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Winds and Dreams	It's the late afternoon, a warm breeze blowing through the streets of Great Forks carrying the wildly varied scents of marketplaces and temple incenses in equal measure. Unsurprisingly, a certain great black wolf has been left out in the wilds a ways outside the city proper- yet that attempt to set people at ease is perhaps marred somewhat by the fact that Winds has her curiously mercurial sword out, applying a light sheen of oil and such in habitual, rote gestures as she walks. "So where, precisely, do you need to go from here?" she questions without looking up, running a loose cloth along the blade before finally sheathing it again. "I admit my familiarity with the Great Forks streets is not... perfect."
Neza	The wind blows and rattles the bead curtain in front of Neza's face. She breathes in the scents of the incenses mingling and sighs at the richness. She's not entirely thinking on the matter of going forward when the question comes up. "I will have to speak to the scholar," she admits. She looks down at the sword, watching it from behind her veil. "They keep a home not far from here. He wears a strong flower perfume that's unmistakable," she explains, defaulting in her way to scent as a marker. Something that she has taken to unknowingly in her life. "But I do think another trip is in order."
Winds and Dreams	A slight smirk from Winds as she pushes her sheathed weapon along her belt to a more out of the way spot more behind her. "I meant you perhaps ought to lead the way- we're no longer out in the woods, and I'm not nearly so good with streets- let alone those of an unfamiliar city." Idly she pulls the mantle from off her shoulders, tucking one end into her belt to keep the warmth off of her for the moment as the two continue on. "Are you thinking a trip to the same place, or is there another destination I don't yet know about?"
Neza	"Oh, I didn't realize. I'm not from here, myself," Neza explains. "But I understand." Returning to the city has shifted Neza's demeanor. Compared to the loose, easy and curious way she acted when alone, she has returned to a formal stiffness and direct poise of practiced pacing. Even her vocal tone hesitates in a way it hadn't before. "But I am thinking a return. I don't think we have seen the most of that place. And there was something off." She inclines her head, enough that a flash of her true, elongated silhouette can be seen for a moment. "I could sense it. It might be dangerous."
Rishi	At a nearby food stall, someone in a long, and definitely unseasonable, leather cloak is buying a jar of fruits preserved in honey. When she turns to leave, she spots the two of you and walks over. "Hello Winds. May I join you and your companion?"
Winds and Dreams	"Well, that seems fair- though if we're to go again, I might even suggest bringing a few extra, sturdy supplies and such and establishing some sort of prepared camp and keeping those items tucked away until the proper team arrives," suggests Winds, tilting her head as she considers. "Some materials for tents and the like- it will be difficult for a large group to bring enough for such an operation without wagons, which would have trouble making that particular trip," she notes. A pause, then, as she hears her name called. Were this a quieter setting, she might recognize Rishi despite all the changes- but as it stands, much like Neza, she leans heavily on scents and the dizzying array of merchantile endeavours and burned offerings somewhat gives her pause, and she doesn't respond at first. Her brow furrows, instead, and she pauses a moment studying the newcomer.
Neza	Behind her veil, Neza grimaces at the thought of putting together a unit. Her head lowers. But there is wisdom to the suggestion. "Small number of people," she states, "And at least one occultist." The addition carries emphasis. "I suspect that the scholar understands they are looking into the kinds of things that draw attention. But I could be wrong." A new person, Neza's head inclines again, the beads clicking in their movement. She doesn't speak, listening instead, and looking with quick, studying glances between Winds and this new woman as a means to gauge the moment.
