The road to Sarwin...

[feathered_mages]

This is obviously not a post-industrial world. In fact, they shouldn't feel too out of place here. The randomly selected portal from the Nexus will set them down in a field not too far from a dirt road that bears the markings of wagon wheels. The surrounding area is lightly forested with deciduous trees in a colorful autumn display of foliage. The

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[on_this_stage]

And what a strange little group they'll have. Two almost identical people, one much older than the other, and both with feathers. The older one has two more than the younger.

All four of these vaguely similar people have tails. The two featherless ones have blond hair, and aren't quite as identical looking as the silver-haired ones, but it's still impossible not to notice. The fancier-dressed, irritable looking one seems older, and the happier one seems much younger. It's more the way he's acting than anything, as they're the same height.

At least they're all behaving!

[feathered_mages]

Let's not forget the fifth betailed person, once again dragged away from her tea. Or the three pointy-hatted, winged, shadow creatures. Or the woman who almost looks normal, if one assumes her hair is dyed that shade of green.

The road obviously seems to go somewhere, so they start to follow it.

As they reach the top of the small hill they'll be able to see a town. It consists of only about thirty-six straw thatched wooden buildings, only one of which is a two-story building. There's a sign at the edge saying 'Welcome to Sarwin'.

The fortress-like castle that the top towers of could be seen earlier sets behind the town, built into the mountainside.

[on_this_stage]

The four other tailed people follow, also not saying anything yet.

[feathered_mages]

It's not all that big a town, but it's decent. There's what might be a church of some sort painted bright yellow no less, a mill, and a communal garden at the edge of it. A store bears the sign 'Aaron’s General Store', and the only two story building turns out to be a combination inn and tavern called the 'Hawk and Mouse'.

Close observation might spot a missing persons flyer outside either the church, the inn/tavern, the general store, or even the mill, but it seems to be a bit old. Conversation outside the inn/tavern, though, seems to mention a more recent disappearance. A man in tracker's garb is waving around a couple arrows that looks to be sized for a child as he talks rather loudly to the others. "... found these in 'is lair I did. You know what that means."

Mikoto's first thought is that the commotion might get in the way of finding out if they have decent tea.

[angel_of_terra]

Again, nothing from the rest of them. The younger blonde almost seems about to say something, but the older silver-haired one gives him a Look, and he stops!

And the youngest one here sticks his tongue out at Mikoto. Hah.

[feathered_mages]

Most of the others are headed in the general direction of the Inn anyway - it's usually a good place to start in any town - so it's not that hard for Mistral to veer off to see what's going on.

Some of the villagers are giving the group wary looks by now. They're really not sure what the Waltzes are. The tails are a bit less odd, as it could be anything from some family cat-person curse to an accident with some wizard's potion... Still, they're giving the new arrivals a wide berth until Mistral bounces over to stick his nose in.

[angel_of_terra]

The oldest silver-haired man seems to be the one in control of a few of the other tailed ones, already. Giving them more Looks, and so they all follow the rest of the group quietly.

[feathered_mages]

And here comes Mistral back, and boy does he look excited about something. "There's a unicorn here! Or there was until this morning. He's their town mascot or something, but someone stole him."

[terrabrat]

"What's a unicorn?" says the tiny!Kuja, vaguely curious.

[angel_of_terra]

And, finally, this quiet strange man speaks up. "Don't you have enough pets already, boy?"

[feathered_mages]

Mistral just might be making a face at Zidane, but how could anyone tell? "I wouldn't keep him, he's theirs. I just want to see him."

And the short Waltz turns to the younger Kuja. "It's like a little pony or a big goat with a horn on the head. They're magic. But some stupid goblins stole him. Do you think we can try to get him back?"

[angel_of_terra]

Tone, that's how. "Are you planning on starting a zoo?"

[terrabrat]

Shrug! "I dunno. What for?"

[feathered_mages]

Mistral is Not Talking To Zidane now, though that gets a snicker out of Arashi.

Mistral shrugs. "Because I want to see the unicorn, but those stupid goblins took him somewhere."

"Are they looking for people to kill the goblins, then?" asks Arashi. Maybe this wasn't a total waste of time if they were.

[angel_of_terra]

Mission accomplished! :D

[on_this_stage]

"Will you please be quiet." This can only be meant for Zidane.