"Before you can go forth and teach her all that she needs to know, she does need to get her badge to denote her Adventurer's Rank." Faellis says.

  "Of course! I should have given it to them as soon you finished touching the orb. Although, we were all pretty surprised by the outcome, so don't be too mad at me, okay?" Aquaria says, hardly taking a breath.

  "Oh, I'm not upset." I tell her, smiling.

  "What a wonderful Adventurer you are. I sure hope that you aren't killed. Especially not right away. Only take what you are able to handle from the quest board, okay?" Aquaria says, eyes shining. Is she holding back tears? Are Adventurers typically that mean?

  "Aquaria, maybe you should show her where to get her badge?" Faellis gently encourages her.

  "Oh! Right, right. Haha, sorry. I got so caught up in how nice you are. Okay, beneath that green orb will be a metal badge. That is personalized to you. If for some reason it is lost, it will show up in your belongings. You can update it at any adventurer's guild."

  "It's green?" I ask, wondering if the color meant anything. "And there is an A on it?"

  "Green means beginner, and that A is to show that you are registered with the adventurers guild. Once you register with more, your badge will get pretty interesting. You get letters for each guild, and it seperates into different colors for the different ranks that you are at with each guild that you are registered with. It seems much easier than making you keep track of multiple pins." Faellis says, explaining.

  "I do appreciate that." I say earnestly. That would have been a nightmare to keep up with.

  "Does the color change on its own?"

  "No. That is why you have to get it updated." Aquaria says. I hope I am not repeating questions, or having her explain the same concept too much.

  "Thanks for the good information. It sounds like I may be seeing you tomorrow when we pick up a guild quest." I say.

  "I hope so!" Aquaria shouts.

  We leave the guild building and Rona hugs Jake, then hugs me as well.

  "I have had a great time hanging out with you two, but I have to get back to work now." Rona says, sounding like she is sulking a bit. She probably is sulking to be fair.

  "I wish we could have spent more time together tonight." I tell Rona.

  "I tend to make good judgements about people pretty immediately, so I know that we are going to be friends. I have to teach you how to style your hair and do your makeup after all. I want you to shine. Bards are supposed to be beautiful, or witty, or just really good entertainers. I feel that with enough polish you can be all of that."

  "Thanks Rona." I say, giving her a warm smile.

  "She is in the same inn as me, Rona." Jake tells her before stealing a quick kiss.

  I see Rona's cheeks brighten before her and Cookie hurry away, probably going back to her work. Cookie looks back and say "Bye! Take good care of Glimmer!"

  "Don't worry Cookie. I already planned to." I say back. Cookie gives a tiny nod before turning, the pitter patter of his little paws catching up to Rona.

  "What a little cutie huh." Jake says. "And Cookie's pretty cute too." Jake turns and gives me a bright smile.

  "Were you planning on meeting up with the others?" I ask him, indicating the rest of the party.

  "We tend to make our plans at dinner. And it's already pretty late. I recommend you eat something little than take a nap before dinner. I appreciate the fun you had with us, but you do seem a little tired." Jake says, patting me on the shoulder.

  "Thanks. I think I will do just that." I say.

  We make our way back to the inn, talking about this and that, whatever popped into Jake's head. It feels as if no time passes before we get to the inn.

  "Catch you later. I'll come wake you up for dinner if that is cool."

  "Sounds good." I tell him.

  As I make my way inside I catch sight of the most beautiful person I think I have ever seen. Either that, or maybe I just found a type that I am attracted to. Either way, truly a stunning beauty. She appears to be on the shorter side, but it's hard to tell for sure as she is sitting at one of the tables, eating with what appears to be her Class Helper, an ocelot. The person has cinnamon ferret ears, blue and green hair and purple eyes.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Part of me wants to try to be outgoing and sit at her table, but the rest of me is saying light food then sleep. I need a nap for my brain to function on a high enough level to plot, plan and coordinate. I think I feel eyes on me, but keep walking. I believe I hear someone behind me say "pretty" but I don't know who they are talking about. Probably that beautiful demi-human ferret.

