Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Thank you so much," Zayn smiled at the merchant. It was nice to find helpful people in large towns like this. Busy, rude people were one of the reasons why he preferred visiting villages rather than towns or cities.

"Looks like we're going North-East in any case," he told Fire. Consulting his map, Zayn began to traverse the streets that would lead him in that direction. Durem was large, so it took a while (and several wrong turns) before Zayn found the appropriate area, decaying mansions in the background.

Spying a likely tavern, Zayn entered and studied the occupants. Taking a seat next to a potiential source of information at the bar, Zayn ordered a drink (hey, it was hot and he'd been walking for ages!). Turning to the person, he asked, "Excuse me. I was told this was a good place to go for information... Have you ever heard of the Regalia family? They should have had a manor around here..."


((And is off to bed for the night. Shall check in tomorrow from work. ))

The man had obviously been sampling a few too many of the delicacies within the tavern to be of much use to the small boy, rather, instead of answering the question he took to simply extending his hand to lightly stroke at the peculiar wings which were evidently a source of interest to him - ...well there certainly weren't many of his kind lying around!

Nevertheless, after a few moments of observation a barmaid did clear her throat, distracting the attention of the patron so that he would desist in his harassment - so much for the apparently abundant source of information, eh?

Still, there were plenty of people within the tavern; some were a tad shady while others looked more inclined to be slightly more diplomatic yet otherwise incapacitated through drink. It was within the dimly lit area however that one would have to squint to see a few of the patrons, one in particular being the robed female hidden within the corner, her gloved fingertip gently caressing the rim of the wine glass as she surveyed the patrons with her hidden gaze...

""Eek!" Zayn jumped away from the man touching his wings. Eyes wide, he edged away from the bar. "Do you mind?" he asked, voice sharp. Petting his defiled feathers down, Zayn moved as far away from the drunk man as possible - which meant moving further into the darkened areas of the bar. Maybe if he got in a corner he could at least put his back to the wall and not have anyone harrass him from behind...

Arriving in a corner, he saw it was already taken by a robed female. Hmm, she looked like she normally visited places a bit better than this. And she was drinking wine, a higher-class drink than the swill the man at the bar had been drinking.

"Um, excuse me," he began. "I don't suppose you'd know where the Regalia manor would be? I'll buy you another drink for your trouble..."

Zayn might not have had much, but it was enough for this. And everyone knew you didn't get anything for nothing - unless you were stealing it.

Finally, someone who knew of it! "So it's not in the city itself then," he murured, listening closely, attention focused entirely on this woman.

So, larger than they'd thought, hidden from view... And in order to find the secret entrace to the Citadel through the manor, first they have to use a hidden entrace to the manor itself? This was becoming very confusing @.@

Glancing back at Fire, Zayn nodded, seeing the truth of this woman's words. Neither he nor Fire were warriors. He settled his attention back on the woman. "It is very important that we enter the manor. Do you know of someone we might ask for assistance, or could we ask you to accompany us as you know so much about it?"

Despite the smell of blood as he moved closer, Zayn couldn't help feeling he was talking to a kindred spirit. Something about this woman drew his attention like a moth to a flame (and he mentally knew it was probably just as dangerous).

The shrounded woman grimaced for a while before at last nodding slowly, she seemed to thing that accompanying them would be of benefit to her. Nevertheless, clearing her throat she turned her hidden gaze towards Zayn once more and canted her head to the side as though she were preparing to introduce herself.

"Dune Ali'Ance at your service." She offered calmly, "Odd-body and vagabond as one might say." She continued, extending her not-so-tender hand to the small boy before flashing a smile, "How soon do you anticipate that you wish to depart?"

Congratulations; NPC - Dune Ali'Ance has joined your party!

Smiling excitedly, he introduced himself to their new company, "Hello Dune, you can call me Fire."

Now that they had help, the weight of their ordeal became lighter. However, that doesn't mean there still aren't obstacles they'd have to overcome. Fire ignored all of the horrendous thoughts and looked at Zayn. Feeling rather pumped and empowered, he poked at Zayn confidently "Let's go now!"

After the foray into the tavern the day before, and now with a slighty pissy snapping jar following her around. The demon had decided to hunt up an old friend, Fire P. and see what he was up to.

After hours of hunting, and a little mishap of Jango biting a poor passerbuy who thought he was a flower pot the demon made its way into a bar and spotted her prey. "FIRE!" Hatter chirped and skittered up to latch onto the other one.

"Ooo....Zayn? maybe? was it?" She peered at the little creature, thinking that she remembered it from a time before.

Off to the side, Fire stood blinking a bit confused as well "Huh?... I'm over here, Hatter! Heh heh!"

Upon the appearance of Hatter, Fire felt more reassured than ever! Waving at his reunited team mate, he gave a big smile. However, he noticed something had followed Hatter behind. Something that looked strangely familiar... Though as if he was shocked, he pointed out at the bouncing jar his eyes wide. "Why... what are those?! Haven't I seen that before?"