Protect the Small

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A thin red figure stood, an animus of sorts. A tiger animus from the looks of it. She had red fur covering her entire body. Thick red fur lined with black stripes; tall rounded ears with puffs of white fur poking from them sat upon her head. White patch like eyes forming on the back of the ears that swiveled around on top of her head. Her fur thickened at her neck and around her unclothed chest, it was white as the snow around her. Her fur was thick enough to give her enough modesty to not care for the cold despite the lack of cloths. A long thick cat like tail whipped back and forth, the black tip just brushing the snow at her padded and clawed feet. Going back up to her facial features her face was distorted from its usually thin features. Large tuffs of fur poked out from her cheeks, her nose slightly elongated and flattened on the end forming a cat like snout. Whiskers twitched around it as blue green eyes looked out with slit like pupils. Her scar was hidden by her fur. Red hair the same color as her fur was slung over her shoulders in a long braid, tied together with a found piece of vine. The thick vine also wrapped around her hips several times in a belt like fashion, holding up a piece of skinned leather in a loin cloth like fashion. A pouch hung from the vines, along with five throwing daggers; each with a sapphire as blue as the waters of the falls that were somewhere located in this forest. She wore no jewelry besides a large red amulet hung on a gold chain, it rested just at her breasts.



She looked around; she was already in the forest anyways, it made sense to take on this quest as well. So she traveled deeper into the forest towards the pass. The trees were old here and her paw like feet padded on the ground soundlessly. She was on her way to the gnomes place of home; this would be interesting. She had never gotten to meet a gnome before; and they certainly seemed to be having trouble with the animals running around in the forest….but it seemed a bit early for it to turn into a wolf winter…A wolf winter being when the snow and food got so scarce it forced the local predators to stray from their natural diet. Maybe during this whole expedition she could meet Thornes great great great great grandsire of the pack….She looked around the woods….she sorely missed running with the pack while out in the forest. Felt so much safer….

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Kail had got this one and knew he needed warm clothes and desided to double up on his clothes as he put a second long sleeve shirt as well as doubling up on his socks. He did his best to keep warm. While taking a few days he bought some cloth gloves and then put his fingerless gloves over them. He was prepared and had read the spellbook that taught him how to summon creatures. The only thing he was not sure if he could control the creature he summoned. Perhaps it would be best that he summoned at least a normal animal he knew. The blond trekked out and had a smaller pack with him that had some provisions he got. Kail had made his way out to the Gnome's house and it was a bit hard to get there. But he pushed on as he knew this would make him stronger from the trek out there. Kail was thankful that his glasses had tinted them selves a bit darker to at least contrast with the white snow.

The blond gets to the Gnome's living place and saw it in the distance and would be thankful to warm up just a bit by a fire. Kail also keeps a close eye on what could have been in the area. He was not a skilled tracker but he had seen enough survival shows and read maybe a few books. To know a few things that could be helpful on whatever was attacking these poor folk.

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Ilta wondered if the mines of Nova in anyway similar to the mines back home. Did gemstones give the same quick notes in one’s hands? Did the walls of stone surrounding them give hushed chants underneath loud choirs? Were they still as terribly dangerous? Well, if the quest sent out was an indicator, that was the answer to that last question.

She was used to forests and hiking. Setanul was still practically a forest, just with some houses and building. However, the Forever Forest was knew. That was in the south, and Ilta was yet again disorganized as to which end of Heavens Pass she stood on. She needed to stop comparing things to home. For every similarity, there seemed to be a difference as well.

Her bluish-black hair was tied up and out of the way this time. She’s still wearing her boring variations of brown and black for tunics and pants. The green ones were left at home and were the only bit of color in her normal wardrobe. The brown boots on her feet had seen better days. Fang still clung to her side as it always did.

She could hear the mine as she drew closer to it. She doesn’t expect to see an upright tiger on the way there though nor one with the throwing knives she made. “You are either Alex or have killed her and grabbed her knives. I just want to know who I’m talking to, so which is it?”

