It's time for a big meet up!

This one, obviously, takes place in the KOL inspired location of Degrassi Knoll. It gets a bit tense early on.

 
John and Sherri had returned to familiar territory; Degrassi Knoll. According to the ninja leader, a knoll scientist had his research stolen and Blackeagle's mission would be to find it and return it. They had arrived in Degrassi midday, when the streets were bustling with merchants selling their wares and people buying. Presumably, at least one was selling cakeroot. Blackeagle stopped in front of a familiar tavern. The sign read "The Rocks Bar and Inn."

"Think he will remember us?" John asked.

"It's hard to forget people like us." Sherri smiled.

They both walked into the mildly populated establishment. The barkeep looked up at them and smiled widely.

"Good to see you two, my friends. I was wondering when you would make your way back in town again," the barkeep said.

"We wouldn't want to miss all the fun," John said.

Sherri asked, "Do we still have our agreement?"

"By all means yes," the barkeep said. "Let me show you to your room then you can get to work."

"Sounds good," John replied.

They all went up to the room. The barkeep opened the door for them and left them to settle in. They tossed their burlap sacks on the bed. This time they came more prepared with several changes of clothes, weapons, and rope. Once settled in, they went back down stairs to the bar.

The barkeep asked, "Hungry?"

"Yes, it was a bit of a journey," Sherri said.

They had a seat at the bar. The barkeep took a loaf of Knollish bread from behind the bar and used a knife to cut it in half. He handed them both a half.

"Enjoy." The barkeep said this with a laugh. "Then you work."

John and Sherri took a bite of the bread they were just given and looked at each other.

They thought to each other, "This isn't like the bread we are used to." "No it tastes as bad as sourdough."

One of the things that makes John and Sherri good at what they do - their ability to communicate through their brains, not letting people know of their conversation. Telepathic. In this case, they simply didn't want to offend the barkeep who has graciously helped them with food, a place to stay and employment while in town. The finished their simple meal and thanked the barkeep for his generosity.

As they were getting up, John asked, "Do you know a Gnoll professor by the name of Thurgood?"

The barkeep responded, "You mean the Gnoll that lives by the book deposit?"

Sherri replied, "You mean the library, yes."

The barkeep looked at them questioningly.

"Why are you asking about the professor?" the barkeep asked.

"We were sent here to help find some lost research and apprehend the thief," John answered.

That seemed to satisfy the barkeep. He understood that their line of work took them many places and interactions with many different people. So he didn't ask any further.

About that time, Mary Kate and Wildfall arrive at that tavern and started asking their own questions.

John and Sherri noticed the curious pair, deciding to keep a close eye on the inquisitive couple in rain gear.

Mary spoke up first and asked the barkeep, "Do you know why the grass is so green around here when you have so little rain? We would really like to talk to the Professor to see if that was possibly the reason for taking the research information."

Growing suspicious, Sherri walked up to Mary.

"Hello I am Sherri Dunn; may I ask what your interest is in the professer?" Sherri asked to Mary.

"Nice to meet you, Sherri, this is Wildfall, and our interest in the professor is the research project that was stolen from him. We heard he was researching a new type of grass seed and came thru some very green grass on our way here and wondered if that was part of the project he is working on," replied Mary.

"So are ours; we were sent here by the ninja leader to find out what happened to the stolen research and find who our thief is and to apprehend them. Perhaps we can work together," Sherri implied.

"That would be great, Sherri. Especially since we are new in the area, you could help us find our way around and together we could solve this and get on to other things," smiled Mary.

While that was taking place, John was leaning against a wall with his arms folded watching the whole thing. Sherri used her telepathic ability to talk to John. She informed him via brain wave, that Mary and Wildfall were on the same side as them and willing to help. John walked over to them and introduced himself.

"Hello I am John Dunn.. I understand you are working on finding out more about the professor as are we," John commented.

Wildfall flashed an amiable smile, carefully making sure to position himself between Mary and the two without placing himself between John and Mary. "So, who is it you were saying you were with? I mighta missed that part."

"Me and my wife Sherri work with Sir Fumbles and the ninjas in ninja village. We are also bounty hunters of sorts," John said, nodding.

