A melting pot

The capital was so much more colorful that Bajanna had ever imagined. People of all races gathered there and lived together in harmony… when they weren't tussling it out, that is. For the 22-year-old beastwoman, every little thing was new to her. She hailed from a mountainous region where the local accent remained as thick as the surrounding foliage. While wounded adventurers and other ailing visitors came flocking to soak in the waters of her family's bathhouse, the youngster had never witnessed such a lively atmosphere.

"Eh?! What's it, ma?!"

So lively her father was having a hard time trying to listen what her soft-voiced grandmother was trying to say. It all started when a slender beastman started complaining to a big-mouthed lizardfolk that incarnated gluttony. The former was abnormally thin, almost as if he had an important reason to measure with care the calories he consumed. It had to be a sensible matter to Zuzu, which was why he nitpicked the fat lizard of plumb, spiky earlobes. The lizard, angered by the interruption, couldn't keep ignoring the suffocating odor and snapped at its origin. A high-strung white-scaled lizard who couldn't help but emit such an aroma due to his subspecies retorted that if that bottomless pit of a glutton had any odor problem, he should start by brushing his teeth and fixing his foul breath. After all, Ka'pori was well-known for single-handedly escalating the area's Engel coefficient.

After that, one thing led to another and the three of them started tussling it out, dragging others into their mess and turning it into a lizards vs beasts all-you-can-fight buffet. A group of humans took notice of the commotion and decided to join. One shot arrows that snapped drunkards back into their senses. The other woman lashed out smacks that sent the dizziest into an early sleep. The priest that followed them picked a jug of his own and persuaded some fighters to drop the hostilities and enjoy the night instead. A flying wooden jug crashed onto his blond head. At that point, the man took enough alcohol to get a little bit snappy and swung his healing staff in non-healing ways, the sand contained inside it fluttering everywhere inside the glass.

Watching the whole scene happen, Bajanna noticed she wasn't the only one to observe. A dark figure clouded in mystery and a dark robe studied the latest bunch of newcomers.

"Ma, 'can't hear ya!"

"She said it sure's lively here." Bajanna translated for her father, upset that it took him so long to find out. So much for a vacation.

Suddenly, the human archer stood amidst the tavern, a silence allowing her next words to be heard as clearly as it was possible.

"We seek the Maker."

The violence halted at this sudden announcement. The rage was palpable as all eyes turned at her, but the young archer refused to flinch. Instead, determination surfaced in the shape of a confident grin.

"Would you help us in our quest?"

The response of the fighters was quite varied. The shyest decided to step out of trouble's way, while the troublemakers that caused the stir decided to let their anger out on the band of humans. Ka'pori swung his huge and heavy blade towards Grace, but met instead Bahl's dark sword. She deflected the attack to one side and buried her knee into the lizard's stomach, forcing some food out of him in the process.

Some puked afterwards.

But not Sh'berdan, who was reading himself to thrust his spear at the blond woman. Before he could unleash his measured strike, the human archer shot a barrage of arrows that forced him to concede terrain. Few lancers could defeat archers in a one-on-one situation, after all, even if it's a famous tactician like him.

The drunk priest tried to grab his companions shoulder to try and mediate for some peace, but instead caught something quite unexpected: a slender beast man ninja. Zuzu struggled, but Kuscah simply took advantage of the situation and invited him to dinner something tasty. Judging by his stomach's despairing howl of torment, the priest struck the ninja's weakness without noticing.

The swordswoman grew stronger with each clash and eventually defeated the last of the struggling lizards. The archer sat on top of the defeated and smirked triumphantly.

"Are you willing to hear us out now?"

"Hmph. The glutton already passed out. It is our defeat. I submit." The lizard of odd odor grumbled. Bahl and Grace allowed them to stand up –those who could still stand up- and asked away.

"The earth is breaking apart and the planet is soon to meet its end. The only one capable of preventing its destruction is the one who created it: the Maker." Grace explained, tapping her companion's shoulder. Bahl crossed her armored arms and remained expressionless. "We wish to ask about the guidepost to the Maker."

"Hmph, then you should pay a visit to the Tower of Temptation."

"The Tower of Temptation? Is that where the Maker dwells?"

