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[ { "text": "Mamjir gazed upon the gathering crowd of the port. It appeared he hadn't been as early as he intended. He had been in this city for about 2 days, exploring it with great wonder when he had word of the MILOV's short arrival. He eagerly awaited its coming, hopefully, he would be able to join the crew and help them using his immense strength. The built-up sandstone was slowly chipping away from the Shedohr's exterior to reveal the dull steel underneath.\n\nHis time in the desert city of Karbarah physically and mentally affected him, and even though the physical effect may be wearing off, the mental one was not. He had bathed in the beauty and wonder of the city. The brutal adrenaline of the fighting pits where he had sadly remained unbested, fighting great beasts brought into the area to face him and attempt to demolish him. He had enjoyed the city immensely but had decided to move on after a good while. He traveled westward, to the city he was now standing in.\n\nHe had found himself at the back of the throng, not wanting yet to barge through and interrupt the locals he waited, looking around. He glanced down at the small woman he had found himself next to. He tried to make his towering stature slightly smaller so as not to intimidate her before he engaged in conversation. Due to his lack of a face, he struggled to convey the good-naturedness of his intentions, so instead, he made do with a small friendly wave. Spreading out his massive oversized palm (nearly the size of the poor woman's face) and rocking it back and forth by her.\n\n\"Hello my friend, I am Mamjir, Warden of Iron. Pleasure to meet you.\" He sang out, his voice was melodic and ethereal. So deep you could almost hear the undertones of humming machinery in your bones. \"I'm here on business with the MILOV, are you?\"", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": "Mamjir" }, { "text": "All the while, a blonde haired man was taking a nap in the small corner of the dock, his head pillowed by his own bag of food, clothes, utensils and other essentials, desperately trying to recover from his sleepiness the previous night due to being kicked out of the park. Thanks a lot loitering laws! But to be fair, he was being a little petty with his money. Upon realizing the MILOV was arriving in Kallokain, Bactrie did not want to miss it, and so he quit his job and departed at the eve of the week and crossed the land, taking in all the traffic and potential hiccups along the way. But everything went a little bit too smoothly. The carriage driver that took him there seemed to have a sudden injection of hustling motivation or something, taking him right to his intended destination way sooner than expected. And thus he was sort of stuck in the city waiting for the airship for a night, which to him was a bit too short to worth an inn room, and so the bench it was. Somehow he didn't get found this time.\n\nBactrie gave out a long yawn before looking around for any time indications. It looked like it was probably about time. Hopefully he was sober enough for his new employment, not only to create good impressions, but also that he was hired probably because he was to help pilot the ship. There's no way a sleepy pilot is a good one. \n\nThe atmosphere of the docking bay was much busier than in the inner city, surprisingly enough. But it made sense. This was a window to the world, and the world is more interconnected than it used to be centuries ago, so people were just doing things that were natural. But naturally it dynamically partitioned the dock into pretty recognizable groups. Upon swinging around eavesdropping near each group made it clear why they were there, one in particular were two individuals sitting in a wagon nearby. One older gentleman and a goblin girl. He tried to not pay attention to their bantering, but upon hearing that she was getting up there, the blonde man turned around in curiosity. \n\n\"Hi there you two.\" Bactrie waved at them with a friendly smile. \"Are you here for MILOV, may I ask?\"", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Bactrie Atchison" }, { "text": "Arzhang's journey to Kallokian had been a long and grueling one. He had traveled for days on end, battling against the elements, and struggling to keep himself and his caravan alive. The bandits on the road were just the icing on the cake. It was a miracle that he had managed to outsmart them and keep his belongings. He had been fortunate enough to have some tricks up his sleeve, and he was able to convince the bandits that he had nothing of value to offer them.\n\nAs he arrived in the city, Arzhang was immediately struck by the crowds and the noise. It was all too common and unremarkable. He couldn't help but feel a bit nauseous as he navigated the bustling trade center with its six docking bays. It was a far cry from the exotic, mystical places he had imagined in his dreams. Kallokian was just like any other trade center, with nothing particularly remarkable about it.\n\nArzhang had heard about the Milov airship and thought it might offer some excitement, something he desperately craved in this dreary city. He had grown tired of the mundane, monotonous routine of life on the road, and he longed for something new and exciting. Perhaps the airship was just what he needed to inject some excitement into his life. As he walked towards the docking bays, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. He was eager to see what awaited him on the airship and what adventures he would embark on.\n\nThe young demon arrived at the docks and noticed a large crowd gathering near the docking bay. He wondered what could be causing such a commotion, but he didn't feel the need to join the crowd and find out. Instead, he leaned against a nearby wall and began to think about his decision to come to Kallokian.\n\nHe had hoped that joining the Milov airship crew would bring him excitement and adventure, but so far, he had only faced hardship and disappointment. Arzhang knew that the work on the airship would be difficult and demanding, but he was willing to do whatever it took to make a name for himself in this world. As he stood there lost in thought, the noise and bustle of the docks began to fade away. Arzhang was determined to make the most of his opportunity on the Milov airship, but he couldn't help but wonder if he had made the right choice.", "username": "KaliW", "char_name": "Arzhang Deko" }, { "text": "Gregor and Savva turn towards the young man calling them, then Gregor nodded.\n\n\"I've got a clock for shipment,\" the clockmaker replied, \"Do you know when the Milov will arrive?\"\n\n\"What's that on your head?\" The goblin lass asked, pointing. \"Why does your hat have glass like that?", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Savva" }, { "text": "As the grand metal giant's voice boomed, a few of the townsfolk nearest to them subtly took a few steps back. Mechanical constructs were known by some to exist but they were by no means a daily sight. As for Katja, she was stunned, gazing upon the large figure above her. The voice was so foreign to her, but it was soothing in a sense. She thought it had sounded like how her books had described a whale's song. Katja stood up and brushed her robe off before giving a courteous bow. \"That is correct!\" the woman hastily answered. \"In fact, I have come to join the MILOV's crew. I am Katja, Katja Veniro. It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Mamjir Warden of Iron.\" She responded in a friendly manner, trying to hide her feelings of awe and slight unease toward the broken-down machine towering above her. \"Would it be reason enough to assume you are here on similar business, Mamjir?\" Katja continued as she gazed upon Mamjir. \n\nShe had never been the brightest when it had come to the more advanced mechanical scriptures in the old library, but she did take an interest in tinkering here and there. That was however nothing compared to what amazing feats of metal were happening inside the being in front of her. Just as she was about to ask Mamjir about himself, the crowds bustling cut her train of thought. The MILOV was landing. The ship eclipsed the light behind it, casting a shadow on the dock. Its hull hissed with steam as if it was exhaling after a long journey. The bay was like one you'd find anywhere at sea, but instead of water, there was a long fall into an abyss. The ship rested upon large metal beams which hung over the edge, letting the ship rest. \n\nA long gangway was cast down from the ship, one wide enough for the large cargo that was often delivered. A figure stepped down the archway, momentarily obscured by the light behind the ship. He was a stern-faced elf with a gaze that seemed like it could pierce armor. Watch leader Miriat stepped off the gangway and proceeded to look upon the crowd, almost instantly recognizing who was there for delivery and those who were just there hoping for an easy trade. It was a skill that could only have been learned through years of this kind of work. \"People of Kallokian! On the behalf of the MILOV, I hereby request all of you who do not have delivery or some other sort of business with the ship or its crew, disburse. We will NOT be trading wares today.\" Miriat proclaimed to the crowd, many of which left in a grumbled disappointment. Those who remained received their deliveries as it was carried off with some help from the MILOV's very own orc chef. Left behind was a small hill worth of cargo ready to be shipped off to a new location. Miriat took another glance at the people who remained on the bay before noticing the clockmaker Gregor and his smaller associate, as well as the young Bactrice. \"You there, I presume you have wares that need delivery?\" @Expendable @Conscripts\n\nKatja, who had stood by Mamjir as it all went down, turned to the larger figure and asked \"Shall we? \" and gestured toward the Watch leader.", "username": "Periodity", "char_name": "The crew" } ]

[ { "text": "Hurried steps clacked on the cobblestoned road as Katja Veniro rushed through the upper parts of the city. She let out a sigh before catching her breath and realized she was utterly lost. Losing one selfs direction was common when just arriving at a new place, but Katja could swear she had a knack for it anyways. The streets were filled with people going about their day, one of which she approached hurriedly. She had spotted an older man with kind eyes who seemed to know the ins and outs of the city's layout.\n\n\"Excuse me, Sir, I seem to have taken a wrong turn and am lost. Might you tell me where I can find Docking bay 3?\" She asked and bowed slightly. She did not know the customs of this foreign city so she thought it best to act as courteously as possible.\nThe older man simply stared for a moment before bursting out in a wheezing chuckle, \n\"Yer not from around 'ere ey wee lass? I agree that our city be mighty grand, but ye do realize you could walk in any direction an' end up in one of the ports. From there, ye simply follow the edge of the city until ye find it. And no need to be so proper lass!\" The man scratched his ear and grinned\nKatja smiled, slightly flustered as the simple solution was to have just done what the man had suggested from the start, but she figured that she had shed too much time.\n\"I'm afraid I do not have much time to wander and as such, could you be so kind as to point me in the direction of the docking bay?\" she asked again swiftly. The older man simply pointed behind him, \n\"Tis' right down the hill over 'ere. Just continue runnin' forward and you'll find it.\"\nKatja bowed slightly again and headed off, the hilt rustling against her backpack filled with the essentials.\n\nAs she ran down the cobbled hill, she could see a single ray of sunlight shining through a newly formed hole in the cloud cover above. It was then she noticed the large airship, the MILOV. She stood still for a moment, feeling her heartbeat as both excitement and a hint of fear filled her. It would seem that many more than her had noticed the arrival of the aerial vessel as streams of townsfolk rushed past her in an attempt to reach docking bay 3. Katja quickly followed the stream down, ending up at the back of the crowd which hindered any further attempt to reach the docking bay. She stood on her toes trying to see ahead as the bustling crowds cheered at the new arrivals. Deciding she had no other choice, she squeezed through the small gaps between people, uttering quiet apologies such as \"Excuse me\" and \"Forgive me but I must pass\". Finally coming out at the end of the gathering, she fell onto her knees before looking up in awe at the MILOV which practically shone in the radiant light.", "username": "Periodity", "char_name": "The crew" }, { "text": "Mamjir gazed upon the gathering crowd of the port. It appeared he hadn't been as early as he intended. He had been in this city for about 2 days, exploring it with great wonder when he had word of the MILOV's short arrival. He eagerly awaited its coming, hopefully, he would be able to join the crew and help them using his immense strength. The built-up sandstone was slowly chipping away from the Shedohr's exterior to reveal the dull steel underneath.\n\nHis time in the desert city of Karbarah physically and mentally affected him, and even though the physical effect may be wearing off, the mental one was not. He had bathed in the beauty and wonder of the city. The brutal adrenaline of the fighting pits where he had sadly remained unbested, fighting great beasts brought into the area to face him and attempt to demolish him. He had enjoyed the city immensely but had decided to move on after a good while. He traveled westward, to the city he was now standing in.\n\nHe had found himself at the back of the throng, not wanting yet to barge through and interrupt the locals he waited, looking around. He glanced down at the small woman he had found himself next to. He tried to make his towering stature slightly smaller so as not to intimidate her before he engaged in conversation. Due to his lack of a face, he struggled to convey the good-naturedness of his intentions, so instead, he made do with a small friendly wave. Spreading out his massive oversized palm (nearly the size of the poor woman's face) and rocking it back and forth by her.\n\n\"Hello my friend, I am Mamjir, Warden of Iron. Pleasure to meet you.\" He sang out, his voice was melodic and ethereal. So deep you could almost hear the undertones of humming machinery in your bones. \"I'm here on business with the MILOV, are you?\"", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": "Mamjir" }, { "text": "All the while, a blonde haired man was taking a nap in the small corner of the dock, his head pillowed by his own bag of food, clothes, utensils and other essentials, desperately trying to recover from his sleepiness the previous night due to being kicked out of the park. Thanks a lot loitering laws! But to be fair, he was being a little petty with his money. Upon realizing the MILOV was arriving in Kallokain, Bactrie did not want to miss it, and so he quit his job and departed at the eve of the week and crossed the land, taking in all the traffic and potential hiccups along the way. But everything went a little bit too smoothly. The carriage driver that took him there seemed to have a sudden injection of hustling motivation or something, taking him right to his intended destination way sooner than expected. And thus he was sort of stuck in the city waiting for the airship for a night, which to him was a bit too short to worth an inn room, and so the bench it was. Somehow he didn't get found this time.\n\nBactrie gave out a long yawn before looking around for any time indications. It looked like it was probably about time. Hopefully he was sober enough for his new employment, not only to create good impressions, but also that he was hired probably because he was to help pilot the ship. There's no way a sleepy pilot is a good one. \n\nThe atmosphere of the docking bay was much busier than in the inner city, surprisingly enough. But it made sense. This was a window to the world, and the world is more interconnected than it used to be centuries ago, so people were just doing things that were natural. But naturally it dynamically partitioned the dock into pretty recognizable groups. Upon swinging around eavesdropping near each group made it clear why they were there, one in particular were two individuals sitting in a wagon nearby. One older gentleman and a goblin girl. He tried to not pay attention to their bantering, but upon hearing that she was getting up there, the blonde man turned around in curiosity. \n\n\"Hi there you two.\" Bactrie waved at them with a friendly smile. \"Are you here for MILOV, may I ask?\"", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Bactrie Atchison" } ]

[ { "text": ", @ArmorPlated, @MasterLink, @DClassified, @Emuxe, and @Vertigo\n\n\nThe pitter patter of rain against his helmet and the faint crow of Cucco coming from the village was all that the lone guardsmen standing watch had for company on this dark moonless night. Quiet nights like this almost made Wern believe the world wasn't all messed up like it was, shaking his head the guardsman perished the thought. Wishful thinking wasn't his job, gone were the days where he could just slack off and daydream.\n\nWern sighed, returning his gaze towards the path leading outward to the fields beyond the village, not that there was much to see with the dark of the night and no moon to cast any glow so best the man could do was hold his torch out of the wind and rain. Must have been an age since he remembered that the poor folk of Castle Town came here, least his son had a few kids to play with.\n\nShaken from his thoughts, the guardsman stumbled for his torch when the cry of an owl broke the tranquility of the night causing quite a kerfuffle as he caught it. Wern swore under his breath, tired of jumping at every noise. After his shift was over he'd thank the Goddess for a good night's rest, these long nights were taking their toll.\n\nThese were restless nights, though few were outside in the dreary weather some would find rest beneath the shade of buildings but none ever sat beneath the tree closest to the village gate, though one Cucco pecks the ground around it without making so much a peep from its beak.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Walking into Kakariko village after a long day of hunting to gather food for his personal supply in his home, he passes Wern on his way in while holding a net full of recently acquired assortment of meats and vegetables. \"Long night?\" Ruli asks. @dark cloud \"It's certainly been that way for me.\" he continues while he noticed his flinch at the sound of an owl while walking into the village.\n\n\"I think you could use a bite to eat.\" he suggests, handing him a small serving of some recently fried Fish that he gathered and cooked, but didn't eat as he wasn't hungry anymore but kept it as a left over, not really needing it. Leaning against a nearby post he looks around, with his hand scratching his beard as if trying to get rid of an itch of a thousand years in one go. \"I hope the food serves you well and that the night remains calm for us.\" he says, as he continues to head back to his home to sleep for the night as he carries his bag of food. Ruli plans to donate some of it to those in need and to the local shop as he collected far more than he intended today, but for the time being puts it in his freezer box that he built in his home to keep it good till the morning as the ice in the box is still cold and solid.", "username": "MasterLink", "char_name": "Ruli" }, { "text": "Ｎａｄｉｊａｈ　\n__________________________________________________\n\nIf Nadijah had learnt anything during her travels so far, it was that she hated rain.\n\nHer mother would have beaten her half to death if she'd heard her say that, Nadijah knew. Back home, water was a precious resource, and the few times rain blessed their valley, it was to be welcomed with open arms and a plethora of buckets.\n\nBut Nadijah wasn't home, her mother wasn't here, and she hated rain. \n\nEvery now and again she'd heard a rumble and thought it thunder. Thunderstorms were an even rarer sight in the valley, but supposedly common enough elsewhere - and truth be told, she would've loved to see a lightning or two. The night was dark, cold, and, worst of all, boring. A cucco electrocuted by lightning would have at least been funny. Probably delicious, too.\n\nAlas, she'd found out by now that the rumbling wasn't thunder; it was her stomach. Come to think of it, it must have been a full day since she'd last eaten. She hadn't run into game on her way up the mountain, only monsters - and they weren't exactly appetizing, all bone and saggy skin. \n\nNadijah shifted, uncomfortable. The rain was but a drizzle, but it'd had plenty of time to make its way through the fabric of her cloak and reach skin. Worse; she'd chosen a high vantage point - as one should on enemy soil - and the rain had made the roof slippery and difficult to balance on. Wind tugged at her clothes, threatening to whisk her off the side of the building the second she shifted her center of balance. Not that she intended to. She'd climbed things higher than mere roofs ever since she could walk, and was a warrior of her people besides. No wind or rain could distract her from her mission to--\n\nWait... was that... food?\n\nNadijah peered into the darkness that stretched out below her. Considering she was on the lookout for other living souls specifically, she'd seen staggeringly few in the night so far. There were two now, barely illuminated by a torch. And they talked about food.\n\nCurious, hungry, Nadijah's gaze followed a bearded man carrying food past the roof she hid on. And once he disappeared from sight, she hurried to follow - with no mind paid to the slippery footing. Needless to say, with a shriek and a crash, she slid off the roof and landed into barrels, startling a nearby cucco into a mad clucking fit.\n\n\"Oww, goddess damnit!\"", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Nadijah of the Razordancers; second daughter of Farajah, the One-Eyed Watcher of the Sands. Or Nadi for short." } ]

[ { "text": "Meki sat on the river that lay just southwest of Kokoriko village, her webbed feet swinging in the water. The cool rain feel onto her skin, calming her. Meki loved the rain, it reminded her of home. She had noticed the water was colder than usual in her homeland but surely that would mean nothing, maybe everything felt colder when all were so downtrodden and disheartened. Somehow she was lucky enough to get sleep in the river without being attacked but she seemed to wake at the slightest of sounds, scared that they were the ones called for her end. Meki had been in Kokoriko village for 10 days now, she couldn't help but wonder what had been becoming of her home. She had made little progress in her time in Kokoriko village so far, part of her wanted to just venture out to the castle and face Ganon alone but she knew that would bring nothing but death.\n\nAfter sometime the zora slips into the water, sinking to the bottom and allowing her blue skin to almost be lost in the brilliant blue hue of the water from those above. She placed her spear next to her within reach should danger approach. Looking up at the bright moon and counting the stars, she had decided tomorrow would be a more productive day. She did know the village better now and perhaps she would finally cross paths with someone willing to share in her adventure.", "username": "SouffleGirl123", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Grass wet neath his boots, the executioners march across the plains at first was uneventful, the skeletal soldiers clacking and following apace behind Grindan til something halted one of the Stalphos, nearby the earth stirred.\n\nSets of small skeletal hands ripped through the earth, as the dead beneath clawed their way to the surface. These ones were somewhat larger than the armored Stalphos under his command, about six of them clattered to their height and turned towards the executioner and his host of skeletal soldiers.\n\nIt looked like he wouldn't just be having a stroll towards the ranch, annoying but at least it wasn't boring.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "and @SouffleGirl123\n\n\nThe wind rustled the leaves on the trees as it blew through the small winding passage of the river that pittered with the light droplets of rain falling from above as the clouds drifted invisibly through the dark abyss of the moonless night. But, something in the current was off. A slight current that had the tickle of a chill in the waters moving through the winding path of the river. It was difficult to place yet something felt odd about the waters feeling colder than usual...\n\nMeanwhile a soft strum echoed against the cliffsides of the Zora River, peaceful as the night seemed a restlessness in the village had kept many it seems up late that night. In the shade of the cliffs face sat a lone figure wrapped in the garb of his people the Sheikah atop a rock settled between the riverbank. Impa had gathered both him and Orin that night with orders, the captain was to gather his men and scout the mountain while he was to make his way to the Domain of the Zora to discover exactly why they had shut off contact to their neighbors.\n\nHe usually came to the river to keep an eye on the villagers when they came to fetch water, often seen playing his instrument while children played and the adults worked or cleaned their clothes and such. Tonight his fingers met the strings of his harp idly as he contemplated Impa's orders. There was no knowing what the people of the river were doing sealing off outside contact but it was his mission to find out.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Cloud\n\nThere was a moment when Grindan considered just stepping forward and swinging the axe down on the first of the undead fools that were crawling out of the ground... but as it became clear what their numbers actually were he changed his mind. Despite the size difference, wild Stalphos... weren't as dangerous as common knowledge would paint them as. A child with an old, dull piece of metal could down such creatures without much in the way of issue. Wild Stalphos relied more on numbers, surprise and terrifying their prey into not fighting back properly or attempting to flee rather then fight.\n\nAs such, Grindan calmly slammed the bottom of the shaft of his axe into the dirt and leaned his axe towards one of his nearby solders, simply saying \"Hold this.\" Once the axe was securely held by the armored Stalphos, Grindan strode forward with murderous intent. \n\nWild Stalphos weren't exactly...intelligent. They were more animal then anything. Smart enough to understand that having one of their prey closing the distance with them wasn't how this situation was meant to be going, but stupid enough not to have the survival instincts to withdraw and try again later with something that wasn't a threat to them.\n\nThe first one to get within melee range of Grindan took a swing at him with their fearsome claw... only for the swipe to be intercepted and stopped dead as Grindan's hand lashed out and grabbed the creatures lower forearm (he would say wrist, but it was a little lower then that due to... well, the lack of wrist), squeezing it tightly enough to cause the bone to groan before yanking the limb downwards. The Stalphos was not expecting this turn of events and tended up being pulled forwards and off balance... right into Grindan's waiting hand. As thumb and little finger entered its eye sockets and the other three fingers grasped on tightly, the arm was let go so that Grindan could combine slamming his forearm into the upper torso of the bony enemy while pulling downwards on its head. \n\nWhen the Stalphos went backwards, it did so with the cracking of bone, a lack of skull and a cut off scream of pain. \n\nTurning towards the nearest of the five remaining Stalphos, Grindan didn't hesitate as he pulled his arm back and hurled the skull in his hand towards its face. Fast moving bone impacted still bone with a heavy thud and an ugly crack as the second Stalphos reached up to cover its now injured skull on some instinctive response to pain, leaving it open for Grindan to swoop in and grapple it. One hand on a shoulder/torso, the other grasping pelvis, bone wasn't that heavy by itself as Grindan lifted the creature off its feet turned it into a projectile as in one motion the flipped over the executioner and thrown into a third Stalphos that was trying to get a swipe at his back. The force behind the throw and the nature of naked Stalphos resulted in both creatures being scattered into a makeshift bone pile made out of their parts. Some of them cracked and broken.\n\n3 down, 3 left. \n\nWell, 2 left. It seemed that rather then get tangled up with the rest of the pack around Grindan due to their size, two of the pack had instead opted to try their luck against the armored Stalphos instead. Despite their size advantage, the armored Stalphos increased intelligence when it came to combat, the usage of their shields and weaponry and greater numbers had already caused one of the wild Stalphos to die without doing anything more then scratching some of the shields and being on its own was only speeding up the demise of the second.\n\nThe last unoccupied Wild Stalphos lunged at Grindan, both arms pulled back to try and deliver an overwhelming heavy blow to the executioner. Grindan counter charged him in return, ducking his head down as he dodged the two claw strikes by shoulder checking the Stalphos, carrying it several feet before coming to a stop and causing the bony creature to be flung forward onto its back. Before it had a chance to recovery and get back up, Grindan had already moved forward to bring a heavy, metal coated foot down on its skull in a bone crunching stomp.\n\nBreathing deeply as the last of the slaughter wrapped itself up, Grindan calmly walked over to the Stalphos that was still holding his axe; It hadn't joined in on the fighting, likely because holding the axe upright required most of its attention. Despite the fact that it likely wouldn't care or needed, Grindan did offer a gruff \"Thank you.\" as he took the axe back. After which all that was needed as a bark of \"Onwards!\" got the group moving again.", "username": "Bright_Ops", "char_name": "Grindan" }, { "text": "The rogue undead were ironically nothing but bone dust and fragments upon the grass once Grindan had been done with them, the scuffle hadn't taken more than what seemed like a couple minutes maybe less. \n\nAnd once finished the armored stalphos resumed their march at their commanders behest, the one who had held the axe might have nodded to Grindan's thanks but it may have simple been a twitch of its head as it shuffled forward.\n\nLon Lon could be seen in the distance, not top far but not too close by foot. It would take several minutes to get to the ranch. That could not come soon enough.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Ｎａｄｉｊａｈ　\n__________________________________________________\n\n\"Ugh...\"\n\nNadijah supposed she was in luck the damn roof was so low; if she'd tumbled down from one of the towers back home, she'd hurt far more than her ass and her pride. As things were, the latter seemed to be the most bruised of all. At least no one was around to witn--\n\nThe sound of footsteps alerted her to someone's presence, and immediately the warrior shifted in her horribly uncomfortable lying position to reach for a blade. Shit. Someone'd heard her. Of course someone'd heard her, she must've woken up half the damn neighbourhood - and the cucco she startled the other half.\n\nNadijah could see someone at the edge of her falling - and now effectively hiding - place, though she wasn't sure how much they could see of her. The darkness was her oldest ally.\n\nAs the stranger spoke, she realized he was a voe. Ugh. Figures.\n\n\"If you know what's best for you, you won't,\" Nadijah hissed in answer, trying to shift so that she could get herself out of the damn barrel. Her legs were up in the air, parallel with her head, and all moving did was shake the entire container. Her back was stuck. \"Do I look like I need help, voe?!\" Another round of wiggling, leading to more barrel shaking. If the stranger were to look into the barrel properly however, they would see the tall, redheaded woman was quite literally armed to the teeth, holding onto a scimitar even as she tried to make her escape from the confines of the barrel.\n\n\"Don't you-- dare answer that.\"", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Nadijah of the Razordancers; second daughter of Farajah, the One-Eyed Watcher of the Sands. Or Nadi for short." }, { "text": "In the silence of the night and odd sound echoed against the cavernous walls, like rats skittering along the loose rocks. However something was off about the racket, that only became apparent when one of the men on watch cried out.\n\n\"M-monsters! What in Hylia-\" his shouting cut short as a creature lunged at him from the darkness, the lad wasn't dead thankfully but he was injured. The creature was an odd looking insectoid with one great red eye and a similarly colored chitinous shell, known only as Tektite to those local to the area. Mostly harmless on their own but this was not the case.\n\nThey came in crawling along the ground, only four in number along with the one that injured a watchman. A larger one seemed to be with them with an unfamiliar colored shell like that of burned wood, it was definitely a Tektite but it was nothing like anyone had seen round the area. It's cry was a shrill chattering as if it wasmcalling to it's smaller brethren to attack and they readied themselves to leap at the enemy.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Cloud\n\nThe ranch wasn't far from where battle had been waged. \n\nIt would be somewhat unfortunate if Grindan and his troops arrived at Lon Lon Ranch to find it ransacked and the ranchers slaughtered; Talon was a worthless, fat waste of a man and in death he might be more useful in that his remains could be used to fertilize the soil somewhere, but Ingo was a hard worker... if an opportunistic sycophant. While he had never really had a reason to meet Talon's daughter directly, from what he had heard about her she was the true reason that Lon Lon Ranch was as successful as it was. Clearly, she had taken after her mother... or been forced to step up because of father was worthless. Their untimely deaths would actually be a loss... not to mention that if the Ranch was destroyed by rampaging monsters, they couldn't use it as a ranch anymore. \n\nAt least not right away. It would require finding suitable people... or at least people who can be motivated to learn in a hurry. Not to mention rebuilding times and... honestly it was just better if monsters didn't attack the Ranch in the first place. \n\nSpeaking of, as they arrived at the gateway of the Ranch, Grindan signaled his forces to stop before turning to look at them. Selecting two of them at random, he simply commanded \"You two with me. The rest of you, hold this position. I don't want anyone coming or going until our business is done.\" As he turned to trod the Ranch proper, Grindan paused for a moment before feeling an urge to turn and add \"Only use violence if they're hostile or try to force themselves past you. Otherwise just bar them.\"", "username": "Bright_Ops", "char_name": "Grindan" } ]

[ { "text": ", @ArmorPlated, @MasterLink, @DClassified, @Emuxe, and @Vertigo\n\n\nThe pitter patter of rain against his helmet and the faint crow of Cucco coming from the village was all that the lone guardsmen standing watch had for company on this dark moonless night. Quiet nights like this almost made Wern believe the world wasn't all messed up like it was, shaking his head the guardsman perished the thought. Wishful thinking wasn't his job, gone were the days where he could just slack off and daydream.\n\nWern sighed, returning his gaze towards the path leading outward to the fields beyond the village, not that there was much to see with the dark of the night and no moon to cast any glow so best the man could do was hold his torch out of the wind and rain. Must have been an age since he remembered that the poor folk of Castle Town came here, least his son had a few kids to play with.\n\nShaken from his thoughts, the guardsman stumbled for his torch when the cry of an owl broke the tranquility of the night causing quite a kerfuffle as he caught it. Wern swore under his breath, tired of jumping at every noise. After his shift was over he'd thank the Goddess for a good night's rest, these long nights were taking their toll.\n\nThese were restless nights, though few were outside in the dreary weather some would find rest beneath the shade of buildings but none ever sat beneath the tree closest to the village gate, though one Cucco pecks the ground around it without making so much a peep from its beak.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Walking into Kakariko village after a long day of hunting to gather food for his personal supply in his home, he passes Wern on his way in while holding a net full of recently acquired assortment of meats and vegetables. \"Long night?\" Ruli asks. @dark cloud \"It's certainly been that way for me.\" he continues while he noticed his flinch at the sound of an owl while walking into the village.\n\n\"I think you could use a bite to eat.\" he suggests, handing him a small serving of some recently fried Fish that he gathered and cooked, but didn't eat as he wasn't hungry anymore but kept it as a left over, not really needing it. Leaning against a nearby post he looks around, with his hand scratching his beard as if trying to get rid of an itch of a thousand years in one go. \"I hope the food serves you well and that the night remains calm for us.\" he says, as he continues to head back to his home to sleep for the night as he carries his bag of food. Ruli plans to donate some of it to those in need and to the local shop as he collected far more than he intended today, but for the time being puts it in his freezer box that he built in his home to keep it good till the morning as the ice in the box is still cold and solid.", "username": "MasterLink", "char_name": "Ruli" } ]

[ { "text": "Ｎａｄｉｊａｈ　\n__________________________________________________\n\nIf Nadijah had learnt anything during her travels so far, it was that she hated rain.\n\nHer mother would have beaten her half to death if she'd heard her say that, Nadijah knew. Back home, water was a precious resource, and the few times rain blessed their valley, it was to be welcomed with open arms and a plethora of buckets.\n\nBut Nadijah wasn't home, her mother wasn't here, and she hated rain. \n\nEvery now and again she'd heard a rumble and thought it thunder. Thunderstorms were an even rarer sight in the valley, but supposedly common enough elsewhere - and truth be told, she would've loved to see a lightning or two. The night was dark, cold, and, worst of all, boring. A cucco electrocuted by lightning would have at least been funny. Probably delicious, too.\n\nAlas, she'd found out by now that the rumbling wasn't thunder; it was her stomach. Come to think of it, it must have been a full day since she'd last eaten. She hadn't run into game on her way up the mountain, only monsters - and they weren't exactly appetizing, all bone and saggy skin. \n\nNadijah shifted, uncomfortable. The rain was but a drizzle, but it'd had plenty of time to make its way through the fabric of her cloak and reach skin. Worse; she'd chosen a high vantage point - as one should on enemy soil - and the rain had made the roof slippery and difficult to balance on. Wind tugged at her clothes, threatening to whisk her off the side of the building the second she shifted her center of balance. Not that she intended to. She'd climbed things higher than mere roofs ever since she could walk, and was a warrior of her people besides. No wind or rain could distract her from her mission to--\n\nWait... was that... food?\n\nNadijah peered into the darkness that stretched out below her. Considering she was on the lookout for other living souls specifically, she'd seen staggeringly few in the night so far. There were two now, barely illuminated by a torch. And they talked about food.\n\nCurious, hungry, Nadijah's gaze followed a bearded man carrying food past the roof she hid on. And once he disappeared from sight, she hurried to follow - with no mind paid to the slippery footing. Needless to say, with a shriek and a crash, she slid off the roof and landed into barrels, startling a nearby cucco into a mad clucking fit.\n\n\"Oww, goddess damnit!\"", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Nadijah of the Razordancers; second daughter of Farajah, the One-Eyed Watcher of the Sands. Or Nadi for short." }, { "text": "Hearing the loud crash outside, Ruli decides between grabbing his bow or dagger, but because it sounded so close he grabs his dagger instead, in case he needs it. Opening the door slowly, not to make a noise, he peaks his head outside and looks around, head wandering slowly but his eyes moving fast as he scopes things out.\n\nProceeding to walk out the door while his hand gently rests on the handle of his dagger, he looks around his home, and notices a Cucco going nuts over a barrel and slowly begins to investigate as it did sounds as if this was the area he heard the noise. Walking up to the barrel he spots someone inside looking like they just had just lost the war with gravity. Not feeling quite an intense urge of needing to fear this person but more mystified in how they got in this situation, \"Do I dare ask what, how, and why you ended up in this mess?\" he asks, with a slight chuckle that he tries to hide, still rather amused, he does offer assistance. \"Would you like some help?\" he asks as Ruli doesn't feel this person to be a threat at the current moment, or at least, until they manage to get out of the barrel, then he'll reassess.", "username": "MasterLink", "char_name": "Ruli" }, { "text": "Through the darkness and the drizzle of rain falling from the pitch black sky, it was almost impossible to make out the faint glow coming from far beyond the towering cliffsides and sheer slopes leading up the mountain trail. Not even the torch bearers could make heads or tails of what lie ahead though thankfully the way was well traveled as it was the only safe passage to the highest reach of Death Mountain. \n\nNot a peep had been heard for months from the odd folk that made their homes in the farthest depths of the once dormant volcano, the Goron were not known to keep this quiet for so long and not the least of them were ever commonly a solitary bunch. Suspicions had grown, with silence on all sides. \n\nNo word from King Zora or the boisterous Darunia, the latter of which was often outspoken. As restless as the people of Kakariko, the men and woman who still bore the crest of Hyrule's royalty and yet lived had gathered that night lead by a man who had lead them thus far and marched in the dead of night up the muddy hillside trail and towards the crags.\n\nDuty called, and under Orin's command they would slough up the cliffs and treacherous slopes to see what caused the mountainfolk to fall silent for so long, that was their orders and Goddess be damned if they weren't gonna do what the scary lady the captain got orders from gave them all to do.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Hearing the loud crash outside, Ruli decides between grabbing his bow or dagger, but because it sounded so close he grabs his dagger instead, in case he needs it. Opening the door slowly, not to make a noise, he peaks his head outside and looks around, head wandering slowly but his eyes moving fast as he scopes things out.\n\nProceeding to walk out the door while his hand gently rests on the handle of his dagger, he looks around his home, and notices a Cucco going nuts over a barrel and slowly begins to investigate as it did sounds as if this was the area he heard the noise. Walking up to the barrel he spots someone inside looking like they just had just lost the war with gravity. Not feeling quite an intense urge of needing to fear this person but more mystified in how they got in this situation, \"Do I dare ask what, how, and why you ended up in this mess?\" he asks, with a slight chuckle that he tries to hide, still rather amused, he does offer assistance. \"Would you like some help?\" he asks as Ruli doesn't feel this person to be a threat at the current moment, or at least, until they manage to get out of the barrel, then he'll reassess.", "username": "MasterLink", "char_name": "Ruli" }, { "text": "Through the darkness and the drizzle of rain falling from the pitch black sky, it was almost impossible to make out the faint glow coming from far beyond the towering cliffsides and sheer slopes leading up the mountain trail. Not even the torch bearers could make heads or tails of what lie ahead though thankfully the way was well traveled as it was the only safe passage to the highest reach of Death Mountain. \n\nNot a peep had been heard for months from the odd folk that made their homes in the farthest depths of the once dormant volcano, the Goron were not known to keep this quiet for so long and not the least of them were ever commonly a solitary bunch. Suspicions had grown, with silence on all sides. \n\nNo word from King Zora or the boisterous Darunia, the latter of which was often outspoken. As restless as the people of Kakariko, the men and woman who still bore the crest of Hyrule's royalty and yet lived had gathered that night lead by a man who had lead them thus far and marched in the dead of night up the muddy hillside trail and towards the crags.\n\nDuty called, and under Orin's command they would slough up the cliffs and treacherous slopes to see what caused the mountainfolk to fall silent for so long, that was their orders and Goddess be damned if they weren't gonna do what the scary lady the captain got orders from gave them all to do.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Dekkori\n\n Despite the cold, Dekkori enjoyed the sound of the rain pattering against the roof of her little home. It was soothing in a way that was hard to put to words for the Deku Scrub. Lit only by the light cast from her wood stove, she ladled water into the kettle before returning the lid and placing it onto the heated surface for later. Shuffling over to her shelf, she sorted through her numerous ingredients, searching through the many oddly shaped clay pots that held the myriad herbs she had harvested from the woodlands around Kakariko.\n\n \"Ah, here it is.\" she draws a comparatively newer looking pot from a lower shelf. turning it over in her hand, little pictograms of flowers painted under the glaze rotated into the light of the stove. Setting the pot aside on the lone table in her home, she retrieved a short, squat earthenware pot and a teacup from her pantry. Her task done for the moment, she lifted the quilt from her bed and wrapped herself for warmth. With nothing to do but wait, she turned her attention to the rain outside. Despite the loudness of the rain, the chaotic pattering of the droplets against the roof and window, it made the rest of the world seem to fall quiet.\n\n After Dekkori had begun to doze off, her teapot began whistling it's readiness, rousing her from her almost-slumber. quickly abandoning the warmth of the quilt, she lifted the kettle from the stove. With a pinch of tea leaves from one pot, and a drop of honey from the other, Dekkori returned to her seat and wrapped herself once again in her quilt. Warmed by her home and calmed by the rain, the Deku Scrub's mind was finally clear of any thought, a rare glimpse at the serene beauty of the world.", "username": "ArmorPlated", "char_name": "Dekkori" } ]

[ { "text": "The rogue undead were ironically nothing but bone dust and fragments upon the grass once Grindan had been done with them, the scuffle hadn't taken more than what seemed like a couple minutes maybe less. \n\nAnd once finished the armored stalphos resumed their march at their commanders behest, the one who had held the axe might have nodded to Grindan's thanks but it may have simple been a twitch of its head as it shuffled forward.\n\nLon Lon could be seen in the distance, not top far but not too close by foot. It would take several minutes to get to the ranch. That could not come soon enough.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Ｎａｄｉｊａｈ　\n__________________________________________________\n\n\"Ugh...\"\n\nNadijah supposed she was in luck the damn roof was so low; if she'd tumbled down from one of the towers back home, she'd hurt far more than her ass and her pride. As things were, the latter seemed to be the most bruised of all. At least no one was around to witn--\n\nThe sound of footsteps alerted her to someone's presence, and immediately the warrior shifted in her horribly uncomfortable lying position to reach for a blade. Shit. Someone'd heard her. Of course someone'd heard her, she must've woken up half the damn neighbourhood - and the cucco she startled the other half.\n\nNadijah could see someone at the edge of her falling - and now effectively hiding - place, though she wasn't sure how much they could see of her. The darkness was her oldest ally.\n\nAs the stranger spoke, she realized he was a voe. Ugh. Figures.\n\n\"If you know what's best for you, you won't,\" Nadijah hissed in answer, trying to shift so that she could get herself out of the damn barrel. Her legs were up in the air, parallel with her head, and all moving did was shake the entire container. Her back was stuck. \"Do I look like I need help, voe?!\" Another round of wiggling, leading to more barrel shaking. If the stranger were to look into the barrel properly however, they would see the tall, redheaded woman was quite literally armed to the teeth, holding onto a scimitar even as she tried to make her escape from the confines of the barrel.\n\n\"Don't you-- dare answer that.\"", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Nadijah of the Razordancers; second daughter of Farajah, the One-Eyed Watcher of the Sands. Or Nadi for short." }, { "text": "In the silence of the night and odd sound echoed against the cavernous walls, like rats skittering along the loose rocks. However something was off about the racket, that only became apparent when one of the men on watch cried out.\n\n\"M-monsters! What in Hylia-\" his shouting cut short as a creature lunged at him from the darkness, the lad wasn't dead thankfully but he was injured. The creature was an odd looking insectoid with one great red eye and a similarly colored chitinous shell, known only as Tektite to those local to the area. Mostly harmless on their own but this was not the case.\n\nThey came in crawling along the ground, only four in number along with the one that injured a watchman. A larger one seemed to be with them with an unfamiliar colored shell like that of burned wood, it was definitely a Tektite but it was nothing like anyone had seen round the area. It's cry was a shrill chattering as if it wasmcalling to it's smaller brethren to attack and they readied themselves to leap at the enemy.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Cloud\n\nThe ranch wasn't far from where battle had been waged. \n\nIt would be somewhat unfortunate if Grindan and his troops arrived at Lon Lon Ranch to find it ransacked and the ranchers slaughtered; Talon was a worthless, fat waste of a man and in death he might be more useful in that his remains could be used to fertilize the soil somewhere, but Ingo was a hard worker... if an opportunistic sycophant. While he had never really had a reason to meet Talon's daughter directly, from what he had heard about her she was the true reason that Lon Lon Ranch was as successful as it was. Clearly, she had taken after her mother... or been forced to step up because of father was worthless. Their untimely deaths would actually be a loss... not to mention that if the Ranch was destroyed by rampaging monsters, they couldn't use it as a ranch anymore. \n\nAt least not right away. It would require finding suitable people... or at least people who can be motivated to learn in a hurry. Not to mention rebuilding times and... honestly it was just better if monsters didn't attack the Ranch in the first place. \n\nSpeaking of, as they arrived at the gateway of the Ranch, Grindan signaled his forces to stop before turning to look at them. Selecting two of them at random, he simply commanded \"You two with me. The rest of you, hold this position. I don't want anyone coming or going until our business is done.\" As he turned to trod the Ranch proper, Grindan paused for a moment before feeling an urge to turn and add \"Only use violence if they're hostile or try to force themselves past you. Otherwise just bar them.\"", "username": "Bright_Ops", "char_name": "Grindan" }, { "text": "Having a chuckle when asked to not answer that, he couldn't hold back much longer, \"Well, hate to say it, kinda does look like you do.\" Ruli says holding back laughter. While walking closer but slowly, he leans downward not to be seen, knowing that they are likely armed, and so is he, he carefully looks around the barrel to see if anyone is on the other side and if it's free. \"Look, not gonna lie, I think you need help but I'll need your trust for this, and I'll make it simple. I'm going to push the barrel over and face it away from me. There's no one there and you can hope..\" he stops trying not to laugh more....\"fully get your way out of this situation on your own, but at least gravity won't be working against you this time.\"\n\nInching closer but on his knees to be far low against the barrel so the two do not need to meet or come close to each other for reaching distance, he grabs the bottom of the barrel and gently leans it forward against the slight hill it was against, for it to not be jarring to the person inside, and slowly rolls it around to face it away from him, leaving only the bottom of the barrel facing him. He stays low to the ground but backs up. \"Just letting you know I'm backing away from the barrel. I still don't know who you are and while this is funny and all, I'm still being cautious.\" he says but also warns, while putting his dagger back in its sheath, but only his palm rests on the handle, to at least show he isn't intending to be a threat, he just doesn't know quite what happened or what it was they were even attempting to do. But still nervously chuckling despite the situation. @Vertigo", "username": "MasterLink", "char_name": "Ruli" } ]

[ { "text": "Cloud@Product\n\nFlanked on both sides by the pair of armored Stalphos, Grindan came to a stop in front of the farmhouse in silence as their presence was announced by the braying of panicking horses; It made sense really. Animals tended to be skittish around Stalphos unless actually trained to stand them. Something about the undead spooked them.\n\nThey served to alert at least one of the residents that they had company. Watching as Inigo poked his head out of the window and realized who was waiting outside. Despite the helmet that hid his face from the rest of the world, Grindan would privately admit to himself that he found watching the spineless worm squirm. Inigo might have been a hard worker who was willing to submit himself to Ganondorf's authority, but at the core he was still a weak man who was unworthy of actual respect. Still, stoic professionalism needed to be maintained. \n\nAs Inigo came out and asked his panicked question, Grindan may have leaned forward a little in order to remind the string bean of a man who the taller of them actually was. \"My presence here is because of your petition to his majesty. Having heard your pleas, he has been moved and deemed that change needed to be brought to Lon Lon Ranch. He has sent me to bring about this change.\" \n\nGiving this declaration a moment to sink in, Grindan let out a deep breath that came out of his helm in a manner that made it sound like a territorial beast that wasn't happy that someone had trespassed on their domain. \"I suggest, Inigo, that you go and gather the rest of the farm stead. I have been given leave to take as long as needed to resolve this issue to the King's satisfaction. Don't let me detain you.\" \n\nGrindan fully expected Inigo to enter a blind panic before moving as fast as he dared to try and find everyone else on the Ranch with this dismissal. In part because of who Grindan was, but also because if the King wished for a situation resolved to his satisfaction, 'In a timely matter' was one of the best ways to make that happen.", "username": "Bright_Ops", "char_name": "Grindan" }, { "text": "& @Product\n\n\nAnd go into a blind panic he did, fearing greatly for his life \"Y-yes Master Grindan!\" his voice warbled, before he collected some semblance of himself as he dashed towards the stables just a short jog away from the house \"GET UP, GET UP THIS ONCE MALON!\" the Burnette little girl rubbed the sleep from her eyes groggily mumbling, before bolting upright as the stable doors clashed open \"What is it Uncle Ingo-\" her questions fell flat as her uncle stopped her \"Now is not th-Malon, why is this woman here?\" he'd turned this stranger away earlier, they had no room to offer accommodations for wastrels or wanderers especially not at a time like this!\n\n\"Never mind, get up this once child. You must leave at once, same as you woman.\" Ingo huffed, Malon was too kindhearted and naive to be around here though she didn't ask for anything in return she helped out best she can. However she would know where Talon was, maybe..Yes maybe she could tell Ganondorf's lackey where his no-good lazy brother was! \"On second thought, come with me my neice.\" Malon has gotten up by now, still in the cotton gown she slept in. A present her long departed mother wove her when she was young. \n\nIngo, before leaving the barn turned to glare at the woman in the stables \"Leave at once, or I will inform my guest of a trespasser on the property! Now leave!\" in a huff he returned leading Malon by the hand, not roughly but urgently. She shrunk at the sight of the giant that stood flanked by what looked like monsters made of bone. She shook in fear of the man, she wanted him and his weird minions to go away.\n\n\"Uncle Ingo, w-who is this man? He scares m-me.\" While Ingo wasn't a cruel man, nor did he not care for his neice but in the moment he cared only about himself, he was craven but still he felt a twinge of sympathy for her as he too felt a same fear except it was overwhelming to a man like him. A fear that would make him sail his own family up the Zora River \"Hush now you, he is here to see the farm...Now where is Talon?\" why would this scary man come to look at the farm in the middle of the night? If he wanted to he could have come in the morning, without the scary bone men or his big scary weapons \"He w-went to go deliver Milk to th-the village Uncle..He hasn't come back yet?\" her father? Where was her father?\n\n* * *\nJust over the hill, the light of dawn was muted grey by the clouds. The sky was still dark with the black night sky yet a sliver of light came from the horizon. From over that hill a portly man sauntered, whistling a jovial tune having delivered all the milk to the bar in Kakariko he was on his way home unaware of the situation unfolding in his Ranch. Little did he know that tonight things were going to change. \n\n\"Huh?\" he squinted as he made his way over the hill leading to Lon Lon Ranch noticing the shapes of what looked like people standing outside the gate to his Ranch. It was not even daybreak? Who could be visiting at a time like no-then he saw the eerie glow in the eyes of the monsters outside his home. And gulped hard, finding himself surrounded by them.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Cloud@Product\n\nGrindan waited patiently as Ingo bolted like the spineless worm that he was. In part this patience was born of the fact that he was assured that Ingo would come back as soon as he possibly could; Anything else might invoke the Executioner's ire after all. The knowledge that the only way into or out of the Ranch was currently being blockaded also meant that he didn't need to keep an eye out to make sure that Ingo didn't just try and bolt. That would be... ill advised. \n\nAs Ingo quickly returned with... and for a moment Grindan paused in absolute shock. Grindan was a corrupted, jaded soul; He knew this as instinctively as the simple act of breathing. He had born witness to and committed cruel, violent acts both out of necessity and a deep seated need to hold power over others. He had never believed in things like divinity because if it existed, then it had long since abandoned their creations to achieve their own ends. But for just a moment, as he saw the untarnished innocence of Malon, he was fundamentally shocked by the possibility that there might still be a few lingering specks of true divinity left behind in the world and he just witnessed one in the flesh. \n\nIt was a good thing that he had his helmet on. This revelation was... confusing to him. It made him uncomfortable for reasons he couldn't really voice... or at least didn't know the words to do so. However, as they entered proper hearing range, the words of Malon... actually caused him to chuckle. Grindan's chuckle had always been a grim thing and the echo of his helmet only made it more sinister, but there seemed to be earnest amusement mixed into it. \"All who encounter me fear me, little one. For good reason. I am Royal Executioner Grindan and I have been sent by his Majesty to answer a plea from Ingo here to change the course of Lon Lon Ranch.\" \n\nTurning towards one of the two Stalphos with him, he gave a clear instruction \"I want you to join your kin at the gate. A fat hyrulian man with a fat nose might arrive at the entrance of the Ranch, claiming to be the owner. I want him escorted to me.\" A small pause, before adding \"Unharmed if possible, but in the unlikely event he offers meaningful resistance, violent or otherwise, I will settle for alive.\" The command given, Grindan trusted that it would be carried out as he turned back to Ingo and Malon. \n\n\"His Majesty has heard the plea for intervention in how Lon Lon Ranch is run, due to the chronic laziness of its current owner Talon. I have been sent to make this change in management on his behalf.\" Letting that statement sink in, Grindan looked between the two before smirking to himself under his helm as he watched for the understanding to reach Ingo's eyes that he might be becoming the new owner of the Ranch to overcome his innate fear. \"However, I find myself with a difficult decision. After all, I have two worthy candidates before me.\"\n\n\"I know from history and your reputations that both of you are hard workers who have been making this Ranch successful, despite Talon's worthless dead weight. I believe I could entrust the Ranch to either of you and not only would it prosper, but be something the New King of Hyrule will be able to build the kingdom around. Yet, I can only select one of you to be the owner.\" Despite the fact that one of the candidates was a full grown man and the other was a young girl who might not have entered maidenhood proper yet, Grindan's tone suggested that he was considering both as equally valid choices... largely because he did.", "username": "Bright_Ops", "char_name": "Grindan" } ]

[ { "text": "Grass wet neath his boots, the executioners march across the plains at first was uneventful, the skeletal soldiers clacking and following apace behind Grindan til something halted one of the Stalphos, nearby the earth stirred.\n\nSets of small skeletal hands ripped through the earth, as the dead beneath clawed their way to the surface. These ones were somewhat larger than the armored Stalphos under his command, about six of them clattered to their height and turned towards the executioner and his host of skeletal soldiers.\n\nIt looked like he wouldn't just be having a stroll towards the ranch, annoying but at least it wasn't boring.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "and @SouffleGirl123\n\n\nThe wind rustled the leaves on the trees as it blew through the small winding passage of the river that pittered with the light droplets of rain falling from above as the clouds drifted invisibly through the dark abyss of the moonless night. But, something in the current was off. A slight current that had the tickle of a chill in the waters moving through the winding path of the river. It was difficult to place yet something felt odd about the waters feeling colder than usual...\n\nMeanwhile a soft strum echoed against the cliffsides of the Zora River, peaceful as the night seemed a restlessness in the village had kept many it seems up late that night. In the shade of the cliffs face sat a lone figure wrapped in the garb of his people the Sheikah atop a rock settled between the riverbank. Impa had gathered both him and Orin that night with orders, the captain was to gather his men and scout the mountain while he was to make his way to the Domain of the Zora to discover exactly why they had shut off contact to their neighbors.\n\nHe usually came to the river to keep an eye on the villagers when they came to fetch water, often seen playing his instrument while children played and the adults worked or cleaned their clothes and such. Tonight his fingers met the strings of his harp idly as he contemplated Impa's orders. There was no knowing what the people of the river were doing sealing off outside contact but it was his mission to find out.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "The rogue undead were ironically nothing but bone dust and fragments upon the grass once Grindan had been done with them, the scuffle hadn't taken more than what seemed like a couple minutes maybe less. \n\nAnd once finished the armored stalphos resumed their march at their commanders behest, the one who had held the axe might have nodded to Grindan's thanks but it may have simple been a twitch of its head as it shuffled forward.\n\nLon Lon could be seen in the distance, not top far but not too close by foot. It would take several minutes to get to the ranch. That could not come soon enough.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Ｎａｄｉｊａｈ　\n__________________________________________________\n\n\"Ugh...\"\n\nNadijah supposed she was in luck the damn roof was so low; if she'd tumbled down from one of the towers back home, she'd hurt far more than her ass and her pride. As things were, the latter seemed to be the most bruised of all. At least no one was around to witn--\n\nThe sound of footsteps alerted her to someone's presence, and immediately the warrior shifted in her horribly uncomfortable lying position to reach for a blade. Shit. Someone'd heard her. Of course someone'd heard her, she must've woken up half the damn neighbourhood - and the cucco she startled the other half.\n\nNadijah could see someone at the edge of her falling - and now effectively hiding - place, though she wasn't sure how much they could see of her. The darkness was her oldest ally.\n\nAs the stranger spoke, she realized he was a voe. Ugh. Figures.\n\n\"If you know what's best for you, you won't,\" Nadijah hissed in answer, trying to shift so that she could get herself out of the damn barrel. Her legs were up in the air, parallel with her head, and all moving did was shake the entire container. Her back was stuck. \"Do I look like I need help, voe?!\" Another round of wiggling, leading to more barrel shaking. If the stranger were to look into the barrel properly however, they would see the tall, redheaded woman was quite literally armed to the teeth, holding onto a scimitar even as she tried to make her escape from the confines of the barrel.\n\n\"Don't you-- dare answer that.\"", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Nadijah of the Razordancers; second daughter of Farajah, the One-Eyed Watcher of the Sands. Or Nadi for short." }, { "text": "In the silence of the night and odd sound echoed against the cavernous walls, like rats skittering along the loose rocks. However something was off about the racket, that only became apparent when one of the men on watch cried out.\n\n\"M-monsters! What in Hylia-\" his shouting cut short as a creature lunged at him from the darkness, the lad wasn't dead thankfully but he was injured. The creature was an odd looking insectoid with one great red eye and a similarly colored chitinous shell, known only as Tektite to those local to the area. Mostly harmless on their own but this was not the case.\n\nThey came in crawling along the ground, only four in number along with the one that injured a watchman. A larger one seemed to be with them with an unfamiliar colored shell like that of burned wood, it was definitely a Tektite but it was nothing like anyone had seen round the area. It's cry was a shrill chattering as if it wasmcalling to it's smaller brethren to attack and they readied themselves to leap at the enemy.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "An irate Inigo awoke to the horses braying, neighing as if the dark lord himself had decided to pay the ranch a visit \"Shuddup!\" the lanky man hollered out of his bedroom window before promptly shuddering it. That however did not stop the damned animals from making a racket, and as he was about to shout again something he saw made him clam up, his face as white as a sheet in his goofy looking pajamas.\n\nIt might as well been one of Ganondorf's lackeys, but to the dismay and terror of the man it was the Gerudo's loyal servant Grindan \"M-m-my apologies Master Grindan!\" with a rattling thus his window shut once more and from inside could be heard strings of curses in Hylian as all sorts of cluttering noise came. It was a surprise that Inigo hadn't wet himself yet, still in his one piece pajamas with his sleeping cap on. He held a candle that shone a dim light.\n\n\"I-if you're looking for Talon, I don't know where is..Might as well be dead!\" Inigo didn't care for his lazy half-wit of a brother Talon. He was probably off napping somewhere, maybe Malon knew but she was cheap labor so he couldn't afford to just get the kid killed by the hulking man before him.\n\n\"We have done as the King has said, what else does he want!?\"", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Only few of the men and women sustained any injuries, minus the watchman. He had not been killed though his back may very well have been injured, the few that were skilled in field medicine were only able to drag him away from the fighting, while those of able-body held the opposing forces back. The smaller of the creatures were easily felled, each one emitting a shriek as it died. The monsters corpses melting into a foul black ichor.\n\nAll that stood was the larger of the monsters, its ome eye glowing crimson red as if enraged by the deaths of its smaller kin.\n\nAs the captain closed rank and advanced, the horrid creature reared slightly and emitted an ear splitting shriek, echoing through the narrow path and shaking the loose gravel. The chitin on its body steamed slightly as if from the inside it was cooking, without hesitation it brought a leg up and slammed it against the hard ground causing a hairline fracture to form, though the force jostled its chitin.\n\nIt's armor breaking exposing the weaker and softer flesh beneath. If it wasn't felled soon the passage may very well collapse. A notion of which would bode ill if the mountain was to be reached.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "The rogue undead were ironically nothing but bone dust and fragments upon the grass once Grindan had been done with them, the scuffle hadn't taken more than what seemed like a couple minutes maybe less. \n\nAnd once finished the armored stalphos resumed their march at their commanders behest, the one who had held the axe might have nodded to Grindan's thanks but it may have simple been a twitch of its head as it shuffled forward.\n\nLon Lon could be seen in the distance, not top far but not too close by foot. It would take several minutes to get to the ranch. That could not come soon enough.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Ｎａｄｉｊａｈ　\n__________________________________________________\n\n\"Ugh...\"\n\nNadijah supposed she was in luck the damn roof was so low; if she'd tumbled down from one of the towers back home, she'd hurt far more than her ass and her pride. As things were, the latter seemed to be the most bruised of all. At least no one was around to witn--\n\nThe sound of footsteps alerted her to someone's presence, and immediately the warrior shifted in her horribly uncomfortable lying position to reach for a blade. Shit. Someone'd heard her. Of course someone'd heard her, she must've woken up half the damn neighbourhood - and the cucco she startled the other half.\n\nNadijah could see someone at the edge of her falling - and now effectively hiding - place, though she wasn't sure how much they could see of her. The darkness was her oldest ally.\n\nAs the stranger spoke, she realized he was a voe. Ugh. Figures.\n\n\"If you know what's best for you, you won't,\" Nadijah hissed in answer, trying to shift so that she could get herself out of the damn barrel. Her legs were up in the air, parallel with her head, and all moving did was shake the entire container. Her back was stuck. \"Do I look like I need help, voe?!\" Another round of wiggling, leading to more barrel shaking. If the stranger were to look into the barrel properly however, they would see the tall, redheaded woman was quite literally armed to the teeth, holding onto a scimitar even as she tried to make her escape from the confines of the barrel.\n\n\"Don't you-- dare answer that.\"", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Nadijah of the Razordancers; second daughter of Farajah, the One-Eyed Watcher of the Sands. Or Nadi for short." }, { "text": "In the silence of the night and odd sound echoed against the cavernous walls, like rats skittering along the loose rocks. However something was off about the racket, that only became apparent when one of the men on watch cried out.\n\n\"M-monsters! What in Hylia-\" his shouting cut short as a creature lunged at him from the darkness, the lad wasn't dead thankfully but he was injured. The creature was an odd looking insectoid with one great red eye and a similarly colored chitinous shell, known only as Tektite to those local to the area. Mostly harmless on their own but this was not the case.\n\nThey came in crawling along the ground, only four in number along with the one that injured a watchman. A larger one seemed to be with them with an unfamiliar colored shell like that of burned wood, it was definitely a Tektite but it was nothing like anyone had seen round the area. It's cry was a shrill chattering as if it wasmcalling to it's smaller brethren to attack and they readied themselves to leap at the enemy.", "username": "Dark Cloud", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Cloud\n\nThe ranch wasn't far from where battle had been waged. \n\nIt would be somewhat unfortunate if Grindan and his troops arrived at Lon Lon Ranch to find it ransacked and the ranchers slaughtered; Talon was a worthless, fat waste of a man and in death he might be more useful in that his remains could be used to fertilize the soil somewhere, but Ingo was a hard worker... if an opportunistic sycophant. While he had never really had a reason to meet Talon's daughter directly, from what he had heard about her she was the true reason that Lon Lon Ranch was as successful as it was. Clearly, she had taken after her mother... or been forced to step up because of father was worthless. Their untimely deaths would actually be a loss... not to mention that if the Ranch was destroyed by rampaging monsters, they couldn't use it as a ranch anymore. \n\nAt least not right away. It would require finding suitable people... or at least people who can be motivated to learn in a hurry. Not to mention rebuilding times and... honestly it was just better if monsters didn't attack the Ranch in the first place. \n\nSpeaking of, as they arrived at the gateway of the Ranch, Grindan signaled his forces to stop before turning to look at them. Selecting two of them at random, he simply commanded \"You two with me. The rest of you, hold this position. I don't want anyone coming or going until our business is done.\" As he turned to trod the Ranch proper, Grindan paused for a moment before feeling an urge to turn and add \"Only use violence if they're hostile or try to force themselves past you. Otherwise just bar them.\"", "username": "Bright_Ops", "char_name": "Grindan" }, { "text": "Having a chuckle when asked to not answer that, he couldn't hold back much longer, \"Well, hate to say it, kinda does look like you do.\" Ruli says holding back laughter. While walking closer but slowly, he leans downward not to be seen, knowing that they are likely armed, and so is he, he carefully looks around the barrel to see if anyone is on the other side and if it's free. \"Look, not gonna lie, I think you need help but I'll need your trust for this, and I'll make it simple. I'm going to push the barrel over and face it away from me. There's no one there and you can hope..\" he stops trying not to laugh more....\"fully get your way out of this situation on your own, but at least gravity won't be working against you this time.\"\n\nInching closer but on his knees to be far low against the barrel so the two do not need to meet or come close to each other for reaching distance, he grabs the bottom of the barrel and gently leans it forward against the slight hill it was against, for it to not be jarring to the person inside, and slowly rolls it around to face it away from him, leaving only the bottom of the barrel facing him. He stays low to the ground but backs up. \"Just letting you know I'm backing away from the barrel. I still don't know who you are and while this is funny and all, I'm still being cautious.\" he says but also warns, while putting his dagger back in its sheath, but only his palm rests on the handle, to at least show he isn't intending to be a threat, he just doesn't know quite what happened or what it was they were even attempting to do. But still nervously chuckling despite the situation. @Vertigo", "username": "MasterLink", "char_name": "Ruli" }, { "text": "\"AAAARGH!\"\n\nOrin had delved fully into his strategizing. So invested was he that he had nearly slipped out of any semblence of awareness of his surroundings. \n\nBut the sudden, shrill scream from the back end of his camp ripped him from his thoughts. \n\nWith little more than a split second of thought, he threw himself to his feet. He bound over the table in front of him, and dashed through the front flap of his tent; a group of soldiers leapt back as he nearly bodied them on his way out. \"Secure the rear!\" He barked the order over his shoulder at the startled troops, who scrambled to fall in behind him. He weaved his way through the camp, bellowing the sake order to more rattled soldiers. When the back end of the camp, where the interior of the cavern faded ro a dim shadow, came into view, he drew his sword, bearing it while still sprinting towards the source of the commotion. \n\nWith swift decisiveness, he cut his blade through the leg of the mastiff-sized insect, severing one of its hind legs. \"Tektites!\" he called out, making a second slash, removing the creature's other hind leg. The carapace droppped to the ground, bleeding out from where its appendages had been, still clasping a then dead volunteer with its remaining front two. With only half its legs, the monster was as good as immobilized. Orin circled in front of it, meeting the single, grotesque eye. Ignoring the nausea the buglike beasts often put in his stomach, he thrust his blade through the eye. With a lightly labored grunt, he ripped the blade out, splashing the creature's blood onto the dirt. \n\nFinished with his tektite, Orin kicked the lifeless husk away from his fallen soldier. He surveyed the rest of his unit; the combat seemed to be reaching an end as his men had worked together to slay the other monsters. The sight of such unity gave him a degree of hope. Nodding to himself, he made to sheath his sword.\n\nHe stopped suddenly, spotting in his periphery the form of a remaining tektite... a massive one, at least twice the size of the ones that had just been vanquished, and an earthy brown in color. The pest scuttled towards him as though identifying him as its biggest threat. He pulled his sword back up, and called to his troop. \"Fall in by me! There's one more and it's not like the others!\" Quickly, he was accompanied by no less than a dozen of his soldiers, all at arms behind him. \"Spread out,\" he ordered over his shoulder. \"We'll surround it and fight from all sides.\" Wordlessly, the fighters under his charge moved to flank the giant tektite. Orin raised his blade, and glared into its eye, daring it to make the first move. Let's see just what this one can do.", "username": "Wayward", "char_name": "Captain Orin Ackermore" } ]

