Hukah Anashot, Entaris' Lunar

In an effort to expand your swiftly-growing enterprise, you have decided that moving down into Marukani lands would be the most profitable next move. Looking over the options, you fins Mishaka to be the most productive way to go about this expansion. So you set out with a caravan of Tenders to begin a local business. Wanting to establish the presence securely, you decide to travel there yourself. Before setting out, an individual offers to help guard the caravan as payment for traveling with you. You graciously accept.

After the long, uneventful trip, you bid farewell to the individual and go your separate ways. After finding a suitable stable and ordering your Tenders to begin preparations, you wander into a tavern to relax and enjoy yourself and the generous tips people often give when in the presence of Cheeky.

And so you find yourself hanging from one of the rafters in the tavern drinking a pitcher of tea as Cheeky happily wanders around the crowd.

Hukah Anashot sat comfortably from his position upside down from the rafter, sucking down tea at an expedient rate, as the betting was on if he could finish it within a minute whilst upside down AND drinking through a straw, so he was guaranteed a goodly portion of the money. He grinned around the straw, watching Cheeky go about his business of cute little dances and squeeks to eke out the few coins not riding on bets currently.

This was a good choice...seems to be most of the more major local persons in here... He swapped Cheeky's sense of hearing for his own so he could hear the general small talk and possibly glean any useful information passed between mugs of ale as the little Tree-Singer merrily bounced around from table to table.

As you finish your pitcher of tea in seemingly record time, you idly notice the man that rode into town with you pull up a chair at a table nearby and pull out a deck of cards. He begins shuffling and then playing with the first man who sits in the seat opposite him.

It seems your and Cheeky's antics are somewhat well received as tonight is turning out to be quite profitable.

Hukah finished his deed by flipping forward, turning in midair and landing with a solid THUD with both feet on the floor and making the motion into a sweeping bow as he stood upright, twirling his Straw in a flourish with his fingers to set it in place behind his ear. He then hopped up onto one of the barstools to sit cross-legged and order yet another tankard of tea, as though the first was not enough. His eyes gaze drifted lazily across the room, watching Chikiboro ply his trade and thinking about who he should speak with to bring Business underway.

Cheeky scampered about the room still, making daring leaps from table to table, swinging along the wall furnishing and the like, then decided he was highly interested in the card game being played and so quickly ran over to the men at the table and sat himself down cutely in between the two men off to one side so he wasn't obscuring any veiws. From time to time, he'd peek at either man's cards and sniff at passing trays of food or drink.

Hukah kept his focus in Cheeky's hearing, hoping to maybe pick something of importance up in such a crowded tavern.

The man with the cards watches you for a moment as you leap down from the rafters, but then turns his attention back to his game. He grins and laughs along with the rest of the patrons at Cheeky and your antics.

"Another tea?" the bartender asked, somewhat surprised at your request. "Alright, comin' right up." After a few moments, he brings you another full tankard of tea, to the bemusement of the one Cheeky has taken a special interest to.

When Cheeky lands on his table, you find that the conversation is utterly boring. One man is speaking of horses and the differences between most normal varieties and Marukani Steeds while the other is responding in a quite disinterested manner.

Hukah sat and let his eyes wander as he sipped lightly at his tea trying to think of what to do next. The thought sudden struck him and he turned to the bartender to collect the bets, as he hadn't done that yet.

Cheeky climbed up onto the man's shoulder and sat down staring cutely at his cards as though the little Tree Singer was playing himself.

"Aye, good sum ya have here. A koku's worth of yen and siu. Even a quian in here! Alright, here ya go," he happily observes while handing you the money.

Hukah smiled to the man and pocketed his winnings before leaning back and watching the man at the table for a few moments and then walking casually over to the most crowded table of onlookers with a generous smile. "Hello, boys, how are ya this evenin'?" He asked with a warm clip to his accent, making him sound more familiar than the normal Nexusan gait he usually had. He pulled a joint from his pocket. "Ya don't mind if I smoke, right?" He pull a match from behind his ear and, after spinning the Straw through his fingers and placing it deftly behind the same ear, lit the match on the table and lit up his joint, thereby officially starting his business campaign proposal, which would involve walking around the tables, smoking the best smelling weed currently known in Creation and developing comraderie by generously handing out additional blunts, joints, piles, papers and pipes as 'try it, you'll like it better than that old leaf you're burnin'' statements, quickly filling the room with the sweet white-grey smoke and a renewed vigor to everyone's laughter and tables emptying as strangers squeeze together with each other to share stories.

