Renascence

[Flamebird]

Felicity had never been to Scara Brae before… yet, the idea of studying the Liviol Sanctum for its magic was too good to resist.

Walking into a tiny tavern, The Krusty Tab, she was taken back by all the dancing drunken lunatics.

"My. . .?

The redhead closed the round door behind her, her peridot eyes looking for the counter amongst the oval tables and immature bards. Her green outfit reacted to her every movement. Removing the shield from her back, her leather jacket shook as much as the sheathed sword at her hip. Holding the ebony shield to her side, the side facing the patrons, she walked up to the long, straight counter. She plucked some coin from her jacket pocket and flipped it onto the oak counter. Her lisp made her voice a little slurred with her "r"'s and "L"'s. "Hey, keep!" She smiled cheerfully.

A bald, stout man turned to face her, his brown eyes showing a sense of equal liveliness, "What'll be, miss? - Wait, age?"

Felicity tilted her head, "Fifteen, no worries, I didn't come to drink. A water and maybe some strawberry frozen yogurt may do nice, please?"

The barkeep appeared somewhat taken back by her odd way of speech, but after processing it, he nodded, "One water and a strawberry frozen yogurt coming up!"

He turned back to the oak kitchen full of barrels of whisky and refrigerated goods. Felicity sat on one of those cute little stools. She would have to ask for information on the isolated, apparently magic forest island when he returned. Soon enough, he did. Sliding the water and frozen treat across the rich wood table to her. He smiled heartily to her, "Here you go, lass. Enjoy!"

She grinned and nodded, "Thank you!" Only after he turned and left, her smile flashed down, "W-wait, can you tell me about Livi-"

She was too late.

A gasp escaped her when she felt. . . was that a small mammal rubbing her leg?

She looked down to see a tabby cat rubbing her and licking her boot. Although she was more of a dog person, she was more than happy to bend down and pick the feline up, "Hey, small guy, how a-"

She suddenly realized how familiar that cat was.

"… You look like Fireleaf. . ."

She put the cat on the counter, quickly glancing to make sure that the barkeep was not watching. Quickly pulling her frozen yogurt close and scooping it into her mouth, Felicity observed the cat. He was the spitting image of . . .

Mid-strawberry scoop, she felt a sturdy hand on her shoulder. She was suddenly yanked off by a large, blond man with a filthy expression on his face. He had the stench of alcohol all over him. Finding her footing, the wood floor beneath groaned. The startled girl looked towards the bowl of deliciousness on the dirty ground. She looked back to man and tightened her fists, "Hey, my bloody frozen yogurt! You feind!!" His anger was making her lisp worse. The barkeep could hardly understand her!

The attacker only smirked, cracking his fists, "Aw, what are 'ya gonna do 'bout it, honey? Spa-"

He could not even finish his sentence, Felicity already slammed her fist into his face. Her muscles rippled, heavy force behind the punch as he flew back and hit a table. The girl was vibrating, all sweetness gone as she glared in rage, "You are gonna pay back my money and buy me another dish, strawberry murderer!"

The man pulled himself off the table, staggering in his drunken way as he chuckled, "The only thing payin' anything is you, lil' lady, when I get my hands on yer-"

Once again, he was just plain unable to finish when the side of a flat hand slammed across his neck. He fell unconscious to the floor.

A scrawny, hooded woman stood behind where he stood, her gauntleted hand still flat in form.

As the cat jumped off the counter and raced to the brunette, Felicity's eyes widened. Anger was replaced with shock as she stood dumbfounded. It was. . . really her. . .

"Ash. . . Ashla. . ."