[center][h3]Caesar

With [color=tan]Courier 6[/color] and [color=salmon]Ace Cadet[/color] and [color=0072bc]Blazermate[/color] and [color=92278f]Queen Sectonia[/color][/h3]
Word Count 2347
Ace Cadet: Level: 4 - Total EXP: 29/40 +3
Courier 6: Level7 - (19/70) +3
Blazermate: Level 6 - (19/60) +3
Sectonia Level 2 - (7/20) +3
[b]Location:[/b] Lumbridge, the Land of Adventure[/center]

Courier 6 had left the Guild Hall with his robot trailing slightly behind, carrying all manner of things pilfered from the casino down the hole. Some of the things he knew he’d be taking advantage of immediately, such as a large bottle of whiskey he now took large gulps from. It was an impressive amount of supplies that Gaige-Tron had stored in its internal cavity to be certain, but still not enough. He needed more… Natural ingredients. Luckily such things could be found in the Land of Adventure, and all around Lumbridge, in spades. Plenty of plants and other vegetation to combine into what he was working on.

“What sorts of things are you gonna cook up, master?” Gaige-Tron asked. The Courier winced.

[color=tan]”I reckon ya shouldn’t be callin’ me that. No gods. No masters.”[/color] He took another gulp of whiskey. Gaige-Tron wasn’t sure how to process that information. It was designed to have free will certainly, and had some brain patterns from the human named Gaige to guide its thinking, but the Courier was its creator. More than that, it was hardwired to obey the Courier’s orders. How was it supposed to address him, then?

“Boof!” someone suggested.

The Courier stopped in his tracks, followed momentarily after by Gaige-Tron, who almost dropped some plastic casino chips. He looked around for the source of the bark while the robot scrambled to get a better grip of its ill-gotten winnings.

Just a few meters away stood the origin of the sudden noise. White of fur, full of fluff, and austerely regal of posture, the magnificent dog -either a Great Pyrenees or a rather big Laborador- stared down his snout at the odd pair. After a moment he lowered his head a touch and started padding toward them, his armor clinking with every step.

Behind them, another few familiar adventurers left the Hall. Well, mostly familiar to the Courier and getting more familiar with each other. At least that was the plan. The Ace Cadet was genuinely glad to give anyone a tour of the town, making sure they got what they needed before everyone reconvened to take on the final quest. To that end, the hunter led two of the crew, introduced as Blazermate and Sectonia, out through the Guild Hall's doors and into the sunlight. 

[color=salmon]"Seems like the squad's getting bigger every day,"[/color] he remarked to the two ... ladies...? [color=salmon]"Not that I mind! I always heard it was bad luck to go on missions with more than four people but never really believed it."[/color]

Cadet was friendly and his words came easily like they always had. He stopped after a few steps to regard the others. [color=salmon]"You'll probably wanna stop by the Sister's smithy to get your armor looked at, Blazermate. I mean it looks awesome don't get me wrong! Between you and that other guy I'd love to get some myself, but doesn't hurt to get it checked out, right?"[/color] He smiled at them, his expression full of humor. Something was really funny about the pair. Sectonia, a Neopteron or... Neopteron-looking thing, and Blazermate who's armor sure looked like it had been taken pieces straight from a Neopteron's chitin - and yet they were friends. Or seemed to be, anyway.

[color=0072bc]”Oh, I don’t think they could help me. My parts are a bit more complicated than you think.”[/color] Blazermate said, looking at the store and noting how little tech there actually was there. 

Speaking of Sectonia, she'd been asking about her crown earlier, and Cadet was about to suggest something when an unfamiliar sound reached his ears. It was one of those things that were sort of like bigger, weirder cats. He'd seen a few around Lumbridge but never one all dressed up in armor! His interest piqued, the hunter all but dragged the poor inhuman ladies over with him toward the Courier and the animal. Blazermate followed without much complaint, especially considering what the Cadet was going towards while Sectonia flew more with a harumph, not really having anything better to do at this moment as it were anyway.

[color=salmon]"Aw! Another new friend?"[/color]

The dog seemed to understand he was being talked to, and pivoted to head over to the Cadet. He boldly walked right up and pushed his head under the monster hunter’s hand, demanding to be pet.

[color=0072bc]”Aw, doggie!”[/color] Blazermate said, joining Cadet in petting the armored dog. Why someone dressed up a normal dog in armor, as if they were mistaken about what a dog type medabot was, Blazermate didn’t know. Sectonia meanwhile, was just confused but just watched what this creature would do. It wasn’t as ugly as the thing that bit her earlier, but armor on a four legged thing like that looked very awkward.