As the hours went by, the crowd grew with more of the nightly patrons entering. Everybody seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, having a wonderful night unlike what they may have expected normally. Cheeky, of course, was having a great time as well, jumping back and forth, hopping onto random peoples' shoulders and performing his usual tricks and antics.

Suddenly, as the night begins to draw to a close and the patrons are dispersing back to their homes, shouts in the street shatter the joyous mood you've created. Some, you can make out...

"Where did the Anathema go!? Answer me, peasants!"

Going outside to observe more closely, you see a group of four colorfully armored men crowd around some villagers menacingly. The men, obviously Terrestrials by their demeanor and armor, are undeniably on the hunt. You aren't certain whether it is a Solar or a Lunar they hunt for, and are unsure of what to do. Come to think about it though, you would like to find another Lunar you could use to further your ambitions.

If Hukah had fur that moment, all of it would have ruffled in annoyance. After excusing himself and venturing outside, he quickly scaled the side of the tavern to sit on the edge of the roof and observe the Terrestrials. After a few moments, he leaned forward slightly and called out to the Dragon-bloods, Straw back in his mouth. "Excuse me, noble Dragon-Blessed. You seem to be disrupting the general populace in your investigation. Mayhap 'twould be better if you were to ask folks who might know the answer, eh?" He grinned playfully and lay down lazily across the lip of the roof, his weight balanced precariously on the terra cota tiles as he swung one leg back and forth propper on the knee of the other. He noted with amusement the smoke drifting out the now open door of the tavern, a fog-bank of Monkey Weed smoke drifting towards the roudy armored men.

Turning around to glare at you, one of the Terrestrials belts out accusingly, "And who might that be? You? Don't get involved in matters that don't concern you. You may find them to be beyond your league."

Hukah spins about and hangs dangerously from the roof by his legs, which cling to the flattening lip of the roof. "Well, of course, me. " He retorts gleefully. "And all matters of the area I entertain are my concern and thus 'in my league'" He said with a mocking tone in imitation of the Terrestrial. He crossed his arms and scowled playfully at the Dragon-bloods, raising a single index finger. "Although, as a performer, I cannot simply TELL you in base and plain tongue, for something of this grand, heroic caliber needs a proper medium! And that MEDIUM....!!!" He suddenly flipped up to a standing position on the rooftop, somehow having turned midair to face the crowd again, the Straw having become a Flutein midflip so as to raise no suspiscions. "Is MUSIC!!" He brought the Flute to his lips and began tapping out a slow beat with his foot, Cheeky hopping from a man's shoulders and scampering up onto Hukah's to bob cutely back and forth while the tempo was reached and began to sing a melody to the Flute's tune, which bespoke high adventure and the allure of reaching the destination.

Tree-Song 14 die against MDV of all who hear; Success takes away 1wp from targets; Wit + Integrity, dif 4 to notice loss at all ('attacks' each minute)

Herd-Reiforcment Stance to establish Music Intimacy in Dragon-blood group

4m and 1wp spent

Grunting in annoyance at your presumption to delay them, they walk closer to listen. The one in exquisite crimson armor that had spoken before and was harshly interrogating the peasants looks away, obviously not amused at your antics and impatient to continue. Another wearing a light blue tunic adorned with intricate swirls of gold seems enraptured by the performance, listening intently to the words as they are sung. The others, one in a deep emerald armor and the last owning a breastplate similar to the first in both color and design, simply listen to the music as it drifts throughout the neighborhood. They aren't particularly interested, but at least they don't look bothered by it. All the villagers are standing around listening to you, thoroughly enjoying it. Nobody seems to notice that the singer is, in fact, a lemur.

You regain either 4m or 1w for the successful 2 die stunt.

