Aachen Rizen Compile - Kenno Matsuri [ In Character ]

Ehb

Literal No One
Original poster
LURKER MEMBER
FOLKLORE MEMBER
Invitation Status
Posting Speed
  1. 1-3 posts per week
Writing Levels
  1. Intermediate
Preferred Character Gender
  1. Primarily Prefer Female
Genres
It's Easier to just Look at Below

Fieldset:
Aachen_Rizen_Banner_B_-_Copy.jpg

This is the In Character Thread for Kenno Matsuri.
[ (Initial Wave) Interest Thread ] - [ Out of Character / Signups ]


Previous Entries
[ Hymn of Origin ]

Fieldset:
[ Journal ] - [ Bestiary ] - [ Manual ]


 
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KiriMoriya CC: #ffb7c5
Kiri_KNMIco.jpg

[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / The Maplegrounds ]

Kiri continued to fumble around with her crossbow, trying to figure out how to replace the Pointy Arrow Thing that it shot with no success. After all, just loading it the first time had takes her several minutes to manage, and a few painful cuts. By the time she managed to at least figure out where the Pointy Arrow Thing went, the birds were already down.

"Oh... nice work, everyone," Kiri cheered from a respectable distance. Her enthusiasm from promptly shattered once the real threat showed up though.

"W-wait, a d-d-dragon!?" Rather than meet it head on, Kiri ran off to hide behind the closest, conveniently-placed cover: in this case, a stack of crates. Given where they were, there was a good chance these would be filled with maple taps and the like; maybe even some syrup.

"Ciriiii...! How can you possibly say there's no difference? Fire is a big difference!" Kiri clung to her crossbow as she planted her back firmly against the nearest crate. Nice and safe, nice and safe. Except she had to help, or they could get eaten! But they'd probably get eaten anyway... but...!

Fighting back against the panic, Kiri slowly peeked out from behind the crates only to have her mouth fall open in shock as she witnessed the giant priestess practically beating up the dragon herself. It was comforting, and more than that, inspiring. Not only was the priestess inspiring, but the rest of them took their own effective blows against it as well, seemingly unphased by the monstrous lizard in front of them.

"Come on, Kiri! You can do this," she whispered to herself as she watched. As the dragon violently recoiled from another attack, Kiri darted back behind the crates. "Eep! Noooo, I can't do this," she counter-argued, again, with herself. "Okay well... maybe just focus on how uneven the wounds are!"

Kiri peeked again, a sparkle finding its way to her eyes as she noticed that, indeed, there were way too many injuries on the left side of the beast. There was now a second part to her, fighting past the fear. The power of OCD! A power greater than even fire-breath. A power that willed her to stand and face it.

Kiri used Earth Bolt [ (Base - Earth) - LV 3 ]
[Automatic Success!]


Pointing a finger to the other side of the dragon, Kiri shot a dust-colored, magic missile at the other end of the dragon. It connected, tearing off a chunk of scales and possibly some flesh along with them.

"I-I'm actually doing it," Kiri exclaimed proudly!
 
Kei Daidouji, #00FFFF
Kei_Ico.jpg

[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Maplegrounds]

When the dragon arrive he couldn't believe it. Was this really happening? He really hoped not, because if so he was going to have a heart attack from this job. The stakes just kept going up and up. Birds to wyvern to... a lesser dragon? None of this made any sort of sense to Kei. Why the heck would birds follow a dragon? Maybe to scavenge remains?

He knew for sure that he was going to enjoy eating these birds tonight.

"A dragon? You've got to be kidding. Can't this ever be easy? It's like this keeps getting worse!"

Kei moved quickly arranging himself so the dragon was just the right amount of distance away... He prepared his first knife, quickly judging what he needed to do in order to make it fly true.

[Kei used Knife Throw (Base Tech) Level 3!]

[Auto-success!]

The first knife landed squarely in the chest of the lesser dragon. Next Kei prepared three more knives and threw them...

[Kei used Prison Drive (Arkane Tech) Level 1!]

[Failure!]


They clattered harmlessly off the side of the beast. Kei cursed his bad luck.

@Everyone
 
Saburo
Saburo_Ico.jpg


[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village, The Maplegrounds]

"Dragon."

Dragon.

A Dragony Dragon.

Fire Breathing Dragon.

Saburo Used Water Whip (Base - Water) - LV 3

AUTOMATIC SUCCESS


Not a wyvern.

A dragon.

"Dragon."

Saburo used Frozen Snake (Arkane - Water) - LV 1

SUCCESS

Flowers of ice began to blossom in the air. The Aestivation built forwards, as if searching for something.

Saburo used Frost Flower (Mythic - Water) - LV 1

FAIL

"Dra-huh?" Saburo flinched as a knife whizzed by his ear; missing him by a whisker. With an unnatural scream, the glacial sculpture burst into infinite pieces. Now just a pretty sight then whatever it was building towards.

Saburo stared in horror. "THE DRAGON CAN THROW KNIVES!"






@Karyra
@Ehb
@Others
 
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Runara
Runara_Ico.jpg


[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Maplegrounds]

Runara looked up and watches over the group of Swallow Beaks. Expecting the wyvern to finally dive down. And as she wished, it dove down to battle. But wait... Shouldn't that thing be smaller than it actually is...? Even Cirika voiced out her concern about the fact that Runara is a Doven. If anything this must be... Runara hesitantly took some steps back as it gets closer.

A Dragon...

Runara learned that in the past her ancestors had to move to places the creature had difficulty to reach such as mountains or the undergrounds to avoid it. As it was known that Dovens were a Dragon's favorite food. Runara trembled, shaking, having doubts whether to fight or flight... This is the creature that her ancestors feared... And seeing the Dragon eyeing towards Runara in hunger...

". . ." Runara seemed hesitant in striking the Dragon. In her hesitation, Tsubaki pushed her back so that the Dragon had to go through everyone else before striking Runara. She would then watch her comrades striking the dragon one by one. Starting from Tsubaki, Rumiko, Noriko, Kiri, Kei, and then Saburo...

Seeing them attacking the dragon, she knew that she shouldn't let herself be a burden for everyone. With slight hesitation, Runara stepped forward, her body would then be covered in flames. ". . . Flame Spirits... Please protect me!" With determination, Runara dashes forward, slamming herself against the dragon!

[Runara used Alluring Flame (Base - Fire) - Lv3!]
[Auto-success]


Immediately after slamming her body against the dragon, Runara jumped away from the Dragon. While still in the air, she put her hand on her lips. "Spirits... Please..." She muttered softly before blowing a kiss towards the dragon!

[Runara used Ignition (Arkane - Fire) - Lv1!]
[Roll Result : 1]
[Success!]