"We just hope to find who stole the research and bring them to justice," Sherri added.

Wildfall tried to look like he was letting his guard down, but it was clear to John and Sherri it was just an act. Wildfall casually flicked a crumb off his table, giving Mary a quick look that let her know he wanted to handle the talking here. "Just a fella might notice you don't really look like ninjas, ya know?"

"Trust me, we are a lot of things that you don't want to find out the hard way," John told Wildfall angrily.

"Yeah we are more than what we appear to be," Sherri said.

Not liking where this was going, John and Sherri prepared to fight at a moment's notice.

Sensing hostility, Wildfall glanced over to Mary, who didn't seem to take too kindly to Blackeagle's answer. Slipping a hand to his shillelagh, "Well, we certainly wouldn't want that, so the lady and I have decided we'll kindly take our leave now and get back to our search. I'm sure we'll see you, I ar.."

"What do you mean we are leaving? I am not going anywhere without some answers and where do you get off telling me what to do, Wildfall? I told Sherri we would help them and since we both are working on the same goals it makes sense to work together," shot back Mary.

If her response to the outburst surprised Wildfall, he didn't show it outwardly. "Alright, that sounds like an excellent subject to discuss in private Mary, don't you think?"

"I suppose you are right but don't EVER make assumptions for me again. I don't do it to you," Mary fired back at Wildfall.

Wildfall looked quite incredulous at the last statement, but kept it to himself. "Hey, your dad told me to keep your safe.. okay.. later for that." He turned to John. "Pardon us for a bit, please. We'll talk to you later."

John and Sherri stepped in front of Wildfall and Mary in a defensive stance as Wildfall stood up, ready to get the hell out of here.

"You're not going anywhere till you answer a few questions. First off, what is your interest in the professor and his research?" John said forcefully.

"And what side exactly are you on?" Sherri added.

Wildfall looked from Mary to the troublesome couple and decided his best option was to talk and talk fast. "Right now I'm on your side, and believe me, the best thing for all of us right now would be for us to walk away before my associate loses her temper. Now me? You might - might - not have a problem with me, if you want a fight, but the girl? She is the toughest, most determined woman I've seen in my lifetime and so far, my life could be described as a series of encounters with tough, determined, intimidating women.

"Now, I'd guess you know something about the matter." Wildfall paused, looking from Sherri to John and back to Sherri, his eyes settling on her. "I'd also guess that as the brains of the operation, you could see we're clearly no threat to you, and the best thing for all of us would be to let us walk away without an incident, right?"

"Another suggestion, Wildfall. We sit down and talk to them about this," said Mary.

Without breaking his expression, Wildfall somehow managed to concede, "Also an excellent option."

John and Sherri discussed the matter via telepathy. "What do you think?" John asked Sherri. "I think we should at least see what this is all about before we get into an all out brawl," Sherri answered. "Yes you're right and you end up kicking her tail." "Tempting," Sherri responded.

"Ok. Let's sit and talk," said John.

They went over to one of the empty tables and sat down. Wildfall spun a chair around, sitting in it backwards, facing the table. Mary sat down next to Wildfall and waited for him to start talking but instead he looked her over with a playful smile.

"Alright, far be it from me to be presumptuous, Mary. So how bout you explain to the nice bar bouncers here what our job here is?"

"First of all, I think we are all here for the same reason. The theft of the research project and to find the person(s) responsible and bring them to justice. Secondly, I want to find out if the grass we walked thru is part of the project that the Professor is working on. Beyond that I am not sure…." said Mary.

"And the Council," Wildfall nudged her, leaning in a bit. "Remember the part about the Council?"

"Right, the Council asked us to to find out if this is part of the project because it would be a possibility of testing it around Seaside Town since we have a problem growing grass that will withstand droughts," replied Mary, nodding proudly.

"Yeah," Wildfall said, a bit thrown off. "but the main thing. The rats and the bats."

"Yeah also to find out, 'Is it the rats or is it bats that are behind the theft?' ... and they're making other kinds of mayhem too... acting up? Criminal mischief," wondered Mary aloud.

