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Hotaru reaches under the bottom of her cloak, and retrieves a small dagger. She grins proudly, and sets the weapon on the table, her eyes gleaming with playful mischief.

Already fighting the beginnings of a headache, Thalia gave Velan a look of long-suffering, as if to ask "Is this the best we can get? These gossipy young ones?" The Ranger offered his companion a slight shrug. Beggers couldn't be choosers, and these were the first volunteers they'd found in months. What choice did they have?

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going to turn in early." Velan spoke up, making a show of stretching his arms above his head. "The Black Forest is no easy trek, and I want to be plenty rested." Miming a yawn (which turned partway into a real one), the man waved over his shoulder at the group as he headed for the stairs at the back of the inn, and the room he'd already paid for. "See the lot of you in the morning."

Hotaru nodes good night, before returning her attention to Leith.

Leith glanced over to the ranger and nodded,"es, that's sounds like a good idea."he smiled a bit, his eyes tired,"I suppose I'll head off then as well. Good night Hatoru."he smiled and stroked her ear once more before he grabbed his back, slinging it over his shoulder,"Good night to everyone else as well."he waved slightly as he walked out of the inn.

Hotaru watches Leith leave before sheathing her dagger and rising. " I think that I'll go too. Good night everyone."

Hotaru walks out the door of the inn.

Thalia allowed herself a small (relieved) smile. "It seems that sleep is calling to us all." The Paladin chuckled. "I'm going to turn in as well." She walked a few steps, then turned to look back at Dmitri and Momoko, who remained. "I wish you luck in your...hunt...miss." She nodded to the redhead. "And I'll see you in the morning." She smiled at the Khajiit. "Goodnight, friends." Turning, the Paladin stifled a yawn as she headed upstairs. Tomorrow was going to be along day...

Dmitri nodded his agreement with the early to bed statement and payed for a spot to stay then he went to his room and took off his armor, making sure to put an enchantment of protection on it before retiring.

The following morning was no brighter than the previous night, as the sun's light could only manage a weak glow through the heavy clouds of ash and smoke that hung in the sky. Small particles of the stuff drifted down to the ground in a mockery of the northern snow, while off in the distance and at least a day to the east, the bright natural blue of the sky could be seen, pressed hard against the dark line of clouds spawning from the west.

Up in her room, Thalia tightened the last buckle on her cuisse in preparation for the ride ahead, and then straightened up from the bedside chair. She took a moment to adjust the short, tattered cloak tucked into her belt, and then one hand drifted down to brush the dark wood of the rosary wrapped around the leather belt itself.

Satisfied that the object was still there, the Paladin grabbed the rest of her things and headed down the stairs to the main floor, leaving her room just as she'd found it the night before. Velan met her at the bottom of the stairs, already awake and dressed and wearing his usual grin.

"Good morning, fair lady," The Ranger said with a grin. "I trust you slept well?" Thalia chose not to grace this rhetorical question with a verbal answer, and merely smiled thinly. She hadn't slept well ever since her city had fallen, but that was hardly a pressing problem.

"I see you slept just fine." The Paladin shot back instead. "Eager to get back to your home in the forest, are you?" She chuckled. Velan pulled a face at this.

"I….wouldn't exactly say 'eager'…" He argued. "The Black Forest is a dangerous place, after all. Anyone 'eager' to go there is quite mad." He added. Thalia's eyes brightened as she held back a laugh, though she wasn't successful at hiding her smirk.

"Your words, dear Velan, not mine." She snickered.

Hotaru awakens to a dim and dark morning. Rising from her bed, slips int her usual attire that manages to cover only the necessary parts. She straps on her thigh sheath and slips her small, seemingly insignificant dagger into place, before shouldering her bow and arrows. She picks up her long, celestial bronze whip, and coils it around her ankle. Finally, she puts on a coat of deadly poison nail polish and smiles to herself in the mirror. Remaining barefoot, Hota slips on her cloak once more and fastened the clasp. Today would be a long day...

As Thalia went to thank the innkeeper and inquiry about any unheard news from the road ahead, Velan leaned himself up against the front wall to watch the stairway to the second floor. This was the moment of truth….how many of the volunteers from last night would stick around for the actual quest?

Dmitri had managed to fill a wash basin with ice from frost magic and then melt it with fire magic as well as heat it. It took him the better part of an hour to fill and heat, but he managed to bath. Who knew when the next one would be?

When he exited his room, he was fully loaded with all of his gear, helmet included. His feline features were hidden in a dark shadow in the dim light of the inn and the only way someone would know he was a khajiit was his fluffy, leopard like tail.
"I am ready, comrades," he said with a positive, cheery tone. End of the world or not, he wasn't going to let depression get the best of him.

Hotaru entered the same place as the previous night, alert and ready for action. I wonder if Leith is here yet... She wondered. She shook her head slightly and chided herself. She wouldn't allow him to be come a distraction; today was the real thing. Her first priority was the quest ahead, not the grey eyed rouge. Hotaru's graceful steps carried her farther and farther into the inn. She waists no time in approaching Thalia. "Hello. I believe we started out on the wrong foot. My name, abilities, and the answer to another questions you have for me are open to you hen so ever you choose." Humbling herself slightly, she noda her head respectfully to Thalia, awaiting her response.

The Paladin turned her head to look at the woman, though she did not turn much further. "It is not my place to judge your life or your beginnings…" She replied. "But…I do prefer to know the people I will be fighting for my life with." Thalia turned to fully face Hotaru, and offered out her hand. "May I know your name, Miss?"

Hotaru shakes Thalia's hand, carefull not to scratch the palidin with her poison laced nails. "My name is Hotaru." With this, she pulls back her hood, allowing her to glimps her features for the first time. "You may call me Hota, if you wish."

"Ha! I knew you were a cat," Dmitri laughed pleasantly as he sat down at a nearby table, "Well, I introduced myself yesterday, but I am still at your service, Miss Thalia."

Hotaru looks at Dmitri, a genuine smile on her face. A gesture known to look hostile on most occasions. "It is hard hide ones true natre in most cases, Dmitri."

"Well, you smelled like a cat too. Humans and elves can't smell it, but I am feline myself, dah?" he grinned and leaned backwards in his chair and directed hiss attention to the paladin, "So, not to sound greedy, but what do we get out of this? I am not a mercenary, and if there is no pay, that is okay, but that doesn't mean I don't want something in return for my services only that I will accept it if there is nothing. I'm sure Hotaru and the rogue feel the same."

Hotaru raises a questioning eyebrow at Thalia, choosing to say nothing

The Paladin squared her shoulders. "Should we succeed in our quest, the Crystal City is prepared to offer you ample compensation for your efforts." Thalia explained.

"And should we encounter any treasures along the way…" Velan added with a smirk. "We're sure no-one would mind if you kept a coin or three." Thalia cast her companion a glance, but said nothing. Her oath disallowed her from condoning looting and thievery. But the servants of their opponent had quite the fondness for gold and jewels, and once they were defeated such treasures would otherwise be left to weather in the elements...