"A co write- and a debut!"

The subtitle for this one sums it up pretty well. Unfortunately, I've not seen Vivace as of this writing in some months... Pity, as she's a good friend.

Plus, as you can tell by her first piece, co written with Dash (that's me), she's a talented writer as well! Her character is most interesting, and I really hope she returns, not only as a friend but a participant in AIL. Sadly, it's her only AIL mission to date, but maybe we'll see her around AIL again sometime soon?

I hope so! For now, enjoy her meeting the "Dashing Rogue," Sebastian Dash!

Vivace sat upon the stone water trough, her paws dusty from the journey from the plains- and her hunt. Taking up the copper dipper, she poured water over her aching feet, the red fur darkening. Vivace stood and looked over to the covered entrance of the inn, looking for advice. A tall muscular fellow, not of her race, lounged idly by, dressed in tight fitting garments he sported scars both old and fresh, white linen bandages soaked with crimson hinting of some quite recent altercation.

A sizeable yet agile sword belted in a leather balrick across his back hinted as to his craft. Vivace mused that this would leave his hands and feet free and wondered as to his trade.

Vivace stood and padded over, taking care to make her presence known, not wishing to alarm the warrior...

Standing behind him she addressed him in a soft voice, speaking his language with a strange, soft accent. "My pardon sir, could you spare me a few heartbeats?"

He looked up at her, surprised to see her so close.. She could see him crafting an arrow of sorts, although seeing her, he discarded the crude piece of work. "Ohh.. Vivace Downtuned, is it? Just the one I'd come to see!"

Vivace raised an eyebrow, puzzled as to how the warrior knew her name. She was certain that she had not been followed and had spoken to few people during her stay at "The Weeping Tree", a melancholy name for an inn yet a pleasant enough place.

Seeing her lack of response, Dash flashed her his best "Dashing Rogue" smile, and continued. "They mentioned you at the Typical Tavern.. from the sounds of it, you're pretty talented. In fact, from the sounds of it, you're also rather.. mystical."

Vivace inclined her muzzle, "My apologies sir, I did not wish to appear discourteous. I am curious that mention of me has been made, as I am just a Priestess on a pilgrimage. You seem to be seeking something, am I correct?"

"I am," Dash admitted, pausing to reflect on her words. "A pilgrimage, you say? Tell me more?"

"Very well sir. Come join me at my table within and we shall talk". Vivace shouldered her lute, red ribbons tipped with silver flying flag like from their bindings at the neck of the instrument. She padded into the cool interior of the inn, gesturing for the warrior to follow.

"Name's Dash," he called as he followed her, showing the remains of a limp now. "Sebastian Dash, if you prefer."

Vivace stopped suddenly and turned to face him. "I am Sister Vivace Downtuned of the Order of Eight."

She smiled.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said, taking the opportunity to bow gracefully to her. "I'm not sure what you'd call me. An.. adventurer, I suppose. I try to set wrongs, right, when I can. But I don't mean to get ahead of the conversation."

"My Ribbon Name is 'Vox' although since my Den name is 'Vivace', call me what you will". She placed a paw upon her breastplate and returned his bow formally and with grace. "I am pleased to meet a fellow Seeker, for that is plain in your scent and your wounds tell of a difficult road. Come now."

Vivace walked into the inn and guided them to a quiet alcove table near the fire where she sat.

Dash flashed a smile of appreciation as he sat, now more curious about the one in front of him than ever. "Nice to be able to finally sit down without having been forcibly knocked down again. I'm not familiar with the terms you're using. Seeker? Ribbon name? If I'm not intruding too much by asking. . . "

Vivace unbuckled the lower canons of her arm harness and removed them, placing the hinged metal tubes upon the floor. "The Landlord does not take favorably to me scratching his table."

She raised a paw, the red and white fur stained from it's ordeal beneath the armour, signaling for drinks. "I agree, it is good to sit in the coolness of an inn for once. Vivace looked up, smiling. "Let me explain a little, if my accent does not make your ears turn and twitch."