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As Kail got closer he heard two voices speak up one of them he knew from a previous job. The other though was almost familure but could not put his finger on it. He moved as quickly as he could through the snow. He spots the demon lady Ilta and some tiger woman and comes over to them. "Well we meet again Ilta" he said and waved to the two of them. Wanting to be sure he was seen then attacked. The blond had undone his hair and let it flow down instead of having it held in a low ponytail. As Kail got closer he saw that the two women were arguing over something. His male mind made him get close but not super close if a fight broke out. While his eyes were looking around to see if there was any threat or someone coming out to speak to them.

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A sound approached from behind, the tiger women turned around to see a very demanding Ilta come stomping up. A quirky grin spread across her face as her bright eyes twinkled with amusement. Her voice coming out in a purr as she spoke.

”Good to know you cared so much Ilta….”

Aria continued forward, making her way towards where they were to meet the small ones. Large tiger like paws leaving tracks in the snow. Ilta would be able to tell it was her by her voice, despite the husky tone it had taken while in this form. When Kail came into view Aria waved, it would seem they had another one on their little adventure.

”Blondie! Did you ever find de’ Mary alright?...wait you know each other already? PERFECT”

Aria clapped her hands together obviously pleased with this development.

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Percious had finally entered the snowing forest having noticed how deep the snow was and with a slight sigh he went onward into the forest covered with snow. As he walked on the first thing anyone could see was his emerald eyes which seemed to light up in dark areas and even brighter when he was ticked off. The second visible thing in the dark forest was his pure ring which he never took off for good luck. A few feet away from the depth of the dark forest he heard a few voices. The job hadn't exactly described who and who he would be working with but he shrugged it off and continued in the direction of the voices.

Soon he saw a way out of the darkness caused by tall towering trees. He teleported right out and not too far from the three that had been speaking slightly loudly. He didn't really want to feature himself in matters that hadn't concerned him yet he continued as he cleared his throat and a calm but slightly deep tone echoed greetings... I am Percious, halth thine come here about a call for help from short people?? He noticed his asguardian accent hadn't exactly been outgrown but it would take quite a while for that to happen.

He gazed at all three travelers around him some slightly odd but interesting, although he couldn't quite ask them much at the moment. Had any of the moved offensively he had the Loki staff ready.

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And it did seem to be Alex, just a much fluffier version. Ilta almost misses the ability to turn into animals, but the earth sounded so much different in this world. “You know, most people wear a fur-lined coat when they are cold… not grow their own,” she jokes.

She looks back at the sound of the voice to see Kail. “And hello to you as well,” she says with a nod. She seems to think on the nickname. Blondie. Yes, that did suit him better. “Yes, we’ve been introduced. Blondie, you have a real weapon yet?” She still couldn’t see a sword, bow, dagger, or any other manner of normal weaponry on his person. He didn’t have one last time either from what she remembered.

She hears the sound of teleporting and the sudden appearance of another individual. Oddly, not the same teleporter that she met earlier. Perhaps, that was a common trait in this world.  Still, this one was maybe as strange or stranger.  Every single person she had met lately was strange.  While occasionally entertaining, she was left wondering if there was single normal creature left in this world.  Percious' accent is unfamiliar, and it takes her a second to hear through it.  “Hail. Ilta. Alright, we’re all introduced. Let’s get started on this rather than standing in the snow. We’re close to the mines. I can hear it.”

[Rivers]

Some clapping came from a nearby tree as Rivers sees this new guy teleport, this was not something he was familiar with seeing other people doing and he was appropriately impressed. "That was cool, so what kinda teleportation do you have? Wormholes? True teleportation? Super speed? Or matter shifting?" There were actually quite a wide variety and Rivers had taken an interest in others who had a similar ability to his.

"Hey boss, here to help out and get some cash?" He asks curiously as he noticed Ilta. "And hello there Ilta, good to see that you are doing well. I hope this world's been treating you well." He calls over with a relaxed carefree tone.

He did not know the last one and eyed him curiously.

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Kail stood like his brain needed to be rebooted slightly with the tiger lady speaking to him as if she knew him. It took him a few minutes to figure out who it was. As it was the red head he poofed into when he first got into this world. Then the realization that Ilta and Aria knew each other. Then two others came in both were males, they were older then him from what he could tell. Both were wearing long coats one was more green the other brown. "Ilta, I still have those knives. So yeah I do have a weapon or two. Er yeah I found the place Aria, that's where I got the two jobs so thanks. And I agree lets get moving to the mines. Also to you gents, I'm Killian Lancaster. Call me Kail though" he said as the guy in the brown coat knew both Aria and Ilta. The guy in green though was different then the others and could not put his finger on it.