[ { "text": "\"I don't want to touch it.\"\n\n\"It's not nearly the worst thing you've touched this month.\"\n\n\"Worse than anything I've touched this year.\"\n\n\"I've literally seen you eat worse this morning.\"\n\n\"That was different.\"\n\n\n\n---\n\n\nAt times, Mel's office felt more like an orphanage than a cleaner's base of operations. It wasn't uncommon to see children cleaning the windows or adjusting the letterboards. Mel always said it was charity without guilt; an attempt at making the 10th an ounce better than it normally was. While other offices used phosphor screens to display information, Mel always kept things more physical. She always said that phosphor made her eyes hurt.\n\nJobs were tracked on the letterboards using codes and ledger books. Usually, the codes were pretty simple to follow. \"EXT 800cr\" meant it was an extermination with a reward of 800 credits. There wasn't really any need to partition out jobs to cleaners; the steady flow of operations made first-come first-serve viable enough. Taking a job was as easy as signing a name and recording everyone's share in the ledger.\n\nBut \"SEE MEL\" on one of the boards was new. Same with not having a reward listed nor having any information in the ledger.\n\nMel's office--her private office within the overarching base--was the same as ever. Despite being the largest room in the building, the majority of space had been enveloped with tables, shelves, and most of all, books. Together, they formed a series of labyrinthine passages that forced eyes towards the ground.\n\nMel was the same as ever behind her desk. She was always busy. Always another phone call to make, always another book to read. Any attempt at getting her attention was always met with raised finger; a signal to wait for just a moment.\n\nVarious cleaners came to see Mel about what the job meant. The majority, of course, were met with her finger. Many couldn't stomach the wait and decided to take a simpler job. When Mel finally placed her phone back on the receiver, she gave a look over all of the remaining cleaners. After some brief thoughts, she shooed off some of those who still remained: those known for collateral damage, the inexperienced, the overly greedy. Soon, only four were left. Finally, Mel addressed them.\n\n\"Hello lovelies.\"\n\nHer voice was as raspy as ever. Even though she flashed a smile, Mel wasn't the most expressive person. Her grin always felt like it was someone imitating what they thought a smile was.\n\n\"So,\" Mel began, \"there's a rather curious rumour that found its way to me. A relic was apparently spotted at the abandoned theatre at Littown. Of course, rumours are just rumours. Normally, I'd either ignore such a thing or file it for the crown to deal with. But what we're dealing with, beyond a relic, is a book. I'd rather not let a book be to shreds and turned into some mâché. That means I need to get that book before the crown does, hence the vague secrecy.\"\n\nMel was always good at showing disgust. Especially when it came to people destroying books. It was one of the few emotions she could actually show.\n\n\"400kr per if you check it out. An addition 1600kr if you manage to actually find the book.\"\n\n2000kr per person was a considerable. For a grade II cleaner, that was about ten jobs worth. For a regular civilian? About half a year's worth of wages.\n\n\"But do ask any questions.\"", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "At times, Mel's office felt like an orphanage...but really, that was what it was.\n\nAt least, for Yasu. Maybe for Cam and Emma too, judging by their looks. And perhaps Niid? Naw. This Niid looked like he had money, so no.\n\nYeah. In a third of the branches she saw, Niid wasn't even there.\n\nCurled up on the patchwork couch that occupied Mel's office inside her office, Yasu flipped through her diary quietly, skimming through all the details, parsing together all the names. Faces familiar, names familiar, but relationships always offset, somewhat. Progressing with time, but diverging with time. It was good enough to know that she had a good relationship with her employer though! And that she was taking turns with Cam, feeding a stray cat. Better that Kelsey was alive here, though Mo Cheng was an enemy. And then there was the matter with the Pale Terror. Did that monster not exist, or was it simply never found?\n\nShe rubbed her eyes, then snapped her diary shut again. Mel was speaking, so she was listening.\n\n\"Can we read the book?\" Curiousity brightened her tone. \"Or is it one of those sorts of books?\"", "username": "ERode", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Yasu's question was understandable. After all, curiosity was why Mel wanted the book in the first place.\n\n\"It should be fine to read. Relics are fairly inert without intent.\" Mel paused to recall something. \"If you feel enthralled by what you read or the book contains directions, put it down and stop thinking about it. Do not, under any circumstance, do what the book tells you to do.\"\n\nNiid's question was slightly less understandable. Asking Mel why she wanted a book was like asking a fisherman why they wanted a rod. She didn't need it, but she wanted it. Mel refrained from immediately calling him daft.\n\n\"If I knew what was in the book, I'd have less interest. Relics are usually quite old and tend to spawn from objects with history. Let's go with a chronicle of the past for now. I'll give you a full answer when it reaches my hands.\"\n\nCam's question was the most critical out of all of them. Did they have to interact with Honest?\n\n\"I'll do you one worse. She'll be coming along with you. If this rumour found its way to me, then it likely found its way to some Hylics. Let Honest deal with any other parties who are interested in the book.\"\n\nMel reached under her desk and fumbled around. After some time, she dragged out a metal suitcase and place it on top of her desk.\n\n\"If you don't wish to carry it, throw it at Honest and tell her to. If she tries to backtalk you, just tell her I said to do it.\"", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "\"With your questions answered, I shouldn't hold you much longer.\" Mel announced and gave a clap. \"If you need anything, you all know how to call me. Or ask Honest. She's touched most things in our storage.\" \n\n...\n\nThe trip to Littown was uneventful. The four cleaners had been ushered into a small van by Honest who had taken the wheel.\n\nThe streets of the 10th district were claustrophobic as always. While the roads were once wide, buildings and makeshift living spaces encroached on the sidewalks, then further dipped into the roads. Only small vehicles could drive within populated areas. The main roads were better if you were willing to share the roads with haulers carrying petrochem and raw materials between factories. Most people used the subways and monorails to get around the district.\n\nAs Honest drove the group, it was easy to tell gauge the distance to Littown. Bustling streets turned to mothers ushering their children inside. Lonely roads gave way to outright abandoned lengths. A desiccated corpse lay on the side of the road, the only notable landmark within minutes of driving. Honest's choice in radio station didn't help the emptiness. Silence was her music. She said it was something that she had good reason for, but she never elaborated on why she always turned the radio off.\n\nLittown was an especially sad part of the 10th district. It had once been named after the hundreds of neon signs that had gave life to a vibrant part of the city. The lights had since been shut off as austerity policies had tightened the average citizens' discretionary spending. What was once a block designed to entertain and relieve citizens was now completely abandoned. Not even the squalid enjoyed being within the area. There was nothing left save for broken signs, boarded buildings, and the dark. The theatre was no exception as Honest parked the van outside.\n\nIn one fell swoop, Honest had left the van, walked up to the front door, and kicked it in.\n\n\"After you.\" She sarcastically announced as she waited for the cleaners to enter.\n\nSomething wrong could be sensed immediately upon entering the building.\n\nA muffled sound of an accordion emanated throughout the lobby but was inaudible outside. The building was a threshold. A boundary between the supernatural and the rational. This was both good and bad. The good was that this meant that the supernatural was isolated to the building. The bad was that there was definitely something supernatural inside this building.\n\nThe lobby itself seemed safe enough as long as they didn't touch the carpet with their bare skin. Most of the decorations had since been stripped from the building. The only remaining decorations were the posters: advertisements for a movie depicting the first hunter, a folk hero within the city. He was a historical figure, but it was difficult to tell where history ended and urban legend began. There was a large circular counter in the middle of the lobby. The door that Honest kicked in had been split in half. One side was on the floor in front of the counter while the other was behind. The halls left and right were both blocked off by collapsed sections of wall. That meant there were three paths forwards. The large closed doors across the lobby and a set of stairs on each of its sides.\n\nOf course, the further within the lobby someone went, the louder the accordion became.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "𝔼𝕞𝕞𝕒 𝔹𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕩\n__________________________________________________\n\nThere was an almost embarrassing amount of things Emma wasn't good at. Cooking, dusting, reaching things on the highest shelf and oh, dear god, taking quick showers. They had seemed completely alien a concept, before she left behind her life in the inner districts.\n\nWhat Emma was extremely good at however, was waiting. She'd perfected the craft years ago, hiding in her bed for hours on end, waiting for artificial suns to vanquish the monsters that kept her awake. As such, Mel's Infamous Finger of Halting - a name Emma had coined herself - had never deterred her. If anything, she found waiting in Mel's office soothing. \n\nAs the others started to ask questions, Emma stayed quiet and waited some more. It was only after everyone'd had their turn that Emma raised her hand. Her father had always emphasized how important it was to do so before speaking up. \n\nHer father had also said there were no stupid questions.\n\n\"Excuse me, but--\" she glanced at Yasu, then back to Mel. \"What does she mean by... those kinds of books?\"\n\nMel's clap came at an arguably opportune time.\n\n-\n\nThough Emma was no longer a stranger to the 10th district, it still housed many a place that left her speechless. Littown, she realized as they approached, was one of them. The irony of its name was not lost on her. But then, nothing was truly lit out here in the outer districts, unlike back home. \n\nEmma preferred it here. She needed no radio to keep her company; as she peered out the van's window, she could see all her friends running alongside it, racing, prancing, dancing in the dark. They jumped over trashcans, climbed up walls, disappeared from sight altogether in the darkest, most narrow corners, only to emerge time and time again.\n\nTheir stop was abrupt and long overdue, followed immediately after by Honest storming out of the van and into the building that awaited them. Emma followed suit, though with considerably less hurry. She rose carefully, straightened the hem of her skirt, and stepped out with parasol in hand. It wasn't open; there was no light she needed to be protected from.\n\nShe stepped over the broken door almost apologetically and looked around, made note of the doors and the stairs. There was a skip to her step the further in she went, and when she turned around to address the others, she did so with a twirl of her parasol. \"Now, if I were a book of indescribable value, where might I hide?\" She stood a moment, smiling, then gestured at the air - as if one could see the unnerving notes of the accordion floating there. \"Perhaps we should find and ask the nice musician behind this piece.\"", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Emma Badeaux" } ]

[ { "text": "|\n| |\n| CLEANERS* Honest\n\t+ Tough Love: Refuses to act unless ??? or ???\n* Yasu\n* Cam\n* Nils\n* Emma\n | TARGET LIST* Lion-headed Ringleader \n[HEALTHY] [2]\n\n\n\t+ Beast of Rage: ???\n\t+ ???: ???\n* Half-Man Sized Car \n[UPTURNED] [1]\n\n\n\t+ Clown Car: If possible, creates another clown.\n* Elephant-headed Unicyclist \n[HEALTHY] [1]\n* Elephant-headed Trapeze \n[DISMEMBERED] [1?]\n* Clown with Accordion Arms\n* Clown with Oversized Axe\n* Clown with Undersized Mallet\n* Clown Covered in Party Poppers\n |\n| Special characters have special qualities that may be hidden until they become apparent.\nUndetected characters can freely act until detected, but can only take one action that would reveal them. | Elite entities require multiple actions to fell and have special (possibly unknown) characteristics.\nGreater entities may require multiple actions to fell.\nLesser entities can be slain by a single action.\nDestroyed entities are usually out of the fight\n\n[state] denotes their current state and [#] denotes how many actions they can perform each round.\n> {Name} denotes who the enemy is currently focusing on.\n |\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n\n\nWith a swift cut of the blade, the trapeze had been wrested from its ceiling domain. It plummeted to the ground, its natural fortitude preventing damage from the fall. The stage was a different story as the trapeze's body created an indent. The trapeze didn't move in response; it required a brief moment to recover.\n\nThe supernatural did not conventionally have brains, but they were still beholden to the concept. If a monster had a head, slicing it off would defeat it. Of course, that only held true if the monster didn't possess using qualities like false body parts and regeneration. Luckily for Yasu and Emma, this was a case of a simple monster. The mind of the trapeze, if mind was even the appropriate word for it, was contained within the dangling body.\n\nIf they managed to--or even wanted to--grasp the limp length of sinew that now helplessly dangled from the roof, they could dangle above the stage out of reach. However, the falling party streamers and lumps of flesh signified that the sinew would not last long.\n\nThe performance was ruined. That's what the expression of the ringleader's face said. It warped and contorted with rage and anger. Its previous disgust at the troupe's lack of audience seemed to be nothing in comparison. The whip cracked as the ringleader swung it. This time, it slashed a deep gouge on the stage. It would stop these interlopers from ruining its performance. It approached Yasu as a quiet growl escaped its lips. The difference in height became apparent with each step; the ringleader was approximately two Yasu tall.\n\nThe unicyclist had chosen a different target. Not swayed by an innate rage, it had chosen to violently throw its pins at Emma with a remarkable lack of accuracy.\n\nReckless brutality was enough to silence the accordion clown. Cam's choice to bite down the neck of the axe clown wasn't the best. What flooded her mouth was not the familiar taste of blood, flesh, and evil. What she had tasted was spoiled cream and mouldy pastries. It wasn't poison, but it was still not pleasant for someone who one job away from eating the finest the district had to offer.\n\nBut there was one thing Cam's violence missed: the true reason why the clowns were trying to upturn the car.\n\nA rumbling came in front of the bestial cleaner. The innards of the car groaned and creaked. The doors rattled as something tried to emerge. Suddenly, it stopped. A brief moment of silence before the door violently swung open. A clown covered in party poppers had been launched towards Cam.\n\nA supernatural car that lacked eyes, of course, could not aim. The party-popper clown flew above her by a few feet and did what it does best: exploded in a shower of red mist and confetti as it struck the ground behind her.\n\nAt first, the mallet clown was as distracted as Cam was. Bewilderment turned to scorn as tears (blue paint, rather) began to flow from its glassy eyes. It swung violently at Cam, its surprisingly quick little swings only diminished by the fact that its arms and choice of weapon were too small to even scrape her skin. Cam could have simply stuck her hand on the clown's forehead to completely stop his reckless advance.\n\nPoor mallet clown.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "𝔼𝕞𝕞𝕒 𝔹𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕩\n__________________________________________________\n\nOne moment Emma was admiring the theatre below, attention drawn to the ringleader's intangible narration as if she understood every word, giggling at the antics of the clowns as a polite member of the audience should, and then--\n\nThe world shattered.\n\nShards of glass danced in the air around her like reflective petals. On their tiny surfaces, Emma caught momentary glimpses of her own face; startled, wide-eyed, but not afraid. Never afraid again, for as long as she wasn't alone. She hugged the stolen reel to her chest with one hand, allowed herself to be pulled through the air with the other. For a moment the two girls flew, wingless but aloft, part of a performance far greater than any she'd seen before. \n\nAnd then they fell.\n\nSomething caught their fall, then fell with them, then caught their fall again. Above, Emma could see a brief flash of a ceiling made of flesh, the party streamers that dotted the grotesque sight with colour swaying in the aftermath of their passing. Disoriented, Emma stumbled to her feet, searching for Yasu. Not concerned, because she knew the girl well enough, but curious, eager, wanting to exchange a smile. She found her, safe and sound, just in time to see Cam launch herself at the clowns, a dance that Emma could have watched forever - had she not noticed the angry faces that surrounded them.\n\n\"Oh! Do pardon us the intrusion! Why, your show was--\" something in her peripheral vision chased away the words before they could form. Something was flying through the air towards her, fast if careless. Emma turned, blinking, forced to open her parasol to shield her from the light. It was harsh here on the stage, blaring from the projector they'd left behind. Beyond the light's edges, hiding behind curtains, was an endless sea of shadow. \n\nFrom it emerged a monster. Its body was the vague shape of a canine, six long legs carrying it across the stage. Where its legs touched, they melted together, its entire body shifting with each step. Mouths here, eyes there, opening and closing to snarl, growl - and grasp the pins mid-flight in its many maws. They disappeared within, swallowed by an ever-shifting void. The creature stopped in front of Emma, lowering its hulking head just as it split into two, and sought approval. \n\n\"Such a good boy,\" Emma cooed, running her hand against the shadows. She felt fur underneath her palm, even though none was in sight. \"Now, why don't we unite the nice elephant-cycle with his pins?\"\n\nThe monster was a streak of black as it dashed forth and leapt towards the unicyclist, entire body splitting into two to form a gigantic maw. Emma twirled her parasol and waited for the satisfying crunch.", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Emma Badeaux" }, { "text": "They fell with speed, Yasu driving her sword into the Trapeze's body during their swift descent, before allowing the force of the impact to jolt her off its gelatinous form and tear an even greater gash into it. She didn't have time to spend on finishing it of though, not when their suitably dramatic entrance drew the attention of the ringleader itself. The lion-headed man stalked towards her, and she smiled in return, the kaleidoscope of scenarios and appearances splintering in her vision.\n\nThere were ringleaders far larger, far strong, far scarier, and far prettier than the one she saw right now. And prodigious size alone did not dissuade the sharpened blade.\n\nThus, she advanced, dropping low as she dashed for the beast, stagnant air given life in the wake of her swift movements. Emma's shadows and Cam's shapeshifting covered all the performers, so it was up to her to take on the leader. Anticipating the necessity of evasion, the odd-eyed girl adopted serpentine movements as she neared, before finally dropping into a slide as her blade flashed and aimed to slice into the groin of the monstrosity as she slipped between its legs.\n\nA bit unkind? Sure! But in the legendary words of a famed Cleaner: \"It's nuts or nothing!\"", "username": "ERode", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "\"I don't want to touch it.\"\n\n\"It's not nearly the worst thing you've touched this month.\"\n\n\"Worse than anything I've touched this year.\"\n\n\"I've literally seen you eat worse this morning.\"\n\n\"That was different.\"\n\n\n\n---\n\n\nAt times, Mel's office felt more like an orphanage than a cleaner's base of operations. It wasn't uncommon to see children cleaning the windows or adjusting the letterboards. Mel always said it was charity without guilt; an attempt at making the 10th an ounce better than it normally was. While other offices used phosphor screens to display information, Mel always kept things more physical. She always said that phosphor made her eyes hurt.\n\nJobs were tracked on the letterboards using codes and ledger books. Usually, the codes were pretty simple to follow. \"EXT 800cr\" meant it was an extermination with a reward of 800 credits. There wasn't really any need to partition out jobs to cleaners; the steady flow of operations made first-come first-serve viable enough. Taking a job was as easy as signing a name and recording everyone's share in the ledger.\n\nBut \"SEE MEL\" on one of the boards was new. Same with not having a reward listed nor having any information in the ledger.\n\nMel's office--her private office within the overarching base--was the same as ever. Despite being the largest room in the building, the majority of space had been enveloped with tables, shelves, and most of all, books. Together, they formed a series of labyrinthine passages that forced eyes towards the ground.\n\nMel was the same as ever behind her desk. She was always busy. Always another phone call to make, always another book to read. Any attempt at getting her attention was always met with raised finger; a signal to wait for just a moment.\n\nVarious cleaners came to see Mel about what the job meant. The majority, of course, were met with her finger. Many couldn't stomach the wait and decided to take a simpler job. When Mel finally placed her phone back on the receiver, she gave a look over all of the remaining cleaners. After some brief thoughts, she shooed off some of those who still remained: those known for collateral damage, the inexperienced, the overly greedy. Soon, only four were left. Finally, Mel addressed them.\n\n\"Hello lovelies.\"\n\nHer voice was as raspy as ever. Even though she flashed a smile, Mel wasn't the most expressive person. Her grin always felt like it was someone imitating what they thought a smile was.\n\n\"So,\" Mel began, \"there's a rather curious rumour that found its way to me. A relic was apparently spotted at the abandoned theatre at Littown. Of course, rumours are just rumours. Normally, I'd either ignore such a thing or file it for the crown to deal with. But what we're dealing with, beyond a relic, is a book. I'd rather not let a book be to shreds and turned into some mâché. That means I need to get that book before the crown does, hence the vague secrecy.\"\n\nMel was always good at showing disgust. Especially when it came to people destroying books. It was one of the few emotions she could actually show.\n\n\"400kr per if you check it out. An addition 1600kr if you manage to actually find the book.\"\n\n2000kr per person was a considerable. For a grade II cleaner, that was about ten jobs worth. For a regular civilian? About half a year's worth of wages.\n\n\"But do ask any questions.\"", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "At times, Mel's office felt like an orphanage...but really, that was what it was.\n\nAt least, for Yasu. Maybe for Cam and Emma too, judging by their looks. And perhaps Niid? Naw. This Niid looked like he had money, so no.\n\nYeah. In a third of the branches she saw, Niid wasn't even there.\n\nCurled up on the patchwork couch that occupied Mel's office inside her office, Yasu flipped through her diary quietly, skimming through all the details, parsing together all the names. Faces familiar, names familiar, but relationships always offset, somewhat. Progressing with time, but diverging with time. It was good enough to know that she had a good relationship with her employer though! And that she was taking turns with Cam, feeding a stray cat. Better that Kelsey was alive here, though Mo Cheng was an enemy. And then there was the matter with the Pale Terror. Did that monster not exist, or was it simply never found?\n\nShe rubbed her eyes, then snapped her diary shut again. Mel was speaking, so she was listening.\n\n\"Can we read the book?\" Curiousity brightened her tone. \"Or is it one of those sorts of books?\"", "username": "ERode", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Niid\nNiid was strewn casually across a chair he had managed to somehow find throughout the throng of books. He peered around curiously, examining the crack squad of hand-picked cleaners picked by the lead of this office. A little girl. A rich little girl. And a slightly (but only slightly) less little woman. As well as he, himself a rich kid with more than a few drug problems that needed funding and a very possible death wish.\n\nHe drummed the fingers of his left hand lightly against the carbon alloy section of his right pectoral. His leg began to jitter uncontrollably as he listened to his boss's instructions. An interesting proposal. His lips stretched across his face, his mouth widening into a beam under his thin faceplate. It was an interesting proposition indeed.\n\nA sum that much would only be offered what would be quite possibly a risky job. And that was just the kind of job Niid was interested in doing. The savage beast of boredom had been steadily encroaching on him over the past few hours, and he had to resort to the classic pass time of homeless hunting to sustain his interest in life.\n\nHe narrowed his eyes in examination, nodding his head rhythmically as the boss spoke, attempting to ensure he appeared to be listening. And upon Mel's last note, ordering him to ask questions, his interest spilled forth out into the room. He cut straight to the point though and began with, 'What's in this book, something interesting? Worth me sitting down for a little read? Why yuh' wan' it so bad?'", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": "Tomtabeg Cornwotsall Niid III" } ]

[ { "text": "𝔼𝕞𝕞𝕒 𝔹𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕩\n__________________________________________________\n\nThere was an almost embarrassing amount of things Emma wasn't good at. Cooking, dusting, reaching things on the highest shelf and oh, dear god, taking quick showers. They had seemed completely alien a concept, before she left behind her life in the inner districts.\n\nWhat Emma was extremely good at however, was waiting. She'd perfected the craft years ago, hiding in her bed for hours on end, waiting for artificial suns to vanquish the monsters that kept her awake. As such, Mel's Infamous Finger of Halting - a name Emma had coined herself - had never deterred her. If anything, she found waiting in Mel's office soothing. \n\nAs the others started to ask questions, Emma stayed quiet and waited some more. It was only after everyone'd had their turn that Emma raised her hand. Her father had always emphasized how important it was to do so before speaking up. \n\nHer father had also said there were no stupid questions.\n\n\"Excuse me, but--\" she glanced at Yasu, then back to Mel. \"What does she mean by... those kinds of books?\"\n\nMel's clap came at an arguably opportune time.\n\n-\n\nThough Emma was no longer a stranger to the 10th district, it still housed many a place that left her speechless. Littown, she realized as they approached, was one of them. The irony of its name was not lost on her. But then, nothing was truly lit out here in the outer districts, unlike back home. \n\nEmma preferred it here. She needed no radio to keep her company; as she peered out the van's window, she could see all her friends running alongside it, racing, prancing, dancing in the dark. They jumped over trashcans, climbed up walls, disappeared from sight altogether in the darkest, most narrow corners, only to emerge time and time again.\n\nTheir stop was abrupt and long overdue, followed immediately after by Honest storming out of the van and into the building that awaited them. Emma followed suit, though with considerably less hurry. She rose carefully, straightened the hem of her skirt, and stepped out with parasol in hand. It wasn't open; there was no light she needed to be protected from.\n\nShe stepped over the broken door almost apologetically and looked around, made note of the doors and the stairs. There was a skip to her step the further in she went, and when she turned around to address the others, she did so with a twirl of her parasol. \"Now, if I were a book of indescribable value, where might I hide?\" She stood a moment, smiling, then gestured at the air - as if one could see the unnerving notes of the accordion floating there. \"Perhaps we should find and ask the nice musician behind this piece.\"", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Emma Badeaux" }, { "text": "Niid\nNiid found the ride arduous, sitting in the backseat of the van twitching. He almost vibrated as the group passed through the district. At first, as they wove through the bustling streets his knee bounced rhythmically as he occupied himself looking at the surroundings. He'd seen it all a hundred times, but he never knew if it would be his last time seeing it. And thus he savoured the saline grunge almost as much as he had when he had first seen it. He had the fortunate privilege of his perspective being that of an outsider, an interloper in the 10th district. And though he may be more comfortable in the benthos at the bottom of the city than parasol girl, he was equally a foreigner. Just an accustomed one.\n\nHe drew his firearm, polishing it and checking over it neurotically as the increasingly empty streets sped past. The tension in the back of the van was mounting as they neared their location. It was always tense attending a job, you had no idea what it would be like. But this anxiety was visible in none more than Niid. His actions radiated an itching nervousness, readiness, and the precursor to adrenaline as he fidgeted.\n\nFinally, they reached their location. Littown was a desolate, melancholy place. The emptiness echoed throughout Niid, sending off an eery alarm in his head. He wanted to be here slightly less now. And that feeling continued as he stepped into the lobby. The music sent shivers down his spine as the group strolled through the bare building. He stood, still, but still full of energy. Like a compressed spring. Listening, even to the parasol girl's words.\n\nHe drew his machete, a heavy object. Unusually simple for a blessed weapon. It was adorned with a mere sigil. But that was all Niid needed. He was no magician, not like most cleaners. Instead of fighting fire with fire, he would fight it with a head full of stimulants and some weighty steel. \n\nHe tapped a small screen on the inside of his wrist, letting out a grunt as a clear ampoule filled with an unknown yellow liquid plunged down into a port in the nape of his neck. Instantly his face, behind the heavy metal mask adorning it, relaxed. His lips returned to their normal position. His pupils: pinpricks. A shudder went through his body, entirely relaxing as it spread throughout him. He let out an awful grin and raised his blade, gesturing toward the heavy set of doors opposite them, marching at them without a second thought.", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": "Tomtabeg Cornwotsall Niid III" }, { "text": "Where Mel was quick to cut questions off, Yasu was totally fine with answering in the older cleaner's place. After all, Honest never turned on the radio, so someone had to fill up the silence! Why not herself then?\n\nSitting in the back, with ol' Niid stuffed between the two of them, the odd-eyed cleaner was more than happy enough to chatter on about all the relic-demon-books that were absolutely awful to read. There were self-help books that turned out to literally be a possessive, controlling parent in text form that would brainwash you into becoming a perfectly boring adult. There were stereotypical books of evil that tempted you with the power to summon murder demons (rarely) or sex demons (commonly) at the cost of your soul (wallet). There were books that would consume all the time in the day once you made it past the first three pages, forcing you down deeper and deeper rabbit holes of fictional lore and conspiracy. And of course, there were books that had pictures in them that once seen, could never be unseen. Outis was no library, but that simply meant that forbidden books could proliferate to all corners of the cursed city, infecting even the mindspace of the illiterate.\n\nBy the time the car arrived, Yasu was about one-third of her way through her personal listing of cursed literature, and she was the third to enter as well. It was building barren, but not dilapidated. Accordion music flowed within, a novel instrumentation in a time of synthesized beats, while the poster that remained upon the wall...oh, fun! 90% of what she saw featured some form of the 'first hunter', but then there were outlier posters in the last 10%: fat green men traipsing in swamps, rock bands with wild hair and wilder makeup, a swordsman sitting on a lawn chairs, slasher films inspired by childhood cartoons. She was curious too though, about the consistency of music, and while Emm and Niid did as they wished, the Tiger Cub drew her sword as well.\n\nPolished to a mirror sheen, enough to reflect her mouth. To reflect her mouth in the infinitely-branching presents and futures. To sate what she wished to learn, from the Yasus that found themselves in similar, yet alternate, situations. So she mouthed those words, and that odd eye of hers' read the reflection in the sword.\n\n'Accordion music'.\n\n'Violin.' 'Piano.' 'Grand piano!' 'Some sort of plinking thing?' 'Rock. Classical.' 'Just screams. Human.' 'A wolf howl.'\n\nDamn. She sorta wanted to see a wolf...\n\n\"I'll take the right then,\" Yasu said, sheathing her sword again. \"Or, wait, Emm, we could just get your friends to do all the searching, right? Flush 'em out with rats and all. Ah, but Niid's already off...Cam, could ya go with him?\"\n'", "username": "ERode", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "𝔼𝕞𝕞𝕒 𝔹𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕩\n__________________________________________________\n\nThe others were quick to follow her inside, and quicker yet to venture further in. Well, Niid was, at least, offering not a word in passing before disappearing behind the heavy set of doors. Yasu was much better company, as she had been throughout the ride to their destination. Emma enjoyed her company, the way she seemed to know a lot - even about subjects that she really, really shouldn't. Especially about subjects she really, really shouldn't.\n\nNow, Emma giggled at her suggestion. \"We could, I suppose!\" she reached out a hand to the nothingness besides her, a myriad of glowing eyes manifesting into being beneath her palm. She petted the vaguely canine-shaped shadow as if it were a pup. \"But where would the fun in that be? Come! To the right, you said?\"\n\nEmma reached a hand to grab Yasu's own, and whether she managed it or not, up the stairs they went. \n\n-\nCorpses were not on the list of things Emma expected to find upstairs, though in hindsight they probably should've been. Certainly not the first time in their order of business. She bowed slightly as if to offer her condolences to the recently departed, then waltzed further in, carefully hopping over the sprawled mess. \"Thank goodness they don't smell! Oh, but something here does. Quite awful.\"\n\nEmma covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief and walked further in. When she couldn't spot anything that might've done the men in at first glance, her attention was stolen by the reels, and whatever content they might hold. Well! They were exploring, yes? So perhaps she'd be permitted a little detour. So, with a hum, she picked up a reel at random and approached the projector with intent - only to find her gaze following its light down the room below. The sight below mesmerized her, and for a moment all she could do was watch the performers; the ringleader with awe, the clowns with amusement. Oh, she loved theatre! Or circus, as it were.\n\n\"Yasu!\" she gasped, gesturing with her hand. \"Come look. How lovely.\"\n\nShe might have, for just a moment, forgotten about their actual job (again).", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Emma Badeaux" }, { "text": "A strike of her sword, accurately placed, sliced cleanly through through the gap between frame and door. The lock that barred the room stood no chance. As plain as her sword may have been, Yasu always made sure it was unreasonably sharp as well, and once all that was done, she hooked her hand around the door and opened it up, revealing a projector room filled with the recently-deceased, old films and reels that may be worth something to a collector, and something else.\n\nShe had been in danger her whole life. Had trained as a hunter at a young age. And she had learned too, that where there was light, there was shadow. Where there was shadow, there were monsters.\n\nAnd here?\n\n\"Emma!\"\n\nThe scepter of death loomed within a green finger, death that bloomed heartily, that slew with timed intent. And Yasu wasn't done with this world yet. Frenetic footsteps shot her across the room, one hand reaching out to grab the shadow-puppeteer's own. The other, gripping her relic's handle, smashed it into the window before she slammed the rest of her body through it to break it open completely. The strength that befit a Cleaner wasn't the strength that belonged to a slight waif, and it was with that same strength that she continued onwards. One foot pressing against the window's ledge and then pushing off, the two of them flying through the air!\n\nFragments of glass, sparkling like diamonds. Their backs against the projectors, shadows larger-than-life.\n\nAnd as for the first target, captured within the half-millisecond of her odd-eyes sweeping over the stage?\n\nThe two Cleaners landed atop the elephant-headed aerialist, and without hesitation, Yasu's sword flashed out the second time that day, intent on severing the strings that suspended it and dropping it down upon the monstrosities below. There was a time for subterfuge, of course. But what was a stage girl if not dramatic?", "username": "ERode", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "𝔼𝕞𝕞𝕒 𝔹𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕩\n__________________________________________________\n\nOne moment Emma was admiring the theatre below, attention drawn to the ringleader's intangible narration as if she understood every word, giggling at the antics of the clowns as a polite member of the audience should, and then--\n\nThe world shattered.\n\nShards of glass danced in the air around her like reflective petals. On their tiny surfaces, Emma caught momentary glimpses of her own face; startled, wide-eyed, but not afraid. Never afraid again, for as long as she wasn't alone. She hugged the stolen reel to her chest with one hand, allowed herself to be pulled through the air with the other. For a moment the two girls flew, wingless but aloft, part of a performance far greater than any she'd seen before. \n\nAnd then they fell.\n\nSomething caught their fall, then fell with them, then caught their fall again. Above, Emma could see a brief flash of a ceiling made of flesh, the party streamers that dotted the grotesque sight with colour swaying in the aftermath of their passing. Disoriented, Emma stumbled to her feet, searching for Yasu. Not concerned, because she knew the girl well enough, but curious, eager, wanting to exchange a smile. She found her, safe and sound, just in time to see Cam launch herself at the clowns, a dance that Emma could have watched forever - had she not noticed the angry faces that surrounded them.\n\n\"Oh! Do pardon us the intrusion! Why, your show was--\" something in her peripheral vision chased away the words before they could form. Something was flying through the air towards her, fast if careless. Emma turned, blinking, forced to open her parasol to shield her from the light. It was harsh here on the stage, blaring from the projector they'd left behind. Beyond the light's edges, hiding behind curtains, was an endless sea of shadow. \n\nFrom it emerged a monster. Its body was the vague shape of a canine, six long legs carrying it across the stage. Where its legs touched, they melted together, its entire body shifting with each step. Mouths here, eyes there, opening and closing to snarl, growl - and grasp the pins mid-flight in its many maws. They disappeared within, swallowed by an ever-shifting void. The creature stopped in front of Emma, lowering its hulking head just as it split into two, and sought approval. \n\n\"Such a good boy,\" Emma cooed, running her hand against the shadows. She felt fur underneath her palm, even though none was in sight. \"Now, why don't we unite the nice elephant-cycle with his pins?\"\n\nThe monster was a streak of black as it dashed forth and leapt towards the unicyclist, entire body splitting into two to form a gigantic maw. Emma twirled her parasol and waited for the satisfying crunch.", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Emma Badeaux" }, { "text": "They fell with speed, Yasu driving her sword into the Trapeze's body during their swift descent, before allowing the force of the impact to jolt her off its gelatinous form and tear an even greater gash into it. She didn't have time to spend on finishing it of though, not when their suitably dramatic entrance drew the attention of the ringleader itself. The lion-headed man stalked towards her, and she smiled in return, the kaleidoscope of scenarios and appearances splintering in her vision.\n\nThere were ringleaders far larger, far strong, far scarier, and far prettier than the one she saw right now. And prodigious size alone did not dissuade the sharpened blade.\n\nThus, she advanced, dropping low as she dashed for the beast, stagnant air given life in the wake of her swift movements. Emma's shadows and Cam's shapeshifting covered all the performers, so it was up to her to take on the leader. Anticipating the necessity of evasion, the odd-eyed girl adopted serpentine movements as she neared, before finally dropping into a slide as her blade flashed and aimed to slice into the groin of the monstrosity as she slipped between its legs.\n\nA bit unkind? Sure! But in the legendary words of a famed Cleaner: \"It's nuts or nothing!\"", "username": "ERode", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Niid\nNiid locked his steely gaze on the strange feline ringmaster. While examining the beast, and thinking how exactly he should approach it, his attention was suddenly torn away as the two women that hadn't accompanied him crashed from above and onto the stage. A truly dramatic entrance. At least one of the two shared his raconteur-ish nature.\n\nHe blinked thrice, before acting. As chaos unfolded on the stage and his oppo quickly advanced and tore up the pair of little clowns. He crept towards the stage as the violence considered. He mulled over firing a couple shots from his current position, but he turned down the chance in favour of taking a prime position to take down his target.\n\nHe took a moment to dose himself with a new experimental chemical: Methalog. Yet another compound-in-testing. The sludge-like fluid entering his veins with a distinctive shocking cold. Almost immediately he felt the effects kicking in. As it improved his perception speed, slowed down his processing of time, increased his responsiveness, and improved his fine motor skills. This made it even easier for him to silently pad down the center of the theatre. Perfectly positioning his person to pugilise the pompous patriarchal performer.\n \nNiid watched the ringleader square up to the feral undersized samurai. And though he had no doubt in his mind she could defend herself, he decided she would make an excellent little distraction. He began to tense his leg muscles, taking bigger and heavier strides as he wound up to jump straight up on to the stage. The tightly strung muscles in his robotic lower legs preparing to let loose and launch him onto the stage. \n\nHe took one last bound and the tension in his calves was let loose, launching him easily above the stage and into the air. He somersaulted elegantly, drawing his arms as he intended land directly in front of the ringmaster. However it seemed he had miscalculated, and he was a few feet long. He landed behind his target and came to a skidding halt.\n\nHe whipped around to the ringmaster, quickly aligning him in the rugged sights of his industrially furnished handgun. He let off a pair of staggeringly powerful shots vaguely at the supernatural's head. Finally, as little girl slashed the beast's crotch and rocketed past him as well, he lunged a few feet forward and attempted to lop off a limb with his crude blade. Hopefully he'd managed to finish the beast, but with his clumsiness likely not.", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": "Tomtabeg Cornwotsall Niid III" } ]

[ { "text": "\"Whoop, there you are!\"\n\nYasu caught Niid as he was knocked back into her, holding the cybernetically and chemically enhanced boy by his hips as she spun around, a dancer swinging her partner. A moment later, he found his feet on the ground and found Yasu advancing further.\n\nVisions of death were commonplace, and the scepter of death itself was even more so. Factories would grind their workers to bone meal. The underworld was chocked full of corpses that would never move on. Every day, Fixers arrived to replace the Fixers that left. Every night, a light turned off was a life taken swift. Gun retorts and the sigh of a knife. Spatial rupturings and the whispers of the mind. A few seconds ago, it had been that green finger, hidden in the shadows cast by the projector. Now, it was the ringleader, arm cocked back and rippling with muscles that had not been there a moment before.\n\nVisions of death simply indicated the Boundary of Death.\n\nAnd the best Fixers learned to walk right on that edge.\n\nThe cross burned bright within her odd-eye, showing her the myriad Yasus who made the same choice as herself. As one, they launched themselves forwards. As one, they gripped their sword. As one, they swung out, the beloved blade swirling with their own lifeforce. All for the purpose of slicing that whip in half.\n\nCoins spun in the heavens above, but she never worried about the result once she set it into motion.\n\nWhether heads or tails, whether success or fail, Yasu remained fearless.\n\nBecause live or die, Yasu always survived.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": null }, { "text": "𝔼𝕞𝕞𝕒 𝔹𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕩\n__________________________________________________\n\nEmma watched with unabashed curiosity as the unicyclist's torso was torn open, blood and chunks of flesh spilling onto the stage in copious amounts. It looked like theater blood to her, a little too bright under the blare of the spotlight. Briefly, she wondered what internal organs the creature had; whether a heart beat in its chest, whether it needed lungs to breathe. At the very least, all it needed to move was its wheel, the screech of it loud and ear-piercing. It sounded like a warning, the whistle of an incoming train, and she was stuck in the middle of the tracks. \n\nAware of her own limits, Emma knew she wouldn't be able to outrun it if she tried - and neither could her shadowy friend, though it certainly did try. It howled, a sound that echoed from a thousand throats at once, as it tried to chase after the threat. It was no use; the unicyclist was fast, almost impossibly so, and the longer her canine lingered in the light, the more it shrunk. But that was alright. For no matter how fast the elephant-headed man may have been, there was one shadow it could never outrun.\n\nIts own. \n\nIn the harsh light of the projector, the shadow the unicyclist cast was long and dark, features stretched almost beyond recognition. Like a snake, it slithered upwards where the floor met the wall.\n\nEmma liked snakes.\n\nAnd so, the shadow suddenly shifted. Not with the motion of the unicyclist, but with the power of vitas. It peeled itself off the wall and floor, stretched body dangling as its own wheel, startlingly silent, spun fast to carry it towards the original to crash straight into it. Upon impact, the shadow's elongated body would attempt to wrap tightly around the bloodied creature and wrestle it to the floor, to squeeze, to constrict, until nothing was left but blood and guts. The shadow's trunk, attached to its own, elephant-like head, bent unnaturally upwards. The trunk had fangs, a jaw that dislodged, and a forked tongue that slipped out to taste the air with a hiss.\n\nA little ways away, Emma took a few steps back towards the darkness that awaited at the stage's edges.", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "Emma Badeaux" } ]

[ { "text": "Cam\n\nSurrounded by Mel's books, Cam felt oddly content. Mel's room was like the den of some wild animal. At least that's what Cam thought. She had heard stories about forests. Passed down recollections of encounters with faded creatures such as wolves, bears, and one of her personal favorites, the apex predator known as the Adélie penguin. It saddened Cam that she would likely never have a chance to see one of the 1,700 pound, eight foot, razor beaked hunter gliding through the water like a sleek torpedo of death.\n\nShe found her thoughts flowed freely under Mel's roof and in her messy room. It had the soft, pleasant smells of familiarity and comfort. It was safe. It was a home, of sorts, a shelter at least. Good. More than good. Better than they could hope for. Sensing an unwelcome mixture of affection and embarrassment, Cam busied herself with adjusting the formal vest she wore. It was a gift she contended. And it had been, in a manner of speaking.\n\nLeaning lazily against a bookcase she had deemed stronger than the rest, Cam had listened to Mel's impromptu briefing. Four cleaners was a good number. Not too many, not too few. Yasu. Niid. Emma. Familiar faces. Reliable faces. Cleaners she trusted. As much as one cleaner could trust another cleaner, of course.\n\n400 crowns was not bad. 1600 crowns on top of that was very good. Cam was not a greedy creature. She prided her on this. She was a reformed criminal. Nominally, of course. A thief was always a thief. She had not forgotten everything. Only that which bothered her. Only that which hurt. She could change. She could be whoever and whatever she wanted.\n\nCam. Careful, reliable Cam was good for now. Tomorrow? Well, that was tomorrow. She could be a cat, prowling the city. She could fly, she could be a crow again...or perhaps a magpie soaring over the city.\n\nElecting to focus on mere pragmatics, Cam broached a different topic from her younger comrades, \"Will you be providing us with a CAT for the relic? I would prefer not to ask Honest if we could borrow one from her again...\"", "username": "Abstract Proxy", "char_name": "Camilla" }, { "text": "Yasu's question was understandable. After all, curiosity was why Mel wanted the book in the first place.\n\n\"It should be fine to read. Relics are fairly inert without intent.\" Mel paused to recall something. \"If you feel enthralled by what you read or the book contains directions, put it down and stop thinking about it. Do not, under any circumstance, do what the book tells you to do.\"\n\nNiid's question was slightly less understandable. Asking Mel why she wanted a book was like asking a fisherman why they wanted a rod. She didn't need it, but she wanted it. Mel refrained from immediately calling him daft.\n\n\"If I knew what was in the book, I'd have less interest. Relics are usually quite old and tend to spawn from objects with history. Let's go with a chronicle of the past for now. I'll give you a full answer when it reaches my hands.\"\n\nCam's question was the most critical out of all of them. Did they have to interact with Honest?\n\n\"I'll do you one worse. She'll be coming along with you. If this rumour found its way to me, then it likely found its way to some Hylics. Let Honest deal with any other parties who are interested in the book.\"\n\nMel reached under her desk and fumbled around. After some time, she dragged out a metal suitcase and place it on top of her desk.\n\n\"If you don't wish to carry it, throw it at Honest and tell her to. If she tries to backtalk you, just tell her I said to do it.\"", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "\"With your questions answered, I shouldn't hold you much longer.\" Mel announced and gave a clap. \"If you need anything, you all know how to call me. Or ask Honest. She's touched most things in our storage.\" \n\n...\n\nThe trip to Littown was uneventful. The four cleaners had been ushered into a small van by Honest who had taken the wheel.\n\nThe streets of the 10th district were claustrophobic as always. While the roads were once wide, buildings and makeshift living spaces encroached on the sidewalks, then further dipped into the roads. Only small vehicles could drive within populated areas. The main roads were better if you were willing to share the roads with haulers carrying petrochem and raw materials between factories. Most people used the subways and monorails to get around the district.\n\nAs Honest drove the group, it was easy to tell gauge the distance to Littown. Bustling streets turned to mothers ushering their children inside. Lonely roads gave way to outright abandoned lengths. A desiccated corpse lay on the side of the road, the only notable landmark within minutes of driving. Honest's choice in radio station didn't help the emptiness. Silence was her music. She said it was something that she had good reason for, but she never elaborated on why she always turned the radio off.\n\nLittown was an especially sad part of the 10th district. It had once been named after the hundreds of neon signs that had gave life to a vibrant part of the city. The lights had since been shut off as austerity policies had tightened the average citizens' discretionary spending. What was once a block designed to entertain and relieve citizens was now completely abandoned. Not even the squalid enjoyed being within the area. There was nothing left save for broken signs, boarded buildings, and the dark. The theatre was no exception as Honest parked the van outside.\n\nIn one fell swoop, Honest had left the van, walked up to the front door, and kicked it in.\n\n\"After you.\" She sarcastically announced as she waited for the cleaners to enter.\n\nSomething wrong could be sensed immediately upon entering the building.\n\nA muffled sound of an accordion emanated throughout the lobby but was inaudible outside. The building was a threshold. A boundary between the supernatural and the rational. This was both good and bad. The good was that this meant that the supernatural was isolated to the building. The bad was that there was definitely something supernatural inside this building.\n\nThe lobby itself seemed safe enough as long as they didn't touch the carpet with their bare skin. Most of the decorations had since been stripped from the building. The only remaining decorations were the posters: advertisements for a movie depicting the first hunter, a folk hero within the city. He was a historical figure, but it was difficult to tell where history ended and urban legend began. There was a large circular counter in the middle of the lobby. The door that Honest kicked in had been split in half. One side was on the floor in front of the counter while the other was behind. The halls left and right were both blocked off by collapsed sections of wall. That meant there were three paths forwards. The large closed doors across the lobby and a set of stairs on each of its sides.\n\nOf course, the further within the lobby someone went, the louder the accordion became.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Cam\n\n\"Sure, we wouldn't want our metallic colleague getting lost, now would we?\" Cam said, idly patting the wooden box strapped to her right hip. The strange magic of the relic waited and reassured her. Reality could be changed. Reality could be changed and so could she. \n\nThe metal suitcase Mel had given them weighed heavily in her left hand. Relics required CATs. Unless you wanted trouble. Unless you wanted reality bending trouble. And she wasn't going to leave it to Honest to carry it. Burning a small amount of vitas, her eyes shifted to those of a cat, deep amber, pupils turned to narrow slits. She was still relaxed, untroubled, but wary, she could feel the hairs rising on the back of her neck. The supernatural was not far. Predictably, given that a relic was in the mix. Mel had said so. And Cam trusted her. More than she trusted Honest, at least. Her ears shifted next. New frequencies of sound washing over her. New smells followed as she made subtle changes to her olfactory system. Surprises would not do. Not now. Not when the prize was worth 2000 kr. That was a lot of food. And a lot of wine.\n\nShe'd never liked Littown. She'd never liked carpeting. Gross. Gross all around. Filthy. Dirty. And perfumed with rot. In and out. Get the book and get the money. She wanted it to be easy. She wanted it to be that easy. Just for once, Cam, wanted the credits to come with no strings attached.\n\nSighing quietly to herself, Cam waved a lazy goodbye to blade wielding girl and Emma, vanishing down the middle passage after Niid.", "username": "Abstract Proxy", "char_name": "Camilla" }, { "text": "|\n| |\n| CLEANERS* Honest\n\t+ Tough Love: Refuses to act unless ??? or ???\n* Yasu\n* Cam\n* Nils\n* Emma\n | TARGET LIST* Lion-headed Ringleader \n[HEALTHY] [2]\n\n\n\t+ ???: ???\n\t+ ???: ???\n* Half-Man Sized Car \n[UPTURNED] [?]\n\n\n\t+ ???: ???\n* Elephant-headed Unicyclist \n[HEALTHY] [1]\n* Elephant-headed Trapeze \n[HEALTHY] [1]\n* Clown with Accordion Arms\n* Clown with Oversized Axe\n* Clown with Undersized Mallet\n |\n| Special characters have special qualities that may be hidden until they become apparent.\nUndetected characters can freely act until detected, but can only take one action that would reveal them. | Elite entities require multiple actions to fell and have special (possibly unknown) characteristics.\nGreater entities may require multiple actions to fell.\nLesser entities can be slain by a single action.\nDestroyed entities are usually out of the fight\n\n[state] denotes their current state and [#] denotes how many actions they can perform each round.\n> {Name} denotes who the enemy is currently focusing on.\n |\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nWith Niid boldly leading the way, Niid and Cam found themselves in front of the heavy door. Thankfully, Niid had taken something that relaxed him rather than a pure stimulant. Nobody had kicked the second set of doors down as Honest had done to the entryway. The heavy door opened without a sound and revealed the next room to Niid and Cam.\n\nOpposite of the entryway was a mixture of theatre and stage. Far above the entry group, a projector without a reel buzzed while illuminating a tapestry screen. In turn, the front half of the theatre was given light. The top half of the walls gave way to balconies full of seats. The ground floor was much more sparse; the seats that had survived the scavengers were long since reduced to an uneven rubble.\n\nThere were six entities that they could see near the stage.\n\nAn unconcerned ringleader with a lion's head paced the stage. It growled at a non-existent audience as if to narrate a performance. The lack of response of the nonexistent crowd was interrupted by the ringleader cracking its whip and pacing to the other side of the stage to repeat itself.\n\nAn elephant-headed figure on a unicycle rode in circles on the stage while juggling three bowling pins. Perhaps \"on a unicycle\" wasn't the most accurate description; its lower half seemed to be the unicycle itself with flesh making tire and bone making spokes. The bowling pins were made out of similar organics.\n\nAnother elephant-headed figure dangled from the roof above the stage. Following its rope-leg up to the roof revealed something distinct: the roof had been covered by a web of flesh and party streamers. The flesh made sense, but the party streamers were new\n\nIn front of the stage lay three half-man sized clowns and a small upturned car. The three clowns seemed to push and pull at the car. The clown with accordion arms was the most involved as it pushed and pulled. Its arms made that signature sound that filled the building. The other clowns--one wielding a large axe and another wielding a small club--were no help in returning the car to its upright position.\n\nThe existence of these figures was confirmation that something was in this building. Supernatural occurrences in unpopulated areas usually confirmed the existence of a relic. It was either that or a hiding immortal. Sometimes it was both.\n\nThankfully, the shadows had allowed their entry into the theatre room to be undisturbed. Not one of the entities had noticed them open the door.\n\nHonest had followed Nid and Cam. She entered the room and stood against the wall opposite of the stage. When someone looked at her, she gestured her head at the stage as if to say \"deal with it already.\" She wasn't exactly keen on doing the dirty work when her job was to look after the kiddos.\n\nThough maybe Honest should have kicked the entryway to this room in too. The door probably would have cleaved the three entities on the stage in half.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Cam\n\nDropping the metal case next to Honest with a shrug, Cam turned to face the stage. She felt no joy at seeing the theatrics. Only hunger. Only the hunt. Prowling forward with light feet, he lips shifted into a sharp toothed smile as magic moved through her. Nails turned into claws, predatory muscle rippled beneath her clothes, and tufts of fur swept over her pale skin.\n\nShe saw hints of movement in the rafters, but didn't waste time, she could see her prey, she could smell them, and she could hear them. The only sin was hesitating. The only mistake was waiting. She had to move. She had to act. Before the creatures on the stage reacted. Before the disquieting car man thing managed to rise.\n\nBounding forward with violence in mind, Cam crashed into the misshapen accordion creature, razor sharp claws raking through the air toward the throat of the creature. She felt warm blood spilling across her hands as her claws cut through skin, muscle, and plasticized bone piping that crumbled like brittle plastic. Rolling to her feet with a feline grace and all the fury of a spurned alley cat, Cam leapt at the clown carrying the oversized axe, reaching down to grab hold of the shoulders of the pint sized clown and chomping down on the neck of the unfortunate creature with an audible crunch.\n\nGrinning, full of adrenaline, coursing with fresh vita, and enjoying the hunt more than she should, Cam circled the remaining clown, keeping her front to the stage, watching the mallet it carried cautiously, waiting to see what it would do.\n\nCam sneak attacks the dastardly Accordion Clown, killing it as it is weak. (1 action)\nShe then attacks the pint sized Axe Clown, killing it because it is weak and she hates clowns. (1 action)\nCam saves one action.", "username": "Abstract Proxy", "char_name": "Camilla" }, { "text": "|\n| |\n| CLEANERS* Honest\n\t+ Tough Love: Refuses to act unless ??? or ???\n* Yasu\n* Cam\n* Nils\n* Emma\n | TARGET LIST* Lion-headed Ringleader \n[HEALTHY] [2]\n\n\n\t+ Beast of Rage: ???\n\t+ ???: ???\n* Half-Man Sized Car \n[UPTURNED] [1]\n\n\n\t+ Clown Car: If possible, creates another clown.\n* Elephant-headed Unicyclist \n[HEALTHY] [1]\n* Elephant-headed Trapeze \n[DISMEMBERED] [1?]\n* Clown with Accordion Arms\n* Clown with Oversized Axe\n* Clown with Undersized Mallet\n* Clown Covered in Party Poppers\n |\n| Special characters have special qualities that may be hidden until they become apparent.\nUndetected characters can freely act until detected, but can only take one action that would reveal them. | Elite entities require multiple actions to fell and have special (possibly unknown) characteristics.\nGreater entities may require multiple actions to fell.\nLesser entities can be slain by a single action.\nDestroyed entities are usually out of the fight\n\n[state] denotes their current state and [#] denotes how many actions they can perform each round.\n> {Name} denotes who the enemy is currently focusing on.\n |\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n\n\nWith a swift cut of the blade, the trapeze had been wrested from its ceiling domain. It plummeted to the ground, its natural fortitude preventing damage from the fall. The stage was a different story as the trapeze's body created an indent. The trapeze didn't move in response; it required a brief moment to recover.\n\nThe supernatural did not conventionally have brains, but they were still beholden to the concept. If a monster had a head, slicing it off would defeat it. Of course, that only held true if the monster didn't possess using qualities like false body parts and regeneration. Luckily for Yasu and Emma, this was a case of a simple monster. The mind of the trapeze, if mind was even the appropriate word for it, was contained within the dangling body.\n\nIf they managed to--or even wanted to--grasp the limp length of sinew that now helplessly dangled from the roof, they could dangle above the stage out of reach. However, the falling party streamers and lumps of flesh signified that the sinew would not last long.\n\nThe performance was ruined. That's what the expression of the ringleader's face said. It warped and contorted with rage and anger. Its previous disgust at the troupe's lack of audience seemed to be nothing in comparison. The whip cracked as the ringleader swung it. This time, it slashed a deep gouge on the stage. It would stop these interlopers from ruining its performance. It approached Yasu as a quiet growl escaped its lips. The difference in height became apparent with each step; the ringleader was approximately two Yasu tall.\n\nThe unicyclist had chosen a different target. Not swayed by an innate rage, it had chosen to violently throw its pins at Emma with a remarkable lack of accuracy.\n\nReckless brutality was enough to silence the accordion clown. Cam's choice to bite down the neck of the axe clown wasn't the best. What flooded her mouth was not the familiar taste of blood, flesh, and evil. What she had tasted was spoiled cream and mouldy pastries. It wasn't poison, but it was still not pleasant for someone who one job away from eating the finest the district had to offer.\n\nBut there was one thing Cam's violence missed: the true reason why the clowns were trying to upturn the car.\n\nA rumbling came in front of the bestial cleaner. The innards of the car groaned and creaked. The doors rattled as something tried to emerge. Suddenly, it stopped. A brief moment of silence before the door violently swung open. A clown covered in party poppers had been launched towards Cam.\n\nA supernatural car that lacked eyes, of course, could not aim. The party-popper clown flew above her by a few feet and did what it does best: exploded in a shower of red mist and confetti as it struck the ground behind her.\n\nAt first, the mallet clown was as distracted as Cam was. Bewilderment turned to scorn as tears (blue paint, rather) began to flow from its glassy eyes. It swung violently at Cam, its surprisingly quick little swings only diminished by the fact that its arms and choice of weapon were too small to even scrape her skin. Cam could have simply stuck her hand on the clown's forehead to completely stop his reckless advance.\n\nPoor mallet clown.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "|\n| |\n| CLEANERS* Honest\n\t+ Tough Love: Refuses to act unless ??? or ???\n* Yasu\n* Cam\n* Niid\n* Emma\n | TARGET LIST* Lion-headed Ringleader \n[BLINDED; NEUTERED] [2]\n\n\n\t+ Beast of Rage: Gain strength as wounded.\n\t+ Nemean: ???\n* Half-Man Sized Car \n[UPTURNED; DENTED] [1]\n\n\n\t+ Clown Car: If possible, creates another clown.\n* Elephant-headed Unicyclist \n[DISMEMBERED] [1]\n* Elephant-headed Trapeze \n[VERY MUCH FUCKED] [1?]\n* Clown with Accordion Arms\n* Clown with Oversized Axe\n* Clown with Undersized Mallet\n* Clown Covered in Party Poppers\n* Clown of Normal Human Size\n |\n| Special characters have special qualities that may be hidden until they become apparent.\nUndetected characters can freely act until detected, but can only take one action that would reveal them. | Elite entities require multiple actions to fell and have special (possibly unknown) characteristics.\nGreater entities may require multiple actions to fell.\nLesser entities can be slain by a single action.\nDestroyed entities are usually out of the fight\n\n[state] denotes their current state and [#] denotes how many actions they can perform each round.\n> {Name} denotes who the enemy is currently focusing on.\n |\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe shadow that Emma had called leapt and chomped down on the unicyclist. While it had not been as loud as Emma had hoped, the sound of flesh tearing and bones crunching filled the stage. What Emma had discovered, however, was how much mobility a single wheel gave. Alongside the noises of flesh came the screech of a flesh-tire and the smell of burning flesh. While the maw closed, the unicyclist had reversed course and leapt. The maw had only caught part of its torso; its arm and a good portion of its chest had been taken. If the stage was shrouded in darkness, then her creature would likely have been fast enough to snag the unicyclist in its entirety.\n\nThe unicyclist would not stop and lick its wounds. Its flesh splattered and sputtered as the wheel spun faster. It skirted around the shadow beast. What remained of the unicyclist's body painted the stage with flesh and blood as it made an impossibly agile corner. It was attempting to run down Emma.\n\nYasu's blade further cut the trapeze. While it had not been finished, its body became unrecognizable. Its familiar form had been gashed and bashed into a blob-ish bloom of cut flesh and spurting blood. Awakening from the pain, it crawled towards the only target it could see with its blade-mangled face pressed against the stage floor: Cam.\n\nThe bestial shifter had been dealing with the clowns. In her brief moment of respite, she found enough time to attack the car. The car's undercarriage rattled as Cam struck it. Metal--if it could be called that--became dented and connections came apart. However, it was not enough to destroy the vehicle. After all, she was still only one person. What chance did a single person have at destroying a car by hand?\n\nThe clowns, it would seem, arrived as easily as they left. The doors of the car opened once again. A clown quickly crawled out, its body noticeably larger than the previous ones. Immediately after standing, it leapt at Cam in an attempt at delivering a flying punch directly to her dome.\n\nNiid and Yasu's tag-team attack worked well. Niid's shots bore holes in the ringleader's visage. While they did not penetrate beyond its skull, a twin pair of flowery blooms replaced one eye and dripped foul blood above the other. The shots were enough to get the ringleader to one arm in front of its head and change its attempts at stopping Yasu to desperate blind swings. Her blade cut through the groin of the ringleader. Not the deepest cut, but enough of a cut to wound the beast. It roared in response; perhaps one was expecting it to purr instead.\n\nWhat Niid learned from leaping at the ringleader, however, was that lopping a limb off was considerably more difficult than a makeshift neutering. If his blade had been wreathed in chains or had been a refined blade, then he could have made it. However, a machete made to hew would only become stuck within the dense flesh of a lion-man. Niid could only dangle awkwardly as the blinded ringleader's muscles seemed to thicken with each wound.\n\nNiid's hang-time was cut short as the ringleader responded with a powerful shoulder check. The close distance meant that Niid was thrown--not struck--towards Yasu. Nothing would be damaged, save his ego.\n\nOf course, that was only if the ringleader stopped there. It didn't. The ringleader pulled back its whip-holding arm.\n\nVisions of death. Niid and Yasu both understood that, if they did not move, they would be bisected where they stood.\n\nAnd the ringleader's arm, bulging and ripping with power, swung the whip at the two.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "\"Whoop, there you are!\"\n\nYasu caught Niid as he was knocked back into her, holding the cybernetically and chemically enhanced boy by his hips as she spun around, a dancer swinging her partner. A moment later, he found his feet on the ground and found Yasu advancing further.\n\nVisions of death were commonplace, and the scepter of death itself was even more so. Factories would grind their workers to bone meal. The underworld was chocked full of corpses that would never move on. Every day, Fixers arrived to replace the Fixers that left. Every night, a light turned off was a life taken swift. Gun retorts and the sigh of a knife. Spatial rupturings and the whispers of the mind. A few seconds ago, it had been that green finger, hidden in the shadows cast by the projector. Now, it was the ringleader, arm cocked back and rippling with muscles that had not been there a moment before.\n\nVisions of death simply indicated the Boundary of Death.\n\nAnd the best Fixers learned to walk right on that edge.\n\nThe cross burned bright within her odd-eye, showing her the myriad Yasus who made the same choice as herself. As one, they launched themselves forwards. As one, they gripped their sword. As one, they swung out, the beloved blade swirling with their own lifeforce. All for the purpose of slicing that whip in half.\n\nCoins spun in the heavens above, but she never worried about the result once she set it into motion.\n\nWhether heads or tails, whether success or fail, Yasu remained fearless.\n\nBecause live or die, Yasu always survived.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "|\n| |\n| CLEANERS* Honest\n\t+ Tough Love: Refuses to act unless ??? or ???\n* Yasu\n* Cam\n* Niid\n* Emma\n | TARGET LIST* Lion-headed Ringleader \n[BLINDED; NEUTERED] [2]\n\n\n\t+ Beast of Rage: Gain strength as wounded.\n\t+ Nemean: ???\n* Half-Man Sized Car \n[EXPLODED]\n\n\n\t+ Clown Car: If possible, creates another clown.\n* Elephant-headed Unicyclist \n[POPPED]\n* Elephant-headed Trapeze \n[VERY MUCH FUCKED] [1?]\n* Clown with Accordion Arms\n* Clown with Oversized Axe\n* Clown with Undersized Mallet\n* Clown Covered in Party Poppers\n* Clown of Normal Human Size\n |\n| Special characters have special qualities that may be hidden until they become apparent.\nUndetected characters can freely act until detected, but can only take one action that would reveal them. | Elite entities require multiple actions to fell and have special (possibly unknown) characteristics.\nGreater entities may require multiple actions to fell.\nLesser entities can be slain by a single action.\nDestroyed entities are usually out of the fight\n\n[state] denotes their current state and [#] denotes how many actions they can perform each round.\n> {Name} denotes who the enemy is currently focusing on.\n |\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nYasu's blade met the whip as she charged forward. Each Yasu felt the full strength of what they had faced. Their shoulders screamed out in agony, desperate to pop out of their sockets. The vibration melted their hands, even if it was just sensory. The air pressure cut into their faces, small rivers of blood forming and clotting in an instant.\n\nBut Yasu won. The whip was cut before Yasu was torn asunder. The beast could only respond with its anger, its muscles continuing to bulge larger with rage.\n\nThey all had an opening.\n\nNiid, on the other hand, was less fortunate. What had been cut remained in motion. Disconnected from its handle, a portion of the whip quickly spun its way over to him to strike him in the skull. If it struck his skull, there would have likely been a fracture. Fortune favoured metal more than bone, however. While his brain rattled around in its cage, the remains of the whip only wrapped around his head and pulled him to the ground. He'd live, even if his pride was continually wounded.\n\nThe snake-like clone that Emma birthed from the cyclist's own shadow was enough. No matter how fast one could be, one couldn't outrun their own shadow. Well, one could provided they were sufficiently airborne, but a single metre was not enough. The unicyclist was dragged back towards the ground, its wheel millimetres away from grinding Emma's face to the bone. The shadow constricted the cyclist. It tightened and tightened. Did the supernatural feel pain? Its writing certainly made it seem so. Its joints popped. Its bones cracked. Its head rattled and shook until finally...\n\nLike a grape.\n\nCam's kick put a firm dent into the door. Another clown appeared within and pushed against the dented door. It wouldn't open. Her plan to block the door seemed to work. A second clown appeared and went for the opposite side. The door that Cam was eagerly awaiting at was, by some miracle, locked. The car spawned another clown. No luck opening the doors. Rapidly, the car became filled with malformed and underdeveloped clowns as it struggled to spew more at the beast who had killed its brood. Again and again, clowns of progressively worse development filled up the supernatural compartment until the car began to bulge, the metal--if it was even metal--weakening under the stress of so much pressure.\n\nThe windows gave way first. The glass pane was pushed out by a torrent of cream, confetti, and clown consistencies. The pressure inside was enough to destroy the hardened entity from the inside. While the frame was undamaged save for the Cam's dents, the synchronized detachment of each wheel signified its demise.\n\nThere would be no more funny business on this day.\n\nOf course, with her focused on the car, Cam failed to notice what remained of the trapeze. With surprising agility, it leapt at the bestial woman from behind and subsumed her upper body within its butterflied flesh. It tightened around her and...\n\nWell, that's all it did. Unlike the unicyclist, it didn't have a heavy spinning wheel that could grind others with. It didn't have the strength of the ringleader. It certainly didn't have the comical weaponry of the clowns. It would seem that the trapeze's main purpose was to pick someone up, throw them around, and be a general nuisance from the ceiling. Fortunately for the cleaners, they had dealt with it before it had come up.\n\nCam only had to deal with the death rattle of a sad performer who hadn't had a chance to shine.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "She saw it in the reflection of her extended blade.\n\nA myriad of presents expanding outwards in the instant of severance. Shadows fading away as Yasu met her end, her mouth opening up to speak the last words that only Yasu could read. Some filled with encouragement. Others filled with unsated wrath. Still more happy to have made it so far. And all of them, confident that this wouldn't be their end. For where Yasu fell, Yasu continued, living the futures that had been lost.\n\nThe whip flew by, impotent rage cut down at the root, and the youth charged on, not giving herself a moment to rest! Prodigious size simply merited greater exsanguination! Muscles that bulged like that were simply filled with fluids, not flesh! And an angry cat was cute, not scary!\n\n\"Everyone!\" They could hear the joy in her voice, the joy of living to personally see another sun rise, the joy of living to continue down the path that the others could not. \"It's time for an all out attack!\"\n\n\n\nAnd with that, Yasu hurled her sword forwards with all her might, mirror-polished steel turned into a brilliant disc as it sank into the chest of the blind lion. Without even giving it a pause to roar out in pain or sink into itself to protect its vitals, the young girl dashed forth, the crimson cross within her odd eye bending into a crimson halo, a crimson ring. She could see it all. All the paths she could take, all the methods of execution available for her. And while the precocious Cleaner occasionally had a taste for being a contrarian, in this case?\n\nBranches converged, three hundred Yasus deciding that they all wanted to do the same thing.\n\nLaunch into a Rider Kick that would shoot her sword straight through this third-rate ringmaster.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "\"How lame...\" Shun grumbled as she hopped off of the smoking truck. There was a brief wonder if Rin could return the truck to its proper glory. It was quickly shut down as it was brought up because of the lack of necessary equipment and damage. While Rin was a prodigy when it came to mechanics, some things were not fixable unless she were a super mechanic! In that case, Rin had a definite chance of fixing this poor girl up. \n\nThough as Shun began to settle down, something hit in the head. It wasn't anything physical or mental. In fact, it was already there by the time she woke up. \"Ugh...\" Her head felt like pins were being driven through her skull. The light was nauseous to look at. Wave exhaustion crashed into her. The adrenalin seemed to have faded away once there was no immediate danger. Though despite faltering from the effects, Shun stood strong and straightened herself up. She could endure it.\n\nIt was time to address the fact that they were in a portal. A single glance at their environment could tell anyone that wherever they were, it wasn't Earth, which excited Shun, though it was slightly hampered by her concussion. It was still going to be a grand experience of adventure and survival. However, the start was going to be tough. Even Shun could realize the severity of their situation. Most of the students were hurt or injured, the only adult was dead, and she could hear Akito being an ass.\n\nHowever, she perked up when she heard Yuudai's voice. \"Ah me? I'm doing a-okay, Higasa!\" As she gave a thumbs up to the buzzcut student. Even though she wasn't feeling exactly well, she wanted to look strong in front of everybody. Otherwise, it'd be a bit of a downer if even she was unwell. \"Eh? Is it called the Nobel Peace Poetry? How many trophies are there-\" Shun immediately shut herself up when Yuudai began to make up a poem.\n\nIt was... \n\nNothing? Shun didn't get what poetry was all about. Writing and reading words wasn't her thing, after all. \"Wow, to think you can even make up a poem right now.\" She was impressed, though. \n\nRegardless of that, she wanted to know their situation. Inaba, the twins, and Higasa seemed perfect well and assumed that Sato was also fine. Endo, on the other hand, last time she checked, seemed to be in a complete wreck, however. \"How is everyone doing, aside from Akito, Higasa?\" Shun asked him. \"Is everyone gathering up right now? Knowing Class prez, he'd probably gather everyone to some sort of meeting.\" Shun chuckled at the thought.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Name Kanamori Shun" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nRin's only thoughts on the bus was that it was a shame. There was no fixing up that bad girl. Maybe if they tore out everything when the fire stopped, she could convert it into some kind of shelter. Or she could pull it apart for the precious scraps of metal that adorned its frame. Well. She didn't really have any ideas now. It was something she'd have to think about. Thankfully, Rin being at the back of the bus combined with her disinterest let her ignore an inconvenient truth held within.\n\nThat someone had died and their corpse had been burning.\n\nPerhaps it was better to not think of it at all.\n\n...\n\nWell, no sense in standing around. Rin always hated that. Standing around. Nothing interesting happened when people stood around. After all, they had the threes of survival to follow. What were they? Three minutes without air, three hours without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food?\n\nIt was probably about three minutes since they crashed. That meant that the air was probably fine. That meant that she had to work on shelter! They only had three hours, after all! Of course, the part that Rin didn't care enough about to remember was that it was three hours in extreme conditions. \n\nShe'd already got to work on her own.\n\nIn true Rin fashion, she hadn't told anyone about her plans for shelter. She just immediately went to break some branches off of the weird trees. She'd leave being affable to the more social members of her class. For now, at least.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\n\n\"The Otherside? You mean that place that gets sung about by that one lady who wants to always tell people hello from it?....well now, I'm not quite sure what to think about that\" reaching her hand up to rub her chin as she thought about it. Not minding that Tsubaki continued to tend to her head and look after her. The bruise being rather tender to the touch, Ayana was starting to feel much better as the initial shock of it all started to wear off. \n\nHer eyes drifting towards the black smoke rising into the clear blue sky as she pondered it for a moment. Turning her attention to the rest of her classmates as she saw Masato run off to go after Rin, while the others seemed to be going about their own various tasks. \"Everyone seems so lively, who knew it took crashing a bus to get everyone energized\" remarking on the situation as she didn't have very long to ponder it.\n\nBeing interrupted by the sound of screams coming from various classmates and the roars of the onrushing Wolfbear's. The situation turning chaotic without any warning her ears being filled with the crashing of brush and shrubby, the panic settling in as many started to move much more frantically. The two Wolfbears that had split off to come after the main group in a hungry bloodthirsty rush.\n\nAyana watched as they emerged from the brush as she got up to her feet immediately and considered running for it initially. It's extra eyes giving her the creeps as it reminded her of some kind of spider. But suddenly a thought came to her mind, if she ran, then surely, they would either just run her down, or go after someone else. There was no way she could let that happen to one of her fellow classmates. She had no weapon, or way to defend herself or anyone else, but she had to find something to do.\n\nSuddenly an idea sprung into her head, wait... she had two weapons directly attached to her feet. She didn't know quite why this idea had come into her head, but surely it was better than doing nothing. It had been like a voice inside of her head causing discord amongst her thoughts. Reaching down and yanking off the shoe from her left foot. Taking aim at one of the two beasts. She turned her body sideways like a major league pitcher. Putting all the strength into her leg as her adrenaline built within her. Her muscles tensing up as she gripped the shoe in her right hand. Rearing back with all her might, all of her power. She drove her body forward with her right foot. Her body twisting as she brought her right hand forward like a slingshot. Her pushing off her right leg with every fiber in her body. \"Take this you WolfBearSpider!\" with a final shout she released the shoe from her hand….\n\nAs it immediately flew straight up into the air above her slipping out of her hand at the last moment. Ayana not realizing this as she expected to see the shoe careening towards one of the two Wolfbear. Only for the shoe to come tumbling down from the sky above, whacking her in the top of the head with a thud which immediately startled her. Standing there for a moment blinking her eyes as she didn't know what had happened at first. Coming to a quick conclusion without any real reasoning \"It threw the shoe back faster then I could see it! This beast is more dangerous than I thought!\" Quickly gathering up her shoe from the ground and slipping it back onto her foot. Deciding to try to group up with the biggest group of students she could nearby and figuring they would have a better plan after her attempt had failed.", "username": "Nakushita", "char_name": "Todokawa, Ayana" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nUnfortunately, Rin had not yet constructed a spiked fence when a beast had arrived. Even if Masato had been able to warn her, she wouldn't have been able to react since she wasn't listening to him anyway.\n\nIt was a strange experience. She had gone from dangling on branches to prone on the ground with a beast on top of her. Claws pressed into her waist, the weight of the beast-amalgamate stealing her breath. It was certainly different. Rin was used to being injured. After all, whenever Kunio wasn't with her, she'd have to personally test what she made. Her thoughts of what she overlooked usually dulled the pain. \n\nThis time, there were no thoughts. There was no reason why this had happened. There was no math error. There was no point of failure. There was no scrapyard bolt that sheared. There was nothing she could try to solve as she lay on the ground. It wasn't like she could think, anyways; thinking was a privilege afforded to those not on the precipice of life.\n\nFor the first time in her life, Rin had nothing as she watched others try to deal with the beast that had oh-so-lovingly whetted its appetite on her branch. The flying kick of Maki who had bought her seconds of time. The footsteps of beasts running past at least signalled that she wasn't immediately to be devoured, despite what the beast on top of her would want her to think. The stones of Kogen, a pitcher's attempt to fight, would briefly steal its attention. But it was just a boy throwing rocks. The beast could easy tear her throat with a single tooth and deal with the chuunilinquent later.\n\nShe felt her heart beat. There was no breath to cushion the reverberations. Her heart refused to stop beating. Even if Rin couldn't think, her heart would guide her. No inefficient solution to a problem this time. Her long forgotten sense of survival was guiding her. It was a surprise that it came back; Rin was the type who refused to eat for entire days because she wanted to finish something. A wave of warmth washed over her and flowed into her arms.\n\nWas it a blessing that she had not landed with her tools on her back? Was it a curse that she was not protecting her most prized possession? She felt the familiar nylon.\n\nHer hand gripped her bag as tight as it could, her fingernails dripping with blood as the warmth hid the pain.\n\nIf the beast wished to eat, then it would certainly eat. Rin would force nylon, polyethylene, and steel down its throat until it was full.\n\nHer first words upon arrival were not instructions nor did they make conversation.\n\nThe first thing that came to her mouth was an indecipherable scream of anguish and survival.\n\n\"ぎゃーー\"\n\nShe swung her bag at the beast, the weighty tools jingling as they collided with each other inside.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\n\nSoaring through the air, Rin was reminded of something. She always wanted to make that glider. She wanted to fly in the sky. What was the reason again? She wanted to survey the land. Right, that was it. Surveying the land. Not looking through a screen at satellite images. Not walking around and measuring with sticks. Looking down at it with her own eyes.\n\nTwelve meters wasn't very high up, but Rin could make a conclusion. Flight kind of sucked. Losing her tools kind of sucked. Everything kind of sucked.\n\nHer thoughts shut down as she smashed against the trunk of the tree and was caught by its branches. It hurt. Actually, did it hurt? It wasn't like any pain she normally had. It felt like her blood was welling and pooling. Gathering. Her back, her arms, her legs, her head. They all held. The buzzing kept her conscious. Or was the collision not enough to rob her of her consciousness in the first place?\n\nShe took breaths looking down at the wolf. She couldn't just jump down, could she? Not while Maki was riding the beast. It wasn't like she had anything left to throw besides her own body, either. Rin just needed to bide her time. Be ready to strike.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭\n__________________________________________________\n\nThe ball connected with the charging beast's head accurately enough, but the brief moment of victory Duncan felt for hitting a moving target square in the face didn't last long. As soon as the ball had made impact, it'd bounced off somewhere unseen, leaving Duncan without weapons - and also without his favourite fucking basketball. Great. He didn't... didn't think that far. Thinking wasn't exactly his forte.\n\nBut though the ball had done nothing to disorient the beast, it had drawn its attention well enough. That was what Duncan had wanted, but seeing the beast's hulking form and hungry eyes turn to him, he wasn't sure why. So Haruko and the others could run while he wrestled it down like some sort of a fucking action hero? C'mon. He'd shouted for the others to do something, so why wasn't anyone doing sh--\n\nTwo shouts pierced the air; Asahi's, as he rushed forward with a burning stick, and Daisuke's as he spurred the rest of the team into action. To fight, not to run. A grin spread across Duncan's face. Man, what an ass, trying to one up him at every turn. He couldn't have that. Everywhere around them, the air was already filling with shouts, grunts, screams, as the other students all scrambled into action against the monsters. They were taking a stand on all fronts.\n\n\"Already on it!\" Duncan shouted back at Daisuke, about to dash towards the wolfbear, when someone sped past him. Sasuke. In a feat that halted Duncan where he stood, the guy flipped the beast onto its back like it was some fat, flailing man. Oh. Oh, well, shit. Reminder not to mess with that one. Suddenly, his 78 streak against Daisuke didn't feel that impressive.\n\n... Right, the dogpile! \"Last one there's a fucking nerd!\"\n\nAnd everyone knew he wasn't a fucking nerd.\n\nThe combined weight of multiple bodies piled onto the wolfbear, trying to pin it down. But it wouldn't be enough to just hold it in place forever, they had to actually take it down permanently, somehow. But how? Beat it unconscious? Strangle it? Snap its neck? Its skull was solid and neck thicker than Haruko's thighs! If only they had something sharp to just gut it.\n\nYou know what, whatever, with enough force, there was nothing they couldn't accomplish. The fear that had churned Duncan's insides had long since been drowned by a rush of adrenaline. This was the final game of the season, the one that decided everything, and he was the ace for a reason. So, stubbornly and recklessly, he shoved his weight, knees first, down on the beast's throat e to restrict airflow, eyes fixed on its jaws - but not on its claws.\n\nDuncan didn't feel pain at first. He felt the impact, saw the claws as they grazed against his chest, but the damage done didn't register through the adrenaline. What he did register was all the red. It stained everything. His clothes, his hands, all taken by a warm red something. Something was wrong, that much he understood on an instinctive level.\n\nSomeone close by, someone else in the dogpile, sounded startled. Their eyes were wide, finger pointing. At him. At his torso. Duncan looked down, and realized his shirt had been torn open. Bloodied chunks had curled to the sides. \n\nThen he realized the chunks weren't fabric. They were skin. \n\nRealization hit him with the force of a thousand basketballs: there was a gash on his abdomen, and he was going to fucking die.", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "DUNCAN STEWART\"The Dunk\"" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n'Why am I doing this to myself?!' Asahi irritatingly thought to himself as he swung his burning branch at the wolfbear, hoping it was enough to deter the nightmarish creature, but of course it didn't work because why should it. Its three pairs of soulless eyes followed the swinging stick for a while as it had seemed to be distracted by whatever Asahi was doing. \n\nAs for the pink-haired boy himself, he was regretting this decision in his life. He should've snuck off and run as far as he could the first chance he got but alas, he had to be a 'hero' and help his classmates. As much as he wanted to leave them and escape for safety, Asahi quickly realized that he won't be able to step another foot further in this place all by himself. He needed to stay with his classmates if he wanted to have the slightest chance of surviving in this god-forsaken otherworld. Besides, he thought that if he survived, he'd be seen as a hero and an inspiration by his peers. It also seemed that no one was doing anything at first so he had to try and do something, anything.\n\nA figure rushed past Asahi so fast he barely had time to react to it. His eyes widened in amazement when he realized it was Sasuke, bravely rushing into the thick of danger like a true hero. \"No...!\" Asahi said in alarm and worry as the wolfbear lunged at him. He took a step forward to try and help Sasuke any way he could but it seemed that there was no need for Asahi's help as it got flipped and slammed on its back. Kunio, Yuki, and the rest of the boys all dove onto the beast. It made this weird, scary noise like a demonic dog as thrashed around, trying to escape while the boys all put their entire weights on it to keep it pinned down. \n\n\"Duncan!\" Asahi screamed, eyes wide open in horror as he saw the wolfbear clawing at him. It ripped his shirt to pieces, showing huge clawmarks across his torso. Asahi couldn't even imagine the pain Duncan was under yet he was still on top of the animal, keeping his down against its neck.\n\nGrowling, Asahi rushed towards the group, tightening his grip on his lit branch as he hit the wolfbear's head, over and over and over and over. \"Fucking! Bitch! Die! Die! Die!\" He screamed in anger everytime his branch made contact with the beast's head. It didn't matter to him that the monster's skull might be harder than he thought. He kept hitting it until the branch started to break and the wolfbear's blood splattered on Asahi, and he kept on hitting it with whatever's left of the branch in his hands anyways.", "username": "baraquiel", "char_name": "Hoshino Asahi" } ]