Dash smiled, letting out the laugh of one who's been pushed too hard by life recently, and was glad for a diversion. "It doesn't, and please, do."

Vivace nodded with a smile, "But first, 'Dash', am important question for you."

Dash looked up, more serious. "Ask it, then."

She poured herself a glass, the cool white wine dimming the outside of the crystal, and steepled her paws.

"Just what do you strange folk drink?"

Dash laughed, and didn't quite have an answer for that, so he simply shrugged, good naturedly.

Waiting for his response, Vivace filled the silence to answer Dash's queries. "My den name was given to me by my parents, my Ribbon Name by the the head of my Order. The Order of Eight. I am a Seeker, sent into the outer world to learn new things, and, if I am blessed, one day I may find The Lost Sound."

Vivace turned and signaled for another goblet to be brought forth for her guest. She frowned when a dull, dented pewter goblet was presented.

The Landlord quickly removed it and returned with a crystal twin of her own vessel.

Vivace took up the silver flagon and poured a good measure for her guest.

Taking up her own goblet in her paw, she raised it, waiting...

After a confused split second, Dash raised his, a hint of a smile dancing on his face. It seemed to have been some time since he'd been toasted. "To a safe day, then!"

Vivace inclined her head and tipped her goblet in salute, "A good toast, sir." Taking a sip of the wine, she placed her goblet to the boards and arched an eyebrow.

"Now Dash", she folded her paws upon the table, "How may I assist you". The sudden question cut across the table.

"You'll have to tell me or yourself another time, then," Dash insisted. "You're right. We should cut to the chase. I'm looking for rumors, news, anything on the Penguin Mafia's activity." He immediately held a hand up. "Let me tell you the tale before you answer, though."

Vivace placed her free paw upon the table, stubby black claws contracting and digging into the hard wood. "Oh yes. I know them and have a score to settle with them."

She rubbed at her shoulder absently.

"I'll warrant that those wounds you carry share the same source of my discomfort, Dash Quickpaw?"

"Have you ever heard of the Toot Oriole?" Dash inquired in a curious voice.

Vivace's ears pricked up and her tail switched from left to right behind her. "What of the sacred bird? How do you know of Her, Dash?"

"At one time, I hear," Dash continued on a lower, revenant voice, "his existence was only whispered of in rumors, and rarely heard rumors at that. As of years late, his presence in the Kingdom moved from invisible rumor, to accepted fact. I don't know why, and for my purposes, it doesn't matter. It might have been a mistake, however, as it lead to him being kidnaped recently."

Vivace nodded gravely, "The existence of the Toot Oriole is no myth, our writings and prophets site Her as the path to 'The Lost Sound'. I must confer to you in utmost secrecy that it is Her disappearance that has forced the Order of Eight to send me forth into the wilds."

"Her? Heh," Dash answered. "I always heard it was a he.. Anyway, it was the Knob Goblin kingdom who sent out it's 'Elite Seven' to kidnap our mysterious feathered friend. Unfortunately, an 'ally' of mine, and I use that word loosely, decided it would be easier to try to 'con' the Penguins into helping us. . . . . with predicable results. Last I'd heard, the Penguins made their way towards this part of the Kingdom proper. I should have followed them, but I had a friend's safety to tend to first.. "

Vivace held her lute gently and tuned the upper course with care. "Friend Dash, the Sisters do not grant the black ribbons of Seeker lightly". She touched the white edged, black ribbons tied into her red hair. "Perhaps we can be of mutual assistance? The Penguins are a law unto themselves, loose cannons, a weasel down one's hose, so to speak. You were brave to trust them."

Dash grumbled. "I didn't trust them. My 'ally,' and I use the term loosely, did. And apparently, they turned on him."

Vivace fingered a few chords experimentally and looked up. "Your companion. Is he safe?"

Dash waved his hand dismissively. "He's tougher than any human being has a right to be, and downright dangerous. He's also psychotic and un-trustworthy. So unfortunately, he probably is. I just hope he bothers to do his job."

"And yet, the Penguins, they leave a trail that I can follow. This is difficult to explain but their disturbance within the octet is much like a piano being pushed down a flight of stairs."

