RP:Divided We Stand, United We Fall?

Part of the Sharknado Arc

Summary: Leader Lanara calls all members of the Adventurer's Guild in for a mandatory meeting, so they can discuss their planned adventure to Twister Island, and to see where everyone stands on their tasks she had given them two weeks prior. They gained a new member amongst their ranks, Tiber, and he's been appointed the position of Translator. Going around the table, Emilia assures them that she has gotten several members of the Healer's Guild to follow behind their ships, Aira provides several maps that show the most direct route to the island, Scandal offers to be bait in dragon form and create a distraction so Crimson Cloak doesn't catch wind of what they're up to, and Lanara states how she intends on rescuing the sharks that are caught up in the storm, and mentions the upcoming annual pig roast. The witch also thinks it's best if they break into teams, to work on their endurance, stamina, and strength training, before taking such a trying trip, and Aira angrily storms out of the room as she doesn't want to be a team player and work alongside Scandal. The meeting concludes with the members in low spirits, though they are hopeful that the picnic will bring others to their cause.

(Post 1 of 2) Lanara is perched on the edge of her seat, her hands clasped before her atop the long wooden table, and a no-nonsense expression on her face. The meeting room appears tidy, and the board to the left continues to bear drawing of sharks, weather diagrams, and maps of Rynvale. A few hand written letters are also pinned to the board, as well as various pictures of the islanders that they would encounter on their quest. At the center of the board is a drawing in the likeness of ‘Crimson Cloak’ the mage that they would have to battle on Twister Island, in hopes of ending the sharknado’s, saving the islanders, and of course, earning the treasure chest full of gold to split amongst each other. To the right of the room a table is set up, with various cheeses, crackers, baked goods, and a fruit platter. As always, there are bottles of chilled ale, a large pitcher of spring water, and a few squares of bacon treats for the dog.

(Post 2 of 2) Lanara looks to her right, locking eyes with Tiber, who she hopes will keep silent about their unique arrangement and how he had been recruited to the guild. The less the members knew about her mishap into slavery, the better. She had filled him in about what they were dealing with, and knowing that he was a fan of gold, and the fact that she didn’t have a permission slip on her person, he had agreed to accompany her to the meeting. She leans closer to the man, her long locks brushing against the table, as she points to the members that all enter the room and choose their seats. “After I briefly regroup, you go ahead and introduce yourself to everyone, and tell them your title in the guild. Remember, whatever is said in this room, or whatever happens on our adventure’s… It stays silent and only between our fellow members. We value our privacy.” A bark interrupts the elf, as Circinus yips his agreement, the massive dog coming over to greet Tiber and inhale his scent. “This is Circinus, our tracking dog…” Lana explains, as the mastiff moves on to greet Aira, the vixen that smelled of dog treats and kibble. He proudly lowers his slobbery muzzle to her lap, begging for scratches. As the final member files into the room, the leader rises to her feet and grins, pleased that they all had arrived, several with files, others with supplies, and the look of pride on Lana’s face is visible. “Welcome, everyone. I’m so glad you all could make it, as time is of the absolute essence in this upcoming journey… I have been keeping in contact with Renata… There have been more deaths, and each day Crimson Cloak grows more powerful. The tornado, which is fueled by magic along with the nature of the island, and has sharks flying within… Has divided. There are now –three- twisters we will have to compete with, in an effort to defeat Crimson Cloak, and rescue the islanders. The path of the storms is unpredictable, so we will have to keep our wits about us.” Walking towards the rear of the room, she picks up large backpacks, with strong shoulder straps, and the name of each member sewn into the fabric. Even Circinus had one that would attach to his harness! “I urge each of you to pack what you think you’ll need for the journey, along with a lucky token, and whatever means the most to you, just in case we don’t return…” Each bag is then tossed to each person at the table, landing neatly before them, and Lana returns to her chair. Her chocolate hues scan each of their faces, in turn, Tiber, Emilia, Aira, Scandal, and Circinus, before she crosses her legs and scoots her chair inwards. Each of them was given a task at the last meeting, aside from Tiberius, though she knew he’d be researching the languages spoken of the islanders and pirates they would be encountering. “Alright! Time to regroup! What do you all have for me, and are there any questions?”