The Dragon's body immediately fully covered in flames as it burns it. Seeing her chance to strike again, she would immediately dashes forward as she landed. Charging towards the Dragon once more... "Lend me your power... Flame spirits..." She muttered once again as her body is covered in flames once again and then she jumps up and climbs the dragon to it's head. Aiming to drive her blade against it's head, burning the dragon once more right in his head through her blades as she would drive the dragon's head down to the ground.

[Runara used Passionate Flame (Mythic - Fire) - Lv1!]
[Roll Result : 1]

[Success!]

zV3vN.jpg


As she drives her blade into it's head. Flames that covered her body grew larger and spreads out to cover the whole Dragon's head! She would then slams it's head down to the ground as she jumps down to the ground. She looked back at the dragon for a while before backing away back to the back ranks. "Please let that be enough..."

@Ehb
@_Everyone
 
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Cirika Ikkikari CC: #808080
Cirika_Ico.jpg

[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village, Maplegrounds]

Slashes, punches, and all manner of attacks riddled the dragon as the party went all out to take it down. All in order to kill this flying beast as quickly as they possibly could. What amazed Cirika was seeing the extent to which Rumiko and Runara went with their attacks. What struck her as peculiar was how these people weren't fighting like this before, back in the market.

Yes, the people she had faced back there looked dangerous enough. But, when it actually came to fighting they were a complete mess. But,this time around it seemed like they were proficient to an extent. That only raised the question as to why. Why that competence only showing up now? It was like they were completely different people.

Cirika thoughts were immediately interrupted as the scaly monster let out an oppressive roar. One both most acute and predatory. Despite all the thrashing it had gone through, it was still itching to launch it's own retaliation. The others, still recovering from their first strikes, had to brace for the potential of the monster going after one of them!

The beast whipped it's head back. All were immediately alarmed by the glowing light that began to glow from the depths of the dragon's neck. Cirika, attempting to warn her partners, yelled out:

"It's going to launch fire! Take-!"

[ Dragon used Base - Flare Breath LV 2!]
[ Success! ]

Cirika was not able to finish her sentence before the beast jerked it's head back forward to launch a searing stream of flames towards them. Unfortunately for her, Cirika caught the brunt this blaze. For In the aftermath she was visibly aflame.

But, she did not panic. Instead, she whisked her hand to the side, invoking wind force. She attempted to blow out the fire that had just began to catch onto her clothing. But, that wasn't the end of it. The stream of flames was only a part of the dragon's onslaught. It dove forward, bearing it's sizeable and smoking jaws aiming to smash Cirika between them.

Still fanning off fire, Cirika acted on immediate instinct. She invoked wind force directly at the monster's oncoming mouth.

[ Dragon used Arkane - Bite LV 2! ]
[ Fail! ]


And surprisingly, it worked.

The beast heaved it's neck back, seeming to visibly caugh out this thick black smoke. With the attack by the dragon thwarted, Cirika took initiative. She shall strike with everything she had!

[ Cirika used Base - Scatterslash LV. 2! ]
[ Auto-Success! ]

Poising her blade, the young noble made a single slash at the monster. However, following it, an after-stream of smaller strikes battered through the same path upon the dragon. But still, it wasn't enough. She had to go further!

[ Cirika Used Arkane - Advancing Wing Slash LV 2! ]
[ Success! ]


Following up, Cirika poised her blade, and unleashed a wide cut. In the wake of the slash came a mass of air, shaped in a bolt. Her focused wind force collided with the dragon head on. It's force force so great that the monster was knocked back onto it's two back feet. It was wide open for the finish! But, throwing all that wind force at once. Cirika still had her limits. What could she even do now that she had gone this far?

She didn't have too much time to think. The first technique that she could follow up with would have to do. At that moment, the image of Tsubaki... rather, the image of her overall family and the style of the the Hanejima's came to mind. Draw Sword Technique. But, for an Ikkikari dai blade, it wasn't all too appropriate to do any kind of draw sword technique. Dai-blades were too large to do that.

But, she could still mimic it. She wanted to deal a large and grevious cut upon the monster and that form was what could allow for the force to do that!

With the wind force she had left - and given the overall size of her blade, possible to cut through a monster. Just enough to inflict a killing blow. Just enough was all she needed to put an end to all these unpleasant surprises today!

@Miya

Cirika held her sword low. Tsubaki instantly recognized the mimic in stance. Iajutsu.
But, from Tsubaki's perspective it was meaningless. With a weapon that large... there was no way she could...

"Ikkikari-Style Fatal Arts..."

[ Cirika used Mythic - Diamond Buster Sword! ]
[ Success! ]


Mythic_Tech_Cirika.jpg


"Diamond Buster!"

Cirika stepped forward with great force. She and her blade were propelled forward. In an instant, her weapon was 'drawn' from it's low position, and it's arc cuts a wide berth across the monster. The cut into the body, deep and feirce. One of the dragon's dismembered wings fell onto the ground with a thud. Before the rest of the monster itself smashed onto the ground.

Judging from the state of the animal as it entered it's more gruesome death throes, Cirika had managed to cut into it's heart.

The dragon had been defeated.




All around the party, swallow beaks began to fall out of the sky. Looking above, one can see that the once encircling flock has fallen into complete disarray. In fact, it seemed like they were actually fighting against one another. The defeated were falling onto the ground all around the maplegrounds.

Cirika fell back onto her behind. Completely Exhausted.
At her side was her Dai-Blade - curiously seemed to have been broken in half due to the great force of the strike. The missing and broken other half was what had managed to stick itself into the dragon's heart. Ultimately responsible for the death blow that took the dragon's life.

Seeing the carnage around her, Cirika explained it to her bewildered allies.

"...A large flock like this is kept orderly by the biggest flying monster. In the event that flying monster is defeated, an immediate succession crisis occurs. Members of the flock are driven by instinct to start fighting one another until another comes on top. By the time that's decided, the flock won't be a threat to the town any longer. They'll mostly destroy themselves for us."

A bird falling from the sky bumped into Cirika before flopping onto the ground.

"That was what the Monster Hunter Lee had said." She concluded. "I thank you for your help, everyone."

Using the half of her sword, she tried to hoist herself back up. Cirika visibly winced and rested back down on the ground.

"You were all instrumental to... Ugh! ...It hurts! I can't move!"

With the apparent danger clear, the effects from Cirika's burns and the exertion from her last attack started to unleash their painful aftereffects.

....

"Alright. Looks like the princess is pret-ty immobile right about now."

From atop the keep, a masked man, a shadow, loaded his crossbow with a bolt. He took aim.

Nearby, the one who'd been attempting to clean the roof let out muffled pleas for help.

The bolt plinked just short of Cirika.

"Dammit."

Cirika's first reaction to seeing the bolt land dangerously close to her as to move away.
She strained herself to stand back up, but the young noble helplessly flopped onto her side.

The shadow began rushing to load in another.

