[hider=Trip to the Big City] Charme had met Kath at the base of the mountain, just as agreed. Next to her was a simple carriage, fashioned from mostly wood. It was reminscent of a small stage coach, and even had a chauffeur sitting atop it, holding the reins to a horse which had been borrowed from the Beast Pens - after much agonizing declines to what the vampires suggested as 'better' mounts... The cochman looked fairly drab, dressed in unassuming clothes and his face had a blank, empty look it, as did his eyes. It was clear that this was a homunculus created by the alchmist to serve merely one purpose, and not engage in anything else. Once both were aboard, the wagon began to roll. The inside wasn't anything special, but at least they didn't need to walk. The time in the carriage though was mostly spent by Charme going through and over the cipher made by Kath, asking her questions and doing impromptu quizzes and tests, back and forth, to get them more accustomed and familiar with the script of the natives. It was a rather simple feat, seeing as how both Kath and Charme were quick learners, studuious and very intelligent women. When they took breaks from their little study-sessiosn, they either chatted idly or focused on their own little things. The trip was uneventful, no interception by bandits or highwaymen, no random monster attacks and no wheels breaking or flying off the carriage. Charme paid almost no attention to the outside that rolled them by, caring little for the flora, fauna and enviroment at large. After all, she was an indoor-person, and it wasn't like she'd ever go outside and search for herbs or reagents on her own time - that's what they had their little servants for. Still, once they arrived in the city and got off the wagon, Charme's first impression settled on her face quickly. A slight frown and narrowed eyes. She was not impressed, unlike Kath. The town was full of dirty-looking people, the streets were dirty, the buildings were dirty, there was a plethora of mostly unpleasant smells and many passer-by's were giving her leering looks. The latter-most couldn't be helped of course, Charme knew this, but the former issues were a greater problem. Being a bit of a pedantic neat-freak, Charme loathed uncleanliness and unsanitary enviroments... And this place... Well.. "[i]What a cesspool...[/i]" She said under her breath, shutting the door to the carriage behind her. As soon as she and Kath were off and out of the wagon, the coachman flicked the reins again, and began his trip back towards the Chateau. He would travel to the base of the mountain, leave the carriage and lead the equine back up to the beast pens. Whereafter both he and the carriage would collapse into a heap of raw materials. Charme always did put timers on her minions and creations that were only meant to exist for a brief period, after all. "Well then, kitten." She said, looking at Kath, her unpleasant expression gone and replaced by her practicied smile. "Let's get to it. Rodias wanted us to visit the local library, so let's start there, yes?" She said, rather than actually asked. Grabbing a scruffy local by the shoulder, Charme sweetly inquired as to where the library was. After being told where it was, and politely turning down an offer to get a drink later - twice - she and her companion began their trek. The two ladies received looks as they passed on, Kath more so for her draconic heritage and features, while Charme received looks for... Other.. Reasons... It didn't help that her regular walk had a bit of swing to her hips, causing the tight-fitting dress she wore to showcase her voluptuous figure with each step. Perhaps she should've gone with a different outfit for this outing... At the library, both of the women passed the litteracy test with ease, being allowed access to the texts and tomes of this strange new world. A trivial success, but a success nontheless. For now, they would need to learn what they could, before setting their sights on Rodias' second goal: Finding a way to make local money. "So, which topics would you like to read about, dear?" The woman turned her head to kath and asked. "I really don't mind either way, so choose whatever you want and I'll pick something different so we can cover as much information in as short a time as possible." Charme explained. [hr] [i]~ Later, at a most mediocre inn, during the night ~[/i] Charme was sitting in a poorly made wooden chair in her and Kath's room. The place was a dreary setting, full of cheap furniture and shabby decorations. The beds didn't look particularly inviting either, just some frames with hay, covered by a ratty sheet with a lumpy mess for covers... But, given that they weren't familiar with the costs and typical going-rate for things when it came to local prices, the two had thought it best to be frugal for now. As they sat there in the dim light of a few wax candles, the sudden sound of Graft's voice echoed in Charme's head, causing her to jolt up and look around. She soon calmed down and realized it was just the baron using one of his oh-so-pleasant-and-invasive skills. However, his message was even more alarming. "Charme here." She replied when asked to reply to being present. The following moments were a mess, and after both the loud sound, from two points in the mental conversation, followed by Graft''s shouting and growling, it was clear something major was going on. In a sense, Charme was happy that she wasn't actually back at the Chateau - she wasn't a combatant and had no desire to partake in whatever defenses and stratgeies were employed in order to take down this supposed superior foe. On the other hand, she [i]did[/i] worry for her allies, and in particular Rodias. Even if she couldn't offer much in the way of combat might, she could've at least supported them with her dances or brews. But, as it was, she and Kath could do absolutely, positively [i]nothing.