[ { "text": "Clearing, ???\n\n---\n\n\nMentions: @Yankee@OwO\n\nThis was it, huh?\n\nDying beside your peers, against beasts beyond your comprehension. \n\nLife was pretty unfair, wasn't it? Being born in a backwater town where your only talent wouldn't get the recognition it deserved, covered in obscurity by a few jealous seniors.\n\nYou couldn't make your mark in the world, and now this is where life has lead you.\n\nDying in an unknown world, one where only a few will remember you...\n\nKogen's eyes fluttered as he slowly succumbed to his fate, the pain that radiated through his body becoming more unbearable as the bearwolf crushed him. Despite this, he still had some willingness to fight in him, the barest remnants of his instincts flaring from within.\n\nKogen launched an arm up, grasping hard on the bearwolf's arm. Maybe if he allowed himself to get torn up by this beast, if he squirmed just enough, Masato could crawl out from underneath him. It's the least he could do, after all.\n\nHe was too out of breath to really do anything else.\n\nAs he squirmed, Kogen noticed a glint in the sky. Was this a... hallucination? Were his delusions becoming real in his death throes? No, it couldn't be... is that Inaba, falling from the sky? Did a branch break, or... no. Her movements, stiff as they may be, seemed deliberate.\n\n... Are you just going to sit and watch, or are you also going to fight?\n\nThe boy's body moved swifty, though he wasn't sure if it was entirely of his own volition. It's almost as if seeing his classmate's will to fight despite being totally dead filled Kogen with a deep-seated sense of resolve. He continued to grasp on the bearwolf's arm, digging his nails into its flesh as the pain that surged through his body began to disappear. His other hand clutched the hammer tightly, waiting for just the right opportunity to act. Fo fight.\n\nThe air that escaped his lungs was instead replaced with fire.\n\nAs soon as Inaba made impact, Kogen swung his hammer into the one of the bearwolf's elbows, throwing all his might into the blow. From its weakened grasp, Kogen used the counteracting momentum of his swing and the bearwolf's movment to throw his own body to the side while still clinging to the monster's arm.\n\nNothing else matters anymore. The only thing you need to do is kill it.\n\nAnd so, Kogen would do so, raising the hooked side of the hammer and jamming it into the bearwolf's neck, before ripping downward.", "username": "Cu Chulainn", "char_name": "Tsutsumi Kogen" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nAs if it wasn't obvious enough, Asahi really started to hate this place.\n\nAll that dogpiling of the toughest guys in the class and all that beating he did on the wolfbear's head, and the freaking monster looked like it wasn't even hurt. To add insult to injury, it seemed that the class was doing more damage to themselves than to these freaks of nature. Duncan's intestines were flopping out of his slashed belly and poor Yuki was out there somewhere, his right shoulder probably broken beyond repair as he was thrown like a ragdoll somewhere. \n\nAsahi was now face-to-face with the wolfbear, all its eyes focused on the pink-haired lad. Blood matted on the fur on its head, or was it Asahi's? He wasn't sure anymore but he did believe one thing was a hundred percent certain: he was going to die right then and there.\n\n\"C'mon, asshole!\" Asahi shouted once again, his rage more imminent now than before. Despite the hopelessness of his situation, he was still angry about the animal, about their situation, practically about everything. He gripped what remained of his branch and raised it at eye level so the wolfbear could see it. \n\n\"I'm not afraid of a disgusting beast like you. You're going to die here and now.\" He said to the beast, maintaining eye contact with it as he spoke with stone cold conviction. Asahi wasn't sure how he could speak so calmly like that but he had to do anything to keep the wolfbear's attention at him and give the others a chance to escape. \n\nHe made a quick rundown of his options. While he and Sasuke attended martial arts classes together, Sasuke was the far superior fighter out of the two of them. With his lack of sheer strength, Asahi made up for it with his reflexes and agility. He reckoned if he could, and that's a big 'if', try and outrun the wolfbear, make it so Asahi could have a way to direct it towards the blazing fire from the bus wreckage. It was barely a plan but he was desperate for anything at this point.\n\nJust then, he was surprised when Duncan made a beeline straight for the beast. Asahi had no idea where he got the strength to do such a thing as Duncan was now shouting at Asahi to run away just as he struck at the wolfbear, aiming at his neck. \n\n\"Tch. Stop trying to be a hero, dumbass!\" Asahi yelled back. What will running away do for them anyway? Even if he could manage to get away, Asahi wasn't totally sure if the others were still alive or even barely at one piece. The beasts could still chase after them, never stopping until all of them were dead.\n\nAsahi ran fast towards the wolfbear, taking the chance that it would be somewhat incapacitated from Duncan's attack. \"Why don't you just... He leaned down to quickly pick up a large stone then jammed what's left of the stick at the animal's eye before slamming the stone at it like hammering a nail. \"...Die!\"", "username": "baraquiel", "char_name": "Hoshino Asahi" } ]

[ { "text": "𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭\n__________________________________________________\n\nDuncan went through a lifetime of emotions in what must've been a matter of seconds. First he thought he was going to die, then that he couldn't, and then that he already had. In the struggle that followed his landing, his world shrunk until there was no space for anyone or anything but him and his opponent. First it struggled under him, trashing in his grip, smashing Duncan's guts against his chest so violently he thought they might fly out through his back next. Then he realized he was the one underneath, and that breathing was really fucking difficult. \n\nBut at least he was still breathing. And he would keep breathing longer than this goddamn bear. That was all that mattered; he just had to hold on longer than it did. That was the final thought going through his mind, before no more thoughts could form. Instinctively, he opened his mouth into a shout, but it had no room to leave his chest. Everything felt like fire. His nose and mouth were filled with the reek of blood.\n\nThe next he knew, the beast had stopped struggling. Duncan's eyes fluttered open, and all he saw was more blood. His face was covered in it - but so was the monster's, its skull broken and bleeding. Duncan craned his neck, head spinning, eyes unable to focus. He saw Asahi, split into three identical faces somewhere at the end of a quickly collapsing tunnel of light. Even in his hazy state, Duncan realized the other had saved him. But by the time that thought made it to his conscious mind, it had already transformed; Asahi had helped him. And goddamn was Duncan glad he had.\n\nThe wolfbear was heavy on the athlete's torn torso, but it didn't move. It was dead, and he wasn't. He'd won.\n\nEver so slowly, Duncan raised his hand, a blood-covered thumb extended in Asahi's general direction. His eyes closed and lips parted to reveal a grin, pools of blood collecting between his teeth. \n\nAnd then he stopped moving too.", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "DUNCAN STEWART\"The Dunk\"" }, { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\nThe taste of the wolfbears rancid fur filled her mouth as she tried to hold in her disgust.The taste far worse then any medicine or vegetable she had ever been forced to take or eat. Her efforts squishing up her face as she felt the impact of her move on the wolfbear. The sound of twisting and bending metal filling her ears as the wolfbear and herself went tumbling through the bottom of the bus. The impact sending a jolt through her body as it felt like her lungs were about to burst and her back felt like it had been nearly broken in half. The taste of the wolfbear, the smoke of the fire and burning debris not doing much help to her already struggling lungs.\n\nAyana tried to get back up to her feet quickly, only to be caught by surprise when a pipe went whistling right by her face and embedded itself like a javelin into the side of the bus. \"Woah! Hold on now! who said anything about these beasts using magic to hurl stuff!\" Both the wolfbear and Ayana scrambling in the debris as the wolfbear tried to make its escape once it had burst free from the bus. Ayana willing her legs and body to jump out right after it as she skidded across the ground on her heels. Her eyes and head shifting side to side as she tried to track down where the wolfbear had scampered off.\n\n\"Hey get back here you coward! You taste horrible! I'll never be able to get this taste out of my mouth!\" Ayana complained as she tried to spit the remaining fur out. Bringing up both of her hands to her tongue as she stuck it completely out, trying to use her hands to scrub it clean as best she could. Wanting to get the taste out of her mouth as much as she could as she watched the Wolfbear scamper off. \"You bweeter nut com bwack, newxt tiwme iz rouwd twoooo!\" Trying to trash talk even while cleansing her tongue.\n\nDeciding not to pursue it, after all it had only been thanks to Shun that she had been able to get the jump on the wolfbear. Without Shun around to distract it, Ayana wasn't sure if she would be able to handle it all on her own. The fact that she was also unfamiliar with the surrounding area also seemed like it would be more trouble than it was worth. Not wanting to get lost in a forest likely teeming with more danger. \n\nTaking a moment to try to recompose herself and gather her strength back, the effort of slamming the wolfbear had taken quite a bit of her energy. Leaving herself covered in soot and other various bits and pieces of debris, little cuts, burns and bruises covering her arms, legs and her clothing. Wrestling a wolfbear in a burning bus was definitely not the most logical thing to do, but Ayana felt like she had no other choice. Finally catching her breath as she turned her attention to Shun and Yuudai.\n\nSeeing that Yuudai seemed to still be alive and conscious as that was a bit of a relief after all that had happened. Letting out a sigh as she wiped sweat from her brow from the heat of the fire as approached the two. \"Those things are pretty clever and tough, they have some kind of magic power, first they threw my shoe back at me, then that one hurled a pipe at my head, luckily it missed….\" Ayana remarked as she crouched down by the two looking over Yuudai. Completely unaware that Shun had been the one that had actually thrown the pipe. Having a mistaken belief that the wolfbear had some kind of mystical power after the earlier two incidents.\n \n\"So how are you two doing? Hopefully neither of you two got hurt too badly….\" Concern filling her voice as Yuudai looked a bit worse for wear. As her focused had turned towards the well being of her classmates now that the adrenaline had worn off and the coast seemed to be clear for the time being. However, going unnoticed by Ayana, one of her twin tails had caught fire when she had burst out of the bus in pursuit of the wolfbear. Her attention so focused on the wolfbear, then the well being of her classmates that she hadn't even noticed.", "username": "Nakushita", "char_name": "Todokawa, Ayana" } ]

[ { "text": "When will this concussion go away? Shun felt like throwing up like how Masato did a few hours ago. The sense of loss came in and out at strange intervals. Shun felt fine when she got out off the bus and fought the wolfbear, but when the calm came is when the concussion started to come back. The student leaned against a tree and took periodical deep breaths. If there was to recover, this small period of time would be enough to gather her bearings.\n\nWhen the wolfbears had either run off or died, everyone regrouped quickly as they could. Tsubaki came over and helped out Yuudai. For Yuudai, Shun could only pray that he recovers from his injuries. They were only middle schoolers, and Shun was sure they didn't know, just like herself, any medical knowledge. As of right now, Tsubaki was most likely the one who would be taking care of the injured. She reassured both Ayana and Shun that they would be alright. They had found a temporary base if it could even be called that, and they had finished discussing what they should do.\n\nFor her, she found herself looking for a water source along with Kunio, Masami, and Masato. They could live five days without food, but they couldn't last a day without water. That was what she remembered anyways. Additionally, Shun was feeling quite parched. Fighting a wolf bear inside a burning truck didn't exactly do her wonders for her thirst. Smoke and heat clogged her senses as she exchanged blows with an animal that was probably twice her mass and height. It would have felt exhilarating but Yuudai...\n\nNo, Yuudai was fine. He was going to recover and stand back up on his two feet. What she needed to focus on was the conversation at hand. Masami suggested finding some sort of water vein in the ground. Shun didn't exactly understand how that worked. Why would water be in the ground? Though Masami seemed confident and she belonged to a priest household. Maybe priests had a spiritual affinity for ground that had water trapped in them?\n\nThe other option was trying to find a river or lake, which was suggested by the resident fisherman student Kunio. A river or lake would be far more sustainable than what Masami suggested. However, that did bring up the question. How were they going to find a river, and how far was it? The question of how they would go back to the temporary camp was left unsaid, but Shun was sure they'd find a solution. Hopefully, the trees and foliage weren't too thick.\n\n\"I agree with Kunio!\" Shun said as she raised her hand. \"I think digging up for underground water would be boring, so let's go around and find a river!\" While she sounded like her usual self, there was a tinge of stress underneath her movements. \"Plus, it would be good to explore the forest, wouldn't it?\" They had to do it eventually, so they might as well look around. Along the way, they might find something useful or even find whatever Masami was looking for. \n\n\"I wonder what the water would look like?\" Shun pondered aloud to herself. \"Maybe the water here is purple instead of the clear blue! Oh, oh, maybe the fish can walk on land! That'd look weird, right?\" Man, she was getting excited over exploring this place. However, her mindless rambling did bring up more questions. Would the river really be safe? If the monsters they encountered were abnormal, then what lurked in the waters of the river? There was only one way to find out.\n\n\"Let's just go find one of those weird animals! Since they're alive, they must require water too. We'll track one down and follow it until it leads us to a body of water!\"", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Name Kanamori Shun" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nThe Inaba junkyard was always full of treasures. The bits of sharp dented metal and broken vehicles--things that could hurt a child--were far away from where Rin had been cordoned off. The Inaba family was always busy. Always something to do, always something to fix. They could only give Rin a watchful eye and whatever cleaned up junk a child would enjoy. The young Rin didn't mind, however. She didn't really feel frustration when her family couldn't play with her. Even as a youngling, her mind wandered away from emotions and towards the objects in front of her.\n\nStill, she wanted to get over that barrier. She wanted to see what objects lay beyond the wall. Her body was too weak and stubby to climb or push it. The most she had was the objects in front of her. A circular thing, a length of rope, and a bunch more bits that she enjoyed playing with. Her mind immediately went to work. The weakness of her stubby little form had been overcome with instinctive mechanics. The wall had been torn down. Of course, her mother was watching the whole thing and immediately ran out to grab her before she could explore. Ever since that day, Rin was intoxicated by the power mechanics could bring.\n\n...\n\nRin waking up was always a strange thing to watch. Where normal people would stew in their bed on the verge of consciousness, Rin would rocket to a sitting position with her mind functioning at 100% capacity. Unfortunately, for Sohei, his moment of gentle bonding was cut short. Her head glanced a strike against his and her body straightened until he was forced to drop her.\n\n\"Sorry it happened again,\" Rin said with an anxious look on her face. Not because she had impacted Sohei's head again, but because of her tools. She had her hammer, but not having anything else made her feel naked. Immediately, she ran back to the dead beast that had launched her sky high. She needed her tools.\n\nHer bag was donezo, but that didn't mean she had no way of storing it. She had pockets and socks. If she needed to, she would tuck her pants into her socks and use her entire set of overalls as a new bag. Recollecting her tools were of the upmost important. It was a good thing she kept spares in her bag. Even if one was permanently lost, she might luck her way into its double.\n\n...\n\nCollecting what she could, she returned to the group with her mind calmed. She did her best to ignore the screams and sobs. She'd join up with the shelter-team. Building was always one of Rin's forte. Even if the concepts to her blueprints weren't sound, her techniques were. Her role was more leaning towards advisement. How to tie knots, how to put the structure together, etc. What she was really doing was sharpening sticks that seemed particularly strong.\n\nShe was making simple spears. Just in case.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭\n__________________________________________________\n\nSomething reeked.\n\nDuncan groaned, eyes opening to the flickering of a light bulb on its last legs. Recognition struck him; right, he should've replaced the damn thing ages ago. But he'd needed to spend the money on other shit, or else people would start to suspect something. Now, lying on the floor on his back, he couldn't remembered what he'd bought - or why he was home. \n\nThe room was stuffy, overlaid with a grey veil. Smoke. Not the kind that meant there was a fire, though the way teachers kept jumping on his case over a single cigarette made it seem like this smoke was even worse. Something rolled on the floor, bumping against the side of Duncan's head. Annoyed, he sat up and swiped the empty bottle from the floor. \"That fucking geezer...\"\n\nHe stood, and found another bottle. Then another, and another a little ways away. Somewhere along the way, he'd gotten a bag in his hand. The bottles clanged as they fell in. There was some money in them, at least; maybe he could finally replace that light bulb.\n\n\"Dad!\" Duncan shouted, annoyed, voice higher than he expected. He wandered deeper into the house that seemed to grow larger with every step. His vision was dark at the edges, obscuring all the details that didn't matter - and even those that did. His father, as he appeared in the doorway, was nothing more than a dark outline. At the sight of him, Duncan stopped. He couldn't remember why he'd tried to find him so badly. Usually he avoided the old man when he smelled like this.\n\nHe took a quick step back, and with a blink, everything went black - then grey. He didn't smell the alcohol anymore, just the smoke. And this time, somewhere in the pit of his stomach, he felt fire.\n\n-\nWherever Duncan's unconscious body lay, he stirred. His fingers moved even before his eyelids did, fumbling around as if in search for something. He had no idea how much time had passed, where he was, or with who. He'd barely realized he was still alive. \n\nBut he did know he needed a drag, and bad.", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "DUNCAN STEWART\"The Dunk\"" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n//Day 0 | Location: Kuroshio Community Bus\n\nIt had been an ordinary day, for as ordinary a day as a monsoon could have been.\n\nThe bus, more crowded than normal owing to the unpleasant weather, thrummed with conversation and action. The Ito twins went over English flash cards together, fumbling over any word that was longer than three syllables. Yuudai, buzzcut already dried, teased Tsubasa over the perm that her hair always became in weather like this. Ayano, as always, fussed over the bags beneath Fujita's eyes, her chidings much too affectionate for Kumi on the seat behind the couple, who turned up the volume on her smartphone higher but failed to realize that her headphones were unplugged. Hana leaned against Maki as the two went over their mock exam scores together, muted whispers belying the gravity of their academic situation, while Daisuke and Yuki swayed with the bus, challenging each other in a duel of core strength. Perhaps it would have been a duel for the ages, if Mayumi hadn't marched past to get to her usual seat in the rear, where she could watch the happenings and goings of her peers. Others kept to themselves, flipping through their smartphones or going over their study notes. The day had been ordinary, and the day would be busy.\n\nNo one thought much of it then, when the bus driver, the sixty-three year old Fuchizaki Takechi, let out a strange sound. Barely any of them even heard him, in truth, so wrapped up as they were with the future that was encroaching upon them.\nBut none of them could ignore the light that swallowed them up one second after.\n\n…\n\nDisorientation. Discombobulation.\n\nAs if their guts were being rearranged, as if they were plummeting down a spiral staircase. As if they were detritus in the ocean, scrambled by incomprehensible undertow. They were sublimated by the light, atomized and categorized, abstracted into concepts of egos and attributes, before stitched together in patchwork mosaics. In one instant, they felt themselves amongst individual grains of sand, and the next, they hurtled through eons and galaxies, grasping onto the substance of stars!\n\nAnd at the apex of that impossible high, they crashed. Dragged down by gravity, their substance funneled into the thread of a meteor's tail as they twisted and twisted and dropped and struck! Bound into flesh once more, trapped in entropic decay, their stomachs churning, their brains aching, every blood cell rushing through their veins possessed with a frigid cold or a searing heat, their senses stirred to frenzy by mismatched stimuli for an eternity and an instant!\n\nThen, they felt the ground beneath them stop, and felt themselves launched forth by inertia, the first real force that had been applied to their body since the light.\n\nSome caught themselves on poles or seats, whether with their heads, hands, or chest. Others found themselves sprawled to the ground or upon each other. A lucky few had braced themselves and only ended up crushed a hard surface. A terrific crash sounded in that same instant, the bus's windshield fracturing like a spider's web, and then…silence.\n\nThe engine rumbled still, but now that old junker's rattling was accompanied by the blaring of the bus's horns, over and over and over again, each screech driving another nail in their addled minds. Groans sounded aplenty, none of the students willing to get up yet. A nausea overcame their thoughts, breakfast bubbling with bile to crawl up their esophagus.\n\nBut you. You could smell it.\n\nThe heady, intoxicating stench of gasoline, leaking out from ruptured fuel lines.\n\nThat was how accidents went, right? A terrible crash, followed by a slow-motion explosion.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": null }, { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\nUgh...\n\nHe felt heavy. That was the only word that came to Masato at first. The second word was \"hurt.\" \n\nIt wasn't terrible. Not even the worst shape he'd ever been in. But his body was sore. His head was pounding, some ache that suggested he may have hit it somehow. His stomach was turning too, though he swallowed the worst of it. And his face... what the hell had just happened? He lifted a hand to his nose and touched it, winced, then sucked in a shallow breath. Gingerly he felt it again, and though his fingers came away bloody at least he could tell his nose wasn't broken. So he'd just smashed his face against something. Seriously, what happened?!\n\nHeavy... Masato's vision came back into focus when he tried to stand up. It wasn't that he was heavy, but there was something heavy partially collapsed on top of him. Rather, someone. Another student.\n\n\"Get off,\" he said, shoving the other boy off of him. How did Endo even end up over here? Masato had been sitting alone toward the front of the bus, and he was fairly sure he'd seen Endo toward the back when he had sneaked a glance in Sato and Higasa's direction. It was almost like the wind outside had come into the bus to toss everyone around. \n\nDamn, my head's spinning.\n\nCoincidentally some disgusting odor in the bus was acting like smelling salts, slow acting and just kicking in. Masato was roused from shock by the mix of several students' puke and gasoline. \n\nThey'd crashed. There was some kind of bright light, then... something. Something strange and unnatural, an alien feeling that Masato did not think about - because the more important thing was that they'd crashed. Masato stepped over a girl in the aisle to get to the driver's seat. The ringing in his ears had been replaced by the irritating drone of the bus' horn, on account of the driver slumped over the steering wheel. \n\n\"Hey.\" He reached toward the man, shaking his shoulder. There was no response, so he shook it a little harder. \"Hey, ojiisan.\"\n\nThe man's body shifted, sliding off the wheel and coming to rest with a thunk against the side window. He hadn't stirred at all, hell it seemed like he wasn't even breathi—\n\nMasato jerked his hand away, eyes growing wide. He's...!\n\nHe turned away. The crash must have been pretty bad. They had to get off the bus and phone the police. The sooner the better since there was always the chance the engine would explode right? That always happened in movies. From the front Masato could see all of the students, from the giant Duncan to the small collection of dyed heads. No one else had... everyone else was alive, but they were still sluggishly coming out of their own stupors. \n\n\"Kondo!\" Masato shouted, raising his voice over the scattered whining of the students. He knew she'd be in one of the last seats, or would have been before the crash. \"Open the door, that back door. Someone help her open the door! Khh.\" He pressed a palm to his forehead. His own yelling was going to make his headache worse. He probably looked pretty weird, standing at the front with blood dribbling from his nostrils and an expression that was half demanding and half rising distress. With luck maybe Inaba would pipe up and say they weren't in any danger of the vehicle combusting, but until then who knew. He tried to recall safety lessons from grade school, but they slipped from his mind. The back door, yeah, but it was probably okay to use the regular one too right? As long as they were quick about it.\n\nHe turned around again, carefully reaching over the driver to pull the mechanism that would open the bus' front door. There was a trembling in his hand that he did his best to suppress, and he held his breath like the man may just come back to life and grab him, but of course no such thing happened. The doors opened. The smell of gas was stronger now, and there was a rush of hot air that pushed in and did his nausea no favors. He looked over his shoulder, eyes flickering over his classmates, over Kogen, over Sato. He'd rouse them himself if they didn't get up soon, but before that he had to at least get the evacuation started. If possible he wanted to prevent any of the girls from seeing their driver too.\n\n\"Everybody off!\" he told the group at large.", "username": "Yankee", "char_name": "長島真人" } ]

[ { "text": "\"How lame...\" Shun grumbled as she hopped off of the smoking truck. There was a brief wonder if Rin could return the truck to its proper glory. It was quickly shut down as it was brought up because of the lack of necessary equipment and damage. While Rin was a prodigy when it came to mechanics, some things were not fixable unless she were a super mechanic! In that case, Rin had a definite chance of fixing this poor girl up. \n\nThough as Shun began to settle down, something hit in the head. It wasn't anything physical or mental. In fact, it was already there by the time she woke up. \"Ugh...\" Her head felt like pins were being driven through her skull. The light was nauseous to look at. Wave exhaustion crashed into her. The adrenalin seemed to have faded away once there was no immediate danger. Though despite faltering from the effects, Shun stood strong and straightened herself up. She could endure it.\n\nIt was time to address the fact that they were in a portal. A single glance at their environment could tell anyone that wherever they were, it wasn't Earth, which excited Shun, though it was slightly hampered by her concussion. It was still going to be a grand experience of adventure and survival. However, the start was going to be tough. Even Shun could realize the severity of their situation. Most of the students were hurt or injured, the only adult was dead, and she could hear Akito being an ass.\n\nHowever, she perked up when she heard Yuudai's voice. \"Ah me? I'm doing a-okay, Higasa!\" As she gave a thumbs up to the buzzcut student. Even though she wasn't feeling exactly well, she wanted to look strong in front of everybody. Otherwise, it'd be a bit of a downer if even she was unwell. \"Eh? Is it called the Nobel Peace Poetry? How many trophies are there-\" Shun immediately shut herself up when Yuudai began to make up a poem.\n\nIt was... \n\nNothing? Shun didn't get what poetry was all about. Writing and reading words wasn't her thing, after all. \"Wow, to think you can even make up a poem right now.\" She was impressed, though. \n\nRegardless of that, she wanted to know their situation. Inaba, the twins, and Higasa seemed perfect well and assumed that Sato was also fine. Endo, on the other hand, last time she checked, seemed to be in a complete wreck, however. \"How is everyone doing, aside from Akito, Higasa?\" Shun asked him. \"Is everyone gathering up right now? Knowing Class prez, he'd probably gather everyone to some sort of meeting.\" Shun chuckled at the thought.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Name Kanamori Shun" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nRin's only thoughts on the bus was that it was a shame. There was no fixing up that bad girl. Maybe if they tore out everything when the fire stopped, she could convert it into some kind of shelter. Or she could pull it apart for the precious scraps of metal that adorned its frame. Well. She didn't really have any ideas now. It was something she'd have to think about. Thankfully, Rin being at the back of the bus combined with her disinterest let her ignore an inconvenient truth held within.\n\nThat someone had died and their corpse had been burning.\n\nPerhaps it was better to not think of it at all.\n\n...\n\nWell, no sense in standing around. Rin always hated that. Standing around. Nothing interesting happened when people stood around. After all, they had the threes of survival to follow. What were they? Three minutes without air, three hours without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food?\n\nIt was probably about three minutes since they crashed. That meant that the air was probably fine. That meant that she had to work on shelter! They only had three hours, after all! Of course, the part that Rin didn't care enough about to remember was that it was three hours in extreme conditions. \n\nShe'd already got to work on her own.\n\nIn true Rin fashion, she hadn't told anyone about her plans for shelter. She just immediately went to break some branches off of the weird trees. She'd leave being affable to the more social members of her class. For now, at least.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\nThe class prez was not gathering everyone into some sort of meeting.\n\nHe was on the verge of spacing out, staring at some spot between the burning bus and the tree line. His sleeve was stained red from swiping at his nose, and the short locks of his hair were plastered to his forehead and neck by sweat. It was the first time he'd seen a dead body so close before, besides his grandmother's wake when he was just a kid. It was an entirely different situation now, plus they were... in danger, probably. Masato was relieved that the bus hadn't actually exploded, despite the palpable disappointment on Kanamori's face, but would they get lucky enough to avoid danger twice? They were in a freaking Portal. Somehow the bus had gone right through and delivered them here with no obvious way back.\n\nIt was a surprise that most of the students were so calm about the whole thing. Maybe they were still in shock, or maybe they were just doing their best to hide it. Maybe for some there was a measure of excitement too - who hadn't wondered what the inside of a Portal was like, after all? \n\nHe came back to himself again when Nakagawa asked him a question. Before he could answer, Kondo cut in, and while her words were irritating they were technically true. They were all students at the same school, on the way to said school when the accident happened, but this was as far from school as they could be.\n\n\"She's right,\" he sighed loudly. \"Not that many of you ever listened to me in school anyway.\"\n\nStill, it would be best to stay together. If this ragtag group of middleschoolers needed a leader... well, he'd be lying if he said he wanted to do it, but he'd accept the responsibility if it came to him. \n\n\"Those safety PSAs... Eh, hold on.\" He pressed a thumb to his nostril when he felt his nose still bleeding and snorted out the other side. A clot shot out onto the ground earning a disgusted noise from his fellow student councilman. \"I guess we're supposed to stay put and call the authorities.\" He reached into his pocket and found nothing. He patted his uniform and jacket down and realized everything had been in his bag, which was on the bus, which was on fire. \"Damn it... Kondo, your phone?\"\n\n\"I can hardly see, I only grabbed what was in front of me.\" That being a notebook she held up, proof of her hard work in order to beat Maeda. Well, whatever. Masato glanced up at the basketball club's captain.\n\n\"Nakagawa?\"\n\n\"Nope.\"\n\n\"Fuckin'...\" Masato grumbled. He cupped a hand around his mouth, about to shout for a phone, when one appeared in his peripheral vision. Without a word Ichibangase, tried a few calls and then shook his head, showing the phone screen to Masato, Kondo, and Nakagawa: NO SIGNAL.\n\nYeah, that figures. With a quiet word of thanks to Ichibangase, Masato moved on. \"Then let's do a head count, see what supplies we got, stick together and stick it out until the army picks us up.\"\n\nWhat else were they supposed to do anyway? Thankfully everyone was still all in one place, and Okumura was already tending to the wounded (which Masato had refused when she first called him over). He was pretty sure everyone had made it out, but he hadn't actually done a roll call or anything and he couldn't make Kondo do it with her impaired sight. He started a mental count when he noted a student breaking away from the group and headed into the trees.\n\n\"What the hell is she doing?\" He had said it to himself, but his words drew the gaze of the people around him towards the girl. \"Inaba! What the hell are you doing?\"", "username": "Yankee", "char_name": "長島真人" } ]

[ { "text": "Shun jerked up at the sudden sound of branches being crushed and the sound of heavy footsteps. The only one who was relatively interacting with the environment was Rin. The middle schooler turned her head around, earning a faint hit of nausea from turning too fast, and saw what was happening. A bear with multiple eyes was attacking Rin. Maki tried to help by throwing a kick at the bear, but Shun had other problems to deal with.\n\nMainly dealing with a bear that was coming both at Yuudai and her.\n\n\"Higasa!\" Shun shouted out in a warning. Her hand grabbed a fist full of dirt and threw it at the menacing beast's eyes. She needed to attract its attention. If anything, she hoped that the beast wasn't dirt immune. Unless the eyes were dirt-repellant, Shun thought that at least she could blind the beast. \"Hey, you four-eyed teddy bear! Over here!\" She screamed to get its attention. \n\nA feeling of catharsis washed over her as she stared at the monstrosity. Now that she had a good look at it, the mutant bear looked incredibly cool. Her classmates might think otherwise, but perhaps this was going to be the time of her life. The chances of her dying were high, but she had already accepted those terms. The world wasn't some sort of manga where they could overcome everything through the usage of an author's pen. If Shun was going to die, then she would make the most of it.\n\nShun took a few steps back from the bear and backed up closer to the flaming car. On the way, she picked up the longest branch she could find and dragged it against the floor. \"You want more! I can make a nasty dirt pie, dung face!\" She needed the right opportunity. If she had tried hard enough, maybe she could have collided with the bus and attack it with the branch. While it seemed like a stupid idea, Shun was welcoming to such ideas.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Name Kanamori Shun" }, { "text": "Clearing, ???\n\n---\n\n\nMentions: @Yankee@OwO\n\nAh shit, ah fuck, I'm going to die, aren't I?\n\nKogen had, in fact, been eerily silent, huddled up as he allowed Tsubaki to do her work. Rocking back and forth, he was almost pissing himself in fear. Almost. For some reason, Kogen felt that if he had pissed himself, he'd be imitating someone else in a similar situation to him. Was it one of his peers? No, it couldn't be...\n\nIn any case, Kogen was indeed freaking out about the situation at hand. It wasn't because of the fact they could be in a portal of all things, but that his eye was still bleeding! Of course, if Kogen knew any better, he'd be aware that the cut on his brow was merely a superficial one, and it only appeared to bleed heavily due to all the little blood vessels in the face. To Hitotsumi-kun, however, it really did feel like he was going to die or, at least, bleed to death.\n\n\"A-an infection?\" Kogen scoffed, his voice clearly breaking. \"Oh please. I've held our collective misfortunes back in this eye for so long! A mere 'infection' would mean lit- Ow! That stings!\n\n\"... My eye's not going to fall out or anything, right?\"\n\nKogen did his best to stay still, but he couldn't help but shake ever so slightly at the thought. Ironically enough, however, Akechi's comments, while adding more to the gravity of the situation, helped Kogen steel himself a bit more. The sooner he'd look vulnerable to that rat, the sooner he'd sink another knife into his back once more. And besides, if Kogen gave that rat anything else to work with, he'd be more of a pain in the ass to him. He knew it was better off to ignore him until he got bored.\n\nIt seemed that Ayana had it from there, anyway... probably?\n\nWhen Tsubaki was done stitching his eye up and moved to work on Ayana, the blond-haired boy simply walked over to the edge of the gathering, away from everyone else, and laid down on his back, his arms spread out as he let out a pained sigh. Some music would be nice. Kogen reached to his pockets, and-\n\n\"I left my AirPods on the bus, didn't I?\" He asked himself, before the smell of smoke filled his nostrils. Damn it. Ah well. C'est la vie.\n\n...\n\nBefore Kogen could truly relax, however, the sound of ruffling leaves followed by... a scream? A yelp, was it? Damn, did infighting start already? Probably all Akechi's fault, the bastard that he is. Well, not his problem once more. He already saved someone today. If the only danger to their lives was each other, Kogen couldn't care less. After all, those damned normies would all throw him to the wolves again if he butted in. Better off conserving his energy and resting for the time being. \n\nA fight could be fun to watch, though...\n\nKogen sat up to see what was going on, before truly beholding the horrors of the situation they had found themselves in. Two large, gray-furred shapes came charging towards them in the horizon, with a third one a bit farther away. It seemed to have cornered one of the mechanic weirdos (Kogen's one to talk) while the self-righteous karate kid attempted to help, to no avail. There was another, much more recognizable shape standing there, too. Was that... no. No. He was just bossing everyone around! How could he... before Kogen even could...\n\nHe shook his head, springing up onto his knee as he took account of the situation. The two bear-sized wolves... bearwolves? That sounds catchy, much catchier than any other denotation. Kogen took count of the bearwolves. It seems that two of them were charging the group, but a few his his classmates already seem to be dealing with them in one way or another. Meanwhile, the three that separated from everyone else looks like they need some help. Kogen inquired as he stood up and began his sprint, taking advantage of his disparate position from the rest of the group. Still, even as he ran, he could see how disorganized they were.\n\nYou asshole, running off like that... guess I gotta do your job, too, then!\n\n\"Cheese Pizza-kun!\" Kogen shouted towards Fujita, a new nickname Kogen had given his disciple both out of disdain for his normiehood and pride for his glow-up, \"Get everyone else together and look out for any more of those things! Strength in numbers!\" Strength in numbers indeed, especially if this pack of bearwolves was only the tip of the spear. Having eyes in all directions would help, and remaining in this clearing would be wise until the immediate threats were dealt with. Probably. Kogen wasn't too sure about all this.\n\nWhat he was sure about, however, was his ability to run wide circles, his sprint continuing through the perimeter of the clearing they had found themselves in. Of course, there was one thing Kogen was shockingly good at, one he didn't take too much pride in for fear of it overshadowing his steadily growing rock career.\n\nIt was his talent with baseball.\n\nHitting the dirt with a slide, Kogen had found himself a perfect eighteen-or-so meters away from the trio and the bearwolf that stood atop one of them. While on the ground, he would find himself conveniently next to a couple of nice, somewhat rigid rocks. It wasn't ideal, but it will do. Kogen grabbed a handful of them, before tossing one at one right for the bearwolf's eye.\n\n\"Ibar!\"\n\nStanding up and dusting himself off, Kogen scoffed as he looked upon the bear, tossing another one of the rocks playfully into the air.\n\n\"Oho, what have we here? A mongrel who would dare lay their claim to the Devil Hitotsumi's subjects?\" He spoke, his voice sinking into a deeper tone as he had allowed his demonic person to take the reins. He would then look to Masato, briefly.\n\n\"Get these two and run back to the rest. I've got it.\" He stated, his pubescent voice nearly squeaking in terror as he faced the bear once more. And with that, another rock thrown at it. And another. Really, this would go on until the bearwolf's attention was pointed to him instead of Inaba.\n\nKogen was primed to run as soon as that monster had its attentions set on him, prepared to dash deeper into the woods if need be. Maybe he'll eventually run out of stamina, or maybe he'll trip on the branch. It didn't matter, as Kogen was never one to think too far into the future. All that mattered was that everyone else was relatively safe.\n\nSafe from the horrors of this world.\n\nSafe from pain. From torment.\n\nFrom certain death.\n\nIt wasn't the first time Kogen had thrown himself to the wolves, after all.", "username": "Cu Chulainn", "char_name": "Tsutsumi Kogen" } ]

[ { "text": "𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭\n__________________________________________________\n\nIt took weirdly long to die.\n\nDuncan had expected to pass out the second realization had hit him, but here he still was a second later, sitting, staring, waiting, stuck in a limbo that reeked of blood and guts. \n\nHe barely recognized his name when he heard it shouted. He felt disconnected from everything around him, including his battered body. Sounds were muffled, colours dulled, and time slowed down as if in a dramatic scene right out of an action flick. The only unaffected sound was the feverish beat of his own heart, as it tried to desperately make up for the blood he was losing every breath - if he still breathed. He wasn't sure if someone's body could just forget to breathe, but his was probably pretty close to doing that.\n\nIt still didn't hurt, and that was scarier than any pain.\n\nSomething collided with his side forcefully enough to send him flying, and it was that impact that snapped him back to reality. Sounds returned all at once, immensely loud; the growling of the beast as it shook itself free, Daisuke's shout and the subsequent grunt as he hit the ground next to him, Asahi, shouting as he tried to beat the monster with a stick. His heart, still there, still beating.\n\nAnd then came the pain. Curse word after another spilled from Duncan's throat, mixed with screams and words that even he couldn't understand. \"Fuck, fuck, fuck, what the fuck-\" \n\nHe held his abdomen - or tried to; all he grasped was a handful of guts, warm and slick with blood. They didn't look real. Or, no, maybe they were too real. Too unlike what he'd seen in movies. How wasn't he dead yet?\n\nAsahi's shouts died down, and Duncan realized where he was. On his side, lying on grass, a safer distance away now, with a worried Daisuke nearby. So Daisuke had been the one to tackle him. No! Why the fuck would he do that? Now the wolfbear was... shit... Asahi's scrawny ass was all alone out there, he didn't stand a chance!\n\nDuncan moved an arm. Then another. The pain was horrid, burning, pulsating into every fibre of his being. But as long as he could feel at least that, he knew he wasn't dead. The fire in his gut was his very life itself. The adrenaline flowing through him was gone, used up, but he no longer needed it; now, his veins were filled with liquid fire.\n\nHe stood, first wobbly, then not. Speaking was still difficult; there was blood in his throat, gushing out in between words. \"Yo... Dai. I'm not... ready for the bench yet. Lemme... back on the field.\"\n\nIf Daisuke said something, Duncan didn't hear it. All he could see, all he could hear was the goddamn wolfbear. He had to help Asahi. He didn't even know the dude that well, and yet Asahi had put himself in danger to save him. Goddamnit, trying to look all cool... he wasn't about to just owe his life to someone like him! Hell no. He'd make this even. More than.\n\nDuncan had no plan. He had no weapons. He didn't even have his guts where they belonged. But he did have his fire - and his legs.\n\nHe was running before he knew it, moving faster than he had any right to. Every step stoked the fire, burning higher and higher, until Duncan's feet left the ground into a leap. He knew he could jump high. That's where he'd gotten his nickname from; his signature slam dunks. But this time, he was higher - and he came down with much more force and momentum, hands pressed together, elbow aimed straight at the wolfbear's neck. He'd crash down and pin it. Choke it. Wrestle it. Snap its neck. Whatever it took, as long as- \n\n\"Don't just fucking stand there!\" He shouted at Asahi, blood spilling from his mouth. It sounded like he was about to choke on it. \"Run!\"", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "DUNCAN STEWART\"The Dunk\"" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nHer body was battered and bruised. Her mind was dulled by the rising heat. The continuing warmth. The drumming beat of her heart. Her solution to the situation was uncharacteristically straightforward. No gadgets or gimmicks. She didn't have her tools with her to make anything.\n\nNo, her plan was simple. It was a practical proof of Newton's theories. With Maki being flung off--a proof that students made sub-par bull-riders--everything was in place. Her body rolled off the branches that held her.\n\nLike a needle, her body oriented itself in the air. She was feet first and aimed directly at the bearwolf restrained by man and morsel. A well timed blow. That was all she needed. It was David vs Goliath. Though, there were a little too many Davids per Goliath to make that comparison.\n\n\"Rin bomb.\" She muttered to herself. The energy to yell it escaped her, somehow.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Shun stumbled out of the bus as it slowly started to break apart. Her butt fell onto the hard dirt ground. Unfortunately, it didn't go down in a blaze of glory, but thinking about dramatic exits would be the last of her worries. \"Ayana! Get the bastard and get out!\" Shun yelled at the top of her lungs. If she provided any more help, Shun was sure she could only hinder Ayana more than help. Her little pipe-throw attack nearly skewered her classmate's head.\n\nAyana could handle herself. If she was crazy to bite a monster from another world, then she was crazy enough to kill it with sheer willpower. Right now, someone else needed her urgent attention. Yuudai. Shun immediately got up and ran over to the unconscious young man. Kneeling down to the young man, Shun began to check on the upcoming poet.\n\n\"Yuudai! Yuudai! Wake up! Can you hear me!\" Shun yelled at the unconscious man. Turning him over, she winced as she realized how much of a poor choice it was to throw the heavily injured student out of the bus to help Ayana. Shun had to pray that she didn't cause any more damage than earlier. Upon checking, there were a variety of injuries and blood from Yuudai's battered body. A wave of relief washed over her as she felt something.\n\n\"He still has a pulse!\" Relief washed over Shun as she felt for it. It was faint, but that meant that Yuudai was still alive. All she had to do was perform first aid. However, there was a problem with this. The first was that Shun wasn't sure how to perform first aid. The school taught her the bare basic, but she wasn't entirely familiar with the procedures. After all, what were the chances of applying first aid in a real-life situation?\n\nThe second problem. First aid implied that the patient, Yuudai, would get immediate medical attention and be rushed to a hospital. Hospitals didn't exist in a portal, and even if there were, Shun didn't have the reception to call them. Masato might know what to do, but judging by the screamings in some distance away from the bus, he seemed preoccupied with the wolfbear.\n\n\"I should get you away from the bus at least...\" Shun muttered to herself. While fearful of causing more damage by moving around, she didn't have much of a choice with an aflame bus right next to them. That didn't include the other potential monsters around.\n\nShe picked up Yuudai and moved him further away from the fighting. Somewhere out of the way of the fighting and hiding Yuudai's body. From there, she tried the best she could to tend to his wounds. There were burn marks and other injuries that she didn't know how to tend, but there were some wounds that she was able to treat. Ripping up her sleeves, she bandaged Yuudai as best as she could. Hopefully, they weren't infected. Shun had to pray that things couldn't get any worse for her classmates and herself.\n\n\"Ugh...\" \n\nThe sound of Yuudai stirring startled Shun. Immediately, she stopped working on bandaging and leaned over. \"Higasa! Are you alright?\" Her shouting probably didn't help as Yuudai immediately winced at coming to a loud sound immediately after awakening. Though his eyes focused on her.\n\n\"Shun? You're okay? That's a relief.\" A rough cough erupted from Yuudai, which Shun immediately reacted too.\n\n\"Yes, I'm okay, don't talk anymore!\" With that her brain focused on taking care of her injured classmate.\" Where does it hurt?\"\n\n\"Everywhere.\" His eye lit up but before he could recite a poem, Shun covered his mouth with her palm. The last thing she needed to hear for her psyche was the raspy, coughing voice of Higasa trying to make a poem on the spot.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Name Kanamori Shun" }, { "text": "𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭\n__________________________________________________\n\nDuncan went through a lifetime of emotions in what must've been a matter of seconds. First he thought he was going to die, then that he couldn't, and then that he already had. In the struggle that followed his landing, his world shrunk until there was no space for anyone or anything but him and his opponent. First it struggled under him, trashing in his grip, smashing Duncan's guts against his chest so violently he thought they might fly out through his back next. Then he realized he was the one underneath, and that breathing was really fucking difficult. \n\nBut at least he was still breathing. And he would keep breathing longer than this goddamn bear. That was all that mattered; he just had to hold on longer than it did. That was the final thought going through his mind, before no more thoughts could form. Instinctively, he opened his mouth into a shout, but it had no room to leave his chest. Everything felt like fire. His nose and mouth were filled with the reek of blood.\n\nThe next he knew, the beast had stopped struggling. Duncan's eyes fluttered open, and all he saw was more blood. His face was covered in it - but so was the monster's, its skull broken and bleeding. Duncan craned his neck, head spinning, eyes unable to focus. He saw Asahi, split into three identical faces somewhere at the end of a quickly collapsing tunnel of light. Even in his hazy state, Duncan realized the other had saved him. But by the time that thought made it to his conscious mind, it had already transformed; Asahi had helped him. And goddamn was Duncan glad he had.\n\nThe wolfbear was heavy on the athlete's torn torso, but it didn't move. It was dead, and he wasn't. He'd won.\n\nEver so slowly, Duncan raised his hand, a blood-covered thumb extended in Asahi's general direction. His eyes closed and lips parted to reveal a grin, pools of blood collecting between his teeth. \n\nAnd then he stopped moving too.", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "DUNCAN STEWART\"The Dunk\"" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\n\nThe Inaba junkyard was always full of treasures. The bits of sharp dented metal and broken vehicles--things that could hurt a child--were far away from where Rin had been cordoned off. The Inaba family was always busy. Always something to do, always something to fix. They could only give Rin a watchful eye and whatever cleaned up junk a child would enjoy. The young Rin didn't mind, however. She didn't really feel frustration when her family couldn't play with her. Even as a youngling, her mind wandered away from emotions and towards the objects in front of her.\n\nStill, she wanted to get over that barrier. She wanted to see what objects lay beyond the wall. Her body was too weak and stubby to climb or push it. The most she had was the objects in front of her. A circular thing, a length of rope, and a bunch more bits that she enjoyed playing with. Her mind immediately went to work. The weakness of her stubby little form had been overcome with instinctive mechanics. The wall had been torn down. Of course, her mother was watching the whole thing and immediately ran out to grab her before she could explore. Ever since that day, Rin was intoxicated by the power mechanics could bring.\n\n...\n\nRin waking up was always a strange thing to watch. Where normal people would stew in their bed on the verge of consciousness, Rin would rocket to a sitting position with her mind functioning at 100% capacity. Unfortunately, for Sohei, his moment of gentle bonding was cut short. Her head glanced a strike against his and her body straightened until he was forced to drop her.\n\n\"Sorry it happened again,\" Rin said with an anxious look on her face. Not because she had impacted Sohei's head again, but because of her tools. She had her hammer, but not having anything else made her feel naked. Immediately, she ran back to the dead beast that had launched her sky high. She needed her tools.\n\nHer bag was donezo, but that didn't mean she had no way of storing it. She had pockets and socks. If she needed to, she would tuck her pants into her socks and use her entire set of overalls as a new bag. Recollecting her tools were of the upmost important. It was a good thing she kept spares in her bag. Even if one was permanently lost, she might luck her way into its double.\n\n...\n\nCollecting what she could, she returned to the group with her mind calmed. She did her best to ignore the screams and sobs. She'd join up with the shelter-team. Building was always one of Rin's forte. Even if the concepts to her blueprints weren't sound, her techniques were. Her role was more leaning towards advisement. How to tie knots, how to put the structure together, etc. What she was really doing was sharpening sticks that seemed particularly strong.\n\nShe was making simple spears. Just in case.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭\n__________________________________________________\n\nSomething reeked.\n\nDuncan groaned, eyes opening to the flickering of a light bulb on its last legs. Recognition struck him; right, he should've replaced the damn thing ages ago. But he'd needed to spend the money on other shit, or else people would start to suspect something. Now, lying on the floor on his back, he couldn't remembered what he'd bought - or why he was home. \n\nThe room was stuffy, overlaid with a grey veil. Smoke. Not the kind that meant there was a fire, though the way teachers kept jumping on his case over a single cigarette made it seem like this smoke was even worse. Something rolled on the floor, bumping against the side of Duncan's head. Annoyed, he sat up and swiped the empty bottle from the floor. \"That fucking geezer...\"\n\nHe stood, and found another bottle. Then another, and another a little ways away. Somewhere along the way, he'd gotten a bag in his hand. The bottles clanged as they fell in. There was some money in them, at least; maybe he could finally replace that light bulb.\n\n\"Dad!\" Duncan shouted, annoyed, voice higher than he expected. He wandered deeper into the house that seemed to grow larger with every step. His vision was dark at the edges, obscuring all the details that didn't matter - and even those that did. His father, as he appeared in the doorway, was nothing more than a dark outline. At the sight of him, Duncan stopped. He couldn't remember why he'd tried to find him so badly. Usually he avoided the old man when he smelled like this.\n\nHe took a quick step back, and with a blink, everything went black - then grey. He didn't smell the alcohol anymore, just the smoke. And this time, somewhere in the pit of his stomach, he felt fire.\n\n-\nWherever Duncan's unconscious body lay, he stirred. His fingers moved even before his eyelids did, fumbling around as if in search for something. He had no idea how much time had passed, where he was, or with who. He'd barely realized he was still alive. \n\nBut he did know he needed a drag, and bad.", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "DUNCAN STEWART\"The Dunk\"" }, { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\n'You five seem to have become more capable than the rest of us.' What the hell was that supposed to mean, really? Masato massaged the sides of his head as he mentally picked through everything that had happened, was happening, and what Maeda said while he tagged along with the water-fetching team.\n\nIt was true that something weird was happening. A lot of the students, including Hoshino and Kondo, claimed that Stewart had been disemboweled - and yet he hadn't been by the time Masato had rejoined the group. Plus his own wounds seemed to be healing much, much faster than they normally would. The skin of his back and legs felt tight as it knitted itself together, and they had already stopped bleeding. Was it the nature of the Otherside making this happen? If so, why did it only have effect on some of the students and not all of them? Had he been infected with something? Bacteria from the monsters claws, maybe?\n\nThis really sucks, was all he could think on the matter at the moment.\n\nThe water-fetching team consisted of himself, Takehara, one of the Ito brothers (The younger one... I think?) and Kanamori. It was possible that they would venture the farthest away from the others in their search, so for the greatest protection there were two of those \"more capable\" on this team. For Masato, it was the most useful thing he could think to do. Plus he was eager to wash himself off. This was one of the reasons he disagreed with Takehara's ground water plan, though he didn't say it aloud.\n\n\"If we were in a safer location, digging for water would be a good idea. But we're all tired and it'll take too long to get enough for everyone.\" Well, probably. He'd never dug a well before. But if they found a body of water that wasn't too far away, maybe they could move the entire group there. It went against his initial thoughts about staying put in case of emergency, but desperate times. \n\nHis personal reason of preferring searching for a river had to be better than Kanamori's though. Masato shot the girl an incredulous look when she said she was more concerned with which option was more fun. She mused out loud about what weird things she thought they might see while Ito Kunio started his way up a tree to listen for water, but when she mentioned finding more monsters.\n\n\"Stop,\" he snapped at her. \"There are five people really hurt because of those things and you want to find more? Kanamori, take this seriously.\" \n\nIt was incredible how nonchalant she seemed about the whole situation, but Masato did not share in her whimsy whatsoever. He breathed in and let the air out in one aggressive puff through his nostrils.\n\n\"Come on, help me carry all the water bottles we can,\" he told her, borrowing one of the backpacks that was still intact so that once Ito or Takehara pointed them in a direction they'd be all set to get going.\n\n______________________________________________________________________", "username": "Yankee", "char_name": "長島真人" } ]

[ { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\nComplete and utter darkness….it was as Ayana was lost in a vast void, being left to wander endlessly. She couldn't even remember where she was, or what she had been doing, or where she was even at in this moment. How did she get here, what was this place even. Before she could consider it, light begun to flutter through the darkness. The feeling of immense pain sending a jolt into her system as she begun to awaken from being knocked out cold in the wreck.\n\nThe clustered, cramped feeling that she was currently experiencing, not one that she enjoyed as the initial confusion and alarm took hold. Her mind racing as she tried to figure out what had happened and where she was at. Hearing others beginning to stir, and the horn of the bus ringing in her ears. The stinging intoxicating and mind-numbing smell of gasoline filling her nostrils.\n\nThat's right, she had been on a bus traveling with the rest of her class….\n\nBut what happened, did they wreck? The last thing she remembered was looking out of the window by her seat before the sounds of bending, twisting metal, of breaking glass followed with darkness.\n\nShe reached up a hand towards her head feeling a rather sizeable lump as she knew she must have hit her head and hit it hard. It was then she realized she couldn't move much, as her senses and thoughts became clearer. She was buried by debris and other people, having been thrown out of her seat and entangled with the others.\n\nThe feeling and sense of dread and fear begun to fill her already nauseous gut. What about the others? How many of them where seriously hurt, or worse yet dead? Trying to pull herself from underneath the jumbled mess of bodies and debris she felt every inch of her body aching. As if someone had taken a sledgehammer and battered her from head to toe.\n\nBefore she could get more of her wits about herself, she could hear a loud voice seeming to be giving out orders and commands. Slowly freeing herself enough to try to lift herself back up too her feet. Even that seemed to take a lot more effort then normal as it felt like her legs were made from jello. Shaking her head, to get her senses back in order, she begun to look around the carnage that currently surrounded her. The heaps of bodies and the tangled wreck of the bus and all the belongings that students had brought with them strewn about. It looked like utter chaos. \n\nShe could see some of the others had already started stirring and were quick at work trying to open doors to get out. It looked like the sound of the voice was coming from the class president, Masato she believed his name was if she remembered his name correctly. Her mind quickly shifting to the status of her stepsister Ayane. \n\nEven if they weren't the closest sisters, or got along all that well, she still felt the need to make sure she was alright. Much to her relief she could spot Ayane stirring across the way from her. Even if she didn't want to admit it out loud or to Ayane. She was happy that she seemed to be fine enough to be moving about.\n\nWith that worry put at slight ease, she begun to inch her way towards the door though she wished Masato would stop shouting so loudly. She already felt like her head was splitting down the middle and the shouting only seemed to increase this. She knew that it was likely necessary, but even so she didn't find it all that pleasant. \"What about some of the others? I'm sure some of them won't be able to get off without assistance….\" Ayana looked around at some of the others who had yet to stir or get to their feet just yet. Wanting to do whatever she could to help them out and assist them as much as she could despite the danger that it may present to herself.", "username": "Nakushita", "char_name": "Todokawa, Ayana" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nMan, the smell of gas was a familiar one. It reminded Rin of the truck she rigged together. Though, \"truck\" was a bit of a misnomer. It was more of trailer that had half of a motorcycle strapped to it. It definitely wasn't road legal, but it let her haul bits and pieces around her family junkyard. It always smelt like gasoline. You know, she loved that thing. It made her life a whole lot easier. Such a shame when it finally caught fire.\n\nLike a catapult that had its restraining rope cut, she shot up from her collision-induced slumber having instantly gulped down her sick. The smell of gas was a good thing when she was working on vehicles. It was considerably less good when she remembered that she was on a school bus. The crash had put her on a floor. She always took a seat next to the aisle near the rear. She didn't like being trapped by another person.\n\nHer bag of tools had, thankfully, been saved from the brunt of the impact. It was a tough bag that Rin made herself. She wanted a bag that could hold pounds and pounds of tools without so much as a stress mark. What she ended up with was a thick behemoth of nylon, polyethylene, and enough plastic clips to keep the bag shut no matter what.\n\nThough, this bag was also a curse. It being permanently attached to her meant that she had a wicked bruise from her shoulder, across her chest, and to her hip. It was like a bruise from a seat belt. Something that she now sort of wished buses had more of.\n\nHer backpack full of her dailies that didn't fit in her pockets had found its way to the front of the bus. Well, not like she'd miss anything in there. Just some schoolwork--something she only vaguely cared about--and other boring things.\n\nOf course, there was a hidden blessing to this disaster.\n\nRin finally got to open the emergency exit.\n\nThe emergency exit was always something that tantalized Rin. There was just something so hypnotic about it. It was the forbidden fruit of the door industry. Something that tantalizing couldn't escape her interests. Incidentally, that's why Rin sat near the back of the bus. Just for that opportunity to open an emergency door. She'd even watch tutorials on how to open them. A strange fixation, but a fixation none the less.\n\nEven though Masato had yelled for Kondo to open the rear, Rin was already at the door with proverbial spit on her hands. She grabbed the latch and put her entire body into it. Her bamboo shoot arms and legs meant nothing when she had knowledge of levers and was currently converting her body into one. Give her a large enough rigid beam and fulcrum and she'd move the world. She'd open this door and skedaddle on out with a full send. Twice the exits, twice the amount of throughput. She'd leave it up to the other back of the bus kids to bring out other people. She had her bag and was doing the door.\n\nUnfortunately, this deep interest also meant that Rin didn't bark orders for the other kids to get up and out. She was dead set on opening the rear exit.\n\nFortunately, the Ito twins had begun to recover from their impact induced confusion. They were sportsmen. Hearty in the body. They could handle being hit. Well, Kunio could for sure. His childhood was as a crash test dummy. The other one? He had a good skull. As resident frontsitters, they attempted to help bring the more disoriented front of the bus kids out.\n\nKumi's large stomach proved to be a weakness. She let out her sick against the wall. If it was any solace, the smell was covered by gas and it would be purged by a blaze of petrol and cinders when she safely left the bus.\n\nOne would hope.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Bus, ???\n\n---\n\n\nMentions: @Yankee\n\nHell.\n\nIt was a feeling all to familiar.\n\nAn ever-distant heat, a burning smell, a sense of pain reverberating through his body. This truly was hell, wasn't it?\n\nKogen's eye fluttered open instantly, his maxed-out earphones muffling the sound of chaos from all around him. With his one eye directed to the window, he took a glance at his surroundings. It was an almost tranquil sight, really. A nice scenic view of a forest once undisturbed. Kogen couldn't help but smile at what he has seen, his tumultuous heart filled with a sense of peace.\n\n\"Ahh, how nice it is for the weather to clear up.\" He spoke to himself, his eye slowly closing as the cacophony of screams and the shredding of metal that he called music filed his ears...\n\n... Wait. Why are we stopped at a forest?\n\nIt was then that Kogen opened his eye once more, sitting up from his seat to truly behold the chaos before him. The once packed bus filled with his peers had turned into a sight unimaginable. Shattered windows, caved-in seats, what is left of his classmates all scrambling out of the hell that they had found themselves in. This can't be happening, surely. This must be a dream, a nightmare that he needed to awaken from. All Kogen could do was place his hands on his face in utter shock of the scene around him.\n\nIt was then that he realized the blood on his face. His right eye ached... it was bleeding.\n\nIt only made sense, after all. It was the eye that contained all of the world's misfortunes. Surely it had been trying to speak to him before this had all happened! Surely if he was awake for the crash, he would have been able to prevent it! Surely such a thing happened because his cursed leaked out into the school bus, and his classmates were to suffer! And surely, his eye wasn't bleeding due to any rational reason such as the rhinestones in his eyepatch cutting into his eyelid during the crash!\n\nIn any case, Kogen could not help but feel responsible for this catastrophe. He needed to take responsibility for his actions, or more accurately, his inaction. Resolutely, he would stand up, realizing only now that the pain in his body was much more severe than he had thought. He keeled over and retched, his breakfast almost rematerializing as the sheer agony had almost caused him to throw up. His AirPods fell to the floor unceremoniously due to the sudden jerk of his upper body, allowing Kogen to truly take in his surroundings.\n\nScream of panic, frantic scrambling, and a foreboding crackling coming from the front of the bus... and yet, amidst the hell that they had found themselves in, a familiar voice called to Kogen. A familiar voice that he had not heard in too long.\n\nThat voice... it couldn't help but rile up the One-Eyed Devil!\n\n\"J-just who the hell do you think I am?!\" Kogen shouted out in defiance as he did his best to keep in this morning's meal. Lifting his head high in the air, Kogen would almost leap out of his seat, rushing through the aisle as his one eye would dart around the bus. The doors were already handled, and it seems that most of the students were already being lead out of the bus in an orderly fashion. Knowing that these two vital roles were already fulfilled, Kogen would instead search for anyone in need of help, his eye settling on a wayward hand grasping the air for aide. Someone was buried in their seat, the cushions having collapsed over them!\n\n\"I've got you!\" Kogen yelled as he grasped the hand tightly, pulling them out with all his strength as he kicked the rubble out of their way. Whoever was under there didn't matter to Kogen. All that mattered was that he was able to act, to at least save one person's life in the same way his was saved as well. He couldn't help but grit his teeth into what was almost a grin, thinking once more of the voice that stirred him to action. \n\nIt was ironic that the only times Kogen had heard that voice holler for him desperately was when his right eye was already bleeding.", "username": "Cu Chulainn", "char_name": "Tsutsumi Kogen" }, { "text": "---\n\n//Day 0 | Location: Nameless Forest - Clearing\n\nOthers roused themselves at Masato's shout, some still groaning while others leapt up to their feet, scrambling for their belongings. The Ito twins, as Rin had understood, were quick to recover, rushing out from the front doors. Daisuke, alongside Maki and Fujita, took more than their fair load of discarded bags, urging others still weakened by the aftereffects of the crash to get going, while Kumi's face transitioned from a sickly green to a mortified red when Yuki approached to help her, only to end up stepping on her vomit.\n\nIt had been a traditional Japanese breakfast. Miso, natto, fish, and rice, all chewed up and semi-digested, now a sticky, acrid mess that somehow even managed to overpower the stench of gasoline. A lesser man would have squirmed and writhed, would have been unable to hide the flash of disgust. But Endo Yuki? He had dealt with worst, and was happy to take Kumi by the hand regardless, leading her out to the back.\n\nMayumi, still trying to find her glasses, didn't have a chance to act on the president's orders before Rin had sprung into action. And as other students began filing out best they could, especially Shun who was swinging her hands like a baseball team advisor urging players to steal a plate, she resigned herself to being half-blind and scrambled out after the rest.\n\nKogen's dramatics were enough too, to wrest Tsubaki out from the mound of cushions she was underneath. The short-haired girl yawned as she was pulled out, her free hand rubbing her head as if trying to shake cobwebs (or concussions) out of it, before the severity of the situation dawned upon her and the simplest thing she could say was…\n\n\"Fuck.\"\n\n…\n\nBut they all got out alright.\n\nIn the end, as Shun stood at the threshold of the back door, waiting for an epic explosion to jump out from…nothing happened. There was only a fwoosh of gasoline being ignited, before the front end of the bus caught fire. Oily, black smoke rose up in thick plumes, polluting the picturesque skies above. It had been an accident, to be sure, but as for the injuries…only superficial cuts and bruises were sustained. Some were woozier than others, having fallen down after they had all cleared away from the bus. Others had lost some of their belongings during the exit, though Hiroshi recommended not re-entering. Even after Shun had ate the bitter pill of disappointment, hopping off of a bus that wasn't going to explode dramatically, smoke was still building up inside there, streaming out from open doors and cracked windows. Soon enough, the cushions would catch fire, and then, perhaps by tomorrow, there would be nothing but the charred husk of a bus.\n\nKumi was retching again, her empty stomach still trying to hurl things up. Of all those out on the clearing, only she could really smell it. Beneath the heftiness of smoke, laid the umami aroma of crackling fat and flesh, boiling blood and bone. The slight girl doubled over a second time, Hana rubbing her back with an unreadable expression on her own face.\n\nNo, perhaps, going by where she was looking, perhaps this was the first time in a long time that her expression was readable.\n\nGone were mountain roads and saltwater breezes, countryside desolation and rice field terraces. In its place, there was a cerulean sky and a hot sun. A forest of foreign trees, and a clearing of lush, uncut grass. It was nature, picturesque and untamed, unspoiled by even a hint of civilization. And, though no one really knew the how, the where, the why, they all knew the what.\n\nThis was the Otherside. This was what laid beyond a Portal.\n\n…\n\n\"Well, Prez?\" Daisuke folded his arms, looking down at Masato. \"What's next?\"\n\nMayumi cast a glance over at him, glaring. Or squinting. \"What do you mean by that? This isn't school, Nakagawa-san.\"\n\n…\n\n\"Sit down, you two,\" Tsubaki snapped, gesturing at the most obviously injured duo. \"And stay still. Ayana-chan, look at my fingers. How many are there? And Ko-kun, hold fucking still. I'm trying to clean it up before you get an infection in your eye.\"\n\n\"Dunno why you give a shit.\" A familiar voice, crude and callous, sounded. Akito. \"It's survival of the fittest, Tsubaki-chan. Those clowns're liable to get offed first when shit g- OW! Maki, watch where you're going!\"\n\n…\n\n\"Heyo, passin' by,\" Yuudai sang, popping up before Shun. \"Everything alright, Kanamori? Trynna tally up where everyone's at right now. Emotionally and all. Ah, and...\"\n\nHe managed a softer smile, gratitude dimpling his cheeks.\n\n\"Thank you for the shout,\nBut Nobel Peace Prize a doubt,\nPoetry I...\"\n\nHis brows furrowed in concentration.\n\n\"...seek out?\"\n\n...\n\nPerhaps this was how they coped.\n\nPerhaps they were simply made of stronger stuff.\n\nOr perhaps, they were being willfully ignorant.\n\nOf the children of the Otherside.\n\nOf the monsters.", "username": "ERode", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭\n__________________________________________________\n\n\"Ready to lose? Alright. On three, rock, paper--- the fuck?!\"\n\nOne moment Duncan was about to drop a figurative rock on Maki and saddle her with getting a hold of alcohol this weekend, the next he was stumbling out of a bus wreck with a busted lip and the worst headache in his life. He was only vaguely aware of what was happening around him, of students pouring past and Daisuke shoving bags into his arms. Everything reeked of gasoline, and his ears rung so loud he couldn't hear a word - but he knew there was shouting. There was always shouting at accident sites, he'd seen enough videos to know.\n\nVarious bags flung over his shoulders, stuffed under his arms and even haphazardly balanced on his head, Duncan stepped out into the open summer air, and realized they weren't in Kuroshio anymore. \n\n\"Dude,\" he whispered to Daisuke, or hoped he did. Duncan still couldn't hear his own voice, and as he leaned one shoulder into his cheek to wipe away sweat, the fabric came back red. Was his ear bleeding?! Holy shit, that couldn't be good, right? Man...\n\nBy the time they had settled down into a clearing and partook in the collective activity of watching their bus catch on fire (but not explode, too bad) the incessant ringing in Duncan's ears had started to gradually quiet into a buzz. He still felt lightheaded though, and could swear he swerved to the left when he walked, like his dad's old car. That one had exploded.\n\nAs his hearing slowly returned, it turned out Duncan hadn't missed much during his bout of deafness. No one around them had any idea what to do, and coming up with a plan of action had taken second seat to arguing and... poetry? At least the class prez was trying, sort of, but tuning the student council members out had become so second nature to Duncan that he didn't catch half of it. From what he gathered though, his grand plan was basically to... wait. Great. Duncan was more and more convinced the dude would have been better off shooting hoops with the rest of the team. \n\nWell, whatever. He, for one, was definitely not gonna just wait around for rescue. Besides, if they'd really gone through a portal, this was basically once in a lifetime experience. The kind of shit you could recount at parties years later and never fail to make an impression. \n\n\"Oi, Daisuke, Yuki,\" he called out, louder this time, as he looked over the sea of heads to find the two. \"We're inside a portal, dude. Inside a portal, can you believe it? Bro. We might get to find out if the monsters are real. My old man's convinced they're fake news. Altered footage, you know? But if they ain't... Maki and I had a bet, she thinks she could take one on. I told her I might, but she's like half the size of a carrot, how's she gonna-- huh? Wait... speaking of, where is she?\"\n\nDuncan looked around for a tiny brunette dot of a head somewhere among the students. He didn't have to look long; there she was now, dashing into the bushes, launching herself into the air to drop kick a hulking monster.\n\n... Wait, she what.\n\nDuncan spun around so fast he nearly fell over from another bout of vertigo. Either he hit his head real bad, or there were some kind of wolfbear hybrids with an unacceptable amount of eyes running straight at them. Holy. Shit. \n\nQuickly, Duncan took mental inventory of what he had. Shoes, sure, bottle of water, yeah, but that wasn't-- wait. He dropped his bag and squatted down after it, fumbling with the zipper with fingers that were way too big and way too shaky for the job. \"Come on, come on...\"\n\nDuncan rummaged through the bag and pulled out a basketball with both hands, taking a few steps back as he straightened back up. Good enough, right? He'd gotten hit in the face with these suckers so many times before, and they freaking hurt. Here's hoping they hurt wolfbears just as much.\n\n\"Pass!\" Duncan shouted as he twisted his body and pulled backwards, throwing the ball towards the monster's head with a motion that went against everything he'd learned at basketball practice. But then, new world, new rules. \n\n\"Come on, guys!\" he shouted at everyone within earshot, so loud he hoped it would drown out his heartbeat. It was beating in his throat so vehemently he was afraid others might hear it too. He picked up his bag, ready to swing if he had to. \"There's like a shitton of us, stop standing around and do somethin'!\"\n\nLike run. Honestly, running worked. Duncan really wanted to run, but if he was the first to do it, others might think he was a coward or something, and that'd be worse than getting bitten by a bear. Probably.\n\nGoddamn, he needed a cig right about now.", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "DUNCAN STEWART\"The Dunk\"" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nAsahi was one of those that kept to themselves in the bus. He wasn't much of a morning person even in his younger years and he was definitely not going to become one now. He would need just a couple of moments that he could get all to himself first thing in the morning, or else he would be socially tired for the rest of the day. That didn't mean he wouldn't appreciate small conversations here and there, but it seemed that his classmates had their own thing going on either with themselves or with other people. \n\nHe was just scrolling through his phone, admiring a few handsome content creators his age on social media when he got distracted by the noise the bus driver just uttered out. \"What the-\" He barely had time to process what had happened when the light surrounded everyone.\n\nHe was kind of used to the feeling of carrying heavy objects when he was a kid while helping his dad and grandpa hoist a large fishing net over the sea to catch fish, but this was definitely nothing compared to that experience. Asahi felt like the sky just fell down on him. He had a massive vertigo like he had a hurricane in his head. He lost his hearing for a bit and his sight was blacking out so much he thought he could never see again.\n\nHe tried to move but groaned in pain when his arm was pinned down by one of his classmates. \"M-Move...\" He uttered weakly as he also would weakly try to push the person away with no avail. He then heard a familiar voice giving orders, and Asahi never thought he would feel so elated to hear Masato's annoyingly righteous voice again.\n\nAsahi managed to get himself out of the piled mess of bodies though he would groan weakly in pain all over his body. He couldn't see anyone properly because his eyesight still dimmed but he could see the general silhouette of things. He knelt down over what he hoped was his classmate and not a hunk of metal debris. \"H-Hey... Hey, get up...\" He said as he shook them. 'Good god, don't tell me they're all dead...' He thought, his heart filling up with dread.\n\nHe heard Masato giving out orders again, this time to tell anyone who was conscious enough to help Kondo open the door. Asahi would only go and shake others to wake them up before the door finally opened. \"C'mon!\" He shouted in support of Masato and the others that shouted as Asahi got out of the bus along with the others, helping them as much as he could through his intense headache.\n\nThe heat of the outside didn't help Asahi's dizziness, but it was better to be out in the open air than to be stuck in a crumpled mess of metals that used to be the bus. One thing led to the other and eventually everything within the vehicle caught in flames, filling the air with the sickly smell of smoke and burning gasoline mixed with what Kumi had for breakfast while she was vomiting. \n\nOnce everyone managed to get their bearings and somewhat recovered a bit, it was time to regroup and take stock of what happened. Mayumi's right: it seemed that their merry class was unlucky enough to go through a Portal and end up at the Otherside. Asahi heard about it a lot online of course, but he'd never thought he would actually experience it himself.\n\nHe rolled his eyes when Masato suggested to stay still and call the authorities, as if that really helped a lot of people before. It seemed that everyone was slowly starting to realize where they were too while there were a couple of them that were already on the move. Rin was already out and about breaking branches off the weird trees either for campfire, for making shelter, or probably both, as Tsubaki was making rounds to make sure everyone was in one piece.\n\nAsahi was massaging his temples now that his headache was gradually disappearing when he heard a commotion. All the color drained from his face as he saw an abomination of an animal, snapping at the branch Rin was trying to get. Maki delivered a mighty dropkick to the devilish beast, but it did absolutely nothing to it. \n\nThe smell of the burning bus still filled the air, but it was now mixed with the musky scent of one-no, three monsters, all snarling, all eyes focused on their class. Asahi lowered himself on the ground behind his classmates as he made his way towards the bus. He grabbed a thick, long branch nearby and stuck it at the fire, holding it there until the tip was on fire. He didn't know if this will work but he needed to at least try and do something.\n\n\"Oy!\" Asahi shouted at the top of his lungs, running towards the front of the group facing the wolfbears. \"Get away, you filthy animals! Get away!\" He continued to yell as he waved his burning stick towards the creatures hoping it was enough to drive them away.", "username": "baraquiel", "char_name": "Hoshino Asahi" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\nHer body was battered and bruised. Her mind was dulled by the rising heat. The continuing warmth. The drumming beat of her heart. Her solution to the situation was uncharacteristically straightforward. No gadgets or gimmicks. She didn't have her tools with her to make anything.\n\nNo, her plan was simple. It was a practical proof of Newton's theories. With Maki being flung off--a proof that students made sub-par bull-riders--everything was in place. Her body rolled off the branches that held her.\n\nLike a needle, her body oriented itself in the air. She was feet first and aimed directly at the bearwolf restrained by man and morsel. A well timed blow. That was all she needed. It was David vs Goliath. Though, there were a little too many Davids per Goliath to make that comparison.\n\n\"Rin bomb.\" She muttered to herself. The energy to yell it escaped her, somehow.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\n\nHer wrist finally slipping free from the grip of Tsubaki. It was like she had been shot out of a canon as she rushed head long into danger. Yet at that moment, she strangely didn't feel any fear, not an ounce of hesitation. Her mind was clear and focused on only one thing. To get inside of the bus, to face the Wolfbear, to help her fellow classmates.\n\nEven the heat of the fire didn't daze her. Its burning warmth against her skin and her face as it sucked away the moisture. She jumped right in without even a second of thought. The smell of the fire having a bitter chemical smell as the seats made of foam had become fuel for the growing flames. The smell of gasoline and burning flesh mixing with this to create a foul concoction. It felt like the inside of her lungs were on fire, that her chest was ablaze as her nostrils stung from each attempt to bring air into her body. \n\nShe had to put all these discomforts into the back of her mind. She had no time for these concerns, she had a mission at hand. Her sapphire gaze quickly scanning the situation as she had to make a decision on the spot. Knowing the longer she took, the more dangerous the situation might become. Neither Shun or Yuudai had that sort of time, as the Wolfbear was relentless in its attack.\n\nSpotting the motionless Yuudai splayed upon the ground, the blaze and the discomfort of the smoke burning both of her eyes and her throat. Making it hard to see through the chaos his full condition. But for the moment he seemed to be the safest as the Wolfbear had focused on Shun. Making her decision quickly, she knew that Shun was in the most immediate danger. The beast continuing to come at her, even with Shun trying to fight it off with everything she had. \"Hold on a little while longer, I'm coming to help!\" alerting Shun to her arrival if she hadn't yet noticed her. \n\nAyana moved swiftly, wanting to break up the stalemate between the two as the Wolfbear had started to force Shun back. Ayana sprinted at full speed in the short distance she had between herself and Shun, sliding down as she lowered her body to the floor. Sliding between both Shun's and the Wolfbears legs. The hot metal floor of the bus singeing her skin and her clothing, but now that she was behind the Wolfbear she could make her move.\n\nIt was then she felt something swelling up inside of her, this time the burning sensation she felt within her was not from the fire or the burns she had received. This sensation felt like it was going to make her chest burst as she felt a burst of energy and strength that she didn't know she had. Planting her feet on the floor of the bus as she gritted her teeth. Her eyes narrowed and focused on the back of the Wolfbear, she lunged forward. Her arms wrapping around the waist of the Wolfbear as she clinched her grip around it as tightly as she could. Her legs tensing up as she established a stable base \"I've had enough of your creepy spider eyes, how about a taste of your own medicine!\" Shouting out as loudly as her smoke-filled lungs could bare. \n\nShe opened her mouth and chomped down onto the Wolfbears back. Sinking her teeth into its furry hide with every bit of intensity and strength her jaws could muster. The bitter and foul taste of its fur filling her mouth as she was determined to not let go. As she begun to shift her weight, arching her back as she begun to lift the Wolfbear off of the ground with all the strength she could feel building up inside of her. Every muscle in her body working together, her mind consumed with only the thought of stopping it from harming anyone else. Not even having a moment to consider the absurdity of what she was about to do.\n\nOnce she had it lifted off the ground, Shun's efforts to push it back assisting her in shifting the wolfbears balance as she bridged her body. Bringing the wolfbear up and over her head as she drove its head into the floor of the bus with as much power as she could. Suplexing it with every bit of determination that she had built up. Her mouth still full of its furry back as she tried to shout out something muffled \"Tok Dat Yo Furred Bowl! Git Yoodoo Shoon!\" Insulting the Wolfbear while trying to tell Shun to go grab Yuudai if she could. Hoping that she would be able to get him out of danger and out of the bus. It didn't seem like the bus would hold up too much longer at this point as Ayana knew they only had a limited amount of time to act.", "username": "Nakushita", "char_name": "Todokawa, Ayana" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\n'Why am I doing this to myself?!' Asahi irritatingly thought to himself as he swung his burning branch at the wolfbear, hoping it was enough to deter the nightmarish creature, but of course it didn't work because why should it. Its three pairs of soulless eyes followed the swinging stick for a while as it had seemed to be distracted by whatever Asahi was doing. \n\nAs for the pink-haired boy himself, he was regretting this decision in his life. He should've snuck off and run as far as he could the first chance he got but alas, he had to be a 'hero' and help his classmates. As much as he wanted to leave them and escape for safety, Asahi quickly realized that he won't be able to step another foot further in this place all by himself. He needed to stay with his classmates if he wanted to have the slightest chance of surviving in this god-forsaken otherworld. Besides, he thought that if he survived, he'd be seen as a hero and an inspiration by his peers. It also seemed that no one was doing anything at first so he had to try and do something, anything.\n\nA figure rushed past Asahi so fast he barely had time to react to it. His eyes widened in amazement when he realized it was Sasuke, bravely rushing into the thick of danger like a true hero. \"No...!\" Asahi said in alarm and worry as the wolfbear lunged at him. He took a step forward to try and help Sasuke any way he could but it seemed that there was no need for Asahi's help as it got flipped and slammed on its back. Kunio, Yuki, and the rest of the boys all dove onto the beast. It made this weird, scary noise like a demonic dog as thrashed around, trying to escape while the boys all put their entire weights on it to keep it pinned down. \n\n\"Duncan!\" Asahi screamed, eyes wide open in horror as he saw the wolfbear clawing at him. It ripped his shirt to pieces, showing huge clawmarks across his torso. Asahi couldn't even imagine the pain Duncan was under yet he was still on top of the animal, keeping his down against its neck.\n\nGrowling, Asahi rushed towards the group, tightening his grip on his lit branch as he hit the wolfbear's head, over and over and over and over. \"Fucking! Bitch! Die! Die! Die!\" He screamed in anger everytime his branch made contact with the beast's head. It didn't matter to him that the monster's skull might be harder than he thought. He kept hitting it until the branch started to break and the wolfbear's blood splattered on Asahi, and he kept on hitting it with whatever's left of the branch in his hands anyways.", "username": "baraquiel", "char_name": "Hoshino Asahi" }, { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\nIt happened so fast. Inaba was ripped right from his grasp, and then suddenly she was thrown against a tree and her body was hanging limply in the branches above. It hadn't even been two hours and another person was dead. Why the hell was this happening? Wasn't time supposed to slow down or something in crisis? The situation was rapidly getting worse, and Masato felt that he couldn't keep up. He cracked the stick in his hand across the wolfbear's face, which did nothing but break his improvised weapon as expected. \n\nHe could hardly feel anything but his own blood thrumming under his skin. Could hardly hear the panic and cries of his classmates as they tried to handle the other two monsters. The shout of a girl as she threw herself onto the wolfbear and instructed him to run.\n\n\"Suzuki!\" Masato's voice was distressed. Now would be a great time to escape, but it would mean watching another girl die. Could he ever face himself or anyone else again if he did that? As the beast thrashed in Suzuki's hold, looking between her and and Inaba's corpse, Masato considered following her advice. He took a step away, then another. \n\n\"Just - hold on, okay!\"\n\nHe chanced a glance in the direction of Kogen to see that while the boy was unharmed, he also wasn't running away. Why? Why the fuck did he have to be so stubborn about stuff like this. Masato turned back to the scene in front of him, pulse pounding. He bit his lip, and he did run, only around the beast to where Inaba's tools had fallen after the bag was ripped apart. In any other situation he would probably feel bad about going through a dead girl's things. The items were strewn around the ground, and Masato's eyes frantically searched the grass until he found what he was looking for. A hammer would be much more useful than a branch so long as he could get a clean strike in. With the monster thrashing around as it was, would he be able to? Could he afford to wait for it to tire, betting it would happen before it was able to buck Suzuki off? There must be a way to stop it moving around so much. An extra pair of hands to help would be nice. There happened to be one nearby, but... ugh, there really was no time to waffle about if Masato really wanted to try and stop this monster from shredding Suzuki apart.\n\n\"Ko-kun, here!\" Masato summoned the chuunibyou over and tossed his chosen weapon to him before throwing caution to the wind and jumping in to help Suzuki. Unlike her, Masato was no martial artist. His fighting experience was limited to brawling with his brother or other kids in the past. He had no idea how to hold a beast down, so he executed the plan he'd come up with only seconds before based on what he did know - if you went for a person's legs they'd fall over. \n\n\"Hold on Suzuki,\" he said again, diving towards the creature's legs. If she could hold its neck then he could avoid its jaws, and then he'd just have to avoid its claws. If he could trip it up, get it to stop flailing for a moment, then they could access its stomach or its throat or some soft fleshy part of it that the hooked end of a hammer could sink into.\n______________________________________________________________________\n\nChulainn", "username": "Yankee", "char_name": "長島真人" } ]

[ { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\n\nHer wrist finally slipping free from the grip of Tsubaki. It was like she had been shot out of a canon as she rushed head long into danger. Yet at that moment, she strangely didn't feel any fear, not an ounce of hesitation. Her mind was clear and focused on only one thing. To get inside of the bus, to face the Wolfbear, to help her fellow classmates.\n\nEven the heat of the fire didn't daze her. Its burning warmth against her skin and her face as it sucked away the moisture. She jumped right in without even a second of thought. The smell of the fire having a bitter chemical smell as the seats made of foam had become fuel for the growing flames. The smell of gasoline and burning flesh mixing with this to create a foul concoction. It felt like the inside of her lungs were on fire, that her chest was ablaze as her nostrils stung from each attempt to bring air into her body. \n\nShe had to put all these discomforts into the back of her mind. She had no time for these concerns, she had a mission at hand. Her sapphire gaze quickly scanning the situation as she had to make a decision on the spot. Knowing the longer she took, the more dangerous the situation might become. Neither Shun or Yuudai had that sort of time, as the Wolfbear was relentless in its attack.\n\nSpotting the motionless Yuudai splayed upon the ground, the blaze and the discomfort of the smoke burning both of her eyes and her throat. Making it hard to see through the chaos his full condition. But for the moment he seemed to be the safest as the Wolfbear had focused on Shun. Making her decision quickly, she knew that Shun was in the most immediate danger. The beast continuing to come at her, even with Shun trying to fight it off with everything she had. \"Hold on a little while longer, I'm coming to help!\" alerting Shun to her arrival if she hadn't yet noticed her. \n\nAyana moved swiftly, wanting to break up the stalemate between the two as the Wolfbear had started to force Shun back. Ayana sprinted at full speed in the short distance she had between herself and Shun, sliding down as she lowered her body to the floor. Sliding between both Shun's and the Wolfbears legs. The hot metal floor of the bus singeing her skin and her clothing, but now that she was behind the Wolfbear she could make her move.\n\nIt was then she felt something swelling up inside of her, this time the burning sensation she felt within her was not from the fire or the burns she had received. This sensation felt like it was going to make her chest burst as she felt a burst of energy and strength that she didn't know she had. Planting her feet on the floor of the bus as she gritted her teeth. Her eyes narrowed and focused on the back of the Wolfbear, she lunged forward. Her arms wrapping around the waist of the Wolfbear as she clinched her grip around it as tightly as she could. Her legs tensing up as she established a stable base \"I've had enough of your creepy spider eyes, how about a taste of your own medicine!\" Shouting out as loudly as her smoke-filled lungs could bare. \n\nShe opened her mouth and chomped down onto the Wolfbears back. Sinking her teeth into its furry hide with every bit of intensity and strength her jaws could muster. The bitter and foul taste of its fur filling her mouth as she was determined to not let go. As she begun to shift her weight, arching her back as she begun to lift the Wolfbear off of the ground with all the strength she could feel building up inside of her. Every muscle in her body working together, her mind consumed with only the thought of stopping it from harming anyone else. Not even having a moment to consider the absurdity of what she was about to do.\n\nOnce she had it lifted off the ground, Shun's efforts to push it back assisting her in shifting the wolfbears balance as she bridged her body. Bringing the wolfbear up and over her head as she drove its head into the floor of the bus with as much power as she could. Suplexing it with every bit of determination that she had built up. Her mouth still full of its furry back as she tried to shout out something muffled \"Tok Dat Yo Furred Bowl! Git Yoodoo Shoon!\" Insulting the Wolfbear while trying to tell Shun to go grab Yuudai if she could. Hoping that she would be able to get him out of danger and out of the bus. It didn't seem like the bus would hold up too much longer at this point as Ayana knew they only had a limited amount of time to act.", "username": "Nakushita", "char_name": "Todokawa, Ayana" }, { "text": "There was a momentary lapse of surprise when her punch sent the wolfbear skyrocketing up into the ceiling of the bus. It created a dent in the shape of its form as gravity took the creature back down. The surprise soon turned into courage as she realized somehow that she had a chance to beat the creature. Confident shouldn't be confused with foolishness. \"Ah!\" Before she had a chance to react, the wolfbear went back to retaliate. Its claws nicked her face when she barely managed to avoid it but failed to avoid the headbutt.\n\n\"You think that's going to scare me!\" She cried back. This was for Higasa. She went back in. Doing her best to bob and weave from the bear's massive claws, Shun managed to land a few punches. They weren't strong like the first, but they were doing enough to have an impact on the creature. Though, it always ended the same. Again, Shun was repelled by another of the bear's attacks. She slid back and gritted her teeth.\n\nIn the corner of her eye, she spotted Higasa. She couldn't tell if he was breathing or not, but there was still a chance that he was still alive. If she managed to survive a headbutt from this abnormal beast, then maybe there was a chance that he could have survived as well. While it was a stretch, foolish optimism was all Shun had going for at the moment. At the very least, she'll get Higasa out of this boss alive.\n\nThough when Shun was about to go in for round three, she heard a familiar voice from behind her. A figure came in fast, sliding beneath both Shun and the wolfbear. \"Todokawa!?\" That mysterious figure was, in fact, Ayana, and she wasn't playing around. Immediately as she managed to get behind the wolfbear, she jumped onto its back. It reminded Shun of a spider that had managed to find its way onto an unsuspecting person's back. Except Ayana was far deadlier than any spider out there. She immediately bit down on the fur of the wolfbear. \n\nShun knew that she needed to help Ayana. Even with her strength, Shun was too inexperienced to properly utilize her newfound strength against her opponent. The same must have applied to Ayana as well. But as she went to help gang up on the bear, she heard Ayana's muffled voice. \"You can't beat that thing by yourself, Todokawa!\" Shun shouted back, though she looked down at where Yuudai lay right beside her. Another crisis went down in Shun's head. \n\nHelp Ayana, or Help Yuudai.\n\nThe motorcyclist gritted her teeth and pulled Yuudai up with ease. \"Get out fast! The bus is gonna blow?\" The trickle of gasoline finally made itself noticeable to Shun's nose. Running to the back entrance of the bus, she stopped for a moment. \"I'm sorry for this, Yuudai!\" 'Gently' as possible, Shun tossed Yuudai outside of the bus and turned back around. Hopefully, she didn't cause any more external injuries. Looking back at Ayana and the wolfbear, she made a quick decision. Shun grabbed the nearest object and pulled it out. It was some sort of pipe, but that was more than enough for this situation. \"Todokawa! Heads up!\" Stomping her foot down, she raised her arm.\n\nThen release. The sharp iron pipe soared through the air. It aimed straight at the bear's head.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Name Kanamori Shun" } ]

[ { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\nThe taste of the wolfbears rancid fur filled her mouth as she tried to hold in her disgust.The taste far worse then any medicine or vegetable she had ever been forced to take or eat. Her efforts squishing up her face as she felt the impact of her move on the wolfbear. The sound of twisting and bending metal filling her ears as the wolfbear and herself went tumbling through the bottom of the bus. The impact sending a jolt through her body as it felt like her lungs were about to burst and her back felt like it had been nearly broken in half. The taste of the wolfbear, the smoke of the fire and burning debris not doing much help to her already struggling lungs.\n\nAyana tried to get back up to her feet quickly, only to be caught by surprise when a pipe went whistling right by her face and embedded itself like a javelin into the side of the bus. \"Woah! Hold on now! who said anything about these beasts using magic to hurl stuff!\" Both the wolfbear and Ayana scrambling in the debris as the wolfbear tried to make its escape once it had burst free from the bus. Ayana willing her legs and body to jump out right after it as she skidded across the ground on her heels. Her eyes and head shifting side to side as she tried to track down where the wolfbear had scampered off.\n\n\"Hey get back here you coward! You taste horrible! I'll never be able to get this taste out of my mouth!\" Ayana complained as she tried to spit the remaining fur out. Bringing up both of her hands to her tongue as she stuck it completely out, trying to use her hands to scrub it clean as best she could. Wanting to get the taste out of her mouth as much as she could as she watched the Wolfbear scamper off. \"You bweeter nut com bwack, newxt tiwme iz rouwd twoooo!\" Trying to trash talk even while cleansing her tongue.\n\nDeciding not to pursue it, after all it had only been thanks to Shun that she had been able to get the jump on the wolfbear. Without Shun around to distract it, Ayana wasn't sure if she would be able to handle it all on her own. The fact that she was also unfamiliar with the surrounding area also seemed like it would be more trouble than it was worth. Not wanting to get lost in a forest likely teeming with more danger. \n\nTaking a moment to try to recompose herself and gather her strength back, the effort of slamming the wolfbear had taken quite a bit of her energy. Leaving herself covered in soot and other various bits and pieces of debris, little cuts, burns and bruises covering her arms, legs and her clothing. Wrestling a wolfbear in a burning bus was definitely not the most logical thing to do, but Ayana felt like she had no other choice. Finally catching her breath as she turned her attention to Shun and Yuudai.\n\nSeeing that Yuudai seemed to still be alive and conscious as that was a bit of a relief after all that had happened. Letting out a sigh as she wiped sweat from her brow from the heat of the fire as approached the two. \"Those things are pretty clever and tough, they have some kind of magic power, first they threw my shoe back at me, then that one hurled a pipe at my head, luckily it missed….\" Ayana remarked as she crouched down by the two looking over Yuudai. Completely unaware that Shun had been the one that had actually thrown the pipe. Having a mistaken belief that the wolfbear had some kind of mystical power after the earlier two incidents.\n \n\"So how are you two doing? Hopefully neither of you two got hurt too badly….\" Concern filling her voice as Yuudai looked a bit worse for wear. As her focused had turned towards the well being of her classmates now that the adrenaline had worn off and the coast seemed to be clear for the time being. However, going unnoticed by Ayana, one of her twin tails had caught fire when she had burst out of the bus in pursuit of the wolfbear. Her attention so focused on the wolfbear, then the well being of her classmates that she hadn't even noticed.", "username": "Nakushita", "char_name": "Todokawa, Ayana" }, { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\nMasato sucked in a deep breath, breathing heavily and purposefully once the monster was dead. It was definitely dead; it wasn't moving, its throat was torn open, and it had bled enough to drench three middle schoolers. We fucking did it, he thought to himself, still somewhat in disbelief. He didn't feel like saying anything out loud in case it jinxed them and brought something even more terrible down upon the class. He glanced at Inaba on his left, Kogen on his right. Masato lifted a hand as through he were going to pat the other boy on the shoulder...\n\n...but then he finally heaved, crawling away from both students to empty the contents of his stomach. It had been bothering him since the bus crash, and the monster's blood absolutely stunk. Once through purging Masato stood up slowly, wiping his mouth. He was tired, sore, and in pain - but he knew he looked much worse than he felt. His appearance was ghastly, soaked in red and black with torn clothes and a haunted look in his eye. \n\nStill, he was alive. And now that things were a little less dire, he was kind of pissed off. Why did this have to happen to them? Sucked into a Portal, put through a bus crash, and then attacked by monsters. They'd all almost lost a lot more than phones and school notes. Their lives had been in jeopardy - they still were, for as long as they were still in the Otherside. Across the field, Masato could see that the other kids were no longer under attack, but some were laid out on the ground with voices of concern speaking over them. A lot of them had almost died.\n\nMasato sucked in another breath, then drove his foot into the wolfbear's corpse. It was his third year at Kuroshio Junior High and he was so close to keeping his head down and getting one of those scholarships out of that shitty little town. Why the hell did this have to happen? He kicked the beast again, again, once more until the last of his energy started to trickle out of his body. Actually, it felt more like it was evaporating - leaving his limbs cold and his core dense and hot. \n\n\"Fuck,\" he sighed to himself. Alright, it was out of his system now. Time to get things back on track. \n\nHe turned away from Inaba and Kogen and approached the girl on the ground nearby. \"Suzuki?\" he asked, relieved when the girl lifted a hand to give the student council president a thumbs up. She was banged up but otherwise okay. It would be a real pain to carry her with his back like this, so someone else would have to help. They, the entire class of Kuroshio students, had to regroup and figure out what the hell to do from here.", "username": "Yankee", "char_name": "長島真人" } ]

[ { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\n\n\"Bleh!!!!!\" Before she could react, Ayana had taken yet another blow to her head. Reaching up to it to try to rub it tenderly \"Hey, we are on the same side Tsubaki!, these things on my head may look like ears to you, but I'm definitely not a WolfBearSpider!...yyyyeeeeeeepppp!!!!!!\" Being interrupted by the sudden tug of her wrist as Tsubaki pulled her along. Nearly being pulled right off of her feet as she hadn't anticipated to be dragged along.\n\n\"If you ask me, your scarier than that WolfBearSpider! You even hit my head harder then that thing threw the shoe back at me!\" crying out to Tsubaki was she followed her lead, not having much choice in the matter. Not wanting to take another one of her Tsubaki smacks if she didn't have to. \n\n\"As for what I was doing…well, I was trying to take care of that beast before it started to attack anyone, but I underestimated its abilities and it caught me off guard….we can run, but what good is running if they just go around hurting or killing everyone else, we need to find some way to help\" Ayana turned her blue gaze towards Tsubaki. Being serious in tone and approach, even if she was still under the false assumption that the Wolfbear had thrown her own shoe back at her.\n\nShe didn't want to just run away; sure, she didn't want to get mauled by one of those things. But there had to be something else they could do to help. Her gaze finding her stepsister who was with a group of other girls attempting to run. As well as Ayano trying to drag along her boy friend while Kogen's loud voice could be heard even over all the other commotion. As that brought some momentarily relief to her concern and worry. \n\nBut more importantly, spotting Shun who seemed to be trying to defend herself with a branch that didn't seem all that impressive in size, or weight. As the Wolfbear made a bee line straight for her, as Ayana wished she could have tried to warn her about throwing things at the Wolfbear. Though not for the reason that Shun's own efforts failed.\n\nBefore she knew it, Yuudai had come flying in from the side knocking Shun out of the way in the process and taking the brunt of the Wolfbears attack himself as they smashed through the burning window of the bus. Ayana's sapphire eyes widening in both surprise and shock at his selfless actions as she tried to get Tsubaki to stop as she saw Shun quickly go after them into the inferno of the bus. \"Wait! We have to try to help them somehow; didn't you see what happened? We can't just leave them behind when they are in danger and fighting for their lives!\" trying to tug her wrist free from Tsubaki's grip wanting to try to go back to help out Yuudai and Shun if it wasn't too late already. Putting what strength she had into digging her heels into the ground as she stiffened up her legs and tensed up her muscles in an attempt to pull her wrist free.\n\nHer mind racing as the thoughts of what could happen to her fellow classmates flowed through her mind. Her heart racing as the adrenaline and the fear for their safety took hold of her as didn't want to just leave them. She just had to help them, even if it meant fighting a Wolfbear she had no hope of ever overpowering or beating in a fair fight without a weapon. Seeing Yuudai's own selfless actions to try to save Shun. She couldn't just ignore that and run away to save herself, she couldn't live with herself for being that selfish. \"Come on Tsubaki!\"", "username": "Nakushita", "char_name": "Todokawa, Ayana" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nSoaring through the air, Rin was reminded of something. She always wanted to make that glider. She wanted to fly in the sky. What was the reason again? She wanted to survey the land. Right, that was it. Surveying the land. Not looking through a screen at satellite images. Not walking around and measuring with sticks. Looking down at it with her own eyes.\n\nTwelve meters wasn't very high up, but Rin could make a conclusion. Flight kind of sucked. Losing her tools kind of sucked. Everything kind of sucked.\n\nHer thoughts shut down as she smashed against the trunk of the tree and was caught by its branches. It hurt. Actually, did it hurt? It wasn't like any pain she normally had. It felt like her blood was welling and pooling. Gathering. Her back, her arms, her legs, her head. They all held. The buzzing kept her conscious. Or was the collision not enough to rob her of her consciousness in the first place?\n\nShe took breaths looking down at the wolf. She couldn't just jump down, could she? Not while Maki was riding the beast. It wasn't like she had anything left to throw besides her own body, either. Rin just needed to bide her time. Be ready to strike.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\nAsahi had never felt this level of rage and hatred before since the first time he was bullied for being who he was. He remembered the smug look on their faces, their sneering voices and laughter, and their fingers outright pointing at him. Asahi felt like something in his chest was about to burst and as he raised his fist to punch at one of the bullies, his father shouted at them as he brandished the big knife he'd use to chop off thick heavy fishes. They ran in fear while they cried as well, his father taking him in an embrace as Asahi cried the hatred away. He didn't care that his dad reeked of the smelly sea. For the first time in his life, he took pride in being the kid of fishermen.\n\nNow, he couldn't even imagine the look on his dad's face as he punched the wolfbear with all his might. Each time his fist made contact with the animal skulls, he would grunt in anger and his tears dripped down to mix with the blood splattering all over. He was seething with anger at their situation but moreso, Asahi would realize he was much, much afraid of what could happen to all of them. Would their parents and the authorities be finding them right now? Could they same these teens?\n\nCould they even save themselves?\n\nEventually, Asahi noticed the wolfbear wasn't reacting to his punches anymore and stopped, not before throwing in a few hard punches for good measure. Once the rage gradually dissipated from his system, he could finally see the aftermath of what he did to the wolfbear. Its eyes were a bloody mush, its skull broken and smashed to bits and pieces under its thick fur, and its blood and possibly even Asahi's blood as well splattered all across its face. He didn't know how they did it but they actually did the impossible. They actually did save themselves! For once, Asahi was filled with hope, until he remembered he wasn't the only one fighting the wretched freak of nature.\n\n\"Duncan-\" The pink-haired lad gasped as Duncan managed to raise a thumbs-up, stupidly grinning as blood rushed out of his mouth, and his arm went limp just as the wolfbear was too. \"Duncan!\" Asahi shouted in panic and immediately rushed to try and push the wolfbear off him. With the adrenaline disappearing from his body, he felt himself getting weaker from exhaustion but he still did and tried his best. \"Guys! Help me take this thing off Duncan! Help me!\"\n\nIt was Daisuke who helped take the wolfbear off Duncan and Asahi fell down to the ground in shock and exhaustion when he finally recognized what happened to Duncan. His insides were... His body was... It was too much even for Asahi to comprehend what happened to Duncan. It felt like it was just yesterday that he was showing off his stupid flashy grin to everyone as he boasted about whatever he's proud of, and now he's just dead in front of them. In his state of tiredness and despair, Asahi could barely notice Daisuke, Sasuke, and even Haruko as she shouted for his name and ran towards their group. \n\nAfterwards, Asahi really felt he lost his mind when he mistakenly noticed Duncan's intestines twitch. Eventually, his eyes widened and he crawled back in fear and shock as his organs really were moving back inside the blond teen's body right in front of them all. \n\n\"Wha-Wh-Wha-What... What the fuck... What the fuck is happening to us?!\" Asahi said softly in disbelief and horror.", "username": "baraquiel", "char_name": "Hoshino Asahi" }, { "text": "When will this concussion go away? Shun felt like throwing up like how Masato did a few hours ago. The sense of loss came in and out at strange intervals. Shun felt fine when she got out off the bus and fought the wolfbear, but when the calm came is when the concussion started to come back. The student leaned against a tree and took periodical deep breaths. If there was to recover, this small period of time would be enough to gather her bearings.\n\nWhen the wolfbears had either run off or died, everyone regrouped quickly as they could. Tsubaki came over and helped out Yuudai. For Yuudai, Shun could only pray that he recovers from his injuries. They were only middle schoolers, and Shun was sure they didn't know, just like herself, any medical knowledge. As of right now, Tsubaki was most likely the one who would be taking care of the injured. She reassured both Ayana and Shun that they would be alright. They had found a temporary base if it could even be called that, and they had finished discussing what they should do.\n\nFor her, she found herself looking for a water source along with Kunio, Masami, and Masato. They could live five days without food, but they couldn't last a day without water. That was what she remembered anyways. Additionally, Shun was feeling quite parched. Fighting a wolf bear inside a burning truck didn't exactly do her wonders for her thirst. Smoke and heat clogged her senses as she exchanged blows with an animal that was probably twice her mass and height. It would have felt exhilarating but Yuudai...\n\nNo, Yuudai was fine. He was going to recover and stand back up on his two feet. What she needed to focus on was the conversation at hand. Masami suggested finding some sort of water vein in the ground. Shun didn't exactly understand how that worked. Why would water be in the ground? Though Masami seemed confident and she belonged to a priest household. Maybe priests had a spiritual affinity for ground that had water trapped in them?\n\nThe other option was trying to find a river or lake, which was suggested by the resident fisherman student Kunio. A river or lake would be far more sustainable than what Masami suggested. However, that did bring up the question. How were they going to find a river, and how far was it? The question of how they would go back to the temporary camp was left unsaid, but Shun was sure they'd find a solution. Hopefully, the trees and foliage weren't too thick.\n\n\"I agree with Kunio!\" Shun said as she raised her hand. \"I think digging up for underground water would be boring, so let's go around and find a river!\" While she sounded like her usual self, there was a tinge of stress underneath her movements. \"Plus, it would be good to explore the forest, wouldn't it?\" They had to do it eventually, so they might as well look around. Along the way, they might find something useful or even find whatever Masami was looking for. \n\n\"I wonder what the water would look like?\" Shun pondered aloud to herself. \"Maybe the water here is purple instead of the clear blue! Oh, oh, maybe the fish can walk on land! That'd look weird, right?\" Man, she was getting excited over exploring this place. However, her mindless rambling did bring up more questions. Would the river really be safe? If the monsters they encountered were abnormal, then what lurked in the waters of the river? There was only one way to find out.\n\n\"Let's just go find one of those weird animals! Since they're alive, they must require water too. We'll track one down and follow it until it leads us to a body of water!\"", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Name Kanamori Shun" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nThe Inaba junkyard was always full of treasures. The bits of sharp dented metal and broken vehicles--things that could hurt a child--were far away from where Rin had been cordoned off. The Inaba family was always busy. Always something to do, always something to fix. They could only give Rin a watchful eye and whatever cleaned up junk a child would enjoy. The young Rin didn't mind, however. She didn't really feel frustration when her family couldn't play with her. Even as a youngling, her mind wandered away from emotions and towards the objects in front of her.\n\nStill, she wanted to get over that barrier. She wanted to see what objects lay beyond the wall. Her body was too weak and stubby to climb or push it. The most she had was the objects in front of her. A circular thing, a length of rope, and a bunch more bits that she enjoyed playing with. Her mind immediately went to work. The weakness of her stubby little form had been overcome with instinctive mechanics. The wall had been torn down. Of course, her mother was watching the whole thing and immediately ran out to grab her before she could explore. Ever since that day, Rin was intoxicated by the power mechanics could bring.\n\n...\n\nRin waking up was always a strange thing to watch. Where normal people would stew in their bed on the verge of consciousness, Rin would rocket to a sitting position with her mind functioning at 100% capacity. Unfortunately, for Sohei, his moment of gentle bonding was cut short. Her head glanced a strike against his and her body straightened until he was forced to drop her.\n\n\"Sorry it happened again,\" Rin said with an anxious look on her face. Not because she had impacted Sohei's head again, but because of her tools. She had her hammer, but not having anything else made her feel naked. Immediately, she ran back to the dead beast that had launched her sky high. She needed her tools.\n\nHer bag was donezo, but that didn't mean she had no way of storing it. She had pockets and socks. If she needed to, she would tuck her pants into her socks and use her entire set of overalls as a new bag. Recollecting her tools were of the upmost important. It was a good thing she kept spares in her bag. Even if one was permanently lost, she might luck her way into its double.\n\n...\n\nCollecting what she could, she returned to the group with her mind calmed. She did her best to ignore the screams and sobs. She'd join up with the shelter-team. Building was always one of Rin's forte. Even if the concepts to her blueprints weren't sound, her techniques were. Her role was more leaning towards advisement. How to tie knots, how to put the structure together, etc. What she was really doing was sharpening sticks that seemed particularly strong.\n\nShe was making simple spears. Just in case.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "______________________________________________________________________\n\n\n\"Bleh!!!!!\" Before she could react, Ayana had taken yet another blow to her head. Reaching up to it to try to rub it tenderly \"Hey, we are on the same side Tsubaki!, these things on my head may look like ears to you, but I'm definitely not a WolfBearSpider!...yyyyeeeeeeepppp!!!!!!\" Being interrupted by the sudden tug of her wrist as Tsubaki pulled her along. Nearly being pulled right off of her feet as she hadn't anticipated to be dragged along.\n\n\"If you ask me, your scarier than that WolfBearSpider! You even hit my head harder then that thing threw the shoe back at me!\" crying out to Tsubaki was she followed her lead, not having much choice in the matter. Not wanting to take another one of her Tsubaki smacks if she didn't have to. \n\n\"As for what I was doing…well, I was trying to take care of that beast before it started to attack anyone, but I underestimated its abilities and it caught me off guard….we can run, but what good is running if they just go around hurting or killing everyone else, we need to find some way to help\" Ayana turned her blue gaze towards Tsubaki. Being serious in tone and approach, even if she was still under the false assumption that the Wolfbear had thrown her own shoe back at her.\n\nShe didn't want to just run away; sure, she didn't want to get mauled by one of those things. But there had to be something else they could do to help. Her gaze finding her stepsister who was with a group of other girls attempting to run. As well as Ayano trying to drag along her boy friend while Kogen's loud voice could be heard even over all the other commotion. As that brought some momentarily relief to her concern and worry. \n\nBut more importantly, spotting Shun who seemed to be trying to defend herself with a branch that didn't seem all that impressive in size, or weight. As the Wolfbear made a bee line straight for her, as Ayana wished she could have tried to warn her about throwing things at the Wolfbear. Though not for the reason that Shun's own efforts failed.\n\nBefore she knew it, Yuudai had come flying in from the side knocking Shun out of the way in the process and taking the brunt of the Wolfbears attack himself as they smashed through the burning window of the bus. Ayana's sapphire eyes widening in both surprise and shock at his selfless actions as she tried to get Tsubaki to stop as she saw Shun quickly go after them into the inferno of the bus. \"Wait! We have to try to help them somehow; didn't you see what happened? We can't just leave them behind when they are in danger and fighting for their lives!\" trying to tug her wrist free from Tsubaki's grip wanting to try to go back to help out Yuudai and Shun if it wasn't too late already. Putting what strength she had into digging her heels into the ground as she stiffened up her legs and tensed up her muscles in an attempt to pull her wrist free.\n\nHer mind racing as the thoughts of what could happen to her fellow classmates flowed through her mind. Her heart racing as the adrenaline and the fear for their safety took hold of her as didn't want to just leave them. She just had to help them, even if it meant fighting a Wolfbear she had no hope of ever overpowering or beating in a fair fight without a weapon. Seeing Yuudai's own selfless actions to try to save Shun. She couldn't just ignore that and run away to save herself, she couldn't live with herself for being that selfish. \"Come on Tsubaki!\"", "username": "Nakushita", "char_name": "Todokawa, Ayana" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nSoaring through the air, Rin was reminded of something. She always wanted to make that glider. She wanted to fly in the sky. What was the reason again? She wanted to survey the land. Right, that was it. Surveying the land. Not looking through a screen at satellite images. Not walking around and measuring with sticks. Looking down at it with her own eyes.\n\nTwelve meters wasn't very high up, but Rin could make a conclusion. Flight kind of sucked. Losing her tools kind of sucked. Everything kind of sucked.\n\nHer thoughts shut down as she smashed against the trunk of the tree and was caught by its branches. It hurt. Actually, did it hurt? It wasn't like any pain she normally had. It felt like her blood was welling and pooling. Gathering. Her back, her arms, her legs, her head. They all held. The buzzing kept her conscious. Or was the collision not enough to rob her of her consciousness in the first place?\n\nShe took breaths looking down at the wolf. She couldn't just jump down, could she? Not while Maki was riding the beast. It wasn't like she had anything left to throw besides her own body, either. Rin just needed to bide her time. Be ready to strike.", "username": "OwO", "char_name": null }, { "text": "𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭\n__________________________________________________\n\nThe ball connected with the charging beast's head accurately enough, but the brief moment of victory Duncan felt for hitting a moving target square in the face didn't last long. As soon as the ball had made impact, it'd bounced off somewhere unseen, leaving Duncan without weapons - and also without his favourite fucking basketball. Great. He didn't... didn't think that far. Thinking wasn't exactly his forte.\n\nBut though the ball had done nothing to disorient the beast, it had drawn its attention well enough. That was what Duncan had wanted, but seeing the beast's hulking form and hungry eyes turn to him, he wasn't sure why. So Haruko and the others could run while he wrestled it down like some sort of a fucking action hero? C'mon. He'd shouted for the others to do something, so why wasn't anyone doing sh--\n\nTwo shouts pierced the air; Asahi's, as he rushed forward with a burning stick, and Daisuke's as he spurred the rest of the team into action. To fight, not to run. A grin spread across Duncan's face. Man, what an ass, trying to one up him at every turn. He couldn't have that. Everywhere around them, the air was already filling with shouts, grunts, screams, as the other students all scrambled into action against the monsters. They were taking a stand on all fronts.\n\n\"Already on it!\" Duncan shouted back at Daisuke, about to dash towards the wolfbear, when someone sped past him. Sasuke. In a feat that halted Duncan where he stood, the guy flipped the beast onto its back like it was some fat, flailing man. Oh. Oh, well, shit. Reminder not to mess with that one. Suddenly, his 78 streak against Daisuke didn't feel that impressive.\n\n... Right, the dogpile! \"Last one there's a fucking nerd!\"\n\nAnd everyone knew he wasn't a fucking nerd.\n\nThe combined weight of multiple bodies piled onto the wolfbear, trying to pin it down. But it wouldn't be enough to just hold it in place forever, they had to actually take it down permanently, somehow. But how? Beat it unconscious? Strangle it? Snap its neck? Its skull was solid and neck thicker than Haruko's thighs! If only they had something sharp to just gut it.\n\nYou know what, whatever, with enough force, there was nothing they couldn't accomplish. The fear that had churned Duncan's insides had long since been drowned by a rush of adrenaline. This was the final game of the season, the one that decided everything, and he was the ace for a reason. So, stubbornly and recklessly, he shoved his weight, knees first, down on the beast's throat e to restrict airflow, eyes fixed on its jaws - but not on its claws.\n\nDuncan didn't feel pain at first. He felt the impact, saw the claws as they grazed against his chest, but the damage done didn't register through the adrenaline. What he did register was all the red. It stained everything. His clothes, his hands, all taken by a warm red something. Something was wrong, that much he understood on an instinctive level.\n\nSomeone close by, someone else in the dogpile, sounded startled. Their eyes were wide, finger pointing. At him. At his torso. Duncan looked down, and realized his shirt had been torn open. Bloodied chunks had curled to the sides. \n\nThen he realized the chunks weren't fabric. They were skin. \n\nRealization hit him with the force of a thousand basketballs: there was a gash on his abdomen, and he was going to fucking die.", "username": "Vertigo", "char_name": "DUNCAN STEWART\"The Dunk\"" } ]