"Can't get killed by a dragon, thus can't get killed by crossbow bolts."
"Bullshit. I'm gonna get her this time."


The party began to realize, by Cirika's reaction, that the lone arrow wasn't just a curiosity of one of the falling birds. But rather, an attack from an assailant from atop the tall castle keep. But that was bad! If she got killed after them going through with all of this, they'd reset again!

They had to get out of there pronto! To safety!


@_EveryoneHalp
 
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Kei Daidouji, #00FFFF
Kei_Ico.jpg

[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Maplegrounds]

"Saburo that dragon cannot throw knives. That was me. Stop freaking out, it's almost dead."


Cirika had this in hand, stabbing the dragon with her blades. Kei watched passively, leaning on a tree as if he were watching some sort of play or dance rather than looking at the lesser dragon. Huh, that had been easy. He still wasn't going to thank Cirika for killing it though. Birds started to fall from the sky, infighting with each other. Kei also watched this spectacle with disinterest. Well, it seemed like they were going to get a feast after all. He wondered if they could make anything with the dragon's skin...

"Yeah, you'd better hope that another dragon doesn't decide to join the fight,"
Kei said sarcastically. "What a-"

Kei stopped mid-curse as a bolt plonked down next to Cirika. She fell over uselessly onto her side as a reaction, which meant those burns must have been worse than they looked. Kei acted without thought and grabbed Cirika and slung her over his shoulder. He ran for it. He told himself it was to prevent a reset like before. However, he also knew that some stupid part of him couldn't just leave someone in danger.

"Rumiko! Tsubaki! Anyone else who wants to needs to cover us so we can get out of here! I'd rather not get shot while carrying the princess, if you don't mind."


With the enemy so far away, he doubted his knives could reach, even if he could turn around. People weren't light, and while Kei had mostly tried to keep in shape, he hadn't carried people in a long time. And people were heavy. He couldn't stop thinking that people were heavy as his shoulder complained about it. He'd probably make it far enough at a run, but he'd be tired. Which of course meant he had to rely on the others to protect him, because he couldn't attack right now, nor could he do anything but run.

He could feel a crossbow bolt between his shoulders already.

@Ehb
@Miya
@RedArmyShogun
@EveryoneIt'sTimeToGO
 
Rumiko Mitsurugi
Rumiko_Ico.jpg

[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village ]

"And here I was wanting to Suplex it..or try to, ah well.."

Watching as the swordswoman did her thing, Rumiko was semi frowning like a child who had a toy taken away, it seemed she was fully serious in trying to lift and flip the beast on her brute strength alone. "Well that's over. One Dragon a slight burn." Looking up into the sky, a grizzly scene was unfolding as the flock turned upon one another, tearing apart one another in a vicious cycle, bodies falling from the sky, regardless of if they were real or not, the Miko could not just stand by an ignore this carnage.

Switching to a prayer stance, even these murderous beings deserved some sign of respect and passage, thanks was needed to the Spirits as well for bringing them such luck. "For this bounty and Vic-" Before she can even finish however, the Crossbowman begins his assault... A Crossbow.. Shang..?

Narrowing her eyes, as she followed the second bolt she dimly heard something about covering them all, but her mind was already racing with thoughts, considering how they ended up in this world and how it was designed... Yes something more than covering was in mind, though she didn't know if it were possible. A shadowy figure was atop a keep tower, firing upon them, it seemed someone really, really wanted them dead, to fail, could these monsters have been baited here after all?

"Hey! Assassin! Your Mother was a Whore and your Father smelt of Cheap Wine!" Yelling these very unpriestess-y things at the crossbowman, or his general direction at least Rumiko extends her left had towards the tower keep, pointing at him, making a get overhere gesture. "Stop playing with the toys and come'ere so I can beat some answers out of yah!" Pausing to consider her attempt to rush and climb the Wall, the Priestess did have one idea in mind, but she wasn't sure it would be doable..

"EARTH STOMP!"

Slamming her heels down onto the ground while motioning to grip and lift her hands upwards, a patch of Rock seemingly erupts from the ground, a bit more focused than if in battle, a partial barrier was no between the archer and the Party, pondering her next action the muscular Miko waits to see if any of the rest would act to defend the party or to drag the injured off, either way she would need to harry Assassin more into doing something stupid, or targeting her at least.

@various people in party, @smokeyassassin guy
 
Cirika Ikkikari CC: #808080
Cirika_Ico.jpg

[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village, Maplegrounds]

"Nnngh!"


The burns Cirika sustained made their presence known. They stung her angrily as Kei took Cirika up and over his shoulders in an attempt to get away from the assailant perched atop the Keep.

@Karyra

"Rumiko! Tsubaki! Anyone else who wants to needs to cover us so we can get out of here! I'd rather not get shot while carrying the princess, if you don't mind."


He yelled out. Trying to get some sort of working plan in order.

Still, this pain she was feeling. It was the worst she'd ever felt. Even worse than the wolf bites from when she was a child, and they were riddled all over her. Cirika wondered how long she must've been set aflame from the dragon's fiery breath.

Enough to burn several parts of her body, it seemed. It hurt so much. I was difficult to draw breath even. Further antagonized by the fact that she'd exerted herself as much as she could in her attack.


The group seemed to agree with Kei. Making moves to get out of range from the Assailant. That meant getting out of the vicinity of the Maplegrounds and back into town. The grand maple tress strewn around the area provided some cover, but they weren't going to be completely safe until they'd obscured themselves with the village houses.

@RedArmyShogun

....

"Hey! Assassin! Your Mother was a Whore and your Father smelt of Cheap Wine!"


The assailant primed the strong of his crossbow as he listened to the heckling coming from far down below.

"Stop playing with the toys and come'ere so I can beat some answers out of yah!"


Spotting Kei attempting to remove Cirika from the scene, the assailant realized that the window of opportunity to kill Cirika was closing, and fast. But, that oversized behemoth was getting to be an appealing target with all the cackling it was up to. Their insults were elementery, surely. Our particular assailant here was one running short of patience, however. They took much more offense to the woman's words than most assassins otherwise would.

"My mummy's a saint. You arrogant meatwench!"


He took aim at Rumiko.
However, the monstrous musclebound person seemed to have an earth force alignment. They rose a rock up as a shield. Given the height the Keep gave him, there was a possibility still of shooting over it. But the chances of landing a headshot were not good. Even with such a big target as Rumiko was.

"Tch. Fine."
"Riskin' it!"

He aimed for Kei, making his way off with the princess. The assailent made a shot mostly hoping that his leading on Kei and some dumb luck might give him a chance...

"Come on...!"

[ Attempting a Role of Fate! - The Assailant fires a Bolt! ]
[ Roll Failed! ]

With a clear tink, the Assailent lets loose another bolt. However, it plunks far off from Kei. Enough to see and hear it drive into the ground, but woefully off the intended target.