He started to head to the mines as he saw them in the distance. He wanted to get the job done and over with. So he could warm up by the fire and have something warm to drink.

[Deleted]

♫ “Ho hi, ho hi,
It's off to work, ho hi,
This song's not like any song you know.
Ho hi, ho hi ho hi ho hi.
Ho hi, ho hi,
It's time to now get high.
We'll take some shrooms,
And go to our rooms...
ho hi, ho hi ho hi ho hi.
ho hi, ho hi! ♪

Nine pair of deep tenor voices rang out of the nearby mines; slowly coming closer to the surface. Eventually tiny pointed hats came into view, followed by the tiny little men attached to them. They all had great shaggy beards covered in dirt; there large gnarled hands either holding on to a mining pick or leading a line of large woolly boars pulling large carts. The carts themselves had been covered in burlap sacks protecting its contents. They stopped when they neared the group…the small grumpy men eyeing the strangers and attempting to measure them up. Finally one in a powder blue capped cleared his throat.

”So this is what we have? A modge podge group and two them females…

Another in a yellow hat gave the one who spoke a good kick; glaring at him…He jerked a thumb back towards the mines to signal him to go fetch something. The one who spoken before grumbled before going off. The one in the yellow hat turned back to the group.

”It’s been a rough couple of runs to the city…anyways I suppose you are the ones to volunteer….we well…were hoping for more of ya…. Guess you will have to do. We need to get these carts here, over to the city gates. Each one of us expect to make it there safely….that’s your jobs see? We be paying you out of our pockets so if one of us is out so is that persons cut. We’ll be riding out on mounts.”

He pointed towards the mines where the blue hatted gnome was coming back leading large string of dire rabbits. These rabbits could easily be mounted by a small person; they came in a number of colors from gray, to white, to black ect.

”These here are dire rabbits, beats are the most sure footed things you’ll find. Quick to boot.” Another voice interrupted Vegitarian too! The yellow hat sighed and nodded. ”These beasts have been attracting the Dire Wolves in large numbers. We’re hoping you will be able to handle them”

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Aria laughed; the fur on her chest puffing out slightly as a prideful look came upon her features. Her tail wrapped around her waist and she held it while stroking it softly.

”Why the gods themselves would praise my coat, why settle for the skin of another when mines so superior.”

The high and prideful attitude broke down into a fit of giggles; she really couldn’t even act that vain with a straight face. When the new person appeared Arias eyes sharpened. She took a quick few steps forward and grabbed is chin. Her blue green eyes making contact with his….she stood like this for a few minutes while her scrutinizing gaze bore down. At last she released him with a disappointed sigh and turned back to the others.

”Not the green I’m looking for”

Aria turned back to blondie, it seemed him and Ilta talked more then she had to the odd stranger. Arias ears perked up when a familiar voice popped up to join them as well. She grinned and waved.

”Yes; particularly if wolves are attacking gnomes this early in the season….it spells a tough winter ahead. That and I like to get to know this forests packs... Plus it has occurred to me I might need a bit extra to invest in a good pair of boots in the near future.”

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Ilta shrugs as Rivers asks how the world was treating her. “It hasn’t been horrible so far. No worse than the last one. Let’s hope that continues.”

Ilta looks at the group of gnomes that there were to protect. Nine. A small group of small people. This shouldn’t be too difficult. She looks down to the gnome addressing the group. Modge podge group? She doesn’t think they are the strangest sight, but then she reminds herself that she is standing next to a tiger-human hybrid.

Ilta nods. “It is a bit weird for dire wolves to get so close. I think we should be fine against them though. Are you all ready to head off to the city?” she asks the yellow hat gnome.