[ { "text": "There was a momentary lapse of surprise when her punch sent the wolfbear skyrocketing up into the ceiling of the bus. It created a dent in the shape of its form as gravity took the creature back down. The surprise soon turned into courage as she realized somehow that she had a chance to beat the creature. Confident shouldn't be confused with foolishness. \"Ah!\" Before she had a chance to react, the wolfbear went back to retaliate. Its claws nicked her face when she barely managed to avoid it but failed to avoid the headbutt.\n\n\"You think that's going to scare me!\" She cried back. This was for Higasa. She went back in. Doing her best to bob and weave from the bear's massive claws, Shun managed to land a few punches. They weren't strong like the first, but they were doing enough to have an impact on the creature. Though, it always ended the same. Again, Shun was repelled by another of the bear's attacks. She slid back and gritted her teeth.\n\nIn the corner of her eye, she spotted Higasa. She couldn't tell if he was breathing or not, but there was still a chance that he was still alive. If she managed to survive a headbutt from this abnormal beast, then maybe there was a chance that he could have survived as well. While it was a stretch, foolish optimism was all Shun had going for at the moment. At the very least, she'll get Higasa out of this boss alive.\n\nThough when Shun was about to go in for round three, she heard a familiar voice from behind her. A figure came in fast, sliding beneath both Shun and the wolfbear. \"Todokawa!?\" That mysterious figure was, in fact, Ayana, and she wasn't playing around. Immediately as she managed to get behind the wolfbear, she jumped onto its back. It reminded Shun of a spider that had managed to find its way onto an unsuspecting person's back. Except Ayana was far deadlier than any spider out there. She immediately bit down on the fur of the wolfbear. \n\nShun knew that she needed to help Ayana. Even with her strength, Shun was too inexperienced to properly utilize her newfound strength against her opponent. The same must have applied to Ayana as well. But as she went to help gang up on the bear, she heard Ayana's muffled voice. \"You can't beat that thing by yourself, Todokawa!\" Shun shouted back, though she looked down at where Yuudai lay right beside her. Another crisis went down in Shun's head. \n\nHelp Ayana, or Help Yuudai.\n\nThe motorcyclist gritted her teeth and pulled Yuudai up with ease. \"Get out fast! The bus is gonna blow?\" The trickle of gasoline finally made itself noticeable to Shun's nose. Running to the back entrance of the bus, she stopped for a moment. \"I'm sorry for this, Yuudai!\" 'Gently' as possible, Shun tossed Yuudai outside of the bus and turned back around. Hopefully, she didn't cause any more external injuries. Looking back at Ayana and the wolfbear, she made a quick decision. Shun grabbed the nearest object and pulled it out. It was some sort of pipe, but that was more than enough for this situation. \"Todokawa! Heads up!\" Stomping her foot down, she raised her arm.\n\nThen release. The sharp iron pipe soared through the air. It aimed straight at the bear's head.", "username": "AThousandCurses", "char_name": "Name Kanamori Shun" }, { "text": "Clearing, ???\n\n---\n\n\nMentions: @Yankee@OwO\n\nThis was it, huh?\n\nDying beside your peers, against beasts beyond your comprehension. \n\nLife was pretty unfair, wasn't it? Being born in a backwater town where your only talent wouldn't get the recognition it deserved, covered in obscurity by a few jealous seniors.\n\nYou couldn't make your mark in the world, and now this is where life has lead you.\n\nDying in an unknown world, one where only a few will remember you...\n\nKogen's eyes fluttered as he slowly succumbed to his fate, the pain that radiated through his body becoming more unbearable as the bearwolf crushed him. Despite this, he still had some willingness to fight in him, the barest remnants of his instincts flaring from within.\n\nKogen launched an arm up, grasping hard on the bearwolf's arm. Maybe if he allowed himself to get torn up by this beast, if he squirmed just enough, Masato could crawl out from underneath him. It's the least he could do, after all.\n\nHe was too out of breath to really do anything else.\n\nAs he squirmed, Kogen noticed a glint in the sky. Was this a... hallucination? Were his delusions becoming real in his death throes? No, it couldn't be... is that Inaba, falling from the sky? Did a branch break, or... no. Her movements, stiff as they may be, seemed deliberate.\n\n... Are you just going to sit and watch, or are you also going to fight?\n\nThe boy's body moved swifty, though he wasn't sure if it was entirely of his own volition. It's almost as if seeing his classmate's will to fight despite being totally dead filled Kogen with a deep-seated sense of resolve. He continued to grasp on the bearwolf's arm, digging his nails into its flesh as the pain that surged through his body began to disappear. His other hand clutched the hammer tightly, waiting for just the right opportunity to act. Fo fight.\n\nThe air that escaped his lungs was instead replaced with fire.\n\nAs soon as Inaba made impact, Kogen swung his hammer into the one of the bearwolf's elbows, throwing all his might into the blow. From its weakened grasp, Kogen used the counteracting momentum of his swing and the bearwolf's movment to throw his own body to the side while still clinging to the monster's arm.\n\nNothing else matters anymore. The only thing you need to do is kill it.\n\nAnd so, Kogen would do so, raising the hooked side of the hammer and jamming it into the bearwolf's neck, before ripping downward.", "username": "Cu Chulainn", "char_name": "Tsutsumi Kogen" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\nThe travel from his hometown and here was at least a few hours of biking, and thus he would need to already be up before sunrise. And Ornager would be up before sunrise, to the minute. He took his time taking a nice shower, grinding and cleaning his teeth, putting on the best set of orange plaid shirt, khaki pants and brown gilet that he set out the day before, double checking the suitcase he had prepared, along with a small treated wooden box on top of it, compact with mechanical tools that he could not live without. With a brief goodbye said to his parents, the large beaver slugged the two items he had out of the house and marched towards a tricycle, and indeed it is a tricycle. Sturdily handcrafted almost entirely out of wood except for the chains, tires and wires, with a large basket in front suitable for any bulky personal cargo he had, which would be the two baggage, along with a pump he just casually yanked from the back of the house. His parents already had a spare.\n\nWith it, the beaver embarked on his journey. It was quite long, but he was well-built for long journeys. As long as he had his bottle of water with him, a song to hum down the country road, time flew quite fast. Soon, Gloomminster came into sight, neared and finally engulfed the beaver as he strolled along the road, passing by the shops and houses. He saw the lodge he was supposed to stay in, but passed by that to head into a cafe parking lot instead. After making sure that his preciously built tricycle was securely fastened, he slugged his baggage out of the cargo basket and headed inside.\n\nThe door opened to a ring of a bell, and emerged a large furry silhouette, a large flat tail slightly skidding off the floor. His lips opened to reveal four long teeth in the middle, as he raised a finger to catch the attention of a cafe worker. \"Fur' one please.\" He spoke, having quite a distinct accent. One cafe worker approached the beaver slightly nervously, which towered over the small lad, who asked if he shook his head, to which Ornager shook his head with a firm \"Nai.\"\n\nThe cafe worker looked over it a bit and directed the beaver to sit down at a table nearby. He dragged the luggage over before plopping down on the seat, the tail tucked between his legs, seeing as the chair could not fit putting it behind him. \"A gulp of water fur' me. Thank ya.\" He ordered from a waitress, before inclining back on his chair, having a look at everyone around him. There's a certain lot of personality around, of different kind. The beaver saw two elves sitting close by him. He did log the peculiarity of their physical appearances, as one had what looked like sews on her lips, and the other had eye-covers, but Ornager greeted them the same as he would any other. \"Heyo, how's yur mornin' been?\" He said, a friendly smile that let the two long upper teeth jutting out, looking a little goofy, as he waved at both of them with a two-fingered salute.", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Ornager" }, { "text": "Bonnie looked up at the gaunt man facing her. She greeted him with a smile, \"Hello, sir! How can I help you today?\" Her eyes twinkled with genuine friendliness, not just a plastered on customer service smile. She genuinely loved her job and enjoyed helping people find the texts they required.\n\nHe retorted in a quiet voice, with a polite smile stretching his lips slightly. \"Morn'n miss. You can ackshully. It's my daughter's birthday, she's 13. An aspiring necromancer. Very good actually. Do you have anything like that I could get her?\" His slight small transformed into a beam of fatherly pride as he recounted his offspring's talents.\n\nBonnie grinned back, getting to her feet as she tapped her lip with her index finger.\nOnce.\nTwice.\nThrice.\n\n\"Think I have just the scroll, love. It's a classic and a good price!\" She bounced on her feet as she spoke. She began rifling through a cabinet on her desk. She was like that long enough for a girl accompanied by her entourage of statues to enter the shop. And also long enough for her to stumble over a huge stack of books.\n\nThe crashing brought her out of the deep concentration she was in. She looked up, gazing upon the poor young woman coming crashing down. She rushed over, trying to help her up as yet another being walked in and began helping her. 5 entities and herself now occupied the small shop, it was beginning to get busy! And she'd only been open a couple of minutes.\n\nShe busied herself picking the books back up as she sang out, \"Are you alright my lovely? I am so sorry about that dear. It's alright, really. Happens to the best of us.\" The three quickly finished stacking the towering pile of books and an ornate scroll case caught her eye, just behind the offending pile. \"Be right with you.\" She uttered to the new entries into the shop as she snatched the case off the shelf and rushed back to the desk. \n\nShe handed the man the decorated case. He felt it, switching it between his palms, taking the ream of paper out of the leather tube. The papyrus was thin and yellowed, the calligraphy a rich dark brown, almost black. The atmosphere of ancient knowledge almost radiated off of the text. He looked back up at her, \"Yeahh, I this'll do jus' right. She'll be well pleased. 'Ow much?\"\n\nBonnie beamed back, \"Hmm, normally I'd ask 70 silvers, but I'm one to support aspiring magicians. You can have it for 50. Cash or card?\" The man happily pulled out his wallet, pulling out 5 notes. She processed them through the vintage till the ding sounded throughout the shop as the cash draw shot out. The tall man returned the scroll to its case and left the shop with a jaunty step out into the pleasant afternoon.\n\nShe turned round to the quartet of new entries to the shop. Looking at the luggage in the pair of goliaths' great hands she looked at the small girl and brightly began, \"Hello! I'm guessing you're one of my new tenants! I'm Bonnie. Cunningham. I'll show you round the place in just a moment. The ground floor is the shop. This shop.\" Lastly she looked at the other being, a harpy from what she could tell, \"Are you a tenant as well, or looking to buy something?\"\n@scrawls", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Both girls looked a little shocked and then nodded. \"Yeah, that's where we're headed. It seems we'll see you there as well. We must go now, before we become late.\" Phynnia spins on her heels and walks out, with Areya following behind but not without giving a little wave goodbye first.(@Conscripts)\n. . .\n Finally they arrived at the bookstore. As they walked in, the bell chime made a noise. Areya was amused by it and giggled. As they walked in further, moving around the tall, red man with horns(@Blizz), they started to admire the old and worn books that were on the shelves. They then began wandering around the store, looking at every title and book. There were big books, small books, books that were thin and thick. They didn't pay attention to anyone else that arrived before them, their awareness was minimal. They fiddled with some of the books, flipping through the pages and looking at what was inside them. Nothing they understood was inside, but it was still amusing to look.\n \"I guess we should go find where those bedrooms are.\" Phynnia said, holding Areya's hand. Areya nodded, and they both continued to wander the bookstore.", "username": "AriiBird", "char_name": "Areya Pierre (left) & Phynnia Pierre (Right)" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\"Aight, see you around!\" Ornager waved back casually as he savoured the rest of his drink. Once done, he took out his wallet and paid his drink, with a nice but modest tip for the nice waiter who was willing to accommodate him. Afterwards, he'd bring the two luggage with him back to the tricycle and headed out. @AriiBird\n\nHe wandered the area for a little while longer on his trike, enjoying the scenery and letting the wind caress his fur, before finally settling back to the bookstore where he also would be lodging at. He looked around for parking space but there wasn't one close by. It wasn't exactly convenient or nice of him to be asking the owner if he could keep the vehicle inside his dorm, but he couldn't leave it out in the open. Ultimately, Ornager decided to park the trike temporarily outside the door, leaving his luggage while he entered the store, or rather peek in from the door with a wave. \n\n\"Eyo! Is there a good parking space nearby for yee ol' me?\"", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Ornager" }, { "text": "Bonnie glanced quizzically at Mia's hand as she rejected the handshake. She obviously took no offense. You meet all kinds of people In Gloomminster, with all sorts of abilities, powers, and habits. And touching hands in some manner was a ubiquitous greeting, it also wasn't that uncommon to meet beings that couldn't touch others, for whatever reason. Bonnie carried on, listening, and then when she was done responding. \"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Mia! I'm Bonnie. Cunningham. This is my bookshop. And yes, I remember your letter. You're very welcome here. Though they are rather snug and straightforward, the rooms are cheap. I'll show you 'round and you lot can sort out who wants where among yourselves. I'm not really fussed about who goes where presuming everyone's reasonable. As you all appear to be!\" She finished speaking with a slight chuckle, turning to look at her next conversatory victim.\n\nBonnie gazed up at the large tiefling. The man had an eccentric look, with a strange mechanical arm and some kind of complex geometrical pattern hovering about. She grinned up at him, glancing at his large bag, \"\"Indeed it is, my friend! Far more than it usually is! I take it from your bag you're one of my new tenants? If so: I'm Bonnie. Welcome to my shop, and your soon-to-be home.\" She stuck out a hand as she energetically greeted the new entrant. After his response, she moved on to the pair that had wandered in while she was talking with the tiefling.\n\nCrikey it was getting cramped in here.\n\nThe bouncy, firey-haired woman advanced quickly on the pair of doll-like girls that had become browsing. In fact, one appeared to actually be a doll. She continued, noting but not being off-put by their slightly strange appearance. It was a somewhat uncommon occurrence: Bonnie, the slightly odd woman that she was, appeared to be the most 'regular' looking in the room. At least at a glance. She overheard the girl's mention of room and merrily introduced herself with a warm smile, \"Hello my loves, I'm Bonnie. A pleasure to meet you. You seem to be after rooms? I think you're in the right spot. I and the rest of this lot are just going upstairs to settle in, they're also renting rooms. Would you like to come with me? She curtsied slightly to the two girls as she began. Then after listening to their response, quickly counted the occupants.\n\nOne, two, three, four, five... \n\nShe was expecting six this afternoon...\n\nDing!\n\nShe turned as the doorbell went off. A huge fluffy being stood at the door. He gave a friendly wave, and Bonnie responded in turn. She glanced at the wooden vehicle outside the door, some kind of three-wheeled cart or trike. Very sturdily built. A fine example of construction. Upon his question, she responded with an answer and her one question: \"Why yes my friend! There's a small alley down the side! It's pretty unused. Between here and the bakery next door. You can lock it up on the metal bars at the end. If you want. If you don't mind me asking, are you a customer or a tenant?\" \n\nAfter he answered she smiled and nodded, telling him something along the lines of, \"Very happy to have you, I'm Bonnie. This is my shop. I'm just going to lead this lot upstairs, you'll find us just upstairs, on the first floor for now. Please join us when you're done. The stairs are at the back of the shop, just through that doorway.\" She pointed at a dimly lit doorway behind the counter, normally not accessible to customers. It lead to a hallway lined with books, from what could be seen from the door.\n\nShe turned back round to the other five as the Beaver locked away his trike. \"Well, happy to have you all! I have all the paperwork ready, the rates are quite low. Especially given the proximity to the university. It's just 5 minutes down the road. But I'm sure you all know that.\" She weaved through the shop floor, motioning them to follow as she monologues. \"I'm sure you all know, I'm Bonnie. I'll just give you a tour around the house, and then you can decide if you really do want to stay, and then you can sign the papers, and get settled.\n\nShe lead them through the doorway, into yet another corridor lined with great bookshelves packed with text upon text, of all sorts of writings. \"I presume you're all going to the university, most young people in the city are. I am as well. First-year. The house used to be bustling with all of my family, but they've all moved out. Now it's just me and I can't stand the house being as empty as it is. So I'm renting it out! She turned around, her great mane whipping behind her as she smiled warmly at the group. They were of the landing of the second floor, a long corridor stretched off in front of them, the walls were covered in bookshelves, filled with books, occasionally broken up with candle holders, or pictures. They all showed a massive family of firey-haired smiling children of varying ages and two parents. The father was tall and lean, covered in freckles with the family hair. The mother was a short slight woman with a large smile and long mousey hair. She stuck out like a sore thumb among the massive clan of gingers. \n\nShe pointed out to the four doors in, closest to furthest as they passed, opening them so the group could peer in as she passed. She continued her rambling, \"You all seem nice, I'm sure we'll be good friends. This is room one.\" She swung open the first door, revealing a long, but rather small room. It had wooden plank flooring and was lit naturally by a large window at the front, looking out over the street. It was completely bare, and dust hung heavy in the air. It smelt faintly of lavender. They continued marching, she swung open the second door, it was much the same. Except for this time it smelt faintly of damp moss. \"This is the second room. Me and my little sister used to share this one.\" They continued onto the third door, it was again the same affair except this time it smelt of birch bark. \"Room three. We'll wait here a moment for our fluffy friend. This is the door to the stairs here.\" She turned to a door opposite the entry to room three and opened it to reveal a tight but open sided spiral staircase, the walls lined with bookcases, filled with books, drawers, trinkets, odds-and-ends, and other such assortments.\n@Conscripts@Blizz@Expendable@LostDestiny@scrawls", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Unfurnished, Mia noted as she peered carefully past the others into the small room. She'd have to do some shopping then. Thankfully the university fees had been paid, but she might want to keep an eye on job openings.\n\nShe followed Bonnie to the end of the corridor, where the fourth door opened up to a spiral staircase lined with books and trinkets. \n\n\"Did your family find all this?\" she asked.", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\nThe travel from his hometown and here was at least a few hours of biking, and thus he would need to already be up before sunrise. And Ornager would be up before sunrise, to the minute. He took his time taking a nice shower, grinding and cleaning his teeth, putting on the best set of orange plaid shirt, khaki pants and brown gilet that he set out the day before, double checking the suitcase he had prepared, along with a small treated wooden box on top of it, compact with mechanical tools that he could not live without. With a brief goodbye said to his parents, the large beaver slugged the two items he had out of the house and marched towards a tricycle, and indeed it is a tricycle. Sturdily handcrafted almost entirely out of wood except for the chains, tires and wires, with a large basket in front suitable for any bulky personal cargo he had, which would be the two baggage, along with a pump he just casually yanked from the back of the house. His parents already had a spare.\n\nWith it, the beaver embarked on his journey. It was quite long, but he was well-built for long journeys. As long as he had his bottle of water with him, a song to hum down the country road, time flew quite fast. Soon, Gloomminster came into sight, neared and finally engulfed the beaver as he strolled along the road, passing by the shops and houses. He saw the lodge he was supposed to stay in, but passed by that to head into a cafe parking lot instead. After making sure that his preciously built tricycle was securely fastened, he slugged his baggage out of the cargo basket and headed inside.\n\nThe door opened to a ring of a bell, and emerged a large furry silhouette, a large flat tail slightly skidding off the floor. His lips opened to reveal four long teeth in the middle, as he raised a finger to catch the attention of a cafe worker. \"Fur' one please.\" He spoke, having quite a distinct accent. One cafe worker approached the beaver slightly nervously, which towered over the small lad, who asked if he shook his head, to which Ornager shook his head with a firm \"Nai.\"\n\nThe cafe worker looked over it a bit and directed the beaver to sit down at a table nearby. He dragged the luggage over before plopping down on the seat, the tail tucked between his legs, seeing as the chair could not fit putting it behind him. \"A gulp of water fur' me. Thank ya.\" He ordered from a waitress, before inclining back on his chair, having a look at everyone around him. There's a certain lot of personality around, of different kind. The beaver saw two elves sitting close by him. He did log the peculiarity of their physical appearances, as one had what looked like sews on her lips, and the other had eye-covers, but Ornager greeted them the same as he would any other. \"Heyo, how's yur mornin' been?\" He said, a friendly smile that let the two long upper teeth jutting out, looking a little goofy, as he waved at both of them with a two-fingered salute.", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Ornager" }, { "text": "Bonnie looked up at the gaunt man facing her. She greeted him with a smile, \"Hello, sir! How can I help you today?\" Her eyes twinkled with genuine friendliness, not just a plastered on customer service smile. She genuinely loved her job and enjoyed helping people find the texts they required.\n\nHe retorted in a quiet voice, with a polite smile stretching his lips slightly. \"Morn'n miss. You can ackshully. It's my daughter's birthday, she's 13. An aspiring necromancer. Very good actually. Do you have anything like that I could get her?\" His slight small transformed into a beam of fatherly pride as he recounted his offspring's talents.\n\nBonnie grinned back, getting to her feet as she tapped her lip with her index finger.\nOnce.\nTwice.\nThrice.\n\n\"Think I have just the scroll, love. It's a classic and a good price!\" She bounced on her feet as she spoke. She began rifling through a cabinet on her desk. She was like that long enough for a girl accompanied by her entourage of statues to enter the shop. And also long enough for her to stumble over a huge stack of books.\n\nThe crashing brought her out of the deep concentration she was in. She looked up, gazing upon the poor young woman coming crashing down. She rushed over, trying to help her up as yet another being walked in and began helping her. 5 entities and herself now occupied the small shop, it was beginning to get busy! And she'd only been open a couple of minutes.\n\nShe busied herself picking the books back up as she sang out, \"Are you alright my lovely? I am so sorry about that dear. It's alright, really. Happens to the best of us.\" The three quickly finished stacking the towering pile of books and an ornate scroll case caught her eye, just behind the offending pile. \"Be right with you.\" She uttered to the new entries into the shop as she snatched the case off the shelf and rushed back to the desk. \n\nShe handed the man the decorated case. He felt it, switching it between his palms, taking the ream of paper out of the leather tube. The papyrus was thin and yellowed, the calligraphy a rich dark brown, almost black. The atmosphere of ancient knowledge almost radiated off of the text. He looked back up at her, \"Yeahh, I this'll do jus' right. She'll be well pleased. 'Ow much?\"\n\nBonnie beamed back, \"Hmm, normally I'd ask 70 silvers, but I'm one to support aspiring magicians. You can have it for 50. Cash or card?\" The man happily pulled out his wallet, pulling out 5 notes. She processed them through the vintage till the ding sounded throughout the shop as the cash draw shot out. The tall man returned the scroll to its case and left the shop with a jaunty step out into the pleasant afternoon.\n\nShe turned round to the quartet of new entries to the shop. Looking at the luggage in the pair of goliaths' great hands she looked at the small girl and brightly began, \"Hello! I'm guessing you're one of my new tenants! I'm Bonnie. Cunningham. I'll show you round the place in just a moment. The ground floor is the shop. This shop.\" Lastly she looked at the other being, a harpy from what she could tell, \"Are you a tenant as well, or looking to buy something?\"\n@scrawls", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": null }, { "text": "They looked over from their conversation and see the small beaver man waving at them. They paused for a moment before Areya waves back with another grin, with Phynnia sheepishly waving back after her. Areya looks at Phynnia and motions her to speak. She does, and she slowly goes \"Hello, We are doing well. I hope you're doing well too..? I hope you are doing well too.\" Areya taps her and slightly bounces in her seat. Phynnia makes a face and says \"She thinks you are very fluffy.\" she points to her little companion.\n\n They got up and walked over to the counter, to examine the little beaver more. They looked at each other and then back at him and introduced themselves. \"My name is Phynnia and this is Areya. We're here until we have to go to our new rooms near our University. What is your name?\" she makes a little grin.", "username": "AriiBird", "char_name": "Areya Pierre (left) & Phynnia Pierre (Right)" } ]

[ { "text": "The boy was staring at her. Could he see through her glamor, or...?\n\nSomething that worried Mia was she hadn't seen a bathroom, or just a closet with a toilet. Surely there was one somewhere on this floor? It didn't bode well for the other floors, and there wasn't likely to be one in the attic. Or maybe there were, left over from the days the staff slept there.\n\nShared bathrooms could be a problem. She wondered if they still made chamber pots...?", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nEarlier in the morning...\n\n\"Are you sure you really want me to go? I swear I can handle the commute, Ma.\" Varis tried to reason out but to no avail. His bags were full of his clothes and other necessities, all packed and ready to go, although it seemed that the only one who wasn't ready was their owner.\n\nHis mother, Winona shook her head and wagged her finger at him. \"Nuh uh. We talked about this, dear. You're always waking up so early in the morning and coming home very late at night. You barely have time for rest and recreation especially when you're studying and doing your assignments. You almost caught the flu back then and this time, I refuse to see my son getting sick.\"\n\n\"Your Ma's right, kiddo.\" Markus said, nodding in agreement with arms crossed against his chest. \"Besides, it's always school and home, school and home for you. Maybe living independently will help you meet other kinds of people, y'know? Gain new friends! Be a part of something! You're still a teen, V. Leave the adulting to the adults.\" Varis's stepfather added as he gave the young carbuncle a pat on the back.\n\nAmity stood by the living room, glaring at her brother while grasping her teddy bear tightly. By her constant request (moreso nagging), Winona helped dye her hair black. Being naturally white-haired, whenever the color of her root hair's showing again, it made her look like either a skunk folk or a nine-year-old grandma so their mother-daughter time consisted of mostly hair-dying. The little girl ran up to her brother and gave him a tight hug. \"Message me all the time, dum-dum.\" She said, her voice muffled against his shirt. Varis giggled and hugged his little sister too. \"I promise I will come visit you whenever I can, Ames.\" He softly said, patting her head as she fought back tears.\n\nWinona wiped a tear from her eye as she and Markus joined in on the family hug. Amity usually didn't like sweet, sappy acts of affection, but she just let it pass this time. Varis promised himself he will never cry in front of his mother as he claimed himself for being her rock but like his sister, he just let it pass this time.\n\nPresent time\n\n\"Here we are. The owner said the rooms are up top.\" Markus said as he parked their rented car in front of a bookshop. Varis looked at it through the glass. His parents did mention they found him an affordable room to stay at during his studies but they never mentioned it was at this place. He would pass by this same bookshop almost all the time whenever he commuted. Who would've thought fate would bring him back here again?\n\n\"I'll get my stu-\" He started saying while he removed his seatbelt, but his stepfather was already on it. He chuckled and got out of the car as Markus brought out the last of his stuff. \"Now, if anything happens, message us. Call us. Your ma insists.\" Markus reminded Varis, the latter smiling and nodding. \"Okay, okay, I promise.\"\n\n\"We mean it, kiddo. We can't be there for you all the time, so this is the chance for you to find out what it looks like to be independent, to be making your decisions. We know you are capable of doing a lot of things, V. We just hope that you also realize that you don't need to do everything. Understand?\"\n\nVaris sighed and nodded again, this time more earnestly. \"Yes... Yes, I do. I'll message you guys whenever I can, I'll eat at the proper times, and I'll take care of my health. I won't make you, Ames, and Ma worry. Again.\" He sheepishly said before the two hugged. \n\n\"Take care of them, Pa.\" Varis said as Markus chuckled. \"Already on it, kiddo.\"\n\nMarkus then ruffled Varis's hair and got in the car. \"Oh, and don't forget, V! Have fun!\" He said with a smile and a wink as he drove down the road. Varis looked back at the bookshop with a signage that said 'Cunningham's Bookshop and Binders'. \n\n\"Okay, Varis. You got this.\" The young carbuncle said to himself, steeling his resolve and fixing his bangs to cover the red gem on his forehead. Breathing deeply, he grabbed his bags and entered the bookshop. He was surprised to find out he was beginning to like this place just from the get-go. The interior felt warm and cozy, like a soft hug from a friend or two. No one's here, though. There must be not a lot of people going to bookshops nowadays.\n\n\"Uh... H-Hello? Miss Cunningham? Is anyone there?\"", "username": "baraquiel", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nOh dear lord, more people. Why did there have to be this many people in one building? Now Kyrus felt awkward not saying much. \n\n\"I am Kyrus Lohenn. And yes, I'm here about a room. Any is fine, I'm not picky about it-\" Oh, oh they're walking away now, Kyrus hurried along to keep pace with the group, taking care not to walk too close to those knightly constructs the one girl was puppetring around. They looked big, and that stuff looked heavy. Between the Harpy boy's wings, the statues, the seemingly blind girl using that puppet as a frankly ingenious aid, this place felt almost hard to breathe in. Kyrus kept up with the group, listening intently to the things everyone was saying to try and keep up with everyone and hopefully not forget something important that was being said. The first room needed to be dusted for what might've been days, but Kyrus was considering taking that one. Maybe, he thought. He didn't exactly have much cash to fill it with things but it was just a space to crash in. \"Are those your constructs? They're impressive.\" He said to the Minerva girl, to strike up some sort of conversation with somebody. \"I don't do constructs, but I do make things.\" He said, holding up his magic, mechanical arm. \"Technosorcery.\"", "username": "Blizz", "char_name": "Kyrus Lohenn" } ]

[ { "text": "Phynnia, finally awake, sits up from her slumber. She has a night mask on, always wearing one no matter what she does. She yawns and looks beside her, Areya sitting on the bedside table. \"Hello, Areya. How are you this morning?\" she says while fixing a bit of her hair. Areya Smiles and nods, saying nothing but what's on her mind. \"That's good, I'm glad you're doing well this morning.\". Phynnia understands, using her weak but effective magic to communicate. She looks at the clock beside Areya and nods slightly. \"My my, almost 8 hours of sleep. Just a little bit more would've been nice,\" she stretches mid sentence, making a noise and a sigh, \"but that's not happening now. We have to get up and get ready for our new day at this new place.\" Areya jumps off the bedside table and follows Phynnia to the bathroom. She has to assist her in making sure she remembers everything\n\n Phynnia walks in, thinking of her daily morning routine. She never goes off track, it could end up horribly if she does. \"Alright, so first we need a shower. We must stay nice and clean.\" She turns on the faucet, waiting for it to get lukewarm. The showers here are not the best, but at least it's something. Areya is not fond of showers because it gets in between her joints and cracks, but she washes herself anyway for Phynnia's sake. After they had an...okay shower, the go to the sink. Phynnia's toothbrush looked untouched, even though she used it everyday and night. Areya doesn't really have anything to brush, but she does anyway. Her toothbrush looks a little more worn than Phynnia's, but it's not a bother. \n\n After a few more steps, including hair being brushed, They get dressed up. They only have a few spare clothes, but they are washed regularly. They get dressed and smile at each other. \"Are you ready, Areya?\" Phynnia ask while tying her last boot lace. She wore a white tattered shirt, black overall shorts, and black boots. Areya nodded, sporting her greenish dress and a shoulder cape. She wore brown slippers as well, as it's the only thing she could retrieve from home. Phynnia stood up and opened the door. She looked back and motioned Areya to go first. She does, and walks lightly out the door. Phynnia follows, her walk a little more heavier.\n\n Their favourite first place to hang out in the morning is a small little cafe nearby their little stay-in. They don't have much, but this cafe is wonders to them. It's mostly for Phynnia, but Areya likes to look and smell all the food and drinks. They walk in and sit down for a while. The smell of coffee and bread fills their senses and makes them relax. They sit down at their usual spot, somewhere near the food so that Areya can look and watch the cafe workers do their thing. They indulge themselves, slipping off into what they're going to do at the University, and what adventures they'd find themselves in. During the conversation, they thought that it would be best to go to the bookstore on the first day. It might not be the best impression, but they don't mind what others think as long as they have each other.", "username": "AriiBird", "char_name": "Areya Pierre (left) & Phynnia Pierre (Right)" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\nSpry footsteps skipped across the cobble roads, followed by the heavy clunks of much heavier marching behind. Every now and then, the lighter footsteps would stop as the woman paused to admire a shop, monument, or particularly interesting-looking stranger. The young woman with white hair tied in a ponytail, wide eyes framed by wider round glasses, a devilish grin, and a slender frame wandered through the crowds, carrying a leather satchel. Behind her were two animate statues carrying several rather hefty-looking boxes labeled \"STUFF\" and \"MORE STUFF\". One statue was made of marble, with a tall, knight-like frame, its sculpted grooves mimicking the plates of armor. The other was some sort of terracotta-like brute, built with a wide bulky frame. And each had a simple face etched into their material, two dots, and a curve—smiley faces. \n\nThis trio was none other than Minerva Yoon and two of her magically animated creations. And she had just arrived in the city.\n\n\"By the gods, this really is Gloomminister! It's just as I imagined. What do you two think? Should be a magnificent place for you two to run around, ay?\" \n\nThe two statues nodded their heads and made grunting noises that sounded like grinding stone, and Min laughed, clapping her hands together.\n\nMin (it was just much quicker to say than Minerrrrrvaa Yoon~) was full of excitement, taking in the new landscape. Growing up in Linkhaven, she was accustomed to the bustle of merchants and tourists, but something here just felt different. Gloomminister felt brighter, more magical, imbued with the glow of progress as the university of her dreams towered on the horizon. But she couldn't head to class just yet, she needed a place to stay. After hours of aimless meandering, Min remembered that she could, in fact, use navigational tools. Activating a directional charm on her mobile Orbuculum, a few sparkly arrows pointed her toward a charming storefront. Cunningham's Bookstore. \n\nMin burst through the door with a smile and held it open for her creations to step in after her. They were a bit big but lowered their heads to fit under the door. Min glanced around, putting her hand on a dusty tome sitting on a shelf, then tracing a little star in the dust. She took a deep breath of that old book odor and smiled even more.\n\n\"Excellent! It smells authentically ancient in here! Must have some real magic, book magic! Hahaha, wonderful.\"\n\nShe peeked around, spotting a woman with a beautiful mess of iron-colored hair at the counter helping a tall, thin customer. The woman must be Bonnie Cunningham. Min took a deep breath as she was about to meet her… landlord? Possible friend? Fellow Gloomminister denizen? She had to make a good impression!\n\nWith that thought Minerva Yoon confidently began to walk toward the counter, and promptly stubbed her toe on a shelf, stumbled, and toppled into a pile of books. With a yelp for help, her two statues slowly placed the boxes on the floor and trundled over to help their creator to her feet. Min frantically took their help, then began to stack the books back in the order they were before being toppled.\n\n\"So, so, SO sorry about that! I am incredibly sorry about that.\" She looked bashfully in the direction of the shopkeep, hoping that she was possibly too occupied with the customer to notice Min's dreadful entrance.\n\nHer first day in Gloomminister was off to a wonderful start.", "username": "scrawls", "char_name": "Minerva \"Min\" Yoon" } ]

[ { "text": "Bonnie looked up at the gaunt man facing her. She greeted him with a smile, \"Hello, sir! How can I help you today?\" Her eyes twinkled with genuine friendliness, not just a plastered on customer service smile. She genuinely loved her job and enjoyed helping people find the texts they required.\n\nHe retorted in a quiet voice, with a polite smile stretching his lips slightly. \"Morn'n miss. You can ackshully. It's my daughter's birthday, she's 13. An aspiring necromancer. Very good actually. Do you have anything like that I could get her?\" His slight small transformed into a beam of fatherly pride as he recounted his offspring's talents.\n\nBonnie grinned back, getting to her feet as she tapped her lip with her index finger.\nOnce.\nTwice.\nThrice.\n\n\"Think I have just the scroll, love. It's a classic and a good price!\" She bounced on her feet as she spoke. She began rifling through a cabinet on her desk. She was like that long enough for a girl accompanied by her entourage of statues to enter the shop. And also long enough for her to stumble over a huge stack of books.\n\nThe crashing brought her out of the deep concentration she was in. She looked up, gazing upon the poor young woman coming crashing down. She rushed over, trying to help her up as yet another being walked in and began helping her. 5 entities and herself now occupied the small shop, it was beginning to get busy! And she'd only been open a couple of minutes.\n\nShe busied herself picking the books back up as she sang out, \"Are you alright my lovely? I am so sorry about that dear. It's alright, really. Happens to the best of us.\" The three quickly finished stacking the towering pile of books and an ornate scroll case caught her eye, just behind the offending pile. \"Be right with you.\" She uttered to the new entries into the shop as she snatched the case off the shelf and rushed back to the desk. \n\nShe handed the man the decorated case. He felt it, switching it between his palms, taking the ream of paper out of the leather tube. The papyrus was thin and yellowed, the calligraphy a rich dark brown, almost black. The atmosphere of ancient knowledge almost radiated off of the text. He looked back up at her, \"Yeahh, I this'll do jus' right. She'll be well pleased. 'Ow much?\"\n\nBonnie beamed back, \"Hmm, normally I'd ask 70 silvers, but I'm one to support aspiring magicians. You can have it for 50. Cash or card?\" The man happily pulled out his wallet, pulling out 5 notes. She processed them through the vintage till the ding sounded throughout the shop as the cash draw shot out. The tall man returned the scroll to its case and left the shop with a jaunty step out into the pleasant afternoon.\n\nShe turned round to the quartet of new entries to the shop. Looking at the luggage in the pair of goliaths' great hands she looked at the small girl and brightly began, \"Hello! I'm guessing you're one of my new tenants! I'm Bonnie. Cunningham. I'll show you round the place in just a moment. The ground floor is the shop. This shop.\" Lastly she looked at the other being, a harpy from what she could tell, \"Are you a tenant as well, or looking to buy something?\"\n@scrawls", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": null }, { "text": "They looked over from their conversation and see the small beaver man waving at them. They paused for a moment before Areya waves back with another grin, with Phynnia sheepishly waving back after her. Areya looks at Phynnia and motions her to speak. She does, and she slowly goes \"Hello, We are doing well. I hope you're doing well too..? I hope you are doing well too.\" Areya taps her and slightly bounces in her seat. Phynnia makes a face and says \"She thinks you are very fluffy.\" she points to her little companion.\n\n They got up and walked over to the counter, to examine the little beaver more. They looked at each other and then back at him and introduced themselves. \"My name is Phynnia and this is Areya. We're here until we have to go to our new rooms near our University. What is your name?\" she makes a little grin.", "username": "AriiBird", "char_name": "Areya Pierre (left) & Phynnia Pierre (Right)" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nCunningham's Bookstore\n\n\nInteractions: @LostDestiny@PerfectThought\n\n\nA lanky-winged man approached her and began to chat and help her with the books, which Minerva was graciously thankful for. \"Thank you! That's kind of you to help. Moving days just get me a bit flustered.\"\n\nMinerva looked at the tall, avian fellow, admiring his wings. She'd met many a harpy in Linkhaven, but she'd always be fascinated to see their wings and the ways they moved. \"I like your wings! They look incredibly fly. Pun intended. Unless that's offensive, in which I deeply apologize, as I mean fly as in cool, and cool as in… cool!\" Suddenly, Min's eyes lit up and she began to rummage within her satchel. Every now and then, an object would slip out, and one of her golems would catch it, and place it back in the bag while Min continued to look. Min clearly seemed to be the type of person who would change in an instant from being chatty to being contemplative. \"I don't mean to be rude at all, but your wings just reminded me of this…\"\n\nFrom inside her bag, she pulled out a simple origami crane, that suddenly fluttered to life and jumped off her fingertips. It flapped its wings and took the air, weaving around Min, the statues, then circling around the harpy. \"It's a little creation of mine I made on the train ride. Not at all sentient, but it is quite great at mimicking life.\" The paper bird fluttered and tried to land on the harpy's shoulder.\n\nMeanwhile, Min noticed that the owner of the shop herself had come over to help. \"Oh thank you! I am quite alright, I am so sorry about the books.\" As Bonnie introduced herself, Min nodded and gave a half-bow, then reached out to eagerly shake Bonnie's hands. \"Delighted to meet you, Ms. Cunningham! I am in fact one of the new tenants. Minerva Yoon, at your service, but most call me Min. And behind me at my service are my two… children? Creations? Friends?\" Min scratched her chin a spent a moment pondering this dilemma.\n\n\"Well, the tall marble princely-looking statue is Abbott, and the stout terracotta lad is Costello! They've been charmed to help me fix things up, and I'm sure that they'd be willing to help carry things around this cozy shop of yours if you'd ever need help.\" Abbott and Costello both solemnly bow at Bonnie, then lifted up Min's boxes to demonstrate their strength. The two statues tossed the hefty boxes up in the air with a bit of a twirl, as if on cue, then caught them without anything spilling out. Min watched this and laughed. \n\n\"Obviously, they can be more coordinated than my clumsy self… But nevertheless, I am excited to be here!\"", "username": "scrawls", "char_name": "Minerva \"Min\" Yoon" }, { "text": "Amelia lowers her hairbrush and carefully gazes at her reflection, folding her ears as she looks left and right, then nods ever so slightly. \n\n\"It'll have to do,\" she says to her reflection, which rudely stuck out its tongue, making her giggle. She slips the brush inside a burlap sack and ties it shut.\n\nNext to the bag was her bright, yellow raincoat, which she put on carefully over her folded wings with just a slight rustle, and checked to make sure she was wearing her shoes.\n\nAll the other children were still in their beds when she creeped out into the hallway with her bag, only Ms. Stanley in her robe was waiting for her by the door. \n\n\"Sun's not even up yet, pet,\" the house mother said, sipping her tea. \"Sure you're not peckish? I can get Henry to drive you over if you'd like.\"\n\"He'd just have to clean it afterward,\" Mia replied, a hint of blue highlighting her cheeks. \"I can walk there in time.\"\n\"Best you be careful then, pet,\" Ms. Stanley sniffs, dropping two mandarin oranges into her hand before opening the front door for her. \"Lots of dangerous people still about.\"\n\"None as dangerous as me,\" Mia sighs ruefully as she slips out into the chilled air. \n\nThe early morning train pulled into the station at six twenty-three A.M., fortunately it had only a few riders in her car. Fortunately, she didn't have to share a seat with anyone, everyone too groggy. Picking up her burlap sap, she got out of the car and headed towards the city map on the station wall, noting where the station was and her new loggings.\n\n\"This should be fun,\" Mia smiled wanly as she picked up her burlap sack. \n\nThe shop door was open as two big cases were just inside the door as large figures were helping up another girl from a pile of books. Part of Mia just wanted to dive in and start reading, but she needed to get her boarding room sorted out first.", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" } ]

[ { "text": "Bonnie glanced quizzically at Mia's hand as she rejected the handshake. She obviously took no offense. You meet all kinds of people In Gloomminster, with all sorts of abilities, powers, and habits. And touching hands in some manner was a ubiquitous greeting, it also wasn't that uncommon to meet beings that couldn't touch others, for whatever reason. Bonnie carried on, listening, and then when she was done responding. \"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Mia! I'm Bonnie. Cunningham. This is my bookshop. And yes, I remember your letter. You're very welcome here. Though they are rather snug and straightforward, the rooms are cheap. I'll show you 'round and you lot can sort out who wants where among yourselves. I'm not really fussed about who goes where presuming everyone's reasonable. As you all appear to be!\" She finished speaking with a slight chuckle, turning to look at her next conversatory victim.\n\nBonnie gazed up at the large tiefling. The man had an eccentric look, with a strange mechanical arm and some kind of complex geometrical pattern hovering about. She grinned up at him, glancing at his large bag, \"\"Indeed it is, my friend! Far more than it usually is! I take it from your bag you're one of my new tenants? If so: I'm Bonnie. Welcome to my shop, and your soon-to-be home.\" She stuck out a hand as she energetically greeted the new entrant. After his response, she moved on to the pair that had wandered in while she was talking with the tiefling.\n\nCrikey it was getting cramped in here.\n\nThe bouncy, firey-haired woman advanced quickly on the pair of doll-like girls that had become browsing. In fact, one appeared to actually be a doll. She continued, noting but not being off-put by their slightly strange appearance. It was a somewhat uncommon occurrence: Bonnie, the slightly odd woman that she was, appeared to be the most 'regular' looking in the room. At least at a glance. She overheard the girl's mention of room and merrily introduced herself with a warm smile, \"Hello my loves, I'm Bonnie. A pleasure to meet you. You seem to be after rooms? I think you're in the right spot. I and the rest of this lot are just going upstairs to settle in, they're also renting rooms. Would you like to come with me? She curtsied slightly to the two girls as she began. Then after listening to their response, quickly counted the occupants.\n\nOne, two, three, four, five... \n\nShe was expecting six this afternoon...\n\nDing!\n\nShe turned as the doorbell went off. A huge fluffy being stood at the door. He gave a friendly wave, and Bonnie responded in turn. She glanced at the wooden vehicle outside the door, some kind of three-wheeled cart or trike. Very sturdily built. A fine example of construction. Upon his question, she responded with an answer and her one question: \"Why yes my friend! There's a small alley down the side! It's pretty unused. Between here and the bakery next door. You can lock it up on the metal bars at the end. If you want. If you don't mind me asking, are you a customer or a tenant?\" \n\nAfter he answered she smiled and nodded, telling him something along the lines of, \"Very happy to have you, I'm Bonnie. This is my shop. I'm just going to lead this lot upstairs, you'll find us just upstairs, on the first floor for now. Please join us when you're done. The stairs are at the back of the shop, just through that doorway.\" She pointed at a dimly lit doorway behind the counter, normally not accessible to customers. It lead to a hallway lined with books, from what could be seen from the door.\n\nShe turned back round to the other five as the Beaver locked away his trike. \"Well, happy to have you all! I have all the paperwork ready, the rates are quite low. Especially given the proximity to the university. It's just 5 minutes down the road. But I'm sure you all know that.\" She weaved through the shop floor, motioning them to follow as she monologues. \"I'm sure you all know, I'm Bonnie. I'll just give you a tour around the house, and then you can decide if you really do want to stay, and then you can sign the papers, and get settled.\n\nShe lead them through the doorway, into yet another corridor lined with great bookshelves packed with text upon text, of all sorts of writings. \"I presume you're all going to the university, most young people in the city are. I am as well. First-year. The house used to be bustling with all of my family, but they've all moved out. Now it's just me and I can't stand the house being as empty as it is. So I'm renting it out! She turned around, her great mane whipping behind her as she smiled warmly at the group. They were of the landing of the second floor, a long corridor stretched off in front of them, the walls were covered in bookshelves, filled with books, occasionally broken up with candle holders, or pictures. They all showed a massive family of firey-haired smiling children of varying ages and two parents. The father was tall and lean, covered in freckles with the family hair. The mother was a short slight woman with a large smile and long mousey hair. She stuck out like a sore thumb among the massive clan of gingers. \n\nShe pointed out to the four doors in, closest to furthest as they passed, opening them so the group could peer in as she passed. She continued her rambling, \"You all seem nice, I'm sure we'll be good friends. This is room one.\" She swung open the first door, revealing a long, but rather small room. It had wooden plank flooring and was lit naturally by a large window at the front, looking out over the street. It was completely bare, and dust hung heavy in the air. It smelt faintly of lavender. They continued marching, she swung open the second door, it was much the same. Except for this time it smelt faintly of damp moss. \"This is the second room. Me and my little sister used to share this one.\" They continued onto the third door, it was again the same affair except this time it smelt of birch bark. \"Room three. We'll wait here a moment for our fluffy friend. This is the door to the stairs here.\" She turned to a door opposite the entry to room three and opened it to reveal a tight but open sided spiral staircase, the walls lined with bookcases, filled with books, drawers, trinkets, odds-and-ends, and other such assortments.\n@Conscripts@Blizz@Expendable@LostDestiny@scrawls", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Unfurnished, Mia noted as she peered carefully past the others into the small room. She'd have to do some shopping then. Thankfully the university fees had been paid, but she might want to keep an eye on job openings.\n\nShe followed Bonnie to the end of the corridor, where the fourth door opened up to a spiral staircase lined with books and trinkets. \n\n\"Did your family find all this?\" she asked.", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" }, { "text": "As both girls followed Bonnie, they were curious. The rooms felt vacant and looked like they haven't been used in a while. They wondered what stuff they would put in the rooms, and what they could bring from their current stay. They didn't have much, but what they did have was enough for them. They had a hard time finding work for both of them, but what they did manage they could use to spruce up one of these rooms. They didn't say anything, they merely just followed.\n\n Once they got to the last door, their curiosity grew. They didn't wander off, but they did shift themselves towards the room. They looked around and found the place to be interesting, even if old. They wondered the same question the half Fury had asked.", "username": "AriiBird", "char_name": "Areya Pierre (left) & Phynnia Pierre (Right)" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\"Eeeey, nice!\" The beaver gave Bonnie a thumbs-up. \"I'm tenant. A pleasure to be here.\" He nodded with a smile before heading back out, pushing his tricycle around and into the alleyway nearby. It didn't actually look like the dedicated parking space in the town, but it worked. He shouldn't expect anything too fancy after all. As long as there was that metal bar to keep the vehicle firmly in place and no one is able to steal it fast enough. \n\nHe locked the trike into said metal bar, then grabbed the luggage from the container and carried them into the backdoor stairs on both hands, despite seemingly quite heavy. The way up was already opened for him to go through, and so he just made his way in, though not without looking through the assortments of small items along the way, being careful not letting his large body and tail knocking things over. The smell of wood and a mixture of lavender and moss quickly got to him, already liking both of these. \n\n\"Eyo again folks.\" Ornager gave a two-fingered salute to all the member of Bonnie's tour, including the two ladies whom he met at the cafe. With Bonnie's permissions, he took a quick look at both the room that he missed while he was locking his vehicle. \"Oh beaver, that looks good.\" He said, heading back to the third door, noticing the birch bark. \"Very sturdy reinforced wood indeed. It is a well-maintained place.\" He was starting to think he was getting quite a bit of a bargain from this place.", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Ornager" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\nSpry footsteps skipped across the cobble roads, followed by the heavy clunks of much heavier marching behind. Every now and then, the lighter footsteps would stop as the woman paused to admire a shop, monument, or particularly interesting-looking stranger. The young woman with white hair tied in a ponytail, wide eyes framed by wider round glasses, a devilish grin, and a slender frame wandered through the crowds, carrying a leather satchel. Behind her were two animate statues carrying several rather hefty-looking boxes labeled \"STUFF\" and \"MORE STUFF\". One statue was made of marble, with a tall, knight-like frame, its sculpted grooves mimicking the plates of armor. The other was some sort of terracotta-like brute, built with a wide bulky frame. And each had a simple face etched into their material, two dots, and a curve—smiley faces. \n\nThis trio was none other than Minerva Yoon and two of her magically animated creations. And she had just arrived in the city.\n\n\"By the gods, this really is Gloomminister! It's just as I imagined. What do you two think? Should be a magnificent place for you two to run around, ay?\" \n\nThe two statues nodded their heads and made grunting noises that sounded like grinding stone, and Min laughed, clapping her hands together.\n\nMin (it was just much quicker to say than Minerrrrrvaa Yoon~) was full of excitement, taking in the new landscape. Growing up in Linkhaven, she was accustomed to the bustle of merchants and tourists, but something here just felt different. Gloomminister felt brighter, more magical, imbued with the glow of progress as the university of her dreams towered on the horizon. But she couldn't head to class just yet, she needed a place to stay. After hours of aimless meandering, Min remembered that she could, in fact, use navigational tools. Activating a directional charm on her mobile Orbuculum, a few sparkly arrows pointed her toward a charming storefront. Cunningham's Bookstore. \n\nMin burst through the door with a smile and held it open for her creations to step in after her. They were a bit big but lowered their heads to fit under the door. Min glanced around, putting her hand on a dusty tome sitting on a shelf, then tracing a little star in the dust. She took a deep breath of that old book odor and smiled even more.\n\n\"Excellent! It smells authentically ancient in here! Must have some real magic, book magic! Hahaha, wonderful.\"\n\nShe peeked around, spotting a woman with a beautiful mess of iron-colored hair at the counter helping a tall, thin customer. The woman must be Bonnie Cunningham. Min took a deep breath as she was about to meet her… landlord? Possible friend? Fellow Gloomminister denizen? She had to make a good impression!\n\nWith that thought Minerva Yoon confidently began to walk toward the counter, and promptly stubbed her toe on a shelf, stumbled, and toppled into a pile of books. With a yelp for help, her two statues slowly placed the boxes on the floor and trundled over to help their creator to her feet. Min frantically took their help, then began to stack the books back in the order they were before being toppled.\n\n\"So, so, SO sorry about that! I am incredibly sorry about that.\" She looked bashfully in the direction of the shopkeep, hoping that she was possibly too occupied with the customer to notice Min's dreadful entrance.\n\nHer first day in Gloomminister was off to a wonderful start.", "username": "scrawls", "char_name": "Minerva \"Min\" Yoon" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nTo say Kaito's morning started off chaotic would be an understatement. He woke up to his youngest sibling jumping onto his bed practically begging him not to leave today. Kaito, being the oldest of 11, had quite a big age gap between himself and his youngest sister. Fourteen years to be exact, and she had spent the last week trying to rally the rest of her siblings behind her to convince Kaito that he didn't need to move out. That they would all respect his privacy and quiet time while he was going to the University. Kaito had to practically pry the young female harpy off of him, something that was just as painful as it sounded seeing as she had decided to latch on with her talons. \n\n\"You know I can't live at home forever, plus I will still be in town, it's not like you won't see me ever again.\" He attempted to reason with her as he finally got her to release her talons from his leg. She seemed to only pout and storm off leaving Kaito to make sure she didn't scratch his leg too badly. After examining his leg he headed down the stairs off his home where his mother had already finished preparing breakfast. Most of it had already been inhaled by the rest of the family but his mother had been sure to save some for him. \n\n\"Thanks Ma.\" He said, kissing her on the cheek and taking the plate from her. \"I have to head out soon to go meet with my Landlord.\" He seemed to get excited at the thought of having a place of his own no matter how small. It would be the first time in his life, he would be totally on his own. He was excited to enjoy the silence of it all, though even more so to meet the others who were also moving in. His mother seemed to pick up on this. \"Just don't forget that we are close by, make sure you come visit.\" Kaito nodded to her with food in his mouth. \n\nAfter practically shoveling his food in his mouth he moved to head out the front door but stopped when his hand touched the handle, looking down at himself he sighed. \"I should probably show up in actual cloths. First impressions and all that.\" He mumbled to himself and headed back to his room, which was mostly packed, to dig out a simple black kilt. He had no intentions of putting on a shirt. They were a separate issue, even with the proper extra holes they restricted his wings and he hated them. At least the kilt would cover his lower half while providing enough space for his tail to be comfortable. Despite the fact that there were ways to make clothing that was...more comfortable for his kind than conventional clothing, the options still paled in comparison to his current choice. \n\nFrom here he decided that rather than going back down the stairs he would simply yell his goodbyes from his room and opt to use the window as his point of exit. He intended to fly to Cunningham's Bookstore anyway and it was easier to start flying from a height anyway. \n\nIt was a short flight from his family home to the bookstore and he managed to find himself a clear area to land nearby. Upon landing Kaito made sure to smooth everything down, kilt, windblown hair, feathers and all. After which he walked up to the door of the shop and entered just in time to witness a stack of books go toppling to the floor. Kaito was quick to head in the direction of the books and assist the person who was already in the process of picking them up, a decently tall human woman flanked by statue like beings? Were they Gargoyles? No they couldn't be. Shaking the thought out of his head to look at the female with a gentle smile. \n\n\"Hey it happens, sometimes with these wings if things are too crowded I am like a bull in a china shop.\" He shoved his thumb in the direction of a wing that despite being tucked rather tightly to his body still jutted out enough that one could see how they might become an issue. \"Let me help you, the more hands the faster things get done.\" He hoped she didn't think his offer to help was rude.", "username": "LostDestiny", "char_name": "Kaito Aster" } ]

[ { "text": "Amelia lowers her hairbrush and carefully gazes at her reflection, folding her ears as she looks left and right, then nods ever so slightly. \n\n\"It'll have to do,\" she says to her reflection, which rudely stuck out its tongue, making her giggle. She slips the brush inside a burlap sack and ties it shut.\n\nNext to the bag was her bright, yellow raincoat, which she put on carefully over her folded wings with just a slight rustle, and checked to make sure she was wearing her shoes.\n\nAll the other children were still in their beds when she creeped out into the hallway with her bag, only Ms. Stanley in her robe was waiting for her by the door. \n\n\"Sun's not even up yet, pet,\" the house mother said, sipping her tea. \"Sure you're not peckish? I can get Henry to drive you over if you'd like.\"\n\"He'd just have to clean it afterward,\" Mia replied, a hint of blue highlighting her cheeks. \"I can walk there in time.\"\n\"Best you be careful then, pet,\" Ms. Stanley sniffs, dropping two mandarin oranges into her hand before opening the front door for her. \"Lots of dangerous people still about.\"\n\"None as dangerous as me,\" Mia sighs ruefully as she slips out into the chilled air. \n\nThe early morning train pulled into the station at six twenty-three A.M., fortunately it had only a few riders in her car. Fortunately, she didn't have to share a seat with anyone, everyone too groggy. Picking up her burlap sap, she got out of the car and headed towards the city map on the station wall, noting where the station was and her new loggings.\n\n\"This should be fun,\" Mia smiled wanly as she picked up her burlap sack. \n\nThe shop door was open as two big cases were just inside the door as large figures were helping up another girl from a pile of books. Part of Mia just wanted to dive in and start reading, but she needed to get her boarding room sorted out first.", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\nCunningham Bookstore\nInteractions: @scrawls @PerfectThought\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nKaito nodded in agreement when the female in front of him said moving day made her nervous. He understood, his family had to move into bigger and bigger homes through the years to accommodate the number of them, though eventually her parents finally managed to save enough to buy their own place and add additions to it through the years so it had been a while since Kaito had done any sort of moving. \n\nHe let out a chuckle when she said his wings looked \"fly\". \"No no, not offensive at all. Thank you, people usually just yell at me for flying too close to their homes or businesses so the compliment is appreciated.\" Kaito chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. He supposed people around town had seen him and his family enough that the beauty of their feathers no longer seemed to matter. He would occasionally get a compliment from a small child but the adults were generally unfazed unless they were from out of town. \n\nHis attention was quickly brought to the paper crane that started to flutter around him eventually trying to land on his shoulder. He was decently distracted by the creation that when Bonnie asked him a question it took him a moment to register what she said. \n\n\"Oh yes! Kaito Aster. Sorry I intended on moving my stuff in later since I live in town.\" He reached his hand out for Bonnie to shake with a big smile to accompany it, not bothering to explain why he was moving into one of her rooms if he already lived in town. \"I don't have anything cool to offer like big statues but if you ever need something from a high spot I am your guy.\" He chuckled a little, clearly amused with himself at least. \"Anyway, super excited to get settled in here as well.\" His big dumb grin had not left his face since he had entered the shop and he saw no way in the near future that it would stop, unless his face started to hurt he supposed, but that usually took a while.", "username": "LostDestiny", "char_name": "Kaito Aster" }, { "text": "Bonnie the large bay windows adorning the front of the shop, catching sight of a slight girl in a yellow mac. Another entrant to the shop it would seem Bonnie thought, as she entered the premises, setting off the little bell affixed to the top of the door.\n\nShe responded to Min's greeting in turn, half-bowing and taking her hand in between both of hers, shaking them enthusiastically. \"Pleasure to meet you, Min. Please, call me Bonnie.\" She gazed up at Abbott and Costello greeting them as well, \"Hello, lovelies. Aren't you both impressive?\" She grinned fascinated by the pair, and was interested as they showed off their capabilities. Clearly, they had some degree of personality. Evidently, she was conversing with an impressive artificer.\n\nShe turned to the harpy, as the subject of conversation turned to his magnificent wings. \"Pleasure to meet you. Lovely to have another local about to show the newcomers' 'round town.\" She chuckled, smiling at him warmly. She finished the conversation with, \"Let me just help this lovely girl and I'll get you two settled in.\"\n\nShe turned gently to the timid seeming girl that had just come in, lugging around two cases of her own. She greeted her with, \"I presume you're also a tenant. Name's Bonnie, a pleasure to meet you.\" She stuck out her right hand in a friendly manner. \"Presuming my beliefs are correct, shall I help you with your luggage? And why don't I show you lot around?\"\n@Expendable@scrawls", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": null }, { "text": "\"Hello,\" Mia told Bonnie, her burlap bag over her shoulder, glancing down at the offered hand. It wouldn't do to poison her... landlord?\n\n\"Forgive me, I don't... shake hands,\" she managed, looking up. \"No offense. My skin... reacts badly, to touch.\"\n\nOr rather everyone else's hand reacted badly. Not that anyone's managed to drop dead, yet.\n\n\"And I wouldn't want to trouble you,\" she added, shaking the bag. \"It's not that heavy. I'm Mia..., that is, Amelia Sutton. I wrote to you about something cheap, possibly in the attic?\"\n\nAttics were hot during the day, froze at night, but might have more room and convenient windows for night flights. Although she might have some competition for that....", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nOrnager returned the hospitality with that same smile, one noticeably effective at getting people to loosen up. \"Why thank you ladies. I just had a nice lil' exercise from outer town, eating my mornin' chestnuts. It's all good!\" He said, appreciative of the comment. It wasn't uncommon to hear, but it's nice nonetheless. \n\nThe waiter delivered the water he ordered as the two girls went over to the counter. The beaver requested a straw with him due to his teeth blocking him from sipping water from the cup properly, to which the cafe worker happily provided. Ornager sucked on the straw from the corner of his mouth instead. Hearing both girls introduced themselves as university attendants nearby, his ears perked up. \"Phynnia, Areya. Me big big pleasure to meet ya both. My name's Ornager from Pine Glen Grove.\" He said. \"And university nearby eh. Ya don't say it's Gloomminster, do ya? Cause I'm headin' there too, learnin' some magic.\" If both the girls were to ask if he was staying at Bonnie's, he'd give a grin and a 'Ya gotcha' thumbs up, as he sipped more water from his cup.", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Ornager" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nWhy did this city have to be so damn big?\n\nKyrus was a wizard in his own right. He held incredible power that some wizards vaguely understood in some areas, and yet there were others he couldn't even cast a cantrip in. Right now, he wished he could fly or summon some kind of spectral steed. He knew where he had to go, but in hindsight, Kyrus really shouldn't have overestimated his ability to get to places on foot in a timely manner. Even with a arcane-powered mechanical arm, carrying all of the stuff he owned was started to get somewhat heavy.\n\n\"Bookstore... Bookstore... Book- There it is. Finally.\" He muttered to himself as he finally spotted the damn place after walking for an hour. His directions were coming from a geometric pattern made of teal light, which floated in his mechanical hand. An arrow in the middle acted like a compass leading him to where he'd be staying. The door chimey-bell thing all bookstores probably had rang as a 6\"2' tiefling walked in. Kyrus saw what looked like an entire parade rolling through the place. A harpy over there, a pair of... constructs? that-a-way, and a handful of other people. By the looks of things, he got their last.\n\n\"It's busy in here, isn't it?\" He said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him.", "username": "Blizz", "char_name": "Kyrus Lohenn" }, { "text": "Both girls looked a little shocked and then nodded. \"Yeah, that's where we're headed. It seems we'll see you there as well. We must go now, before we become late.\" Phynnia spins on her heels and walks out, with Areya following behind but not without giving a little wave goodbye first.(@Conscripts)\n. . .\n Finally they arrived at the bookstore. As they walked in, the bell chime made a noise. Areya was amused by it and giggled. As they walked in further, moving around the tall, red man with horns(@Blizz), they started to admire the old and worn books that were on the shelves. They then began wandering around the store, looking at every title and book. There were big books, small books, books that were thin and thick. They didn't pay attention to anyone else that arrived before them, their awareness was minimal. They fiddled with some of the books, flipping through the pages and looking at what was inside them. Nothing they understood was inside, but it was still amusing to look.\n \"I guess we should go find where those bedrooms are.\" Phynnia said, holding Areya's hand. Areya nodded, and they both continued to wander the bookstore.", "username": "AriiBird", "char_name": "Areya Pierre (left) & Phynnia Pierre (Right)" } ]

[ { "text": "Both girls looked a little shocked and then nodded. \"Yeah, that's where we're headed. It seems we'll see you there as well. We must go now, before we become late.\" Phynnia spins on her heels and walks out, with Areya following behind but not without giving a little wave goodbye first.(@Conscripts)\n. . .\n Finally they arrived at the bookstore. As they walked in, the bell chime made a noise. Areya was amused by it and giggled. As they walked in further, moving around the tall, red man with horns(@Blizz), they started to admire the old and worn books that were on the shelves. They then began wandering around the store, looking at every title and book. There were big books, small books, books that were thin and thick. They didn't pay attention to anyone else that arrived before them, their awareness was minimal. They fiddled with some of the books, flipping through the pages and looking at what was inside them. Nothing they understood was inside, but it was still amusing to look.\n \"I guess we should go find where those bedrooms are.\" Phynnia said, holding Areya's hand. Areya nodded, and they both continued to wander the bookstore.", "username": "AriiBird", "char_name": "Areya Pierre (left) & Phynnia Pierre (Right)" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\"Aight, see you around!\" Ornager waved back casually as he savoured the rest of his drink. Once done, he took out his wallet and paid his drink, with a nice but modest tip for the nice waiter who was willing to accommodate him. Afterwards, he'd bring the two luggage with him back to the tricycle and headed out. @AriiBird\n\nHe wandered the area for a little while longer on his trike, enjoying the scenery and letting the wind caress his fur, before finally settling back to the bookstore where he also would be lodging at. He looked around for parking space but there wasn't one close by. It wasn't exactly convenient or nice of him to be asking the owner if he could keep the vehicle inside his dorm, but he couldn't leave it out in the open. Ultimately, Ornager decided to park the trike temporarily outside the door, leaving his luggage while he entered the store, or rather peek in from the door with a wave. \n\n\"Eyo! Is there a good parking space nearby for yee ol' me?\"", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Ornager" }, { "text": "Bonnie glanced quizzically at Mia's hand as she rejected the handshake. She obviously took no offense. You meet all kinds of people In Gloomminster, with all sorts of abilities, powers, and habits. And touching hands in some manner was a ubiquitous greeting, it also wasn't that uncommon to meet beings that couldn't touch others, for whatever reason. Bonnie carried on, listening, and then when she was done responding. \"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Mia! I'm Bonnie. Cunningham. This is my bookshop. And yes, I remember your letter. You're very welcome here. Though they are rather snug and straightforward, the rooms are cheap. I'll show you 'round and you lot can sort out who wants where among yourselves. I'm not really fussed about who goes where presuming everyone's reasonable. As you all appear to be!\" She finished speaking with a slight chuckle, turning to look at her next conversatory victim.\n\nBonnie gazed up at the large tiefling. The man had an eccentric look, with a strange mechanical arm and some kind of complex geometrical pattern hovering about. She grinned up at him, glancing at his large bag, \"\"Indeed it is, my friend! Far more than it usually is! I take it from your bag you're one of my new tenants? If so: I'm Bonnie. Welcome to my shop, and your soon-to-be home.\" She stuck out a hand as she energetically greeted the new entrant. After his response, she moved on to the pair that had wandered in while she was talking with the tiefling.\n\nCrikey it was getting cramped in here.\n\nThe bouncy, firey-haired woman advanced quickly on the pair of doll-like girls that had become browsing. In fact, one appeared to actually be a doll. She continued, noting but not being off-put by their slightly strange appearance. It was a somewhat uncommon occurrence: Bonnie, the slightly odd woman that she was, appeared to be the most 'regular' looking in the room. At least at a glance. She overheard the girl's mention of room and merrily introduced herself with a warm smile, \"Hello my loves, I'm Bonnie. A pleasure to meet you. You seem to be after rooms? I think you're in the right spot. I and the rest of this lot are just going upstairs to settle in, they're also renting rooms. Would you like to come with me? She curtsied slightly to the two girls as she began. Then after listening to their response, quickly counted the occupants.\n\nOne, two, three, four, five... \n\nShe was expecting six this afternoon...\n\nDing!\n\nShe turned as the doorbell went off. A huge fluffy being stood at the door. He gave a friendly wave, and Bonnie responded in turn. She glanced at the wooden vehicle outside the door, some kind of three-wheeled cart or trike. Very sturdily built. A fine example of construction. Upon his question, she responded with an answer and her one question: \"Why yes my friend! There's a small alley down the side! It's pretty unused. Between here and the bakery next door. You can lock it up on the metal bars at the end. If you want. If you don't mind me asking, are you a customer or a tenant?\" \n\nAfter he answered she smiled and nodded, telling him something along the lines of, \"Very happy to have you, I'm Bonnie. This is my shop. I'm just going to lead this lot upstairs, you'll find us just upstairs, on the first floor for now. Please join us when you're done. The stairs are at the back of the shop, just through that doorway.\" She pointed at a dimly lit doorway behind the counter, normally not accessible to customers. It lead to a hallway lined with books, from what could be seen from the door.\n\nShe turned back round to the other five as the Beaver locked away his trike. \"Well, happy to have you all! I have all the paperwork ready, the rates are quite low. Especially given the proximity to the university. It's just 5 minutes down the road. But I'm sure you all know that.\" She weaved through the shop floor, motioning them to follow as she monologues. \"I'm sure you all know, I'm Bonnie. I'll just give you a tour around the house, and then you can decide if you really do want to stay, and then you can sign the papers, and get settled.\n\nShe lead them through the doorway, into yet another corridor lined with great bookshelves packed with text upon text, of all sorts of writings. \"I presume you're all going to the university, most young people in the city are. I am as well. First-year. The house used to be bustling with all of my family, but they've all moved out. Now it's just me and I can't stand the house being as empty as it is. So I'm renting it out! She turned around, her great mane whipping behind her as she smiled warmly at the group. They were of the landing of the second floor, a long corridor stretched off in front of them, the walls were covered in bookshelves, filled with books, occasionally broken up with candle holders, or pictures. They all showed a massive family of firey-haired smiling children of varying ages and two parents. The father was tall and lean, covered in freckles with the family hair. The mother was a short slight woman with a large smile and long mousey hair. She stuck out like a sore thumb among the massive clan of gingers. \n\nShe pointed out to the four doors in, closest to furthest as they passed, opening them so the group could peer in as she passed. She continued her rambling, \"You all seem nice, I'm sure we'll be good friends. This is room one.\" She swung open the first door, revealing a long, but rather small room. It had wooden plank flooring and was lit naturally by a large window at the front, looking out over the street. It was completely bare, and dust hung heavy in the air. It smelt faintly of lavender. They continued marching, she swung open the second door, it was much the same. Except for this time it smelt faintly of damp moss. \"This is the second room. Me and my little sister used to share this one.\" They continued onto the third door, it was again the same affair except this time it smelt of birch bark. \"Room three. We'll wait here a moment for our fluffy friend. This is the door to the stairs here.\" She turned to a door opposite the entry to room three and opened it to reveal a tight but open sided spiral staircase, the walls lined with bookcases, filled with books, drawers, trinkets, odds-and-ends, and other such assortments.\n@Conscripts@Blizz@Expendable@LostDestiny@scrawls", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Unfurnished, Mia noted as she peered carefully past the others into the small room. She'd have to do some shopping then. Thankfully the university fees had been paid, but she might want to keep an eye on job openings.\n\nShe followed Bonnie to the end of the corridor, where the fourth door opened up to a spiral staircase lined with books and trinkets. \n\n\"Did your family find all this?\" she asked.", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" }, { "text": "As both girls followed Bonnie, they were curious. The rooms felt vacant and looked like they haven't been used in a while. They wondered what stuff they would put in the rooms, and what they could bring from their current stay. They didn't have much, but what they did have was enough for them. They had a hard time finding work for both of them, but what they did manage they could use to spruce up one of these rooms. They didn't say anything, they merely just followed.\n\n Once they got to the last door, their curiosity grew. They didn't wander off, but they did shift themselves towards the room. They looked around and found the place to be interesting, even if old. They wondered the same question the half Fury had asked.", "username": "AriiBird", "char_name": "Areya Pierre (left) & Phynnia Pierre (Right)" } ]

