Open Plain

Satisfied with her handiwork, the pixie returns her pistol to the holster on her thigh. She looks around at the rest of the group, her attention finally caught by Krys and the device on his lap.
“Whatcha’ working on there?”

Ruina closes the pamphlet dramatically, then raises her head, looking at everyone's face one by one, a huge happy grin on her face. Her eyes almost seem to shine in happiness.

"Are you all adventurers? My name is Ruina Steamwater! You might have heard of me, I am very popular after all, but I'm not the important one right now. You all are! You see, I am technically a merchant... A business woman. Just like this Anna! However, a very very bad thief that deserves the spanking of a lifetime has ruined my establishment. How can anyone even dare to ruin a safe haven that welcomes everyone?! HOW DARE THEY?!

Of course, I had to take matters in my own hand and find what I lost myself. That is why I spent years to learn battle dancing! That's what my mentor called it. It's dancing... Made for battling. Or should I say self-defense? Battling sounds a bit barbaric, doesn't it?

Anyway, I can defend myself but I never adventured myself. I heard a lot of stories from all the adventurers whom profited of my hot springs to relax alongside me, but I never adventured myself.

Do you guys have any tips?"

Ruina notices Carabel glance at Mr. Maid.

"Oh, that's Mr. Maid. He's shy, but friendly. He's my helper and... well... you see, his job... NO! HIS PASSION! is to clean my establishment, which is closed right now. So he is without a job too right now. I'm not the only life that pesky thief ruined, whoever they are!"

(I assume companions are NPCs, right?)

A truly odd pair rests in the back of the wagon. A tiny, faintly glowing spirit and a motionless ent. This pair is in fact Gustaev and the avatar of Orlianore.

Gustaev lets out a loud snort at the excitement and noisy chatter of his new 'companions'.

"I'm on an adventure alright... but nit of my own free will! All thanks to this 'goddess' here!" He motions irritably to Orlianore's avatar with his tiny wispy hands.

In response, the ent suddenly jumps to life and begins to scold Gustaev in a firm, almost motherly tone. "Uhhuh, and if it werent for me, you'd be dead, Gustaev! One would think that you'd be a bit more grateful! I've done everything in my power to give you a brand new start. Even if it as a wisp. This is a great oppurtunity to experience things outside of the battlefield."

Gustaev sighs heavily in response. "I come from a long line of proud, battle-hardened WARRIORS! NOT WISPS! NOT MUSICIANS! My forefathers would be dissapointed if they could see me now... a weak, useless spirit. How dare you thrust this terrible fate upon me?"

Orlianore's ent rolls her eyes in the most dramatic fashion she possibly can. "Oh dear, you are the most dramatic soul I think I've ever met. Why dont you stop moping and go meet some of the others? I think it'll do you some good. Then we can practice with our music some."

"FINE! But I get to choose the song." Gustaev pouts and aggressively hovers away, before apprehensively apparoaching the others and looking for some way to start a conversation.

"What a baby..." Orlianore mutters to herself when Gustaev is out of earshot, before auddenly going motionless again.

Gustaev grunts in frustration. He had never really considered it before, but he realizes he has no idea how to start a conversation about anything that doesnt involve the art of battle. He takes his time observing his companions. He sees a few humams, a pixie, some sort of ogre... and a tree?

Maybe, just maybe the tree is in a similiar sotuation to himself. Trapped as a spirit of somesort, yearning for BATTLE! Realizong he is beggining to mumble a bit, Gustaev shakes himself out of his thoughts before floating up to the tree.

"Hello my good... treefellow. Its a pleasure to meet someone of similiar origins. May I ask as to why you've chosen to become an adventurer? You see, I myself am a warrior trapped in this world as a frail spirit, and seeing someone seemingly so out of place has me curious"

(P.s. this wagon must be really big if crow is fitting in the wagon?? You know what I wont overthink it)

Willow's eyes slowly open. She turns, slowly, to face the spirit. "I... have come... to hone... my abilities... with fieldwork..." She nods slowly, then turns to the other. "It is... a nice... ribbon. It... will make... it clear... to not... cut me down..." Nod. "What manner... of creature... is this?"

The pixie tilts her head to one side, intrigued by the weapon and also possibly trying to dodge a glare reflecting off of the dragon’s scales.
“How’s it work? Doesn’t look like there’s any way to put bullets in the cylinder.”

"Apologies... I didn't see... Nevermind." Gustaev just leaves, not having meant to be rude, but a but put off by his new "companion's" first response to him. He is also a bit perturbed that this person somehow knows his name, despite never having talked to them before.

"I guess that's enough conversation for the moment, it seems as if everyone else is already engaged in some sort of conversation..." He settles back down for the time being before grumbling to himself. "I'm not that whiny..." He goes back to practicing on his singing, Orlianore helping him keep in tune by playing on the guitar.