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Kal'ara spent her day aquiring the neccessary gear and resources she was going to need on the road. She stole herself an extra few shirts, leggings, and a jacket, then bought some more rations (only because the stall owner was watching her), along with a few sundry items she just wanted.

She then perched herself on the edge of the fountain in the middle of the marketplace and watched the day unfold. She spotted a man who may have been the half-dragon Adustes had mentioned, but she didn't bother going near him - the less she had to do with these individuals the better, in her opinion. When night began to fall, she decided to try and book a room in the inn Adustes was staying in rather than sleep on the streets. She walked up to the Balmy Bard Inn, and was amazed when the clerk allowed her to book herself a room. She took her key, walked up the stairs, and let herself in to her room. Once inside, she placed her bag and pouch down and flopped down on the bed, enjoying the relative comfort.

When she awoke the next morning, she took stock of what she had in her bags, then spent the day showering and such - just enjoying the home comforts she never really got to have. At around 4 oçlock she packed her gear up, and headed downstairs to return her room key, and wait down in the tavern for the rest of the group. Once entering the tavern, she saw Adustes and a woman, whom she supposed was the human she had been told about. She walked up to them, and took a seat next to Adustes before announcing herself with a quiet "Hello", mainly to Adustes.

Having spent all of the prior evening attempting to gather what information could be found on Adustes and finding nothing that he didn't know already, Matasoga gathered up the rest of his vouchers and notes (those that would put the amount of food that he would be carrying in excess of his comfort and mobility and those not spent on drinks for his would-be informants) on a sort of feast, leaving only enough for breakfast before returning to his room with a full belly, and taking a long, relaxing bath, indulging in every comfort afforded to him, for he did not know when he might find any again.
The next morning, he completed his rituals as usual and arrived finding a rather fuller crowd around Adustes than he had expected. It was easy to tell from their postures that they were not hostile. This meant that it was likely that they'd be joining us.
He watched them closely while he walked to the table, taking in the measure of each newcomer. He did nothing to draw any attention to himself, but dressed in such a grandiose and unusual manner as he, he did not bother with any vain attempts to be inconspicuous. He waited at he edge of the table to be addressed before speaking.

Her attention seated itself on the crowd that was quickly forming near where the haunting music was centered. She barely caught a glimpse of the musician before the crowd blocked her view. Hopefully, the crowd would disperse soon and she would be able to get a better look at the person.

Slowly, her eyes turned back to Adustes- and Kal'ara, who'd just approached. "Hello," she replied simply. She had figured that the woman was another of the recruits before Adustes had even spoken up- though she was a bit surprised to see the tail and Eliae almost immediately began trying to figure out what she was.

Leaning back in her chair as she thought a bit more, her eyes turned back to the crowd just in time to see a fairly well-built man approaching. "Vellek?" she said, a bit more sweetly than she'd greeted Kal'ara. "Eliae," she said, offering her hand to the man.

It wasn't much longer before Matasoga approached as well; it seemed that everyone was showing up at once. "Good to see you again, Matasoga," she said with a smile and a nod. The woman couldn't help but to grin a bit, thinking that this trip could be quite amusing- at least, for her. For another brief moment, her eyes drifted back to the crowd as she attempted to spot the musician. Unable to see anything in the vain attempt, Eliae turned her gaze back to the group around her.

(Knowledge - The Planes, +8 modifier)

Vellek grinned at Eliae as she introduced herself, gripping her hand a few seconds longer than he normally would have. Well, maybe this trip won’t be as bad as I thought, he thought to himself.
His grin faded at the lack of response received when he extended his hand to Kal’ara. He took no offense; he was used to working with exceedingly rude individuals. If this shy woman was the least friendly member of the group, he would consider himself fortunate. He withdrew his hand and began to turn back to Eliae, before his attention was drawn to another individual.
A finely dressed man had approached the table. Due to current company, Vellek didn't find the white facepaint strange, and he'd worked with his share of one-eyed warriors over the course his career. He'd have thought the blue coloration and scale pattern of the man's neck painted on as well, were it not for the same coloration and texture of his hands and oddly-formed ears, before noticing the tail. He had never seen a half-dragon, and likely wouldn't have made the connection to this man, had it not been common knowledge to those of the city that a half-dragon was among the defenders during the war.
Had Vellek's grin not already faded, it would have at the sight of the newcomer, and Eliae's greeting of him. He was certain now that the half-dragon would be accompanying the group. This'll only create complications before the job is over, he thought as he suppressed scowl. He sized Matasoga up. His slim physique and manner of dress didn't seem like that of a warrior.... Was he a spellcaster then? Did he rely on the powers of his race, whatever they may be? Vellek cursed the fact that he hadn't seen the man on the battlefield. With any luck, he would have a chance to discern the extent of the half-dragon's abilities before they might be turned in his direction....
He forced a smile to his face and gave a nod to greet the half-dragon.