[/i] Nothing except sit and listen, while their comrades words and actions resonated in their heads like a radio drama. Charme folded her hands infront of herself on a table and rested her chin in them, a stern and serious look crossing her face. "Rodias, how're you fairing?" Charme asked, as she hadn't heard the voice of her Lord since after the commotion broke out. "If you need to, please remember how you and the other Lords and Ladies handled enemies like this." She continued calmly. "Not by meeting and greeting them head on. But by making use of the Chateau, and its residents." Hopefully, her words would help the Sable Lord formulate some kind of plan, or at least bring him back to his senses. But in truth, this wasn't the first time that the Chateau had been assailed by a stronger threat - it just happned to be the first time there was only one Bandersnatch-member present to deal with it. But even if that was the case, tried and true tactics might just still save the day... Or at least serve as a nuisance for their 'guest'.[/hider] [hider=Dogs use trees for toilets] Ashara could do nothing but stare in abject disgust at the amalgation that was the tree of bones and body-parts. So repulsive was it that the fox had to consciously repress the urge caused by Lord Chompy's blessing to just outright start flinging attacks at the awful, wretched thing. It didn't help that the apparent sire of this abomination was present and seemed to be some kind of nervous wreck... Or perhaps he just had a stutter? Regardless, before either the cat or fox could act, Gromgard stepped forward - and did something utterly, utterly beyond foolish. Not only did he disarm himself and approach their target, standing out of range of his own weapon, but he also attempted to converse and [i]offer aid[/i] to it. Ashara was dumbfounded. She wasn't smart, that much she knew herself, but Gromgard? Was he an imbecille? Their Sable Lord had given them orders to destroy and dispatch all members of this supposed cult, and here they were face-to-face with what most likely either their leader, or at least their greatest champion, and her ally was asking if they could [i]help[/i] him? If this was a play at trying to deceive the cultist, it went way over Ashara's head. She simply couldn't grasp why or for what reason the supposed Military General of the Chateau, would take an absurd action like this? Even though the fluctuations in the abominable treant made it diddifuclt to accurately determine it's strength, the cultist himself seemed to be on par in power with Rodias - which would normally be an enormous challenge, but the fact that there were three of them here, all being of not too far-behind in terms of strength, meant that they simply had to work together to bring this enemy down. The remaining cultist mooks who had rallied and gathered in the shrubs and underbrush, watching and waiting for what to do next, posed no concern. All that remained to clear their objective was to deal with the man beforehand, and his horrid creation. But then, Graft's voice resonated in her head. Ashara blinked in surprise and her tails flailed wildly. She didn't respond. Anything she said could possibly provoke the target before them into action. Instead, she merely listened to the chaotic conversation between her fellow residents, the noise and the dire news of injuries and possible losses. She had never felt a greater desire to turn around and head back to her home, to rush to the aid and side of her friends and family. So great was it, that the fox actually trembled slightly. But, despite this overwhelming urge, she stayed. She stood fast. She had orders, given to her by her Lord, and he had not called for her to return to his side. No matter the pain she felt from hearing the voices of her peers in danger, she had a mission of her own to do. But Gromgard's way and the new situation left the woman with no choice. Swiftly raising her arm up and opening her palm, aiming it at the cult leader, she spoke in a clear, commanding voice. "[b][Spirit Bullet]![/b]" At once, a black, swirlign sphere, the size of your average soft ball, materailized infront of her open palm. A purple, uncanny aura surrounded the orb and with incredible speed, it shot forward, towards the tree-tending cultist. She repeated this spell several times, launching a veritable barrage of these bullets at the enemy. The spell was a relatively cheap and simple one. On impact, ti caused a purple explosion, and dealt a small deal of magic damage. It however also destroyed a bit of the target's current MP, and delivered a debuff - that lasted only for a few seconds - which stunted mana regeneration. While the debuff didn't stack or get longer with successive hits, it [i]did[/i] refresh the timer. Hopefully, her initial attack would chew through some of the enemy's mana and leave him an easier target for Lord Chompy to deal with.[/hider]