FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Whatever she likes," Adaeze says, "I'll take it too." With that, Adaeze plops a sack which clinks with the weight of coinage.

"Tik Tik doesn't know!" She squeaks. "Tik Tik hungry, but she also want know where Tybalt?"

"Tybalt?" The bartender asks, frowning. "Oh, you mean the dashing knight that brought you in last night? Shining armor, abs you can grate cheese on?"

Tik Tik nods, though the idea of grating anything on such a smooth body seems ridiculous A scaled body would be more appropriate, certainly.

"Oh, he came and went. He said he waited for you, but his duties required him to be elsewhere. Paid for your room and board though, so breakfast is on us, miss Tik Tik."

Adaeze shrugs and tucks her money pouch away "Won't be needing this, then."

Tik Tik frowns, tapping her fingers across the counter. "Say where went?" she asks, frowning.

"Sorry about that. But he said to tell you he hopes to see you again, if the lords of love are willing. Let me get ya something nice and warm, alright, Tik?" He reaches out and pats her hand before sliding off to put in the order.

With the bartender gone, Adaeze places her hand on Tik Tik's shoulder and shakes her head. "Paladin, eh? I've met a few guys like that before. They're always got some cause to champion. They say they're all about you and then WHAM, they're off to fight for a war or off to seek glory or all sorts of other excuses like that. My advice is 'don't get attached.' Let one night stands be just that, and you'll be fine."

Tik Tik pulls her book out, reading it to not think about him for now. As she muses on the words of wisdom, she flips through different pages, absently making her way through the sections, past 'gargoyle,' and 'gelly creature,' and 'ghost,' and 'ghoul'...

"Say, that's a fancy book you got there." Adeaze says, leaning in for a better look. "And exciting. What the hell's a kobold doing with something like that?"

"Tik Tik study to learn it. Help tribe."

"Really, now? You're looking at some beast cataloger work just for your friends and family? Come on... you don't need a monster book for that..."

Tik Tik sighs and closes the book, pulling it back in close to herself. "Tik Tik not selling."

"What? No, I mean-"

The bartender returns, sliding a warm plate of roasted meat and a side of vegetables. "Here you go, miss. Enjoy!"

Tik Tik pinches a piece of the roasted meat between her fingers and sniffs it. She flicks it into her mouth and chews, taking a moment to savor the taste before she shudders and lets out a quite pleased "mmmmm!"

Adaeze leans in and whispers, her hand resting just near the book. "I don't want your book, you see. I'm in the monster-hunting business. It's pretty dang lucrative work, if you ask me."

"Monster hunting?" Tik Tik continues, taking a carrot and snapping it off with her teeth.

"Yeah. If you're studying all kinds of strange creatures and beasts, you've come to the right place. All sorts of monsters call the Wild Lands their home. In fact, they've been getting a bit more active lately, which is perfect for a couple adventurers like us. Seeing them in their natural habitat can really help you with your studies, you know?"

"Why Adaeze want help Tik Tik?" The kobold asks, putting the vegetable down and returning to the meat.

The gnoll shrugs. "It helps to have someone who knows things on the journey. Plus, its also a positive to have a little cutie around," she says, pulling her hand off of her to nudge her side with her shoulder.

Tik Tik scratches at her snout a moment, but then shakes her head. "You don't know Tik Tik. Tik Tik not traveling with not-known person. Not after losing Tybalt."

"Look, Tik, I'll level with ya. I can tell that book of yours is magic just by looking at it. It's far too clean for something that old, you know? I've... come across a bit of a snag with this current job I'm on. That's why I came to this place. I was actually eying up the Paladin, before I figured he was a man on a mission. But hey, here we are, right? I figured someone with some magic in them could help me out. He said there was a wizard here I could get with my particular problem.

Tik Tik raises an eyebrow ridge at that and leans in. "What problem Adaeze have?"

She looks over her shoulders just to see if anyone else was listening in on their conversation. "I don't have the magic necessary to break past that thing's defenses without punching it. And, well, uh... its sort of the kind of creature that is really effective against maidens...."

Tik Tik blinks. "You, Adaeze, are maiden?" she asks.

"Sshhh!" the gnoll says, looking around with wide eyes before pulling the kobold in with a muscled arm around her shoulder. "Don't talk that kind of stuff out loud. I got a reputation to uphold!"

"Tik Tik doesn't understa-"

Adaeze cups her hand over Tik Tik's mouth. "Listen," she hisses. "I didn't realize it needed a certain kind of maiden to be powerful, alright? It's not like I'm green, got me? I've had plenty of lovers, just... not in that way. So, a sex paladin tells me that he's got a wizard friend who can help me out if I really need it. Then he ran out the door, all serious-like.

"Tybalt didn't help?" Tik Tik asks. "Even if busy, should have helped!"

"The monster isn't exactly," she says, shaking her hand back and forth. "Hurtng anyone. The baroness just wants it out of her kingdom. I aim to take it out."

"Kill?" Tik Tik gasps. "Tik Tik need see and learn before kill. Come."

Tik Tik hops off of her seat, clutching her book closer to her.

"C... Come...?" Adaeze says, blinking.

"Tik Tik will discuss pay with Adaeze up in room." She snaps her fingers and points to the room. "You have room? We go!"

The gnoll stares up to the stairway, her tongue peeking out from between her lips, licking over her chops. "W... well, whatever you say, miss Tik Tik!" she says, hopping down herself.