  I take a seat alone in front of the fire. I'm not cold, but there is something soothing about staring into the flames and watching them dance.

  "Lyra hun! I got so worried when I didn't see you here at lunch time. But then I realized you were probably out shopping and wasn't worried anymore. Anyways, are you hungry?" Laney's bubbly voice asks me.

  "I am. But do you think I can get something light? I want to eat then nap until dinner." I request.

  "Of course! How about I bring you a sandwich. A make a mean sandwich with some turkey leg meat."

  "Oh Laney, that does sound ever so lovely." I say, accidentally slipping into Noble speak. I need to get away from that. Begone language and mannerisms. I don't you need you anymore!

  "Ever so lovely huh? Oh! We don't have very many types here, as we are a tavern and inn, but we have some tea. Would you like some?" she asks. That is something that I miss. I love tea. I don't care the flavor.

  "I would love that." I say, giving her a warm and genuine smile.

  "I'll be right back then Lyra." she says. The use of my name throws me off for a moment, but I like it. I like it better than Miss and My Lady as well as Hun.

  I stare into the flames as I wait. As I watch them dance I think about this new life I am starting. I wonder how I am going to make it. It seems that I have so much to learn, so much that none of my classes covered. I need to learn about my Class as well. And my party that I will be fighting with. I need to get better at songs. There is no quitting, there is no going home with my tail between my legs. There is either I make it or I die. That is what it means to be an Adventurer.

  I am pulled out of the spinning of my thoughts by the arrival of my tea and sandwich.

  "Thanks." I say.

  "Don't mention it. Just enjoy it!" she says before gliding away.

  I dig in to my sandwich, realizing just how hungry I am. I savor the flavors as it vanishes off of my plate. It seems that I can't fight the predatory instincts to scarf down tasty foods. I was always smacked by a fan at home for doing that. I guess here no one notices. I sip down my tea and allow the warmth to spread throughout my limbs. As I am about to drift off I feel my plate and cup taken from me.

  I tiredly look up and see Laney. "Go on up and get some rest. I can tell that you had a long day, after most likely not getting the best sleep. Your emotions are probably still chasing you."

  I nod and feel as though I am dragging myself up the stairs. Once in my room I put down my spatial bag and flop over, face down on the bed. I only full pull myself the rest on the way onto the bed when I feel like I am suffocating.

  I curl up on the bed and feel Glimmer move along my neck until he is curled up under my chin. If he is feeling tired because I am, the poor little one must be exhausted. As I found out earlier, he is just a baby after all. I wonder if he grows up with time, or if he is also connected to my level and experience like ? Before I have time to think more deeply into that thought, I am sleep.

  It feel like no time passes before I hear a knock on my door. Startled, I roll out of bed. My feet hit the floor with a sitisfying thump.

  "One moment!" I shout. I quickly splash some water on my face, change into one of the outfits I had bought earlier, complete with the calf length boots, sling my lute over my shoulder and open the door.

  "Sorry that took so long." I tell the three at my door.

  "No worries. I appreciate that you took the time to wipe the drool off of your face." Damien says. He looks friendly, but I can't tell if he is joking or not. I suppose I will figure him out in time.

  "What a dumb thing to notice!" Derrick booms. He has an impressively loud voice. "You should notice that she is clearly not in wrickled clothes, and she has her lute. The one she just bought no doubt." He says, a big smile crossing his face.

  "Oh, umm. I did change, and this is my new lute. I didn't want to keep wearing my riding clothes. As far as I know, our dinner and talk aren't going to be over horseback." I quip.

  "Hehe, told you she was funny you guys." Jake says, slipping an arm in mine and leading me down the stairs and to the table that we sat at this morning. Is this their table, or is it sheer dumb luck?