"Good evening Vellek," Adustes responded, and looked on as the man introduced himself to the others. He hadn't expected Kal'ara's aloofness, but it shouldn't have been surprising considering her race and the likely reaction received from the common folk.
He was about to speak up for her when it appeared that she had no intention of introducing herself, but he spotted Matasoga making his way toward the table, so he decided to hold off for a moment. There was no sense wasting his breath when he would likely have to repeat the same words within seconds after all.
"Matasoga. It's good to see you didn't change your mind," he acknowledged the half-dragon with a smile and a nod. He held a hand out, gesturing to Eliae and said, "I believe you recall Eliae." He moved his hand slightly to the side and said, "This is Vellek." He then gestured to the tiefling beside him and, looking to Vellek so the man knew he was being addressed as well, said, "and this is Kal'ara."

Kal'ara looked up from her nails, and brushed her bangs out of her face. "And you may have heard, my name is Kal'ara. Pleasure to meet you." She said with a slight smile. She shifted her seat forward again. "Please excuse my rudeness earlier, it's not exactly my nature to draw attention to myself." She spoke apologetically, mainly towards Vellek and Eliae; she was still more than a little wary of - what was his name? Mata... something...

Vhael'iss passively allowed the sorrow that had accumulated in the small crowd around her to soak into her being. It wasn't a proper feeding, feeding on the ambiance was never enough to satisfy her, but it sufficed as a snack. All the while she kept her senses attuned to Adustes, still waiting for any sign of emotion triggered but it seems he was not so easily provoked. Disappointing, a little, but nothing tragic; she could still sense great potential in him... She just had to strike the right chord. As it was, she could taste the array of dark emotions about him, clinging heavily to his soul like the long black cloak he adorned himself with. All of them delicious, these perpetual feelings of his (some of these emotions ran deep, she could see, and fitted him like a second skin, marking their familiarity) and what she wouldn't give to see them flare.
So intent was she on delving into Adustes' dark heart, that her eyes actually opened in surprise upon feeling a rush of powerful emotion coming not far from him. The half dragon? She had noted his arrival, though had paid him no further heed until now. Her gaze fell upon the painted blue where he stood, doing his ultimate best to give no indication of the sudden turmoil that had gripped him. Considering what she could feel, she had to admit it was impressive, the casual pose, the subtle hiding of his face. No amount of cool and collected posture could fool her, though, and her the corners of her lips pulled up in the barest of smiles. Now that was what she'd been searching for... From an unexpected source perhaps, but no less delicious, she bore witness to his internal struggle. Sorrow, distaste, frusteration, regret, distress... Every time the sadness almost pulled him under, he was rescued by a surge of anger, clearly cursing his reaction to her song.
Instead of taking away from her enjoyment of the scene, his fury added a spice that, though not something she normally sought out, was never-the-less pleasing.
The bard was still watching him when he recovered and turned toward her and, head still tilted demurely against her viola, she impulsively offered him a faintly knowing smile.

