Whoo, Vixen's finally back in the AIL action!

In a nice bit of downtime from the constant action pace of the mission right now, Dash recovers a bit, and finds his original goal- Vivace- is nowhere to be found. Dash does find Vixen tending to Dash's horse, Españolola. This sets in motion the event that will eventually get Dash and Vixen to Hey Daze!

She proves herself to be a valuable ally to Dash yet again. We also get to see her at work at the Typical Tavern, which is a nice look into the character of Vixen.. oh.. and a surprise at the end!

Warning: Cursing

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Scene: The blue hour, as the Pretentious Artist might call it, in the Distant Woods.

The hour between light and dark, day and night. . . Shadows shift heavy through the Distant Woods in this time before it goes dark for the night, leaving only torches and sinister glowing eyes to give it any light at all.

Sebastian Dash hadn't much of a lantern on him, so he had to make due haste for his destination. After all, the plan was for his journey to take him with the others. . . to Hey Daze. Hardly a call for night-lanterns there.

If worse came to worse, he'd spend the night at the inn.

Dash's eyes, ears, and body ached. There was also his knee as well. He had twisted it during the fight in an ill advised jump off a snowman ninja's back. Still, there wasn't any time left to let minor aches and pains stop him. Had he been closer, he'd have circled back to pick up his horse Españolola from the camp. Unfortunately, it was too far away, so stopping to get the horse would have only taken longer. . . .

Dash dearly missed the companionship of his travel companion. For now, Dash was on his own.. hopefully, he wouldn't cross paths with any trouble on the way to the Inn.. and hopefully.. he could find Vivace.. after all, with her abilities, discerning another way to Hey Daze might be possible . . . it'd be nice to see her and Vixen again. . .

Fortunately, the Inn would be in sight soon enough.. Dash forced himself to pick up the speed. Who knows what kind of trouble awaited Feena, Catrina and Riko in the hellish underworld?!

 
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Vixen hurried to grab drinks for her customers. Looking out the window into the ever darkening twilight, a blackness stirred in the the distance she openly starred, wondering what kind of a stormhead it was. Distracted by the strange sight in the distance (and the the horrible musician), she dropped a glass. "Thats another 3 gold down the drain," she said to herself., she sighed. The tavern was busy, full of drunk idiotic travelers. Only a few sober ones among them. The Musician played the loot, very poorly.

The warmness from the oven and fire comforted Vixen on this cold twilight. She walked around serving drinks, getting hit on from a few male customers. She quickly turned them down, or told them to sod off.

Vixen got hit on by a female customer for once, but wasn't in the mood for being flirty. She was in a foul mood, brought on by weird dream. As she served drinks, she smelled different Liquors, cooked meat, oak, and the fireplace. The door at the front opened at closed and opened as sobers came into get drunk, and drunks left to go pass out.

Vixen snapped when a drink got spilt on her. She sighed, "Screw it," and ended her shift early. She handed the tray to the off duty waitress. "Your shift now, don't argue," she growled.

Vixen walked outside into the cool twilight breeze, the smell of nature calmed her a bit. She walked over to the stables were Dash's horse was. Dash's horse "Españolola" showed up mysteriously that morning without Dash. Vixen found a brush and started brushing Españolola when she heard footsteps.

They seemed to stop after a few seconds. Curious, Vixen went to see who it was. Nothing there. She nearly jumped out of her fur when she turned around and saw Dash himself, rubbing the horse's muzzle affectionately!

Vixen sighed, "Bloody hell, Dash. Don't sneak up on people like that."

Dash didn't look up at her, still admiring his steed. "Sorry. I heard Espa here, and wasn't sure WHY she would be out here, so I didn't want to take a chance.. Let me guess.. she just wondered up?"

Vixen nodded. "Yep showed up this morning, I was surprised when I figured you weren't with her."

Dash petted his horse on the nose, before turning to her. "She must have known something was up.. you can't tell from here, but the skies over Seaside Town have been *Pitch black* for a couple hours now.." Dash shook his head, obviously worried about something.

Vixen crossed her arms. "Pitch black? Any idea what caused it?" Vixen sat down on the cool grass.

"Some, and that's why I'm here.. I need to talk to Vivace. Do you know if she's in?"

"She's still on a pilgrimage as far as I know. Hope she gets back soon, perhaps she can teach this musician how not to suck," Vixen growled at the music coming from inside.

"Oh, I just assumed they were torturing someone inside," Dash answered.

"Heh.. if they were, it would sound better!" Vixen exclaimed.

Dash chuckled, his eyes drifting to the distant blackness. Dash sighed, biting his lip slightly.

"You worry to much, Dash, or is this really...." Vixen's words trailed off.

"It's serious, alright," Dash answered. "And the only way I can DO anything about it is to .. literally.. get to Hey Daze."

Vixen looked at Dash funny. "Don't you have to... die to get to Hey Daze?"

