A newcomer to AIL, Riko (Feena's second AIL character) gets into the action quite quickly by meeting up with a figure from her past - AIL's own Sebastian Dash! It quickly establishes her personality and her history with Dash, as well. It's a fun and lighthearted read, and a good way to kick off this odd mission.

With a bit of flair and elegance, the newest hero to venture upon the shores of Seaside Town and the Kingdom of Loathing, Riko, formerly Princess Ri'kona of the Roxzan people of Adrule, stepped upon the shores of the town, pulling her silks from a waterproof satchel at her side. She quickly dressed, so as to not offend the citizens of Loathing, and journeyed inside in search of something to do.

Let us take a step back a moment, and discuss Riko. Her people, the Roxzans are an aquatic race of the nation of Adrule, a kingdom to the south of the KoL. Adrule itself is as it sounds, a land dominated by giant billboards. The Roxzan people are peaceful and serene, the champions of the waterways and lakes of Adrule. Blue scaled and often of kind words, they appear similar to a hybrid of a squid, fish, and Adrulian people.

And now, we return to Riko in her current state.

She wandered about Seaside, taking in the sights of the massive city. Her first stop, to her own amusement, was the marketplace. The sheer size of it was enough to surprise her, her own kingdom's markets were nowhere near as large, not even in the Adrule Castle Town.

From there, she made her way to the home of the Clan houses, including Seaside's own Kingdom of KoL. It was there something caught her eye, a face she knew only too well. That face belonged to Sebastian Dash, the very rogue who did so very much for her kin. "Sebastian!" she called out, waving very emphaticly.

Dash ignored the voice at first, too focused on someone of his own he was tracking down. He registered a look of shock when he finally realized someone was calling him.. and more so when he placed the voice.

"Sebastian! Over here!" Riko called out again, confident she had his attention. She straightened out her top a little more, carefully rearranging her sheathed sword to look much more presentable to the man she gift honorary Roxzan nobility in his time in her homeland.

Dash made his way through the ever thinning crowds, smiling brightly.. It WAS her! "Princess Ri'kona, what're you doing THIS far upstream? I didn't think these polluted waters would make a very good vacation spot for royalty!"

She smiled, just happy to see her old friend. "Sebastian, I had to get away from home, I had no need to stay there with my brother named king. And call me Riko now, no one has to know I'm Princess Ri'kona around here. I came looking for you, heard you were seen up here."

Dash raised an eyebrow.. "Really? Well, your people always said you cast your information nets further than any other.. It's an honor to see you again. As lovely as ever, I see." Dash smiled, lost in memories again.

"Oh, you cad. You don't have to flatter me any more." She giggled softly, smiling even more broadly at his smile. "So tell me, what adventure is there to be had here? Any strange beasts to slay or any buried ancient treasures to dig up?"

Dash smiled. "Treasure, I wouldn't know about. They've been keeping me too busy to find any old maps to buy.. So, how is ol' Adrule doing, anyway?"

"It is very peaceful. Well, at least as peaceful as a kingdom that always seems to have its princesses kidnapped every few years can be." Riko smirked playfully. "You know, I never properly rewarded you for the last little quest I had you running."

Dash shrugged. "I was rewarded more than graciously by your people." Which was true.. Dash had gotten a headache just to stop them from lavshing him with too many water pearls and seasilver for him to move.

"Nonsense. I must give you a gift. Is there any place I can find you in particular here in Seaside?" She asked in all honesty, seeking to give him a gift made by her hands.

"If anything, I should be treating you," Dash answered. "After all, you're my guest here.. but I really need to track down a friend, I'm afraid."

"Hardly a problem. You just tell me where to come find you, and I'll bring a gift for you, and you can treat me to something. How's that sound?" The Roxzan princess turned adventurer replied and queried.

Dash nodded. "Oh.. where are you staying, anyway? I assume you know about the Typical Tavern down south? Great inn there.. and I need to head that way later, anyway."

"Then I will head there." She nodded.

"Alright.." Dash smiled. His eyes suddenly lit up. "This should work perfect! Do you remember telling me rumors of an ancient golden harp? That ancient legend of yours.. Legend of . .. " Dash shrugged, not able to remember the last name.

She wracks her mind, trying to remember the legend. "Oooh, the ancient Harp of Aeons. I would kill to even see it!"

Dash paused, not sure if that was it.. "Was that the instrument that could open up the 'paths between worlds?'"

Riko nods ecstaticly. "Yes, that's the one! Paths through time, planes, and doors. Gods know why we'd need that last part, especially when doors open normally."

Dash shrugged. "Maybe to ensure a door opens to something else, instead of what it would normally open too? Mind walking with me.. I've got a few questions.."

"Certainly! You can show me around while we're both here." She almost latches onto Dash, happy enough just being near her old friend.

Dash smiled. "Sounds good."

The two adventurers walked side by side to the very building housing what remains of the warriors of KoKoL, then entered to find the one spellcaster potent enough drive off an entire armada of Knob Goblins. Feena, of course, was still playing around with the crane, finally having gotten a few plushes for herself. The plush Chrono Dragon sat upon the small pile, looking almost regal upon the small mountain beneath it.

Feena turned around after just barely getting a stuffed Cocoabo, spotting Sebastian with Riko. The bunny looked utterly shocked, until Riko herself spoke. "It is not as it seems, young priestess. Your friend Sebastian is too a friend of mine, and he has helped me a good deal." Feena quickly returned the kind words, "well, if that's the case, any friend of Sebastian's is a friend of mine. What can I do for you both?"

Sebastian Dash spoke next, "Well, you know how we're supposed to get to Hey Daze? I think Riko, that's her name, has a solution. You ever hear anything about the Harp of Aeons?"

Feena sat and thought pensively a moment, then smiled. "We might be able to find it in the marketplace, His Noodliness only knows if someone found it by now. That is, if it's here in the Kingdom."

Riko nodded to Feena, "It was rumored to be here, in a Kingdom to the north of Adrule. A kingdom, they said, where things were despised for the sake of it."

Feena smiled, "Then it is here. Let's go get Catrina and go shopping."

The trio headed out of Seaside quickly, making haste to the campsite that Dash had left his kitten. They had little time to lose, and all three knew it well.