"Hey everyone, AManWithaB0x here. Just wanted to quickly note that words enclosed in [brackets] are meant to be seen as subtitles, since neither The Layman nor I can easily write out full Elvish dialogue. Hope you enjoy the story!"

_/_/_/_/

"…I-I don't understand?" the young woman stuttered, staring at the large, red mark on the application she'd intended to turn into the Quest House. "I filled everything in, I have a letter of recommendation from Knight Commander Ironwood… I'm positive I didn't forget anything…"

"No, My Lady, you didn't," the clerk said with some hesitation. "You filled everything out correctly – with exquisite penmanship, I might add. However…" He presented the original flier again, "While on the surface this isn't an exceedingly difficult quest to undertake, it does specify wanting an adventuring 'party', which may mean there are potential dangers too great for a single Adventurer, even a competent one, to handle on their own." He set the flier down again. "If you can gather even a small party, I can sign off on letting you accept this quest."

"I see…" Pyrrha Nikos picked up the flier, scanning over it again. The word "IMPORTANT" was printed across the top, and a not-insignificant sum of 20,000 Crowns was printed along the bottom in the "reward" section. She didn't really need the money, being from a well off family of some repute… which was also the reason why she was doing this, in a sense. Noblesse Oblige was a phase she took very seriously to heart. "…I don't suppose you can recommend a suitable place to find people willing to join an adventuring party, would you?" she asked.

The clerk sighed, leaning back in his chair. "That's difficult to say… not because such folks are hard to find, but because there are multiple places where they might congregate. My best guess would be to look around the inns and taverns; even Adventurers need a place to rest when they reach civilization."

"Very well, I'll try that." She turned to leave, then paused before she reached the door. "Actually… I have one more question; do you know where I can find a print shop?"

_/_/_/_/

Dulineth wasn't particularly fond of human cities, but the city of Haven was something special.

Unlike Mantle, which was laid out more like a city-sized fortress, Haven was a bustling burg filled with shops, neighborhoods, palaces large and small, all manner of slums, and an incredible harbor right at the center of it all. The architecture was also incredibly diverse, as it featured construction elements and design choices from all over the known world, never mind just within the kingdom.

In her opinion, all it lacked was trees. Human cities never had enough trees.

She was currently sitting on a rooftop chatting with one of the few doron trees in the Southern half of the city, learning a bit about how humans came and went over the years (little she didn't already know). This tree was a bit chatty, but she didn't mind – only Meriliel could outdo her in terms of enjoying the lost art of tree-singing.

It had been almost a full year since Dulineth had last seen her friend. She missed her.

It didn't help that the blonde human she had left with… Sir Arc, they called him… had just randomly reappeared a few months ago. Dulineth had helped him deliver a message to Lady Oreth, but then had wisely stayed out of everything that followed – she was smart enough to avoid any of Lady Oreth's schemes.

Honestly, how did Meril put up with it?

All at once, Dulineth was pulled out of her thoughts at the sight of a woman walking through the streets like she owned the place. A woman who most certainly did not fit in with the crowd of humans.

The most obvious feature was her long, wide ears sticking out from beneath her dark hair. The second most obvious feature was her skin – it was a gray color, similar to ash from a fire pit.

A Drow. A dark elf woman that Dulineth unfortunately recognized.

What in the name of the goddess was she doing here?

Carefully placing her hood over her ears, Dulineth dropped down to street level and tried to keep an eye on the Drow woman, which was easier said than done – Dulineth was not the tallest Fae in the world, so navigating a city of humans was more of a trial than it should have been.

Still, one could never leave a Drow alone. She had to at least try and keep up, or risk letting chaos erupt in a city that didn't necessarily deserve it.

Standing just behind a group of humans, Dulineth watched the Drow woman stop and stare at a flier for several minutes. She could clearly see the dark elf put on a sinister sneer, then ask a nearby human a question. It must have been directions, for the human pointed down the road and the Drow sauntered off.

Dulineth wasted no time in reaching the flier and reading it for herself.

…And then quickly dashed off in pursuit of the dark-skinned elf.