Dash smiled a dry smile. "I'm very seriously considering other alternatives.. whatever they are."

"There's gotta be other ways..."

"Oh, right," Dash replied, obviously upset over something, but not wanting to show it. "We actually found a way in.. but something happened.. Catrina, Riko and Feena made it.. " Dash growled, bitter.

Vixen decided not to press the issue. "So You came to the local tavern?"

Dash nodded at the question. "Right. It was a musical instrument that was supposed to get us in, after all. A golden harp known as the 'Harp of Aeons.' Since her magic is musically inclined, I was hoping.. well.. you know.."

"Yeah." Vixen sighed.

Dash seemed to be reviewing it all in his mind for a few minutes. He looked at her, then reached into the pack he was carrying, and produced a broken gray harp. "This's what I found after they others had gone through.. . I'm not sure why it changed colors.. or if it's of any use to us now."

Vixen took the harp from Dash. She examined the gray harp, the weird things carved in it. "Looks like my sister's." She took a deep breath of air. The smell of damp grass and trees relaxing her.

Dash raised an eyebrow. "Your sister had one like this?"

Vixen handed the harp back to Dash. "Yeah Exactly like this." She sighed. "I thought there was only one harp like this."

"As far as I know, this was supposed to be a one of a kind," Dash answered, examining it for what was likely not the first time. Dash took a few steps, then cried out in pain.

Vixen ran over to help him "Are you alright?"

Dash reluctantly took her assistance, not wanting to accidentally topple the smaller foxlike lady. "Ahh.. been better.. Kind of twisted my knee by being pig headed and acting a bit too flashy." Dash's mind drifted back to his attempts to catapult himself off a snow ninja's head, and the nasty landing he took as a result.

Vixen groaned lifting the heavy Dash. "Jees, you need to lay off the tavern food." She helped over to a nearby log. "Also, you need to be more careful."

Dash resisted the urge to growl at her, knowing it wouldn't do any good, and that she was in the right, besides that- at least, on the part about Dash's carelessness.. "Indeed so. Part of me wants head out immediately and try to force my way into Hey Daze, but realistically, I think I'm going to need a few hours sleep, and some recovery herbs.."

"Well lets get you inside," Vixen said. She helped Dash on the cobblestone path up to the door. "What are you planning, Dash?"

Dash tried to put a little pressure on the leg, then a little more, testing it. "Good question.. if Vivace's gone.. did she leave any notes behind?"

Vixen pushed the door open into the inn. The horrible musician not playing anymore. (Thank god.) Vixen thought to herself. Vivace has a room reserved upstairs. You can look for her notes or something. She sat Dash down in the comfy chair, “Ill be right back,” Vixen said, rushing off before Dash could protest. Not that he was going to.. Dash sat in the chair and let out a pained sigh of relief, laying his small traveling bag besides him. He pulled the now broken and gray harp from it again, and messed with the strings while he await Vixen's return...

Vixen went to the bar in, around the tables. “Ello lovely, can I buy you a drink.” Vixen turned around, a tall black haired well built fox stood in front of her. He wore a leather jumper, black pants and a green shirt and a Indiana Jones style hat. (He was completely smashed by the looks of it). The fox smiled at her.

“Sorry I'm not interested.” Vixen said quickly.

“Come on, jus' one drink!” He said, struggling to stand up.

“No!” Vixen said, turning away from him.

He grabbed Vixen's hand, “I insist!” pulling her to sit down.

“No, sod off.” Vixen said standing up.

He pulled her down again, trying to kiss her. “I'm not asking anymore."

Vixen punched him in the face. “God dammit you stupi-” Vixen punched him in the face again knocking him down. She grabbed him by the jacket, and pushed him towards the door.

“You better—ouch-- not rip this jacket.” The fox said, trying to stop her.

Vixen pushed him threw the swinging door. “If you come back, you better hope I'm in a good mood!”

“Here's your hat!” She threw it in the mud.

“Screw you!” He yelled. Vixen quickly went to the bar hoping not to meet another charmer. She grabbed a glass filling it with Princes choice Lager, adding some recovering herbs. She went back over to were Dash was sitting...

Dash looked up as she returned, eying the glass suspiciously. "What's that?"

Vixen handed it to Dash. "Princes Choice Lager with With recovery herbs." She sat down on the second comfy chair.

Dash made a face, frowning. "Recovery herbs? Medicine huh?"

Vixen sighed. "How old are you? 5?"

"What's THAT mean?" Dash asked, offended.

"Just drink your bloody medicine, you nutter," Vixen said, then laughed.

Dash took it, then took a sniff, then quickly changed the subject. "Where'd you run off to, anyway?"

"What do you mean?" Vixen put her feet up on a footstool.

"You were gone an awful long time just to get a drink," Dash answered. "I was hoping maybe you knew someone that could help."

"Oh hehe, I threw someone out that was trying to get fresh with me, probably crying over his hat by now."