The Assailant hissed.

"Garbage! I Should have just brought the bow!"

In that instant, a dead Swallow Beak fell onto the Assailent, knocking the crossbow out of their hands. Fumbling to grab it and reload it gave the party the time to escape safely. With the Assailent commanding the superior position from which to fire upon the party, and the inability for anyone to access the keep which oddly remained locked down, the party's only logical choice was to withdraw to the village.



"My goodness, is that Lady Cirika?"

"By Aachen. What's happened up in the maplegrounds!? What was that big monster that landed from the sky!?"
"Nevermind that, the bids are all falling from above!"
"Nevermind all that. Lady Cirika's been injured. Come, we need to tend to her!"


A crowd of peasants began to gather around the party after they reached the safety of the village. Eying Cirika's sorry state with worry, but also utterly fascinated with what was occurring.

Ultimately, they were lead into one of the town's homes by a peasant woman and local guards who introduced her as one of the available doctors. They tended to the wounds of Cirika, as well as to the injuries of those in the party who also got hurt in the fight.



[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village, Village Apothecary]

In the shelter of this home, they were finally able to rest. A much needed rest was finally possible.

Cirika was struggling to stay awake. Twinges of pain were keeping her up, but her exhaustion was driving her to the point of wanting to pass out.

"Lady Cirika... you must rest. You absolutely must."


The doctor whom had been tending over Cirika gave his patient a worried look before looking to the others.

"Alright then. Lady Moriya and esteemed travelers. From what I understand... you all fought and ultimately defeated an um..."
"Lesser Dragon."


He uttered the name of the beast particularly slowly for punctuality.

"...."


He looked among the group inventively for a moment. But when he got no immediate answer, her motioned his hand, rolling forward seeming to urge them to respond on.


@_Everyone
 
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KiriMoriya CC: #ffb7c5
Kiri_KNMIco.jpg

[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Maplegrounds ]

Kiri ducked back behind the crates, fumbling to load up her crossbow again. After having slit the mini-arrow thing into a slot that it seemed to fit nicely into, Kiri wiped her forehead clear of a bit of nervous sweat and glanced at her weapon with a grin. Whatever was going on back there was, it was loud.

"Ready," she assured herself, preparing to have another go at the giant lizard. With one last, deep breath, Kiri whirled around the side of the crates, staring down her crossbow just in time to see Cirika deal the dragon one, final slice.

"W-wait, it’s over already...?!" Kiri lowered the crossbow, relieved. "Nice wor— EEK!" Her encouraging words were cut short as a dead bird faceplanted straight into the nearby gravel. Looking up, she grinned with glee as the wretched little noisemakers started to pick each other off. Vengeance was sweet.

All of a sudden, everyone exploded into an energetic fuss, ending with Kei carrying Cirika away in a haste and Rumiko hurling insults about. It took a few moments of standing there awkwardly in confusion until Kiri finally pieced the scene together.

"Oh no..." she uttered. "Someone’s actually trying to kill Ciri...?!" For a moment, Kiri looked like she was ready to rush straight for the Keep, but eventually followed with the rest of the group and ran.


[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Village Apothecary ]

"That was lesser...!?" Kiri stared wide-eyed at the doctor. "I’ve never seen a bigger bird in my life. I’d hate to meet a greater dra— excuse me for a moment, can I just..."

Wandering over to a nearby cabinet, Kiri swapped a few bottles of liquid around so the shelf’s contents met some particular pattern in her head. She quickly returned to Cirika’s bedside, staring her in the eyes.

"Ciri..." she began with a concerned tone, pausing a moment, "...are you okay? Do you know who would try to do something like this?"

@Ehb
 
Saburo
Saburo_Ico.jpg


[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village, The Maplegrounds]

The dragon was dead. Sabruo jumped in the air slightly, he was alive!

The tufts of his hair wavered as an air shot past him towards Cirika. "AH GODS"

Dead birds rained from the sky.

Two seconds of contentness, just two seconds.

They began to flee. That was good. Say one thing about Saburo, he was good at retreating.

He nearly tripped on a bird's corpse as he ran.



"Alright then. Lady Moriya and esteemed travelers. From what I understand... you all fought and ultimately defeated an um..."
"Draaaa-"
"Lesser Dragon."

As the doctor gave a stare that most authority figures did when they wanted someone to speak about their misdeeds. Saburo coughed faintly. "K-Killed a dragon, innit."

He suddenly shot his hands infront of him. "AND THEN! A-Attemption assassination. Don't worry, we, er, rescued Cirika from troubles. But there is danger in the myst of this town!"

"~~Seriously Dragons and Assasssins no wonder this place blew up~~"

Saburo kicked the ground slightly. "So...we, um, still getting the feast. Right?"

@Ehb
@Others
[/hr][/hr]
 
Kei Daidouji, #00FFFF
Kei_Ico.jpg

[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Maplegrounds]

He barely had time to appreciate the insults that the Miko was slinging before a crossbow bolt was darting across the air, and Kei barely had enough time to hear it whistle before it... thudded incompetently on the grass nearby. Wow, he'd met village idiots who were better assassins. He was glad that these guys were such idiots, because now he could get away without harm.

"Heh, you're lucky that didn't hit me, princess. I charge by the crossbow bolt."
Kei teased, smiling widely as he crossed into town. He was home free now, and the assassins couldn't move nearly as freely while they were in town.

Or so he hoped.


[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Village Apothecary ]

"Alright then. Lady Moriya and esteemed travelers. From what I understand... you all fought and ultimately defeated an um..."
"Lesser Dragon."

Kei looked at the poor villager. He couldn't blame him for being confused. Kei was confused too, but he was rapidly accepting that this town was out of sorts in every way possible. It should just be rubble and flames, but they were sitting in someone's business.

Kiri seemed out of it. She called the lesser dragon a bird, which was incorrect by merit of the name.

"Every noble has someone out to kill them. Could be saints, but saints are always killed unpleasantly. Never heard of a saint or noble who died peacefully with no enemies."


"AND THEN! A-Attemption assassination. Don't worry, we, er, rescued Cirika from troubles. But there is danger in the myst of this town!"

"~~Seriously Dragons and Assasssins no wonder this place blew up~~"


Seemed like Kiri wasn't the only one out of it.

"So...we, um, still getting the feast. Right?"

"Wow, and I thought that my commentary was unpleasant. Saburo, if Cirika dies, then we don't get a feast. She'd not in danger of that, but if you remember right, Cirika did just get blasted with fire, shot at, and hauled around on somebody's shoulder. I'd say that our priority right now is healing our wounds and staying safe, then wondering if we're going to get a pat on the back for killing a lesser dragon."

