Annabel.

You walked together with John and Yvette to the Drunken Rex in silence for the most part. The occasional flirt or joke breaking the silence. You could tell as you glanced around and waved at acquaintances that people were confused by your choice of company. Judging by some of the reactions you've seen from people they know exactly what is going on. It doesn't bug you much though. Whatever rumors people wanted to start about it didn't matter. You'd be leaving this town soon anyways.

You considered what you were about to do again and why. Selling your shop to see the world with someone you fell in love with over the course of one day. Your step staggers slightly as you run through it in your head again. You recover quickly, but you can see concern in John's face and he holds his hand out for you to grab. You gladly take his hand and interlock your fingers to walk hand in hand down the street. You smile to yourself. He seemed to know something was troubling you and offered some physical comfort. You feel so confused about this, yet you know what you want and can't find any real reason not to make this decision. You sigh out loud and squeeze John's hand, and he squeezes your hand back. Whatever happens now is at least going to be an adventure. It all sounded so romantic. Falling in love with a handsome adventurer and running off with him. It was like something out of a romance novel, and oh Gods the sex. You were so compatible with him and Yvette. You could feel yourself getting a little wet just thinking about it and briefly think about going up to their room in the inn for another quickie.

You tell yourself no and focus on seeing Boris about selling your shop and inventory. That fat bastard. You know he's going to try and make a pass at you. He always does. He's going to offer more money to have his way with you. Your body involuntarily shivers at how disgusting of a thought it is. It isn't even his body that disgusts you. You've had some fun with larger men in the past. It's his personality that disgusts you. His attitude towards people and his sense of entitlement to women. Still, he's the only one who has offered to buy your shop. So you steel yourself and prepare to sweet talk the asshole into buying.

You finally arrive at the inn and John heads in to pick up one of his packs. You wait outside with Yvette and you can tell she wants to head into the room and surprise him with a quickie too.

"Thinking about following him up for some sexy times" you ask Yvette. Yvette laughs.

"That obvious" she replies.

"No, it's just what I want to do too" you reply with a smile and grab Yvette's hand in solidarity with her. Yvette squeezed your hand and brought it up to her lips and gave the back of your hand a little kiss. You could feel butterflies in your stomach when she did it. You'd been with plenty of women over the years, but Yvette seemed like someone you could fall for too. Now that you knew you could fall for someone. It was like a new room in your heart opened up recently and it felt right. You brought her hand to your lips and returned the gesture. John was quickly back with the pack on his back.

"Let's go get Copper" he motioned towards the stable. When you got there Copper issued several barks and you watched him unlatch the door to his stall to run up and cuddle his head against John. The raptor was definitely intimidating you thought to yourself and a little fear crept up your spine. This thing could tear you apart in seconds if it wanted to, but yet it still acted like a big puppy dog or an affectionate cat for John. Copper's attention eventually landed on you and you froze still as he swiveled his head towards you. He brought his face right up to yours and you found yourself holding your breath as it sniffed you a few times. Finally it put its head against your your chest and nuzzled into you as if to suggest it liked you. You tentatively raised your hand to stroke its head a little and you could feel it issuing almost a purr as you stroked it with more confidence. You looked to John and Yvette who were watching the interaction with a smile on their faces. You smiled back and relaxed. Copper had accepted you you realized.

"Copper" John called to get his attention. "Come with me for a moment" he said walking a short distance away from you. Copper walked over to John and lowered his head down as John talked to him. You could see he was explaining the plan, and to your bemusement, Copper turned his head to regard you as John continued talking. Copper then focused back on John. You watched the interaction with a smirk on your face. Finally John finished and Copper emitted a single bark. He then turned and trotted up to stand next to you as John walked back to join the group.

"He's your bodyguard now" John stated. "If anything goes wrong Copper will protect you with his life". You looked up at the big raptor in amazement, and felt a sense of security wash over you. You almost want Boris to try something.

You all go over the plan again and you and Copper split off to go talk with Boris.