[ { "text": "They looked over from their conversation and see the small beaver man waving at them. They paused for a moment before Areya waves back with another grin, with Phynnia sheepishly waving back after her. Areya looks at Phynnia and motions her to speak. She does, and she slowly goes \"Hello, We are doing well. I hope you're doing well too..? I hope you are doing well too.\" Areya taps her and slightly bounces in her seat. Phynnia makes a face and says \"She thinks you are very fluffy.\" she points to her little companion.\n\n They got up and walked over to the counter, to examine the little beaver more. They looked at each other and then back at him and introduced themselves. \"My name is Phynnia and this is Areya. We're here until we have to go to our new rooms near our University. What is your name?\" she makes a little grin.", "username": "AriiBird", "char_name": "Areya Pierre (left) & Phynnia Pierre (Right)" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nCunningham's Bookstore\n\n\nInteractions: @LostDestiny@PerfectThought\n\n\nA lanky-winged man approached her and began to chat and help her with the books, which Minerva was graciously thankful for. \"Thank you! That's kind of you to help. Moving days just get me a bit flustered.\"\n\nMinerva looked at the tall, avian fellow, admiring his wings. She'd met many a harpy in Linkhaven, but she'd always be fascinated to see their wings and the ways they moved. \"I like your wings! They look incredibly fly. Pun intended. Unless that's offensive, in which I deeply apologize, as I mean fly as in cool, and cool as in… cool!\" Suddenly, Min's eyes lit up and she began to rummage within her satchel. Every now and then, an object would slip out, and one of her golems would catch it, and place it back in the bag while Min continued to look. Min clearly seemed to be the type of person who would change in an instant from being chatty to being contemplative. \"I don't mean to be rude at all, but your wings just reminded me of this…\"\n\nFrom inside her bag, she pulled out a simple origami crane, that suddenly fluttered to life and jumped off her fingertips. It flapped its wings and took the air, weaving around Min, the statues, then circling around the harpy. \"It's a little creation of mine I made on the train ride. Not at all sentient, but it is quite great at mimicking life.\" The paper bird fluttered and tried to land on the harpy's shoulder.\n\nMeanwhile, Min noticed that the owner of the shop herself had come over to help. \"Oh thank you! I am quite alright, I am so sorry about the books.\" As Bonnie introduced herself, Min nodded and gave a half-bow, then reached out to eagerly shake Bonnie's hands. \"Delighted to meet you, Ms. Cunningham! I am in fact one of the new tenants. Minerva Yoon, at your service, but most call me Min. And behind me at my service are my two… children? Creations? Friends?\" Min scratched her chin a spent a moment pondering this dilemma.\n\n\"Well, the tall marble princely-looking statue is Abbott, and the stout terracotta lad is Costello! They've been charmed to help me fix things up, and I'm sure that they'd be willing to help carry things around this cozy shop of yours if you'd ever need help.\" Abbott and Costello both solemnly bow at Bonnie, then lifted up Min's boxes to demonstrate their strength. The two statues tossed the hefty boxes up in the air with a bit of a twirl, as if on cue, then caught them without anything spilling out. Min watched this and laughed. \n\n\"Obviously, they can be more coordinated than my clumsy self… But nevertheless, I am excited to be here!\"", "username": "scrawls", "char_name": "Minerva \"Min\" Yoon" }, { "text": "Amelia lowers her hairbrush and carefully gazes at her reflection, folding her ears as she looks left and right, then nods ever so slightly. \n\n\"It'll have to do,\" she says to her reflection, which rudely stuck out its tongue, making her giggle. She slips the brush inside a burlap sack and ties it shut.\n\nNext to the bag was her bright, yellow raincoat, which she put on carefully over her folded wings with just a slight rustle, and checked to make sure she was wearing her shoes.\n\nAll the other children were still in their beds when she creeped out into the hallway with her bag, only Ms. Stanley in her robe was waiting for her by the door. \n\n\"Sun's not even up yet, pet,\" the house mother said, sipping her tea. \"Sure you're not peckish? I can get Henry to drive you over if you'd like.\"\n\"He'd just have to clean it afterward,\" Mia replied, a hint of blue highlighting her cheeks. \"I can walk there in time.\"\n\"Best you be careful then, pet,\" Ms. Stanley sniffs, dropping two mandarin oranges into her hand before opening the front door for her. \"Lots of dangerous people still about.\"\n\"None as dangerous as me,\" Mia sighs ruefully as she slips out into the chilled air. \n\nThe early morning train pulled into the station at six twenty-three A.M., fortunately it had only a few riders in her car. Fortunately, she didn't have to share a seat with anyone, everyone too groggy. Picking up her burlap sap, she got out of the car and headed towards the city map on the station wall, noting where the station was and her new loggings.\n\n\"This should be fun,\" Mia smiled wanly as she picked up her burlap sack. \n\nThe shop door was open as two big cases were just inside the door as large figures were helping up another girl from a pile of books. Part of Mia just wanted to dive in and start reading, but she needed to get her boarding room sorted out first.", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\nCunningham Bookstore\nInteractions: @scrawls @PerfectThought\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nKaito nodded in agreement when the female in front of him said moving day made her nervous. He understood, his family had to move into bigger and bigger homes through the years to accommodate the number of them, though eventually her parents finally managed to save enough to buy their own place and add additions to it through the years so it had been a while since Kaito had done any sort of moving. \n\nHe let out a chuckle when she said his wings looked \"fly\". \"No no, not offensive at all. Thank you, people usually just yell at me for flying too close to their homes or businesses so the compliment is appreciated.\" Kaito chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. He supposed people around town had seen him and his family enough that the beauty of their feathers no longer seemed to matter. He would occasionally get a compliment from a small child but the adults were generally unfazed unless they were from out of town. \n\nHis attention was quickly brought to the paper crane that started to flutter around him eventually trying to land on his shoulder. He was decently distracted by the creation that when Bonnie asked him a question it took him a moment to register what she said. \n\n\"Oh yes! Kaito Aster. Sorry I intended on moving my stuff in later since I live in town.\" He reached his hand out for Bonnie to shake with a big smile to accompany it, not bothering to explain why he was moving into one of her rooms if he already lived in town. \"I don't have anything cool to offer like big statues but if you ever need something from a high spot I am your guy.\" He chuckled a little, clearly amused with himself at least. \"Anyway, super excited to get settled in here as well.\" His big dumb grin had not left his face since he had entered the shop and he saw no way in the near future that it would stop, unless his face started to hurt he supposed, but that usually took a while.", "username": "LostDestiny", "char_name": "Kaito Aster" }, { "text": "Bonnie the large bay windows adorning the front of the shop, catching sight of a slight girl in a yellow mac. Another entrant to the shop it would seem Bonnie thought, as she entered the premises, setting off the little bell affixed to the top of the door.\n\nShe responded to Min's greeting in turn, half-bowing and taking her hand in between both of hers, shaking them enthusiastically. \"Pleasure to meet you, Min. Please, call me Bonnie.\" She gazed up at Abbott and Costello greeting them as well, \"Hello, lovelies. Aren't you both impressive?\" She grinned fascinated by the pair, and was interested as they showed off their capabilities. Clearly, they had some degree of personality. Evidently, she was conversing with an impressive artificer.\n\nShe turned to the harpy, as the subject of conversation turned to his magnificent wings. \"Pleasure to meet you. Lovely to have another local about to show the newcomers' 'round town.\" She chuckled, smiling at him warmly. She finished the conversation with, \"Let me just help this lovely girl and I'll get you two settled in.\"\n\nShe turned gently to the timid seeming girl that had just come in, lugging around two cases of her own. She greeted her with, \"I presume you're also a tenant. Name's Bonnie, a pleasure to meet you.\" She stuck out her right hand in a friendly manner. \"Presuming my beliefs are correct, shall I help you with your luggage? And why don't I show you lot around?\"\n@Expendable@scrawls", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Bonnie glanced quizzically at Mia's hand as she rejected the handshake. She obviously took no offense. You meet all kinds of people In Gloomminster, with all sorts of abilities, powers, and habits. And touching hands in some manner was a ubiquitous greeting, it also wasn't that uncommon to meet beings that couldn't touch others, for whatever reason. Bonnie carried on, listening, and then when she was done responding. \"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Mia! I'm Bonnie. Cunningham. This is my bookshop. And yes, I remember your letter. You're very welcome here. Though they are rather snug and straightforward, the rooms are cheap. I'll show you 'round and you lot can sort out who wants where among yourselves. I'm not really fussed about who goes where presuming everyone's reasonable. As you all appear to be!\" She finished speaking with a slight chuckle, turning to look at her next conversatory victim.\n\nBonnie gazed up at the large tiefling. The man had an eccentric look, with a strange mechanical arm and some kind of complex geometrical pattern hovering about. She grinned up at him, glancing at his large bag, \"\"Indeed it is, my friend! Far more than it usually is! I take it from your bag you're one of my new tenants? If so: I'm Bonnie. Welcome to my shop, and your soon-to-be home.\" She stuck out a hand as she energetically greeted the new entrant. After his response, she moved on to the pair that had wandered in while she was talking with the tiefling.\n\nCrikey it was getting cramped in here.\n\nThe bouncy, firey-haired woman advanced quickly on the pair of doll-like girls that had become browsing. In fact, one appeared to actually be a doll. She continued, noting but not being off-put by their slightly strange appearance. It was a somewhat uncommon occurrence: Bonnie, the slightly odd woman that she was, appeared to be the most 'regular' looking in the room. At least at a glance. She overheard the girl's mention of room and merrily introduced herself with a warm smile, \"Hello my loves, I'm Bonnie. A pleasure to meet you. You seem to be after rooms? I think you're in the right spot. I and the rest of this lot are just going upstairs to settle in, they're also renting rooms. Would you like to come with me? She curtsied slightly to the two girls as she began. Then after listening to their response, quickly counted the occupants.\n\nOne, two, three, four, five... \n\nShe was expecting six this afternoon...\n\nDing!\n\nShe turned as the doorbell went off. A huge fluffy being stood at the door. He gave a friendly wave, and Bonnie responded in turn. She glanced at the wooden vehicle outside the door, some kind of three-wheeled cart or trike. Very sturdily built. A fine example of construction. Upon his question, she responded with an answer and her one question: \"Why yes my friend! There's a small alley down the side! It's pretty unused. Between here and the bakery next door. You can lock it up on the metal bars at the end. If you want. If you don't mind me asking, are you a customer or a tenant?\" \n\nAfter he answered she smiled and nodded, telling him something along the lines of, \"Very happy to have you, I'm Bonnie. This is my shop. I'm just going to lead this lot upstairs, you'll find us just upstairs, on the first floor for now. Please join us when you're done. The stairs are at the back of the shop, just through that doorway.\" She pointed at a dimly lit doorway behind the counter, normally not accessible to customers. It lead to a hallway lined with books, from what could be seen from the door.\n\nShe turned back round to the other five as the Beaver locked away his trike. \"Well, happy to have you all! I have all the paperwork ready, the rates are quite low. Especially given the proximity to the university. It's just 5 minutes down the road. But I'm sure you all know that.\" She weaved through the shop floor, motioning them to follow as she monologues. \"I'm sure you all know, I'm Bonnie. I'll just give you a tour around the house, and then you can decide if you really do want to stay, and then you can sign the papers, and get settled.\n\nShe lead them through the doorway, into yet another corridor lined with great bookshelves packed with text upon text, of all sorts of writings. \"I presume you're all going to the university, most young people in the city are. I am as well. First-year. The house used to be bustling with all of my family, but they've all moved out. Now it's just me and I can't stand the house being as empty as it is. So I'm renting it out! She turned around, her great mane whipping behind her as she smiled warmly at the group. They were of the landing of the second floor, a long corridor stretched off in front of them, the walls were covered in bookshelves, filled with books, occasionally broken up with candle holders, or pictures. They all showed a massive family of firey-haired smiling children of varying ages and two parents. The father was tall and lean, covered in freckles with the family hair. The mother was a short slight woman with a large smile and long mousey hair. She stuck out like a sore thumb among the massive clan of gingers. \n\nShe pointed out to the four doors in, closest to furthest as they passed, opening them so the group could peer in as she passed. She continued her rambling, \"You all seem nice, I'm sure we'll be good friends. This is room one.\" She swung open the first door, revealing a long, but rather small room. It had wooden plank flooring and was lit naturally by a large window at the front, looking out over the street. It was completely bare, and dust hung heavy in the air. It smelt faintly of lavender. They continued marching, she swung open the second door, it was much the same. Except for this time it smelt faintly of damp moss. \"This is the second room. Me and my little sister used to share this one.\" They continued onto the third door, it was again the same affair except this time it smelt of birch bark. \"Room three. We'll wait here a moment for our fluffy friend. This is the door to the stairs here.\" She turned to a door opposite the entry to room three and opened it to reveal a tight but open sided spiral staircase, the walls lined with bookcases, filled with books, drawers, trinkets, odds-and-ends, and other such assortments.\n@Conscripts@Blizz@Expendable@LostDestiny@scrawls", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Unfurnished, Mia noted as she peered carefully past the others into the small room. She'd have to do some shopping then. Thankfully the university fees had been paid, but she might want to keep an eye on job openings.\n\nShe followed Bonnie to the end of the corridor, where the fourth door opened up to a spiral staircase lined with books and trinkets. \n\n\"Did your family find all this?\" she asked.", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" }, { "text": "As both girls followed Bonnie, they were curious. The rooms felt vacant and looked like they haven't been used in a while. They wondered what stuff they would put in the rooms, and what they could bring from their current stay. They didn't have much, but what they did have was enough for them. They had a hard time finding work for both of them, but what they did manage they could use to spruce up one of these rooms. They didn't say anything, they merely just followed.\n\n Once they got to the last door, their curiosity grew. They didn't wander off, but they did shift themselves towards the room. They looked around and found the place to be interesting, even if old. They wondered the same question the half Fury had asked.", "username": "AriiBird", "char_name": "Areya Pierre (left) & Phynnia Pierre (Right)" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\"Eeeey, nice!\" The beaver gave Bonnie a thumbs-up. \"I'm tenant. A pleasure to be here.\" He nodded with a smile before heading back out, pushing his tricycle around and into the alleyway nearby. It didn't actually look like the dedicated parking space in the town, but it worked. He shouldn't expect anything too fancy after all. As long as there was that metal bar to keep the vehicle firmly in place and no one is able to steal it fast enough. \n\nHe locked the trike into said metal bar, then grabbed the luggage from the container and carried them into the backdoor stairs on both hands, despite seemingly quite heavy. The way up was already opened for him to go through, and so he just made his way in, though not without looking through the assortments of small items along the way, being careful not letting his large body and tail knocking things over. The smell of wood and a mixture of lavender and moss quickly got to him, already liking both of these. \n\n\"Eyo again folks.\" Ornager gave a two-fingered salute to all the member of Bonnie's tour, including the two ladies whom he met at the cafe. With Bonnie's permissions, he took a quick look at both the room that he missed while he was locking his vehicle. \"Oh beaver, that looks good.\" He said, heading back to the third door, noticing the birch bark. \"Very sturdy reinforced wood indeed. It is a well-maintained place.\" He was starting to think he was getting quite a bit of a bargain from this place.", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Ornager" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\nCunningham Bookstore\nInteractions: @PerfectThought\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nKaito gave a friendly smile as Bonnie introduced herself. \"I know the town better from the air than I do the ground but I can still probably give a pretty sweet tour if need be. Can't promise we won't get a little turned around though. Need the aerial view most times.\" He chuckled observing the others who had entered, explaining that they too were tenants. Not many of them appeared to be the flying type and he would be lying if he said that, despite his 22 years in this town he still didn't get a little lost when he had to travel on foot. \n\nBonnie introduced herself to everyone else and then started the tour of the place they would all be staying. \"I don't blame you, I come from a pretty big household myself. Couldn't imagine living in total silence all of the sudden.\" He commented to Bonnie as they walked to the first few rooms. Most of the rooms were narrow and long which, honestly, he was pretty used to. His family's home was built in much the same manner, seeing as he had to house so many people. Peering in her figured most if not all of his stuff would fit into a room pretty well. \n\nThe group paused at the third room to wait for the tall furry guy to join back with them. What was his name again? Has he introduced himself yet? Kaito took some time to look about and try to remember the names he had already learned. Minerva was the human woman he had spoken to when he first arrived. If he remembered correctly she went by Min. Next was Mia, she wanted the attic if possible? That was an interesting request, attics were generally not the most comfortable, but to each their own he supposed. The tiefling male, either Kaito hadn't caught his name or he too was yet to give it. Now that he thought about it, only the 2 others had actually introduced themselves by name. He brow furrowed, he would have to change that when and if they all decided to settle in. He makes it a point to remember the names of everyone he meets. \n\nBy the time he was done pondering things the furry fellow had joined them. Commenting on the woodwork of the place. It felt almost rude to have assumed the giant bipedal beaver was good with wood but the revelation didn't seem to phase Kaito. He would certainly not be telling the furry one about that assumption. He looked back to Bonnie waiting for her to resume the tour so that he mind would stop making assumptions of the other people with him based on appearance and body language, something he had gotten used to doing working with animals but was not the most polite thing to do with actual people.", "username": "LostDestiny", "char_name": "Kaito Aster" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\nCunningham Bookstore\nInteractions: @PerfectThought\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nKaito gave a friendly smile as Bonnie introduced herself. \"I know the town better from the air than I do the ground but I can still probably give a pretty sweet tour if need be. Can't promise we won't get a little turned around though. Need the aerial view most times.\" He chuckled observing the others who had entered, explaining that they too were tenants. Not many of them appeared to be the flying type and he would be lying if he said that, despite his 22 years in this town he still didn't get a little lost when he had to travel on foot. \n\nBonnie introduced herself to everyone else and then started the tour of the place they would all be staying. \"I don't blame you, I come from a pretty big household myself. Couldn't imagine living in total silence all of the sudden.\" He commented to Bonnie as they walked to the first few rooms. Most of the rooms were narrow and long which, honestly, he was pretty used to. His family's home was built in much the same manner, seeing as he had to house so many people. Peering in her figured most if not all of his stuff would fit into a room pretty well. \n\nThe group paused at the third room to wait for the tall furry guy to join back with them. What was his name again? Has he introduced himself yet? Kaito took some time to look about and try to remember the names he had already learned. Minerva was the human woman he had spoken to when he first arrived. If he remembered correctly she went by Min. Next was Mia, she wanted the attic if possible? That was an interesting request, attics were generally not the most comfortable, but to each their own he supposed. The tiefling male, either Kaito hadn't caught his name or he too was yet to give it. Now that he thought about it, only the 2 others had actually introduced themselves by name. He brow furrowed, he would have to change that when and if they all decided to settle in. He makes it a point to remember the names of everyone he meets. \n\nBy the time he was done pondering things the furry fellow had joined them. Commenting on the woodwork of the place. It felt almost rude to have assumed the giant bipedal beaver was good with wood but the revelation didn't seem to phase Kaito. He would certainly not be telling the furry one about that assumption. He looked back to Bonnie waiting for her to resume the tour so that he mind would stop making assumptions of the other people with him based on appearance and body language, something he had gotten used to doing working with animals but was not the most polite thing to do with actual people.", "username": "LostDestiny", "char_name": "Kaito Aster" }, { "text": "The boy was staring at her. Could he see through her glamor, or...?\n\nSomething that worried Mia was she hadn't seen a bathroom, or just a closet with a toilet. Surely there was one somewhere on this floor? It didn't bode well for the other floors, and there wasn't likely to be one in the attic. Or maybe there were, left over from the days the staff slept there.\n\nShared bathrooms could be a problem. She wondered if they still made chamber pots...?", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nEarlier in the morning...\n\n\"Are you sure you really want me to go? I swear I can handle the commute, Ma.\" Varis tried to reason out but to no avail. His bags were full of his clothes and other necessities, all packed and ready to go, although it seemed that the only one who wasn't ready was their owner.\n\nHis mother, Winona shook her head and wagged her finger at him. \"Nuh uh. We talked about this, dear. You're always waking up so early in the morning and coming home very late at night. You barely have time for rest and recreation especially when you're studying and doing your assignments. You almost caught the flu back then and this time, I refuse to see my son getting sick.\"\n\n\"Your Ma's right, kiddo.\" Markus said, nodding in agreement with arms crossed against his chest. \"Besides, it's always school and home, school and home for you. Maybe living independently will help you meet other kinds of people, y'know? Gain new friends! Be a part of something! You're still a teen, V. Leave the adulting to the adults.\" Varis's stepfather added as he gave the young carbuncle a pat on the back.\n\nAmity stood by the living room, glaring at her brother while grasping her teddy bear tightly. By her constant request (moreso nagging), Winona helped dye her hair black. Being naturally white-haired, whenever the color of her root hair's showing again, it made her look like either a skunk folk or a nine-year-old grandma so their mother-daughter time consisted of mostly hair-dying. The little girl ran up to her brother and gave him a tight hug. \"Message me all the time, dum-dum.\" She said, her voice muffled against his shirt. Varis giggled and hugged his little sister too. \"I promise I will come visit you whenever I can, Ames.\" He softly said, patting her head as she fought back tears.\n\nWinona wiped a tear from her eye as she and Markus joined in on the family hug. Amity usually didn't like sweet, sappy acts of affection, but she just let it pass this time. Varis promised himself he will never cry in front of his mother as he claimed himself for being her rock but like his sister, he just let it pass this time.\n\nPresent time\n\n\"Here we are. The owner said the rooms are up top.\" Markus said as he parked their rented car in front of a bookshop. Varis looked at it through the glass. His parents did mention they found him an affordable room to stay at during his studies but they never mentioned it was at this place. He would pass by this same bookshop almost all the time whenever he commuted. Who would've thought fate would bring him back here again?\n\n\"I'll get my stu-\" He started saying while he removed his seatbelt, but his stepfather was already on it. He chuckled and got out of the car as Markus brought out the last of his stuff. \"Now, if anything happens, message us. Call us. Your ma insists.\" Markus reminded Varis, the latter smiling and nodding. \"Okay, okay, I promise.\"\n\n\"We mean it, kiddo. We can't be there for you all the time, so this is the chance for you to find out what it looks like to be independent, to be making your decisions. We know you are capable of doing a lot of things, V. We just hope that you also realize that you don't need to do everything. Understand?\"\n\nVaris sighed and nodded again, this time more earnestly. \"Yes... Yes, I do. I'll message you guys whenever I can, I'll eat at the proper times, and I'll take care of my health. I won't make you, Ames, and Ma worry. Again.\" He sheepishly said before the two hugged. \n\n\"Take care of them, Pa.\" Varis said as Markus chuckled. \"Already on it, kiddo.\"\n\nMarkus then ruffled Varis's hair and got in the car. \"Oh, and don't forget, V! Have fun!\" He said with a smile and a wink as he drove down the road. Varis looked back at the bookshop with a signage that said 'Cunningham's Bookshop and Binders'. \n\n\"Okay, Varis. You got this.\" The young carbuncle said to himself, steeling his resolve and fixing his bangs to cover the red gem on his forehead. Breathing deeply, he grabbed his bags and entered the bookshop. He was surprised to find out he was beginning to like this place just from the get-go. The interior felt warm and cozy, like a soft hug from a friend or two. No one's here, though. There must be not a lot of people going to bookshops nowadays.\n\n\"Uh... H-Hello? Miss Cunningham? Is anyone there?\"", "username": "baraquiel", "char_name": null }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\nOh dear lord, more people. Why did there have to be this many people in one building? Now Kyrus felt awkward not saying much. \n\n\"I am Kyrus Lohenn. And yes, I'm here about a room. Any is fine, I'm not picky about it-\" Oh, oh they're walking away now, Kyrus hurried along to keep pace with the group, taking care not to walk too close to those knightly constructs the one girl was puppetring around. They looked big, and that stuff looked heavy. Between the Harpy boy's wings, the statues, the seemingly blind girl using that puppet as a frankly ingenious aid, this place felt almost hard to breathe in. Kyrus kept up with the group, listening intently to the things everyone was saying to try and keep up with everyone and hopefully not forget something important that was being said. The first room needed to be dusted for what might've been days, but Kyrus was considering taking that one. Maybe, he thought. He didn't exactly have much cash to fill it with things but it was just a space to crash in. \"Are those your constructs? They're impressive.\" He said to the Minerva girl, to strike up some sort of conversation with somebody. \"I don't do constructs, but I do make things.\" He said, holding up his magic, mechanical arm. \"Technosorcery.\"", "username": "Blizz", "char_name": "Kyrus Lohenn" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nCunningham's Bookstore\n\n\nInteractions: @Blizz\n\n\nMin smiled at Kaito, Bonnie, and several others who trickled into the bookshop that was becoming notably much more… cozy! And as Bonnie exchanged pleasantries and began to lead them around the place, Min waved at her living statues, Abott and Costello, to keep apace in the back, as to not block the view of others. They dutifully complied, and Min followed after Bonnie, listening to her tour. Looking into the three rooms upstairs, Min found them all to look rather similar and small, but comfortingly so. Back in Linkhaven, her room had been somewhat small as well, yet it had felt achingly empty as an only child and she had to fill it up with \"companions\" for it to feel like home. At least here, she'd have a roommate that wasn't her own creation! How exciting. Min liked the smell of the first room, reminded her of her parent's pastries and candles. The scent of lavender was a welcome one.\n\nAs they walked further down the hall and Bonnie showed them the rest of the rooms, Min heard the tiefling—Kyrus was it?—ask a question. \"Oh 'ello! Yes those two are a couple of my constructs! Couple of sweeties I made a few months ago… rather helpful friends eager to aid me in my move in.\" Her eyes widened as she looked down at his mechanical arm. \"Wow, that's incredibly advanced sorcery!\" Min had seen some magitech like that, but she'd never up close to such an intricate device.\n\n\"I've mostly worked with non-mechanical autonomous constructs— statues, homunculi, I'm sure you're familiar. But I haven't really looked into integrating actual mechanics and motion into my sculptures, pure magic tends to do the heavy lifting. But your arm clearly does that… Hmmm, and not only is it magic and technology but it's integrated with your biology… a union of anatomy and technosorcery. Very fascinating!\"\n\nMin stroked her chin, clearly impressed, but beginning to float off into her own grandiose imagination, pondering the possibilities of creating constructs that were made of inorganic and biological parts. Some sort of… half-statue half-flesh golem.", "username": "scrawls", "char_name": "Minerva \"Min\" Yoon" } ]

[ { "text": "Amelia lowers her hairbrush and carefully gazes at her reflection, folding her ears as she looks left and right, then nods ever so slightly. \n\n\"It'll have to do,\" she says to her reflection, which rudely stuck out its tongue, making her giggle. She slips the brush inside a burlap sack and ties it shut.\n\nNext to the bag was her bright, yellow raincoat, which she put on carefully over her folded wings with just a slight rustle, and checked to make sure she was wearing her shoes.\n\nAll the other children were still in their beds when she creeped out into the hallway with her bag, only Ms. Stanley in her robe was waiting for her by the door. \n\n\"Sun's not even up yet, pet,\" the house mother said, sipping her tea. \"Sure you're not peckish? I can get Henry to drive you over if you'd like.\"\n\"He'd just have to clean it afterward,\" Mia replied, a hint of blue highlighting her cheeks. \"I can walk there in time.\"\n\"Best you be careful then, pet,\" Ms. Stanley sniffs, dropping two mandarin oranges into her hand before opening the front door for her. \"Lots of dangerous people still about.\"\n\"None as dangerous as me,\" Mia sighs ruefully as she slips out into the chilled air. \n\nThe early morning train pulled into the station at six twenty-three A.M., fortunately it had only a few riders in her car. Fortunately, she didn't have to share a seat with anyone, everyone too groggy. Picking up her burlap sap, she got out of the car and headed towards the city map on the station wall, noting where the station was and her new loggings.\n\n\"This should be fun,\" Mia smiled wanly as she picked up her burlap sack. \n\nThe shop door was open as two big cases were just inside the door as large figures were helping up another girl from a pile of books. Part of Mia just wanted to dive in and start reading, but she needed to get her boarding room sorted out first.", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" }, { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\nCunningham Bookstore\nInteractions: @scrawls @PerfectThought\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nKaito nodded in agreement when the female in front of him said moving day made her nervous. He understood, his family had to move into bigger and bigger homes through the years to accommodate the number of them, though eventually her parents finally managed to save enough to buy their own place and add additions to it through the years so it had been a while since Kaito had done any sort of moving. \n\nHe let out a chuckle when she said his wings looked \"fly\". \"No no, not offensive at all. Thank you, people usually just yell at me for flying too close to their homes or businesses so the compliment is appreciated.\" Kaito chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. He supposed people around town had seen him and his family enough that the beauty of their feathers no longer seemed to matter. He would occasionally get a compliment from a small child but the adults were generally unfazed unless they were from out of town. \n\nHis attention was quickly brought to the paper crane that started to flutter around him eventually trying to land on his shoulder. He was decently distracted by the creation that when Bonnie asked him a question it took him a moment to register what she said. \n\n\"Oh yes! Kaito Aster. Sorry I intended on moving my stuff in later since I live in town.\" He reached his hand out for Bonnie to shake with a big smile to accompany it, not bothering to explain why he was moving into one of her rooms if he already lived in town. \"I don't have anything cool to offer like big statues but if you ever need something from a high spot I am your guy.\" He chuckled a little, clearly amused with himself at least. \"Anyway, super excited to get settled in here as well.\" His big dumb grin had not left his face since he had entered the shop and he saw no way in the near future that it would stop, unless his face started to hurt he supposed, but that usually took a while.", "username": "LostDestiny", "char_name": "Kaito Aster" }, { "text": "Bonnie the large bay windows adorning the front of the shop, catching sight of a slight girl in a yellow mac. Another entrant to the shop it would seem Bonnie thought, as she entered the premises, setting off the little bell affixed to the top of the door.\n\nShe responded to Min's greeting in turn, half-bowing and taking her hand in between both of hers, shaking them enthusiastically. \"Pleasure to meet you, Min. Please, call me Bonnie.\" She gazed up at Abbott and Costello greeting them as well, \"Hello, lovelies. Aren't you both impressive?\" She grinned fascinated by the pair, and was interested as they showed off their capabilities. Clearly, they had some degree of personality. Evidently, she was conversing with an impressive artificer.\n\nShe turned to the harpy, as the subject of conversation turned to his magnificent wings. \"Pleasure to meet you. Lovely to have another local about to show the newcomers' 'round town.\" She chuckled, smiling at him warmly. She finished the conversation with, \"Let me just help this lovely girl and I'll get you two settled in.\"\n\nShe turned gently to the timid seeming girl that had just come in, lugging around two cases of her own. She greeted her with, \"I presume you're also a tenant. Name's Bonnie, a pleasure to meet you.\" She stuck out her right hand in a friendly manner. \"Presuming my beliefs are correct, shall I help you with your luggage? And why don't I show you lot around?\"\n@Expendable@scrawls", "username": "PerfectThought", "char_name": null }, { "text": "\"Hello,\" Mia told Bonnie, her burlap bag over her shoulder, glancing down at the offered hand. It wouldn't do to poison her... landlord?\n\n\"Forgive me, I don't... shake hands,\" she managed, looking up. \"No offense. My skin... reacts badly, to touch.\"\n\nOr rather everyone else's hand reacted badly. Not that anyone's managed to drop dead, yet.\n\n\"And I wouldn't want to trouble you,\" she added, shaking the bag. \"It's not that heavy. I'm Mia..., that is, Amelia Sutton. I wrote to you about something cheap, possibly in the attic?\"\n\nAttics were hot during the day, froze at night, but might have more room and convenient windows for night flights. Although she might have some competition for that....", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nOrnager returned the hospitality with that same smile, one noticeably effective at getting people to loosen up. \"Why thank you ladies. I just had a nice lil' exercise from outer town, eating my mornin' chestnuts. It's all good!\" He said, appreciative of the comment. It wasn't uncommon to hear, but it's nice nonetheless. \n\nThe waiter delivered the water he ordered as the two girls went over to the counter. The beaver requested a straw with him due to his teeth blocking him from sipping water from the cup properly, to which the cafe worker happily provided. Ornager sucked on the straw from the corner of his mouth instead. Hearing both girls introduced themselves as university attendants nearby, his ears perked up. \"Phynnia, Areya. Me big big pleasure to meet ya both. My name's Ornager from Pine Glen Grove.\" He said. \"And university nearby eh. Ya don't say it's Gloomminster, do ya? Cause I'm headin' there too, learnin' some magic.\" If both the girls were to ask if he was staying at Bonnie's, he'd give a grin and a 'Ya gotcha' thumbs up, as he sipped more water from his cup.", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Ornager" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\nCunningham Bookstore\nInteractions: @PerfectThought\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nKaito gave a friendly smile as Bonnie introduced herself. \"I know the town better from the air than I do the ground but I can still probably give a pretty sweet tour if need be. Can't promise we won't get a little turned around though. Need the aerial view most times.\" He chuckled observing the others who had entered, explaining that they too were tenants. Not many of them appeared to be the flying type and he would be lying if he said that, despite his 22 years in this town he still didn't get a little lost when he had to travel on foot. \n\nBonnie introduced herself to everyone else and then started the tour of the place they would all be staying. \"I don't blame you, I come from a pretty big household myself. Couldn't imagine living in total silence all of the sudden.\" He commented to Bonnie as they walked to the first few rooms. Most of the rooms were narrow and long which, honestly, he was pretty used to. His family's home was built in much the same manner, seeing as he had to house so many people. Peering in her figured most if not all of his stuff would fit into a room pretty well. \n\nThe group paused at the third room to wait for the tall furry guy to join back with them. What was his name again? Has he introduced himself yet? Kaito took some time to look about and try to remember the names he had already learned. Minerva was the human woman he had spoken to when he first arrived. If he remembered correctly she went by Min. Next was Mia, she wanted the attic if possible? That was an interesting request, attics were generally not the most comfortable, but to each their own he supposed. The tiefling male, either Kaito hadn't caught his name or he too was yet to give it. Now that he thought about it, only the 2 others had actually introduced themselves by name. He brow furrowed, he would have to change that when and if they all decided to settle in. He makes it a point to remember the names of everyone he meets. \n\nBy the time he was done pondering things the furry fellow had joined them. Commenting on the woodwork of the place. It felt almost rude to have assumed the giant bipedal beaver was good with wood but the revelation didn't seem to phase Kaito. He would certainly not be telling the furry one about that assumption. He looked back to Bonnie waiting for her to resume the tour so that he mind would stop making assumptions of the other people with him based on appearance and body language, something he had gotten used to doing working with animals but was not the most polite thing to do with actual people.", "username": "LostDestiny", "char_name": "Kaito Aster" }, { "text": "The boy was staring at her. Could he see through her glamor, or...?\n\nSomething that worried Mia was she hadn't seen a bathroom, or just a closet with a toilet. Surely there was one somewhere on this floor? It didn't bode well for the other floors, and there wasn't likely to be one in the attic. Or maybe there were, left over from the days the staff slept there.\n\nShared bathrooms could be a problem. She wondered if they still made chamber pots...?", "username": "Expendable", "char_name": "Amelia \"Mia\" Sutton" }, { "text": "---\n\n\nEarlier in the morning...\n\n\"Are you sure you really want me to go? I swear I can handle the commute, Ma.\" Varis tried to reason out but to no avail. His bags were full of his clothes and other necessities, all packed and ready to go, although it seemed that the only one who wasn't ready was their owner.\n\nHis mother, Winona shook her head and wagged her finger at him. \"Nuh uh. We talked about this, dear. You're always waking up so early in the morning and coming home very late at night. You barely have time for rest and recreation especially when you're studying and doing your assignments. You almost caught the flu back then and this time, I refuse to see my son getting sick.\"\n\n\"Your Ma's right, kiddo.\" Markus said, nodding in agreement with arms crossed against his chest. \"Besides, it's always school and home, school and home for you. Maybe living independently will help you meet other kinds of people, y'know? Gain new friends! Be a part of something! You're still a teen, V. Leave the adulting to the adults.\" Varis's stepfather added as he gave the young carbuncle a pat on the back.\n\nAmity stood by the living room, glaring at her brother while grasping her teddy bear tightly. By her constant request (moreso nagging), Winona helped dye her hair black. Being naturally white-haired, whenever the color of her root hair's showing again, it made her look like either a skunk folk or a nine-year-old grandma so their mother-daughter time consisted of mostly hair-dying. The little girl ran up to her brother and gave him a tight hug. \"Message me all the time, dum-dum.\" She said, her voice muffled against his shirt. Varis giggled and hugged his little sister too. \"I promise I will come visit you whenever I can, Ames.\" He softly said, patting her head as she fought back tears.\n\nWinona wiped a tear from her eye as she and Markus joined in on the family hug. Amity usually didn't like sweet, sappy acts of affection, but she just let it pass this time. Varis promised himself he will never cry in front of his mother as he claimed himself for being her rock but like his sister, he just let it pass this time.\n\nPresent time\n\n\"Here we are. The owner said the rooms are up top.\" Markus said as he parked their rented car in front of a bookshop. Varis looked at it through the glass. His parents did mention they found him an affordable room to stay at during his studies but they never mentioned it was at this place. He would pass by this same bookshop almost all the time whenever he commuted. Who would've thought fate would bring him back here again?\n\n\"I'll get my stu-\" He started saying while he removed his seatbelt, but his stepfather was already on it. He chuckled and got out of the car as Markus brought out the last of his stuff. \"Now, if anything happens, message us. Call us. Your ma insists.\" Markus reminded Varis, the latter smiling and nodding. \"Okay, okay, I promise.\"\n\n\"We mean it, kiddo. We can't be there for you all the time, so this is the chance for you to find out what it looks like to be independent, to be making your decisions. We know you are capable of doing a lot of things, V. We just hope that you also realize that you don't need to do everything. Understand?\"\n\nVaris sighed and nodded again, this time more earnestly. \"Yes... Yes, I do. I'll message you guys whenever I can, I'll eat at the proper times, and I'll take care of my health. I won't make you, Ames, and Ma worry. Again.\" He sheepishly said before the two hugged. \n\n\"Take care of them, Pa.\" Varis said as Markus chuckled. \"Already on it, kiddo.\"\n\nMarkus then ruffled Varis's hair and got in the car. \"Oh, and don't forget, V! Have fun!\" He said with a smile and a wink as he drove down the road. Varis looked back at the bookshop with a signage that said 'Cunningham's Bookshop and Binders'. \n\n\"Okay, Varis. You got this.\" The young carbuncle said to himself, steeling his resolve and fixing his bangs to cover the red gem on his forehead. Breathing deeply, he grabbed his bags and entered the bookshop. He was surprised to find out he was beginning to like this place just from the get-go. The interior felt warm and cozy, like a soft hug from a friend or two. No one's here, though. There must be not a lot of people going to bookshops nowadays.\n\n\"Uh... H-Hello? Miss Cunningham? Is anyone there?\"", "username": "baraquiel", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "\"Jean, my thanks on your promptness, I hope I have not disturbed your plans too greatly.\" Erik's response to Jean's arrival was much in the manner of her greeting. Unlike her communication with Charles, and perhaps others of her more long term allegiance, it remained spoken, in the clipped politeness of humanity rather than the freeflow of mutant telepathic thought. In this instance in particular the latter would have been impossible, the cold metal of Magneto's helm placed upon his features. A sure sign these days that Eric whished to keep his thoughts from straying into the minds of those who might wish to listen. \"I would offer refreshments as a good host, but I imagine the selection and the celebration I have taken you from would be far superior, so we shall be direct.\" Eric's hands met behind his back, his eyes drifting from the form she struck, having just touched down on the structure of his home. His focus settled on the view of the island, and the celebrants, even as he spoke again.\n\n\"I am sure you well understand the fragility of this, even as we celebrate. What Charles and I have had to become to ensure it, among the work of others, has necessitated a pragmatism that is far from his first vision, as much as it was my own.\" As the man spoke, he extended one hand, a trio of metallic orbs floating from within the chamber he had been waiting in, beginning to turn and rotate in perfect even synchronicity around his hand. A form of meditation, but also no doubt, demonstration. \"It could not have been done without it, but I also believe we have lost something important, and equally necessary.\" Once again his eyes settled on her, a turn of his head to bring her back into focus, all the glimmer of her outfit and the blazing corona of her red hair. The woman who had held creation within her.\n\n\"It is necessary for you to take a place on the Quiet Council, to hold Charles to account, myself as well, although I doubt you would ever refrain from that duty, even if you weren't.\" Time and shared struggle had done much to ease the scars of the past, but the memories of their own terrible power turned on each other was still there. \"It has to be you, you are a beacon to them, the people celebrating below, even those who hate you, and more importantly, only you could make us appear trivial, were it to be needed.\" It was certainly not a question, although it fell short of an order, a statement impressing upon her the importance of what he was saying, and perhaps addressing the need for the wearing of his helmet, to prevent him being convinced otherwise before he could bring the matter to her.", "username": "Ezekiel", "char_name": "Remy LeBeau" }, { "text": "Jean Grey\nLocation: House of M, Krakoa\n\n\nWorried about my plans? Jean felt like she was smirking, but managed to keep the emotion locked away and away from her outward expression. That remained perilously blank as she watched the man who used to try to kill her on the regular when she was a teenager, and most girls were worried about parties and having a life and school. Life was a crazy thing, and Jean had to try to keep a lid on just how much she enjoyed it all.\n\nIt was fun. Even the bad parts. It was still life, sometimes so mundane and agonizing in pace, sometimes so filled with anxiety or fear, sometimes heartwarming and thrilling. Perspectives had a way of changing when you experienced what she had, alive and 'dead.' It never seemed to matter. What mattered was timing. She was painfully aware of the timing at play here, now, and his request. \n\nAlso, he was worried about her PLANS. It was cute, and she re-doubled her efforts at holding her expression. When he was done, she finally broke, letting a smile slip past to her pink lips, \"Sometimes I have to remind myself it's the body of a forty-year-old, but the mind of a 'get-the-hell-off-my-lawn' man that is far, far older.\" The way he summoned her, welcomed her in, then just stood right up on that soapbox and gave her the classic earful. \n\n\"So last time I was here you threw me on that table over there,\" she said, twisting at the waist to turn and literally point to the exact large dining table in the adjacent room of the palatial House of M, \"and ripped my clothes off.\" Turning back to him and settling her hands back in her lap her smile had grown larger but seemed the kind of sharp not even the Master of Magnetism could control.\n\n\"Council, huh?\" She really did try not to let the laughter bubble up as she spoke, but it became impossible at the end. Jean Grey all but giggled at Magneto. She was having way too much, and it was finally time to lift the veil and show Erik she was gently messing with him. Mostly. \"Yes, Erik, I will take the offered seat next to Storm. I worry about Charles, too,\" the sigh was almost out of place on the woman's face in that moment, but fears existed in times good and bad, not just bad. \n\nAll of this, as she juggled multiple lines of communication. The first, Emma had contacted her about Wanda, and Jean had begun to lend her strength to the telepathic dragnet over the island. At the mention of Magneto, Jean revealed she was with him now, about the Council seat. A very Emma congratulations followed, ominous as anything Jean had heard all day, as well as a request to inform the man. On the other end was Sage about unusual data points from various levels of surveillance on the island and its systems. She tagged Logan and Quire, who was likewise occupied with the telepathic dragnet. \n\n\"Anyway, Emma wants you to know we can't find Wanda, and her kids are in the Green Lagoon, one with a mighty attitude. Go figure, with that bloodline. Sage is reporting some weirdness, so I guess we'll see how much fine-tuning we need on security measures and how fast X-Force responds. Scott and I were talking Treehouse with Forge. Business before pleasure, apparently a common theme around here.\"\n\nHer way out was the way in, just a take off with a wave his way instead of a landing.", "username": "Ruby", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Even for one possessed of great mental control, Jean Grey was distracting. Eric imagined he could stretch the belief that it was a facet of her powers, but in truth that would be giving himself too much credit. It had far more to do with the cascade of red hair, the sing-song of her laugh as the giggle tumbled forth and the way the shimmering emerald of her outfit flared after her waist into her hips than any great telepathic ability. \n\n\"I believe there are still grooves.\" He mused quietly as she turned course on their conversation to discuss the furniture and its unintentional use. A lesser man would have joined the grin, but he prevented such, instead offering a warm smile at her acceptance of the request he had made of her, allowing his previous words instead to suggest that he hadn't quite forgotten either.\n\nThe next words which issued forth from her steeled him, allowing the warmth that had been building from her presence to drip away. Matters with Wanda were never easy, and her own children were often even more extreme. He could not blame them, but it was still a complication. They were wounds he one day wished to heal, but for the moment, had kept on cutting. \n\n\"Thank you, Jean.\" The words answered the summation of both her agreement and the news she had passed on, even as she was drifting away, the enclosing hold of his helmet slipped away, allowing the other, less horrifyingly powerful, telepaths of the island to reach him from beyond its restraining hold. She had only just passed the lip of the balcony before Magneto began his own flight. Unlike Jean, he did not drift leisurely, the Master of Magnetism soaring into the air as he twisted the force of the world around him, moving at a speed that was enough to draw attention from the ground below.\n\nThe attention only grew more intense as he neared his destination, dropping lower in descent, the exited inhabitants of the Lagoon turning from their revelry to note one of the Quiet Council moving towards them at speed. It wasn't panic, it was just good gossip. He did not land with force, nothing quiet so dramatic, but the magnetic ripple at him suddenly coming to a half a short distance from both Emma Frost and the two boys. Without the helm, the passing wave of energy shuddered through his own grey-white hair as he halted in mid-air, before gently drifting the final foot to touch down deftly.\n\n\"Miss Frost, I do hope you are enjoying the festivities.\" His initial greeting was directed to his fellow council member, before his attention shifted to the forms of Wiccan and Speed. \"Welcome Home.\"", "username": "Ezekiel", "char_name": "Remy LeBeau" }, { "text": "The woman had arched a blonde brow as Jean Grey walked into the Grove, the scent of fall and freshly fallen rain mixing with the blonde's perfume, Krakoa looming over them all, watching, leaves a brilliant reddish brown today. The metallic scent of the old man that stood behind her, watching as Jean approached, hit her last.\n\n• --|A|-- •\n\nHer mind instantly translated the Krakoan to what she had always known him as before: Apocalypse. That he was the first, the most notable, among so few mutants to change their names from what they had always been to a Krakoan language variant did not escape her, but there was time for curiosities between the blue giant and Jean. \n\n\"You're going, I take it?\"\n\nJean smiled a thin, bemused smile at Emma Frost. \"What gave it away?\"\n\nFrost's head tilted, as she took in the full view of the redhead, before blue eyes widened and her frosted lips looked to near gasp, \"…my God, Jean Grey, is that a designer you're wearing?\"\n\nThe smile on Jean slipped, but the bemused look in her green eyes did not. It was a designer, though Jean refused to confirm that aloud, or even tell Emma which designer…not that Emma wouldn't know it, already, knowing Emma Frost. She wore black; skinny black slacks, a thin black cotton V-neck sweater, her feet in black leather hiking boots with black steel tabs and black laces. The coat atop was a rich brown wool peacoat, her red hair long and straight, offering contrast between the black and rich brown.\n\n\"I would not recommend the Manhattan gates, Jean Grey.\"\n\nJean blinked at Big Blue, surprised, \"Surveillance?\"\n\n\"Worse,\" Frost sighed, a heavy, deflating thing that seemed to signal no end of annoyance within the White Queen, \"those human cultists have only become more fervent. We're concerned, well…\"\n\n\"You are the Phoenix. You are the Mutant Alpha. They are fools, but they are not ignorant to who we are.\"\n\nEmma cringed, though otherwise ignored it, \"Just…you're going alone, we don't want a scene…may I recommend the Capital District gate?\"\n\n\"…there's a gate in Albany?\"\n\nEmma smiled, and, once more, Jean was smiling back. Catty, playful, \"Have fun, Jean.\"\n\nThere was something Emma wasn't telling her. Jean knew that because of her telepathy, but not because she was reading Emma. She knew from experience what Emma looked like when she was holding back, because she had seen the woman's mind when she had done it before in the past to others. Shaw had \"casually\" asked Jean to explain the tell on Emma, but Jean could do nothing but disappoint Shaw. If you hadn't seen Emma's mind as an active observer, before, you just weren't going to pick up any tells on the White Queen. Shaw had muttered something about telepaths before giving up.\n\nWhatever it was, Jean was certain she could handle it. A nervous, anxious energy filled her as she left the Grove. It wasn't whatever Emma kept to her chest; it wasn't the Cult of X warning from Apocalypse. It was going home. She hadn't been since the Phoenix held the entire area hostage, attempting to persuade Jean to stay in their union.\n\nInstead, with Logan's help, she ended the relationship as best she could and moved on. But that didn't seem to count, to Jean. She had experienced it within the White Room, yet, still, the extermination of nearly her entire family; brothers, sisters, their little children haunted her. Going home meant experiencing it all anew, a feeling that pressed down on her as she let out a sigh and felt her booted feet leave Krakoa's ground and her body slip into telekinetic flight, to expedite the trip to Carousel, where most of the gates to major population centers could be found. It was after clearing the canopy and descending that she saw the gate—and the figure next to it, awaiting her.\n\nWhat are you playing at, Emma?\n\nHer booted feet touched down just feet from the gate, and him. Green eyes regarded him softly, if curiously, \"Hello, Max. You look dressed for a funeral.\"", "username": "Ruby", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nS P I D E R - M A N\n\n\nN E W Y O R K C I T Y\n\n\nThe rush never got old. Swinging from building to building, feeling the wind flow by, waving at bystanders, webbing up crooks, being the one and only Spider-man. One moment, Peter Parker was just an average New Yorker, late for dates, a fan of good pizza, selling photos for a quick buck. But with the mask on? He was spiraling through the air, diving past office windows, running on walls, and leaping off skyscrapers, ready to save the day. And today was just another day. After hearing a police siren in the distance, Peter Parker raced through the air to be on the scene. Who was it this time? A small-time thief or someone big? Rhino? Scorpion? But as he found himself outside a bank, he saw the police arriving at a scene already covered in webs.\n\n\"Hey there Spidey!\" One of the police officers smiled up at him and waved. \"You're late buddy.\"\n\n\"Afternoon officer! How's the—\"\n\n\"One of your smaller spider-bros just managed to clean up a couple of bozos and webbed them up good. I guess he's like Spider-boy or somethin'? Arachne-kid?\"\n\nPeter nodded, it must have been Miles. Peter's not really the only Spider-man... A few months back, he'd met Miles, a bright kid from Brooklyn who'd also gained spider powers. Peter had been trying his best to teach Miles all that he'd learned over the years, but at some point, the kid had to spread his wings and do what he had to do, and that seemed to be being a hero. Ever since then, Peter had felt a bit less alone, and the Big Apple seemed to feel a little smaller—for better and for worse, as Miles began to take his share of rescues and criminal shut downs. Sometimes Peter wondered if he himself was growing too old for the job, if it was time to fully pass down the torch… \"Just Spider-man.\" Peter corrected.\"We're both Spider-man, officer!\"\n\nSeeing he wasn't needed so much anymore, Peter got ready to swing away once more, but before he left, he saw the officer reach out to pull out a phone. \"Wait a sec Spidey. Could I get a quick photo? The other guy seemed great, but my daughter's a big fan of you too. And her head's gonna blow when she sees that her pops met you.\" Peter smiled softly and hopped down to stand beside the officer. \"Sure thing sir!\" He felt a bit guilty thinking this, but Peter couldn't help but enjoy being needed and admired every now and then. He was still needed.\n\n***\n\nThe city was surprisingly peaceful today. Besides that robbery handled by Miles earlier, and a few minor incidents, Peter wasn't seeing much crime. He sat on top of a light post, looking down at a busy city street. A group of teens bustled over toward an internet cafe, an old man was being helped cross the street by a young businesswoman, and a pleasant shopkeeper was painting a new sign for their cafe. Things seemed to be just right—\n\n\"HEY MUTIE! We don't want your kind here! Buzz off!\"\n\nPeter's spider sense tingled ever so slightly, and he craned around, trying to find the source of this angry voice. Was there some bigot about to assault an innocent mutant? As he turned around on the top of his light post, he squinted and saw a man holding a beer bottle in one hand, pointing his other hand right at Spidey. \"Me?\" Peter asked. At this point, Spider-man was more confused than worried.\n\n\"Yeahhhh, you! Mister fuckin' Webhead, mask-wearing, mutie. I know you've been swinging around this fuckin' city, but I've seen the truth, I know who you really are… Get your mutant ass out of my country! Go back to Krakatoa!\" The man's speech was slurred and he seemed to be vehemently drunk… at two in the afternoon. Peter rolled his eyes under his mask and stood up from his crouching position.\n\n\"Look man, first of all, it's Krakoa, not Krakatoa. Second of all, I'm not even a mutant! And even if I was, that is a terrible way to greet a stranger, like at least a hello—\" Peter tensed as he watched the man reach to chuck his bottle at Spidey, and Peter reflexively shot a rapid-fire of webs, one to stick the man's hand to the bottle, one to stick his other hand to the wall, and a last one to cover his mouth. The man writhed in tipsy, muffled rage, and Spidey gave a little salute. \"This is for your own good, and for the good of everyone else who definitely does not wanna hear your voice!\" Peter then began to swing away through the city. \"So much for peaceful…\" he muttered.\n\nWhat was the whole deal with mutant hate? It was never something he understood, even with all the controversy around Krakoa recently. When people like him or the Avengers put on their masks, they were revered (most of the time) as heroes. Yet when everyday people happened to get superpowers, the world seemed to twist against them. But mutant or not, hero or human, if they were here in this city, they all were New Yorkers in Peter's eyes. Was that so hard to understand?\n\nAs the sun began to set, Peter swung up towards the top of an apartment building, running across the glass windows, then shooting a web towards the roof and pulling himself up to the very top. The city looked so small from up here, millions of people, real honest people living their lives, working towards their dreams, all here in the greatest city in the world. The relative peace was strangely getting him a bit too sentimental. He needed to get busy. What else was there to be done?\n\nSuddenly, Peter felt his Spider-sense tingle once again, yet not that aggressively. Something potentially dangerous was behind him, hopefully not another bigot with a bottle.\"Spider? I swear, it's like you're stalking me.\" Peter turned towards that familiar playful voice and saw none other than Black Cat, his… enemy? Friend? Situationship? The woman was someone he'd tussled with time and time again, sometimes trying to put her in jail for her elaborate crimes, sometimes fighting alongside her against a greater evil. No matter what the situation was, she always managed to catch him off guard.\n\n\"Black Cat, I did not mean to run into you… What are you doing up here?\" Peter eyed her suspiciously, looking at a black bag in her grasp, and seeing that she'd just crawled out from the fire escape.\n\n\"Always questions with you isn't? Well, I'll have you know, that it's none of your business Spider, just a little personal project.\"\n\n\"Thieving again? T'was hoping you'd get tired of the whole petty theft thing.\" Peter said. Although he said it jokingly, he did genuinely mean it. He wondered if there was a chance she would ever give up her criminal ways. Despite her antics, the two of them had had moments in the past where it felt like they had something more… More than just hero and villain, but perhaps something as equals, as partners, as more.\n\n\"This time's not just petty theft, I have a legit purpose right now.\" She replied with a scoff, then swung the black bag over her shoulder. \"I don't see you giving up the mask anytime soon, why should I?\" Black Cat walked over to Peter and placed a single finger on his chest.\n\n\"Felicia. Is this all you'll ever do? Is that all the future holds?\" Peter looked at her, and an expression of genuine concern seemed to take hold on his face, surprising her and even himself.\n\n\"Future? Awfully dramatic aren't you this sunset? What, Spider? Worried about me? High-and-mighty Avenger wanting to help a corrupted villainess out of a wrong path towards danger?\" She snickered and walked her fingers up his chest towards his collarbone, and up to pat his shoulder. Something in her expression softened when Peter didn't retort back.\n\n\"You're so quiet suddenly… Are you… genuinely worried?\" Peter backed up from her reach but nodded. \"Is it wrong? Wrong, that I am worried about you? That I wished you'd give up crime and try out being good?\" he said. Whenever he met the Cat, he always felt so tangled up inside, caught in her own webs. Black Cat's hand dropped to her side.\n\n\"You really are a hero aren't you?\" she whispered. Before Peter could respond, she began to walk away briskly. \"I'm fine Spider. Don't worry, this kitty can take care of herself… But I'll see you around… Maybe we can talk again… about the future.\" And just like that, she lept away, from one rooftop to the next, disappearing into the shadows cast by the sunset.\n\nPeter Parker was left alone watching the moon rise. As much as it had been a quiet day, there had been big moments throughout it. He looked over the New York skyline and just took a deep breath. He had no idea what the future held in store, but he knew that as long as he could, he'd keep being Spider-man.", "username": "scrawls", "char_name": null }, { "text": "This was the second unexpected visitor of the morning for Wong, but this one at least wasn't creating as much of an incident with the neighbors. He opened the door and saw someone he didn't recognize, nor was Ashley one of the people who had scheduled an appointment. However, he had some sympathy, it sounded like this might be something that needed rapid attention. \n\nWhen he answered the door he was wearing his full Sorceror Supreme robes, different from Strange, not as colorful but a more scholarly look than he had when was only the right hand man. He talked to Ashley \"You have come to right place. My name is Wong, and I'm the current Sorcerer Supreme of Earth. Rest assured, I have plenty of experience with supernatural matters. I'm curious as to how you heard about me, was it one of the flyers I left around the neighborhood?\"\nThe flyers had been Wong's idea of advertising, since he didn't have the budget for anything other than that or an extremely low budget internet campaign, and the internet was far from his strongsuit. He hadn't heard much on if the flyers worked, which was a shame because he was particularly proud of the slogan he came up with: \"When it comes to magical problems, don't choose wrong, choose Wong!\" While he waited for Ashley's reply he looked at her aura, seeing if he could notice anything obvious.", "username": "Fiber", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Katherine Pryde\n\nKate tried to not look too disappointed about the bottle. It was hard. Still, Kate didn't complain, getting cut-off from her drink saved her the trouble of figuring out how to get herself to stop anyway. \n\nShe followed Emma in relative silence as they walked, simply listening to her speak as she gazed at the scenery around her. Krakoa was beautiful to be sure, though it still didn't really feel like home. Kate wasn't sure if it ever would. \n\nPerhaps she still needed to get used to the idea, though the gates being unusable for her was still a big turn off. Hearing that even the island itself didn't know why she couldn't use the gates didn't really comfort her, that just meant it would be all the harder to figure out a solution. Man I'm really becoming a pessimist...\n\nHer doomer outlook was interrupted however, when the yacht came into view. \"Woah, that's a big fucking boat...\" Kate blurted out, her eyes widening slightly. She barely heard Emma's speech about about tracking down shipments and liberating trapped mutants, though it registered in her mind. Were those cannons mounted on the front of the ship? \n\nKate's eyes met Emma's, and they kind of just looked at each other for a moment. Emma probably didn't need to be a telepath to see how Kate was going to answer. \n\n\"You had me at 'Captain this big fucking boat'...to paraphrase.\"", "username": "Abillioncats", "char_name": "Katherine \"Kate\" Pryde" }, { "text": "Wong said \"You can call me Mr Wong, it's easier than dealing with the pronunciation of the traditional title. I've dealt with many cases like the one you describe. Please come in, if you are worried about supernatural threats this is the safest place to be.\" \n\nWong gestured for her to come inside, reading her aura as he did. It was a complex mass, many layers and difficult to read quickly. He'd prefer to take his time before jumping to conclusions. It was easier to do that with the aid of the preparations inside the sanctum. The house was neater than it had been during Strange's time, but the neatness was not the kind that would be in the pages of Architectural Digest. There were still items floating about, impossible angles, but it was all according to a mystical order. Baffling to look at first, but revealing hidden patterns when observed. One corner had a ready-made circle made marked with salt and runes, large enough for a person to step inside. \n\n\"Come, step into the sigils on the ground, it's just a harmless aid to some divination spells. While you wait, do you mind if ask about your grimoire? I'm always interested in the provenance of such items. \"", "username": "Fiber", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "This was the second unexpected visitor of the morning for Wong, but this one at least wasn't creating as much of an incident with the neighbors. He opened the door and saw someone he didn't recognize, nor was Ashley one of the people who had scheduled an appointment. However, he had some sympathy, it sounded like this might be something that needed rapid attention. \n\nWhen he answered the door he was wearing his full Sorceror Supreme robes, different from Strange, not as colorful but a more scholarly look than he had when was only the right hand man. He talked to Ashley \"You have come to right place. My name is Wong, and I'm the current Sorcerer Supreme of Earth. Rest assured, I have plenty of experience with supernatural matters. I'm curious as to how you heard about me, was it one of the flyers I left around the neighborhood?\"\nThe flyers had been Wong's idea of advertising, since he didn't have the budget for anything other than that or an extremely low budget internet campaign, and the internet was far from his strongsuit. He hadn't heard much on if the flyers worked, which was a shame because he was particularly proud of the slogan he came up with: \"When it comes to magical problems, don't choose wrong, choose Wong!\" While he waited for Ashley's reply he looked at her aura, seeing if he could notice anything obvious.", "username": "Fiber", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Ashley Johannes Williams\n\n\"Well, I'm really sorry to bother you, Mr.Wong. Is it okay if I call you Mister Wong? Or do you prefer Sorcerer Supreme? I heard about you from a witch in Boston. She said you knew alot about the supernatural.\" She nervously tapped her finger on her grimoire, which was pressed against her chest. Her aura was would be quite strange, to say the least. It was red with a small tint of green. Something that was probably quite different than most people's aura. Most peculiar was the book she had with her. For someone knowledgeable in magic, Wong could tell she was carrying a spell book of some kind. \"I have been having hallucinations for well most of my life. Recently I've been seeing a shadowy looking man in my dreams. He doesn't really talk to me in the dreams, just takes me to very weird places. Or sometimes back to the past to some ancient city.\" \n\nShe stopped speaking nervously looking around at the people walking behind her. \"Would it be okay if I come in? I don't feel safe being out here.\" She could see the faces of the passersby starting to morph once again. She could hear a voice speaking to her behind Wong. \"I'm here, come and find me.\" The voice spoke in a jovial manner like it wanted Ashley to find them.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Ashley Johannes Williams" }, { "text": "Katherine Pryde\n\n\"Fuck.\" Kate held onto the helm of the ship she had uh...commandeered back in San Diego. She took a swig from her bottle, letting half the rum drip down her face. How many days had she been at sea again? Five? No...six? Eh, who cared anyway.\n\nShe honestly should have made it to Krakoa by now, however she may have made a slight navigation error while drinking away her boredom. She was really bigging to understand why sailors liked to drink now, there was fuck all to do while on a boat. \n\nAt least Lockheed was having fun, the small dragon had really taken to sushi it seemed. He was happily munching on a fish he had caught while on top of a crate. He cocked his head at the mutant when she looked at him. \n\nKate gave him a frown. \"Don't judge me.\" She stated, before taking another long swing from her bottle. \"I never snitched on you when the squirrel population at the school drastically dropped.\" Not that anyone would care too much, besides Squirrel Girl perhaps if she ever came to visit. \n\nKate shook her head before bringing her attention back to her steering of the ship, she was about to grab a new bottle when she noticed something in the distance. \"Oh?\" As they got closer it became apparent that it was an island. \n\n\"Finally.\" Being drunk could only entertain Kate so much, what she really wanted to do was get the hell off the boat and onto land for once. She kept her course as straight as she could, looking for a decent spot to anchor. \"Land ho and all that.\" \n\n========\n\nKate stumbled out of the water as she made her way further into the beach. It was already apparent that Krakoa was quite different from the rest of the world, almost alien. Strangly appropriate for a mutant nation. \n\n\"Now if I could only figure out what your problem is with me...\" She complained to the island as she dragged a crate of rum behind her. She looked around for well...anyone. \n\n\"I know I'm late to the party but I figured at least someone would be around to greet me.\" Being drunk really made her snarky.", "username": "Abillioncats", "char_name": "Katherine \"Kate\" Pryde" }, { "text": "Zahariel Jackson\nKrakoa\n\nZah, as his comrades often called him, dipped back into his home, located near the southern coast of the living island of Krakoa. The fact that the nation of mutants is also on an island whose ecosystem that acts as singular hivemind consciousness still hasn't escaped him. When he first came here through a portal, he remembered how Krakoa used to be a hostile entity. Alas, Krakoa allowing them to settle on its was perhaps due to the fact that the governments of the world fear mutants and those like them, and a living island certainly is in the list of entities that the ignorant and fearful baseline humans thought of as a threat.\n\nAnd so, what they have here is a delicate symbiosis; Krakoa and the mutants defend one another.\n\nPart of that defense is assessing and taking out threats, and as a member of X-Force, Zahariel had done exactly just that. Sometimes he only needed to ask nicely; sometimes, he had to gaslight them; and on a few occasions, he needed to resort to measures that he was, admittedly, not proud of. But it's not like the CIA and Dora Milaje doesn't do the same thing, don't they?\n\n\"You are home early,\" Grudge, his… well, talking cat, grumbled. \"My food box has not been filled for six hours.\"\n\n\"You know you can tap the button to get yourself more, yeah?\" Zah answered the talking cat. He wasn't sure why the cat even talked. Maybe it was his imagination? No, no, visitors already noted that the cat could talk. Maybe the cat was also mutated? Yeah, that's right.\n\n\"I want you to put it there,\" Grudge answered.\n\n\"... Why?\"\n\n\"Because I want to.\"\n\nZah shook his head. Sighing, he took off his glasses and tapped the feeder, allowing it to disgorge more cat food. \"Are you happy?\"\n\n\"Yes,\" the cat answered, and began to gorge herself.\n\nWith that little incident done, Zah let himself out of the door, finding one of the few true friends he ever had, the empathic mutant Johannes Brahms, waiting at the railing.\n\n\"You called for me, Zah?\" Johannes asked. \"What is it?\"\n\n\"The voices, they're… rather persistent,\" Zahariel confided. \"They're annoying.\"\n\n\"Oh, much more than that, so it would seem,\" Johannes scoffed as his empathy went to work. \"You're afraid, yes?\"\n\nZah slowly nodded. \"Admittedly, yeah,\" Zah replied, looking down towards the other buildings below. \"I know that I pull power from another dimension, just like… a few others. Well, we both know that. But the voices seem to know my most personal… things. I'll have to take a break, first. I need to get this sorted.\"\n\n\"Excellent life choice,\" Johannes nodded in return. \"Who are you going to?\n\n\"Someone who's familiar with things like parallel dimensions, especially seemingly malevolent ones,\" Zah replied. He thought for a moment, and then found his answer.\n\n\"Of course… the former Sorcerer Supreme. Doctor Strange. He'd know everything about this, hopefully…\"", "username": "The Man Emperor", "char_name": "Zahariel Jackson" }, { "text": "Emma Frost - NPC, Kate Pryde - @Abillioncats \nLocation: Krakoa's Western Shore\n\n\nKate was expected. A day ago, at Hellfire Bay, neither of which happened to have come to pass. Logan was likely to forget about the delay, just happy to have his delivery having arrived. Her, on the other hand? It seemed unlikely, given the look on Emma Frost's face resembled something as warm and cuddly as an actual diamond. \n\nAnd she wasn't even in her diamond form. \n\nEmma watched from higher elevation, where grassy ridge met the thin, tall, grass coming out of the sand dunes that separated the low, rolling, hills region from the actual white sand beaches on the western coast of Krakoa. It was Krakoa's own underwater vegetation that first spotted the vessel; leading to a quick message from Sage. Emma asked the Cuckoos to gave it a telepathic peek. When they responded with a positive identification of Kate Pryde, Emma excused herself from her current spot at the Green Lagoon and made the trip.\n\nShe waited wearing an ice white Prada silk pants suit, heels to match, with what appeared diamond heels on the otherwise ice white leather pumps. Under the white jacket was the kind of white corset that clung and pushed on various parts of the blonde billionaire's sun-kissed tan body. \n\n\"You are late, Ms. Pryde.\" The telepathic voice echoed Kate, with a subconscious suggestion of where Emma was. The moment Kate raised her drunken eyes and found the white silhouette perched upon the short grassy cliff above the beach, Emma continued, \"Forge is working on your issue with the gates. You will have to stop by and speak to him about that, but first, walk with me back to the Lagoon. The night is strange, and I would make it stranger for you.\"", "username": "Ruby", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "This was the second unexpected visitor of the morning for Wong, but this one at least wasn't creating as much of an incident with the neighbors. He opened the door and saw someone he didn't recognize, nor was Ashley one of the people who had scheduled an appointment. However, he had some sympathy, it sounded like this might be something that needed rapid attention. \n\nWhen he answered the door he was wearing his full Sorceror Supreme robes, different from Strange, not as colorful but a more scholarly look than he had when was only the right hand man. He talked to Ashley \"You have come to right place. My name is Wong, and I'm the current Sorcerer Supreme of Earth. Rest assured, I have plenty of experience with supernatural matters. I'm curious as to how you heard about me, was it one of the flyers I left around the neighborhood?\"\nThe flyers had been Wong's idea of advertising, since he didn't have the budget for anything other than that or an extremely low budget internet campaign, and the internet was far from his strongsuit. He hadn't heard much on if the flyers worked, which was a shame because he was particularly proud of the slogan he came up with: \"When it comes to magical problems, don't choose wrong, choose Wong!\" While he waited for Ashley's reply he looked at her aura, seeing if he could notice anything obvious.", "username": "Fiber", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Ashley Johannes Williams\n\n\"Well, I'm really sorry to bother you, Mr.Wong. Is it okay if I call you Mister Wong? Or do you prefer Sorcerer Supreme? I heard about you from a witch in Boston. She said you knew alot about the supernatural.\" She nervously tapped her finger on her grimoire, which was pressed against her chest. Her aura was would be quite strange, to say the least. It was red with a small tint of green. Something that was probably quite different than most people's aura. Most peculiar was the book she had with her. For someone knowledgeable in magic, Wong could tell she was carrying a spell book of some kind. \"I have been having hallucinations for well most of my life. Recently I've been seeing a shadowy looking man in my dreams. He doesn't really talk to me in the dreams, just takes me to very weird places. Or sometimes back to the past to some ancient city.\" \n\nShe stopped speaking nervously looking around at the people walking behind her. \"Would it be okay if I come in? I don't feel safe being out here.\" She could see the faces of the passersby starting to morph once again. She could hear a voice speaking to her behind Wong. \"I'm here, come and find me.\" The voice spoke in a jovial manner like it wanted Ashley to find them.", "username": "Eviledd1984", "char_name": "Ashley Johannes Williams" }, { "text": "Katherine Pryde\n\n\"Fuck.\" Kate held onto the helm of the ship she had uh...commandeered back in San Diego. She took a swig from her bottle, letting half the rum drip down her face. How many days had she been at sea again? Five? No...six? Eh, who cared anyway.\n\nShe honestly should have made it to Krakoa by now, however she may have made a slight navigation error while drinking away her boredom. She was really bigging to understand why sailors liked to drink now, there was fuck all to do while on a boat. \n\nAt least Lockheed was having fun, the small dragon had really taken to sushi it seemed. He was happily munching on a fish he had caught while on top of a crate. He cocked his head at the mutant when she looked at him. \n\nKate gave him a frown. \"Don't judge me.\" She stated, before taking another long swing from her bottle. \"I never snitched on you when the squirrel population at the school drastically dropped.\" Not that anyone would care too much, besides Squirrel Girl perhaps if she ever came to visit. \n\nKate shook her head before bringing her attention back to her steering of the ship, she was about to grab a new bottle when she noticed something in the distance. \"Oh?\" As they got closer it became apparent that it was an island. \n\n\"Finally.\" Being drunk could only entertain Kate so much, what she really wanted to do was get the hell off the boat and onto land for once. She kept her course as straight as she could, looking for a decent spot to anchor. \"Land ho and all that.\" \n\n========\n\nKate stumbled out of the water as she made her way further into the beach. It was already apparent that Krakoa was quite different from the rest of the world, almost alien. Strangly appropriate for a mutant nation. \n\n\"Now if I could only figure out what your problem is with me...\" She complained to the island as she dragged a crate of rum behind her. She looked around for well...anyone. \n\n\"I know I'm late to the party but I figured at least someone would be around to greet me.\" Being drunk really made her snarky.", "username": "Abillioncats", "char_name": "Katherine \"Kate\" Pryde" } ]

