"Hey, Aiday's great. Trusting, yes, but still great. Who do you work for anyway?" Raven was beyond the point of being comforted by the woman. She did believe that Guinevere would protect her, but she didn't really care about them. Just her money, which was getting tiring. "New people, hello. I'm Raven, I'm a werewolf, I know as little as you at the moment, and I do have a gun. Be warned," she said, shifting her attention to the newcomers.
"I think at this point we've established that we're all armed and/or dangerous but don't actually want to fight," Guinevere said, placing her hands on her hips. "As for my boss, I can't actually tell you their name. I have no idea who they are. I've seen them in person, know their voice, but they've been using a fake name this whole time. I'm sure you're aware of one of the more famous officers in the Hunter's Guild? Felcote? The literal cat in a trenchcoat?"
Stardew shrugged. "I'm afraid I haven't heard of the Hunter's Guild, sorry. Hello there, Raven. I'm Stardew Avalon, as you probably heard, and this is my twin brother Foxglove Petrol" – she clapped Foxglove's shoulder – "and Trouble Ruffian de Melange." She nodded towards the other Alnaschari. "What brings you all here?"
"I'm capable of speaking for myself, you know," Trouble said.
Stardew cast him a look. "Oh yes, declaim at them in villain prose. I'm sure that'll get you off on the right foot."
Nevihata had taken to leaning against a tree, seeming to be holding and looking at a pistol like weapon, also confirming that he too had weaponry. He glanced up.
“I suppose I’ll tell you guys my name. I’m Nevihata..not telling you my last name. I just came here after I heard voices,” and after tracking the group for a while, but he decided not to mention that, “and this,” he gestured towards his ‘pistol’, “I’d like to clarify this isn’t my only weapon.”
"Gee, that's comforting," Raven said sarcastically. "I think we all have more than one weapon. No fighting, though. I'm a strictly non-violent werewolf."
Stardew unsheathed her sword and tossed it up in the air.
"By 'no fighting', do you mean 'no fighting you', or just a blanket statement?"
"In general. Because if you start fighting, I'll have to start fighting. No fighting."
Stardew turns toward Aiday.
"Wanderlust," Stardew says, shrugging. "Always in search of a new adrenaline kick."
She extended her hand. "Stardew Avalon. And you are?"
(Assume she introduced herself in the past because lots of comments.)
"I have only one weapon," Aiday said, holding up a small dagger, shorter than her hand. "But I prefer not to fight. Peacefulness is always the best alternative."
(Hey Yamatsu. How is Aiday under Guinevere's protection?)
"See, this chick's got it right." She frowned. "Except the only having one weapon and the telling everyone that."
"It's all right," she said, "You don't need to worry about me."
"I think you said that already." Raven wasn't sure whether she should admire Aiday's confidence or shun her stupidity.
"So shouldn't we all let everyone go though peacefully and go to sleep?" Aiday suggested.
“I personally disagree that peace is the best option,” Nevihata put the ‘pistol’ away, standing up again, “but to be fair with you I’d rather not start a fight knowing I’m completely outnumbered in this situation.”
"So will you start fighting me if, say, I start fighting Trouble? With his consent, of course. Just a duel between friends," Stardew persists.
The giant beast simply sat in the background, remaining on full alert. All the speeches and voices of potential 'fights' had it on edge. It didn't need its little one to be caught in the middle should someone snap, and blood be drawn. That was the last thing it wanted…
As for the little one, it's head tilted, listening curiously to the sounds its new playmate was making. The creature opened its muzzle, trying to imitate the noises, but the most it got was a gurgle followed by a soft 'hum'. Its tail started to sway even faster, becoming a blur.
Stardew glanced over to the dragon, who seemed on edge. "Don't worry, we'll be careful with the little one. We duel all the time. If you want, we can go just over there" – she nodded toward the edge of the bushes — "so that we're guaranteed not to hurt anyone." Trouble nodded his agreement.
"What if we simply go our separate ways without any possible strife?," said Aiday. "It is now a time for rest and refreshment, let us adventure another day."
"Adventuring is best when done liberally," Stardew said, "but 'refreshment' is intriguing as well. Do you happen to have food?"
"I just meant we needed to go to sleep," said Aiday, flustered, "I don't know about food."
“Are you asking me if I would start fighting you, or someone else?” Nevihata asked. He turned to Aiday. “I don’t sleep too often, because when you go into space a lot, your sleep schedule gets pretty messed up. Though I’m a bit curious about food, too.”
"No don't fight," she said, "I have some food with me though, not much but here it is." From her pocket she pulled out a small bag with some bread and dried fruit.
"I was asking Raven whether she would allow Trouble and I to have a friendly duel, but a piece of dried fruit would be nice."
Foxglove took the backpack off his back and began rummaging around in it.
Aiday held out the bag for anyone who wanted it.
"No fighting," Raven said stubbornly.
(Aiday is under Guinevere's protection simply because it was in the job description. She doesn't usually question orders like this unless there is clearly something wrong, and aside from everyone "showing up unannounced," there has been no real need for her to try and dig into why she's doing this. She's got a very one-track mind when it comes to money, but she does have her own motivations. They just haven't come up yet, and I'm not about to try and inject them in an unnatural way.)
"I agree with Raven," Guinevere said. "Besides, there are children present." She then took a piece of dried fruit out of Aiday's bag. After a careful sniff, it seemed to be a dried peach. She popped it into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully until that sweetly-bitter taste hit. The fierce bounty-hunter shut her eyes and screwed up her face, but ate the whole thing regardless. Dried peaches weren't going to be on her next shopping list, that was for certain.
(But what if she isn't? Does she just think she is because she just showed up?)
(I had assumed that because she was in the house with Guinevere that she had to get there somehow, and I made up that story bit where she was picked up in a town under the same job but after Guinevere and Raven met. Do you want to retcon some things, because I'm happy to do so if need be?)
(What if Guinevere just assumed Aiday was one of the kids under her protection because she was in the right place at the right time? That would work right?)