Kei quickly turned to the Apothecary and gave a quick explanation that was a bit more than Saburo's. But not by much. "The birds were led by the Lesser Dragon. In order to get rid of the birds we killed the dragon. Cirika was made a little crispy by the dragon, others got kinda injured -but I wasn't keeping track of who was hurt-and we killed it. Except that after we did, some jackwagon with a crossbow shot at us. We carried Cirika out because she was injured, and now you're all caught up."

"No, it doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's the truth."


Kei's eyes moved to Kiri, wondering if she knew. Was it her father's assassins? Did she know? Was this an act? Could he trust her?

"...Kiri, let Cirika recover some first before answering. Besides, I think you ended up hurt? You should get taken care of as well. You and... Runara I think? Either way, we don't know if the assassins will come back yet or not, but we should be ready to fight if they do."

@Rithas
@Luma
@Everyone
 
Rumiko Mitsurugi
Rumiko_Ico.jpg

[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Maplegrounds]

Making a tch sound, Rumiko was a bit surprised to have made the Assassin so angry over her remarks, whatever it was they weren't a Revenant, least not the typical one..was he part of the curse or another of those chained here? Well provided this wasn't all a paradox, or they themselves weren't.. Eyeing the Keep as the others fled, answers had to have been there.. But those answers had to wait.

She was also disappointed that she didn't get to test her might against the Dragon, she had wanted to see if she could lift it.. Though..why did the noble girl run after them...then again the last time they met her Father threw her out into the freezing cold to be with strangers..


[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Village Apothecary ]

"Huh? What about it? It was a Lesser Dragon." Seemingly unconcerned with the feat, the Miko runs her right hand under her chin, before crossing her legs and sitting on the floor, eyes shut as if in deep contemplation. While the others were worried about the reward the Priestess was worried on what job to take, they needed to solve the crisis in this world and no doubt the source was at the Keep, or at least the trail to it was. Killing things alone might not be enough, taking back the tower would enable trade greatly lessening the strain on the village, the wolves also had to die, that was a personal score. Then there was the ghost and money shaking for the Castle. The last two weren't important but might hold information..unless they split up the question was which to take.

Listening to Kei distantly, Rumiko shakes off her meditations for the time being. "Ah yes, there was an Assassin..from the Palace Keep.. For now Doctor unless you have some means to help us, forget that fact. Assassins just don't end up on Castle Walls without someone helping them from the inside."

Then there was the matter if the Assassin would return. "I doubt it, least not now, but I'm thinking these Monsters being here might not be such a chance event after all. Someone wants this village or rather for her to fail and fail hard.. Bah if only I could have climbed up that wall and gotten my hands on him.. For now though waiting till Cirika wakes up might be for the best, unless we can take multiple small jobs.. I wouldn't worry about the food, even if they were to take all they can carry more would be left, smoked meat would be best, more so from the Dragon, we might can solve the winter food storage problem with this partly... A

nd it can earn us the gratitude of the Villagers if we share, plus I'm curious what a Dragon tastes like."

Jibba jabba @everyone in the room/doctor spy





[/fieldset]
 
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Fieldset:
[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village, Village Apothecary]

"So...we, um, still getting the feast. Right?"

"Wow, and I thought that my commentary was unpleasant. Saburo, if Cirika dies, then we don't get a feast. She'd not in danger of that, but if you remember right, Cirika did just get blasted with fire, shot at, and hauled around on somebody's shoulder. I'd say that our priority right now is healing our wounds and staying safe, then wondering if we're going to get a pat on the back for killing a lesser dragon."

"The birds were led by the Lesser Dragon. In order to get rid of the birds we killed the dragon. Cirika was made a little crispy by the dragon, others got kinda injured -but I wasn't keeping track of who was hurt-and we killed it. Except that after we did, some jackwagon with a crossbow shot at us. We carried Cirika out because she was injured, and now you're all caught up."

"No, it doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's the truth."

The doctor shook his head.

"...No. It certainly does not make much sense on it's own. Still, thank you for getting Lady Cirika back here safely. Her being injured is regrettable, but she's still alive. I am most grateful to you all for that."

Regardless, after hearing the story in detail, a furrow on the doctor's brow formed. Something was unsettling about all this to him.

"Ah yes, there was an Assassin..from the Palace Keep.. For now Doctor unless you have some means to help us, forget that fact. Assassins just don't end up on Castle Walls without someone helping them from the inside.

The doctor looked over to Rumiko, and their muscles.

"...Kiri, let Cirika recover some first before answering. Besides, I think you ended up hurt? You should get taken care of as well. You and... Runara I think? Either way, we don't know if the assassins will come back yet or not, but we should be ready to fight if they do."

"I doubt it, least not now, but I'm thinking these Monsters being here might not be such a chance event after all. Someone wants this village or rather for her to fail and fail hard.. Bah if only I could have climbed up that wall and gotten my hands on him.. For now though waiting till Cirika wakes up might be for the best, unless we can take multiple small jobs.. I wouldn't worry about the food, even if they were to take all they can carry more would be left, smoked meat would be best, more so from the Dragon, we might can solve the winter food storage problem with this partly... And it can earn us the gratitude of the Villagers if we share, plus I'm curious what a Dragon tastes like."

The doctor nodded, geneally agreeing with Rumiko's statement.

"Certainly. There is much to do in the village. The people of Tousawa look out for those who look out for them." The doctor smiled with a dry chuckle. "Pretty much all the villagers have been taught that from the beginning. Hopefully we'll be able to get all those birds before they start rotting-"

The doctor was interrupted as the home was opened.
There was a couple of town guardsmen standing guard outside, so it was curious who was allowed in just now.

The person allowed in looked like any of the other villagers. Prompting a raised eyebrow as she excused herself into the conversation.
But, Kiri and the Doctor knew them. Kiri especially.

"...I apologize for the intrusion. Doctor. I've been on sent on a bit of a wild chase looking for my lady all day after she didn't return home for lunch."

"No problems. Your search is over. Young Lady Moriya is right here." The doctor said as he motioned to Kiri.

"Thank goodness. Is she hurt?"
"I am in the process of looking over everyone here. Though right now, Lady Cirika seems to have taken the worst of it. She and the rest of these travelers defeated whatever beast that was plaguing the maple grounds. I surmise Lady Moriya somehow got involved in it. Perhaps out of some behest or curiosity."


"You mean she fought? Lady Moriya, that's incredibly reckless! But... that's not important. Doctor, Lady Cirika looks like she's resting, but may I speak with her, privately? It's crucial."

Looking over to Kiri and Cirika. Cirika didn't respond.

"Lady Cirika was in so much pain that I had her sedated. She could not respond if she wanted to."
"..."
"I understand."

"...Gyoku. We can talk about it here. What has happened at the keep? Can I help in any way?"

The young woman, Gyoku, looked at the travelers. They were most definitely 'outsiders' in her eyes.

"Do we trust these people?"

The doctor nodded.