Hukah smiles slightly behind the flute as he continues playing, watching the movements of the Dragon-bloods carefully and looking about for any other persons of note. He walks slowly along the lip of the roof and then skillfully slides down a nearby bamboo pole that was leaning against the building without breaking his tune. He wandered back towards the front of the tavern, the smokefilled building giving the proper glow to he warmth of his song as he stood just shy of the rolling fogbank of potsmoke that slowly crept out of the opened door.

As you play your music, the smoke wafting around you, all attentions captured, you notice that not all attention was in fact captured. The man who'd played cards a few hours back walked up to the annoyed Child of Hesiesh and began speaking quietly. The Dragonling responded softly, quite out of character from what you'd observed of him before. You hear only something about the Realm and monks from where you are standing.

Hukah keeps playing, knowing that if Monks were involved, it was best to make sure only one Dragon-blood was involved at a time in case anything came of it.

After a few more moments of talking, the Terrestrial turns back to listen to your music, whispering something in the ear of one of his companions. The man that spoke to him wanders back into the crowd of villagers and is lost.

As you continue to play your music, Cheeky is suddenly off your shoulder and on the ground, rolling around with a ferret. It doesn't seem like it is attempting to cause any harm, simply... well, you're not sure. It looks like it might be trying to play with Chikiboro. Needless to say, the singing has stopped.

Hukah quickly wrapped up the song, as Cheeky never liked being interrupted en chorus and was going to be in no mood to continue once he pried the ferret from his fur and pushed it away. He bowed to everyone and then excused himself through the crowd to the remaining Dragonbloods. He gestured them all to group together and pulled a handful of blunts from inside his shirt. Other villagers took notice and also grouped around, including a few guards nearing the ends of their shifts. Hukah grinned and produced another fistful of product from his sleeve and gestured as he spoke.

"I really hoped you enjoyed the show, it's the least I could do for such impressive company." He began in the practiced grateful tones he always used when dealing with Dragon-blessed. "Now, I'm sure you noticed the revelry coming from the smoky tavern across the way, yes? Well, that's due in part to the special species of Marijuana that I ALONE grow and sell. Here you are..." He began handing out samples in liberal portions to all those within reach. "Take a few of these with you, try out my product whenever you get the time.... If you find you like it more than your current Supplier, just send a messenger to Nexus and have them point you to the Anashot Greenery, everyone there knows where that is, and we'll be sure to hook you up with some more."

He grinned broadly during his speech, at home in the midst of a crowd like a chimp in a forest. "If you're looking for a more longterm arrangement, we may be able to work it out to have a team of Tenders start a Greenery in your own town! How's that strike you, eh?" He even managed to foist the three pipes he had brought with him onto the two frontmost guards and the Dragonblood in plain clothes. He chuckled happily. "Now, remember to tell your friends where you got these from when they inevitably ask what the delicious scent is wafting from your pipe!" He smiled and nodded quickly. "I do hope you enjoy it as much as my performance! But I must go, I have a few matters to attend to before my Muse strikes me next..."

Cheeky, having finally dislodged the ferret, hopped across the crowd and positioned himself back on Hukah's shoulder. "Ta!" With that, he left the Dragonblood host in high spirits and with a good feeling that he would have at least one foothold from that heavy distribution of product. At the very least, the guards may have a word.... He knew from second-hand experience that guards need to relax, too, and that a barracks makes for VERY good income, no matter the size of the militia. He simply worked his way about the crowd for now, pausing to pick up and return his collection tankard after emptying it into a pocket and then heading back out to wander the streets.

After dispensing of copious amounts of weed and making your hurried speech, you begin mingling with the crowd. You take note that both the guards and the Dragonblessed have stuffed the blunts into their robes, the guards going back to their posts till their shifts are over before indulging in extra pleasures. The Terrestrials whisper among themselves for a few more moments before departing quickly without so much as a word praising your performance.

The crowd is greatly joyed, some humming the tune of your song, others still standing where they were, talking amongst themselves. The draining effect of the singing apparently has gone completely unnoticed by these folks as many of them walk up to you with words of praise and encouragement. Some even offer coin explaining that they weren't able to make it to the front to tip you before the performance was prematurely ended. Most ask for continued or repeat performances in the future.

