Differances...

One would think, after being around so many humans, one would become accustomed to them. One would think, after being around so many humans, one would begin to understand them. One would think...well...one would... 

That one would be me. But, as I have come to learn what one would think about humans, is not entirely accurate all the time, if ever. After living a rather comfortable life nestled in the woods of my homeland, that I do love so much, I have found my living currant companions and this new land, shall we say, interesting. Not interesting like discovering a new use for evening primrose oil. But interesting like watching a pride of cats play with a mouse. 

I left my homeland of one hundred and twenty eight years for reasons of my own. Traveling on airship to the human lands and expecting a calm, quiet, and unobtrusive arrival. That's what I paid for after all. Lets just say, I got much more than I paid for, and not necessarily in a good way. 

The airship was attacked while it was landing. By something I could never have imagined. It looked like a shadow, a shadow with a large body and tendril things. After taking in that the the ship was not going to become air born again and watching the crew members fighting to no avail, I jumped. From twenty five feet in the air, I jumped, I was not going to let the shadow thing trap me and kill me, as I just recently witnessed. I'd rather die on my own terms. 

Upon reaching land and hurriedly scrambling up, I surveyed the scene.

Men everywhere were fighting more black shadow things, I was particularly close to one man fighting with a dagger, he kept looking to the west every few swings. Thinking there was aid coming I too, looked to the west, and saw nothing but forest and a slowly setting sun. I stayed back from the fighting, I am not ashamed to say, and I watched as this man was touched by the shadow thing and instantly felled. His dagger dropped onto the hard earth. Upon his falling a few more men came and attacked the creature. Making sure my hood was pulled up I took a deep breath and ran into battle, swooping down and picking up the dagger. The sun had set, and the dagger seemed to have a small inner glow. I noted this, but had very little time to actually examine it, as there was much fighting and screaming. The airship crashed with a sicking crack as it flew into the forest. My heart screamed. 

I cannot describe all that happened but as it turned out, amidst all of the turbulence I ended up fighting along side a man I must describe as a paladin. His eyes locked onto mine for a brief moment that seemed to last a eternity, finally as he looked away I followed his gaze to the keep that was to be the dock for my unfortunate airship...BOOM! The sound still reverberates inside me today. It seemed as if a tower had exploded, and five men came running out. The paladin ran to meet them, and began speaking softly to one of these figures. I followed at a half-hearted pace, and moved closer when motioned to, warily. 

"You have two choices." the figure said, "Stay here and fend for yourself. Or come with us and work. You will be kept as safe as possible, fed, and compensated." 

Realizing too late my hood had fallen back revealing my face. I realized that I indeed have 2 choices, accept his rather vague terms, or kill him. I gripped my new found weapon, and nodded. More than a acceptable answer in my homeland. 

"Your oath or your life!" 

I looked him in the eyes and nodded a affirmative. Just a bit confused at his outburst.

I had made my choice, I needed to live after all. 

Time passed, I was given my own quarters, jobs that tested my skills, and to myself I gave a new identity. 

I was Ann. I was human, and talented at getting into tight places. I worked solo.

Until that part was dashed to shreds... 

Eventually I was given a assignment that included partners, and I must say that didn't suit me well at all, but when in the human homelands, do as humans do, correct? 

After many assignments I came to know the two that continuously worked along side me. Note that I do not say worked with me, as that did not happen very often. But along side suited well enough, for the time being. 

Alloriah, is a druid, that is very, well, un-druidic. In my opinion. None of the druids I have ever been in contact with have ever acted so callously. And moralistically...I'm at a loss about that with her. She seems to do what she wants, hold her self to a higher standard, then turn around and contradict herself with out blinking a eye. She does seem to have it in her mind that I am trying to kill her every chance I get. And believe you me, if that was true, she would have been dead a very long time ago. But I'm sure she's useful, she can heal people after all. And after all actions speak louder than words, correct? She does have a rather fascinating animal companion, a ethereal panther dubbed Demetreous, and she seems to narrow her eyes every time I pat him. It makes me smile a bit inside. 

Lim Dul'Caravack is a sorcerer, of sorts. With a very large mouth, and a larger opinion of himself. Actually, I am unsure which is the larger...they both seem to get us into trouble. A lot. But he does have a few handy tricks that have helped us get around, he must just practice the timing of using said tricks and all will be well. Other than being ungainly large compared to myself, and did I mention very talkative? Kolos forbid, that he begins to talk about being dragon-blooded! That conversation alone could last hours, and, that is with him talking to himself. There is the matter of his familiar, a monkey named Mapu, meaning in my tongue, child. The reasoning of the name still eludes us. 

Now comes a rather newer addition to our party, Seimi. Seimi has lost her mind, and by that I literally mean all of her memories, her identity, and herself. We found her investigating a society hideout that didn't exist, and after a few rather interesting experiences, she decided to travel with us. She has some useful skills in diplomacy, which is nice, and she could turn out to be a rather talented rouge, with some practice. We have been on a rather intense adventure, and its nice to know someone will follow you, even into death. And perhaps useful. 

I wonder, truly, what I could have been thinking. I'm surrounded by humans, their short lived-short sighted-rather rushed lives are a conundrum I have yet to unravel. But for the experience, and for what I have learned thus far, I am grateful. 

I need to live after all.