Rutus nodded and it looked like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. They rode on, the small lakeside town getting closer and closer. Finally, they made it to the spot indicated on the map.

Endermon said she'd watch the horses if the others wanted to explore and see if there was any info on the treasure they could uncover. They all thought it was a good idea, and went in their separate directions. It wasn't long before they were all back saying the should look for a dockside establishment.

But being in a lakeside town, anything on the water was dockside. She asked for specifics and they all said something to do with an alligator. So they split up and looked for this place. Well the others did, Endermon was looking for an inn, or someplace to stay.

Luckily she found a tavern that was two stories. She went inside and found someone in charge. She got two rooms again which was just fine. She didn't think they'd be there all that long anyway. As she was paying, she casually asked about the alligator place.

The person said it was near the edge of town, but rumor had it, it had been empty for quite some time. Making conversation, she found out all she could from the owner. Then she decided to go into the tavern and have a drink while she waited for the others. She didn't have to wait long, because one by one they came back and compared notes.

They all agreed to go the next day and spent the afternoon having drinks and easy conversation. They also got directions and wrote them down in case the magic map failed.

After a while they decided to go explore some more, and ventured out into the late afternoon sunlight. With instructions to be back at dusk, they departed. Endermon went up to see if there was stuff she could sell or trade for food and general necessities.

Rutus went to check out the smiths in the area, Shiloh went for recon, and as expected, Dresden disappeared to do whatever it was that he did. Probably to get more liquor, and a bit of entertainment of the bedroom variety.

Endermon got back first, followed by Rutus. As they were putting things away, Rutus asked how she knew. Endermon paused and asked how she knew what, exactly? Rutus was having trouble getting the words out, and Endermon remembered the woman Rutus was talking to.

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Endermon said that wasn't something she had to learn, it was something she had always known. Rutus asked what it was like, and Endermon said that whenever she admired someone it was female, and that she viewed the males as just not attractive.

Endermon went on to say it was fine if Rutus enjoyed the female figure. It would piss off Dresden as an added bonus. Shiloh came in and asked what was going on. Rutus turned bright red, and Endermon said Rutus was having a hard time realizing she liked girls as well as guys.

Shiloh said that as a vampire, sex or other acts of intimacy didn't depend on which gender one was, it was more of using their desire to get what she wanted. Endermon said that wasn't helping. Shiloh then told Rutus to follow her heart and if the person she was interested in was female, so what.

Rutus let those words sink in, and said she kind of got it, but it might take some getting used to. Endermon and Shiloh said they would be there if Rutus ever needed to talk. They made small talk until Dresden came noisily into the room, oblivious to the somewhat somber atmosphere.

He started going on about all the deals he made and the bargains he got for this, that, and whatever. When no one congratulated him, or even acknowledged him, he turned in a huff, and went down to the tavern to sulk.

Having nothing better to do, they all went down to the tavern. There, Dresden was sitting at a table, drinks in front of him. He scowled when they approached, but made no move to get up when they sat.

While they were talking, a woman came up and said she thought they were cute. No one could tell who she was talking about, and Shiloh put some money on the table saying the one who could get a kiss first, got the money. Dresden leapt up and caught the girl by the sleeve and turned on the charm. But eventually got turned down. Rutus, feeling confident, took her short stature to the lady's table and stood there for a bit. Since she was too far away to hear what was being said, they just had to watch.