EDIT:

The smile didn't last long as she was ignored (of course) and her eyes closed again as she continued to play. It appeared that the brief episode with the blue half dragon was not soon to start up again, more's the pity. But perhaps if she added her voice...
It started with a soft humming, low and mournful to accompany the sorrowful music, but it was not long before her tune transitioned flawlessly into a new, equally sad melody and she began to sing. Soft, almost breathy, and fraught with grief, she began her tale of long long ago. A dwarven home, a mysterious disease... Death and suffering everywhere, inescapable, suffocating, claiming life after life with no hesitation, and all sent by some unknown evil that she skillfully left vague until the moment came when it would make the biggest impact.
She had heard this legend as a child, but this rendition was all hers. One of the first pieces she had written actually, and while not much at the time, she had developed it over the course of years into something that she enjoyed singing often enough.
She skillfully wove the tale of the dwarves' growing desperation and their search for something that would combat the illness. Medicine offered no relief, magic too failed them. In a last act of hope, healers traveled out into the close mountains in search of new herbs to try, praying for a miracle...

Adustes could have smiled watching the group's interaction. Matasoga's curt acknowledgments, Vellek's hard gaze as he sized up the others, the cold distance that only Eliae's presence disrupted.... It was almost like working with shadar-kai again.
It wasn't often that he allowed his thoughts to turn to his people, but now that they had drifted that way, he realized he missed them. It was somewhat surprising, as they were as a whole suspicious and fairly dull individuals, at least in his eyes. But then again, he had spent the better part of his centuries of life among them, and no other person or creature could better understand his existence than them. Long ago when he left them, he resolved that he would not return until his goals had been accomplished, and now he wondered if such a time would ever come to pass, and if it did, how strong his connections to them would remain. After all, it had been a very long time since he had left....
Though he was anxious to be on the road, he kept silent, giving his new companions a few moments to get acquainted before they were off. He sat back and allowed his thoughts to drift, making certain they didn't consume him so deeply that he wouldn't register conversation directed at him, and idly listened to the bard's music. After a few moments he began to hear scattered wisps of a soft, quiet voice amid the yammering of the crowd. His ears strained to hear the song, catching the tale of the dwarves' demise. As he listened, he realized that he recognized this story, though he had come across it from a different source. The settlement in the bard's song had become the very ruins that he was traveling to.
"Excuse me for a moment," he said as he rose from his seat. He crossed the room and melded into the crowd around the singer. Now that he was on his feet and had closed in on the performer, he could finally see her over the throng of people amassed around her. For the briefest of seconds, his eyes widened in surprise. Her very pale skin, seeming to be a light gray, quite similar to his own; long dark hair, taking a deep black tone in the dim torchlight; fine fey features and slight form... for an instant, Adustes thought he had come across another of his kind. But then he noticed the elongated ears and lack of obvious tattoos, piercings, or scarification that would have marked her as a shadar-kai, and realized with only slight disappointment that he was wrong. Whatever she was though, she bore a striking resemblance....
He pushed the thought from his mind and concentrated on her song, which, from his new position he could easily hear. He stared intently at her as she played, hanging off her every word as he confirmed that the subject of the song was in fact his destination. It seemed the ruins of the keep were not as well forgotten as he had thought.
His mind raced at this new development. How long has this tale been sung? How widespread could it be? He had known from the beginning that there was a moderate chance of failure in this endeavor, and now his chance of success seemed slim at best. But he was not prepared to give up. As long as there was even a sliver of hope, he would continue onward. He placed a hand on his chest, where his breastplate concealed his holy symbol, and internally offered a short prayer, asking for his god's favor, and success in his venture.
When the song came to its end, most of the crowd silently turned their attention away, wallowing in the sadness the bard had inspired, few polite patrons giving reserved applause. Adustes was among these. He stepped forward, until only a pace separated the two and asked, "May I speak with you for a moment?"

Vellek looked on in silence as Adustes excused himself and walked away, not caring enough to follow the robed man's path through the crowd. Instead, he flagged down a passing barmaid and ordered a drink, then turned his attention back to the others.
He grinned when he felt Eliae's leg lean against his, but she gave no indication of the move, and with her attention focused on the woman across the table, he couldn't be sure that she'd meant to do that.
He raised the mug to his lips, looking out of the corner of his eyes at the woman as he took in a mouthful of the cheap ale, and moved his leg to more firmly press against hers, and watched for her reaction.


((Don't forget about your skill checks, people. If your character wants to hide their emotions, or conceal certain expressions or the like, make a Bluff check.
From this point forward, failure to roll a skill check where appropriate will result in the failure of the attempted action.))