"Yes. They saved Lady Cirika at the castle. Brought her back here when she came under attack."

...


"I guess, in a nutshell. It sounds like there's been a coup."
"The Keep has been taken over, people approaching it have been denied access. Even getting shot at."

"While Looking for Lady Kiri, I heard that Lady Cirika was the only one of the Daimyou's Family not in the Keep."
"I understand. You were looking for Lady Cirika to decide the next course of action."

Gyoku nodded.

"Indeed. So, in light of Cirika being in this state and with Lord Moriya away. I'll make the call. I'm going to take the shadows and take back the castle."
"I understand. Whatever support you and the shadows need, I'll be there."


"Appreciated. Though... there is one thing extra I'd like to ask, Doctor. Please keep my Lady from wandering off. She... her mother.. I mean-."

The woman began to stutter. Hints of distress started to seep out of her voice.

"Gyoku." The doctor interrupted. "I understand. No need to say more, we'll keep Lady Moriya safe here until it's over."

Something had happened to Lady Moriya, Kiri's mother, it sounded like.

And, beyond that, it sounded like that Swallow Beak Feast wasn't going to happen any sooner, either.
Since the castle had been taken over - that probably meant that the cook was also being kept captive... hopefully. There was also the possibility that people had already died.

But when did all of this happen? Did it occur during the chaos of the party fighting the swallow beaks, and the dragon?

"If you need any supplies, feel free to my supplies. Take whatever you need. I'd judge wrappings shall be the most important for what you're about to do."
"Thank you."

Gyoku followed the Doctor's motions to his supplies. She began to pack aside what she could before heading out. As she did so, the doctor returned to his patients. The furrow in his brow was gone. Almost seeming resigned to the insanity that seemed to be going on.

"Well. I can only say that today has not had any lack of surprises. Seems like that promised feast has one more hurdle to go over before it may be realized. And... I suppose you were correct." The doctor said as he looked at Rumiko. "Before we depart, might I attend to anything else for you lot? Any more injuries you wish for me to look unto? Lady Moriya?" He said, addressing everyone.

Gyoku was trying hard to avoid eye contact with Kiri. She feared that she'd already said too much at this point.
She seemed afeared at the thought of Lord Moriya returning to grieve two of his family members. She had to get out quickly.

Whatever was happening, a coup or whatever, sounded serious. As the doctor addressed the injuries in regards to the party from the fight with the dragon, there was some internal debate among each one of them over whether or not to get involved. It was strange. Did this happen as a result of them taking that job?

In the previous world, there was no signs that any kind of coup or the like had taken place in the village. So it was tempting to think that this would all, somehow sort itself out. But still, one notable thing: the set of jobs on that board were the exact same same as the ones they saw now. So, it was possible that the castle had been taken over solely because that opportunity had presented itself with the birds and dragon attacking.

@_Everyone

There was much more going on with this town than originally thought.
They mulled over the situation as the Doctor treated over their injuries from the fight. As Gyoku gathered up supplies, they wondered if they should get further involved. Their ultimate goal was to have Cirika survive. That objective would become much harder if Haschou's governing system and ruling body all get killed here. Was it a good idea to offer Gyoku help? Or at the very least, ensure that chef would be able to cook those birds as promised?

@Luma

For Kiri, Gyoku's sudden coldness to her as she hurriedly gathered medical supplies was so uncharacteristic of her. Something... something was really going wrong right now, wasn't it?
 
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Tsubaki Hanejima
Tsubaki_Ico.jpg

[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village, Village Apothecary]

First, it was a lesser dragon leading flocks of angry birds., followed by a sensitive assassin who was trying to take Cirika's life. Now, according to Kiri's servant who was conversing with the apothecary just now, there was a coup which allowed the Keep to be captured. Judging from the servant's response, it certainly felt that losses of life were happened during the coup. Ever since the party managed to defeat the lesser dragon and the encounter with the assassin, Tsubaki merely followed them silently. At first she wanted to help Rumiko in distracting the assassin back at the Maplegrounds, but considering that the assassin had lost his weapon, the situation was immediately diffused and everyone managed to escape.

Back at the apothecary, he asked everyone for their needs after Gyoku explained what was happening outside and started packing for medical supplies. As important as it is to address the ongoing coup d'état happening in Haschou, Tsubaki felt that their needs to be satisfied first before heading off to another encounter.

"By chance do you have any spare food for us? At least to tide us until the coup issue is resolved?"

Tsubaki politely asked the apothecary, before turning her gaze at Runara.

"We haven't ate for quite a while, and we fought the lesser dragon on empty stomach. I know it is too much for you to ask of, considering our numbers..."

She then stood up, revealing a laceration injury on her left side caused by one of the Swallow Beaks earlier on. Even then, it did not stop her from doing a courtesy bow to the apothecary.

("Sigh. This world is certainly gone bonkers, isn't it? To think our homeland were this chaotic...")

@LowDefinition
 
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KiriMoriya CC: #ffb7c5
Kiri_KNMIco.jpg

[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Village Apothecary ]

"Mm, it’s just a scratch," Kiri waived Kei’s concerns off feeling the side of her torso, "mmph... and a bruise maybe? Anyway, I’m fine, don’t worry about me." Kiri returned to staring down at Cirika until her attention was called to a new visitor.

"Gyoku~!"

Kiri’s face lit up as she recognized the familiar face, finally leaving Cirika alone. Running up to Gyoku, Kiri looked like she was about to dive into a hug as usual, but paused once she noticed Gyoku’s ice-cold attitude.

"Gyoku...?" A worried look crossed Kiri’s face as she waited patiently for her to explain. What little Gyoku did say concerned Kiri even further. Waving her hand at the doctor dismissively, Kiri poked Gyoku on the shoulder several times.

"What happened? Where’s mother? Gyoku, please...!" Kiri circled her target, staring directly into her eyes for as long as she could before she had to circle around to meet them again. Eventually, she gave up and wrapped herself around Gyoku’s waist like a living belt, trying to hold her in place. Kiri had a surprisingly strong grip when it came to hugs, and that extended to constrictive ones.

"Please! She my mother, I have to know! She’s safe, right? She’s still at home? What about the others?"

@Ehb
@Karyra
 
Fieldset:
[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village, Village Apothecary]

"By chance do you have any spare food for us? At least to tide us until the coup issue is resolved?" Tsubaki asked. "We haven't ate for quite a while, and we fought the lesser dragon on empty stomach. I know it is too much for you to ask of, considering our numbers..."

"I am pained to say that you are correct. I've not much food to spare - or at least enough to even come close to satisfying all of you I fear. Food has always been tight here in Haschou. Exceptionally so now, given the trouble with the farmsteads as of late. We've had to begin rationing with the coming frost. I've a small portion of rice that I've neglected to eat on account of the circumstances. If you see it not as an insult then feel free to partake in it. The least I can do for you helping out Lady Cirika."