Dash smiled thinly. "Sounds like an appropriate reaction. So you tell me where to go, and I slip in unnoticed, snatch the bird, and hopefully get out alive."

Vivace raised an eyebrow and stood, placing her lute gently upon a large square of deep red velvet to prevent the dusty earth of the courtyard from scratching it. "You? Alone?"

Dash nodded, and took a sip of his drink. "Indeed so. Safer this way."

She began to unbuckle her harness, removing crafted armour pieces one by one until only her lower canons and arming jack and hose remained. Opening her pack, Vivace took out a three clawed cestus and fitted it over her right paw. She turned to face Dash with a bow.

Sensing her hesitation, Dash pushed gently for the information he needed. "If you could let me know where to head, I'd appreciate it much."

Vivace dropped into a fighting stance and chimed her cestus against her opposite bracer of steel. "I certainly will warrior, but my conscience will not rest easy if I sent a good man to his doom. Come, let us witness your mettle."

She smiled - "Dance with me."

Dash waved his hand dismissively. "A fight would only attract Catrina's attention. And she's a fight, you don't want on your hands."

Vivace looked puzzled, "Catrina? Who is this of whom you speak?"

Dash smiled sadly. "An ally and a very close friend of mine. She's a little bit too protective of me, and too quick to risk her life to help me. Which's normally something I'd thank Sneaky Pete for, but right now, she's injured. Badly."

Vivace eased up to stand and relaxed, looking concerned. "Injured! Where is she friend Dash? My path demands me to assist the hunted and wounded."

Dash frowned. "She's recovering at the inn. She's been treated to, as best we can. She's part feline, so it's not as serious as it might be otherwise. Besides, if you go to see her, and she figures what's going on- and she WILL get it out of you, she'll insist on going. And she'll put herself at even greater risk."

Dash paused, reluctantly. "I'm planning to leave her a note telling me where to meet in the morning. I left her an early wakeup call. Hopefully, she'll agree it was an acceptable compromise."

Vivace looked troubled and removed her cestus. After moments of contemplation she looked up to Dash. "Very well. I will not violate her recuperation and anyhow, our races are not the greatest of allies. I do not wish to fuel that feud.

"I suggest a joint venture friend Dash."

Dash looked her over, and apparently decided she was trustworthy. "Alright.. all ears."

Vivace gently recovered her lute and looked up to the warrior. She paused for a moment, and appearing to reach a decision turned to face him.

"Friend Dash. My Sisters and the Moon Mother herself have taught me to Seek. I can Seek truth among lies, a chime among silence and the Song amid the crowd. The Toot holds something sacred to our Order; Her cry is known to me and, in the places of old power, the leaf and chord will guide me to Her." She blinked her green eyes. "Such knowledge is not normally shared in alien lands of dust and pink skins."

Dash paused. He was pretty sure the Toot was a he, but Dash didn't voice that opinion, as it wasn't important. "So, you can find her.. er.. somehow?"

The fox nodded slowly. "Yes, I am able to locate Her, Dash."

Dash gave an affectionate chuckle. "Finding her fits perfectly into my plan." Dash turned, observing the skies. "Do you need rest? We should probably wait til dawn's light makes it visible enough to see, anyway. Shouldn't be too long."

She nodded, gracious for the opportunity to rest up, even a small one. "I will, thank you."

"I'll wake you up in about an hour, hour and a half." Dash stood up, bowing slightly, not quite sure the proper way to show respect. "And Vivace.. Thank you. Your help is going to helpfully keep an innocent sentient out of some very bad hands."

Vivace looked up to the clouds. A tumbling sky and the fading light did not bode well for an excursion to the high country. The offer of rest and a drink was welcome and she accepted it readily. "Come friend Dash, let us drink together, for tomorrow we dance the hunt." She swept a paw before her and bade him enter the inn.

Dash smiled and decided to take her up on the offer. Despite the fact day's break was close, and he could probably stand to prepare himself for battle, the promise of a little rest and relaxation was too tempting to pass on. He just hoped Catrina didn't show up during the dance!