Tiberius lingers in a chair near Lanara while disrespectfully placing his feet on top of the table twirling an unsmoked cigarette in his fingers. He would not smoke in an enclosed room, but he did need something to fiddle with. Amber eyes are fixated on the dark haired woman, and he kept the feelings mutual about not talking about their agreement upon her enslavement. The wolf was not about to be the stereotypical slave master because that was not who he was. Annoyingly, he agreed to their arrangement of him helping her with the language aspect in the guild as long as he got paid. He always did something for a price. “Of course, but how can you trust anyone in this place?” It was a rhetorical question, and he did not assume it to be answered. As people gather in, his feet lower and he slips the cigarette back into the pocket of his blazer. The people would see that he was some sort of business man due to his formality in attire. Blazer, slacks, button up, and loafers. Though, he kept himself unshaven for a little edge today. As Lanara begins to talk, the Catalian feels as if he is confused by most of what she is talking about, but he begins to piece it together. He knows she mentions the island, but everything else was vague and mostly new. He had to do his research for this little game he was in. The backpacks are handed out and he observes it with a frown as his name is etched in the strap. “What am I in some…” he held his tongue; furthermore, he wanted to finish his sentence with “in some middle grade gang”. He lets her continue before she debriefs and asks for questions or comments. Tiber does not stand, but he just cuts in with a wave of his hand casually to everyone around the table. “Just wanna add, I’m Tiberius Lowell. People call me Tiber for short. I’m the translator for the places that don’t speak our common tongue.” His voice is thick with a Catalian accent, and he keeps his introduction short as if he is a bit stand-offish. He does not explain how languages became his thing, or why--unless people have heard of him. Though, if one has, he did dirty work for people all over the map.

Scandal's appearance was certainly better than his previous appearance at the guild meeting. No longer stark white scales and no longer toxic green, or red rimmed eyes. Scandal was still looking a little bit on the underweight side but his color had improved to a grayish tone and the toxic green to a dark green. Standing at about 7' tall and taking a seat, he sat respectfully allowing his tail to slide through the chair designated for him, so he was not in pain. Scandal looked like a draconian even bearing wings which were hidden under a brown trenchcoat and wearing some dark brown pants. He wore no shoes as it was impractical in his beast like form. His red eyes turned about the room, glares to some, to others a brief look, and to his sister a warm glance, and a smile, to the newcomer though he glanced and felt he should simply observe the newcomer. In response to Lanara he said. "I have done some research and I think our best bet with dealing with the twister is either letting Emilia handle it, by freezing, or I handling it and heating the air, either way, if we destroy the delicate balance of the twister, magical or not, it should if anything put a strain on the caster if it doesn't eliminate the tornado. In regards to the sharks, they being magically created they are likely to work similar to their real life variants its rare to find a caster who can create something detailed enough to look the part and not be a part of nature, the best way to handle the sharks is use their electrosenses to our advantage, a couple of metallic rods may in strategic places will force them to move in those directions, I am pretty sure fish flame, or fish on ice, will work for killing these things if not spearing them in the gills. For those new, I am Scandal, and I am the Lead Researcher for the guild."