_/_/_/_/

Pyrrha thought the fliers looked pretty good, if she did say so herself. She'd posted her latest one at a notice board, just below the average human eye level; high enough to still be noticed, but lower so someone of a shorter stature – races like the Dwarves or Little Folk – would be able to read it without too much difficulty. Plus, she'd had the message printed in three different languages: Common, Elvish, and Runic. There were other languages used in the kingdom, but these were the simplest ones. If by chance someone couldn't read any one of those, there was probably someone nearby who could translate for them.

I hope I was clear enough, she mused, heading on to the next spot she planned on hanging another flier.

"Seeking Adventurers To Join Quest Party

To Retrieve Relic At Ruins Of Mountain Glenn.

Present Flier At Quest House."

It seemed straightforward enough, and it cost more than she expected to even get that much printed out… otherwise, she could have included information about a reward or at least added her name. Hopefully, the promise of potential loot would attract someone competent if nothing else worked.

In any case, there was a tavern just up ahead where she could try her luck in recruiting some people directly. She was hopeful that she could get at least one or two people's cooperation. She even had a speech prepared once she made sure she had the tavern's attention; thank the Creator for those lessons in public speaking she was required to take back home.

However, before she was even able to make her way inside, the doors slammed open as a body came flying out, rolling on the street for a bit before coming to rest on the opposite side.

It was all she could do to keep from crying out in shock with how sudden and unexpected this was.

When no further bodies came flying out, she crept over to the double doors and peeked inside. It wasn't the outright brawl she'd been expecting, though the clientele was more or less who she'd assumed they'd be; men and women of varying ages, races, and cultures, some with more visible scars than others, either enjoying their drinks or engaging in some type of 'tavern activities'. A lot of that seemed to involve contests of strength of some fashion.

"Um… excuse me!" she called out from the doorway, trying to project her voice over the dull roar of the crowd, "Could I have everyone's attention, please?"

The noise stopped. Ok, this was good; most of the patrons were focused on her now, save for the odd couple in the corner who were engrossed in their arm wrestling.

"I am currently seeking Adventurers of competent skill to accompany me on a quest to-"

Almost in unison, everyone returned to what the were doing before, as though she hadn't said a thing.

"I'm sorry," she said, "but if I could just explain-"

"You needn't bother," a new voice said, accompanied by a hand gently falling on her shoulder.

Said hand belonged to a young man who looked to be around her age. He was dressed plainly, in a simple green tunic and trousers, with his dark hair done up in a loose ponytail that hung just past his shoulders. He spoke in a calm, measured voice, "Don't take this personally, but these people tend to disregard others who, well… who look like you do."

"…Is there something wrong with the way I look?" she asked, more out of genuine curiosity than offense.

"Not exactly, but you are dressed a little too well for a place like this."

…That actually made sense, when she thought about it. She'd been raised to take a certain amount of pride in her appearance as a Noble, but she was also expected to hold herself to a similar standard as a newly-minted Paladin. Granted, her armor was currently interred at the same stable where her horses were resting, but she was still currently dressed in a fine looking tunic and half skirt, with a red sash across her front for a bit of added color. Much nicer than nearly everyone within eyesight.

"If I had to guess… you are either a Noble from a different city or a Paladin who isn't officially on duty right now."

Technically both answers were correct, but the former wasn't information she was willing to share just yet. Besides, with how accurately he seemed able to read her, it wouldn't do to outright lie about it now.

"I was just sworn into the Order earlier this year," she explained as they stepped back out to the street, "And should I take by your robed appearance that you're a Monk of some kind?"

He nodded and gave a slight bow, folding his hands in front of him. "My name is Lie Ren, formerly of the Lotus Temple; I am currently on a walkabout of sorts."

"Oh, I see." She bowed in return, though a bit more flowery than his. "My name is-"

"REEEEEN!" a loud, shrill voice suddenly broke through the relative quiet of this part of the city. A moment later, a grungy looking Dwarf girl with fiery ginger hair ran out of the tavern, holding a small pouch of coins out triumphantly to Lie Ren. "Guess what; we're eating extra good tonight!" Only after she declared this did she notice who the Monk (presumably her companion) was speaking to. "Who's this?"

"She hasn't given her name yet," Lie Ren explained, "but she's a newly minted Paladin who happens to be looking to form an Adventuring party. Lady Paladin, this is my good friend Nora."

