Vetting the suspicious person is the right call and it is mostly up to you, as Kara is distracted by hangers-on. But, you understand that asking on your way back from the guild is probably not the right time. You choose to bide your time until you are settled back at the inn. The others are fitted with accommodations which essentially amounts to a shared room, though you make it clear that they can pay for whatever extras they like if they aren't comfortable sleeping in the same room together. Notably, the elf seems to be the only one that minds, and pays extra for their own accommodations, despite not seeming particularly wealthy. After everything is sorted you all sit around a table in the main hall of the inn to discuss plans and expectations.

“When are we leaving? Do we have transport set up?” Heilan asks as she waves over a server to order. She divides her attention and whispers what she wants as you try to explain.

You are a bit annoyed by the distracted wolf girl, but speak to address the group more than just her. “Once we're all bought up on supplies and equipment we'll charter a ship to cross the straight and be on our way.”

“That being said, we kind of know what everyone is capable of but not everyone's experience level. I think it is important so that we don't ask someone to do something beyond their capability.” It's a principle you know about that extends from adventuring into warfare, even. The most experienced members are obviously going to be the ones to pick up most of the slack. In combat those are the ones who are going to be at the front and back to offer the most direct contribution. Throwing your least experienced members into the grinder is certainly a doctrine that can work in war, but by your estimation that is a heartless way of leading a small party. You look to the human, Vura.

“Seems like you might have some experience.” The woman blushes, tugging at her collar.

“Oh, this?” Chuckling nervously she adds.

“I've got some experience, but this isn't a battle scar. Regardless, it's probably a good move to put me in front, as much as I'd like to be in the rear to watch all your cute asses.” She winks at Kara, who just stares back blankly in response. You look to the elf. She acknowledges your gaze and tilts her head down as she begins speaking.

“I have experience and I should probably be in the back.” You and Vura both perk up. Being in the back is not exactly a cowardly position as a layman might assume. Even as a rookie yourself you understand that being at the direct rear is just as difficult as being at the front. Enemies are not stupid and you should always assume they they will be trying to gain an advantage as you try to do the same. Even simple animals like wolves carry out basic flanking maneuvers while hunting. So, being in the back is actually a responsibility that requires some confidence to take. As you look at the timid elf, you do see confidence in that regard, layered over anxiety at some other cause. You decide you really do need to get to the bottom of this, but do not want to confront her in front of everyone.

“What about you?” You look at Heilan, who's ears perk as you speak in her direction.

“I'm trained but I'm a first timer.” She explains. The first timer is not necessarily a bad person to have in your group, but you know that they are going to need some help. Generally, they do not understand the weight of their actions and there is a chance they freeze up. By her silence after the announcement of her inexperience, you get the impression that she is uncertain about where she should be.

“Stay in the middle. Let Luire pick targets and trust her call.” You ask, smiling at the elf girl. She seems a bit shocked by your order. Based on everything she showed, she likely did not expect to be chosen as a shot caller, but you can tell that it is the right choice based on how confident she is in this particular area.

“What about you two?” Vura asks astutely. You note that she is experienced enough to ask important questions confidently, but did not question your handing of the shot-caller role to Luire. The impression you get is that she is genuinely quite concerned with the well-being of everyone present. With that in mind, the capabilities of you and Kara are going to be quite important and you have definitely done a lot of the executive action without saying much about yourself. It is somewhat embarrassing, because you are going to have to admit your experience after all that.

“I am also a first timer.” You smile nervously. Luire and Vura are surprised by that. Luire does not voice what she is thinking but Vura does.

“A first timer party leader?” She pauses, looking at you searchingly.

“Coulda fooled me, honestly... Let me guess, you read a lot of books?” You smile and nod at that, understanding that most of your decisions should have been mostly correct to betray the fact that you have never lead a party in your life. You have indeed read a lot of books. That assessment in itself shows just how competent Vura must be to understand your decision-making process enough to not immediately criticize it after knowing you're inexperienced.

“So...” She smiles impishly at you.

“What can you do? Also, do you know what you should do?”

The question is a test of both knowledge and ego. You know that much. Sighing, you state. “I have some fundamentals of swordplay and I know scouting magic.” That in itself is enough to relax the human warrior somewhat, but not completely.

“As for what I do?” You smile at Liure.

“I stick to the center and listen for the shot-caller's directions.” You lean back in your seat comfortably.

Vura laughs, letting out the tension that had been building. “Amazing. Yeah, that's the right answer. Glad you're not a cocky shit.” You know what she is talking about without her needing to explain herself. By all accounts you have only showed yourself to be a bit of a know-it-all up until now. If you had an ego, it would go to your head. The type of person that Vura would not want to work with would believe that knowledge is as good as experience and present themselves as a more integral part of the group than they actually are. You are realistic, however; you know that as talented as you are, as a first timer you follow the shot-caller's directions during a fight. To the letter.