Aira saunters into the Adventurer’s Guild meeting room without so much as a fight this time, much to the appreciation of gentleman in the outer room who kept watch, ensuring the guild privacy. The vixen doesn’t carry any (obvious) weapons, although there are large, rolled up parchments under her arm. She deposits them on the table in front of her usual chair near Lanara before heading over to the refreshment table to pour herself a glass of water. She is one of the first to arrive this time, and she opts to keep that unblinking, metallic gaze on the newcomer in the room. Her almond-shaped eyes narrow suspiciously but she doesn’t say anything as her vulpine tail gives a lazy swish and the russet colored ears atop of her head flatten. Aira crosses her long legs when Circinus meanders over and rests his head in her lap. The huntress gives an exasperated sigh but she slips him a treat she had snagged from the table and obliges him in some ear scratches. Aira wears her usual attire of leggings, tunic, and underbust corset, paired with soft leather knee-high boots. The longer locks of her platinum blonde hair are gathered in a high ponytail and she runs her fingers along the sheared away sidecut. She’s not a talkative woman on the best of days so Lanara’s call to attention doesn’t alter much except her eyes slip from the Catalian to the witch. The scowl on her lips becomes more pronounced as Lanara explains about the dire situation on the island and a touch of a growl reverberates in her throat. Three unpredictable tornadoes meant that arriving by ship would be tumultuous. She reaches out to catch her backpack when Lana throws it her way and immediately slings it over the back of her chair, not bothering to think about what token or sentimental object she would bring; the huntress didn’t bother to keep such frivolous things. Tiberius’s introduction is short and to the point, something that Aira appreciates and respects. She supposed his knack for languages would prove beneficial on their journeys. As Scandal moves to speak, the vixen balls her hands in fists and squeezes so that all her knuckles crack. As the dragon offers his advice on how best to deal with sharknados, she inhales through her nose and snaps her eyes shut—clearly, the huntress was trying to keep calm. While she supposed that Scandal’s ideas made sense, executing them was going to be incredibly difficult considering their numbers. When all eyes turn to her, Aira pushes away from the table and gathers up one of the rolled parchments. “You. Newbie,” she says nudging Tiber with her foot. “Come hold this.” It wasn’t a question and the wolf would do best to play nice and oblige the vixen who fixes him with a glare until he does as she says. She hands him one end of the parchment and unfurls the rest so the others can gaze upon it. “As you can see I’ve mapped out a path I think is best, even if it is slightly roundabout.” Aira traces her finger along a dash-mark line on the map. “This side of the island isn’t as populated as the other, as small as it is. I think if there’s a way we can get word to some of the islanders to create some sort of diversion on the more populated side we can hopefully get the caster to focus his energy and magic there. It will hopefully prevent an instance where he tries to attack us on the sea. That’s the best case scenario, at least,” she offers with a shrug before snatching the map out of Tiber’s hands suddenly and moving back to her seat without even so much as thanking him for his assistance.

Lanara fixes Tiber with a ‘look’ as he puts his loafers up on the table, though thankfully, he lowers them as the room begins to fill with the higher-ranking members. She gives the Catalian her complete attention as he gives his very brief introduction, and she bites the inside of her cheek to bite back a giggle as he eyes the backpack with his name embroidered on the pocket. “The backpacks are a necessity, and its important should anything happen to you, or you forget who you are… It’s a constant reminder.” She knew he would hate it, and the way he catches her gaze, he can see that she’s not being cross, but merely being the brat that he’d come accustomed to knowing. Lana keeps silent on how –she- came to discover his linguistic talents, though she mutters something beneath her breath about ‘redheads’ before turning her attention to Scandal. She’s pleased to see that he’s come prepared to this meeting, and that he manages to sit without snapping his tail in two, both indicators that he was taking his position seriously. “Alright. I agree… I think frost magic can help. However… I don’t wish to harm the sharks, Scandal. They weren’t willing participants in this strange magical storm thing… And I don’t think they should have to pay the price. Emilia and I will work together… She will freeze the two storms, while I focus on the original tornado. I plan on using water magic, and obviously it will be cold, however not enough to harm the sharks or ‘freeze’ them. Once they are free of the storm, Emi can freeze that one, and I will transfer the sharks back into the ocean. If any go astray beforehand, however… I guess feel free to slay them.” The witch doesn’t want to dwell on the needless murdering of sea life, though if she’s able to save even one or two, she’ll be pleased. The magical rod idea is preposterous and she doesn’t bother to comment upon it, as she glances at Emilia, who is still riling through all of her papers. Lana gives her a kind smile, knowing she’ll skip her turn, as she fixes Aira with a ‘look’ similar to the warning glance she had given to Tiber. The vixen was the wildcard of the group, and the witch is a little worried that she’ll snap at any given moment. Thankfully, there aren’t any visible weapons on her at this moment, though Lana had caught wind of the blonde growing antsy with Scandal’s speech. Those two would never be friends, it seemed, and as much as this amuses the witch, she hopes they don’t kill each other before they get to the island, or worse, during the sharknado. The maps are glimpsed, and she quirks a brow as Aira taps Tiber with the tip of her boot, to ask him for assistance. This bothers the woman, though she keeps her mouth shut. With Aira, one had to pick and choose their battles, and she didn’t want anyone to think she was showing favoritism to Tiber, the new guy. Leaning forward, her dark gaze narrows on the points that the vixen’s referring to, and she purses her lips, as though deep in thought, before speaking, “A distraction? Hm… I wonder if Scandal could help with that… We need someone to run interference when we are just arriving, but obviously none of us are going to hop overboard and swim to shore. Magic would be too obvious to Crimson Cloak, and we’d be outed within seconds… But a massive dragon, flying over that half of the land? I think it could work.” She doesn’t mention the danger involved, though she assumes that her brother wouldn’t mind, and that his scales were much stronger than flesh, and therefore he could take quite a few hits. The witch leans back in her chair and uncrosses her legs, only to switch sides and cross them again. Those that focus on her face would see the gears turning in her head, as she imagines the tumultuous waves rocking the boat, the saving of the sharks, the freezing of the tornados, and them all working together to rescue the villagers and defeat Crimson Cloak. It was a suicide mission, and she knew it, but they had to try. Plus, there was a treasure chest of gold promised, if they were successful. “Alright. We will team up and work on our endurance. I want us to meet back here in one week. We will work out in teams, alright?” At this part, Lana smirks, knowing cardio, strength training, and stamina lessons would be trying, at best, for the teams she was making up. “Scandal, Aira, and Emilia, on one team… And Circinus, Tiber, and I on the other team. It makes the most sense, based on our home bases, and our strength levels.” Actually, she put Emi with Aira and Scandal, so that the Genasi would make sure the two of them didn’t kill each other. “Carrying on… There will be a pig roast, open house event, this weekend. I hope you all can make it! I’ll be rocking my bikini, my sister will be cooking the frost boar, and there will be fireworks and swimming! Maybe we will recruit some new members! After that… I’ll arrange another get together, before we head off for Twister Island… Any questions?”