"Hello, Nora." She held out her hand to the Dwarven girl, "You can call me Pyrrha; it's a pleasure to meet you.~"

"Likewise, Pally!" The Dwarven girl's short stature belied a great strength of arm, but anyone worth their salt knew that much about Dwarvenkind. Nora was a textbook example of her kind, firmly gripping Pyrrha's hand in hers and giving it a hearty shake that could have leveled a small house.

Had she not expected and prepared for such, Pyrrha was sure her arm would have popped out of its socket.

"We're in!"

It took both Pyrrha and Lie Ren a moment to register what the young Dwarf just said. "…You're in?"

"Nora-"

"Yup!" she confirmed without hesitation, "Completely, totally, one-hundred-percent in; as of right now, the three of us are officially a Party!"

Pyrrha couldn't help but noticed the long-suffering sigh the Monk next to her gave. "I take it this exuberance of hers is normal?"

Nora hadn't let go of her hand yet, for the record.

"More or less…," Lie Ren sighed, "though that same exuberance has gotten us into hot water more often than not."

"Hey! It's not my fault you humans can't take a joke!" Nora pouted.

"You broke a man's kneecaps."

"On accident!"

"He was the mayor. We got run out of town for that."

"See? We're the victims, here!"

Another long-suffering sigh.

"Um…," Pyrrha tried to interject during the lull in the pair's byplay, "Would you like to know what quest you've agreed to?"

"Yes, we would." Lie Ren spoke before his Dwarven companion could interrupt, clapping a hand over mouth. "Would you like to join us for refreshments? We are not shy of coin at the moment."

"Tempting, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline; I still have some fliers to put up, you see. Perhaps we can walk and talk, though?"

"That sounds reasonable. Please, lead the way."

_/_/_/_/

Sometimes messing with people was just too easy, and it was always satisfying to see the various reactions that played out across people's faces. But there was nothing quite like getting under the skin of a Fae. The lofty fools deserved everything they got.

[Look,] Rielonar spoke in the Elf Tongue, easily taking on a patronizing tone as she pointed to the girl's cowl, [just because you don't feel confident enough in your… meager appearance…~] On cue, the tree-hugger put on a glare that would have sent any normal person crawling away. Granted, Riel was far from normal, so its effect was more amusing than frightening.

Very amusing.~

[Well, excuse me if I don't particularly feel inclined to dress like a shameless audifa!] The youngster's dark black hair looked shorter than the last time they crossed paths, though with the cowl pulled up as it was harder to tell. Easier to make out was her bright, yellow eyes, which would have stared literal daggers through her if such a thing were possible.

Riel chuckled, wiggling her ears. [I have no idea what you mean, my dear.~]

The bitch was practically seething now. Normal tree-huggers went red in the face and couldn't look at her directly when she did that. This one was clearly special.

All the more fun to play with.~

[If humans had any real sense between then, they'd clap you in chains and throw you back into whatever pit you crawled out of!]

[Well, at least I don't have to worry about breaking my neck when I get out of bed; you know how perilous climbing trees can be.~] Riel then turned back to the Human sitting behind their desk and asked, in the Common Tongue, "How much longer will I have to wait for the Paladin you said was forming a Party? I can only bear the stench of nature for so long…"

If this human clerk spoke Elvish, then he kept excellent composure in light of the tree-hugger's sudden cursing; even she hadn't heard a few of these curses before. It was almost impressive.

"Ma'am, I told you and your companion-"

"Mín are ú-!"

The human held up his hand, cutting off the tree-hugger's protestation. "…The young woman who posted the flier you saw did not say exactly how soon she'd be returning. My best guess is that you found that flier a short time after she'd already put it up. Now, given what it says, she must plan on returning here at some point; she's probably still putting up the rest of the fliers."

As if on cue, the door opened and in walked a Dwarf and a pair of humans: a male and a female.

"Hello again!~" the female human trilled, walking up to the human behind the desk. "You'll be happy to know that I have found two excellent party members to accompany me on this Quest!" She turned around, gesturing broadly. "Allow me to introduce- …oh, I'm sorry, I didn't notice the two of you. Please, finish your business before I continue mine."