[ { "text": "---\n\nAs she held the glasses, Tiziana would feel her tentacles growing weaker by the second, as she sussed out the immense Magic Suppression Ritual put on them. Before she could mull on what a Witch was doing with such an limiting magical item, without speaking a word in affirmation or dismissal, said Witch would snatch her treasures with the same speed she'd toppled Tiziana's Doppelganger.\n\n\"Don't your lies smells like sunshine and rainbows,\" John says, as she strolled around Tiziana, putting Alina in a box. \"You'll have to forgive me for not showering for... however long as I was in transit. It would seem, my cargo container wasn't fitted for such amenities,\" she says, \"Not that I could have enjoyed them much in a coma, anyways.\"\n\nTiziana would feel air flow against her left side nape, as John was, suddenly, standing before her, and sniffing her from her nape to her crown. Progenies of potions, Witches had the noses that knows all, and she wouldn't forget the natural scent that she bore. \"Lascuta,\" John says, suddenly, behind Tiziana, finger walking down her right arm, before taking her hand - committing the lewd act of holding hands in public.\n\nIn truth, she was memorizing Tiziana's spiritual flame, her Ki, \"Such a temperate flame; well-kindled, yet kept cooled and flowing. This a very palatable Ki.\"\n\n\"I'll remember you for helping,\" John whispered into her ears, before she was gone - strolling down an alleyway. In the split-second that she'd moved, John was dressed to the nines, or, My usual affair, as she would put it, and striding off; Vision bouncing off the back of her head.\n\nHowever, Tiziana's body was still vibing with the warmth of the once naked woman; even through her dress, and her natural defenses of moisture, the strange Witch had burned through with her warmth - leaving the phantasmal impression of her naked body lingering on Tiziana's, the warmth of her face upon her head, and the indecent hand-holding burning her palm, as the sensation crawl up it.\n\nFrom crown to toe, she was enveloped in an impossible, fleeting warmth from the departing woman.\n\nNow, Tiziana had a fresh dilemma: continue on her path to seek the gladiatorial arena, or give chase to someone she might never cross paths with again in a city as large as this. If she needed an excuse for the latter, she'd easily spy the rather regal-looking box that was in the crate John had \"hatched\" from so explosively.\n\nEven from a distance, she could tell it was worth more money than a simple parcel box.\n\nReturning it would be a helpful thing, no?", "username": "Enkryption", "char_name": null }, { "text": "Al-Marabar, Sand King Arena\n\nThe Sand King Arena, called so simply as the Sand King himself presides over it, 90% of the time at least. It was a large arena, and for awhile today it had been running single combat. In fact there was one going on right now, between Fiske and an Oni. The two stood upon the sand, somewhat hot from the burning sun above, the roaring crowd around them as they raised their weapons and... One single thunderous clap stopped and silenced everything.\n\nAll looked up towards the Sand King's throne as he stood up, seemingly with an announcement.\n\n\"I am sure all are looking forward to this match, yet I have been apprised of a development!\" He raised his arms as he addressed his crowd, like an emperor standing before a party he was hosting.\n\n\"Today has been a rather fruitful day, for there were more new potential fighters than we had originally anticipated! And so I would like for one, free for all melee!\", this was certainly not something Fiske had anticipated on, and the same with the Oni. Yet no matter what deals were cut for this match, the Sand King's word was law.\n\nAt this time, inside of the Arena's other facilities, the cages and all others, things were suddenly in a buzz with activity as wardens rushed to grab any of the new slaves that had been obtained today, among them including Ken, an Uveran gunslinger. He was hastily handed a cheap revolver and a belt with some bullets, and sent out in his slave rags. Others like him were moved as well, but it seemed they would be coming out of other exits of the arena.\n\nOf course, at the same time... Crowds were also quite excited. Bets were being made, and those who simply enjoyed spectacle were not disappointed with this development. While such things were normal for the Sand King, they were infrequent enough that when they occurred, everyone knew to run their ass over to the arena to watch. Some enterprising shops were already sending out people to sell food for the event.\n\nEyes back on the arena itself, the gates on the edges came to life as they slowly lifted, letting out groups of the slaves, armed with whatever they could either get, or whatever they can grab. There was indeed quite the selection, and a decent few, almost two dozen were now in participation in the arena. One man tried to get the jump on this grand melee, raising his blade and charging Fiske, but he was suddenly halted in his tracks of a large, golden arrow of earth blasted at the feet in front of him.\n\n\"Now now! I appreciate the enthusiasm, but what fun is any normal melee?!\", the arrow came from the throne, in his hands the Sand King held a giant bow, and just as easily as it appeared, it disappeared from his hands in a golden wisp. As soon as he did he clicked his fingers. The ground below the participants whirred to life as Geo constructs sprouted out of the ground in a formation, emanating a pulse.\n\n\"Our audience and veterans know what these are! Geo generator constructs! It creates a geo reaction to any element! I've been told we have more than two vision wielders among our new participants! And so I felt this might be an appropriate bit of spice!\", of course... When a Geo reaction goes off of any element it drops an energy shield for anyone who can grab it... Meaning this kind of hazard was good not just for vision users, but anyone who doesn't use a vision too... A surprisingly fair addition to this brawl.\n\n\"Well without further ado, even I am excited to see how this may play out! Let the battle begin!\"\n\nBee@Enkryption", "username": "Sho Minazuki", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Dereno had begun to nod off in the warm, cozy atmosphere of the Dancing Donkey, the conversations, the bard, the clink of glasses, thud of mugs, and the sound of the fire all had done their part to make the elderly Dunmer's head begin to dip. It had been a long time since he had been in such a cozy place. His mind drifted into the ethereal, wandering through his vast experiences, sampling memories at random until, like a spider weaving a web, the pastiche of a dream had been formed. \n\nHe was at home, suddenly. Not Tel Dereno, his tower on the outskirts of Tel Branora, but Vvardenfell itself. He stood in a large tower, surveying a scarred, ashen landscape. At the edge of his vision, he could just make out giant, shimmering energy walls. He furrowed his brows at the curious sight, attempting to place them. Was that the Ghostfence? \n\nThis wasn't the Vvardenfell he grew up in, then. The legendary fence had finally disappeared as Vivec's stolen power faded when the Heart had been struck to fell the mighty Dagoth Ur, the Sharmat. Not immediately, mind, but by the time he was strong enough to visit Red Mountain the fence had long gone.\n\nDereno felt a presence next to him, and looked to see who it was. An old nord, his hair balding into a tonsure, stared out over the scarred mountain and it's ashy foothills, and sniffed. He looked familiar to Dereno, in some distant way, some face he had seen everywhere but hardly remembered the specifics of due to familiarity. \n\n\"I find myself dreaming quite often these days.\" The old nord said, \"I'm not young like I used to be. Sleep calls to me now more than it ever has.\"\n\nThe old nord regarded the old Dunmer, and smiled, his face crinkling into a mess of crags and scars, but the expression was warm.\n\n\"I think that the old sleep often to prepare themselves for the grave.\" He said, seriously, \"What do you think?\"\n\nDereno blinked, and found he had trouble speaking. His mouth flapped open and closed a few times, but no words came.\n\n\"It's alright. You have a while to think on it, I believe.\" The old nord looked out to Red Mountain again, the smile fading from his face. \"You have more pressing concerns, Mastdar Dereno. You will be needed very soon.\"\n\nThe old nord raised his hand, slapped Dereno's back-\n\n- and he woke up. \n\nDereno looked around. The tavern's welcoming atmosphere had suddenly cooled. The talk hadn't stopped, the bards hadn't stopped singing, but something was off. Hakon had moved from his table, and was halfway out the door. Dereno could only see one arm, his legs, and his back, but he could hear the blacksmith's deep voice. He stood up suddenly, without using his arms to balance himself, and, in a bit of Telvanni flair, summoned his staff. The staff, which he had laid on the floor next to him, stood up like it had been alive and shot into his hand with a satisfying thwack!\n\n\"Excuse me, dear boy.\" Dereno said, sliding past Hakon - and Graunille, who he had been apparently talking to. The local enchanter and the blacksmith, eh? \"Oh, and excuse me as well, Lady. I simply wish to take in the sea air.\"\n\nHe blinked as his eyes adjusted to the moonlit night. He looked down, seeing the mist that was waist height, and the moon in the sky. It was large, and it was bright - too bright. A killing moon. A blood moon. It made his guts twist just to look at it sitting there in the sky.\n\nHe looked to the others, his face grave. \n\n\"I think something's about to happen.\" Dereno said to them both. \"I'm sorry to be so forward; we don't know each other very well, but please be patient with this old Mer - this night is about to put us in peril.\"", "username": "BornOnBoard", "char_name": "Mastdar Dereno" }, { "text": "The Dancing Donkey Inn, Anvil\n13 Midyear, 7:30, apprx\n\nMeanwhile, outside…\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nAs the fog moved inward through Anvil, coating the streets and clinging to each darkened corner ominously, a silence fell in the moment - a chill ran through the air, the small crowd outside of the Inn would begin to see a silhouette moving toward them. \n\nHis footsteps were so light, despite his towering size - both in height and figure. He was imposing and moving faster through the fog to - suddenly his eyes would flash red to Harkon, and he would smile a crooked smile - a set of fangs glinting in the moonlight as his shape came into detail. He would look then too, unafraid, at Granuaille, holding his stare malevolently. \n\nThe vampire began to lift his hand, slow, methodical, the red in his eyes glowing bright toward Harkon, Granuaille, and Dereno.\n\nBefore he had a chance to snap a finger, or to turn his wrist, a whistle came from directly above. The sound of a cloak as it soared down and landed gracefully - light as a feather, and yet purposeful between the vampire and the patrons. \n\nFrom a haunched position, another spectral figure rose up, the fog that had settled on her shoulders fell cascaded down - illuminating the slender figure, her hair, bright and silver, pulled taught atop her head, and fell down to the middle of her back like a stripe down her darkened clothes.\n\n\"Your journey ends,\" she spoke - a husky whisper, and as the vampire diverted his attention and rushed at her, a clawed hand began to glow. It was almost gold, and yet, it flickered with bronze and black - distorted, changed. She held it toward the vampire and he stopped in his tracks - diving into it, as if he had been drawn toward her, or that he just hadn't expected it. It was too fast, and as quickly as he had appeared in the mist, he crumpled back into it with a disturbing gasp.\n\n\"Retreat to the Inn, or remain and fight,\" she said, turning her attention behind her - finally casting a cold gaze at Harkon, Granuaille, and Dereno. Like the creature she had just slain, her face too was pale - and there was also a glimmer of red in her eyes. \n\n\"There will be more than him. You answered my call, now comes the time to act.\"\n\nAnd then it happened. Screaming in the streets below them.\n\nThey were here.", "username": "Bonnie", "char_name": null } ]

[ { "text": "Irian Sinewell\n\n---\n\n\nThe journey back had been relatively uneventful. He was thankful but expected nothing less than that of a wood ranger that had quite a stack handful of experience doing observatory work. Naturally, if the bandits weren't keen on spotting and giving chase or making any sort of movement in response to his presence, that would probably mean that they weren't exactly a clever bunch either. It made him rather confident that they probably wouldn't respond that well to a quick sweep either, something in which to make note of for the Steel Princess to decide. \n\nEspecially considering his scouting partner who wasn't too keen on making his presence a leaf in the forest. Irian looked up to see a majestic griffin cutting through the sky, a rider on its back to share its regalia. Despite the potential risk, it was still a good scouting method, and quite a sight to beholden to, even though the wood elf had had enough time around his fellow Lions to get used to it. The legends and myths surrounding these apex predators befitted its rumored heightened pride. It was good to see, but it didn't take long before it got out of sight of him. \n\nSometimes, Irian imagined how it would be like soaring through the air like that.\n\nThe elf took a bit of time catching back up to the camp, noticing Roger and his griffin, along with Valmyra, if he remembered correctly, the lamia warrior. He wasn't sure if the other scouts were back yet, but they seemed to be talking amongst themselves for now. Irian figured there would be a bit of time for some menial. Refilling food, water, etc. The usual boredom. \n\nAs he refilled the leather flask and took a sip, he noticed someone being a little bit...strange, let's put it so. Not to him, but towards the griffin that Roger had. Understood where its due, it was a fascinating creature, but the high elf looked immersed in another world altogether seeing that, with her swiping through her notebook. Irian might be well-versed in the art of spying on someone, it ain't good sport to be doing that to your allies. \n\nThe wood elf swung the bow from his back and raised it in the direction of Melanie. His other hand reached for an arrow, taking his time measuring and placing the arrow on the bow string before drawing and loosening the arrow. But the high elf need not worry. The arrow struck on the nearby tent's wooden support peg, and was never in danger of hitting her, to Irian at least. \n\nWhether or not it was intentional to Melanie, Irian lowered the bow gradually and then rather casually walking up to her. \"My apologies. I thought you were some spy for a second there.\" He said with a rather neutral but faintly amused tone. \"Bad habit of mine.\" Eyes perked, he looked over in the same direction as her a few seconds ago towards the other two. \"You seem immersed there. Would you like to be introduced?\"", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Irian Sinewell" }, { "text": "Roger Falkner and Shortclaw\n\nAs they returned to the base camp, Roger spotted something at the top of an approaching tree. It took him a moment to realize that it was Valmyra, a Lamia member of the Lions. It made sense that her serpentine lower body made her a good climber.\n\nAs they passed her, she shouted a question, asking what those strange shapes in the disturbed ground were. The griffin rider couldn't blame her for wanting to know- after all, he had been curious about them, too. Unfortunately, she'd have to wait a few seconds for an answer while Shortclaw was making his landing.\n\nOnce his mount was firmly on the ground, Roger took off his helmet and turned the snake woman.\n\n\"They look like effigies or totems made of skulls and bones,\" he answered her question. \"I have no idea what they mean, though. Maybe the others will know.\"\n\nShe was a curious sort. Her chimerical half-human-half snake body reminded him a little of the half-avian, half-leonine bodies of griffins. Roger knew little of her, other than that she was formerly with the patrol corps and that her primary weapon was a fine-looking spear. As a user of spears himself, Roger wondered if the lamia be willing to share weapon techniques some time.\n\nRoger dismounted the griffin and began to walk back to the main camp where the Steel Princess would be found. Shortclaw followed closely behind, holding its head low. Roger knew that this behavior wasn't a sign of submission or subservience- griffins were, after all, very proud creatures. On the contrary, this was a sign that the beast wanted its partner to preen his head feathers.\n\n\"Later,\" he softly spoke to Shortclaw. Even if Velvetica planned to not give them any rest, he could always do it while they were on the move.", "username": "Crimson Paladin", "char_name": "Roger Falkner" } ]

[ { "text": "Kayliss Lambert\n\nGoddesses help her, Kayliss barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the boy doing the polite equivalent of histrionics over her mention of Shilage. Really, it hadn't even been intended as an insult on her part. \"Brute\" was just about the only way to describe such a person. If Demet chose to interpret that as negative, well, that was his perogative to be so easily riled. And speaking of...\n\n\"...\" Kayliss briefly narrowed her eyes in displeasure at Istvan's casual mention of her actual role. For a moment, she was sorely tempted to kill the man the next time he slept for such an egregious breach in information. Suddenly, it was starting to become more evident how half the camp knew she was an assassin in the first place. Really, Kayliss had thought better of the man until now. She wasn't exactly surprised he knew in the first place, given that Cadmon almost certainly knew of the Crownsblades thanks to his rank. Combine that with her general demeanour not exactly matching a killer for coin, she couldn't quite fault anyone for the noble of the bunch knowing, at least. And given that Istvan had access to the same information Cadmon did, it wasn't hard to understand how he knew. \n\n\"Sir Shilage, if you'd care to keep a more guarded tongue about certain classified information when out in public? It would make all of our lives easier should some things not leak out to the camp and beyond. You never know where gossip tends to spread.\" Kayliss asked Istvan pointedly before meeting the gaze of the fighter who was staring at her now. Wonderful. From the way he was looking at her, it was almost a certainty that this Urden fellow knew what her organization had been as well. \n\n\"Kayliss Lambert.\" She inclined her head towards Urden, her ponytail bobbing behind her. \"The same goes to you as well, of course.\"\n\nOtter @HereComesTheSnow @Eisenhorn", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Kayliss Lambert" }, { "text": "Cadmon Demet\n\n\n---\n\nLandshark@HereComesTheSnow@Eisenhorn\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nOf course, there was no way he could be seen walking around with nearly anybody without István having some sort of comment to make on it. Before he had the chance to make much reply, though, a mug of hot coffee was thrust into his hands. He accepted it wordlessly, bringing it up to his lips to take a sip, as Kayliss glared at the larger man. The mercenary, for his part, quickly introduced himself, jabbing back at István for him.\n\n\"Don't let her sharp tongue deceive you, she is lovely company,\" he interjected before either of the others had a chance to respond. \"Intelligent, composed, and not so fragile as to take my flat affect for an insult.\" He took another sip of the bitter liquid in his cup. \"I don't think I'm the one who needs to worry about peril, for now.\"\n\nHopefully none of them would; they had more important things to do than trade jabs and threats with each other, after all. \"Now. I was planning for the three of us—now four—to be there when Lady Velvetica debriefed her scouts, and I'm fairly certain I saw plumage weaving between the tents. Let's hurry along.\"", "username": "The Otter", "char_name": "Cadmon Edricsson Demet" }, { "text": "Irian Sinewell\n\n---\n\n\nIrian raised his eyebrows quite a bit seeing that she seemed to completely ignore the arrow shot, her head continued to submerge in text until he actually talked to her, which was quite impressive and more amusing than anything. Even more so when in the middle of this, she just took out a brush to streamline her hair before him. The elf contemporary from the woods leaned his head slightly, crossing his arms and waiting for Melanie to finish. \n\n\"Melanie.\" He nodded in return as she introduced herself. She's an archivist. No wonder. And that name sounds familiar \"You're the one who beat up your fellow debater for a dress color, right?\" Said Irian, his eyebrows raised, the straightforward inquiry turned to a small smirk. \"I know, because...let's just say acquaintance of mine was there.\"\n\nWood Elf academics weren't exactly known for studying in foreign lands, but visitors to his elf settlement were still a good source of information. Part of the reason why the elves were quite the gracious hosts. This guy was kind of an ass though, so if anything, it was more of a funny story for campfires and idle chatters. No one really cares about Reon's clothes anyway. Respect though, elves to elves, for standing by her work to that degree. \"Well, glad to meet such an interesting person like you as well.\" He replied with a firm smile, his hand on his chest as he bowed slightly. A practised response, but with some degree of genuine sincerity and hospitality. \n\n\"I'm Irian Sinewell.\" Irian said. \"Forest Watcher...well not anymore as long as I am here with our band of brothers and sisters.\" He looked back at the camps to quite a variety of individuals with all walks of life. \"Yeah, I don't exactly blame anyone for the rumours. But I get the princess. It's not the time to be picky with your warriors.\" \n\nThe most obvious case was Melanie herself. He would keep his actual judgment of her combat capability for when he actually see action, but a person with a history of academics and archivists in a position of border patrols and order enforcement would mean the situation had to be pretty serious. \n\nIrian noticed Velvetica emerging from her tent. That was indications of a debrief. \n\n\"Well, duty calls.\" Irian said, giving Melanie a two-fingered wave. \"If there's any rumors to be dispelled about me, or you want to be introduced to the team, or a chat, you are free to come around.\" With that, he yanked the arrow from the tent's peg, put them in his quiver and headed over to Velvetica and the other scouts.\n\n---\n\n\nHe arrived just in time as Roger gave his report. Pretty much exactly what he saw. \"I confirm.\" He followed up on Roger. \"Disturbed earth, effigies along the way. The effigies are further away from us though, with what seems like human skulls. I don't know if they are recently deceased or from disturbed graves.\" He put a finger on his chin as he gave what his theory was. \"Could be a deterrent measure. If that's the case, a camp might be nearby.\"\n\nPaladin@PigeonOfAstora@VitaVitaAR", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Irian Sinewell" } ]

[ { "text": "István Shilage\n\nOtter@VKAllen\n\n\"It's a shame, really. The Lady Amelie is no longer with us. The realm is poorer for it.\"\n\nGuillaume Fotier. The Sincere. Knight-Errant, living upright and truthful in his every waking moment, smiling goodwill ever plastered upon his face. A shining beacon of all that \"Chivalry\" was to entail, his earnestness and commitment to that which was good and just had a reputation the preceded even the reach of his blade, pointedly named \"Sincerity.\" The latest in a long line of Ithillane knights that, it seemed, enjoyed the West much more than his predecessors.\n\nYou couldn't place a man more in opposition of István without the cosmos backing your try. He regarded the sauntering blonde coolly, face cast in stone that all present knew would far from preturb the Honest Knight. They had shared some time in mutual service to Earl Edric— known quantities to eachother twice over. To that end, Shilage felt no need to conduct his usual prodding, and instead replied to the comfortable greeting with a grimness that could only belong with bearing bad news.\n\n\"The storm took her while at sea.\" He continued, glancing to the young heir that stood beside him for a moment. \"A sudden tragedy. A reminder to us that we must rejoice each day we wake with breath left to draw.\"\n\nCase in point: István knew well that it served none to let slip that Cadmon was here rather than administrating the holdings that had been left to him when the Earl had also perished. Guillaume was to the core fettered, and let his honesty color his judgement freely, but he wasn't a fool. He had known the Demet house and its heir long enough to put things together, if given the requisite pieces— and for such an upright man, this situation could only be abandonment of responsibility, and from there objectionable.\n\nHe would not betray them in wartime, such was a concern for fools— but they didn't need him protesting their presence, either.\n\nSo instead, István allowed the mournful truth to alter his tone, ever so slightly, from his usual oppressive rumble. It was shameful; Amelie and Edric both had taken great pains to accomodate him as all but one of their own in his time as the latter's understudy— a kindness not at all necessary, but one never to be forgotten. Perhaps if he had joined them, he would have changed things, strong as an ox and capable enough swimmer.\n\nBut he was not, and they had passed— just as likely that Cadmon would be left without trustworthy council after the fierce gale broke upon the coast if he had, too. With no way of knowing, the mind would be poisoned by the question.\n\n\"You look well. The road ever suits your whimsy.\"", "username": "HereComesTheSnow", "char_name": "István Shilage" }, { "text": "Cadmon Demet\n\n\n---\n\n@VKAllen\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThough his face remained as blank as ever, internally Cadmon wanted to swear at the news that came from their scouts. While it wasn't entirely unexpected, he'd been hoping to avoid necromancers and their ilk. Hoping for a quick end to the banditry and raids, a minimum of lives lost, and on to the next task. The likelihood that they'd be sending people in to die against undead that would refuse to stay down when they should was one he didn't want to deal with.\n\nHowever necessary it was to purge this evil before it could dig deeper roots, it felt like a waste of lives when there were those with skills more apt for the excision of such a blight. If only they were here. But they weren't, and this band of the Lions was. Still...make the necromancers themselves sick, and their ability to control the hordes is diminished. Kill any outright and their servants fall with them. With any luck, we could still use Kayliss—\n\nHe was roused from his thoughts as one of the nearby knights addressed him. His memories of Guillaume were rather vague, as young as he'd been when last he'd seen The Sincere. It wouldn't surprise him in the least if he was nearly as old now as the elder man had been when he'd left. Before he had the chance to respond, István jumped in to the answer the question thrown to both of them; all the better, for it gave Cadmon the chance to think over his own.\n\nIt seems news doesn't travel fast at all. First Lord Hraesleg had no clue what had happened to his parents, and now Guillaume. Perhaps the royal family themselves didn't yet know.\n\nHe returned István's glance, before looking back to Guillaume. \"At least one finds himself well—most of the time. The others have yet to send me any complaints, and with Sir Shilage as their example in addressing me, I'm taking that as a good sign.\"", "username": "The Otter", "char_name": "Cadmon Edricsson Demet" } ]

[ { "text": "Gisela\n\n\"One large group and bait is far less risky. Making a single group that can hold out until reinforcements has much less splitting, does it not? There is no need to supplement the most skilled with the average, or reliance that this cult doesn't have a surprise that can overwhelm a small group by numbers or magic alone.\"\n\n\"Are standard tactics not standard for a reason? If they err on the side of caution, then we can leverage our other offensive skills to force them out.\"", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" }, { "text": "Cadmon Demet\n\n\n---\n\n@Raineh Daze\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n\"Standard tactics would be sending out a basic raid without intent to immediately back them up, and without using them for nothing more than mild testing of the enemy defences,\" Cadmon said slowly. \"Assuming this cult hasn't completely set their own brains to rot like the corpses they dig up, the initial plan is more likely to be ignored as an obvious trick than it is to be taken as bait. It's neither standard nor effective from my view.\"", "username": "The Otter", "char_name": "Cadmon Edricsson Demet" }, { "text": "Guillaume\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe room's temperament is that of war-strategists planning their carefully laid out skirmishes. For a single moment when Guillaume has heard that Lady Demet has passed away... He felt a brief pause. The air was as cold as his grief that washed his face. Istvan's chiseled expression did not betray a sorrowful emotion, but the deep tone of his monolithic voice exudes a regretful undertone. Guillaume's hand crept to his breastplate. \"My condolences. The world has lost a beautiful soul. May her spirit be lifted into Reon's arms.\"\n\nLady Demet had treated Guillaume with much kindness, respect, and gentleness during his service. To see such an amazing woman passing on so early is crushing to the heart, and it must be more so for the Earl himself. \"Pass on my condolence to the Earl. I will make sure to return and mourn for his loss in person, once this is all over.\" The reunion became a bittersweet gathering of sorts, which had to be ended quickly as the young Demet broke the brief silence.\n\n\"Indeed, my travels have been both great and shameful at times.\" His hand slowly fell to his side. \"Soon you'd have to test your governing abilities when your people are influenced by outside news.\" His voice was upbeating, trying to move on from the feelings of grief. \"Politics would perhaps become your craft.\" The small conversation was put on hold as Lady Hraesleg began to lay out her plan of attack.\n\nIt seems that Lirrah's pleading had earned her the role of night watch woman. It was her best abilities utilised effectively to avoid direct confrontation. Then, there was the assassin. For some reason, Lady Hraesleg had found it fitting to include an assassin into the Lions. The knight's brow furrowed as he laid eyes on her golden locks with uncertainty and some suspicion. He didn't exactly know who she was, but for Lady Hraesleg to have included must mean that she had an incredible recommendation from a Lord or some kind.\n\nSoon a disagreement broke between Gisela and Cadmon over whether to follow the usual combat practices rather than Lady Hraesleg's initial plan, with both presenting good points that should not be ignored. Though Guillaume remained quiet and thought over the battle plan for a moment. The plan is to lure the foxes out of their hole with essentially more bodies that could potentially be raised back by the necromancer close to their encampement or hideout. When they strike the 'bait', the rest of the Lions will attack in response and chase them into their hole, where the assassin would have already eliminated the Necromancer.\n\n\"Lady Hraesleg,\" The knight responded. \"I am willing to pose as the lure if we are to follow the initial plan, with six men to pose as guards to a caravan. The caravan can be filled with a few more of us to join the fight immediately.\" He could envision one version of events, where the enemy strikes their caravan, and soon would come to find out that the caravan of goods were but a decoy. \"We'd be able to quickly eliminate them when they attack. Then, we ride into their encampment in similar numbers of the attackers as they'd be expecting the raiding party to return.\" To take Cadmon's note on the matter, \"However if the enemy has indeed caught wind of the Lions hunting them and remained on the low, then we'd indeed need to quickly move to assault their base the old-fashioned way.\"", "username": "VKAllen", "char_name": "Guillaume Fortier the Sincere (or Gil)" }, { "text": "István Shilage\n\nOtter@VKAllen@VitaVitaAR\n\nI wouldn't worry. He's already mourned.\n\n\"As it stands, they'd be exceedingly blind to not have noticed us.\" the large man offered, a brewing rejoinder to Guillaume's final plea and consideration. Of course he wanted to offer himself as the \"bait\" in accordance to the original plan laid out— Errancy being what it was, it forged an entirely singular consideration of skill, risk, and worth. In himself he would trust, and by the same token, only himself would he happily risk. Terribly honest.\n\nBut upon such a note, that of subterfuge and earnestness's many intersecting foibles—\n\nHis hand swept behind them, leading gazes to follow back through the bulk of the camp. The Lions were many things.\n\n\"The fires of camp have seen to that. Large as our force is, the smoke will carry far on the wind and high above the plains. We're hard to miss.\"\n\nSubtle was rarely one of them.", "username": "HereComesTheSnow", "char_name": "István Shilage" }, { "text": "Roger Falkner and Shortclaw\n\nRoger said nothing as the others debated tactics for this battle. Shortclaw, meanwhile, was watching the exchange between Cadmon and Gisela, seemingly interested in their debate. It didn't matter much to the knight- Velvetica was the one who had the final say on the orders and plans. True, battles rarely went according to plan, but there was a big difference between going into battle intending to do something completely different than what you were ordered to do, and adapting to the changing battlefield even if it meant going against the letter of your orders.\n\nStill, there was no harm in discussing tactics, so long as everyone could be depended upon to do as they were ordered.\n\nRoger saw two merits in laying a trap for their raiders. First, it'd thin their numbers, robbing them of precious bodies to defend the camp. Second, it would provide Kayliss with disguises for her infiltration mission once their raiders are wiped out. He was unsure, however, how quickly the necromancers would react, both to the initial sighting of an ambush target, and to the subsequent failure of their attack.\n\nAs far as his own role went, Roger guessed that he'd be placed with the ambush team. His griffin wasn't exactly able to pose as a mundane caravan beast or lowly patrol mount, and the sight of them it flying overhead would alert the necromancers that something was amiss. There was a good chance that they'd be walking for much of this mission.", "username": "Crimson Paladin", "char_name": "Roger Falkner" } ]

[ { "text": "Kayliss Lambert\n\nUgh. Merchants. A small part of Kayliss couldn't help but admire how quickly the Nem got over her shock and started trying to make a deal with ruthless aggression. The much larger, more sane part of Kayliss's mind was just exasperated. The deal sounded good, certainly. That was, if she actually needed to brew mana-inhibiting poisons on a regular basis. She didn't run through enough of it to necessitate paying for herbs at the constant monthly rate the woman was suggesting. \n\nThere were, however, other poisons she had more use for constantly. Ones that were versatile enough for most situations. In that context...well, the deal wasn't too awful. It wasn't as if she had much use for money while her room and board were taken care of by the Lions. Once upon a time, perhaps. But a decade and a half of working for the nation in some capacity meant that the former urchin girl didn't quite have a much of a need for the coin she once pilfered constantly. \n\n\"I propose an alteration to the deal. I can be a recurring customer, but for supplies such as these in general. Extend the discount to more herbs of this nature, and I'll consent to making at least one order a month for six months.\" Kayliss told the merchant flatly, not bothering with the stare now that it seemed an opportunity for business overrode any fear Lirrah had. \"Now, show me what you have on hand. Time is of the essence, and I'd prefer to get to...crafting as soon as possible.\"", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Kayliss Lambert" }, { "text": "@Crimson Paladin@Eisenhorn\n\n\n\n---\n\nHraesleg Lions Base Camp\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nAt Roger's correction of his name, Valmyra's face tunred a cherry red as her eyes widened. The mission hasn't even started, and she's already getting names wrong... \n\n\"Apologises...\" She said in a weak, defeated tone. She would elect to remain silent for the time being, until she was addressed directly or had concerns with a given plan. Until that point, she would slump into a depressive state, attempting to avoid drawing further attention to herself.\n\nShe would still take note of her other allies, however. The humans (and one Nem) gathered around were quite the motley crew. All of them from different backgrounds and walks of life. The little Nem began discussing poisons with the clocked blonde on the team. The little one seemed to be a merchant by trade, and it showed in her speech... Val was reminded of some of the human merchants she gave patronage to during her town visits. They spoke convincingly and with much enthusiasm - anything to make a sale. Lirrah, was it? She thought to herself. Gods, she hoped she got that name right. She felt there was more to her than meets the eye. The clocked woman, on the other hand, gave off the air of an assassin. Probably no stranger to the subject matter then.\n\nHer thoughts were broken as Urden, another fellow teammate, leaned over to her. She began to pout as she glared at the gruff mercenary. \"Oh stop. He's probably annoyed enough as it is!\" She said, her face full of exasperation. Turning to their captain, she informed them all that their targets were likely fell worshipers. Val had to keep herself from bearing her fangs at the mention. She thankfuly never had a run in with their ilk before, but their sacrilegious actions showed they had no respect for nature. That disgusted her more than anything.\n\n\"Captain, I will echo Urden and say I am fine with wherever you feel my skills would work best in. I will say that I am at home in forested terrain and can move nimbly amongst the trees.", "username": "AzureKnight", "char_name": "Valmyra Audron" }, { "text": "István Shilage\n\nOtter@VitaVitaAR@Conscripts@AzureKnight\n\n\"Please,\" Shilage replied, voice carrying all the humor of a rockslide. \"If it's this that ends me, I deserve it.\"\n\nIn a slow roll along the assembled troops, primarily composed of those whose stars were surest to rise within the Lions (and a merchant), the burly Southron let his gaze fall upon each candidate. In truth, it was few that would serve best within the confines of the first strategy outlined— If he had to sell the lie of lightly guarded caravan...\n\nGuillaume, obviously. A knight polished for parade, bereft of the many underlings that lied behind the title. An attention-grabber, but appearing tantalizingly vulnerable for what he was. An irresistable opportunity to take off the board. With him Melanie— a scribe brought along to etch his noble deeds to the page, perhaps moonlighting as taking inventory of supplies. She carried few weapons upon her person and would thus appear scholarly, civilian. Urden next— hired help. There was little hiding what he was, even if the man ever had a change of heart and cared to— but his presence would indicate both thin and disconnected defenses, a separate party within the wider faction. He'd imply a potential lack of coordination to exploit— as well as signal that the caravaners were uncomfortable with the dearth of force to muster. Finally, he'd pluck Matthias— an all-rounder from the tactician's schools, he could play quite a few prospective roles. Squire. Guild Adventurer. Expedition leader. Magical counsel. Whatever the situation would incline him towards, he would serve a dual purpose of being able to rally enough coordination out of them in the thick of things to minimize loss. Presumably.\n\nThose four he would avoid, for that reasoning. It would remain to be seen if their little Princess would agree— but it would give him a preliminary framework to make his choices. As each of the retinue, eager to prove their talents or versatility, came forth, Istvan kept open ears. In undertone, however, he laid out certainties with Cadmon.\n\n\"I'll have Gaston take the smarter ones of my group and feed them into the other division. Make sure things retain some structure. He'll answer to you for that time. Rest of them can run wild and really piss them off with me and...\"\n\n\"I'll ambush.\"\n\n\"...I will say that I am at home in forested terrain and can move nimbly amongst the trees.\"\n\nThat'd work. Old classic. \n\n\"Irian, Valmyra. Do the pair of you fancy an easy night?\" he raised his voice to be audible and stepped forward, meeting the Lamia and Elven ranger's eyes with a flinty smile. On another person's face, it likely would have been approachable. \"I've a fairly persuasive bunch of assholes under my command, experienced raiders— We'll feign a rout after poking their flank and pull the response behind the treeline, into your waiting fangs.\"", "username": "HereComesTheSnow", "char_name": "István Shilage" }, { "text": "Gisela\n\n\"I shall remain in reserve,\" Gisela stated... not that it was ever much in question. If an enemy had even an inkling of caution, blatantly putting a mage into a group would throw out all considerations of bait. There was no way to easily gauge how advantageous it would be to attack in such a situation--did you really have the superiority that you expected? Or could this all be reversed with a single spell?\n\nNot that the Hundi would be of such use in an ambush scenario, making it even more important that she come in with the reinforcements. Hers was not the ability to swiftly change the fate of small-scale engagements, she would be much more useful once the enemy was there in force and separated from the fighting.", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" } ]

[ { "text": "\"What do we do with a drunken soldier...\"\n\nThe mercenary Urden was currently half humming, half singing an old working song his previous mercenary company favored when doing menial work like weapon's maintenance, setting up camp, packing up camp and other such idle behavior mostly spent just passing time. Sure enough, having spent the morning counting and verifying that his coin was both good, and in the proper amounts, for this pay cycle, he had turned to preparing for the upcoming conflict. In time with the hummed, occasionally sung, working tune, he ran a whetstone along the main blade of his two handed axe, honing its edge to as keen as he could given the circumstances. It was no blacksmith's work or anything of the sort, but it wasn't like they could expect a forge to follow this warband around so readily. The merchant who had seen fit to attach herself to the band was hawking goods, food with a voucher for pastries after words. He'd already eaten, or the offer might have been more tmepting.\n\n\"...Dock his pay with extra duty, dock his pay with extra duty...\"\n\nUrden appeared to be in a pleasant mood as he worked away, hefting the axe with practiced ease, examining the main cutting edge of the blade. Setting aside the sharpening stone, he tugged a loose hair out and let it fall on the axe blade, splitting neatly with little resistance. Nodding in approval, mostly to himself, he turned the axe over and started working on the opposite end, the spike that would be far more suited to punching through armor than it was for hacking away like the main axe head would be. So he would work, the sound of the whetstone running over well used, but well kept, steel. Nothing about the weapon was for show, the haft sturdy enough to catch incoming strikes, both ends of the axe head having their own uses. Even the other end had a sturdy steel cap on it to make for a nasty surprise for anyone who thought they were safe from a surprise strike while the obviously dangerous end was away from them. Just one of many different tricks he kept in mind when dealing with your average trouble.\n\n\"...Twenty strokes of the captains whip, twenty strokes of the captain's whip...\"\n\nNothing about what Urden had heard so far sounded like bandits to him. They struck fast, sure, but looked for coin and valuables, maybe some living hostages to sell back later or to prevent immediate attacks on them for fear of losing even more innocent lives. Near as he'd heard from around camp, it was anything that wasn't nailed down. If you could pry it up, it didn't count either, apparently. That...that was odd. Corpses weren't worth a lick on their own, and most bounties per head only needed proof. Ears, fingers, things like that, grim as it was to some. Whole bodies though, that was a lot of dead weight, pun intended, to be lugging about. Something was amiss, though end of the day Urden got paid the same. Didn't matter what kind of out of their head bandits, soldiers, whatever was waiting out there for them. Nothing good steel backed by good pay couldn't sort out.\n\n\"...Early in the morning...\"", "username": "Eisenhorn", "char_name": "Urden Antiac" }, { "text": "Gisela\n\nWith the camp bustling around her, Gisela felt that there was very little for her to do on a day-to-day basis. Any injuries that a small-sized force such as this might sustain outside of combat were a matter of minutes to address, and once that was done... well, she was a mage, and that meant a level of respected treatment, despite the lack of nobility in her treatment. Powerful mages were in high enough demand to receive consistent payment and be spared the indignities of manual labour, so long as they continued to fulfil the obligations that nobody else could.\n\nSoldiering was seemingly boring enough even with monotonous tasks. Without... well, she couldn't even indulge in games of chance or similar. Nobody wanted to play with the odd suspicious mage, who knew what cheating might happen? None, really, since Gisela couldn't do subtle, but even she couldn't completely discount that something might go wrong. All the sides on dice might come up six... even the ones face down.\n\nSo, instead, she had summoned Krysia to have someone to talk to... and also so that the others could at least become accustomed to the towering demon, rather than thinking it was an enemy in the middle of battle.\n\nNot that over eight feet of armoured inhuman muscle was doing her reputation much of a favour.\n\nWho had taken an interest in the goods on sale. Which Gisela would be obliged to pay for, of course, and she gave a sigh as the demon tapped her chin thoughtfully.\n\n\"But what if I only want the sweet pastry? The rest doesn't interest me,\" the red-skinned demon wondered allowed, voice surprisingly melodious--deep, for a woman, but a lot less raspy than someone with a rather loud approach to battle.", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" } ]

[ { "text": "Cadmon Demet\n\n\n---\n\nLandshark\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe effort needed to resist rolling his eyes was nearly herculean. What was needed to keep his jaw shut for a moment was even greater.\n\nNo, no, I just thought I'd take a romantic stroll around the war camp with my favourite assassin.\n\nAs much as he wanted to say something sarcastic like that, it would be pointless. Antagonizing her would be no help at all with what they were soon to face; beyond that, he had little doubt of his low likelihood of waking up in the morning if she decided she disliked him enough. Not that she seemed inclined to harm an ally, certainly not in that way, but he only trusted an assassin as far as he could throw them.\n\nGiven that Kayliss was a somewhat tall human woman rather than a Nem, that wasn't very far at all.\n\n\"With any luck,\" he said after a moment. No true confirmation for her question, yet, but he was hoping. \"Assuming they didn't meet with an unfortunate fate, our scouts are due to make their reports to Lady Velvetica today. If they bring back something useful, I'm hoping that we could make use of your talents.\"", "username": "The Otter", "char_name": "Cadmon Edricsson Demet" }, { "text": "Roger Falkner and Shortclaw\n\nThere's is something strange about the ground down there.\n\nFrom above, Roger could see splotches of terrain taking on a different color as they got closer to the bandits' hideout. They had been flying low to avoid detection, but it was still high enough to see a stark difference from the surrounding land.\n\nIt wasn't unusual to see land of different colors whenever they flew over farmland, but this was no freshly tilled field, ready for planting, and it was far too extensive to be the work of small burrowing animals. This was...well, he had no idea what it was. Even stranger, he glimpsed a few objects on the ground that looked a little like scarecrows. Surely the bandits couldn't actually be trying to work the land down there, especially in this rocky area, right?\n\nIt was a curious enough matter that Roger opted to take a closer look. He circled around, then signaled his mount to descend and land. The griffin slowed its flight and touched down on the suffiently large clearing of disturbed earth, bounding off the ground once before coming to a stop, causing Roger to bounce in his saddle. The first thing the rider did was take a few moments to glance around the area to ensure there was no trouble awaiting them.. He hadn't seen anyone when flying overhead, but it paid to be cautious. Shortclaw turned his head around as well, also on the lookout for trouble.\n\nIf he doesn't see anything, we should be clear. His eyes are keener than mine. As he looked around, he noticed one of the \"scarecrows\" he had thought he spotted.\n\nThat's no scarecrow, he thought to himself, uneasy at what he beheld. It was a crude, macabre effigy of some sort, crafted with bones and topped with a humanoid skull, creaking eerily as it rocked in the strong wind. Just what were these bandits doing out here, and why would they create such twisted totems? He already knew that these bandits were doing some strange and unsettling things, and the fact that they'd construct these things raised some questions as to just what they were up to.\n\nIn contrast to his increasingly uneasy rider, Shortclaw seemed completely unfazed and uninterested in the effigy, probably because there was no meat on the bones.\n\n\"Let's get back to the camp,\" Roger spoke, signaling the griffin to take flight. Shortclaw began to run forward and flap his wings, leapt into the air against the wind, and began gaining altitude. There wasn't much else to do here, so once they climbed above the treetops, Roger directed his mount back to the camp. He wasn't entirely sure what these strange effigies meant, but whatever it was, it wasn't good. Perhaps the Steel Princess or one of the Lions' more learned members, or one of the other scouts, would have a better idea.", "username": "Crimson Paladin", "char_name": "Roger Falkner" }, { "text": "Gisela\n\nAt the price, the demon turned expectantly to look down at the hundi, who only sighed before rifling through her pockets for payment. To be so easily overcharged was galling, especially when she wasn't even the one who was going to be eating it. But the coins were passed over nonetheless, and the massive demon warrior took the pastry and thoughtfully started eating it.\n\n\"You don't have to be so afraid. A merchant like you could hardly put up a good fight, so why would I want to bother?\" the demon said between bites, offering reassurance in the least reassuring way she could. \"This pie's good.\"\n\n\"Oh, good evening, Guillaume,\" Gisela said, giving a slight curtsy. A mage she might be, but she was still a commoner... and far too many of even the lesser nobility got annoyed if not shown the proper respect. Guillaume seemed to be above that, but why take the chance? \"No new injuries to report?\"", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" } ]

[ { "text": "Velvetica's tent was the largest in the camp, the same crimson trimmed with red that adorned the Lion's Banner. It was from here that she planned strategy, consulted with her advisors, and conducted official business.\n\nIt was also quite comfortable, but that was secondary.\n\nWithin, a large mat had been placed over the short, spikey grass, and atop it sat a table. Beyond that was where Velvetica slept, and kept most of her supplies, current concealed behind a draping set of curtains.\n\nIt was rumored that anyone who set foot inside Velvetica's personal quarters without permission would be subjected to a prompt and intense punishment. Velvetica herself saw no need to say anything else on the matter.\n\nThe map spread over the table was of the local area, the rocky plains of the borderlands, and she was examining it closely at the moment, icy blue eyes scanning each of the known mounds and rocky outcrops claimed(and sometimes proven) to house ancient tombs.\n\nCertainly, a group of bandits could select such a place to use its reputation to conceal themselves.\n\nHowever...\n\nThe tent opened before Velvetica could continue her train of though. The figure that entered was one of her personal retinue, a pretty woman several years her senior with her dark hair tied in a tight bun, wearing light clothing signifying her position as a noncombatant.\n\n\"Lady Hraesleg,\" she began, with a bow, \"Your scouts have returned.\"\n\nThe blonde nodded, rising to her feet.\n\n\"Excellent, I'll meet them now.\"\n\nWithin a few moments, Velvetica had exited her tent. The first of her scouts to arrive was no surprise, given his speedy form of transportation.\n\n\"Sir Roger,\" she addressed the knight first, before her gaze shifted to the griffin, \"Shortclaw.\"\n\nAddressing the griffin as well was simply part of dealing with such creatures. Only an idiot would be unaware of the pride that a griffin felt in itself. To Velvetica, it was not dissimilar to the Hraesleg's pride, albeit that of a beast rather then a human's. Therefore, it was important to pay them mind when possible.\n\n\"As you have returned, I trust you and the other scouts have information for me?\"\n\nIt was time to see if her suspicions could be confirmed.\n\nDaze@Rin@AzureKnight@Psyker Landshark@The Otter@VKAllen@Eisenhorn@Crimson Paladin@Conscripts@HereComesTheSnow@Octo@PigeonOfAstora", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": "Velvetica Hraesleg, the Steel Princess" }, { "text": "Gisela\n\nThe Hundi shrugged, \"She's a demon, her nature isn't going to change so easily. If it did, I expect that our contract would be terminated in short order as she aligned herself to newer goals. But the odds of that happening in the next thousand years is vanishingly low.\"\n\nAlthough, whether she would still be around a thousand years hence to take advantage of such a thing? That was hard to say. It was quite possible, but at the same time, her specialities could always lead to even more serious trouble if the sentiment against mages turned even more dire for whatever reason. Like a resurgence of the Witch-Queen, as vanishingly unlikely as she was to return from being dead. Rumour had it that the majority of her pupils had escaped unscathed, and were more than capable of causing havoc if the mood so took them.\n\n\"Hmm, I don't think you'd like to see any of my friends coming in unannounced. They're not all so friendly as I, and might be quite upset if the food didn't come with a good brawl,\" the demon laughed, rubbing her chin. And then she bent down to pat the nem's head... which would probably have been more humiliating if not for the gulf in size that meant she could do that to just about anybody here, \"But you've got spirit.\"", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" } ]

[ { "text": "@Crimson Paladin\n\n\n\n---\n\nHraesleg Lions Base Camp\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nVal had make her way back to the base camp, not too far behind Hector. Though he had a flying mount and should logically have faster maneuverability, she was quite confident in her own agility in slithering among the tree branches. Arriving back, she looked toward the largest tent in the camp. Velvetica would soon call for her subordinates to regroup there and report their findings. She quickly made her way there, seeing her other allies following suit. She honestly was still a bit nervous in working with so many people from different backgrounds, but Vel would push those thoughts to the side for now. \n\nConvening in her tent, Valmyra had looked intently at their leader. She had already met Velvetica once before, when she personally came to her rebuilt village and recruited her. She was smaller in stature than most, and even more so compared to a lamia like Val. Despite this, her presence came with an undeniable authority and reliability that a seasoned leader would naturally give off. Besides, Val was not one to give assumptions based on another's appearance. As a lamia, she could tower over everyone in the room, depending on how she coiled her lower body. In this case, she did just that, but only because she didn't want to take up too much standing room. She blushed with a bit of bashfulness, not wanting to have drawn too much attention to herself. \n\nShe listened as the griffon rider gave his report. \"While I was there to observe as well, my near-sightedness prevented me from being able to properly see the effigies\" She said. \"Thankfully, Hector and his steed didn't have that problem.\" It didn't even occur to her that she could be getting the man's name wrong. \n\nApparently, the signs they saw indicate several different things. The leader didn't think that it was the work of bandits, or due to Ithillin criminals. Val's eyes narrowed with a predatory rage at the mention of that nation. She won't be forgetting what an attack from their warriors took from her. Velvetica told the group that the perpetrators were likely cultists, those who worshiped fell spirits. The thought of such people caused a sick feeling to well up inside Valmyra's stomach. She'd never understand what could lead a person to follow such a wretched faith. \n\n\"Just give word, and my lance will be at your ready.\"", "username": "AzureKnight", "char_name": "Valmyra Audron" }, { "text": "Gisela\n\n\"A briefing? Sounds boring, call me if a fight starts,\" the demon announced when everyone started gathering, turning to look at the merchant, \"Or if you can get another one of those pastries.\"\n\nWith that, she turned around and... well, seemingly just stepped forward. But, as if passing through an invisible doorway, she disappeared without any trace of having been there in the first place. It was always quite an odd sight to see, for the Hundi, because it didn't work anything like the teleportation magic she knew existed. There, you either had to move yourself via magic, or establish a stable connection first... both of which were highly visible.\n\nDemons didn't really obey the same rules as mortals did, so it was only to be expected.\n\nAt the briefing, the mage did her best to stay small and out of the way, especially once the actual threat was described. No, she had nothing to do with the raising of the dead... but she was a necromancer in practice, even if it was the legal, healing-oriented side of it. Better to not get the attention of so many armed and armoured soldiers whilst everyone was consumed by outrage. She might need to talk to Velvetica afterwards, though--\n\n--She might not be able to raise undead, but when it came to putting them down again, there were few people who had more options available.", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" } ]

[ { "text": "Roger Falkner and Shortclaw\n\nRoger said nothing as the others debated tactics for this battle. Shortclaw, meanwhile, was watching the exchange between Cadmon and Gisela, seemingly interested in their debate. It didn't matter much to the knight- Velvetica was the one who had the final say on the orders and plans. True, battles rarely went according to plan, but there was a big difference between going into battle intending to do something completely different than what you were ordered to do, and adapting to the changing battlefield even if it meant going against the letter of your orders.\n\nStill, there was no harm in discussing tactics, so long as everyone could be depended upon to do as they were ordered.\n\nRoger saw two merits in laying a trap for their raiders. First, it'd thin their numbers, robbing them of precious bodies to defend the camp. Second, it would provide Kayliss with disguises for her infiltration mission once their raiders are wiped out. He was unsure, however, how quickly the necromancers would react, both to the initial sighting of an ambush target, and to the subsequent failure of their attack.\n\nAs far as his own role went, Roger guessed that he'd be placed with the ambush team. His griffin wasn't exactly able to pose as a mundane caravan beast or lowly patrol mount, and the sight of them it flying overhead would alert the necromancers that something was amiss. There was a good chance that they'd be walking for much of this mission.", "username": "Crimson Paladin", "char_name": "Roger Falkner" }, { "text": "\"Exactly what part of this sounds like standard tactics to you, Sir Guillame?\" commented Velvetica, with one eyebrow raised, \"If this is standard to you, you must have been in some interesting engagements prior to entering my service. I should truly love to hear about them, Sir Guillame.\"\n\nShe cocked her head, before clearing her throat.\n\n\"In any case, it's certainly worth noting there's no doubt they're at least somewhat aware of our presence, and perhaps the idea of spreading our bait a little wider and a little more aggressively isn't a poor one.\"\n\nSeating herself, the Steel Princess steepled her fingers.\n\n\"But that will work excellently with the other part of our strategy. Our bait isn't merely bodies and supplies, with deadly warriors hidden within and an ambush awaiting out of sight. The effigies, those blasphemous artifices to whatever deranged faith they follow. Why, they're quite noticeable, aren't they? And we are dealing with fanatics.\"\n\nA smirk crossed her lips.\n\n\"How do you think they'd respond to their destruction? Not merely supplies and people, but people who are directly insulting their madness? Tearing down what they have worked for?\"\n\nShe let her question hang for a few moments before continuing to speak.\n\n\"It's not merely provocation,\" she added, \"But a practical approach as well. If those effigies are ritual components, it's possible destroying them is not only an insult to whatever thing they're treating as a god, but also a direct disruption to whatever foul magic they have at play. Besides, they're a token of their gleeful defilement of the dead. Anyone should see it as their duty to destroy them.\"\n\nVelvetica placed her hands down on the table.\n\n\"I shall tentatively allow you to arrange yourselves as best you see fit, to select either the bait and raiders or the ambush. If I disagree with your choice, I'll simply correct it myself.\"\n\nDaze@Rin@AzureKnight@Psyker Landshark@The Otter@VKAllen@Eisenhorn@Crimson Paladin@Conscripts@HereComesTheSnow@Octo@PigeonOfAstora", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": "Velvetica Hraesleg, the Steel Princess" } ]

[ { "text": "Gisela\n\n\"I shall remain in reserve,\" Gisela stated... not that it was ever much in question. If an enemy had even an inkling of caution, blatantly putting a mage into a group would throw out all considerations of bait. There was no way to easily gauge how advantageous it would be to attack in such a situation--did you really have the superiority that you expected? Or could this all be reversed with a single spell?\n\nNot that the Hundi would be of such use in an ambush scenario, making it even more important that she come in with the reinforcements. Hers was not the ability to swiftly change the fate of small-scale engagements, she would be much more useful once the enemy was there in force and separated from the fighting.", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" }, { "text": "Seeing little issue with the choice of assignment her soldiers had given themselves, Velvetica did not choose to intervene.\n\nIt was best to prepare as quickly as possible, for tonight was when they'd strike.\n\nOn one hand, it was possible to deny the fact that the cultists preferred to raid at night, for the element of surprise. But at the same time, that same tactic could be turned against them. If they were distracted by the bait, and the destruction of their blasphemous idols, then they would be far less prepared in the darkness.\n\nAnd the night could work as a cloak for the Lions just as well as it had for the cult.\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nIt was a moonless, cloudy night. Not a star could be glimpsed through the thick veil of clouds, though there did not appear to be a storm incoming.\n\nTo put it simply, it was an ideal night for an ambush.\n\nThe ambush point was not too far from the location of the cult's operations, near the disturbed earth and the greatest concentration of effigies, using the natural landscape as a barrier from which they could attack. The bait had been embedded with skilled warriors, but in truth it was only intended to gain the cult's attention. It was the destruction of their effigies that would lure them into taking direct action.\n\nIt was true. There was no way the cultists were unaware of their presence.\n\nBut that wouldn't matter in the face of fanaticism.\n\nVelvetica had positioned herself with the ambush team.\n\nNow it was simply a matter of time. They had their attention, certainly, so drawing them out was the next step.\n\nDaze@Rin@AzureKnight@Psyker Landshark@The Otter@VKAllen@Eisenhorn@Crimson Paladin@Conscripts@HereComesTheSnow@Octo@PigeonOfAstora", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": "Velvetica Hraesleg, the Steel Princess" } ]

[ { "text": "\"A-ah, yes, this is our first meeting,\" Lirrah stumbled in her words initially, but recovered herself well with pie in hand. Guillaume took note of the price indicated of 1200 librans and reached into a small sack he had prepared for payment. It was always difficult to discern the face of a vendor when they're doing their line of work; making a sale. Their expressions never betray their true emotion of the situation at hand. He watches Lirrah's face with her eyebrows rose to an arched bloom... Eyes as round as the full moon... Pupils contracting at the sight of librans in his hands. Her lips curl a smile that soothes the eyes and her dimples light the heart with a warmth of a friend's embrace. This is a genuine smile as a result of a successful sale. He gently handed librans to the Nem and accepting the mutton pie happily on his left hand, the free pastry ticket in the other. Lirrah then leaned in with a hand covering the side of her mouth and whispered secretively, \"I certainly would have called for help myself if my voice hadn't gotten stuck in my throat... Ahaha...\" Guillaume chuckled in return at her remark. Perhaps he and she are birds of a feather.\n\n\"Thank you Lirrah.\" He examined the golden brown pastry before his eyes. The skin is perfectly molded and the hot mutton filling inside was at the right temperature-- he can tell this from a simple touch. He took the pie into his mouth and ate a part... And the flaky crust crumbles into his tongue and brought homey warmth. Cold night winds have indeed not been kind to the body. What followed after was a rush of rich flavours with the aroma of its contents zealously bursting to fill the nasal cavity. The bits of pie travelled down into his stomach well and spread its warmth to his belly. It was excellence in the palm of a hand. \"This pie is an experience of its own, and is indeed delicious!\" He roared, but not too loudly to the merchant. For a moment there he had forgotten about Gisela and Krysia. Stuck in a world where only two existed; Guillaume and his mutton pie.\n\nDaze \"Oh, good evening, Guillaume,\" The mage returned his greeting with a half-curtsy. \"No new injuries to report?\"\n\nHe lowered his pie and placed his gaze on Gisela with a gentle nod in acknowledgement to her gesture. \"You're too kind, there's no need. What you did for me deserves much more in comparison.\" He of course is mentioning the one time he had suffered a grievous injury that almost cost him his life a few years ago, saved only by Gisela who happened to be around. \"No new injuries to report. I made full recovery after that incident. Not even a scar was left.\" He raised his pie again for another bite. \"How goes Krysia? Still looking for a fight every chance she gets?\"", "username": "VKAllen", "char_name": "Guillaume Fortier the Sincere (or Gil)" }, { "text": "Kayliss Lambert\n\nCadmon's words revealed that there wasn't anything of substance for her. Not yet, at least. Disappointing, but not entirely unexpected. It was at least refreshing to hear that someone wanted to make good use of a valuable asset for once. Not to disparage her actual superior here, but the thought still lingered in her brain. Still, she couldn't exactly fault Lady Hraesleg for that. The line of reasoning was obvious enough.\n\n\"Perhaps. But I doubt I'll be given the honor of cutting the head off the snake. Our objective here will always be at least partially political until the Lions are foremost in the realm. Sending an assassin to take care of matters quickly and quietly is counterproductive to that regard. At best, I might be used to soften them up somewhat. A lieutenant or two would serve, to say nothing of their supplies.\"\n\nKayliss shrugged, seeming unbothered at that. While the lack of opportunity for her personally wasn't very exciting, there was still the big picture to consider for the nation as a whole. As it stood, the Steel Princess had her support given that she was one of the few forces in the realm taking proactive measures against dangers to it as a whole. Not that Kayliss would be fickle or disloyal enough to betray the girl unless she did something treasonous. A Crownsblade had better convictions than that. But she still had a conversation to continue. Or what passed of one with a surly tactician barely into his manhood, at least.\n\n\"In any case, where is that massive brute that advises you? I'd have thought he'd be at your side.\"", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Kayliss Lambert" } ]

[ { "text": "MELANIE \n\n\n---\n\n\nLocation: Hraesleg Base Camp\nInteractions: @Conscripts\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n \"...yes, of course. It makes perfect sense that the plumes are not as well developed were it to not face the harsh updrafts of the mountain...\" Melanie mumbled, face buried in the notebook and quill again in hand, fiercely inscribing all that she had gathered of Shortclaw. A shame she didn't have the opportunity, but what little she did see inflamed her curiosity well enough on its own. A griffin! Of all beasts! And a magnificent specimen too, anyone would be taken by its grandeur. \n\n Melanie seemed completely unaware that an arrow landed next to her, continuing to mumble fragments of sentences that sprung in its nascence out of her mouth. Stray pages freed themselves from Melanie's notebook and dejectedly floated to the ground, folding itself and its rejected contents into nothing. \"...but the veracity of the dwarven records of the early sightings of the griffin has long since been tested by - GAH!\"\n\n Melanie looked up, momentarily confused and slightly annoyed at whatever thing derailed her note taking, before she acknowledged that it was another elf talking to her. Hraesleg Lions armor? Heavens alive, Melanie had let herself go again. What should someone think of her profession should they find such a disheveled looking maniac? Posthaste, she flicked out a brush and vigorously brushed out the dust from her hair to its natural flow, flattened out her robes and smiled at Irian in a precise and practiced manner, forgoing any acknowledgement of context. \"My name is Melanie Theria Layaneth, naturalist and archivist of all curios, pleased to meet you!\" \n\n There was a pause as Melanie fumbled her way back to try and recall what she missed. Why was he talking to her? This wasn't the forums, she wasn't going to get thrown out for pestering passerbys with questions. Something about...something about spying? Objectionable choice of words, but quite accurate. \"Yes, I am indeed gathering information about the Hraesleg Lions!\" Melanie said cheerily. \"There are quite a lot of rumors surrounding this detachment, and I simply had to see for myself. And deep apologies, but I didn't happen to catch your name?\"", "username": "PigeonOfAstora", "char_name": "MELANIE" }, { "text": "István Shilage\n\nOtter@Eisenhorn@Psyker Landshark\n\n\"We're taught to remember where we came from.\"\n\nAll told, there were little questions to be had as to just how the mercenary had come about to be plying his chosen trade beneath the banners of the Lions. The sharpness in his eyes told the tale his meager origin and nonexistent status belied, for what they lacked in the Goddess-given spark of noble bearing they made up for in shrewd observation. A battlefield veteran would need no less to survive well, and without any guarantee of underlings delegable for menial tasks like \"finding people\" and \"remembering who went where\", they were necessarily primed to assist him in picking up the slack these situations left on the individual. Where he lacked in formal sculpting, necessity had moulded him.\n\nSomething close to a smirk flickered across his face as they walked, the brew-clutching behemoth a pair of strides behind the golden-eyed hireling. Imagine Cadmon, having to run his own errands in such a way.\n\nThe North would have been eaten alive by Estival in weeks.\n\n\"And it seems such friendly fortune has graced you as well,\" came the booming rejoinder as the pair located his charge after a respectably short while, the young heir's slouch concealing his height and frame in a fashion to the older man would, one day, finally kick the hell out of him long enough to not be so recognizable. \"Yet still you refuse to cast aside such a dull expression, despite your lovely company. Anger her at your own peril, boy, an Crownsblade scorned is a shameful loss for us all.\"\n\nDespite his admonishing words, he spared the both of them any show of tutting or theatrics— Cadmon wouldn't buy it for a moment, and Lambert wouldn't find the humor. Instead, he simply strode forth, nodding his thanks to Urden as the task he'd set upon the man was now complete.\n\n\"Here.\" The mug in his right hand, slightly fuller than its twin, was thrust forth for the young Earl to accept. \"Drink. The drums of war are closing upon us. You'll need to be sharp.\"", "username": "HereComesTheSnow", "char_name": "István Shilage" }, { "text": "Roger Falkner and Shortclaw\n\nOne of the first things that Roger always noticed about Velvetica was her stature. It contrasted heavily with the voluminous tend that she resided, and even moreso next to the soldiers in her command. Roger himself wasn't particularly large compared to many of the other Lions, yet he still towered over his commander.\n\nOnly a fool would underestimate her, though. She was a hard, uncompromising woman, a skilled fighter with a dangerous enchanted sword, and a decisive leader willing take risks. Roger was one of those risks, in fact. An unproven knight from a family of griffin tamers, and she gave him a chance. He wasn't the only one either- Roger reckoned that many of the Lions, diverse as they were, had similar stories.\n\n\"We spotted large tracts of disturbed land near our enemy's location. It looks like they have been digging all over,\" he reported. \"We spotted some strange objects dotting the ground, and landed to investigate further. They were effigies of some sort, made out of bones and skulls.\"\n\nI should have cut it down and brought it back, Roger thought, worried that he might not be able to give an adequate description of those strange objects. Fortunately, he was not the only scout that had been sent out. The elf Irian, in particular, would probably be able to give a more concise and detailed description of whatever those things were.", "username": "Crimson Paladin", "char_name": "Roger Falkner" } ]