Tiberius crosses his arms over his chest as Scandal begins to talk about killing sharks. He has an amused smile that he knew that Lanara would not appreciate. The man is content and barely listening to anything that comes out of the mouths of the strangers. He did not particularly want to be involved, but Lanara had persisted until she dragged him all the way out here. The wolf is picking at the dirt between his nails until a foot nudges him. “I’m sorry, are you talking to me?” He gives the huntress a smart-ass smile. The glare on her face makes him smile all the more. “Actually, I don’t remember my name starting with an N. Try harder,” and he would let her stare at him a second more before standing up lazily. He snatches the map and pulls it open for her in an are-you-happy-now motion. The ladies are talking, and something about creating a distraction. “I think the diversion with Scandal is a good idea, but everyone will think a dragon is attacking their homeland,” he mumbles. He was the brutally honest one. The rogue then automatically lets the map go and plops back down in a seat. “So I’m guessing I’m going to have to research the language they speak on Twister Island…? Never heard of that place.” He eyes Lanara up and down. “I’ll talk about my research next meeting. Research the culture, so we do not cross any social boundaries. I’ve been to places where just stepping foot in a village they almost massacred me without bowing to their chief of the village.” He shrugged. “Not saying they have a chief,” he added. They got the point. He did not want the islanders to think they were going to be invaded by another group of individuals. As Lanara talks about the picnic, he remains silent for the rest of the information. Picnics… Did that mean he really had to go to the picnic if Lanara was going due to their situation? Tiberius did not do picnics. "Do you even want to see a pig roasted...?" He crinkled his nose at Lanara. He could not help his outburst.

Scandal was resolved to not answer Aira if he didn't have too, he had left a bad enough impression on her he didn't want to make worse, but then, he kind of accepted it as a hopeless case. Still Lanara, his adopted sister's decision to pair him with her and Emilia was a daunting endeavor. She pushed his buttons, and something told him his very existence pushed hers. He did hide a small smirk when Tiber was called newbie by Aira. And had to hide it a second time, when Tiber delivered the returning burn. Lanara was the leader, so he chose to follow with her choice, no matter how much he disagreed with it. He ignored Aira's gaze if she chose to dagger eye him on the decision to put him and her in the group. "I agree with Tiber, I would want to be sure we are not insulting the people we are trying to save, at least enough knowledge so we don't have them calling curses down upon us." He swallowed agonizingly hard however when the suggestion of having to fly in at full size as a distraction." I...um... okay." If a dragon could sweat he would have been. "Tiber has a point, but if it saves lives, I won't care if another group of people hate or fear me, Its something I have been forced to get used to, one more will not make much of a difference." He locked eyes with Aira in the most pleading way he could, Help me out here, he tried to say with his eyes.