"Actually, I believe my business coincides with yours, Human." Riel stepped forward, 'accidentally' blocking the tree-hugger from view. "I wish to accompany you on this Quest of yours. Having spoken with this other Human about it-" she gestured to the Human sitting behind the desk "-I believe this Relic you seek may have some interest to my kind."

The tree-hugger shoved her way out of Riel's shadow. Rude! "And I wish to come along to ensure that this, this...she doesn't profane that which her kind has no right to!" she stated with more fire in her eyes than most Fae that Riel had dealt with.

"Oh, my dear, sweet Dulineth," Riel said, letting as much honey as possible drip from her voice, "Maybe you didn't understand me the first time, so I'll say it again using smaller words so you won't miss my meaning." She leaned forward, waggling her ears again as she spoke in her native tongue, [You are nothing compared to me.~]

The naked indignation on the tree-hugger's face, not to mention the positively glowing blush, was basically the high point of Rielonar's whole week.

"I don't know…," the Human female said, resting her chin on her curled finger, "…I'd rather you didn't antagonize your friend here so much."

"Mín-" The tree-hugger cleared her throat. "She and I are not friends; I am Fae, and Rielonar is Drow. Our two peoples are antagonistic at the best of times, and this one in particular-"

"Um, hey-" the female Dwarf spoke up, "-sorry to interrupt, but are we doing this Quest or what? Magnhild is itching for blood…!"

Tch! Typical Dwarvish barbarism; Riel hoped against hope that this creature's hygiene wasn't as offensive as its grating voice was...

"Hammers cannot itch, Nora…"

And what a bastion of charisma this one was… if he hadn't spoken just now, she might have mistaken him for a coat hanger.

Perhaps I shouldn't be so eager to associate with this lot, even discounting the tree-hugger, she mused.

"So, shall I just assume all of these people are your party, Miss Pyrrha?" the human behind the desk interjected.

The human female rubbed her chin, a pensive look on her face. If Riel were in the Human's place, she wouldn't have needed all of this tedious pondering that Humans seemed to love; it was a very clear cut decision as far as she was concerned.

"…Rielonar, Dulineth? Did I get your names correct?" she asked, glance both her and the Tree Hugger in turn.

She nodded, as did the tree-hugger.

"If you two were to travel together, can I trust you both to not jeopardize each other or the rest of us? I understand that there's tension between the two of you, but surely you can put that aside for the sake of the quest, right?"

"I don't have an issue with that," Riel said, making no effort to hide her arrogance. And why should she? She was downright prodigious in her talents, so why shouldn't everyone else know that?

"So long as she promises to behave, I see no reason to break that trust," the shorter Fae said with a huff.

Oh, we'll see about that…~

"Excellent!" Their answers seemed to please the Human girl, who gave a satisfied smile as she addressed the Human behind the desk once more. "Then yes, this will be my Adventuring Party."

The Dwarf let out a whooping shout at this declaration. "Hell yeah! You're going down, Relic!"

…Riel was definitely reconsidering her decision at this point.

to be continued...

_/_/_/_/

Hey there, Layman here. And welcome to this little collaborative effort between myself and AManwithaB0x, based on an alternate universe Remnant featured in his fic "Paradigm: Concurrence" in chapter 10. It's High Fantasy themed, I enjoy High Fantasy, so something like this was rather inevitable. This isn't meant to connect to the events of that story directly, simply take place in the same world and setting.

And to preemptively answer a few questions: yes, it may be a while between updates (collaborative writing is an involved process). No, we aren't going to accept suggestions for what happens in this; we've already plotted it out beforehand to somewhat cut down on the time between chapters. Yes, there's an endpoint to this story; it's meant to be a relatively short fic. No, characters like Ruby Rose or Jaune Arc won't be making an appearance; this is meant to be a side story to their adventures, which you can read about in Paradigm: Concurrence.

Oh, and one more important detail: we'll be trading off primary writing duties every other chapter. I took care of the first chapter here, so AManwithaB0x will be drafting the second chapter, and so on. As such, updates may be delayed as we work on our own individual stories.

So with that, you all know the drill: Follow, Fav, Review, the whole shebang! See you all in the next chapter!