but natural. Her stomach was rumbling slightly in protest of the long stall between meals, but she kept her head clear despite the delicious smells and produced for the barkeeper's benefit, the bag of coins she carried.

For all the charm in the world, Ophelia knew that nothing got things moving like a bit of coin.

[The Jenn]

The canine drummed the fingers of one hand against his counter, obviously debating something, but his expression lightened when he heard the jingling of the coins. Even if they didn't look quite as respectable as his usual patrons, their ranks and obvious well-to-do social status would merit them lodging and a meal. The manners helped, as did the charming nature of the freakish deer. At least she didn't look like one of those 'disruptive' freaks.

And since they could obviously pay for it... "Alright then, we can put you up for the night. Eighty gold for the pair of you, and an extra ten each for dinner and breakfast. If that's acceptable, the meal will be ready in ten minutes. If not, you won't find another inn for hours and you can enjoy your stay on the ground." The words were hard, but he said it in a mild tone with no evident malice. That's just how it was. Several of the seated individuals made noises of amusement.