Rishi	The newcomer is, based on her warm brown skin and accent, a southern woman. Under the aformentioned long leather cloak, a hint of gold peeks out at her neck. But the opening of the cloak reveals much more of the rest of her body, showing her very brief silken top and rather short silken pants, both straining against the woman's considerable curves. Oddly, she wears no shoes, but the dirt doesn't seem to stick to her feet. She has her head cocked to the side as she looks at Winds, her dark silken hair cascading over her shoulder. "You don't remember me?" she says in her husky, musical voice. "....Ah, yes! I would have looked somewhat...different." she lowers her voice to a conspiritorial whisper "But wings would be frowned on here, no? So I look...'normal.'" She almost spits the last word. Apparently she quite dislikes having to disguise herself as human.
Winds and Dreams	"Ah, that would explain it, yes," says Winds, head shaking a little as if to clear her head. She then nods to the side, inviting the woman along for the moment. She looks back to Neza, then. "And that is what I mean. Supplies or equipment for this occultist, preparing some sturdy poles and such ahead of time, find a convenient rock or such to tuck it all under, and we can ease the burden considerably for the trip following us. But the specifics will wait until we know who exactly will actually be going." She glances back at the newcomer and gestures with the nearer hand. "This, by the by, is Rishi, if memory does serve. Met on the road once or twice."
Rishi	"It is nice to meet you." She bows to the well covered person. "Yes, I am Rishi. We met when we were investigating the same ruin." "Did I hear correctly that you need to conslt an occultist? I have some skill in that area, if I may be of service. But, if your discussion is needing to be private, I can certainly leave." While she gives an air of being willing to go, her eyes go big with hope tht you'll allow her to stay.
Neza	So the two are connected. The situation is more comfortable. She watches the two reacquaint with each other and remains silent for it. Only speaking again when the matter comes to the practical nature of the business at hand. "It isn't my jade to spend," she admits. "But I can make suggestions as a sellsword on what is necessary. But something was unnatural about that place. Even with its placidity." She looks to the new woman, not properly introduced, and nods. "My name is Neza, and if you're experienced in spiritual matters and traversing ruins, then perhaps it's good for you to be here."
Winds and Dreams	"Quite a bit of that ruin exploration going around," muses Winds, pausing a moment on that. "Curious the works you get involved in as a theoretical hunter," she adds with some amusement. She shakes her head again, then looks between the two. "Oh, the same expenses in the long run I'm certain, just an easier journey for the larger, more inexperienced travelling group."
Rishi	Upon being allowed to stay, Rishi gives a very bright smile. "Well then, if I am to be of help, perhaps you could tell me more of the situation? It is hard to be of assistance when one knows little of what is going on, no? You are planning another ruin expedition?"
Neza	"A temple, not close, but not more than day from here," Neza states. "I'm not local, and I do not know the history of the gods, but there is a feeling of the place. It is partially sunken, and very quiet." Neza gestures from under her cloak toward Winds. "She and I scouted the location, but I don't think it is enough to know if we'll need a full expedition for my employer."
Rishi	Rishi considers, her head cocked to the side. "Can you describe the appearance of the temple? Did you see any writings or carvings? Any strange feelings? Any obvious defenses?"
Winds and Dreams	"Likely a couple of days for the larger group- the sheer logistics and pacing tends to slow such teams down," reminds Winds, still apparently lost in the planning thought. "Though from what I have seen, Rishi here at least will not be the one slowing the pace. Not many carvings that I saw- though most of the local fauna tended to steer fairly clear, which tends to be a bad sign. Several spots -should- reasonably have been claimed as dens by one creature or another."
Rishi	Rishi nods. "I am a student of nature. Why must I burden myself with things when nature provides freely all that I need?" she raises her hands, jostling the small carry bag that you saw her putting a jar of something in not five minutes ago. "My needs are few and simple, so I will not increase your burden."
Neza	Neza nods along to Winds' explanation of things. "A ziggurat," she says, "An entrance at the ground level. Many heavy stone pillars sunk into the ground leading up to it. Most were overgrown, but even the places that should have been taken by animals were not." She nods along to the words from Rishi. "It's not far enough that whoever we take this time will need much. We can mark out a camp if this second trip calls for a third."
