Ashleigh

Basil's praise was all it took to make Ashleigh giddy with happiness. In fact the way she carried her wings, how her tail flicked, and her mad gapped partially all showed a sample of her feelings. "Here, let me get you a refill, my fine sir." She said as she raised up and collected his plate and mug, heading straight for the pig for a fresh helping. The moment Ashleigh got up to serve Basil was music to Ainsleigh's ears. She hastily got up and while Basil was watching Ashleigh go to serve him again. Ainsleigh came around from his blind side, hiked her leg over his legs and sat down in his lap, her thick muscular tail running up his armor and slanting off his right shoulder. For the moment Ainsleigh leaned forward on the table supporting herself up on her elbows. And she just sat like that for awhile giving Basil a long hard feel of her fully formed musculature, smooth curves and shiny scales and a hint of a whiff of her natural musk in his nostrils. She didn't say anything for the moment and decided to see how these two younguns would react.

But when Ashleigh turned to look at Basil with a good helping of flanks steak. She virtually stopped in her tracks at what her mother was doing to Basil. She hadn't even gotten him another round of ale to dull his inhibitions and her mother was jumping on him like he was the special of the day! Part of her blushed from embarrassment, but more of her was turning red with anger. She was shaking to hold in her natural instinct to hiss a threat at Ainsleigh. Tatsu had already decided that he wasn't going to get involved, beside he had good gold on the line so he was silently routing for the kids against Ainsleigh's high sensual drive and nest appeal.

Tatsu & Ainsleigh

Basil's response was very lucrative as far as Tatsu was concerned. He watched as he pushed Ainsleigh's rump into the table. To which she leaned forward and let her stiff tail push Basil off his stool and deposit him harshly on the floor. So far she was well on her way to a rejection even without Ashleigh jumping in. Ainsleigh had shifted to her left elbow and leaned her chin into that claw. Her right leg had raised and angled out to not only catch the stool from tipping over, but to give Basil an uncompromised view of her breeding assets. She was literally looking into his inexperienced eyes and studied that everything in them was shock, surprise, and uncertainty culminating into this act of anger, because he didn't know how else to respond. Thus far, she was reading him like an open book.

"Is this the first time a female has propositioned you, or do you just like it rough, Basil dear?" She asked in a taunting tone.
Ashleigh

Ashleigh threw down the plate and mug onto the nearest table and rushed over to protect Basil from her mother's casual lifestyle. She planted her feet and tail over Basil's lower half and disrespectfully hissed a fighting challenge to her mother. She didn't concern herself with the fact that she was practically showing Basil as much as her mother was.

Tatsu simply sat and finished his meal and mead. Because Ainsleigh clearly had something to say.

Ainsleigh smirked at Ashleigh's attempt at bravado. "That's the first adult thing I've seen you do so far dear." She said to her daughter, unimpressed since the outward display didn't match the determination in her eyes.

"Leave my friend alone mother." Ashleigh warned. "He isn..."

"No!" Ainsleigh issued defiantly. "In case you haven't looked in a pool of water lately,you two are draeyl. The most common species bred for strength, speed and endurance. The first beasts into combat taking the beatings while everyone is making the kills and getting the glory. This guild is getting back to business tomorrow, and there is a 1in 3 to 5 chance that one or both of you isn't coming back from that next expedition. This place is meant for you to come in and wind down, then get to bed and spend time with your mate and lay some eggs. Not to play house like pups on a playground."

She let a pause sink in what she was saying,then she looked to Basil. "So if Ashleigh is just going to play nursemaid, why not show me into your nest Basil? I'm hardly four seasons older than her physically, so I can't be that hard on your eyes. I'll be happy to break you in, drop an egg for you and tell him or her your story so you're not forgotten."

As A was speaking, Ashleigh helped get Basil back on his feet. She couldn't deny anything her mother was saying so she remained silent. When Ainsleigh had finished, Ashleigh took Basil's claw in her's. "You can come outside with me if you want to Basil, I think it's getting a little too stuffy in here." She said,hoping that he would lead her out.

Ashleigh

Ashleigh virtually froze in place as her heart skipped a couple beats. In one deliberate act of aggression, her mother had forced Basil to decide what he wanted; and it was Ashleigh. Her mind was only confused for a moment when he firmly wrapped himself about her, but when he pecked her on the neck, she knew it was a confession. She lowered her chin against his neck and whispered his name affectionately. She was unable to resist as he drew her outside, she was blushing but not as badly as before.

As she turned to look back at her mother Ainsleigh just smiled and winked back at her.

"You knew that was goinna happen." Tatsu blurted at her. "That was too easy a won bet."

A chuckled at Tats, they shared a joint account anyway so there was never any risk to begin with.

Outside, Ashleigh felt timid and a little weak in the knees, she wondered if Basil felt the same? She was following him as though she had no strength to resist, but she had no idea what to do at the moment. So she mustered up her courage and asked him. "Where are we going?" She squeaked some of it out, and covered her muzzle in embarrassment.
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Tatsu & Ainsleigh

"Now that those two are taken care of," Tatsu queried, "I think maybe it's time we put our wits together and find out what our zolnixi buddies have gotten themselves into?" Ainsleigh's smile turned to a more serious visage. "I couldn't agree more partner." She agreed nuzzling her muzzle to his. He maybe slow at a lot of things, but Tatsu was pretty bright about tactical matters. She feared that Blue Jay maybe brashly leading her fellows away to try and regain the time they lost without the rest of the original group. Neither Ainsleigh or Tatsu was capable of wrapping their heads around such a juxtaposing set of temporal paradoxes that may create. "So what'cha thinking about it Tats?" She asked, expecting he would have an answer.

Tatsu had to think hard enough to close his eyes for a few moments. "I think Blue's motherly instincts might get the best of her. I know she's a warrior, but did you see that look of surprise and disappointment on her face when she saw her pups fully growed?"

Ainsleigh nodded. "Do ya think they went back to the dungeon?"

Tatsu simply stated his thought. "I think we should rally the rest of our original group t'gether and see if we can follow Willow's tracks. Do you think that's a good idea?"

"Not only is it good, love, but I was ready to suggest the very same thing." She said. "Great minds really do think alike. You go procure the gear, and I'll go get them ryori on board." She stepped out right away and located Rose Petal and Nina they were sharing a spot with Apollo, appreciating common company. "Hey queens, I'm going to need to ask you to get your gear and meet me and Tatsu outside. It might be nothing, but I'd like to check on our friends before retiring for the night." She told them.

Tatsu went and found Inferno just returning from cataloging the gear she just placed in the armory. He felt bad asking her to reissue them, but it would be for the best and only for the evening he hoped. "Inferno, sorry to have to ask, but we need to reequip the stuff we just put in stock. We are goin' out to help Willow look for Blue Jay and the other zolnixi. We think they may have tried to return to the dungeon again, but want to investigate their trail and make sure." He told her. However, Fir and Lily were not far away from Tatsu and overheard his conversation with the Ny'vene blacksmith.