[center][abbr=Octopath Travelers][img]https://i.ibb.co/88KWNj5/OTbanner.png[/img][/abbr]
[sup]____________________________________________________[/sup]
[color=FFC6C6][u]Level[/u]: [b]8[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 221/80[/color] [color=2e2c2c]------[/color] [color=BC8DBF][u]Level[/u]: [b]7[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 103/70[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color] [color=2e2c2c]----------------------------[/color] [color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color]
[color=lightgray]Word Count: 2532 (+3 exp)
[b]Location[/b]: The Under[/color]
[sub][i]Ft. [@Lugubrious] as Tingyun[/i][/sub][/center]
'Through the Crypt and Hollow Bough' were the instructions the Organization member gave them in order to obtain the item they'd need to defeat this region's Guardian. It seemed the Crypt was their first destination, as they came upon it soon after walking over a hill of headstones. So far in the Under, the undead had been just as much innocent civilians as they had been mindless monsters - the Travelers wondered which type they'd find beyond the mausoleum's doors. Well, beyond the doors that were beyond those doors.

[color=D34C25]"End user..."[/color] [color=BC8DBF]"...license agreement?"[/color]

It was the first time Primrose and Therion had heard the term, though of course they knew what a contract was. From the way the Snatcher hastily described it, it was clear even to the ignorant that there was something fishy with the document. But when wasn't that the case lately? Suspicion and danger were every day occurrences now. For some, it had been for a long time.

The two of them both signed either own contracts using only their first names, though unbeknownst to them it wouldn't make a difference. Most of the others went ahead and signed themselves, giving them easy access to the Crypt. It was only after everyone had either signed or refused that the Snatcher revealed one of the deadly conditions of the document, taking all the signers' souls right from their body. It was a strange, unpleasant feeling. Primrose blinked, placing a hand on her chest while Therion frowned. [i]This might as well happen,[/i] he thought to himself with a sigh. 

[color=BC8DBF]"The pizza guy was normal to you?"[/color] he said to Ms. Fortune before the group at large moved deeper into the area.

Before the Snatcher disappeared, he gave them the name of the Crypt and it's keeper. The [i]NecroDancer.[/i] The title intrigued Primrose. They found the inside of the Crypt to be lively, with music and colorful lights. There were dancers aplenty as well, with all kinds of different styles, and while some seemed like they were having a decent time others looked... desperate. This place did seem to be some kind of dance themed dungeon, so if the key to escaping really was a dance battle as Bowser claimed, then Primrose wasn't worried at all. She'd even had some practice the day before last, and she mentioned as much to Sectonia. She agreed about the potential for a mask fragment as well.

[color=D34C25]"You may be right. If this anything like the Royal Canopy Club, then we'll be able to handle it."[/color]

Primrose turned to the Koopa King and Prince after the former's wild story, her mouth pulled into a smile. [color=D34C25]"Oh~? So I'm not the only dancer the group has? You should have told me. We could practice together."[/color] Her words were mostly teasing, but she was very curious to see her comrade's dancing. 

As Bowser and Kamek wandered off to get a rundown of how things worked here, Primrose and Therion loitered around the rest of the group. Lunch did sound good, now that Nadia mentioned it. She also mentioned not knowing what to do, but Therion thought that was pretty clear: find the person in charge, get their souls back, and get out. The specifics could be figured out as they went. He indulged in some of their food reserves, handing a random slice to Primrose and then offering one to Nadia. 

In no time at all the two Koopas returned with information. They confirmed that there were indeed dance battles involved in escaping. Unsurprising and less than thrilled, Therion pushed himself off the spot on against the wall he'd taken up.

[color=BC8DBF]"Well, I'll get a head start on finding the [i]Amicassador[/i],"[/color] he said, wiping his hands on his pants. [color=BC8DBF]"I was gonna look around the place anyway."[/color]

Hopefully he or someone else could find a way out of this mess without forcing everyone to dance. Maybe they could pool points or something, even if it meant relying on their professional Primrose and whoever else was bold enough to give it a shot. He sure wasn't, unless the circumstances absolutely demanded it. 

He walked off without extending any invitations to join him. Primrose watched him go until he disappeared around a corner, and then turned her attention to the others. 

[color=D34C25]"I think I'll speak with some of the instructors there,"[/color] she told them, nodding her head toward the collection of dancers showing their moves off. She was interested in nearly all of them (the break dancers less so, given it would be hard to keep what remained of her modesty intact with her current outfit), and it couldn't hurt to expand her repertoire. As confident as she was though, if all of the Seekers that had their souls taken would have to participate in dancing competitions, it would behoove them to come along with her and learn. 

