Exodus: The Bard and the Biff

[uberwulfx]

Around a small cook fire, the quartet of terrapin monks, as well as Wisp of Smoke and Biff, shared stories and a small piece of the last Euphoreo. For Biff's part, he was glad to see the reaction on all their faces once they finally bit into the alchemically laced treat. Surprise, delight to reluctant enjoyment, and understated appreciation was observed, and he smiled as he was able to bring a bit more levity to an already relaxed conversation. Soon enough though, it would come nearer the time for the groups to split; Arunk at the least had to rest well from his bout with Biff, so the turtles excused themselves, leaving Wisp and Biff to linger. He didn't feel yet tired enough to yawn, but if he spied someone else beginning to do so, he might not be able to resist.

"Vell then, Wisp," he offered while standing, "shall Biff walk you back to where you will be resting for the night? Or do you plan to stay nearer the turtles?"

[CautionCat]

Wisp had so many questions for the Tortles, mostly clearing up what was rumors and what was fact. Spirits told them all sorts of stories, but Wisp couldn't be sure if they were true or not. They sorted through their bag of belongings, as the Tortles left them and Biff to whatever the night would bring.

Their brows rose, and they blinked some at the human. "Ah? I was about to just camp right here. I could sleep on the boat, I guess, in the hole, but I think I'd rather be under the stars. The moon is quite nice, and the sounds of the jungle are soothing to the-" They paused, blinked, and shook their head, seeming to be responding to a voice that Biff couldn't hear.

"Soothing to the ears. It's a bit too quiet in that hole."

[uberwulfx]

Biff didn't think twice about the pause, and nodded. "Biff would imagine is too quiet in the portable hole. Biff is surprised the two Balenorn find it so good there, when there are so many stars out here to enjoy. For they who have come back to life after so long, Biff would suppose they would want to experience the woods-- under protection of allies, of course." He shrugged.

"You are about to camp, though? Biff hopefully not interrupt with interest, but Biff make it a point to know people Biff is traveling with. Not out of caution, of course," he assured, "but because is good to make allies. Known company makes for more companionable journey. You have some moments more to chat, before you go to sleep?"

[CautionCat]

"Oh yes, I'll be awake for some time. I need to set up my bedroll and all that, and meditate a little. Maybe play a song or a few to calm down from today. It was... exciting. Meeting so many people, that is. I have not met so many... non-tabaxi before in such a short time, that are not dead."

[uberwulfx]

"Play a song-- yes, you are the Bardly type, with the anklet of bells," Biff said while motioning his head to the jewelry. "Is that why you've joined the party, to learn and tell stories of all the many people you've met? Going back to New Haven, you're like to meet many more interesting people, humans and dwarves both, with so many more stories to tell and sing of."

[CautionCat]

"I am visiting all the tabaxi tribes, and my next journey is down south. Bones was heading that way, so I tagged along." They stood up from sitting, pulling out their bedroll. "Some tribes are more welcoming than others, but I like to try and keep touch every so many years."

[uberwulfx]

He watched them unroll their bedroll. There didn't seem to be anything like a tent being planned, so there didn't seem to be a reason to try to help. Still, he made sure he wasn't in the way. "Biff know only of the few tribes: Red Clay, Darkmoon, and... well, secretive Stalking Ghost. You certainly don't seem Red Clay to Biff, so from which tribe are you? Or are you truly of the Red Clay, and Biff simply that unknowing? You see, Bones was only the first tabaxi Biff meet, so still learning about her and her peoples-- you included."

[CautionCat]

"What? Red Clay look nothing like me. I am so much smaller and have so much more fur." Wisp blinked some, shaking their head. "I am from Shady Moss, where the woods are thick, not too far from the mountains towards the south. As for the tribes, there are five major clans, and two lesser ones. Shady Moss, and Powdered Snow are lesser, while there's the Darkmoon, Blazing Sun, Black Earth, Red Clay, and Stalking Ghost. Some of them are more friendly than others. Some of them prefer not to allow me into their domain. Some just... are very hard to find."

[uberwulfx]

Biff winced, holding his hands up defensively. "Biff is trying to learn, and apologizes for any, ah, social mistakes Biff has just made. Is trying to learn not to do them, and very much tell the different clans apart. Did not know if there was the ability for one clan to look much like the other, much like people of a different skin tone may be of the same area. Biff and Alina speak with the same accent, though looking differently."

Still, Biff nodded after his long defense of himself, confirmation that he actually heard and understood Wisp. "Is first time Biff heard of Shady Moss clan, Biff think. Is there particular reason you wish to visit the tribes? Simply the experience of others like you yet not, or do you search for something or someone?"

[CautionCat]

"I'm just visiting for fun. The Blazing Sun clan always turns me away, the Stalking Ghost no one knows where they are, and Dark Earth, it really depends on which clan you go to. Some are very open to my visits, while others... not so much. I just like to visit, learn, and listen. Maybe help a few folks pass on." Wisp shrugged, smiling.

"You and Alina talk differently. You seem to like to talk of yourself in a..." They snapped their fingers, trying to remember the word. "Third person!"

[uberwulfx]

"Biff wonder why that is? Biff would think that they would be welcome to visitors from other clans, as long as there was no hostility between them. You certainly have unique look, at least as far as Red Clay clan is concerned, but you certainly seem friendly and innocuous enough."

He paused and chuckled when the 3rd person was pointed out. "Yes, is quite a verbal thing Biff have. Not know where it started, but here it persists. Some say it add to Biff charm! What say you, Wisp?"

[CautionCat]

"To your charm? Sure." Wisp shrugged, and sat on their bedroll, then reached for their bag, pulling out their viola and bow. "Wisp guesses if Biff talks like that, then Wisp is okay with it. Just very curious. Occasionally a spirit speaks like that."

[uberwulfx]

He chuckled at their mimicry. "Infectious, yes?" He then fell a bit silent as they pulled out their instruments. His voice lowered and he sat down next to them. "A wandering bard-- a tale more common, Biff think, than Biff's own 'wandering monk' schtick. How long have you been on the road? And have you thought of what happens when you finish visiting the clans?"

[CautionCat]

"Oh... Hmn... Maybe... 10, 15 years?" Wisp shrugged, and glided the bow across the viola, playing a few random notes. "I go home, stay for a while, then that urge to wander hits me, and then for a while, I go around visiting."

[uberwulfx]

His brows lifted again. "Biff mistakenly took you for someone with about five years on the road. You are very well traveled, then..."

Biff fell into silence again, giving Wisp the space to play something if they so chose, or to keep noodling. Meanwhile, he thought about the creature before him, trying to get a bit of a read on their mood. It was a time for winding down, indeed, but was Biff actively, even if accidentally, bothering them? ((14 Insight))