Winds and Dreams	"Well, you did mention an full expeditionary group- do you mean to bring them now, then? May save on time, in the long run, so long as we're careful to select those that will respond appropriately to danger," says Winds, shrugging at that again and hooking a thumb through her belt absently.
Rishi	"Hmmm.... That type of construction would imply that it was built in the First Age. If the animals have truely not colonized it in all that time, then there is certainly something keeping them away. The plants covering the building appeared healthy, yes? Then, if the building is a place of power, it likely has not curdled and grown rotten, even after centuries of neglect. This suggests that there is an ...overseer, yes? Perhaps a demon or spirit, bound to watch over the place? Or mayhaps the god who was once worshipped there remains?" *hrm* "If the temple truely dates back that far, I doubt any local records would help. Perhaps you could ask a local god? Or we could simply head back and you could show me the ruins now? I'm sure I could come up with more if I could view them in person."
Neza	Neza goes quiet. She shakes her head slowly and the beads of her veil rattle. Her voice comes clipped and quick, "No, not a full unit," she almost snaps but collects herself with quick, steadying breaths. "I'm sorry," she says once recovered. "I cannot risk taking too many people into a place like that. A few, yes, but I know my abilities, and I trust in yours," she says to Winds. "But I need to know that everyone who is there can flee or fight as needed before anyone else should go."
Rishi	Rishi stiffens, then relaxes as Neza calms down. "I will admit that I am not much of a fighter. But I am a skilled physician and tougher than I appear. I also have a sorcerous protector and the ability to flee from many problems. Once we are somewhere more ...private, I could demonstrate it to you, if you like." Rishi looks at Winds, lightly brushing her hand across her forehead like she's pushing back a stray hair, jerks her head slightly at Neza, then raises an elegantly arched eyebrow back at Winds.
Winds and Dreams	A curious glance at Neza for a moment, then a nod back towards Rishi. "Well, our new friend here will be quite alright, in my experience. I think in due time you'll find she may make for particularly appropriate company for... a few reasons." She glances over her shoulder again. "But if your scholar is intent on a dig, sooner or later a larger group will be there. Hence my talk of preparatory measures."
Neza	Unaware, her anxiety stemming from a picture of a past she can never walk from, Neza blunders gracelessly into Rishi's question. "Private?" she asks, the side of her hat shifting indicating a tilted head. "It is very crowded here." A nod. "But I have seen something of what you are capable of, and," she takes a breath. "I would appreciate somewhere less crowded in general. I do not mind city's, they are wonderful and interesting, but there are oftentimes too many people. And you're right, eventually there will be people unprepared there, I will have to accept that. I should do what I can to ensure it's cleared first."
Rishi	Rishi gives a wide smile at Neza and starts to hug her, but pauses, due to her well covered up nature. "By the gods, yes. The wilds are so much more comfortable than the cities. You can just...relax and be yourself." She also gives Neza a significant look while tapping her forehead. She looks around for some place quieter. "There's a teahouse over there. Perhaps they have a quiet private room we could rent, to discuss things? Or...you said you were headed for a scholar's house? Do you think that place might be private enough to talk more ...openly?"
Winds and Dreams	"Subtle," quips Winds to Rishi in dry tones, before looking questioningly at Neza. "I suppose that would be your call, then. I'm not certain what our schedule to get there is."
Neza	Neza steps away from the hug, a quick, gliding backstep that has her cloak fluttering in the motion. "I believe the scholar to be a too curious person by half. But his jade is good," she admits with a shake of her head, denying that visitation just yet. "However, if there is something you would like to get off your chest, perhaps we should see this teahouse. And from there, whatever place you find is private enough for your comfort."
Rishi	Rishi gives an almost impish smile as she leads the way towards the teahouse. She's looking forward to seeing if they have any nice berry tea.
Winds and Dreams	Pausing a moment, Winds considers the two others before running a hand idly through her hair and following after.