Tesh

Talnic nodded slowly. "That wouldn't be surprising," he said slowly. "We'll have to keep an eye out for disturbances like that." What else was he supposed to say? Should he assuage their worries? Or should he admit that he had had no idea what the bear had been? Talnic sighed.

When the voices started, Talnic made his was through the forest and back to the camp. He dropped his small load of firewood next to the dying fire,and then proceeded to pull his scarf up over his nose and mouth. It was an odd comfort, but a comfort nonetheless. With people not able to see his face, he became more free. People couldn't see his facial expressions. They couldn't see his mind. He became a shadow. And when wearing his hat, they couldn't even see the ever changing colors of his eyes. "Is there something wrong?" Talnic asked softly, coming to a stop beside the group.

Kaia had wanted to be left alone. But what she wanted didn't matter. It had never mattered in the past, and didn't matter now. Slowly, carefully, Kaia twisted and poked her head out from the small hollow in the ground. She made sure to keep her darkness tight around herself, obscuring her from the view of anyone who happened to be watching. However, no one seemed to be watching her. But the people did seem like they had better things to do than to talk to the likes of her. Small, afraid, and hiding using the very power she was despised for possessing. Kaia watched. She could hardly make sense of anything that was happening. It was... Odd. Nothing like she was accustomed to seeing back at home. A thought struck her. A thought that was dark and rebellious. They're like me. They had magic of some sort. Magic that wasn't from this cursed planet. Magic like Kaia's own. She didn't understand what she was seeing, but as more people joined the group, she knew she had to do something before they all left. Maybe they could take her away. Or maybe they would kill her for interrupting them. It was worth the risk. But still, Kaia was afraid. Trembling, she tucked her head back into the small hollow, trying to make herself as small as possible. She took deep, trembling breaths, trying to summon the courage necessary to confront those people and... whatever else was with them. Now. She stood, pushing away enough of her darkness for her features to be visible, and leaving the rest only for the comfort it provided. Walking towards the group on trembling legs, Kaia had to force herself not to draw any more darkness towards herself. She had to let them see her. If she approached them as a shadow, they wouldn't recognize her for what she was: a small and defenseless human.

Oxymorons are the best! And it isn't quite an oxymoron. If this were the ani-social bookworms club, then it would be an oxymoron. But we are the socially awkward bookworms, and we interact in a socially awkward way! I guess. @Yere Wave If you'd like to join the Discord, there's a link in my signature. Let us know if you need anything or have any questions!

Hi Connie's friend! Feel free to join us, even if you aren't socially awkward. Welcome to the Shard!

I'm not claiming this position, even though I love LotR. But this. Where can I learn elvish? Because I would totally do it.

Yes, ghosts. It's about the Phantom, after all... and there's murder and torture and kidnapping... It's amazing. You'd like it. I think.

@Channelknight Fadran thinks it's him. I don't know if he's referring to Tolkien's stuff as a whole, or just LotR. Please debate. Thank you.

(Phantom of the Opera... You should totally read Phantom...)

I have the link in my signature.

"They really aren't all that dangerous," Talnic said. At just that moment, the sun finally dipped below the horizon, leaving behind only a residual glow. He took off his hat and leaned forward conspiratorially. "You see, all you have to do to not get killed by one is to not try and kill it. That's how I got this." He pulled off a glove, and held up his hand, showing Minuet his ring. "This was given to me by a dragon." Talnic quickly pulled the glove back on, covering the ring once again. The light from the sun continued fading, and as it went, Talnic felt himself relax. He had always been the most comfortable under the cover of darkness. He didn't have to try as hard to hide.

"Thank you," Talnic said, nodding.

Talnic pulled his hat back a tad, smiling. "That's a good point. Let me ask something else, then. Will you and the things you are involved in put these people in direct danger? If so, what are you willing to do to keep them safe?"

Talnic waved Minuet over, and as she drew near, he asked the question he had been mulling over in his mind for the last several hours. "You are involved in things," Talnic said quietly. "I won't ask what they are. But I do need to know if they could potentially bring harm to our companions."

I actually submitted Here Be Dragons about a week ago. I did quite a bit of editing, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

Warbreaker. Hm... Probably Six of Crows. Who? When? Where? Why? How?

Noting the others beginning to get ready for the night, Talnic set his pack up in the branches of a tree, and set about gathering firewood. Once he had a fire going, he allowed himself to sit, resting on a piece of firewood next to the tree that held his pack. He had learned from experience that in winter small rodents would be more than willing to chew through and ruin a waterproof bag just to get at a bit of food. "Minuet?" Talnic said as the girl walked past.