Let's get started then...

[Northen Light36]

Acqua took a deep breath as she left the guild and headed though streets towards Talon's house. It was late enough in the afternoon that Talon should be home while Amaro would likely still be at the guild and it was Talon she wanted to talk to first.

Amaro probably wouldn't like it, but Talon was the better choice for watching her back on the task Etaf had assigned her. And while she hoped this wouldn't turn into one of her and Amaro's arguements, if it did she'd like to have Talon on her side first.

Besides, he may not even want to come with her. It meant leaving his children home alone after all, and she asked both her brothers to do that too often all ready. The thought made her pause before knocking on Talon's door. Maybe I should do this part alone...

No, you shouldn't, Pixie thought back sharply. If you have to, then fine. We'll do this alone. But if your littermate will come, that's better. Aware of Acqua's doubts, Pixie took matters into her own paws. ~Talon? Are you home? Answer the door before Kitten loses her good sense and changes her mind about getting your help with the Lady's task.~

[Kender Bard]

Talon blinked at that. He'd been sitting in front of the unlit fireplace with his sons, listening as to how their day was. Crentha was missing; she was at the temple, as she tended to be more often than not. She'd be home late, likely, if she didn't decide to sleep overnight in the temple. "Sounds like your aunt has come to visit," he informed the two.

Spice and Loki grinned at that, excited.

Talon smiled and went the door, opening it and flashing Acqua a bright smile. "Come in, Acqua!"

[Northen Light36]

Acqua shot Pixie a look that said without words or thoughts that she was seriously considering kicking the cat, then gave Talon a rueful smile as Pixie, wisely, darted inside and out of reach. "Damn know-it-all cat," she murmured, stepping inside. "Hi Talon. Am I interupting anything?"

[Kender Bard]

"Not really," Talon replied. "I was just talking with my boys."

Spice and Loki walked into the room, hearing her voice, and greeted Acqua with enthusiastic cries and hugs.

"Did you bring us anything?" Loki asked, giving Acqua a hopeful look.

[Northen Light36]

Acqua laughed and fished a few sweets out of her back, presenting them to the little boy. "For you, Loki? Always," she replied and hugged both her nephews. "Forces, I swear you two get taller every time I see you. Are you trying to catch up to Amaro or something?"

Despite her doubts about asking Talon for help, it was something of a comfort to be among her family again. "I never realise just how much I miss you all until I come home again," she remarked with a smile. "I should come home more often." She glanced at Talon's ring and grimaced playfully. "Or not. Your taste in colour might spread, big brother." She glanced between the ring and the two boys questioningly, silently asking if they were aware of the situation.

[Kender Bard]

Talon noticed the glance and gave a small nod. They'd talked, though at the time Talon hadn't had much he could tell them. When Etaf gave out her orders, he'd filled them in. Loki and Crentha had been distressed. Spice had just been jealous.

Loki grinned and gobbled his sweet eagerly. "Thank you, Aunt Acqua," he mumbled. "Want me to play for you? I'm getting real good with the lute."

Spice snorted at that but a sharp look from his father had the young man forcing a smile and patting Loki on the back. "You sure are!" He tried to mouth 'no he's not' to Acqua though.

[Northen Light36]

Acqua hid a smile and shook her head. "Not at the moment, Loki," she replied. "It's been a long day and I'm a little too tired to be a good audience. And besides, I need to talk to Talon for a bit." A hint of mischief seized her and she added, "But Pixie would love to listen. Why don't you take her to your room and play something?"

Pixie gave her bonded a look that promised pain at a later point, then resigned herself to rubbing Loki's ankles and being picked up.

[Kender Bard]

Loki beamed at that, carefully picking up Pixie and carrying him with her.

Spice, seeming to pick up on the suggestion, flashed Acqua one more smile before heading off to his own room.

Talon smiled as he watched them go. "Crentha will be sad she didn't get to see you, unless you plan on staying a few days."

[Northen Light36]

Acqua shrugged slightly. "Not sure how long I'll be here," she admitted. "You heard my orders from Etaf." She managed a weak smile. "I suppose it's not really a surprise I've decided to accept them. Mat hasn't heard anything from Soahc yet, so we decided he should stay home with the children for as long as possible and... I was kinda hoping you'd be willing to come watch my back. Of course, if you'd prefer to stay here with Crentha and the boys, I completely understand. Forces know I drag you and Amaro away from home far too often."

There was a slightly rushed note to her voice, as if she was expecting a refusal and trying to get it over with quickly.

[Kender Bard]

Talon frowned slightly as he considered. "I don't like leaving the children," he admitted. "But Crentha has the temple to care for her and Loki has Spice. Etaf chose me for a task as well and it was one she knew I'd want to take." He smiled. "And how can I say no to you? Or the chance to see some new monsters up close?"

[Northen Light36]

Acqua managed a weak smile in return. "Well, I'm glad to have you with me," she admited quietly. "I really didn't want to have to do this alone. And we both know how Amaro would feel about me going off alone. I couldn't ask him to come though. You and I have always been the sneaks in our group, he's about as subtle as a pissed off bear."

[Kender Bard]

Talon chuckled quietly. "Just let me have a night with my family and I'll be ready to go tomorrow." He gave her a look. "And we are letting Amaro know, just in case."

[Northen Light36]

Acqua chuckled as well. "I didn't plan to sneak off," she replied, though if Talon wasn't willing to go with her she would have rather then tell Amaro she was going into danger alone. "And you can have more then a night, Talon. I need time to get a few more supplies together in any case."

She eyed her brother. "I don't suppose we can put off telling Amaro until right before we leave?"

[Kender Bard]

"We could, but I don't think he'd like it," Talon replied. "But I'll be with you; if he objects, I have a few hard facts he can't ignore. It might not be the happiest of partings, but I don't think it'll be as bad as you're imagining."

[Northen Light36]

Acqua nodded with a slight sigh. "All right. We'll tell him whenever you want to," she agreed. "Honestly, I don't think it'll be bad, exactly. I just know he'll worry. But I suppose putting it off won't prevent that." She laughed ruefully. "He's probably already worried that I'm going to go off alone."