Thar Shaddin

Shade snickered as he spotted her shifting the money to Drayel whom by the look of it was completely oblivious. Kicking off his boots he let out a throaty growl, his lips curling up in a wince. Immediately his bones popped and groaned as his body began changing shape. He groaned out in pain, falling to his hands as he struggled to keep breathing. Dammit he hated this.

Like always his sight began to blur as his heart did a double-take and his skin began to burn. The bones didn't break but simply shifted beneath his skin, stretching out beyond the limits of normality as they struggled to remain unbroken. His teeth pushed themselves back and out as wolf fangs forced themselves to the front of his growing snout. Fingers and feet were the worst by far though, the bones shifting almost impossibly as they pulled back into paws. He let out a whimper as his tail began to appear and his 'goods' began mimicking that of a dog. Finally fur grew out in an itchy wave that felt almost pleasant compared to the pain. Seven minutes had rolled by before he was fully transformed, his black and white vision clearing to see the guardsman's pitying look. He gave him a short woof, letting him know he was fine.

"Are you ready then?" Drayel asked unsure. This wasn't the first transformation he had seen Shade do but each time it made him wince. It looked painful, sounded painful and that alone made him cringe. Shade however did it nearly every night if he was made aware correctly. All for a child too.

Shade barked as he gave his shaggy body a shake, his long ears pulled back as he stretched and let out a throaty groan. His spine let loose a series of pops that made the guardsman grin slightly. Trotting to his side he stood at attention, waiting for the command.

"Alright boy. Go smell shit."

Fay watched the transformation in baffled pity. Her own shifts... they weren't nearly as painful as this... she followed the dog as he led them away, ignoring Allen's grumbling. They followed 'Shade' down streets and alley's, past child after child, Fay realizing after every passing minute the dog may be having issues with- "Everything smells like shit in this city..." Fay grumbled, rubbing her nose. She'd tried to help discreetly, but even she was lost among the multitude of spores and scents.

She looked down to Shade and scratched behind his ears absently. "I don't think scent is the way to do this..." she muttered, looking around. "Unless you've a better nose than a vixen..." She was mumbling to herself, clearly irritated. She didn't like being lost among a sea of scents.

Shade looked up at the guardswoman with large knowing eyes. He couldn't very well speak to her like this but he could see the look in her eye. He woofed as he nudged her shoulder with his nose, rubbing it gently along her arm in a means to try and warm her up a bit. Ahead Drayel grumbled as he glared at another batch of kids.

She's right though. Scents are hard to track in this city. Shade hummed as he glanced around thoughtfully. His eyes fell on the dwarf. Didn't ol' Dray say that they stole the dwarf's clothes? maybe I can follow his scent?

Shade dropped his eyes and glanced almost warily at the guard. He was nearly eye level with the dwarf he noted with no small amusement. He didn't look too threatening and he judging by the way he talked to Drayel he knew the guardsman pretty well. Drayel wouldn't take kindly if he thought the dwarf was getting threatened. He sighed irritably as his head began to pound from the stench and noise of the city.

Turning his eyes back to the woman he tilted his head and blinked at her.

So lady-shifter, what's your idea? He tried to ask with his body language, knowing full well she couldn't understand him. He gave her a little nudge to try and get her to understand better. Where should we go from here?

Fay watched him gesture and move, though she hadn't missed the look he gave Allen. "You're a smart lad, for a dog." She murmured. "Sir Dwarf!" She barked, causing the stout man to look at her, grinning as he sauntered o her. "Has my manliness finally taken its toll on you? Do you want me to soothe that aching fire in your belly-" "I haven't a clue as to what you're on about, but I'd appreciate it if you let the dog sniff you." The dwarf blinked.

"Your clothes were used, yes? Your scent would be easier to follow than shit." Allen puffed out his chest. "I do happen to smell good! Sniff away doggie-boy!" Fay took a discreet sniff herself and fought not to cough. Ale, fire, metal and musk. Uhg... She gestured to the dog. "Lead on, Shade."

Shade had smelt some pretty awful things in his time but this dwarf had to be the top five. He gagged as the stench of ale and metal burned his nose followed by the vile smell of musk. He grimaced, taking in long whiffs of the shorter male. Catching his scent he stuck his nose to the ground and sniffed long and hard, wandering back and forth as he snuffled for the track. Behind him Drayel watched dryly.

"You appear to have a terribly distinct smell Allen." he commented amused. "I doubt Shade's got a hard time finding your manly musk in this rat hole, hmm?"

Shade turned around and gave Drayel a sharp glare before setting back to his work. Drayel snorted in smug amusement. Catching the scent he needed he barked twice before taking off at a trot, his tail raised high like flag. Following him at a jog was Drayel, a dull smirk pulling at his lips.

Run dog run.

Fay followed the two, ignoring Allen's cursing, her own nose following the scent. She never noticed the group that began to tail them. They wove down streets and alleys, more and more thugs, thieves and briggands falling into step behind them. Once Shade stopped, triumphant at the shitty clothes, Fay then began to notice the number of heartbeats. "Well shit..." Was Allen as Fay slowly turned. She started counting but gave up quickly.

"Seems we have a gang." She growled before glaring at Drayel. "YOU said they were just children!"

"They sounded like children!" Drayel snapped defensively as he wheeled on the enemies with a snarl. Eying the group darkly he bared his teeth as he began reaching for his sword. Beside him Shade growled lowly, bristling as he stood tense at Fayane's side. "Who are you? Why are you tailing us?"