Emilia was late to the meeting, but her absence went rather unnoticed as she had sent in a little ice version of herself that just sat in her chair to finger through a stack of papers, it was all it could do was that, no speaking nor any beyond what it was created for with little magic to hold it together from the healer. Most of the meeting was gone when the Genasi arrived in the most awkward of fashion as she literally flew past the guards in the previous room and into the room filled with all her comrades on a set of wings made from ice that were presently melting very fast. It was about the time she was over the table that the wings of the Healer fully melted and she fell, landing flat on her back before the entire group on the table. With the return of the actual Emi the one playing with papers melted into a puddle. Em herself just let out a breath after having the wind knocked out of her and smiled up at Lanara with those frozen blue lips of hers, “Sorry, I am late.” she said out of breath. The white woman was dressed in a pair of leather pants with an oversized button up dress shirt that were both covered in a great deal of blood, not hers, but someone's and it was rather fresh. Those crazy curls of hers falling over the edge of the table onto the lap of Tiber before she sat up abruptly and slid off to stand next to the table. What a crazy creature, Tiber former question of trusting those here could be revisited looking at one that seems to have murdered someone by appearance alone. “Righty-o. I see a new face. I’m Emi, head Healer of this bunch.” As if on cue Right, her black-ice animated hand came out of her curls and offered a wave at Tiber. With her blood stained hand she ran it through her curls, tucking them behind her ear, “I have a group of healers from the guild ready to go on another ship to tail behind us after we leave so that they are last to arrive. Beyond that I have managed to acquire two other ships to use to get to the island. I think that should fit our needs on this trip.” There was a nod and a smile of the Ice-creature as she managed to keep things as short and simple as she could. The longer the Genasi was in the room standing as close to the table and people this time the faster those would feel the waves of cold taking over the area of her presence.

Aira arches a single brow in Tiber’s direction when he smirks at her and doesn’t move. “Would you prefer me to call you Lana’s Pet? Because I’m fine with that, too.” Those glances, however brief, that the pair were sharing were not lost on the huntress whose time tracking and watching game made her awfully observant. When he eventually stands to appease her request she shoots him a toothy grin with slightly elongated canines. Once the pair are seated again, the huntress turns her attention to Lanara. Truthfully, she couldn’t care less what happened to the sharks, it was nothing to her whether they survived or not but she would concede to whichever way the witch swayed. Unsurprisingly, she erred on the side of saving however many sea creatures that they could. Fair enough. “And what exactly are we going to do with this rogue mage? We’ve talked about how to get there, how to tame the storms and save the sharks. But what’s the plan with him?” The vixen asks the room at large but focuses her eyes on Lanara. A predatory grin splays across her lips when Lana volunteers Scandal to be used as the distraction and she bobs her head in agreement. “So long as his bravery stands true, I think that is a marvelous idea. That way we aren’t putting any of the villagers in danger’s way, don’t you agree Scandal?” She asks, turning that unsettling glare on the dragon, as if daring him to challenge the idea. Her malevolent thoughts are stolen by the arrival of Emilia who literally flies in and lands on the table, the huntress throwing herself back in the chair which causes it to scoot back a few inches. First an animated black hand and now this?! She smells the fresh blood on Emi’s shirt before she sees it and the vixen arches a brow curiously but makes no audible comment on it. Aira rubs her arms idly, as if trying to draw some warmth into them. “I’ll show you the route we’re going to take,” she nods to the woman before relaxing in her seat. Once more, her focus shifts to the leader of the guild and her face doesn’t show much emotion when Lanara suggests they split into groups in order to work on endurance. The huntress spent much of her time tracking, hunting, scaling trees—she had no doubt that her physique was in decent shape for this journey. However, when Lanara splits them up and puts her in a group with Scandal, Aira’s eyes alight with an anger unseen since her first meeting with the dragon in the Frostmaw snow. Those closest to her might even hear a growl reverberate in the base of her throat. There was no way that was going to happen. Aira suddenly stands and pushes her chair back in with such force her glass of water tumbles over and she is forced to quickly scoop up the maps. “If you’ll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to this evening.” Without waiting for the meeting to be adjourned, the huntress turns on her heel and storms out, muttering about having to babysit incompetent dragons, slamming the door behind her.

