The lone figure trudged through the snow, a tall and imposing figure of muscle and flesh wrapped in a white robe which was failing to repel the elements. The figure stopped for a moment to adjust the pack it was carrying before looking up, its destination within sight. With a sigh of relief, the figure resumed its relentless march through the godforsaken snow, with thoughts of a hot meal galvanising its resolve.

Twenty minutes later, the figure approached the large wooden gates of its destination. Two guards stationed at the entrance halted its advances, demanding to see identification. The figure lifted its hood, revealing a palid face surrounded by thick, black hair. The figure spoke.

"I am Alo'i, mage travelling from Baranec. I had word sent ahead of my arrival."

The guards thought for a moment before one replied, "I do recall mention of your arrival ser, welcome to Witcull. Our town might not be as large as the capital, but would you like me to arrange for transportation to the cliff?"

"That won't be necessary, thank you" Alo'i replied, "I would like to grab some food first."

"Aye ser, I trust your stay will be enjoyable." With this last pleasantry, the guard motioned for the gate to be opened.

*********************************

As Alo'i walked through the streets of the semi-familiar town, he suddenly felt a presence close-by. Before he could react, a hand had grabbed his coin purse and ran into an alley. Alo'i quickly determined which direction his thief had ran and began thundering after them. The would-be thief was fast, but Alo'i was determined and made hot pursuit. From street, to alleyway, to courtyard and further mixtures of the three the impromptu race wove; all the while the mage keeping pace with the one who took his purse.

The thief quickly rounded a corner, cursing to himself at the tenaciousness of his pursuer. While distracted, he made another turn on error. It was a dead end. Too late, the thief noticed and halted in his tracks, cursing. He doubled around on his heel to backtrack, only to find his exit blocked by a figure that seemingly spanned the entirety of the narrow alley.

Alo'i cornered the would-be thief in an alley and took the opportunity to measure up his assailant. An orc, young judging by the length of his tusks. The orc seemed panicked, yet retained his composure, Alo'i was about to speak when suddenly, the orc lunged for him. The sudden attack was poorly aimed however, as the attacker's fist whiffed the air just to the right of Alo'i's head, leaving his ribs wide open. With a sickening crack, Alo'i struck back, raining an underarm left fist into the orc's ribs, which left the attacker reeling. As Alo'i sized up his next blow, the orc spoke.

"P-please" the orc wheezed through pained breaths, "please stop. I didn- *cough* didn't mean to aggravate you. This was in jest. Take your purse back!" The orc grabbed the coin purse from his waist and tossed it to the now perplexed figure which had left him short of breath.

"What form of jest is this?" Boomed Alo'i, making sure to put on his intimidating voice.

"Ah, resorting to that old trick between friends eh?" came the reply. Before Alo'i could respond, the figure moved a hand to the back of his neck and pulled down, causing his face to go limp as an opening emerged. Both hands then pulled at the newly created seam, removing his face from the one underneath. As Alo'i stared on in awe, a familiar dark face looked back in amusement.

"Hello my dear Alo'i, it's been a while."

"Celia?" came the reply.

The figure continued to pull the suit down, the toned pecs of the orc giving way to the girl's breasts, barely restrained behind a tight wrapping of bandages to try and keep them in.

"It sure is" she replied, "to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Alo'i stared in disbelief for a moment, before erupting in a torrent of booming laughter, Celia joining him. After a minute or so, Alo'i stopped to ask if Celia was alright after the blow he mistakenly landed in anger.

"I'm fine" came the reply from the newly revealed dark elf, who was now re-sealing the back of the orc's neck post-exit. "The blow sucked, but we'll both be fine, he'll just need to sleep it off for a few minutes before he awakes. Now, what can I do for my old friend?"

"Well, you are an expert on skinsuits, so I was wondering if you could help me with something." Alo'i then removed his pack and opened it, before fishing something out from inside and laying it upon the stones of the alley. Celia looked at what he had produced and gasped, before turning wide eyes up to her friend.

"The lord's daughter? She went missing, what are you doing with her?!" she hissed, "do you know how much tr-"

"Be quiet and listen for once" Alo'i growled, "I can explain. She's cursed with lycanthropy, this was the only way to safely transport her here. I have an idea, but need your help in curing her."

Celia slowly nodded before replying, "okay, come with me back to my grandmother's workshop in the cliffs."

With the lord's daughter's form safely tucked back in the pack, the two old friends quietly made their way to the workshop.