Looking around, you have no idea where the ferret or the card-playing man went. You assume he is still among the crowd somewhere, but you simply aren't able to locate him easily should you look as the villagers are crowding around you far too much to get a good view.

Most of the villagers who received a sample of your product have lit it and begun creating another low-hanging cloud of smoke in the street. Even with the setback, things seem to be going quite well so far.

Regain 2m for the successful +1 die Stunt.

Hukah smiled and chatted with the crowd forming around him, promising a repeat sometime in the near future, hinting strongly at a possible Spring Market concerto but not denying rumors of more shows locally. He placed all the gathered currency in the various places on his person he keeps his money as he spoke and laughed with the people around him, never missing a beat of any of the conversations he was in.

As you talk with some of the many villagers surrounding you, a hand clasps yours, leaving a coin in your palm. Looking, you recognize the card player smiling broadly.

"Prelude to Third Movement, by Auspicious Verticies of Aethers wasn't it?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye. "A very difficult piece, and I've not heard it played better in my years." he said with a slight Realm accent.

With his free hand, he idly pulled out another small handful of coins, mostly cheap currency, probably enough for a good meal, but not much more.

"The first was just a tip, but I do feel sorry my little pet interrupted your performance." he grimaced "I really have no control over him. Alas, he grew on me."

From his shoulder, the ferret twittered a little as the man cast his eyes on Cheeky.

"Your furry friend however, is something special. I've never even heard of anything but a bird being trained to sing. Where on earth could you have gotten something like him...?"

Hukah and Chikiboro blinked slowly at the man for a few moments, then looked at each other as though asking each other what the man was talking about. Suddenly, the last few minutes rushed back to the surface of Hukah's thoughts. "Oh! Why...thank you." He said, his smile popping up into place quickly as he accepted the coinage and tucked it away in a sleeve. He had almost forgotten that sometimes Cheeky's songs had a sideeffect of seeming to sound like actual composures listeners had heard before. Cheeky looked more proud than Hukah did, as it was he that had sang and was thusly the one being praised, but it was a bit difficult for anyone unfamiliar with Tree-singers to notice. Hukah quickly noted the Realm accent and did a peripheral once-over to judge this man's merry-making tendancies to weigh him as possibly profitable.

Cheeky's tail curled about Hukah's neck securely as the man's gaze fell on him. He was always uncomfortable around people looking at him while he wasn't doing anything for attention. Probably another bit of Instinct from Tree-singer hunting strategy. Hukah smiled and reached up to pet the little quasi-lemur assuringly. "Ah...well, I was out in the Forest one day and Chikiboro here found me while I was playing my flute to pass some time..." Hukah stated cheerily.

Of course, this was a half truth. He HAD been playing the Flute, yes, but he had been in the Deep Forest resting from his Trials when a lone Tree-singer wandered up to him and began singing a harmony to his melody. One of the elders came over and notified him what species of strange lemur was singing with him and told him that they usual sang to hypnotize and eat prey, but the fact that this one wasn't using the Power of its song meant that the Tree-singer considered Hukah a kindred spirit of a kind. And the rest, as they say, is history.

"Ah, a pity, not exactly charitable of me I know, but nonetheless such creatures would fetch astounding prices as pets." he sighed and smiled.

"Shame then that there's no real way to get more but go hunting in a forest, bit out of my budget. My thanks nonetheless, Mr. Anashot" he said.

A faint twinge near his eyebrow was the only show of the frown that Hukah had reflexively suppressed at the mention of someone hunting Tree-singers. Cheeky scowled openly and growled slightly, moving himself closer to Hukah's head in a protective gesture. Again, Hukah's hand went to his furred friend in comfort as he spoke to the man again. "I doubt there are many more, if there were, Chikiboro would have known about them and been living with them instead of finding me that day..." He lied convincingly, hoping to destroy even the notion of venturing towards both the Tree-singers' habitat and possibly the Eastern Elders.

Social Attack: Manip + Survival to convince him that there are no Singers to be found in the Forest.