The doctor motioned to a bowl of rice. A very conservatively sized bowl of rice. It seemed like he had been about to pour some salt on it in order to partake in lunch before the group arrived. It was most definitely cold at this point.

"As for the long term. I'd gather that these recent developments may complicate food distribution tonight. Not much room for handouts to begin with. Even with all of these birds lying about."

The Doctor offered it to the group. Looking a bit embarrassed yet humbled. He was certainly doing what he could. But, the meager offering of rice was a testament to how bad the food situation had gotten in Haschou. Even before the party arrived in the original timeline, food was scarce due to the Berserk Fangs that were prowling the farmlands.

Cirika had really offered them something akin to what would be considered a fortune in a place like this.

....

"What happened? Where’s mother? Gyoku, please...!"

The uneasy calm was broken as Kiri insisted Gyoku to reveal more information. The strife in the village, and the young Woman's uneasiness toward Kiri made the possibility of something having happened to Kiri's mother and friends as plain as day. Gyoku remained it standing still. Even
as Kiri hald her in some sort of bear's embrace she kept still.

"...Lady Moriya. If you may forgive my forwardness. I think it would be best to let Gyoku explain in detail later on. There's things that must be done immediately. The details of the how and the whys may be best left for after the fact."

"Please! She my mother, I have to know! She’s safe, right? She’s still at home? What about the others?"


@Karyra
Kei knew it well. He watched Gyoku taking the utmost care around the master no matter how ridiculous they began to act. In fact, that thing about her leading the shadows. She had equipment on her person that she was hiding in her plain clothes, wasn't she? Regardless, beyond that, the young woman seemed paralyzed in Kiri's 'hug.'

She was afraid. Gyoku was probably all too aware that honestly answering her master's requests would only bring them displeasure.

No. Even deeper than that. Kei felt.
As cold as she was coming off from her sudden appearance, he could feel that Gyoku was really afraid of something else. She was one of those servants that were actually loyal to their master. Gyoku was afraid to to see her master Kiri cry.

It was evident in Gyoku's strained expression. But she was trying her utmost to maintain a calm demanor. Though in reality, all that was happening right now had her almost at a breaking point. It made one wonder, just how bad was the takeover and the situation around the Keep?

Kei was disgusted that he could feel this understanding with Gyoku so easily.

Just because he was familiar with the perspective of a servant.


@Luma

"All shall be well, Lady Kiri."


Instead of a push back, Kiri felt an arm over her shoulders, and a hand on her head.

"I....I'm just a bit worried, you know? A whole lot just happened and I'm the only one who's left to... organize a solution."

Kiri's sight of her servant's face disappeared a bit as she held her closer.

"But, I promise. It'll all turn out right. I'm your servant after all, so I can't go back on a promise to my Lady. Therefore, worry not. All is to be handled well."


Kei looked at the expression in Gyoku's eyes. In fact, everyone find themselves getting drawn to it, all of a sudden.
Why... that person wasn't supposed have been in this world. As far as they were concerned, she was still struggling against phantoms in the graveyard.

"Therefore.... I must ask you to leave this to me, My Lady. Kiriha. Whatever wrongdoings have been done I will reverse them and save everyone. I swear."


@_everyone else

Why?
This person just came out of nowhere.
The rest of the party could not comprehend why this strong feeling of familiarity seemed to be coming off from Gyoku. But most importantly... Why was she giving off the same aura as Tsubaha Mori?

Their memory was doing it again. Filling in the blanks of who this girl was.... but their memories of a girl with peculiar eyebrows and their proposition that ultimately lead to them getting into this mess.

There were seeing Tsubaha Mori in this complete stranger and they couldn't understand.

This feeling that they were getting was the first link the party had felt to the outside world since they'd 'died'. Even more so than reuniting with Rizen, Noriko and the others. The identity of Tsubaha Mori was something that the world couldn't make an illusion of. And somehow... the fact that Gyoku was somehow invoking that memory was something the world seemed to be unable to smooth out on it's own.

Was this Gyoku woman possibly Tsubaha's ancestor somehow?

Their feelings and sentiments urged them to speak up. There was something here. Relevant to their goal of escaping this fake world. But, even leaving aside the fact that it would mean interrupting what looked like a private moment of sorts. How would they go about exploring it without sounding like they were... insane?

Still, it was good fortune. if this girl was a tie to Tsubaha somehow then she was a tie to the world beyond this memory loop.
 
Kiri Moriya CC: #ffb7c5
Kiri_KNMIco.jpg

[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Village Apothecary ]

As Gyoko reassured her, Kiri’s iron grip slowly loosened to more of a hemp rope grip, then to jello, until her arms finally just slid off. Kiri didn’t look content; not even close, but at least she’d let go. Instead of chaining her servant there, she silently mulled over the situation, trying to find where her own piece fit in the gruesome puzzle that the world had dropped on her.

"Okay," Kiri finally responded. "I can leave it to you, but I’m coming with you." She planted her hands firmly on her hips as the most obvious sign of finality she could manage. "I have to make sure everyone’s safe. All of you. We can always get a new servant, but we could never replace you. I can’t just leave that to chance."

@Ehb
 
Noriko Amagawa CC : #54ACD2
iBJmVVk.jpg


[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village]

Fortunately, the others were able to pick up the slack and dealt significant amounts of damage to the dragon. He was particularly impressed with Runara's display of skill and combat prowess, managing to land powerful attacks despite sustaining injuries earlier. Still, despite their onslaught of attacks, it seemed like the Dragon still had some fight left in it, managing to envelop Cirika in its scorching breath.

She managed to soldier on despite what he could only imagine as unbearable pain. In fact, it may have been only sheer adrenaline that's driving her as she squared off against the dragon despite her serious burns. Against all odds, it turns out that she would also be the one to land the finishing blow to the dragon.

Almost immediately afterwards, the Swallow Beaks around them started fighting amongst themselves, a battle of succession which ended in the decimation of their ranks, just as Cirika had told them. It all seemed quite peculiar... abhorrently so that Noriko could feel it in his gut that something was bound to go wrong. Things were NEVER this easy after all.

And as if on cue, a crossbow bolt plants itself a few feet away from an incapacitated Cirika, prompting Kei to whisk her away whilst the others tried to distract the assassin. Rumiko' making a mockery of the bowman's parents seemed to have an effect as it managed to distract the assassin in question long enough for their resident ninja and the heiress to make it out of harm's way. As soon as the group was sure that Cirika and Kei made it to safety, it was their turn to make a hasty escape.

[ Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Village Apothecary ]

As soon as the group arrived at the Apothecary, Noriko quickly went to work, ensuring that there was a steady supply of cold water available to treat Cirika's burns.

"Guess all those canteens I carry around really do come in handy.Though I never expected that they'd be used like this..." The treatment drained over half of his stock so he needs to remind himself later to replenish his supplies.

