((This posting was done shortly after I....stepped down....as Forum Supervisor of the FFGF on AOL))
Looking over the main room from the top of the staircase, his eyes traveled casually over the few patrons in the Inn at this early hour. He wondered how many were still here after sleeping off last nights indulgences. He took a deep breath, he could smell the ale, the food, the fire, the patrons, the Inn. He could feel the Inn. It had become part of him....and to some extent he had become part of it. But it was time to go.
Stepping back into his room he took a quick glance around. He'd already moved all of his personal items from the office up to his room, and was almost surprised at how little there was. He'd been using that office for nearly two years. Course, he never was one to collect things. What he did leave here would be secure until he came back, no matter when that was.
He grabbed a few items, tossing them in his side pouch. A waterskin, some bread, cheese and a few dried fruits and meats from the kitchen downstairs. Gold. He fished around in a trunk. He'd had little need for gold since coming to work in the Red Dragon. Then there were the items he'd found stashed in the tunnels and caves in the foothills where his cave was. No, that was one thing he didn't worry much about, but now....well he'd better have some just in case. Finally he found a small pouch full of coins and put that with the rest of his things.
Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he stepped towards the window and flipped the latch. The windows swung open noiselessly and a fresh breeze drifted in. He would have time to savor it later though, lots of time. In one fluid motion he sprung out the second-story window head first. By the time he'd hit the ground he was in full panther form.
He landed with a dull thud as his large paws made contact with the soft ground. Then he stopped, his eyes closed. The changes were becoming painful. They had been for awhile, which is why he rarely bothered to switch from his hy-bred form these day.
After a few labored breaths, the pain subsided. Then, without looking back the large cat bounded away from the Inn, disappearing into the surrounding forest.
Looking over the main room from the top of the staircase, his eyes traveled casually over the few patrons in the Inn at this early hour. He wondered how many were still here after sleeping off last nights indulgences. He took a deep breath, he could smell the ale, the food, the fire, the patrons, the Inn. He could feel the Inn. It had become part of him....and to some extent he had become part of it. But it was time to go.
Stepping back into his room he took a quick glance around. He'd already moved all of his personal items from the office up to his room, and was almost surprised at how little there was. He'd been using that office for nearly two years. Course, he never was one to collect things. What he did leave here would be secure until he came back, no matter when that was.
He grabbed a few items, tossing them in his side pouch. A waterskin, some bread, cheese and a few dried fruits and meats from the kitchen downstairs. Gold. He fished around in a trunk. He'd had little need for gold since coming to work in the Red Dragon. Then there were the items he'd found stashed in the tunnels and caves in the foothills where his cave was. No, that was one thing he didn't worry much about, but now....well he'd better have some just in case. Finally he found a small pouch full of coins and put that with the rest of his things.
Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he stepped towards the window and flipped the latch. The windows swung open noiselessly and a fresh breeze drifted in. He would have time to savor it later though, lots of time. In one fluid motion he sprung out the second-story window head first. By the time he'd hit the ground he was in full panther form.
He landed with a dull thud as his large paws made contact with the soft ground. Then he stopped, his eyes closed. The changes were becoming painful. They had been for awhile, which is why he rarely bothered to switch from his hy-bred form these day.
After a few labored breaths, the pain subsided. Then, without looking back the large cat bounded away from the Inn, disappearing into the surrounding forest.