[color=D34C25]"Would anyone like to join me?"[/color] she asked, extending a hand for anyone to take. And although none of their group seemed even the slightest bit shy, she made another offer. [color=D34C25]"I could be talked into giving a few lessons myself, if practicing in front of strangers was a concern."[/color]

Personally she intended to go first to the fox person with the fan, interested to see the difference in their styles.

[hr]
Meanwhile, Therion wandered the Crypt. He kept his cat ears low against his head, trying to block out the worst of the loud music. It was impossible to escape, but he could at least deal with it. As he'd told the others before he left, he [i]was[/i] planning to look for the Amicassador, but it would be remiss of him not to look for some goodies too. Assuming this was a regular crypt at least one point in time, there might be some valuables somewhere around. [i]Am I above grave robbing? No.[/i]

Unfortunately, every single room he happened into was a dance hall. They featured different decor and different styles of music like the few they passed through on the way toward the central part of the Crypt, but there were no treasure rooms. The people dancing didn't seem to have anything worthwhile on them at first glance either. They were sad, tired, or currently shaking it to whatever beat was playing. 

It didn't take much more wandering for Therion to set aside his disappointment and focus on finding this Tingyun figure instead. [i]Fan dancer. Big, fluffy brown fox tail.[/i] Those were the clues that had been passed onto the Koopas, and from them unto the Seekers. Even so, looking through each and everyone room for one person would take a while. He questioned a few people that seemed to be taking a break, shouting over the music. They all told him the same thing.

"DISCO ROOM!" The latest one said, some kind of spirit that was fed up with repeating itself.

And once again Therion responded with, [color=BC8DBF]"[i]I don't know what a disco is![/i]"[/color]

After a couple more attempts someone pointed him in the right direction, namely just pointed out a passing [url=https://i.ibb.co/rwWJrhz/Backup-Dancer.png]zombie[/url] and just told him to follow it. It's shuffling was slow but purposeful, but it did eventually lead him to the right place. 

As usual the room pulsed with music, and like the other rooms he wasn't familiar with said music, but people of a more modern era would recognize it as a [url=https://i.imgur.com/ybJ4Hb1.png]discotheque.[/url] Therion lingered just inside the entryway off to the side, scanning the room until he caught sight of it: a big brown tail. The person he assumed was the Amicassador was behind the bar on the far side, so without wasting anymore time the thief made his way over while sticking to the walls. The center of the room had people surrounding a short, multi-colored stage and the competitors that danced on top of it - which he didn't want any part of.

Therion leaned against the counter, waving the bartender over when she looked over his way. The other patrons paid him little mind. They seemed like they'd had the life drained out of them, or at least their will. He didn't concern himself with them though, only the foxy woman. 

[color=BC8DBF]"Hey. You take Geo here?"[/color]

It might be a little early for a drink (but who knew, maybe it was actually later than they assumed, being underground and all), but he'd also just had his soul taken from his body, so.

"Welcome, customer!" her high, bright voice sang out in reply. The owner of the said fluffy tail turned around, her brilliant jade-green eyes -tinted by Galeem's red- narrowed by a friendly smile as they sized Therion up. This 'Amicassador' turned out to be quite the looker, clad in an earthy brown sleeveless dress and fine red silks short enough to left her long legs on proud display. Her silky chocolate-brown hair was done up in a businesslike ponytail, and tall fox ears rose from her head. In her hands she held a silver cocktail mixer she'd been shaking, which the [url=https://i.imgur.com/uW0ddWZ.png]foxian beauty[/url] began to gently pour for another customer. "Or perhaps I should say 'contractor'? You certainly have that look about you. Regardless, we certainly do take geo! Is there anything I can get for you?"

