To make the glass full (Afina)

[Ebiris]

Aww, he's just shouting at his possessions, not bothering anyone else. That's fine, she can just cheer him on. From the sidelines.

Quietly.

As quiet as Mei actually, the elf has the right idea for now. "Nevermind, lets just go back and wait for Kascha."

[Anastasia]

Unfortunately, "AFINA!" Baleruk bellows the moment you say a word, neck craning around to gaze right at the two. Mei waves slowly, trying to smile as Baleruk glares at them both.

[Ebiris]

Not quiet enough! "Hello Baleruk," she smiles and walks over. "We were just coming over to see how you were doing. I'm heading off to the Cauldron shortly to master the remaining elements."

[Anastasia]

Baleruk's neck extends out, the dragon coming eye to pixie with Afina. He stares at her several seconds before bellowing, strongly enough to force Afina back, "WHY ARE YOU TALKING TO ME INSTEAD OF DOING THAT?! GO GO GO!"

[Ebiris]

Sometimes just by luck one pushes the right buttons. "Okay then we'll see you later. Wish me luck!" she says before hurrying off to await Kascha's return.

[Anastasia]

As the two hurry off, you see Kascha and Surraruthru emerge out, coming to you.

Go ahead, y'all.

[Ebiris]

Afina nods her head in greeting as the two approach. "Ready to go now, Kascha?" she asks the ghaele before showing an interest in Surraruthru's wacky get rich quick schemes. "Where are you headed, Surraruthru? Got a lead on some treasure out there?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"The treasure of Seira's approval. She's commanded my presence to give me a quest. Treasure comes after."

Surraruthru pauses before a toothy, gruesome grin spreads across his maw.

"I have, however, gained a small trove of information that may be of interest to you. For the right price."

[Ebiris]

"What sort of information for what price?" Afina asks suspiciously.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Oh, just about what we need to save Muirfinn and Lief. As for the price... That depends on how much you want to know."

[Ebiris]

"Get out of my sight," Afina hisses, outraged at someone seeking to profit from the tragic fate of Muirfinn and Lief. "Those two gave more than their lives for our world - your home. And you hold their fates over me like a cheap bauble? Get out before I do something regrettable."

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru chuckles.

"Price paid in full!"

Surraruthru looses his grin. "To be honest, I didn't tell you straight out because I don't have a straight answer. There's an ally we need, but I don't have a name. I do know it's someone on a plane we already have contacts on, which narrows it down a bit. You'll need to put diviners or something on it. There's something else, too.

A piece of Lifasa will survive. And Seira believes it will come into my possession. Something that can serve as the heart of my grove. If cultivated correctly, it could serve to start groves across Lifasa once we liberate it and help restore it."

[Ebiris]

Afina's ire calms at that quick backtracking, though she remains suspicious that the little dragon would have shamelessly pocketed her gold had she offered it. "Go and tell Balyss what you know, she's our foremost expert on divination," she instructs, eyes still narrowed. "And have better care with your jokes in the future. Muirfinn and Lief were much beloved here, and there are those who'd take even greater offence than I at such heartlessness."

She doesn't really understand the stuff about groves but it sounds like something between Surraruthru and Seira so she'll leave well enough alone there.

[Anastasia]

Kascha begins to smile at Surruraruthru's antics - and stops cold when he asks for money. Her jaw drops, staring at the back and forth. She reaches out and grabs Surraruthru by a wing and says, "SURRARUTHRU! That's not funny! Her eyes are tearing up, threatening to spill over, "Lief and Muirfinn are suffering for our Crusade! They gave everything they could to free Lifasa!"

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru snaps at Kascha's hand.

"If you disliked the joke, there are far less insulting ways to express it. You are lucky I am tolerant. Balruk would have taken your arm.

I said not a word to mock them. Not one. If the subject is that touchy for you, then I'll leave it be. But take into consideration that the only person I've been with in Aurora is Kascha. How am I to know who means what to whom and what their limits are? I arrived, went into combat and then got shuffled away with my lair as an out-of-hand write off. I know next to nothing of anyone here."

He turns to Kascha, "And you should have known I wasn't serious. I had already told you everything. If I truly wanted money for it, why would I have given that information to someone who could under-cut me immediately? Disliking the joke aside, you should know me that well by now."