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Another male had asked him about his method of teleportation , Honestly Percious didn't think people knew that much about teleporting but this man seemed quite well taught about the subject. Worm holes don't really work for me, Although I heard they are great defensively. I use true teleportation no trickery behind itPercious wasn't too violent but when someone got on his nerves he would usually be quick to snap as he teleported over to the short man that had called them modge podge. In all honesty he had no clue what modge podge meant but the tone that came with the phrase enraged him as he grabbed the gnome and lifted it up to his level. I'm here out of the very,very...very little good will I have left in me. I don't really give a damn about you're safety so get on my nerves like that again and I promise I'll send you home in a shoe box

He honestly spoke with intention of doing what he told the gnome before dropping the short man. Soon the half tiger Hybrid walked up to him to have an up close look at his eyes, or so he thought atleast since she seemed to stare him down. Usually the green glow would scare people but she seemed to stare right into the glow with her hand on his chin. He wouldn't exactly admit to liking it although he did until she turned around appearently looking for a darker shade of green or something of the sort.

He laughed slightly before gently holding her tail. she was right, her fur was rather well groomed he thought to himself before stepping towards her and using her tail to turn her around. your a green enthusiest huh? He knew grabbing her tail wouldn't exactly be the smartest thing as he stood closely infront of her like before I didn't exactly manage to catch your name sadly. He spoke calmly knowing full well that there is a chance she might try to rip him apart. Soon one of the other members spoke about moving onwards Percious turned towards the other member of the group. Sure , I think we've been in the same place long enough

[Rivers]

Rivers looks at the new man with interest, this was the first time he'd met a fellow teleporter who wasn't a deity. Though when he explained that he had true teleportation Rivers was impressed.

The hawklike bard walked over to the man. "I've never seen a true teleportation that was not a divine ability..." He lets that hang out in the open for a few moments then looks over at Ilta.

"It's good your getting along fine. I told you most of the time these places are like any other." He then his attention is drawn to the new arrivals, as the gnomes explain what they want...rudely shrugs his shoulders in a grandieos manner. "Well not to try and take the fun out of this or anything, but-" he trails off as he walks over to the path and places a stone in the ground, as he does the stone vanishes.

"The shortcut has already been created." He explains holding up a bag of shiny rocks "Gate stones, they'll create a portal that will take you to where the other stone is, though it takes a bit for the portal to open." He explains with a slightly disapppoited sigh.

"We'll that aside, let's get this over with."

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Aria watched with mild amusement as the group interacted with the grumpy old men. More so when the odd teleporter just yanked one of them up and declared his views on their safety.

”I would like to point out it’s the short hairy dwarfs that.” “GNOMES” She coughed and cleared her throat as she was interrupted by one of the short ones…a frown coming on her face. ”My mistake the short and hairy ’Gnnnoomes’ are whom will be paying us…IF they all make it back. So really their safety is your top priority. Because it doesn’t sound like the crown’s the one that would be compensating us for our troubles”

Aria just smiled at Rivers enthusiasm for seeing another teleporter. She really never understood how his tunnels worked…it seemed awfully complicated. Aria turned to Ilta with a smile at the mention of the Dire wolves acting odd; she pointed Iltas sight in the direction of the large rabbits that were being led closer.

”Not as odd as you would think; those would be their natural prey….These gnomes had to have issues with wolves during any season….which makes me wonder why need help now?”

Suddenly Arias fur stood on end and her eyes bugged out as she felt a hand close around her tail. HER TAIL! THAT WAS ATTACHED TO HER BUTT!!! She felt violated….. like that time Garrett accidentally groped her…

As she felt the hand grasped around her tail start to spin her around, she used the momentum of the spin and the strong muscles in her large tail to pull the man forward off balance. Simultaneously lacing her foot behind his legs in an attempt to sweep it out from underneath him as she pushed his chest away from her. The movement was quick and natural from years of repeated practice. Her eyes bore down cold and angry.

”I am a lady good sir and not some trollop that you can grasp below the belt willy nilly” She felt a snort in the back of her mind ’Says the ‘lady’ who tackles men on first site’ Arias face screwed up in response to the ever present entity in her mind. ’THAT’S scent marking, its different….’ She turned her attention back to the man and straightened up. ”Aria Wisteria Wurud”

She let the green enthusiast slide, not really sure what her answer would be. ‘I am looking for an owner to a pair of eyes I had a vision about, after I poked a glowey crystal’ wasn’t exactly an answer that would do any good. Her attention turned back to the group of gnomes, it was time to move forward…but then Rivers stepped up and placed a gate on the ground.

”Well.....there ya have it, Portal will be open in a few minutes you all can walk through and back again....”