Therion was a bit surprised that she could tell he'd signed that thing with just a look. Then he thought, [i]actually, makes sense. Who else would end up here?[/i]

He looked at rows of bottles behind her, then shrugged and said, [color=BC8DBF]"Cheap ale, if you have it. Or whatever you have on tap."[/color] 

His gaze flickered from her tail up to her ears. [color=BC8DBF]"You're right though. About me being a... 'contractor.' I was told the 'Amicassador' could tell me how things really work around here?"[/color] 

"If that's so, then you've come to the right place twice over, because that just so happens to be me! I have the honor of serving as the Crypt's humble Amicassador. I'm in charge of welcoming visitors, showing them the ropes, and generally doing whatever I can to help put the 'rave' in 'grave', heehee." The foxian giggled as she finally selected the right brew for the job, a tasteful but pragmatic blend between affordability and quality. Hopefully it would help ease the new contractor feel a little more at home. Taking a glass mug, she poured it out to to twenty percent foam exactly, then placed it on the counter for Therion to take. "There you go, please enjoy. While you do, shall I launch into my usual spiel?"

[color=BC8DBF]"Thanks."[/color] He took the mug and settled in to listen. He didn't even cringe at the pun, immunity built up by being around Ms. Fortune. Taking a sip of the drink he was pleasantly surprised, and gestured for the woman to go on with her explanation. After she picked up on her signal, the Amicassador proceeded. 

"Well, if you're here at our eternal dance party, chances are it's for one just reason: to get your soul back from the illustrious NecroDancer.  According to the very same contract through which you signed it away, however, there's only one way: to win it fair and square by besting the NecroDancer himself on the dance floor. He won't accept a challenge from just anyone though, and whether or not you earn the right depends on your score." She placed her hands on the counter and leaned forward somewhat. "When you compete in a dance, you'll receive a rating based on how well you do, given by the countless spirits that dwell within these hallowed halls. Naturally, so will your opposition. The winner will earn points equal to the loser's score, and the loser will lose points equal to the winner's. Everyone starts with one hundred, and in order to challenge the NecroDancer, you'll need to gather [i]ten thousand[/i]." For a moment she went serious, pronouncing the number with extra gravitas, but the next second she gave a sympathetic smile. 

"I know it sounds like a lot, but the NecroDancer's Floorbosses give that much apiece, and other contractors can be worth a lot, too! Please be careful though, benefactor. If you drop below zero points, you'll turn undead. At that point you can only lose one hundred points per loss, but the dead are terrible dancers, so try to avoid it if you can! On the bright side, since the dead here are generally desperate enough for a jackpot that they'll accept any challenge, they're essentially free points! If I were you, I'd start with them." 

She stood up and crossed her arms, her head tilted while looking upward as if for any lost details. "I think that just about covers it. My name is Tingyun, and if you need anything at all, please come let me know! Who knows, you may even see me out on the dance floor. Good luck winning your soul back!" she added with slightly disingenuous cheeriness.

That dance battles were required was the last thing that Therion wanted to hear, but he was ready for it so it didn't phase him. The point total needed was a different story, and he very nearly choked on his drink when she said it. He set the glass down and coughed, covering his mouth with the back of his hand as Tingyun finished up. Though she mentioned some bosses could award that many points in one go, it also meant losing to them was instant undeath. 

[color=BC8DBF]"...so no other way to get out of this? Bribes, or..."[/color] He didn't want to make a threat or anything, and since she was working for the guy Tingyun was unlikely to actually tell him an alternate path out, but he had to ask on principal.

Tingyun stroked her tail as she contemplated this. "You're hardly the first to ask, dear benefactor. But if you break your contract, the NecroDancer has the right to devour your soul." She raised an eyebrow at Therion, her other squinted doubtfully. "Well... I don't suppose you're under eighteen years of age? Any contracts signed by minors are not legally binding."

[color=BC8DBF]"Unfortunately not."[/color] No point in lying, he was sure there was some weird way to check his soul's age or something. It was good news for the little turtle and his friend though. After a few moments spent ruminating in silence Therion downed the rest of his drink in one go and fished the payment from his coin purse. As he was about to leave, another question came to mind.

[color=BC8DBF]"How do you keep track of the points you have, anyway?"[/color] 

The foxian lady slid another mug she'd just filled to a miserable-looking zombie down the bar. "Oh, like this!" She snapped her fingers, and a little ghostly wisp manifested above her hand, forming into a series of digits. [i]8900[/i]. After a brief moment Tingyun waved her hand through the number, dispersing it like candle smoke.

An instant approximation of a dancer's skill. It seemed the points system ran on some kind of magic of supernatural phenomenon, so it was unlikely he'd be able to cheat that. [i]Just great.[/i] He should really know better by now than to mess around with favors and contracts. 

With nothing else coming to mind, Therion made to depart. [color=BC8DBF]"Appreciate it,"[/color] he told the Amicassador, then he was off to find his way back to the central nexus.