[center] [img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/a3b148938837c8380c1eb6e43f0d31fc/tumblr_pcvta2YxeN1w6599so1_1280.png[/img] Hideout (Suttling Basin, old mill) [/center] Fritzi brushed a hand through her hair before placing her hands together. [color=peachpuff]”Actually, I think they would only blow your cover.”[/color] her grin widened. [color=peachpuff]”Chiyo serves a demi-human noble, and Quill is a demi-human street performer. I think they are both liabilities. If you want to go at it alone, you could get much further than either of them without raising suspicions.”[/color] Fritzi placed her hands on her hips and deepened her voice. [color=peachpuff]”Chieko can't go at it alone! Let me look after her at least.”[/color] She chuckled at her poor quill impersonation. [color=peachpuff]”All I ask is that you get back here before noon. No excuses, no prolonged romp with your friends, no taking a bit longer to get extra information. And watch out for Vertti's butler. He's just...”[/color] Fritzi lifted her hand up and started fanning herself. [hr] [center] The Docks [/center] Grisaia and Mistress Vertti headed to the docks in earnest. There wasn't much talking on the way there, largely because there were a lot of people moving about at this hour. Merchants trying to draw in customers, land dragons making daily commutes, there was a lot going on. Mistress Vertti thought it might be a good idea to try fishing, so she had Grisaia purchase some supplies before they got to the docks. This would be her first time trying this, so she didn't have any of the basic supplies. They got fishing lines, buckets to hold bait, baskets to hold fish, bait, and a few lunches in the event that they didn't catch anything. Once they arrived at the docks, it only took the dock crew a moment to take Vertti's boat out of storage. The dock crew had done a great job of maintaining it. The boat was finely crafted without the sort of frills one might expect an aristocrat to have. Vertti's home was one thing, but she had always been very practical when it came to her tools. That, and Vertti didn't always wish to stand out because of her status in society. She was fine being just like everyone else in situations like this. It only took a moment to load everything into the boat. [color=lavender]"We'll have to go out a ways if we want to catch any fish."[/color] Mistress Vertti left paddling the boat out in Grisaia's hands. [color=lavender]"We haven't had much of a chance to talk since I came back. I apologize for that."[/color] She took a deep breath. [color=lavender]"What sort of adventures did you go on while I was away?"[/color] [hr] [center] Outside gate 1 [/center] The army had stopped far behind the tree line and was setting up its siege engines. Most of the army was spreading around to other parts of the massive forest. [color=c577bb]”The water city is surrounded by a giant moat, and some of the strongest walls I've ever seen. That makes their position very well fortified.”[/color] His grin crep up behind his ears. [color=c577bb]”It also means they have limited ways to escape.”[/color] He turned to Aerith. [color=c577bb]”Typically there would be guards patrolling this far out, but the demi-human bandits outside the walls have put an end to that. They're all held up in the city, like rats clinging to high ground during a flood.”[/color] He rubbed his hands together. [color=c577bb]”I could start the siege right now. There wouldn't be anything left of this city in ten minutes.”[/color] Without warning, he started to scream at Aerith. [color=c577bb]”No you imbecile! I can not start the siege until I've confirmed the witch's prison.”[/color] He placed a hand over his face. [color=c577bb]”They don't care about her inner beauty at all. That radiance that comes out of her, her intoxicating aroma that so many dare call rancid.”[/color] He was talking through his teeth. [color=c577bb]”They don't care about her inner beauty at all. That radiance that comes out of her, her intoxicating aroma that so many dare call rancid.”[/color] His voice was cracking, and his eyes were wet. [color=c577bb]”All they care about is her body. So long as it is locked away and no one can ever truly be with her.”[/color] His lower lip quivered. [color=c577bb]”Hold me lust.”[/color] He was quick to bury his face in Aerith's bosom and sob his emotions away. The other cultists staring on with stone faces only served to make the situation more awkward. [color=c577bb]”Ah, I see your true power now.”[/color] Vaux stood up, and there were two wet spots on Aerith's chest. But he was smiling again. [color=c577bb]”You are an expert at debasing yourself. It's not just that you can lower yourself until you're covered in mud, but covering yourself in mud comforts those around you. That is your power.”[/color] He eyed her breasts. [color=c577bb]”Such. Awesome. Power.”[/color] The cultists looked at one another, but said nothing. [color=c577bb]”I know how I can use you now.”[/color] Vaux continued to address Aerith's chest, even going as far as pointing at her breasts. [color=c577bb]”I need you to find the witch of envy. You could get just about anywhere with a little bit of help.”[/color] Vaux snapped his fingers, and a land dragon pulling a cart filled with various crates walked up beside him. [color=c577bb]”You will enter the water city posing as a travailing merchant.”[/color] He took a scroll and tucked it between Aerith's breasts. [color=c577bb]”You will enter the water city posing as a merchant. Act a little shy, let them inspect your cart. Just remember that you're a travailing merchant selling clothes. I was going to go in myself, but now that you're here, you get to go.”[/color] Her gripped Aerith's rib cage tightly. [color=c577bb]”And if you manage to screw this up, I'll rip you off of that useless woman who's carting you around and find another use for you!”[/color] After giving her a shove, Vaux took a deep breath. [color=c577bb]”Do return as soon as you can. I'd prefer to start the siege with the witch's whereabouts known to me. And with you at my side.”[/color] He looked up at Aerith. [color=c577bb]”Both of you.”[/color] He nodded with a sniff. [color=c577bb]”I'm feeling a little emotional right now. Come back safe.”[/color] Vaux wiped his eyes before turning around to leave.