One might say we're in rarified air here, AIL wise.

That's because, as mentioned elsewhere, this is the first mission ever to get 24 roleplay "pieces," not including the Rollover or Finale parts, of course. And not only did we reach this new high mark, there's two pieces to go after it.

Anyway, here we are again, back with Sassy and Linger, who are back with Icy and Bris. This is a very clever title; what are you expecting from the piece?

Read on to find if your expectations are met, subverted, and/ or surpassed.

 
Linger and I are entering Degrassi and we spend some time looking around.  "It's nice to be in town finally," I say to Linger.

"Yes, it much betta dan being on the bitta cold mountains," Linger says and a shiver runs down his spine.

We take some time looking around and then my eyes fall on something I hadn't seen before.  It is a small pub that has been hastily set up. The sign on the door reads "The Oriole's Nest" and proudly displays an oriole feather.  I point this out to Linger and we head toward it.

"Have you ever seen this place before, Linger?" I ask him.

"Not me.  Me nevva seed it before."

Standing outside of the doors and looking kind of distracted stand two figures that I know quite well.

"Hey!  Bristle!  Hey Icy!  So, what are you two doing here?"

"Waiting for you, mostly," says Icy.  "You don't look too rested from your mountain excursion."

"That's because we aren't," I answer and we both giggle.  Linger comes over to greet Bristle and Icy.

"It good to see yoo bot."  He says, "Wot's been going on cents we lef?"

"Well," Bristle says, "for one thing, this little pub has opened up. It's not a bad spot to relax and have a drink or two.  Meals aren't too bad either.  It's actually a masterstroke of genius.  Mr. Feathers, that's the barkeep here, is cashing in on this mania to find the toot oriole.  His place is a sort of gathering place for adventurers."

"Hmm," I say.  "Sounds interesting.  What kind of gathering place?"

"Oriole seekers can come here," says Icy, "and here they can find out all of the current rumors about where the Toot is and where he isn't."

"I take it," I say with a smile and a wink at them both, "that you two have been in there quite a lot."

"Yeh, kind of." says Bristle.  "After we ran into Rayvon, we kind of lost interest in the little places we were drinking and eating in. Had to throw her off the track for a while.  We found this place and it was perfect."

"We see Rayvon in the mountains," offers Linger.

"You did?" asks Bristle.  "Sounds like you have quite a story to tell.  Why don't we catch up inside?"  He offers his arm to Icy and they enter the pub and Linger and I follow after them.

The bar is small and a little dirty, but in a strange way it is cozy and friendly too.  A burly man with mustaches that billow out to the sides greets us.

"Welcome to the Oriole's Nest!  Me name is Ruffle Feathers, and I'll be glad to help ye."  He looks at Linger and me and notices the feathers.

"Well now, some true seekers so it looks to be."  He lowers his voice to a whisper, "Would you go seekin the bird then?"

"Yes, we would like to try to find him."

"Well now, the mountains have been tried pretty thoroughly.  There be some rumors that he might be in the forest; but I have also heard that he was seen near the swamp."

"Swamp?  Why would he go to the swamp?" I ask him.

"Don't rightly know meself.  T'is only a rumor.  T'is said that he likes some fish near the swamp and he could be there.  Course, he could be anyway.  Don't know meself and don't have no reason to find him meself."

We sit at a table and over drinks and eats we catch up.

"She actually tried to convince you guys I was insane?" I ask Icy and Bristle.

"Yes, she did.  Was quite insistent about it.  We thought she might try to influence others against you," says Bristle.  "We kept a lookout here, hoping you might show up when you got to town."

"Well," I sigh.  "Not too much I can do about that now.  Not even sure she is alive.  That cave-in could have injured or killed her."

"Not her," Linger says, "She not dead.  Feels like she be out dere somewheres."

"Well anyway."  I turn to Bristle and Icy.  "How are you two doing? When Linger and I left, you said you wanted to take some time to get to know one another.  Have you started doing that?"

"Yes, indeed we have," says Icy and she starts to blush prettily.

"Ice and I have found that we really love each other.  We have been talking about settling down and getting married.  Or should that be the other way?  Oh, well, whatever."

"Sounds like you have given it a lot of thought.  What will you do and where will you settle down?"

"Well," thinks Bristle, "I have a trade in making shoes.  That's steady and dependable.  Might set up a shop almost anywhere.  People are always going to need new shoes.  I'd like to find the blackberry cobbler and perhaps get some helpful tips from him."

"He's in the forest somewhere, isn't he?" I ask.

"From what I understand, he is," answers Bristle.  "Icy and I could go to the woods, try to find the cobbler and keep an eye out for the toot at the same time."

"Sounds like fun, Bris," answers Icy.  "I think I would welcome some adventures now.  Especially if I had a strong, handsome man to protect me."  She giggles and kisses Bristle.

"Well," I say looking at Linger, "Linger, should we go to the swamp or woods?"

"Me thinks you wants to rest fer a while.  Dis is true?"

"Yes," I say, "This is true.  We could lay over here a couple of days get some supplies and then head out again.  What do you think?  Would you like to come with me?"

"Me come wit yu.  Where we go den?"

I took a game tile from my belt pouch.  I show it to Linger.  "After my failures in the mountains, I don't trust my own judgment to decide such an important choice."

"Wot we do den?"

I flip the game tile in the air.  "This tile will decide it for us. Look, it has a snake on one side which will be for the swamp and on the other side it has a bird for the forest.  You call out which side will come down."

"Bird!"  Linger says and I flip the coin up and it lands with the bird face up.  I scoop the coin from the table and put it back in my pouch.

"Looks like we can check out the forest.  We can travel with Bristle and Icy if they are willing to wait a few days.  How about it?"

"Sounds like fun to me," giggles Icy and she puts her hand in Bristle's.

"That is all right with me too." Bristle says.  "How about you Linger?"

"Linger is red'dy and he will go.  Forests sound good to me."

And, just like that, we settle our affairs and start to make plans to explore the forest.

I'm going mostly off voter Ichiro's comments when I call this character piece a nice bit to bring things full circle, while also showing the draining, tiring effects of Sassy's long journey in the mountains. It's nice to see Icy and Bris back with Sassy and Linger, too.

I loved the twist with the little "Orile's Nest" pub. She gives a great reason for the name, and it's useful in kicking her forward to having something to do in the finale, as you'll see shortly. But hey, there's two more pieces to go - and next are Daisuke, Cattaras, and Jen. Don't miss it!