Aerys stared out the window of her shop, watching as the evening crowds began to clear the streets as the rain began to batter them. She couldn’t help but observe an  individual attempt to take shelter in front of her shop, under the small purple tarp that marked her shop. She frowned as she watched their shoulders shake from the cold weather. She threw her oven mitts over her shoulder and marked around the counter towards the entrance. She was not going to let that poor soul catch a cold, even if it meant opening up her shop afte hours. She rushed to the door and unlocked it, calling out to the stranger with worry lacing her words.

“Excuse me? If you’d like, you can come in and wait out the rain? A steaming cup of tea would ought to warm you up as well!”

     “Agatcham, an hour on horseback. Pack. Water. Weapons.” Irinushka murmured, her finger resting on the soft curve of her chin. It would be her first quest for the guild, though it was one mostly for maintenance. Still, she was nervous, arriving at the town’s gate earlier than early. Whoever was to be accompanying her for the clean-up was understandably nowhere to be found but that suited her fine. There was a nagging feeling, a poking at the back of her mind that was both consistent and annoying. It was as if someone vaguely familiar had greeted her but their name refused to form little more than an itch on her tongue. It was as if she had missed an ingredient for a potion unknowingly but there it was turning green instead of gold and bubbling ominously. “What is it then? It can’t be that important if I can’t remember, right?”

 She needed some extra hands around, and fast!

 Staggering through the crowds for one last night, Astorel had to come to terms with the fact that running a business like this required paying people to lighten the load. The very next morning, a standing sign had been placed outside the tavern, reading:

 HELP NEEDED FOR FESTIVAL!  PAID POSITIONS FOR HOUSEKEEPING AND COOKING.  PLEASE APPLY INSIDE!

Look at this proud house spirit that cleaned up the entire guild’s base, including everyone’s personal rooms and all the equipment. The streets were full of potential new recruits after all, now that the festival had started!

Also, she kinda swapped out everyone’s underwear. If you suddenly find frilly, cute elf panties in your drawer even though you’re a ogre... well, blame this person here. She’s especially proud of this masterpiece, though.

Alar's preparations for the Treasure Festival didn't just start a week in advance-- for weeks now, he'd been going over and over and over packing slips coming into town and going out of town, and the numbers were beginning to get into his head and jumble it all up.

And, as much as he didn't want to admit it, as the festival drew ever nearer, he was beginning to think he might need a wee bit of help around the warehouse.

That same night, he found himself drafting up a Help Wanted poster in his bedroom at the Crooked Lute while ignoring the shenanigans and goings-ons of the rowdier, more excitable tavern-goers. On it, he scrawled as legibly as he could manage that he needed part timers, adventurers and townsfolk alike, for small jobs such as moving boxes, helping sort through packing slips, accounting, and delivery. There would be pay for their time. He made multiple copies of this over the next few hours.

The animosity coming from the crowds was almost tangible and despite his best efforts to subtlety cleanse the area the acrimony of dark thoughts kept returning like stubborn weeds. After spending hours of untainting con artists and watching them become genuine merchants he had tired himself out, more so mentally than physically.

Taking a break in the woods had seemed like a great idea, the area was secluded and the nature was brimming with life. Suddenly, he could detect the smell of blood and an anguished cry. With eyes flashing red, he lept through the foliage, rushing towards the individual who seemed to be caught in a bear trap.

Cautiously he knelt by their side and pulled his lips into a frown. The hunters in this forest had started resorting to using these vicious methods that put everyone else in danger as well. He ghosted his fingers along their ankle and made eye contact with the stranger.

“Do not move your ankle until I say so, we must make sure it isn’t broken.” 

The stranger nodded and watched as Nico gripped the steel jaws of the trap and ripped it open as if he had been merely opening a paper bag before tossing it aside and running his fingers over the victim's bloodied ankle. Cautiously, he shifted his gaze towards them once again and tried to gauge their identity. They looked vaguely familiar, perhaps someone he had seen around the city. As of right now they didn’t seem to have malicious thoughts or schemes. He came to the decision that’d heal the stranger and face the consequences if they just so happened to be full of greed like most humans.

- skillet

Calliope looked down the road that brought travelers towards the town of Dahlthir. She had heard the name before, yet never dared to step foot in its bustling streets. But now, it seemed the best chance she had to try to blend in with the rest of the world. At the very least, it would keep her hidden from her newest enemies... as long as no one found out about her, that is.

And after traveling for days through the Arkhwood Forest, she wanted nothing more than a good meal and a bed to sleep in. Perhaps in the morning she would continue on her way. Maybe even steal a horse to aid in her travels.

She pulled the hood over her head and the cloak tighter around her. She had nothing to hide - no weapons on her hip, or even hidden under her long dress - but perhaps it was better to hide the fact that she was defenseless. The last thing she wanted to do was draw attention to herself and be resorted into using her powers. If she looked weak and innocent, perhaps that would allow her to go unnoticed in the town.

She followed the road into town, through the narrow, winding roads, not quite sure where she was headed. But within a few minutes of wandering, the streets opened up into what she presumed was the center of town: the market. It was even busier than she could have ever imagined, with people pushing through crowds and calling to one another. It was loud and chaotic and she was starting to feel overwhelmed just being there. 

She took in a breath and mentally tried to calm herself down. She had been in far worst situations than an overcrowded market. And with a snap of her fingers, she could easily clear out every life and structure.

Not that she particularly wanted to. But she wouldn’t hesitate if she had to. Just as long as no one bothered her, everything would be fine.