Search and Rescue (Quest)

[Belinda]

Bel felt recovered enough to start moving. Vincent spoke about sharing supplies and despite her pride she was going to have to take him up on that offer. She took a moment now to look at their surroundings. If she were in better spirit she would have made a comment on the small beauty of this camp ground. She took a look behind her at the path below and noted the trees and trail beneath them. This place was rustic. And she kinda liked the rustic look. This place could be painted on a canvas and sold at a reasonable price to some merchant who has never seen real pine or a mountain before. 

She got up off of her stony seat and went to approach the other near the center of the camp. When almost instantly she felt a woosh rush past her and saw that it was Abelard. He straight up abandoned his horse in order to try and charm their guide with his chivalry. Idiot. Belinda shook her head. She looked back at Abelard's steed.

The idiot didn't even bother to secure his steed. Bel was always fond of Horses and Pegasai. She had a horse growing up and knew how to ride one. She also knew how approach one and read it's visual cues. She wasn't just going to rush up to it like a child would and startle it. She sighed and decided against approaching the horse.

"Abelard." She spoke firmly towards the knight.

"Attend your steed." That was the only thing that she was going to say. Before she walked away and went about her business.
--
By nightfall she had managed to make herself somewhat comfortable. She took her shoes off and sat close to the fire. Her toes were enjoying the warmth of the fire. Vincent had the idea to have everyone reintroduce themselves. And while Bel found the task to be a bit repetitive, since they did give minor introductions to themselves before setting out,  she decided to humor him in his request. 

"My name is Belinda. Bel for short. I was born in Lycia, Badon specifically. Raised in a wealthy family, but when the money ran out, I went out on my own. I live and work in Khan Yunis in Nabata. I work for Acedemia. Sometimes I take jobs for Captians and Merchants as an accountant or book keeper."

[Elijah]

“I’ve packed a fair bit myself.” It was habit for Eli to carry rations in his sack. He’d brought enough for Serai and himself to last about a week, but if anyone was lacking in food then he would happily share his portions. Serai was an adept hunter and Elijah wasn’t...terrible at it, so if worse came to worst they could live off the land until the next opportunity to resupply emerged.

After Serai accepted the flint from Vincent and got the fire started, Eli began to hand her some salted meats that had been carefully wrapped in thick paper. “I’ve got some meat to cook, should anyone be lacking in food. I should have enough for one or two others at least.”

___

As night came and everyone had settled in, Elijah was more or less in the same position. Not terribly close to the fire but not far, seated atop a small rock that gave a good vantage point for the path they had come up. Serai was on the ground and closer to the fire, munching on her meal quietly.

Vincent, the party leader, had seen fit to carry out a more formal introduction. Elijah had done a brief one when he’d first arrived, but most had probably not really heard him given the hustle and bustle that had been going on at the time. So Elijah listened to Vincent’s little tale. It was...rather familiar, and one that brought a small smile the older mercenary’s face.

Then came Belinda’s. A bit more unique, but no less interesting. A bookkeeper/accountant out on a search and rescue mission. How does that come about? It didn’t seem like the time for questions, though, so once silence fell again Elijah spoke up.

“My name is Elijah. I was born in Etruria, but my home is in Pherae.” The mercenary leaned forward a bit as he began. “I spent most of my life as a mercenary, but had been retired for the better part of a decade. I'm father to two amazing kids...well, I say kids, but they're about the same age as most of you by now. They're both mercenaries now." He broke his introduction up with some mirthful laughter, only continuing once he's settled. "I’m out here because I’m searching for the youngest of them - my daughter Astraea, and, well, I’ve always had a hard time turning away from people in need.”

He ended with a smile before his gaze turned to Serai. She seemed to expect it this time, and swallowed the food in her mouth before she spoke up.

“I’m Serai. I’m a hunter from Laus. I’m...here with Eli.” Silence. Elijah didn’t really expect more than that, though. Even only had some clue as to why she was here, and what he did know about her reasons was not something he would go around telling everyone. It was no surprise she didn’t want to talk about it.

Elijah stood up from his seat before the remaining members of the search party spoke.

“I’m going to set up for first watch. Just let me know whoever is taking the next shift so I know to expect them.” Shifts hadn’t actually been discussed yet, so Elijah decided to bring it up in a casual manner.

[Abelard]

Abelard shone a charismatic smile at the guide, before continuing with his exaggerated speech. Perhaps he was overdoing it, but it seemed as though it had brought out a more tender side of the maiden. "And I am most certain you shall fill that role quite like a delicate hand would fit a lace glove! Truthfully, we have unwavering faith in you to guide us onwards." Abelard was glad to see that the leader of the group was also encouraging the girl. Those with little experience would do well to substitute it with courage and determination. Quite content with his morale boosting, the golden cavalier was about to continue conversing with the girl to know her better until he was interrupted by the approaching dark mage. "Ah, such stern and firm words... how frigid." he sighed as the woman walked off almost as soon as she had approached him, deciding that perhaps she would not appreciate his heroic gestures.

Nevertheless, Abelard knew that attending to Valant was most assuredly an apt idea, securing his steed to wooden pole he had shoved into the ground. "A steed of such might and nobility of your self hardly needs constant ministering to..." he lamented, patting his steed on the head.

---

The noble knight sat on the grass relatively close to the fire, enjoying the warmth and the general merriment now that introductions had been better brought up between the group. Long periods of silence were dreadfully boring, and Abelard would take every opportunity he would receive to inform others of his honourable plights. A leader both noble and true with the express desire to help others... a man that Abelard could rally behind. An aged mercenary searching for a lost daughter... a man with a wealth of experience and knowledge no doubt. A petite hunter, with a fresh mind ready to experience the world. And... an ice cold bookworm.

Abelard flashed a signature grin, and it became obvious as to what would come next. "I am none other than Abelard the Mighty! Yes, Abelard! It appears as though my name has not resounded against the inner walls of towns and cities in this most beautiful land, but I can assure you that one day the whole globe shall know of my name! My quest is a simple one, and yet perhaps the most substantial and virtuous of them all!" He made a small pause for dramatic effect, raising a hand. "I shall bring justice and calmness to this chaotic world, working under only the most upright and upstanding orders to raise up the well-being of this world and its people!"

A small pause followed, but it was more than likely nowhere near long enough for anyone present to grasp what kind of nonsense he was spouting. "And undoubtedly as a result of that I submit myself to take upon the duties of second night watch, so that our noble leader and the felicitous maidens in our group can garner the rest they require to drive our quest forwards!"