A Random Adventure: What will happen next? (Dusty & Libra)
 

The woman was sitting at the table alone. She had a drink in her hand, looking down at it, not sure what to do next. This was supposed to be a good night, but instead she found her best friend has left town. It was supposed to be a good day, but she got kicked out of her home. This was supposed to be her lucky year, but she lost her job early in the year.

The door creaked loudly as the man walked in. He looked around the room. "BANG" The door slammed shut behind him. He caught a glimpse of a blond haired woman to his right. He noticed she was sitting all alone. He walked over and asked the young woman, "Do you mind if I sit here? There aren't many seats open and my feet are very tired."

A man with curly red hair stood before her, asking to have a seat. She did not pay much attention, instead she began stirring her drink with a spoon.

"You are welcome to have a seat newcomer, though I am not sure you will be in the best of company" the woman sighed.

"Great!" The man sat in the chair and started taking off his shoes. "Wow I could really use a new pair of shoes. The miles have definitely taken its toll on this pair." He held up the shoe to show the woman, pulling the sides of the hole to clearly show her.

"Do you do much traveling miss?"

"My parents were traveling merchants. A couple years ago I finally settled down, but I think I miss seeing the mountains, the ocean, and maybe even the desert."

She looked over at the man, "where have you traveled?"

"Miss why the sad attitude, gotta be positive! Happy Happy Happy is what I always say." the man said joyfully with a smile as wide as his face.

"I myself am in adventurer, going from town to town looking for work and searching for treasure. I am always there for people in need." said the man as he readjusted his sword to fit better under the table. "Is the feet smell getting to you? I can put my shoes back on if it is to much. It just feels so good to have them off right now, but wow do they smell."

"Miss you have to tell me, what has got you so down today? I wouldn't believe it if a pretty little thing such as yourself is always this sad."

The woman fanned her nose, hoping to make the noxious smell go away. "Actually, they are quite nasty smelling." She scooted her chair away from the table. "I'm just down on my luck is all. What has got you so happy all the time?"

"Fine, fine. I will put my shoes back on." The man bent down and starting putting his shoes on one at a time. "Down on your luck eh? That doesn't sound like much fun.... A love break your heart?" the man sighed as he tied the laces on the last show.

"Well my dear, I am not happy all the time. One time I fell off of my horse as we were crossing over a small stone bridge. I fell straight into the creek below and my horse ran off and left me. I wasn't to happy that day." the man frowned for a few seconds.

"Today however, I am super happy." the smile quickly returning to his face. "I just accepted a quest to go Golden Wolverine Grove, and I have always wanted to go!" said the man as he pulled a piece of paper to hand to the blonde woman.

"Not quite. Looks like my friend was forced to leave town, she hadn't explained much to me before she left. And I lost my job earlier this year, so I was helping her out to pay rent. Now that she is gone, I'm out of a place to stay apart from a couple nights at this inn."

She looked at the papers the ginger man was holding out. "Interesting. I've been there before, very muggy the last time I was there. Though I imagine since its getting close to winter that won't be a problem. Why have you always wanted to go?"

"Short of cash you say? Hmmmm....." the man scratched his chin.

"I have always wanted to because they say in the morning when the sun is rising it is supposed to be super beautiful. I guess thats where they get the name 'golden' from."

"Say miss..... I know we have only just met, but would you want to help me on this quest? I could really use someone to navigate for me. I will even split the reward 50/50 with ya. That way you have a few more days to find your way."

"Well, I could read it very well while you were waving it back and forth. I wonder what was left in his backpack that could possibly be so important? Important enough not to face the wolverines, but important enough to send other people after it. Fine, breakfast time it is."

The woman shot up from her chair, and slammed a couple coins on the table while yawning. "See you in the morning Stinky." And the woman began walking up to her room.

"Stinky...... What kind of name is stinky...." the man said to himself as there was no one else at the table.

The man rose from the table and walked to the innkeeper. "One night please." The man said as he slide the innkeeper some coins. The innkeeper slide back a key. "Up and to the left. Be out of your room by noon, no exceptions."

"....Thanks...." the man turned and walked up the steps to his room.

--------

In the morning he woke up and headed downstairs. He quickly looked around the room in search of the blonde woman. After not seeing her, he walked to the innkeeper to return the key. "Thanks." The man nodded and then sat at a nearby table.

The woman was sitting 2 tables away from the man. She felt so sly, changing her hair color the night before and cutting it off just above her shoulders. Now her hair was a dark brown, and wasn't as noticeable.

She had most things she would need: more clothing, weapons, a sleeping pack, some food, and some containers that held clean water. Everything had already been packed up on her horse.

After the man got his food, then she took a seat across from his table. "Good morning Stinky," she said as politely as she could. "Ready for our adventure?"

The man started to choke on his food. "AWK! GASP! GAK! COUGH!"

"Well good morning miss." said the man after he regained his composure. "You scared me there, and you even changed your hair. Very interesting...." the man took another bite of his eggs.

"Let me finish these eggs real quick and we can head out! Did you want anything to eat?" said the man as he took the final bite of his toast.

"I have already eaten. I assume you have already gathered up your supplies and we are ready to ride now?" said the woman.

"A good adventurer always has his supplies ready to go!" The man said with some food still on his mouth.

The man finished eating the remainder of his eggs.

"Almost my dear. I have one requirement, I must know the name of my companions before we can go on an adventure together."

"My name is Pandora. But you can call me Pan if you'd like. What name do you go by?" She said while extending her hand. She adjusted her satchel with her other hand.

The man gripped her hand and shook firmly.

"Pan it is then. Some call me Stinky, some call me Zephyr, but my mother called me Xess." the man reached down and grabbed his backpack and attached his scabbard to his belt.

"Let's get this party started!"

Pan giggled a little, and finished shaking his hand. She began thinking about what she wanted to call him. Stinky was easier to remember, Zephyr was an interesting name too. As they walked out to the stables and got their horses ready for the ride, Pan had decided to question him about it.

Everything left her mind when she noticed her horse scared. She rubbed the bridge of the horse's nose, "What's wrong girl? What has you on edge?" Suddenly two thieves came out from the other stables.

"Good Morrow Gentlemen....." Xess turned to show the thieves his sword. He grabbed the hilt with his right hand and pulled just enough to show the metal of the blade.

"I trust we don't have any problems here?" Xess said as he positioned himself in front of Pandora.

Pandora took a step back from the whole group, positioning herself so that the thieves couldn't see her arm bent gripping the knife on the back of her belt. She tried to look scared so the thieves wouldn't mistaken her for an experience fighter.

"Why don't be shy dearie.... I can show you a real good time." said the smaller, creepier thief as he started to walk towards the adventures. The thief started to twist the knife in his hand looking past Xess towards Pandora.

That was a critical mistake for the thief. As soon as he took the eyes of The Zephyr's sword, in one quick motion Xess leap forward and swung with the broad side of his sword. The metal connected with his chin and knocked the thief out cold.

Xess pointed the tip of his sword at the other thief, who turn and fled as he saw his partner fall to the ground.

"Why don't they just take the hint.... I just don't understand..."

"Well, that's the end of that." Pandora said as she took her hand off the hilt of her hidden knife. She stepped over the thief on the ground. "Shall we be off then?"