Wildfall smiled at Mary, giving her a "Job well done" wink, but lost his smile at the thought of it. "Sounds like they're up to all kinds of things. We're just looking into the grass thing though. Our plan is to head south to help Ender."

"We are commandos not scientists," John said. "We don't know anything about the research."

"Yes John is right, we will be talking to the professor soon as we can and hope he can answer a few questions," Sherri added.

"We wish you both luck." John said. "If you need any help, you know where we will be."

Wildfall nodded. "We'll definitely keep that in mind."

"Thank you both for you good wishes and offers of help. We will let you know anything we find out that might help you in your quest as well," responded Mary, shaking the hands of both John and Sherri, "Good luck to you both as well."

With that, Wildfall and Mary departed the bar, and none too soon in Wildfall's eyes, either! With the rain having let up and settled into a light sprinkle, people were starting to wander out into Degrassi.

"Hey, I think I see a couple familiar figures!" Wildfall said, looking at the crowded streets. "There's our friendly bard Todd; let's go say hi, honey."

Wildfall gave her a light push in Todd's direction, towards the two furries. "Hello, Todd, nice to see you again," said Mary with a smile.

Todd Blackpaws smiled as he moved slightly ahead of his current companion and grasped Wildfall's hand. The companion was dressed in robes, her form hidden for the moment, although Wildfall knew full well who it was.

"Great to see ya again, mate! And in such lovely company!"

The vulpin bard released his friend and delivered a sweeping bow to his companion. "We meet again! Still have to ask what a stunningly good looking young woman like you is doing with this loser?"

He shot a teasing look at his friend.

"Todd, you are as charming as ever. As to why I am with Wildfall, well we are looking for the thief that stole some research plans for a new type of grass seed and are headed to talk to Bart Ender to see if he can give us any information," said Mary, smiling at the thought that Todd remembered her.

Wildfall smiled warmly at Fahari. "Been a while, Fahari. Good to see Todd found someone to keep him outta trouble besides me."

"Don't know if we have met, Fahari, but I am Mary Kate, an old friend of Wildfall's from back in our home of Ireaca. Good to meet you," said Mary.

Wildfall smiled proudly. "Believe it not, I am the gal's mentor while her parents are away for a bit."

Fahari pulled back her hood and smiled at Mary. She was a lovely black pantheress. She looked young, but in her golden eyes reflected experience beyond her years. She extended a paw, speaking softly.

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Mary."

Taking Fahari's paw, Mary responded, saying, "Please call me Mary or MK, Miss Mary sounds too formal for friends and I do hope we will be friends, Fahari."

"Like Todd and me," Wildfall chimed in. "Well.. maybe not quite as mischievous as Todd and me."

Mary laughed, turned to Fahari and said, "I think we might have our hands full with this pair."

Fahari smiled. Todd squirmed. "Mister Blackpaws knows I can handle him. If not.."

"You're sure you're a monk, Fahari?" Todd chuckled.

"You and I both know that my Goddess- like your Vixen…"

"Yeah, yeah," Todd grumbled. "Let's not drag the dirty laundry out in front of the kids, okay?"

"As you wish." The pantheress purred… or was that a chuckle?

"Yeah," Wildfall said with a broad smile. "Once Todd gets started on his Vixen goddess, it's hard to get him to talk about anything else. Actually, Todd, are you sure you're not a monk? Hahaha."

Todd didn't answer that, but Fahari did. "Mister Blackpaws serves his Vixen in his way, as I serve my Goddess in mine- as you serve yours, Mister Wildfall."

Wildfall chuckled as the four caught up and started making plans for the strange and dangerous little village of Degrassi.

Nice lil meet up huh? Wildfall and Mary get introduced to Blackeagle, Mary meets Fahari, and Todd's back!

We also get a little taste of the telepathic bond between Sherri and John who are full of surprises. I also liked splitting it basically into Blackeagle/ Wildfall/ Mary as the first part, and replacing Blackeagle with Todd and Fahari for the last bit. The contrast between the mood in the two hopefully makes each one that much better. I remember the voter had commented on liking that Wildfall and Blackeagle didn't get along perfectly from the go. That was a deliberate choice which Blackeagle and Mary kindly fed into, so it worked pretty well, I thought!