((That's fine Doll, we'll figure out how to keep going. you just do what you can to catch up when you can ;) Nice write out. Lusa >.> the group is staying with Alana at her place because the inns are full. besides, alak likes quiet places. lolz.))

Alak leaned back comfortably in his chair as they all talked amongst themselves. It was quite a different experience for him, but he enjoyed it. A niggling feeling in the back of his mind made him wonder just how long it could last? He pushed the dismal thought aside. Their company had made him forget for a moment the unpleasant surroundings. Why ruin the camaraderie now with senses of doubt?

A thin purple eyebrow rose in humor at Lusalma's rapid questions. So it seemed this was all natural for the girl and she took the characteristic with ease, maybe even embraced it.

He nodded at Alana's sensible suggestion. One by one, the girls began to introduce themselves. Lusalma and Pheonaire seemed to hit things off immediately. He chuckled softly for a brief moment at Pheonaire's hint of surprise at Lusalma's frank outburst and request for friendship. Alak wondered if Lusalma had that affect on everyone, no matter what their origin.

"Miss Phee," he stated to confirm the shorter version of her name. "Item retriever?" he thought to himself and wondered what that meant. So she is paid, probably by wealthy people, to find missing items? He had never heard of such a profession, but thought it sounded interesting.

"Luck had nothing to do with our meeting, I suppose," Alak continued with a content smile still on his face. He was never a strong believer in destiny, and felt that people walked the paths they chose which could frequently change. However, more often than not he had begun to feel that there was some powerful force...perhaps Fate...that put people close to each for a reason. What that reason could possibly be, Alak had no idea. He ended his mystifying statement without further comment.

He watched Phee laugh outloud at Lusalma's outburst. Soon, her physical features changed. Alak tilted his head to the side slightly as he watched with interest. Was it like Glamor that the fairies and elves used? Her dark colors became light and she now resembled the sun instead of a pale moon. She also looked far more gentle than her stern defiant self belied earlier. Alak did not question her. If she meant for them to know, she would surely tell them what had just happened with her hair color.

Lusalma turned around and the eyes at the table followed hers to find a group of men staring lecherously at the cluster of women. Oh dear...I hope I haven't led them to a bind...Alak thought. A frown slid across his lips but he checked it in place. The men didn't even seem to notice him, which was probably a godsend. The thought never crossed Alak's mind but anyone with any sense would assume Alak to be a pimp of some sort, or perhaps a lecher, to have so many women around him in this type of place at this time of night. Again, it was fortunate Alak never thought this, otherwise he would have blushed unbearably.

Lusalma's voice lowered as she spoke to them and Alak felt a slight shiver run through him. He glanced at the other women, seeing that they must have felt it too. The men promptly turned around and returned to their drinks as if there were no girls in the bar whatsoever. Alak's smile returned. He had felt a similar power from her before. What was it? Some sort of hypnosis?

She turned back to the table bashfully. Alak saw the embarrassment in her face and his eyes widened. She glanced toward him. The expression changed her appearance and made her seem a bit more delicate or vulnerable. "A mystery..." he muttered to himself as he considered what had just occurred, remembering what she had told him earlier.

Before Tanit could introduce herself, a black raven fluttered through the window, stirring up a bit of a commotion and landed on her shoulder. Alak watched her remove the note tied to the bird's leg. Her eyes spoke nothing of what was on the parchment. She stood in one fluid motion and excused herself.

Alak nodded to her, "Take care." He was somewhat disheartened that Tanit had to leave so soon. But duty called. Hopefully they would meet again and he could learn more about her as well.

Once again, Lusalma was the first to ask a question. This time it concerned Phee's hair color. The woman looked surprised for a moment at her hair. Now it went from the process of gold to teal to pink. Both of Alak's eyebrows rose this time. Phee looked like she went into a moment of meditation. When she opened her eyes, they were no longer gold but teal.

She nonchalantly shrugged. Alak wondered if this was her true form, or was it one of the others, or none. Now it was Pheonaire who asked a personal question. Alak tried not to look to interested in Lusalma's answer. However, she didn't seem uncomfortable at all about the question and answered thoughtfully.

Alak noticed the waitress who kept tactfully away from the company as she waited. "Ah...sorry miss," he apologized. Lusalma ordered abruptly in almost a commanding tone. Alak hadn't even looked at the menu. He wondered what the "Tonight Special" was. At a glance he read: 1/2 lb of Roast Pork and gravy, Harvest Sweet Potatoes, Fresh Vegetables, and Rice Wine.

"I'll have the same miss, but water is fine instead of wine," he said. "And an order of Sweet Glazed Rolls," he added, thinking Lusalma must have forgotten. "Thank you."

After the Phee's order:

Once she had all their orders, the waitress carried on.

Alak looked around and finally introduced himself. "I am Alaktonroos. But please call me Alak. I suppose I am here because it seems like a profitable place to settle. I am a travelling merchant...or rather I was. But I was robbed of most of my belongs awhile back."

He added with a chuckle as a thought came to him, "It may have been a sign that I should try something new. It seems you all have very interesting reasons for being here." He bowed his head and said finally, "If I may be presumptuous in saying, I hope that we can help each other."

Alak was not use to getting to know people too well. But he felt he could welcome the change of pace here in Mene.