“What about you, honey?” She looks to Kara.

“I'm the client.” Kara says bluntly.

“That's that, I guess.” Vura shrugs.

After you are all done eating you separate. Discreetly you follow Luire to her separate room and stop her before she retreats inside, to her dismay. She looks up at you questioningly, as the girl is a bit shorter than even you with your slight frame.

“I just needed to ask you some things.” You claim. She is all nerves as she nods and retreats into the room without closing the door, which signals to you that you are allowed to enter and ask away.

“Is something on your mind.”

“No.” She is definitely lying.

“You're deceptively experienced.” You begin with a smile, adding.

“But not experienced at deception.” Her eyes widen at that remark. She audibly gulps. Her small frame shakes slightly.

“What's wrong?” The extent of this person's anxiety is enough to give you pause. After asking, you are less concerned that they are hiding something and more worried that they may have some serious issues.

“Before you say 'nothing...' I know something is wrong.” You tap the side of your forehead knowingly.

She nods. “I'm not...” Luire trails off.

“Yes..?”

“A girl.”

“Huh?” You look at her searchingly. She, or... He, is not lying.

“Why did you-”

For the first time, in frustration, the elf asserts himself. “To be clear!” As if noticing his rudeness he clears his throat and lowers his tone to a more polite one, in line with the way he has been speaking. The truthfulness of him being male shocks you, especially considering the softness of his voice.

“To be clear. I never lied or said I was any one way. You just assumed.”

“To be fair.” You argue gently, since you are not trying to catch him out.

“You were at the women's guild. Which you are apparently a member of?”

“Not officially, but I suffer the same problems that they suffer in male-centered parties.” He blushes, shaking again. His small fists ball up on top of his legs.

“because of my appearance I still get harassed, even though I'm male and...” He bites his lip.

“You don't have to explain... In detail.” You are lost in thought. On one hand, a lie by omission is still a lie. On the other hand, you can absolutely see how this elf 'male' would suffer as a female.

“So the reason you've been without a party, despite your experience is because you want to be in an all female group.”

“But they... I guess somewhat rightfully assume that I am trying something.” He admits.

“I was fed up with being denied so I just... Did not mention it this time. But I am really not up to something!” He utters emotionally. You know with perfect certainty that he is being truthful. You've never seen intent with such clarity.

You let out a soft sigh. “You don't mind that I'm a male?”

“The team is mostly female. It's not ideal, but I figured that you are mostly outnumbered if you want to try anything.” He comments. You smile. It would be accurate, but none of them know just how outnumbered they are by Kara. You presume, since all she cares about is cultivating you, she would absolutely subdue them and give you your pick. Not that you would want that.

“Okay. I don't think you're a problem.” You say without reservation.

“Really?” Luire is touched by the trust you put in him.

“Yeah. Just...”

“Yes? What is it?” The elf asks, leaning in curiously.

You feel embarrassed just asking the question, but it does need to be asked, since this is the main purpose of choosing an all female group.

“What are your... What are you...” You gulp, pinching the bridge of your nose.

“You're asking if I have any interest in women?” Luire picks up on what you were trying to say pretty easily. Without much thought he states.

“I really don't. Look.” He quickly and abruptly stands, thrusting his pants down with one hand while pulling his shirt up with the other.

“N-no! No need for th-” You stop, not quick enough to shield your eyes anyway. You are greeted with a rather sad sight for a male.

“Uhm... Wow.” You stare at the elf's small package, but that in itself is not any indication that he could not be with Kara, or any of the other girls. You dwarf this male, even with your modest size, but the thing that sticks out most is his seeming lack of anything in his small pouch beneath his member. Luire lifts his pants up over his slightly feminine hips and lowers his shirt back down over his flat, pale belly.

“You're a... What's the word?”

“Eunuch. They were taken from me when I was younger. It stunted my growth and made me like this.” Elves are already not particularly masculine as a race. Beautiful as both males or females. Elf and Human nobility since ancient times learned very quickly that elf males denied of what little masculinity they would have been granted otherwise can present as quite convincing females. The benefit is of course that these concubines to kings would never have any risk of producing heirs and that these 'maids' to their wives could never put moves on them. You remember reading about a mysterious palace owned by a nation in the east where only the eunuchs, along with the king's many wives are allowed inside.

“I would understand if you do not want me in your party anymore, despite this.” Luire looks down somewhat shamefully.