"Alright." Dash sniffed at the drink and acted like he was taking a sip without actually taking one.

Vixen noticed that Dash wasn't actually drinking. She decided not the mention that. (He would have to drink it sometime) "Heh, enjoying your medicine?"

"Oh, delicious," Dash said, even though he realized she was 'on' to him. His eyebrows furrowed. "You put a little nutmeg in it, right?"

"No," she answered.

"Oh," Dash frowned. "Catrina and I usually use it when we make up medicine."

"Well I'm not Cat or you," Vixen answered patiently. "Try it and if you don't like it I guess I can add some..."

"Sure, stir some in, if you please," Dash answered.

"I said *if* you don't like it," Vixen answered. "Try it first."

"Ah," Dash said. "So do you know anyone who might have a little insight in inter-dimensional travel?"

He wanted the answer to that one, so he took a cautious sip out of the drink- a real sip this time, as he awaited her answer.

"Nope, I know no one that could do that. You could try the The League of Chef-Magi but judging by that name, they don't do portals." Vixen chuckled at the name of the league.

"Not at all." Dash continued sipping on the drink, taking bigger sips each time. He forced himself to pause. "We could try out The Department of Arts and Crafts, though. It's got facilities for musically gifted adventurers."

'It's The Department of Shadowy Arts and Crafts, Dash." She stuck out her tongue. "Like your medicine yet?"

Dash was taking a long sip and stopped as she talked. "I was until you reminded me it's medicine." He took another sip. "Not bad, though."

“We'll I've been doing this for awhile,” she answered.

Dash drank down a good potion of the drink, then smiled. "I can tell."

"Wanna head to Vivace's room and see if we can find anything? When you're finished, of course."

"Sure," Dash said, smiling a bit now. "Maybe I could have a couple more cups of it, first?"

"No. I'm off duty, you can get one yerself if you want," Vixen said, chuckling.

Dash raised an eyebrow.

"That should of been enough medicine, Dash," Vixen said.

"I don't know," Dash answered with that infectious rogue'ish smile. "It was a rather painful landing and a long walk and. . . ." Dash paused, his ears perking.

"What's wrong, Dash? Why'd you cut off?" Vixen said, puzzled.

Dash's ears perked. He took a few seconds to answer. "Listen to Españolola... something sounds wrong, don't you think?"

"Now that you mention it, yeah. I do." Vixen listened for Españolola... "He seems almost... spooked."

Dash considered. "Let's go see why. I can't imagine the skies are still bothering him.." Dash pushed his way to his feet, blocking the pain out for the moment.

Vixen helped Dash to the door. "Heh. You're not goin without help." She smiled at him.

Dash smiled warmly. "Thanks.. but I can at least walk on my own.. that medicine's already doing it's magic." He opened the door for her in his always gentlemanly fashion.

"Thanks, heh.. my medicine always works." Vixen grinned happily.

Dash nodded and smiled in return. They quickly made their way across the short trip to the stable with Dash's horse. It continued to tap it's foot, and neighed when it caught sight of Dash and Vixen. The cocoabo in the stable to the right, and the white horse in the stable to Españolola's left didn't seem nearly as nervous.. still.. Dash tried to reassure it.

Vixen looked around. "I don't see anything that could of spooked your horse."

Dash shrugged. "Something's up. You're not lonely, are you, Es?" Dash rubbed the horse's nose and rubbed it behind the ears. It seemed to appreciate the gesture for a few seconds, then it scooted back, neighing loudly as it eyed the gray harp Vixen had produced. She examined it, a distant look in her eyes. "Vixen?"

Vixen stared at the harp examining it. Just simply staring. She heard Dash say "Vixen?"

But It went in one ear and out the other. She played one of the strings of the harp...

The horse neighed contently, and tapped it's front foot gently, as if it wanted her to continue.

"Seems to like it, Vixen," Dash noted, even though it was somewhat obvious. "Keep playing."

Vixen kept playing, the only song she knows. It was just half a harp but still played a lovely tune. Sublime.. surreal. The air seemed to hum with a beautiful stillness. Vixen played on, the wind blowed almost with the melody. Small animals watched from the trees. She cried as she played, memories of her sister playing washed over her. Dash's eyes felt a bit heavier as she played.

As Vixen played on, she did not notice that the harp started to glow. A dull light at first. It got brighter and brighter. Vixen cried, and played. A sudden burst of light shot out of the broken harp. It opened what looked like to be a portal of light. A ghostly figure stepped forward.

A fox like form stood in front of vixen, vixen looked like she saw a ghost (She did!). There was silence for a few minutes...

“Sis?” Vixen finally said.

Yup, she said 'sis.'

The next one up's a bit.. disturbing in nature.. a couple of missions with Catrina's quartet, interupted by an AIL debut, and we'll be back to Vixen and Dash! But for now.. onwards to Catrina's torture! yay, I guess