Next, the good doctor started questioning everyone about the details regarding what happened to Cirika. It seems that he was really rattled to find out that their Lord's daughter was almost grilled alive by a Lesser Dragon before almost getting skewered by an assassin wielding a crossbow.

Having decided that the others did a sufficient job of explaining the situation, the black haired swordsman decided to keep quiet and merely observe the proceedings. It didn't take long for another person to report that even more shit had hit the proverbial fan and this one seemed related to Kiri Moriya, a servant perhaps.

Apparently while they were dealing with the Swallow Beaks and the Lesser Dragon, a coup d'etat had been staged. The impeccable timing between these events made it seem like this was no mere coincidence. Adding the fact of how the assassin was able to gain access to that part of the castle to set up a sniper's nest, then it wouldn't be far fetched to think that everything that happened was part of some sort of elaborate ploy to get rid of the ruling family of Haschou Village.

In addition to that, it seemed that Kiri's mother had befallen an ill fate during the ensuing chaos. However, she seemed quite oblivious to the fact and it was obvious that her servant was trying to desperately hide this from her. Even though Noriko grew up not knowing his parents, his Master fulfilled the role of a mother for him and he knows what it's like to lose that maternal figure. Hence, while it seemed cruel to let Kiri remain ignorant, it would be a lot worse if anyone brought up that fact to light now while everything's an absolute mess.

"Things really are never easy, huh?"

As part of one last twisted surprise, the servant of House Moriya started to exert an aura of familiarity. In fact, among all these people here, Noriko would be the one to first recognize his fellow "classmate" from the Jiao Jing Wushu school. They had spent a considerable time trapped in this unstable place solving its problems that he was starting to forget the real world and its own set of problems.

Hesitantly, he called out to the woman who calls herself Gyoku, hoping to get some sort of reaction from her that would prove his suspicions.

"Tsubaha...-san?"
 
Rumiko Mitsurugi
Rumiko_Ico.jpg

[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Apothecary]

"Tch.." IF it wasn't one thing it was always something else it seemed, either way this world was a curious thing.. It seemed disrupting this plan enacted another, either way the answers likely laid within. A coup of some sort which was just great, how much of the Garrison was in on it and how much was sitting it out..then there was that food, the cold temperatures would help it last a little longer but not by much, snow had yet to fallen.

Either way this was a stroke of luck depending, Rumiko had wanted to explore the keep after all. The problem was the nature of this world, some care had to be taken with it and too many of her comrades were hungry.

"Apothecary, I may have a few things to ask of you, patch up the Tsubaki, then gather whatever towns people are willing, what I'm trying to say is, gather who is brave enough or who the guards might think twice on shooting, as long as they don't try and go towards the keep they should be able to gather the birds..the Dragon might be a bit difficult but we got a few hours.. I'm not saying to do this for our feast, but as frankly I'm not sure when matters may allow us to deal with those wolves and your food rations are terrible enough as is, set about preserving and stockpiling them...as to the rice, if you have plenty of water I might be able to work out a halfway miracle, stretch that one bowl out into four or five with rice porridge... Speaking of water there might be something else we can do to help with your food situation from within the village,."

Taking note of the Bushy eyebrows making her return, Rumiko more or less watches the interactions aimed towards her, namely from Noriko, though the personality was much the same as Tsubaha..was it her or an ancestor..either way the world had thrown in another odd ball.. they might be on the right track if they could keep disrupting it or get hold of someone with answers..

"Sorry, no can do, Gyoku was it? We have to go do this as well, otherwise I think things will get much worse, plus with no clear authority we can't do those jobs purely out of kindness.. I also want to see inside of that keep, get my hands on that Assassin for a bit of a..prayer talk. Though I'm not sure we all should go..but that's a talk for another time, besides I don't think you can take it alone and I don't want to wait and see if Cirika tries charging it when she wakes up or kills herself over it."

Crossing her arms the Miko didn't seem keen to broker a discussion over it so much as saying; That's that.

"Sure you want to go in there Little Princess? You might not like what you find.." Rumiko adds in belately, looking at the sleepy head, ghost or not, the Miko had seen enough of the world to know the likely fate of her father..unless he was needed alive or wasn't part of the coup himself.. If that were the case things would end up all too messy and foolish for the Miko's liking.


@Ehb @Miya @Luma
 
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Kei Daidouji, #00FFFF
Kei_Ico.jpg

[Month of Harvest, Haschou Village / Maplegrounds]

They were on their way of planning to gather the stupid birds when the interruption came in the form of a servant of Kiri's. Kei was more than willing to sit down and calmly relax in some corner while Kiri and the servant did whatever it was they were doing. Sandwiches or whatever. However, that wasn't the case. There had been a coup at the castle, and that was why they had been shot at by the assassins.

This was a departure from history to be sure, as he was pretty sure there wasn't a coup.

Tsubaki had the smartest play, which was to eat then charge in, however they only had a little food and no time to pluck and cook the birds, much less the dragon. As Kei thought about the options presented to them, Kiri was holding tight to this Gyoku woman. Kei thought she was familiar, but probably not. Those fake memories from before were still rattling around in his head.

It was probably that he'd been in the same position. The ugly, unpleasant memories bubbled up and Kei had to work to mask his utter disgust at Gyoku's pitiful attempt to conceal the truth. Kiri really was too dense to read the room, wasn't she. Gyoku was a fool, too. Loyalty only got you killed at best. Kiri would use her like a piece on a chessboard.

Suddenly, Gyoku changed. No, it was her demeanor, really. Tsubaha? Nah.

It was all fake. This town, his memories, everything was fake. The only thing that held him fast and true was his one promised mission, and he could move through while his memories muddled and were lost. He just had to kill the Shang Prince. Nothing else really mattered.

"I have to make sure everyone’s safe. All of you. We can always get a new servant, but we could never replace you. I can’t just leave that to chance."

Kei lost it. For a moment the world turned red. All he could hear was the heartbeat in his ears. When he came to, he had slapped Kiri across the face.

"Don't lie!"
Kei was trying not to shake with rage. "She's just as replaceable as the rest of your servants, isn't she? They're all just replaceable. When this coup is done it doesn't matter if they're dead or imprisoned, because you'll just get some other desperate fool to clean your clothing."

"Gyoku. Don't lie to her about what you think. Because they're not going to be fine. You wanna know how you mother is doing. Kiri? She's dead. Gyoku there won't tell you this because she doesn't want to see you cry. But you're soft. They've babied you and you are acting like you're some kind of hero when you're just a scared noble kid who everyone treats with kid gloves! You're the... the-" Kei stopped midway as though this rant had been meant for someone else. "You're supposed to be the daughter of the Spymaster, so toughen up or stay behind."

@Luma
@Ehb
@Everyone
 
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