  When we get downstairs I look around to see if the beautiful person is here. As I am looking around my eyes meet hers and she gives me a coy little smile. Oh, did they notice me checking them out earlier? I am so embarassed. I give a small smile back and turn back to my Party.

  "Okay, I am glad to see that you are equipped." Damien says, looking at my lute. "Did you also get registered with the guild?" he asks.

  "I did. Sorry, I didn't have the time to clip on my new badge. It's green." I tell them. The color of beginnings, perfect for someone just starting out.

  "Okay, we didn't really expect anything else. Some people are just odd ones. Not saying that you are too much of an odd one." Derrick says, slapping my back and letting out a booming laugh.

  Is laughing a lot, and laughing easily a hallmark trait of being an Adventurer? It certainly isn't a bad trait, though it might take me a bit for it to come as naturally to me as it comes to others.

  "Haha well, I guess everyone has to be a little strange sometimes?" I ask, and they grin at me.

  "Sometimes? Girlie, we are a bit strange all the time. I hope that doesn't scare you off too much." Derrick responds.

  "Not at all." I say in reply. Am I supposed to be scared off?

  "Good. Now then." Damien says, and I follow his eyes. Laney was walking over to us, smile beaming. "We should order our food and get started on thinking about what sort of strategy would work best for us."

  "Of course we should!" Jake says.

  "What order can I get you four?" Laney asks, eyes looking over the men that I am with. She gives me a small nod. Is that approval? Approval for what? Or is that a reminder to be careful with becoming romantically involved with these men? I don't plan to.

  "I have trusted your recommendation so far." I tell her. "I see no reason to change that."

  "I like someone who isn't picky and eats their food. It makes our cooks happy. Don't be surprised if they start testing new recipes on you."

  "No worries, I won't be surprised." I respond.

  "And can we get our usuals?" Jake asks.

  "Of course! Be back soon." Laney says as she glides away, disappearing into the crowd.

  "How does she do that?' I ask.

  "Perhaps it is a skill." Damien says with little inflection.

  "Let's not focus on the mysteries of Laney. Instead we should focus on formation. None of have fought together." Jake says. "Well, aside from Damien and Derrick."

  "I shall remain faithfully by Damien's side." Derrick announces. Damien gives him a look that I can't decyfer and we move on.

  "Okay. So for weapons we have an axe, a shield, my lightning, and..." Jake trails off, looking at me. Is he wanting to know if I want to use my daggers and throwing stars, or stick to the recommendation of staying out of the way and playing my lute.

  "I'm be playing terrible songs for you that do their job." I say and give a big grin.

  "Why terrible?" Derrick asks.

  "Because not all of them can be winners, and bad songs can be amusing and lift other's spirits." I say in response.

  "I do like to have my spirits lifted." Derrick says.

  "Okay, so this should be a pretty obvious formation. We are going to come at the enemies from the front with Damien giving us some coverage with his shield. Next we are going to have Derrick beside him wielding his beloved axe Rowanda. In the center we will have me as I am the squishiest. In the back, only slightly behind me will be Lyra, playing her lute."

  I lift my lute up and give it a small strum while smiling. "And I shall make sure my songs are awefully affective."

  "You don't plan on only having terrible songs forever, do you?" Damien asks, lifting an eyebrow at me.

  "I hope not. I truly hope not. Maybe I will have some blunt and descriptive songs as well." I respond.

  "Does it matter how good or bad the songs are as long as they work?" Jake asks.

  "Yes." both Damien and Derrick say in unison.

  "Sorry to interupt, but I come with food!" Laney says, placing the food down in front of us. I begin to salivate from the smell alone. I can only imagine how good it is going to taste. There is a slab of seasoned meat, a rich looking cream based stew, and a hunk of soft bread. I take a little taste and am pleased that it is sourdough, as that is my favorite type of bread.

  "Enjoy your meal! And I hope you are doing a good job planning ways not to die!" Laney says, chipper as always before she heads over to another table.

  "Let's dig in!" Jake says. Before he even gets all of the words out we are already eating.