[ { "text": "Lirrah parted with her customers, having sold a relatively good amount, and packed up before heading over to the briefing. The Demon woman, notably, seemed to be able to vanish rather quickly for one so big. If a Demon could truly just come and go as they pleased, it was perhaps a little bit alarming, but more in a cosmic sense than an immediate one.\n\nWell, as long as her pastries were well-liked, she probably wouldn't be killed.\n\nLirrah heard Velvetica out, knowing that having her finger on the pulse of the latest goings-on was a great tool for a merchant, and also a fantastic way to not die. Lirrah didn't get get the Juyuem vitriol against necromancy. Though Ila-Nem also warned against their evils, it wasn't quite so ingrained in her people. Hadriyu were the more pressing concern, but perhaps one's scorpion men were another's necromancers.\n\nHadriyu were, by nature, monsterous Nem-killers. Was there something in the nature of necromancy that ensured a particularly monsterous person? If not for the mindless undead craving for flesh, eternal unskilled labor seemed a good business prospect. Though if that's what a necromancer wanted, they could just learn to make golems. It was probably that innate viciousness that could be pointed to in any civilized discussion about the subject: mindless undead were killing machines, and if a necromancer were to lose control, they would continue plaguing the world until dismantled.\n\nLike a Hadrid.\n\nLirrah felt some degree of disgust well after anyone who actually despised necromancy, but she got there. Only, she looked as if she hated necromancers the entire time she was debating whether or not there might be any business viability. She knew her clientele. All the people around her hated it, so she hated it too. She looked just as disgusted by the mention of the dark arts as anyone else.\n\nAn easily-changing value system was yet another magnificent tool for a merchant.\n\nOnce she was finished speaking, Lirrah timidly approached her. Velvetica was yet another person who was kind of scary, though by no means tall. Lirrah knew, however, that she was good-hearted. Even if everyone told her not to spend time on bandits, she could not ignore those in front of her.\n\nLirrah understood this value firsthand.\n\n\"San'yashu, lady Hraesleg,\" Lirrah greeted her softly. It wasn't really something she wanted a lot of other people to hear. She looked up at the woman, eyes glistening innocently, and briefly wondered if the fact that Lirrah had to look up at her when they spoke made Velvetica feel tall.\n\nLirrah hoped this was the case.\n\n\"I would not dare ask you to leave anyone pehind on my account, nor ask for anyone to escort me to home camp. You need as many people as you can get to deal with these awful necromancers, so... I was actually thinking I would like to help you more! To do my part for Velt,\" she lied as naturally as she breathed, \"I wanted to pring some items along, and maybe help keep an eye out. My eyes are very good in the gloom, and I am an expert at avoiding danger! Only... I do still get scared. May I count on you, again, to see me through the night? E-even though I am weak... I would like to do something.\"\n\nLirrah turned her meek and cute act up to maximum. If this didn't make Velvetica want to protect her with everything she could, Lirrah didn't know what would.", "username": "Octo", "char_name": "Lirrah Matayannah" }, { "text": "Kayliss Lambert\n\nAs the briefing finished, Kayliss folded her arms in front of her from her position in the back corner of the gathering, her brow furrowed in thought. Necromancers. A vexing enemy for her, all told. Certainly, the mages themselves were but mere men if they were taken off guard, her skillset and tools didn't quite work for dealing with actual undead. Blades and poison designed to cut to a living target's vitals weren't exactly effective when dealing with deadened veins and shambling bones. Fortunate that the Lions had so many heavier fighters better suited to dealing with undead chaff. \n\nOf course, that didn't preclude the option of their superior officer already having an idea of what to do with her. So with that in mind, Kayliss silently wove her way through the gathered crowd and to the front, waiting patiently some distance away from the camp's nem merchant while she made her appeal. The Crownsblade briefly narrowed her eyes down at the side of Lirrah's head. A walking equipment caddy, and requiring an escort? Kayliss had her own opinion on that, though she wouldn't give it unless asked. A waste of resources and men that could be utilized more efficiently. If the merchant thought her stock would be useful, then she could at least be bothered to hand it out to those who would actually be getting their hands dirty. \n\nRegardless, as the...girl? Woman? Nem of an age Kayliss couldn't quite distinguish finished her appeal, the assassin simply appeared in Velvetica's peripheral vision, bowing her head to the Steel Princess.\n\n\"Any specific orders, my lady? Otherwise, I assume I've your permission to embed myself within another unit?\" While she'd prefer Cadmon and Istvan's aid thanks to familiarity and the fact that they would know how to properly utilize her, it wasn't exactly Kayliss's choice.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Kayliss Lambert" } ]

[ { "text": "Cadmon Demet\n\n\n---\n\n@HereComesTheSnow\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nCadmon stood still as Velvetica spoke up, issuing forth her commands to the group. It seemed her reputation as a genius and prodigy was well earned; her quick adjustment spoke to an agile mind. 'The other part of our strategy,' indeed. Sometimes, genius wasn't just in the ability to think outside of the box, the ability to rapidly take in changing information and account for it, the amount of knowledge gained over a time of study—sometimes the ability to save face and preserve a reputation was just as important.\n\nAs Velvetica looked over the group within her tent, he met her gaze with a level, blank stare, murmuring \"Nice save.\" Likely quiet enough that István wouldn't even hear it, sharp as his ears were, though Cadmon expected that his hulking retainer was thinking something along the same lines. He maintained his own stare a moment more as Velvetica's gaze passed on, before turning towards the large knight and raising his voice slightly so that his man could hear.\n\n\"István, pick who you see fit and lead one of the raiding parties. Harass their defenses and smash their effigies, like Lady Velvetica said. Aside from that, the particulars of how you draw them out are up to you.\" At least he couldn't find fault with how Velvetica had seen fit to mollify the competing factions in the discussion; even if the supply caravan likely wouldn't make good bait compared to the supposed skirmishers, it could at least serve to distract the necromantic cult long enough to let the rest of the bait strategy come to fruition. \"I'll stay in my usual ward, unless she should request otherwise. Do take care not to get killed.\"", "username": "The Otter", "char_name": "Cadmon Edricsson Demet" }, { "text": "Irian Sinewell\n\n---\n\n\n\"Lirrah.\" Irian nodded. \"New friends are indeed worth the effort.\" \n\nLirrah would be continuing what she does best if it hadn't been for Kayliss, which caused the Nem's attention span to shift straight to trying out discounts on her. Truly a merchant indeed. He decided to listen to the ongoing discussion around the strategies they were going to employ. Baiting out enemies were more in the minds of the soldiers around here than he expected. The only disagreement that the group was having was more of the methodology of doing it, which Irian found a little amusing that it was more of how much they could trick a suspicious opponent. To him, if the opponent was suspicious enough to not take the bait on the caravan strategy, then luring out their entire group with a raiding party would just be biting on rocks a little harder. The difference there would just be the degree of the cultist's arrogance. If anything, what would concern him more would be how devastating the Lions can inflict on the enemy and to that Irian believed more on Velvetica's initial strategy. Caravan ambush is a lot easier to envelope and completely decimate the cultists rather than relying on good warriors to lure enemies out through fighting capabilities. \n\nWhat the Steel Princess decided on was more trying to offend the cultists instead to actually lure them out into a fight, which made sense too. Pretty much an element from both of their strategies combined, without the need to risk the Nem merchant and their supplies. If they took the bait and walked directly into an ambush, then perfect, one less enemy for Velts. And if they were competent enough, well now they knew. The elf simply followed along with his arms crossed, his silence conveying his agreements.\n \n\"I'll ambush.\" Irian said tersely. \"It's better, and I'm certain the princess wants archers at the backline anyway.\"", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Irian Sinewell" } ]

[ { "text": "Cadmon Demet\n\n\n---\n\nLandshark\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe effort needed to resist rolling his eyes was nearly herculean. What was needed to keep his jaw shut for a moment was even greater.\n\nNo, no, I just thought I'd take a romantic stroll around the war camp with my favourite assassin.\n\nAs much as he wanted to say something sarcastic like that, it would be pointless. Antagonizing her would be no help at all with what they were soon to face; beyond that, he had little doubt of his low likelihood of waking up in the morning if she decided she disliked him enough. Not that she seemed inclined to harm an ally, certainly not in that way, but he only trusted an assassin as far as he could throw them.\n\nGiven that Kayliss was a somewhat tall human woman rather than a Nem, that wasn't very far at all.\n\n\"With any luck,\" he said after a moment. No true confirmation for her question, yet, but he was hoping. \"Assuming they didn't meet with an unfortunate fate, our scouts are due to make their reports to Lady Velvetica today. If they bring back something useful, I'm hoping that we could make use of your talents.\"", "username": "The Otter", "char_name": "Cadmon Edricsson Demet" }, { "text": "Roger Falkner and Shortclaw\n\nThere's is something strange about the ground down there.\n\nFrom above, Roger could see splotches of terrain taking on a different color as they got closer to the bandits' hideout. They had been flying low to avoid detection, but it was still high enough to see a stark difference from the surrounding land.\n\nIt wasn't unusual to see land of different colors whenever they flew over farmland, but this was no freshly tilled field, ready for planting, and it was far too extensive to be the work of small burrowing animals. This was...well, he had no idea what it was. Even stranger, he glimpsed a few objects on the ground that looked a little like scarecrows. Surely the bandits couldn't actually be trying to work the land down there, especially in this rocky area, right?\n\nIt was a curious enough matter that Roger opted to take a closer look. He circled around, then signaled his mount to descend and land. The griffin slowed its flight and touched down on the suffiently large clearing of disturbed earth, bounding off the ground once before coming to a stop, causing Roger to bounce in his saddle. The first thing the rider did was take a few moments to glance around the area to ensure there was no trouble awaiting them.. He hadn't seen anyone when flying overhead, but it paid to be cautious. Shortclaw turned his head around as well, also on the lookout for trouble.\n\nIf he doesn't see anything, we should be clear. His eyes are keener than mine. As he looked around, he noticed one of the \"scarecrows\" he had thought he spotted.\n\nThat's no scarecrow, he thought to himself, uneasy at what he beheld. It was a crude, macabre effigy of some sort, crafted with bones and topped with a humanoid skull, creaking eerily as it rocked in the strong wind. Just what were these bandits doing out here, and why would they create such twisted totems? He already knew that these bandits were doing some strange and unsettling things, and the fact that they'd construct these things raised some questions as to just what they were up to.\n\nIn contrast to his increasingly uneasy rider, Shortclaw seemed completely unfazed and uninterested in the effigy, probably because there was no meat on the bones.\n\n\"Let's get back to the camp,\" Roger spoke, signaling the griffin to take flight. Shortclaw began to run forward and flap his wings, leapt into the air against the wind, and began gaining altitude. There wasn't much else to do here, so once they climbed above the treetops, Roger directed his mount back to the camp. He wasn't entirely sure what these strange effigies meant, but whatever it was, it wasn't good. Perhaps the Steel Princess or one of the Lions' more learned members, or one of the other scouts, would have a better idea.", "username": "Crimson Paladin", "char_name": "Roger Falkner" } ]

[ { "text": "Roger Falkner and Shortclaw\n\nAs they returned to the base camp, Roger spotted something at the top of an approaching tree. It took him a moment to realize that it was Valmyra, a Lamia member of the Lions. It made sense that her serpentine lower body made her a good climber.\n\nAs they passed her, she shouted a question, asking what those strange shapes in the disturbed ground were. The griffin rider couldn't blame her for wanting to know- after all, he had been curious about them, too. Unfortunately, she'd have to wait a few seconds for an answer while Shortclaw was making his landing.\n\nOnce his mount was firmly on the ground, Roger took off his helmet and turned the snake woman.\n\n\"They look like effigies or totems made of skulls and bones,\" he answered her question. \"I have no idea what they mean, though. Maybe the others will know.\"\n\nShe was a curious sort. Her chimerical half-human-half snake body reminded him a little of the half-avian, half-leonine bodies of griffins. Roger knew little of her, other than that she was formerly with the patrol corps and that her primary weapon was a fine-looking spear. As a user of spears himself, Roger wondered if the lamia be willing to share weapon techniques some time.\n\nRoger dismounted the griffin and began to walk back to the main camp where the Steel Princess would be found. Shortclaw followed closely behind, holding its head low. Roger knew that this behavior wasn't a sign of submission or subservience- griffins were, after all, very proud creatures. On the contrary, this was a sign that the beast wanted its partner to preen his head feathers.\n\n\"Later,\" he softly spoke to Shortclaw. Even if Velvetica planned to not give them any rest, he could always do it while they were on the move.", "username": "Crimson Paladin", "char_name": "Roger Falkner" }, { "text": "Velvetica's tent was the largest in the camp, the same crimson trimmed with red that adorned the Lion's Banner. It was from here that she planned strategy, consulted with her advisors, and conducted official business.\n\nIt was also quite comfortable, but that was secondary.\n\nWithin, a large mat had been placed over the short, spikey grass, and atop it sat a table. Beyond that was where Velvetica slept, and kept most of her supplies, current concealed behind a draping set of curtains.\n\nIt was rumored that anyone who set foot inside Velvetica's personal quarters without permission would be subjected to a prompt and intense punishment. Velvetica herself saw no need to say anything else on the matter.\n\nThe map spread over the table was of the local area, the rocky plains of the borderlands, and she was examining it closely at the moment, icy blue eyes scanning each of the known mounds and rocky outcrops claimed(and sometimes proven) to house ancient tombs.\n\nCertainly, a group of bandits could select such a place to use its reputation to conceal themselves.\n\nHowever...\n\nThe tent opened before Velvetica could continue her train of though. The figure that entered was one of her personal retinue, a pretty woman several years her senior with her dark hair tied in a tight bun, wearing light clothing signifying her position as a noncombatant.\n\n\"Lady Hraesleg,\" she began, with a bow, \"Your scouts have returned.\"\n\nThe blonde nodded, rising to her feet.\n\n\"Excellent, I'll meet them now.\"\n\nWithin a few moments, Velvetica had exited her tent. The first of her scouts to arrive was no surprise, given his speedy form of transportation.\n\n\"Sir Roger,\" she addressed the knight first, before her gaze shifted to the griffin, \"Shortclaw.\"\n\nAddressing the griffin as well was simply part of dealing with such creatures. Only an idiot would be unaware of the pride that a griffin felt in itself. To Velvetica, it was not dissimilar to the Hraesleg's pride, albeit that of a beast rather then a human's. Therefore, it was important to pay them mind when possible.\n\n\"As you have returned, I trust you and the other scouts have information for me?\"\n\nIt was time to see if her suspicions could be confirmed.\n\nDaze@Rin@AzureKnight@Psyker Landshark@The Otter@VKAllen@Eisenhorn@Crimson Paladin@Conscripts@HereComesTheSnow@Octo@PigeonOfAstora", "username": "VitaVitaAR", "char_name": "Velvetica Hraesleg, the Steel Princess" } ]

[ { "text": "Kayliss Lambert\n\n\"Understood.\" Kayliss saluted in acknowledgement of her orders given, her mind already going over the best methods to deal with spellcasters. Unknown territory and speed being of the essence narrowed her options considerably. Unfortunate that she wouldn't have as much preparation time as she would have liked, but that was the nature of military operations. Not exactly an unfamiliar situation for herself at this point. \n\nAs much as Kayliss would have preferred to go for the kill straight away with her tactics, the lethal poisons she used were more effective when ingested rather than when coated on a weapon. That left paralytics and mana inhibitors. Of the two, the latter would be more useful in this situation. It was more likely that a caster had a countermeasure to paralysis than temporarily slowing the flow of their mana. A quick mental review of her stores told Kayliss that she did have a vial of it, but only the one. More would be preferable so that she wasn't relying on a single weapon to deliver the toxin. Fortunate that the camp merchant was so readily available, then. And offering a discount.\n\nWhile Cadmon suggested an altered plan to Velvetica, Kayliss quickly located some spare parchment on her employer's desk and took it. She reached for the ink and quill and quickly scribbled out a list of the necessary herbs to brew more of the mana inhibitor, blowing on the ink to dry it faster. With that done, she stalked over towards the Nem, silent as can be, and practically shoved her impromptu shopping list into the diminutive woman's face from the side. \n\n\"I'll be needing these for the operation. Given that I'm under direct orders from the Lady, I trust that the discount you just mentioned applies, yes?\" Kayliss murmured tonelessly down to Lirrah, her blank stare potentially intimidating to some. The herbs weren't rare, but not common either. Given that, they would cost a decent sum. Considering Velvetica did pay her, Kayliss could certainly afford it. But not taking advantage of a lowered price when it was available would be idiotic.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Kayliss Lambert" }, { "text": "Gisela\n\nListening quietly, the mage couldn't help but frown as Cadmon outlined his plan. Maybe it would work from a tactical perspective--she was hardly trained in military planning--but from a magical one, it struck her as crucially flawed. Unfortunately, that meant that she had to give up on her preferred anonymity and speak up.\n\n\"Against a necromancer of unknown quantity, I would encourage everyone to avoid splitting into small groups. It would be too easy for any loss to be turned against us; if a single party is surprised beyond what it can handle, then not only would we be down half a dozen men, it would be as if they had turned traitor and now stand against us,\" the mage answered, \"In the heat of battle, it would be an unlikely foe that could raise a host as the battle progresses, but only moderate skill would be needed with minutes to spare.\"\n\nThere was even the other risk--if their foes included necromancers, could it not be that they had other mages? The ability to maintain groups prepared for any eventuality would diminish the more they shrunk. The prospect of being able to lose one group to a surprise show of concentrated force, then have that group turned against them... diluting their strengths would only benefit the ones who could grow in power as there were more fights.\n\nOtter", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" }, { "text": "Cadmon Demet\n\n\n---\n\n@Raineh Daze\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nCadmon quickly turned his gaze to Gisela, a deeper frown than her own on his face. \"Then I suppose you'd like to dispense with the initial plan as well?\" he asked, with a short nod to Velvetica. \"Both entail us splitting apart our forces, after all, and I doubt that any of us are so lacking in sensibility that we'd leave whoever we send out as bait, in whichever manner, so wanting for aid so long—nor, assuming we pick who goes into my suggestion carefully, would they be so foolish as to strand each other.\n\n\"In either scenario, the rest of us will be close enough to step in when the time is right. Miss Lambert will be ready as soon as their defences are opened enough to go and remove the threat of their necromancer or necromancers. Otherwise, we may as well commit to a direct assault rather than play around with any attempted subterfuge and ambush.\"", "username": "The Otter", "char_name": "Cadmon Edricsson Demet" } ]

[ { "text": "@Crimson Paladin@Eisenhorn\n\n\n\n---\n\nHraesleg Lions Base Camp\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nAt Roger's correction of his name, Valmyra's face tunred a cherry red as her eyes widened. The mission hasn't even started, and she's already getting names wrong... \n\n\"Apologises...\" She said in a weak, defeated tone. She would elect to remain silent for the time being, until she was addressed directly or had concerns with a given plan. Until that point, she would slump into a depressive state, attempting to avoid drawing further attention to herself.\n\nShe would still take note of her other allies, however. The humans (and one Nem) gathered around were quite the motley crew. All of them from different backgrounds and walks of life. The little Nem began discussing poisons with the clocked blonde on the team. The little one seemed to be a merchant by trade, and it showed in her speech... Val was reminded of some of the human merchants she gave patronage to during her town visits. They spoke convincingly and with much enthusiasm - anything to make a sale. Lirrah, was it? She thought to herself. Gods, she hoped she got that name right. She felt there was more to her than meets the eye. The clocked woman, on the other hand, gave off the air of an assassin. Probably no stranger to the subject matter then.\n\nHer thoughts were broken as Urden, another fellow teammate, leaned over to her. She began to pout as she glared at the gruff mercenary. \"Oh stop. He's probably annoyed enough as it is!\" She said, her face full of exasperation. Turning to their captain, she informed them all that their targets were likely fell worshipers. Val had to keep herself from bearing her fangs at the mention. She thankfuly never had a run in with their ilk before, but their sacrilegious actions showed they had no respect for nature. That disgusted her more than anything.\n\n\"Captain, I will echo Urden and say I am fine with wherever you feel my skills would work best in. I will say that I am at home in forested terrain and can move nimbly amongst the trees.", "username": "AzureKnight", "char_name": "Valmyra Audron" }, { "text": "István Shilage\n\nOtter@VitaVitaAR@Conscripts@AzureKnight\n\n\"Please,\" Shilage replied, voice carrying all the humor of a rockslide. \"If it's this that ends me, I deserve it.\"\n\nIn a slow roll along the assembled troops, primarily composed of those whose stars were surest to rise within the Lions (and a merchant), the burly Southron let his gaze fall upon each candidate. In truth, it was few that would serve best within the confines of the first strategy outlined— If he had to sell the lie of lightly guarded caravan...\n\nGuillaume, obviously. A knight polished for parade, bereft of the many underlings that lied behind the title. An attention-grabber, but appearing tantalizingly vulnerable for what he was. An irresistable opportunity to take off the board. With him Melanie— a scribe brought along to etch his noble deeds to the page, perhaps moonlighting as taking inventory of supplies. She carried few weapons upon her person and would thus appear scholarly, civilian. Urden next— hired help. There was little hiding what he was, even if the man ever had a change of heart and cared to— but his presence would indicate both thin and disconnected defenses, a separate party within the wider faction. He'd imply a potential lack of coordination to exploit— as well as signal that the caravaners were uncomfortable with the dearth of force to muster. Finally, he'd pluck Matthias— an all-rounder from the tactician's schools, he could play quite a few prospective roles. Squire. Guild Adventurer. Expedition leader. Magical counsel. Whatever the situation would incline him towards, he would serve a dual purpose of being able to rally enough coordination out of them in the thick of things to minimize loss. Presumably.\n\nThose four he would avoid, for that reasoning. It would remain to be seen if their little Princess would agree— but it would give him a preliminary framework to make his choices. As each of the retinue, eager to prove their talents or versatility, came forth, Istvan kept open ears. In undertone, however, he laid out certainties with Cadmon.\n\n\"I'll have Gaston take the smarter ones of my group and feed them into the other division. Make sure things retain some structure. He'll answer to you for that time. Rest of them can run wild and really piss them off with me and...\"\n\n\"I'll ambush.\"\n\n\"...I will say that I am at home in forested terrain and can move nimbly amongst the trees.\"\n\nThat'd work. Old classic. \n\n\"Irian, Valmyra. Do the pair of you fancy an easy night?\" he raised his voice to be audible and stepped forward, meeting the Lamia and Elven ranger's eyes with a flinty smile. On another person's face, it likely would have been approachable. \"I've a fairly persuasive bunch of assholes under my command, experienced raiders— We'll feign a rout after poking their flank and pull the response behind the treeline, into your waiting fangs.\"", "username": "HereComesTheSnow", "char_name": "István Shilage" } ]

[ { "text": "Gisela\n\nWith the camp bustling around her, Gisela felt that there was very little for her to do on a day-to-day basis. Any injuries that a small-sized force such as this might sustain outside of combat were a matter of minutes to address, and once that was done... well, she was a mage, and that meant a level of respected treatment, despite the lack of nobility in her treatment. Powerful mages were in high enough demand to receive consistent payment and be spared the indignities of manual labour, so long as they continued to fulfil the obligations that nobody else could.\n\nSoldiering was seemingly boring enough even with monotonous tasks. Without... well, she couldn't even indulge in games of chance or similar. Nobody wanted to play with the odd suspicious mage, who knew what cheating might happen? None, really, since Gisela couldn't do subtle, but even she couldn't completely discount that something might go wrong. All the sides on dice might come up six... even the ones face down.\n\nSo, instead, she had summoned Krysia to have someone to talk to... and also so that the others could at least become accustomed to the towering demon, rather than thinking it was an enemy in the middle of battle.\n\nNot that over eight feet of armoured inhuman muscle was doing her reputation much of a favour.\n\nWho had taken an interest in the goods on sale. Which Gisela would be obliged to pay for, of course, and she gave a sigh as the demon tapped her chin thoughtfully.\n\n\"But what if I only want the sweet pastry? The rest doesn't interest me,\" the red-skinned demon wondered allowed, voice surprisingly melodious--deep, for a woman, but a lot less raspy than someone with a rather loud approach to battle.", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" }, { "text": "Lirrah looked up, wide-eyed, at her newest customer. Her first instinct was to run and hide, but she was stuck to the spot. As her brain processed the fact that there was, indeed, a gigantic demon woman standing in front of her, a few extra pieces of information clicked into place.\n\nNo one seemed to be panicking, at least not any more than one would panic before a confrontation. Some were maybe uncomfortable, but they weren't drawing their weapons. Searching her memory, Lirrah alighted upon a tidbit she once heard about a demon that she might see around one day. Apparently, one of their finger-wigglers could summon one, and she usually did this on the front lines. Since Lirrah tended to stay at base camp, it figured that she wouldn't have seen this woman before.\n\nLirrah had honestly thought it might have been a joke.\n\nBut even so, they didn't mention how damn big she was supposed to be. Ila-Nem, this demon was as tall as three of Lirrah standing on each other's shoulders! And so red!\n\nAfter standing dumbfounded for almost a minute, she managed to drag herself back to reality. If she was going to go near the front lines to help, she couldn't let things like this freak her out.\n\nBut she was so big-\n\n\"Puh-puh-pweased tomeechu!\" she found herself stammering like an ignoramus.\n\nShe looked around in a panic, and bolted back into her tent, quickly bringing out a few fruity pastries in her tiny, trembling arms. She was good with diplomacy, but not with bravery.\n\nShe wanted to tell the woman [on the house], but there wasn't a single bone in her body that would allow her to string those words together in that configuration. As if on instinct alone, she blurted out the inflated price she charges everyone.\n\n\"S-s-six hundred each! D-don't tell anypody I let you have some! I m-mean, i-if that's OK with you!\"", "username": "Octo", "char_name": "Lirrah Matayannah" } ]

[ { "text": "Kayliss Lambert\n\nStrangely enough, life as a Lion had been far less eventful than life as a Crownsblade in her months of service thus far, even with the border tensions. Then again, Kayliss had overheard some of the veterans saying war was at least half waiting. Kayliss could wait, certainly. But even having patience didn't stop the waiting from being monotonous. She'd not been tapped to be a scout this time, so she was simply waiting around camp, taking a seat as she did another check on her weaponry. Her crossbow, knives, shortsword, and dagger all proved themselves to be in good condition, just as they had been the last time she made this check but mere hours ago. \n\nSocial activity wasn't much of an option, either. Certainly, Kayliss was familiar with at least a few members of their force. Some even rather high up. But word had gotten around that she was an assassin of some sort, and thus the common soldiery was rather leery of interacting with her. Fortunately, whoever had been responsible for that information leak didn't bring up the Crownsblades at all, or there would be far more cause for concern. Her working theory was that Lady Velvetica, who was one of the very few that knew all the details of her story, mentioned her status as an assassin off-hand at some point, and it had spread. At least she knew not to mention the fact that the throne of Velt had an otherwise secret organization of shadowy killers. An organization that was shattered now. A frown marred her face at the thought, and how she was no closer to an answer after several months. \n\nJust then, she was interrupted by one of the aforementioned acquaintances she knew. Cadmon Demet. A decent sort for a lord, even if he was barely a man. Still, from what Kayliss had gathered on the moody earl, well, she had good reason to believe he had rather poor reasons to be so sullen all the time. Regardless, it wouldn't quite do to antagonize him without reason. \n\n\"Earl Demet.\" Kayliss nodded back, her ponytail waving behind her as a slight breeze kicked up. \"Am I to receive orders, then? Is there a target?\" At least, she hoped it was a chance to get back out into the field. Goddesses help both her dwindling patience and Cadmon should this turn out to be something especially foolish.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Kayliss Lambert" }, { "text": "Irian Sinewell\n\n---\n\n\nIn this desolate, barren rocky lands, the sight of dark brown soil was definitely worth a look at. No creatures, even faes or the dreaded Midnight Hunt were to cause the earth to be this disturbed. And it wasn't nice and easy either, so much of these were either intentionally upturned or something else big had caused this phenomena. Increasingly, the notion that regular bandits were behind these raids grew twisted. From the beginning, the wood elf could somewhat entertain the idea. After all, bandits could be just as organized as any professional assassin attacks if they were led well. However, this felt a little off to him. According to reports, they were also stealing the deceased as well as the living. He wouldn't discount unrelated freaks and crazies involved, but for his often alarmist and cautious mind, he had to be prepared that it wasn't what he or they wanted. \n\nThe elf silently moved inbetween the jagged white rocks, each step simply eased into the earth softly, bow in hand, an arrow in another. While many of these rocks looked natural, shaped by the unforgiving river of time, there were some rocks with sharp edges that were clearly broken by force. \n\n'More unnatural activities.' Irian grazed the rock as he neared. It was beginning to feel a little bit unpleasant. \n\nA couple more steps forward and a rather disturbing sight came into view. A skull of some unfortunate souls atop a stick. From a distance, the elf could not really discern if the skull was real or not, and he did not even want to touch the possibility that the skull was just a disturbed creature robbed from its grave, or was someone tortured and beheaded on a stick. The thought of someone being put through that kind of atrocity, it disgusted him. \n\nEither way, he needed to head back to the Princess. He had seen enough. Their settlement would likely not be that far off from there.", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Irian Sinewell" } ]

[ { "text": "Kayliss Lambert\n\nCadmon's words revealed that there wasn't anything of substance for her. Not yet, at least. Disappointing, but not entirely unexpected. It was at least refreshing to hear that someone wanted to make good use of a valuable asset for once. Not to disparage her actual superior here, but the thought still lingered in her brain. Still, she couldn't exactly fault Lady Hraesleg for that. The line of reasoning was obvious enough.\n\n\"Perhaps. But I doubt I'll be given the honor of cutting the head off the snake. Our objective here will always be at least partially political until the Lions are foremost in the realm. Sending an assassin to take care of matters quickly and quietly is counterproductive to that regard. At best, I might be used to soften them up somewhat. A lieutenant or two would serve, to say nothing of their supplies.\"\n\nKayliss shrugged, seeming unbothered at that. While the lack of opportunity for her personally wasn't very exciting, there was still the big picture to consider for the nation as a whole. As it stood, the Steel Princess had her support given that she was one of the few forces in the realm taking proactive measures against dangers to it as a whole. Not that Kayliss would be fickle or disloyal enough to betray the girl unless she did something treasonous. A Crownsblade had better convictions than that. But she still had a conversation to continue. Or what passed of one with a surly tactician barely into his manhood, at least.\n\n\"In any case, where is that massive brute that advises you? I'd have thought he'd be at your side.\"", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Kayliss Lambert" }, { "text": "Urden raised a hand in return greeting to the gambeson clad István. Now there was a man that the mercenary could respect, he'd heard stories of the Shilage family well before ever having crossed paths with the lineage themselves. Soldiers who rose up to nobility, and had been making moves to establish themselves. All that wouldn't have meant a lick if it had turned out the man had proven to not be an effective fighter. Fortunately, any concerns had been wasted considerations, István was skilled with both shield and flail. Notoriously tricky choice of weapon, and proved to be the kind of implacable pillar in a battle crush that could stand out in the finest shock company, and could charge such a fee as well if it had suited. Of course, not everyone had the mercenary outlook, not something Urden particularly blamed anyone for of course. End of the day, if all he looked for in life was a good fight alone, he could do far worse than seeing where the scion of Shilage went. Still, a question posed deserved an answer, and he gave his weapon a once over before setting the whetstone back in its place.\n\n\"The good Earl, I do think I saw him a bit ago, as well as one of his servants looking rather busy with a message no doubt paramount to deliver. Looked like he was heading for the Boss' tent, least that was the direction he was wandering while giving the troops a good once over. Tell you what though, I won't get much else done preparing so I'll help track the lad down.\"\n\nUrden hopped to his feet, already practically dressed for the no doubt battle filled evening. Compared to some in the camp, the mercenary fought and travelled light, a single shoulder guard providing protection for his non dominant side. The heavier armor got, the slower he moved and, more importantly, the more expensive upkeep got. Full plate was all fine and well for nobility and knights who had a nation footing the bill for them, but it took an exceedingly successful mercenary to be able to afford the upkeep and time spent conditioning and training for how to move and fight in armor. Wearing it was just one aspect, one had to be comfortable in armor, know where it could take hits and where it couldn't. Tightening the strap on his one piece of armor, and shouldering his axe, he casually addressed the low bass that had complimented his own tune nicely.\n\n\"Been quite sometime since someone knew that old work ditty, call it a pleasant surprise. Anyways, shall we?\"\n\nUrden's mind wandered briefly while getting underway to make the search happen. He suspected a night raid on whoever was up to no good this time, it was a clever idea with soldiers who could pull it off. Night raids were tricky affairs though, it was too easy to mix up friend and foe in the gloom, even if the night sky was kind enough to not obscure what light it provided. However, that was a matter for the briefing to come as he focused his attention once more. At the leisure of the Shilage, Urden would take the lead strolling the last known path he had seen the moody lad wandering off on. It reminded him of just how....varied a band this group had become. From merchants and mercenaries to lords and noble heirs, you could find near anyone in this merry group. Urden chatted with soldiers and camp staff in passing, playing that seeming pleasant demeanor to glean where the Earl had gone. A bit of luck they'd find him in no time at this rate.", "username": "Eisenhorn", "char_name": "Urden Antiac" } ]

[ { "text": "Roger Falkner and Shortclaw\n\nOne of the first things that Roger always noticed about Velvetica was her stature. It contrasted heavily with the voluminous tend that she resided, and even moreso next to the soldiers in her command. Roger himself wasn't particularly large compared to many of the other Lions, yet he still towered over his commander.\n\nOnly a fool would underestimate her, though. She was a hard, uncompromising woman, a skilled fighter with a dangerous enchanted sword, and a decisive leader willing take risks. Roger was one of those risks, in fact. An unproven knight from a family of griffin tamers, and she gave him a chance. He wasn't the only one either- Roger reckoned that many of the Lions, diverse as they were, had similar stories.\n\n\"We spotted large tracts of disturbed land near our enemy's location. It looks like they have been digging all over,\" he reported. \"We spotted some strange objects dotting the ground, and landed to investigate further. They were effigies of some sort, made out of bones and skulls.\"\n\nI should have cut it down and brought it back, Roger thought, worried that he might not be able to give an adequate description of those strange objects. Fortunately, he was not the only scout that had been sent out. The elf Irian, in particular, would probably be able to give a more concise and detailed description of whatever those things were.", "username": "Crimson Paladin", "char_name": "Roger Falkner" }, { "text": "@The Otter@Psyker Landshark\n\n\"Someone raised you right then, certainly tried to anyways.\"\n\nUrden was not one to waste time once on the path, however, and within a decently short span it seems that the subject of their search, the Lad himself, was calling out to Istvan. The comment in regards to having made a new friend got a snort out of the mercenary. Sure, happening upon the task of tracking this gloomy individual down certainly was quite the bonding experience, and he snuck in an off hand remark as he sidestepped to let Shilage take over being the one leading. Suited him anyways, most nobles weren't too keen on rubbing shoulders with those who traded their services in spilling blood for Librans, not that such a thought would keep his mouth in check.\n\n\"I blame the charming disposition and ability to hold a tune, who could turn away such a picture of friendliness and social graces?\"\n\nNormally, the nod would signal Urden's part to have been done with, and he'd have been on his way if it wasn't for the mention of a title most peculiar. Crownsblade, something he'd heard whispered in seedy dives and taverns frequented by those who just might have something to have feared from someone who bore such a title. He wasn't one to stake anything on rumors and hearsay alone, but if even a fraction of the fearful whispers were true, his life had just gotten a bit more interesting. His gaze shifted from the two men to the woman, the faint smile from his jesting resting on his face like a mask. He wasn't sizing her up, no point there if she really was a Crownsblade, given the rumors, rather contemplating if the dots connected, and what that meant for him. Nothing good, being aware of an assassin was bad for business, and he didn't fancy having to sleep with one eye even wider open than usual. That meant not simply scurrying off to go back to singing and waiting for an evening of violence, and testing the waters to see how this played out.\n\n\"And here I thought my good deed would go unrewarded. Urden Antiac, a pleasure to make your acquaintances.\"", "username": "Eisenhorn", "char_name": "Urden Antiac" }, { "text": "Kayliss Lambert\n\nGoddesses help her, Kayliss barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the boy doing the polite equivalent of histrionics over her mention of Shilage. Really, it hadn't even been intended as an insult on her part. \"Brute\" was just about the only way to describe such a person. If Demet chose to interpret that as negative, well, that was his perogative to be so easily riled. And speaking of...\n\n\"...\" Kayliss briefly narrowed her eyes in displeasure at Istvan's casual mention of her actual role. For a moment, she was sorely tempted to kill the man the next time he slept for such an egregious breach in information. Suddenly, it was starting to become more evident how half the camp knew she was an assassin in the first place. Really, Kayliss had thought better of the man until now. She wasn't exactly surprised he knew in the first place, given that Cadmon almost certainly knew of the Crownsblades thanks to his rank. Combine that with her general demeanour not exactly matching a killer for coin, she couldn't quite fault anyone for the noble of the bunch knowing, at least. And given that Istvan had access to the same information Cadmon did, it wasn't hard to understand how he knew. \n\n\"Sir Shilage, if you'd care to keep a more guarded tongue about certain classified information when out in public? It would make all of our lives easier should some things not leak out to the camp and beyond. You never know where gossip tends to spread.\" Kayliss asked Istvan pointedly before meeting the gaze of the fighter who was staring at her now. Wonderful. From the way he was looking at her, it was almost a certainty that this Urden fellow knew what her organization had been as well. \n\n\"Kayliss Lambert.\" She inclined her head towards Urden, her ponytail bobbing behind her. \"The same goes to you as well, of course.\"\n\nOtter @HereComesTheSnow @Eisenhorn", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Kayliss Lambert" } ]

[ { "text": "Irian Sinewell\n\n---\n\n\nIrian lifted his chin a little staring at the map silently as Velvetica explained her logic and reasoning behind her suspicion, and that it was neither bandits nor Ithillanes, but rather cultists, likely using necromancy and/or slave labours for their operations. All abhorrent behavior, all of them, but this was not at all surprising to Irian. He had heard somewhat of the cultists that Velvetica referred to, but it was more hearsay than anything, as he hadn't really have to deal with people like these in the past. Or it's equally possible that they indistinguishably belong to the same shallow graves of the bandits who dared to intrude Wood Elf territory. He never really knew proper, but reprehensible behavior like this wasn't actually too hard to understand, or at least conceive what could drive people to such a thing.\n\nIrian glanced around the room as a sense of disgust towards the perpetrators and a resolve to bring down this group of individuals emerged, seeing some rather interesting but mostly unknown faces. A truly unique and diverse band of warriors, which made it rather more interesting to read the responses of. While most individuals simply reaffirm their readiness to fight, a common response typical of a soldier and eager recruits, the ones raising his eyebrows more was the Nem merchant, who seemed to be asking the princess to escort her, but also wanting to help the princess dealing with the necromancers. It's a rather awkward statement to make of for the elf who was just silently crossing his arms, keeping eyes on her as she spoke, but the sentimentalism felt a little bit sly to him. \n\nEither way that the princess replied, Irian, still with his hands crossed in front, looked at Velvetica for the most part but also glancing around to those who were paying attention to the briefing if they had any inputs as well. \"It's good we are in agreement. But how do we want to approach these suspected cultists?\" He asked, the one question that he had all the hopes that she was ready to answer. \"By stealth or by force?\"", "username": "Conscripts", "char_name": "Irian Sinewell" }, { "text": "István Shilage\n\nOtter@VKAllen\n\n\"It's a shame, really. The Lady Amelie is no longer with us. The realm is poorer for it.\"\n\nGuillaume Fotier. The Sincere. Knight-Errant, living upright and truthful in his every waking moment, smiling goodwill ever plastered upon his face. A shining beacon of all that \"Chivalry\" was to entail, his earnestness and commitment to that which was good and just had a reputation the preceded even the reach of his blade, pointedly named \"Sincerity.\" The latest in a long line of Ithillane knights that, it seemed, enjoyed the West much more than his predecessors.\n\nYou couldn't place a man more in opposition of István without the cosmos backing your try. He regarded the sauntering blonde coolly, face cast in stone that all present knew would far from preturb the Honest Knight. They had shared some time in mutual service to Earl Edric— known quantities to eachother twice over. To that end, Shilage felt no need to conduct his usual prodding, and instead replied to the comfortable greeting with a grimness that could only belong with bearing bad news.\n\n\"The storm took her while at sea.\" He continued, glancing to the young heir that stood beside him for a moment. \"A sudden tragedy. A reminder to us that we must rejoice each day we wake with breath left to draw.\"\n\nCase in point: István knew well that it served none to let slip that Cadmon was here rather than administrating the holdings that had been left to him when the Earl had also perished. Guillaume was to the core fettered, and let his honesty color his judgement freely, but he wasn't a fool. He had known the Demet house and its heir long enough to put things together, if given the requisite pieces— and for such an upright man, this situation could only be abandonment of responsibility, and from there objectionable.\n\nHe would not betray them in wartime, such was a concern for fools— but they didn't need him protesting their presence, either.\n\nSo instead, István allowed the mournful truth to alter his tone, ever so slightly, from his usual oppressive rumble. It was shameful; Amelie and Edric both had taken great pains to accomodate him as all but one of their own in his time as the latter's understudy— a kindness not at all necessary, but one never to be forgotten. Perhaps if he had joined them, he would have changed things, strong as an ox and capable enough swimmer.\n\nBut he was not, and they had passed— just as likely that Cadmon would be left without trustworthy council after the fierce gale broke upon the coast if he had, too. With no way of knowing, the mind would be poisoned by the question.\n\n\"You look well. The road ever suits your whimsy.\"", "username": "HereComesTheSnow", "char_name": "István Shilage" } ]

[ { "text": "Cadmon Demet\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\n\"Perhaps I'm expecting too much intelligence from our target,\" Cadmon started slowly, turning from Guillaume back to the wider discussion. \"But this seems a bit too transparent, unless we intend to put our helpful merchant in harm's way. If they're even remotely competent—and given the success they've been having, we've no reason to assume they aren't—they'll have some clue that they've been watched. Tracked. Some clue that we're here.\" It would be utterly ridiculous if this cult thought otherwise, given that Velvetica's band was not exactly small.\n\nIf they somehow weren't aware, he'd execute their leader himself given the chance for the sheer stupidity of it. \"For a strategy like that, we'd be better off waiting for an actual supply train to use as unwitting bait. Let them lull themselves into a false sense of security, thinking that we're giving them time to work, prepare, or simply remove themselves. Otherwise, I imagine they're expecting us to commit full force like a band of holy warriors seeking to...I don't know, stamp out their blight from the land or some such.\n\n\"I suggest we do something they wouldn't expect, but would put their trust in, and treat them as a genuine military target.\" He sweeped his hand to encompass the two next to him, his knuckles rapping against István's breastplate at the end of the gesture as he pointed to Urden with the other. \"Send out our own smaller raiding parties. Skirmishers from the vanguard, testing their defences. Lighter groups, but still tantalizing targets. They'll think they can fairly safely hunt down and kill these raiders we send to test their mettle, add their corpses and any of their own fallen to their forces, and that we'll be waiting for the return of any survivors and their word—giving these cultists time to fortify, or perhaps to achieve their goal and vacate the area.\"\n\nAll standard, by the book tactics, up to that point. Send out the expendables to determine the strength of the enemy force, wait and draw up a new plan if they turn out to be stronger than initially estimated. \"Instead, against common practice, we'll populate these raiding parties with some of our best, who can make sure to draw these brigands out, make them commit more than they otherwise might have. Not expecting that we'll be far closer than they expect, and after they've spread their lines thin we can mount our full assault: Our main can envelop their extended parties sent chasing our raiders, cleaning them up quickly as we all recombine and push into them. Accelerating the course of the battle, rather than attempting a deception which seems—to me—too likely to be caught on.\"", "username": "The Otter", "char_name": "Cadmon Edricsson Demet" }, { "text": "Kayliss Lambert\n\n\"Understood.\" Kayliss saluted in acknowledgement of her orders given, her mind already going over the best methods to deal with spellcasters. Unknown territory and speed being of the essence narrowed her options considerably. Unfortunate that she wouldn't have as much preparation time as she would have liked, but that was the nature of military operations. Not exactly an unfamiliar situation for herself at this point. \n\nAs much as Kayliss would have preferred to go for the kill straight away with her tactics, the lethal poisons she used were more effective when ingested rather than when coated on a weapon. That left paralytics and mana inhibitors. Of the two, the latter would be more useful in this situation. It was more likely that a caster had a countermeasure to paralysis than temporarily slowing the flow of their mana. A quick mental review of her stores told Kayliss that she did have a vial of it, but only the one. More would be preferable so that she wasn't relying on a single weapon to deliver the toxin. Fortunate that the camp merchant was so readily available, then. And offering a discount.\n\nWhile Cadmon suggested an altered plan to Velvetica, Kayliss quickly located some spare parchment on her employer's desk and took it. She reached for the ink and quill and quickly scribbled out a list of the necessary herbs to brew more of the mana inhibitor, blowing on the ink to dry it faster. With that done, she stalked over towards the Nem, silent as can be, and practically shoved her impromptu shopping list into the diminutive woman's face from the side. \n\n\"I'll be needing these for the operation. Given that I'm under direct orders from the Lady, I trust that the discount you just mentioned applies, yes?\" Kayliss murmured tonelessly down to Lirrah, her blank stare potentially intimidating to some. The herbs weren't rare, but not common either. Given that, they would cost a decent sum. Considering Velvetica did pay her, Kayliss could certainly afford it. But not taking advantage of a lowered price when it was available would be idiotic.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Kayliss Lambert" }, { "text": "Gisela\n\nListening quietly, the mage couldn't help but frown as Cadmon outlined his plan. Maybe it would work from a tactical perspective--she was hardly trained in military planning--but from a magical one, it struck her as crucially flawed. Unfortunately, that meant that she had to give up on her preferred anonymity and speak up.\n\n\"Against a necromancer of unknown quantity, I would encourage everyone to avoid splitting into small groups. It would be too easy for any loss to be turned against us; if a single party is surprised beyond what it can handle, then not only would we be down half a dozen men, it would be as if they had turned traitor and now stand against us,\" the mage answered, \"In the heat of battle, it would be an unlikely foe that could raise a host as the battle progresses, but only moderate skill would be needed with minutes to spare.\"\n\nThere was even the other risk--if their foes included necromancers, could it not be that they had other mages? The ability to maintain groups prepared for any eventuality would diminish the more they shrunk. The prospect of being able to lose one group to a surprise show of concentrated force, then have that group turned against them... diluting their strengths would only benefit the ones who could grow in power as there were more fights.\n\nOtter", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" } ]

[ { "text": "Kayliss Lambert\n\n\"Understood.\" Kayliss saluted in acknowledgement of her orders given, her mind already going over the best methods to deal with spellcasters. Unknown territory and speed being of the essence narrowed her options considerably. Unfortunate that she wouldn't have as much preparation time as she would have liked, but that was the nature of military operations. Not exactly an unfamiliar situation for herself at this point. \n\nAs much as Kayliss would have preferred to go for the kill straight away with her tactics, the lethal poisons she used were more effective when ingested rather than when coated on a weapon. That left paralytics and mana inhibitors. Of the two, the latter would be more useful in this situation. It was more likely that a caster had a countermeasure to paralysis than temporarily slowing the flow of their mana. A quick mental review of her stores told Kayliss that she did have a vial of it, but only the one. More would be preferable so that she wasn't relying on a single weapon to deliver the toxin. Fortunate that the camp merchant was so readily available, then. And offering a discount.\n\nWhile Cadmon suggested an altered plan to Velvetica, Kayliss quickly located some spare parchment on her employer's desk and took it. She reached for the ink and quill and quickly scribbled out a list of the necessary herbs to brew more of the mana inhibitor, blowing on the ink to dry it faster. With that done, she stalked over towards the Nem, silent as can be, and practically shoved her impromptu shopping list into the diminutive woman's face from the side. \n\n\"I'll be needing these for the operation. Given that I'm under direct orders from the Lady, I trust that the discount you just mentioned applies, yes?\" Kayliss murmured tonelessly down to Lirrah, her blank stare potentially intimidating to some. The herbs weren't rare, but not common either. Given that, they would cost a decent sum. Considering Velvetica did pay her, Kayliss could certainly afford it. But not taking advantage of a lowered price when it was available would be idiotic.", "username": "Psyker Landshark", "char_name": "Kayliss Lambert" }, { "text": "Gisela\n\nListening quietly, the mage couldn't help but frown as Cadmon outlined his plan. Maybe it would work from a tactical perspective--she was hardly trained in military planning--but from a magical one, it struck her as crucially flawed. Unfortunately, that meant that she had to give up on her preferred anonymity and speak up.\n\n\"Against a necromancer of unknown quantity, I would encourage everyone to avoid splitting into small groups. It would be too easy for any loss to be turned against us; if a single party is surprised beyond what it can handle, then not only would we be down half a dozen men, it would be as if they had turned traitor and now stand against us,\" the mage answered, \"In the heat of battle, it would be an unlikely foe that could raise a host as the battle progresses, but only moderate skill would be needed with minutes to spare.\"\n\nThere was even the other risk--if their foes included necromancers, could it not be that they had other mages? The ability to maintain groups prepared for any eventuality would diminish the more they shrunk. The prospect of being able to lose one group to a surprise show of concentrated force, then have that group turned against them... diluting their strengths would only benefit the ones who could grow in power as there were more fights.\n\nOtter", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" }, { "text": "Cadmon Demet\n\n\n---\n\n@Raineh Daze\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nCadmon quickly turned his gaze to Gisela, a deeper frown than her own on his face. \"Then I suppose you'd like to dispense with the initial plan as well?\" he asked, with a short nod to Velvetica. \"Both entail us splitting apart our forces, after all, and I doubt that any of us are so lacking in sensibility that we'd leave whoever we send out as bait, in whichever manner, so wanting for aid so long—nor, assuming we pick who goes into my suggestion carefully, would they be so foolish as to strand each other.\n\n\"In either scenario, the rest of us will be close enough to step in when the time is right. Miss Lambert will be ready as soon as their defences are opened enough to go and remove the threat of their necromancer or necromancers. Otherwise, we may as well commit to a direct assault rather than play around with any attempted subterfuge and ambush.\"", "username": "The Otter", "char_name": "Cadmon Edricsson Demet" }, { "text": "Gisela\n\n\"One large group and bait is far less risky. Making a single group that can hold out until reinforcements has much less splitting, does it not? There is no need to supplement the most skilled with the average, or reliance that this cult doesn't have a surprise that can overwhelm a small group by numbers or magic alone.\"\n\n\"Are standard tactics not standard for a reason? If they err on the side of caution, then we can leverage our other offensive skills to force them out.\"", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" } ]

[ { "text": "\"What do we do with a drunken soldier...\"\n\nThe mercenary Urden was currently half humming, half singing an old working song his previous mercenary company favored when doing menial work like weapon's maintenance, setting up camp, packing up camp and other such idle behavior mostly spent just passing time. Sure enough, having spent the morning counting and verifying that his coin was both good, and in the proper amounts, for this pay cycle, he had turned to preparing for the upcoming conflict. In time with the hummed, occasionally sung, working tune, he ran a whetstone along the main blade of his two handed axe, honing its edge to as keen as he could given the circumstances. It was no blacksmith's work or anything of the sort, but it wasn't like they could expect a forge to follow this warband around so readily. The merchant who had seen fit to attach herself to the band was hawking goods, food with a voucher for pastries after words. He'd already eaten, or the offer might have been more tmepting.\n\n\"...Dock his pay with extra duty, dock his pay with extra duty...\"\n\nUrden appeared to be in a pleasant mood as he worked away, hefting the axe with practiced ease, examining the main cutting edge of the blade. Setting aside the sharpening stone, he tugged a loose hair out and let it fall on the axe blade, splitting neatly with little resistance. Nodding in approval, mostly to himself, he turned the axe over and started working on the opposite end, the spike that would be far more suited to punching through armor than it was for hacking away like the main axe head would be. So he would work, the sound of the whetstone running over well used, but well kept, steel. Nothing about the weapon was for show, the haft sturdy enough to catch incoming strikes, both ends of the axe head having their own uses. Even the other end had a sturdy steel cap on it to make for a nasty surprise for anyone who thought they were safe from a surprise strike while the obviously dangerous end was away from them. Just one of many different tricks he kept in mind when dealing with your average trouble.\n\n\"...Twenty strokes of the captains whip, twenty strokes of the captain's whip...\"\n\nNothing about what Urden had heard so far sounded like bandits to him. They struck fast, sure, but looked for coin and valuables, maybe some living hostages to sell back later or to prevent immediate attacks on them for fear of losing even more innocent lives. Near as he'd heard from around camp, it was anything that wasn't nailed down. If you could pry it up, it didn't count either, apparently. That...that was odd. Corpses weren't worth a lick on their own, and most bounties per head only needed proof. Ears, fingers, things like that, grim as it was to some. Whole bodies though, that was a lot of dead weight, pun intended, to be lugging about. Something was amiss, though end of the day Urden got paid the same. Didn't matter what kind of out of their head bandits, soldiers, whatever was waiting out there for them. Nothing good steel backed by good pay couldn't sort out.\n\n\"...Early in the morning...\"", "username": "Eisenhorn", "char_name": "Urden Antiac" }, { "text": "Gisela\n\nWith the camp bustling around her, Gisela felt that there was very little for her to do on a day-to-day basis. Any injuries that a small-sized force such as this might sustain outside of combat were a matter of minutes to address, and once that was done... well, she was a mage, and that meant a level of respected treatment, despite the lack of nobility in her treatment. Powerful mages were in high enough demand to receive consistent payment and be spared the indignities of manual labour, so long as they continued to fulfil the obligations that nobody else could.\n\nSoldiering was seemingly boring enough even with monotonous tasks. Without... well, she couldn't even indulge in games of chance or similar. Nobody wanted to play with the odd suspicious mage, who knew what cheating might happen? None, really, since Gisela couldn't do subtle, but even she couldn't completely discount that something might go wrong. All the sides on dice might come up six... even the ones face down.\n\nSo, instead, she had summoned Krysia to have someone to talk to... and also so that the others could at least become accustomed to the towering demon, rather than thinking it was an enemy in the middle of battle.\n\nNot that over eight feet of armoured inhuman muscle was doing her reputation much of a favour.\n\nWho had taken an interest in the goods on sale. Which Gisela would be obliged to pay for, of course, and she gave a sigh as the demon tapped her chin thoughtfully.\n\n\"But what if I only want the sweet pastry? The rest doesn't interest me,\" the red-skinned demon wondered allowed, voice surprisingly melodious--deep, for a woman, but a lot less raspy than someone with a rather loud approach to battle.", "username": "Raineh Daze", "char_name": "Gisela" }, { "text": "Lirrah looked up, wide-eyed, at her newest customer. Her first instinct was to run and hide, but she was stuck to the spot. As her brain processed the fact that there was, indeed, a gigantic demon woman standing in front of her, a few extra pieces of information clicked into place.\n\nNo one seemed to be panicking, at least not any more than one would panic before a confrontation. Some were maybe uncomfortable, but they weren't drawing their weapons. Searching her memory, Lirrah alighted upon a tidbit she once heard about a demon that she might see around one day. Apparently, one of their finger-wigglers could summon one, and she usually did this on the front lines. Since Lirrah tended to stay at base camp, it figured that she wouldn't have seen this woman before.\n\nLirrah had honestly thought it might have been a joke.\n\nBut even so, they didn't mention how damn big she was supposed to be. Ila-Nem, this demon was as tall as three of Lirrah standing on each other's shoulders! And so red!\n\nAfter standing dumbfounded for almost a minute, she managed to drag herself back to reality. If she was going to go near the front lines to help, she couldn't let things like this freak her out.\n\nBut she was so big-\n\n\"Puh-puh-pweased tomeechu!\" she found herself stammering like an ignoramus.\n\nShe looked around in a panic, and bolted back into her tent, quickly bringing out a few fruity pastries in her tiny, trembling arms. She was good with diplomacy, but not with bravery.\n\nShe wanted to tell the woman [on the house], but there wasn't a single bone in her body that would allow her to string those words together in that configuration. As if on instinct alone, she blurted out the inflated price she charges everyone.\n\n\"S-s-six hundred each! D-don't tell anypody I let you have some! I m-mean, i-if that's OK with you!\"", "username": "Octo", "char_name": "Lirrah Matayannah" }, { "text": "Cadmon Demet\n\n\n---\n\nLandshark@HereComesTheSnow\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nThe constant influx of information—useful or not—that came with his position was starting to grow tiresome. Subordinates constantly coming to report to him, day in and day out, and rarely was it on any topic more important than the weather. It was grating, even more than the armour he was currently being aided in donning. His sigh, though, was cut short with a wince as the strap of one pauldron was yanked tight around his upper arm.\n\nThe second soon after. Thank the goddesses for padding.\n\n\"That is quite enough, thank you,\" he interjected, cutting off one of the sergeants of the force he'd brought with him to the Lions. \"You haven't told me anything new in the time since we first made camp here. Go join the guards around the perimeter and keep an eye out for those scouts—I want to be sure they get to Lady Velvetica as quickly as possible once they arrive. Don't let them be distracted.\" He wasn't even entirely sure who was out scouting; if the griffin-rider was one of them, at least there was one person who could be trusted to follow through properly.\n\nCadmon tugged at the belt around his waist uncomfortably, though he knew it was better that than to have all the weight of his brigandine resting upon his shoulders. \"If any of you should happen to find István, tell him to meet me at the Lady's pavilion.\" Though whether or not the warrior would listen was another matter; Cadmon doubted he'd ever be able to command the man who half-raised him. \"Have my horse, weapons, and helmet waiting for me there. I'm not wandering around the camp with them all at once.\" With his own cadre of servants and aides so dismissed, Cadmon gathered up his gauntlets and made his way out of his tent into the wider camp.\n\nSilently ruing the fact that he hadn't left his bevor off for them to take alongside his other gear, he kept his head on a swivel as he took a meandering path towards the Steel Princess's center of command. Ostensibly, he could be said to be inspecting the forces; in truth, he had his eye out for one person in particular, hoping she wasn't deciding to practice her own skills at the current moment. A quick flash of blonde hair catching his eye between a pair of tents gave him all the notice he needed that she wasn't trying not to be found.\n\n\"Miss Lambert?\" he called in the direction he'd seen the assassin woman going. \"Care to join me?\"", "username": "The Otter", "char_name": "Cadmon Edricsson Demet" } ]

[ { "text": "Lirrah practically jumped when she was addressed by a newcomer, her nerves already agitated by the presence of the world's tallest demon. When she looked up, however, she was greeted by the sight of the sort of person that might be described in a heroic storybook. Tall, golden-haired, with a sort of reassuring joviality.\n\nLirrah had read one or two of the more popular Veltan stories to get a sense of what does well over there, though she had not grown up with them. She was neither starry-eyed nor enthralled, but his presence was nevertheless a comfort. She forced a smile up on her face, which was almost indistinguishable from her genuine one.\n\n\"A-ah, yes, this is our first meeting,\" she replied, producing a mutton pie and indicating a price of 1200. As she leaned over to give the man a ticket for a pastry later, she added in a conspiratorial whisper, \"I certainly would have called for help myself if my voice hadn't gotten stuck in my throat... ahaha...\"\n\nShe quickly turned her attention back to the demon woman (not that she had left Lirrah's vision since she showed up) as she took the Hundi's money. Perhaps the demon's summoner? Either way, the Hundi quickly busied herself with the knight. They seemed to be on good terms. Lirrah had yet to clock all the dynamics in this location, so it was good information to have.\n\nLirrah gave the demon woman a big smile, still forced, and still almost indistinguishable.\n\n\"T-thank you. I, ah, make all the food myself. C-cooking and selling! My skillset is hardly suited to compat. I'm just a weak little Nem~\"\n\nLirrah didn't mention that she wasn't bad with a bow or a sling. She doubted that would be enough for the woman to take an interest in her, but the further beneath notice she was on that front, the better. If this was a woman who only enjoyed a fight against those with combat ability, Lirrah should be safe with her... probably.\n\n\"Ah... and if you like the pie so much, please do stop py the Matayannah Trading Company tent at home camp, and tell your friends. I am sure to put my nerves aside if we get more acquainted~ I really do appreciate your custom!\"", "username": "Octo", "char_name": "Lirrah Matayannah" }, { "text": "István Shilage\n\nOtter@Eisenhorn\n\nHm.\n\nAbove one of the many fires set in the Lions' camp beneath those crimson banners, burly hands navigated a task far more delicate than they'd ever been built for. Though pale in a manner diagnostic of reduced sunlight, suggesting time spent in the range of years to the heights of Velt's colder north, they'd been quick to regain their old color closer to home— and had never once lacked in the gnarled, robust structure, all callused palms, thick fingers, and overdeveloped knuckles, that so encased the horn-carved spoon in their grip. Made to grip things firmly, take the shock of impact, a soldier's mitts— not those of an alchemist. If you looked at them, you would think them lost for subtlety.\n\nWe've had that merchant bandying her wares about for a while now. Loud as ever tonight— if this proves the goods aren't worth the racket, then I'll have to kick her over to the western flank— to say nothing of the librans.\n\nRegardless, looks were oft deceiving, and the man's movements carried within themselves the tightly corralled precision and dexterity that so belied the broad and strong physique he carried— clear and exacting in cadence and force. One, two, three spoonfuls, each the same mass, fell into the long-handled pot balanced upon his knee, cast from copper. His eyes could read the structure of each mound, his fingers could feel the weight, and his body remembered the motion almost as well as his mind could recall his own name. Three, and no more. He needed sharpness when battle approached, not jitters, not a half-cocked buzz. Three would serve best, having ground the beans so fine in his pestle beforehand.\n\nA gust of wind broke upon his broad back, carrying with it the smoke of fires like his own and the odor of roasting meat. Some of their liked to enter battles like the one they'd soon undertake with a full stomach, citing it gave them strength. In István's mind, it made him sluggish— he always preferred coffee to stave off the rest digestion desired. Any loss in physical capability would be overcome by the mental gain.\n\nAdditionally, he did like that it made him a touch meaner. Good for war.\n\nIn circling back to their mercantile accoutrement, he did in fairness have high hopes— the smell of the grounds was right once he added a pinch of grated cardamom, carefully retrieved by his cook from a heavy iron spicebox, and shook. This was a Nemish method of preparation, and so Nemish beans were preferable— Lirrah's sources were wide enough to feasibly have exchanged something authentic for his coin. Having swung down here, to the southern end of Velt's territory, the Lions had brought Istvan far closer to home than he'd been in the years prior— Demet territory was on the other side of the nation from the small holdings of the recently-risen Shilage.\n\nApple orchards, Thalnic river salmon, properly roasted coffee— this assignment had in some respects spoilt István with the tastes of his childhood. Of that which his heritage sung within the heart. Even here, in his battleground ritual, he was following a grandfather's, then father's teachings. He would too teach it to his son— as he had a little brother, or perhaps cousin. He'd need to find the boy soon, whatever he might call him.\n\nA gooseneck drew the swirl of endlessness into the pot as he poured the water, all that ever was and ever would be in the details. Reon's light was found within them, embossing flaw, strength, method, madness. Attention paid meant result earned, simply put. He poured slow, and deliberate, saturating the savory dust with ninefold its weight in water. Then, upon the opposite axis, he repeated the motion with the spoon, never exceeding twelve rings drawn.\n\nLess would make it weak. More would ruin its balance.\n\nFinally satisfied, his eyes at last turned up to gaze upon the fire he was seated aside, beholding a heavy pot of cast iron filled with, of all things, sand. This was the method that turned a wild flame into a smooth, gentle blanket of heat that the Nem had taught his ancestors. The trick to allow the contents of the shining copper pot to foam and simmer, instead of boil over and scald, scattering bitterness about a drink that was to be robust and rich.\n\nTwo minutes. The simmer rising up the sides would tell him it was done. His gaze remained affixed to the pots through the time, stony mask unchanging even as a familiar subordinate (Jakob, if memory served) appeared in his peripheral.\n\n\"Sir Shilage.\" the man began, disciplined yet quite overeager to carry out his task. This must be a summons, then— István'd noticed the young man pounding a footpath directly through camp to his tent. \"The Earl wishes you to meet him at the Lady's pavilion—\"\n\n\"The boy isn't the only Earl Lady Hraesleg has caught up in the storm of her rise.\" He preached in reply, unwavering in gaze or expression. \"You're lucky I recognize you as one of ours. Next time, a name.\"\n\nDone.\n\nThe servant, in spite of himself, flinched as the older man suddenly burst into motion, reaching forward to quickly pry his cezve free from the sandpot, spooning the foam into the pair of waiting mugs that lied upon a cloth rag before deliberately pouring the contents in, a dark brown liquid akin to melted chocolate.\n\n\"He asked for me, then. Where was he last?\"\n\nAccompanying the query, the rightward mug was thrust into the servant's hands, insistent and accompanied by a smirk that, in Jakob's mind, might have been a welcoming and pleasant smile on another face. Obviously the man wished him to drink the fresh brew... but to what end? What was it he clearly meant to gain? He was known to the Demet troops and underlings of almost every stripe as serious and harsh, not one to freely share his precious potions. Was Shilage giving him thanks for the relayed message, or about to test him?\n\nSuppressing a shiver from the breeze, he brought the warm ceramic to his lips...\n\n\n\n---\n\n\n\nSatisfied that Lirrah's beans wouldn't be poisoning the only real heir of his honored mentor, István would shortly douse the flame and order the men under his command to prepare themselves after packing out camp. He was already halfway suited himself, gambeson on his body shielding his torso from the cooling breezes that raced through the grounds. it wouldn't be long before the operation kicked off, so apropos of nothing, he intended to ensure the Earl enough awareness that he'd survive the eve.\n\nHe made his walk beneath the banners, mug held level and rigid in either hand. Another skill borne of long, long practice. As his long strides carried him through the sights and cacophony of a wartime encampment, every bit chaotic as it was regimented, his ears picked upon a jaunty, familiar tune wafting through the air.\n\nUrden, a mercenary, was also in preparation, as the high rasp of whetstone on honed steel laced itself between the verses of his voice. Jovial and underhanded in equal measure, the dark-haired man was as archetypal of his profession as it got— the free spirit of a man whose vice had been leveraged into a trade, with it freedom. Loyalty to coin was quite fluid compared to that of blood, and István made no pretensions that he didn't consider it of equal value— but by the same token, each libran that had bought his services had been earned back double in bloodshed. That, any man could respect.\n\nA fellow soldier from a martial lineage, all the more so.\n\nAs he passed, István raised one mug in greeting, a bassy rumble of hummed rhythm settling beneath that of the mercenary's lyrics.\n\n\"Any chance you've seen Earl Demet wandering off somewhere?\"\n\nHe'd been hoping to intercept him, but found his tent barren. From the sound of it, the boy didn't intend to meet until the moment of briefing.", "username": "HereComesTheSnow", "char_name": "István Shilage" } ]