Lanara senses the tension between the vixen and the lycan, minutes before it begins, and she sighs heavily. She knew that Aira wasn’t one that played nice with others, and that she had a vendetta against Scandal after he exposed himself that time in Frostmaw, but she’s hopeful that she’ll take it easy on Tiberius. He was new to the guild and doing her a major favor, maybe it was best not to scare him off before the adventure even began? She evenly replies to Tiber, as he catches her gaze, “Yes, obviously they will be alarmed by seeing a dragon. But… That will work to our advantage. Everyone will be focused on the opposite side of the island, while we sneak in and catch our bearings. We only need to stall Crimson Cloak for a short while.” Lana pauses, pursing her lips, “Maybe you can research the language used there, and help me to pen a letter to Renata? We can use some sort of code word for ‘dragon’ and give her a heads up?” The witch knows for certain that she’ll be dragging Tiber along for the pig roast, and the look she gives him states that it’s non-negotiable, as though she can read his mind. He was not backing out of this, and his little outburst about her eating pork, has her shaking her head, grinning. “I don’t eat meat very often… I will eat fish, vegetables, fruits, grains, mostly. On special occasions and high holidays, I will indulge, or if I fall ill and need the extra strength. There is no better way to honor the life of an animal, than to put it to good use.” Shifting her gaze to Scandal, she can see the reservation in his eyes, but he agrees to being used as bait for their mission. Lana is pleased, though she does worry about him training with Aira, as the woman was known to grow feral when aggravated. Such as the way he’s looking at her now, with those googly eyes, and the witch braces herself for the next outburst from the vixen. Thankfully, a distraction breezes into the room, and the meeting area drops at least twenty degrees, causing her to shiver and cross her arms over her chest. Emilia had arrived, fashionably late, and looks up at her with big blue eyes, Righty peering over her shoulder and giving a five-fingered wave to Tiber. “So glad you made it!” The witch had assumed from the start that the Genasi wasn’t there, at least not in her full body, though she had made no comment. Magic users tended to stick together and not out one another about such trivial matters. “It’s so wonderful that you managed to secure an extra ship for the healers, the guild really appreciates it, Emi.” Smiling, Lana turns her attention to Aira, who would have the last word, as she had called this meeting to a close a few moments ago. It’s not surprising that she’s eager to see Scandal possibly perish in the skies on their adventure, or that she is overly rude to the newly named translator of the group. All of this is somewhat expected, and Lana knows that the woman is a wildcard and temperamental... But she’s also highly skilled in various areas, and when it came down to the wire, Aira would risk her life for the witch. She was a valuable ally, and an asset to this particular sharknado. Still, it didn’t give her any excuses to stomp all over the feelings of others, and she’d see those dark chocolate eyes narrow, and hear the threat in her singsong voice, “Aira. Enough. We –respect- those that we work alongside. Tiber is not my pet; he’s the translator of the guild.” If anything, Lanara was –his- pet, considering their strange situation, at least for the next week or so! As the question is posed about how to deal with Crimson Cloak, she shrugs, the chill seeping into her shoulders from Emilia being to nearby, “We will figure it out when we get there. And I hope to recruit a few others, at the pig roast, before the journey to Rynvale. I think we could use someone from the Paladin’s Guild. Holy magic, combined with Emi’s powers, and my magic? I think we can handle one lowly mage.” There’s a brief pause as everyone looks at each other, until Aira tips over her glass of water and abruptly leaves, her insult thrown at Scandal, and the shimmering door slamming behind her, leaving them all a little shocked. The water instantly freezes, and Lana sadly looks at Tiber, before nodding her head towards the door. It was time to go home. “Um… Okay, well, if you all could coordinate with each other… Make sure you meet up in your designated groups for the training. And we’ll regroup next week, and hopefully welcome some new faces.” Neatly securing the papers in a pile, Lana rises from her chair as she gives Emilia and Scandal their leave, giving them each a wave. She’d then clean up the snacks and drinks, feed Circinus, and head out with Tiber. Hopefully, the pig roast would be a memorable event, and the members would kill each other at the next meeting!