Sh'berdan stepped aside, gathered his weirdly colored flasks and turned his tail back.

"You'll see when you get there."

"That's not very helpful."

"To visit it is forbidden among our people, but I guess you humans won't have such an issue."

"Then there's nothing more to tell?"

The question remained unanswered, but at least the seekers had their next destination. The archer then proceeded to compliment the swordswoman for her great performance. Just as the forest dweller tried to hug her trusty partner, the mercenary had dodged it with a plain face. They made for quite a comedic duo.

"You've been quite distracted tonight, dear. Is something the matter?"

Bajanna snapped back to her senses as her father questioned her. The beastwoman of long white hair blushed and shrugged. Those adventurers' words left her enchanted.

Saving the world.

Her heart pounded. That heroic cause was inspiring to a girl who had always assumed she would live her whole life running a backwoods bathhouse. The endless possibilities seduced her. She pressed a hand against her chest and her white spaghetti strap dress.

The stout fellow that suppressed the ninja with tasty food approached them out of nowhere.

"Good night. I'm sorry for the mess we caused. Please, allow us to invite you to a round as an apology for the earlier ruckus."

"Oh, many thanks! Ya shouldn't have."

"But I had, sir. It's a lovely night. I'd feel bad if we ruined it for you with our shouting and whatnot, so this is to make it up for you. Enjoy the rest of the evening!"

"We will! What's it, ma? She says you're quite handsome!"

"Haha, thank you, ma'am! When we save the world, I'll invite you out for a date!" He winked, making the old lady blush and feel young again.

"Um!"

Bajanna stopped Kuscah from leaving. There was something she HAD to ask.

"What's adventurin' like?"

The stranger paused.

"Dangerous, but it's not a bad life. With the right companions, it can be one of life's most enjoyable experiences." The priest saw through her troubled expression and added a light-hearted remark. "We'll spend the night and be gone by tomorrow, so you and your family will be able to have dinner in peace by then. This tavern's food is great, so eat away!"

"Yeah!" Her family cheered, indulging in the gustatory pleasures.

The man said goodbye and promptly returned to his companions, who had just finished negotiating their room for the night.

"Kuscah! Where did you disappear to? Have you flirted around enough already?"

"Haha! Not nearly! I was simply apologizing the other guests. What do you say, miss Bahl? Should we go have ourselves a round of booze to lighten the night?"

Only as he addressed her did he notice the silent woman had already disappeared towards their room.

"She's out of your league, old man!" Grace nudged him.

"Hahaha… True. I'm not saying that she should fall for my undeniable charm, but it would make me happier if she opened up a little more."

"Amen. No matter how many times I try getting closer to her, she always stops me dead in my tracks before going away!"

The archer sighed and attempted to grab a jar.

"Hey, are you old enough for that?"

"Again with this? I drank a lot of booze with my father, so it should be alright!"

"You did?! Man… Are you really fifteen?"

"No idea. It was my father who kept count, but clumsy as he is, I bet he made one or two miscalculations."

"I see. Then it was wrong of me to treat you like a simple addition of boobs… You're an entire equation!"

Grace nudged him harder.

"Enough with the boob math! And pour me a proper drink!"

"Hehe, I guess I deserved that." Kuscah nodded, obeying her command. His good eye drifted towards the happy looking ninja dining by his side and the suddenly awaken big eater lizard. "We're going to need allies."

"If a show of force is the only way to win their compliance, I refuse."

"There's always another way!"

With those words, a scrap of parchment was placed upon the beer-stained and crumb-filled table. The priest handed her a pen.

"A man's –or a woman's– word is sacred."

It's a written pact. An oath of fellowship. A vow to share in a common purpose. All who sign are considered comrades and equals. Kuscah took the pen and wrote his name under Grace's.

"People tend to 'forget' verbal promises too easily. Putting things in writing can help encourage a sense of commitment. Do not lose this, Grace. This piece of paper binds us."

"There's only a problem."

"I know."

"You grab her from behind and I force her hand."

"We have a plan. Bahl is as good as ours!"

"To a successful coercion!" She sang, raising her jug.

"To a wonderful adventure!" He added, meeting her grin with his.

The night was filled with their laughs.

When Bajanna looked again, the dark figure was nowhere to be seen.