Raspberry looked down at the map she held in her hands with puzzlement; it was crudely drawn and the writing was barely legible on the fragile parchment almost as if made by a whelp. Ailell peered over her shoulder to take a look too, frowning down at the page but trying to make light of what would otherwise be considered a very serious situation. "Wow, that looks kinda bad, does it not? Do you not have anything more.... official?" She looked up at the navy Belemoid quizzically, only to be met with excitable green eyes which glowed faintly in the dim light.
"I'm tellin' ye!" Lilith the strange fisher started, her voice showing her excitement "They're all around 'ere. Ain't no secret 'round these parts." She gestured widely as if there were anything around them besides the dark alley and the damp cobbled stone of the wharf.

Novato's brows where furrowed as he took a deep breath, frustration building in his chest however his golden mate, Sunhalter, put a hand gently on his shoulder and gave a gently look and smile before speaking up.
"Thank you kindly, Lilith. We appreciate the lead you have given us. What they meant was that it may be hard to follow such a map as we are used to tech these days."
"Of course, but ye would nay want digital maps on your little gizzmoes would ye? Ye'd likely have that info snuck off to that there Department ye all are worried 'bout." Lilith smiled, almost a crooked grin.
"Ah, yes. You have a point.." Ailell conceded, nodding as she took a step away from Raspberry and the map. "Could you maybe point us in the right direction? Just to give us a head start, you know."
Lilith smirked, mildly amused at the Tsabhua before her and their bafflement at her clearly artistically drawn map. "Of course, 'tis just down thatta way. You'll find someone who can help you find the, well.... shall we say newcomers?" She snickered, hissing a laugh between her teeth.
"..newcomers...?" Novato asked, an eyebrow raising.
"Well yeah, people 'round these parts know of their Arrival. But 'course that aint a story for me to be telling ye, now shoo! Afore I change me mind 'bout helpin'." Her tone changed slightly, as if it were obvious who she was talking about.
"Of course" Raspberry exclaimed, waving an arm around holding the map. "Let us be off then!"

-----

As the four Tsabhua walked away from the strange Belemoid, Ailell questioned in a hushed tone, hoping Lilith wouldn't be able to hear them.
"Did... anyone else notice something off about Lilith?"
"You mean how she is a little bit... eccentric?" Raspberry rolled her eyes as she replied, not having enjoyed the interaction at all.
"Yeah but also... like... I do not know?" Ailell hesitated "I feel like she is not telling us the whole truth. She said everyone knows of these 'newcomers' around here. So why are they hiding? What is there to investigate exactly?"
The questions earned a frown from Novato, his voice low and filled with concern "You are not wrong. There is something more to this story that The Department wont be divulging. That is why we must continue our investigation and find these... 'newcomers'... before they do."
His statement earned a general mumble of agreement from the others as they continued along the warf to the next clue.

------

As the group continued, Raspberry finally let out a small noise and stopped; causing her companions to also halt by her side.
"What is it?" Sunhalter asked, curiously trying to peer over Raspberry's shoulder.
"Look at that sign over there!" Raspberry exclaimed as she gestured with her head and eyes to a building to their right. "That sign for this establishment... it matches this symbol here." She angled the map slightly to show Sunhalter and the rest the map as she pointed to the symbol in question.
"You are right! Do we.. go in?" Ailell questioned.
"Unclear. There are no actual instructions on this map. May as well try it out, I suppose?" Raspberry answered.
Sunhalter took the lead and moved to knock on the door, however stopped as she got closer and could hear commotion inside. She leaned in for a moment before announcing "I believe this is a tavern? There seems to be music and laughter inside. Do we knock or just enter?"
Novato shrugged as the others looked at one another questioningly. "My vote is to just go in, if you are confident."
"You know I am not!" Sunhalter snapped at him.
"Alright then, move." Novato very gently pushed her aside earning him a scoff from his mate as he opened the door to a well lit room.
They were all welcomed with the sight of a very standard tavern - a large fireplace roaring in the middle of the room with chairs and tables surrounding it. A rather large bar along one side and plenty of patrons singing along to a bard performing along the opposite wall. A converted warehouse, probably.
"Welcome! I wondered when you would all make it! We 'ad bets on how long it'd take ye!" a familiar voice. Lilith took a few steps towards them, waving her claws high in the air to get the groups attention and gesture for them to join her.
"You have GOT to be kidding me..." Ailell stated flatly.