Cadet scratched the animal’s chin and head. [color=salmon]”Doggie? That’s what it’s called? It’s cool, fluffy, cute… like a Palico sort of! Palidoggie.”[/color]

The Courier stepped closer wearing a big, friendly smile. It was very much unlike the kinds of smiles that the others had gotten used to seeing from him. This was more quaint, wholesome. He gave the dog some ear scratches. [color=tan]”Dogs, rather. In much better condition than the wild mongrels of the Mojave Wasteland. Pretty darn good with animals if’n I say so myself. Oh, speaking of which…”[/color]

He pulled out the two pokeballs hanging from his belt and released their contents. Two bright balls of energy emerged and took form, solidifying into a heracross and a donphan. [color=tan]”Mornin’ Ivories. Mornin’ Bugfoot.”[/color] The heracross clapped enthusiastically while the donphan gave what could only be described as the best salute possible using its trunk. 

Caesar jumped backward in a dextrous evasive maneuver, not afraid but alarmed and alerted by the monsters’ sudden appearance. He did not run off, however, instead trusting in the Courier that he’d keep these beasts under control.

Sectonia wasn’t too interested in the dog, at least right now. It looked like a more complex looking version of the creatures that walked around Foralia and Popstar for sure, but with roughly the same intelligence. What did get her attention however was Courier unleashing his pokemon.  [color=92278f]”So, you can summon your own minions?.Something you found in this world?”[/color] Sectonia said, pointing out the Courier’s pokemon, noticing they came out of red and white spheres he had thrown. She knew of the spirit way of summoning, but this looked far different.

[color=0072bc]”Its ok doggie, they’re just Pokemon.”[/color] Blazermate said to ease the dogs' worries. Considering her demon arm and all the stuff they had gone through in the Dead Zone, it made sense why he’d jump at creatures suddenly appearing, but pokemon were cuddly looking from what Blazermate knew, so hopefully he’d notice that too.

[color=salmon]”A couple of us can stow away and summon stuff,”[/color] Cadet noted to Sectonia, who nodded.  [color=salmon]”Kind of jealous, wish we had somethin’ like that where I come from!”[/color] He stood up straight and patted the dog’s side. He vaguely wondered if it could fit in one of those spheres, but it didn’t really… look like the “Pokemon,” exactly.

[color=salmon]”Need something, dog?”[/color] the hunter asked, but after a beat he looked up and between the Courier and Blazermate. [color=salmon]”Can dogs talk?”[/color]

[color=tan]”Heh. Depends on the dog.”[/color] the Courier chuckled, thinking back to the various cyberdogs in the Big Empty with their bionic enhancements that gave them computerized voice boxes and human intelligence. [color=tan]”Not normally, no. But I reckon with all the crazy shit in this multiverse we’ll run into at least one at some point.”[/color]

[color=0072bc]”What 6 said. I know in my universe we have both normal and talking dogs, depending if the dog is a medabot or not.”[/color] Blazermate said, reaffirming what the Courier had said.  [color=92278f]”Things like this don’t exist where I come from.”[/color] Sectonia said, eyeing the creatures that the courier had released and the flowers just beyond them.

Cadet nodded, seeming a bit disappointed. He looked into the furry animal’s eyes and asked him directly, [color=salmon]”Are you the talking kind?”[/color]

Caesar stared at him, uncomprehending. After a moment he pushed his head under the hunter’s hand again. This time, however, he gave two dry coughs, one after another, almost like gasping for something. The red head looked at him curiously. Not the talking kind then, but clearly he wanted something. [color=salmon]”Water? Food? Uh I’ve got…”[/color]

He rifled through his bag and produced several small berries, meant for Pokemon though he didn’t know it, and bone he’d taken from the pile of [i]stuff[/i] yesterday.

Off to the side Ivories and Bugfoot had started a staredown, with the donphan in particular huffing and puffing in a competitive way while the heracross smiled back in a way that said, “I dare you.”

When presented with the food, Caesar sniffed the berries before taking them, gently and in a dignified manner, to eat. Some juice spattered on the grass, and after a pained moment he bent down to lick at it. His floppy ears drooped magnificently. While the dog seemed to like the berries, he didn’t go crazy enough about them to suggest food was what he was looking for.

[color=tan]”Let me give it a shot,”[/color] the Courier said, taking a step forward and holding his hand out. [color=tan]”Animals got a certain connection t’me fer some reason, more often’n not. What d’you need, boy? Talk t’me.”[/color] While it wasn’t an ability he had to activate, the Courier willed that his Animal Friendship work as hard as it could in hopes that he could interpret or analyze this big armored dog’s needs and wants.

It didn’t take a whole lot of intuition to tell that Caesar needed water. Panting plus dry gasping meant a thirsty dog. Berries, though mostly liquid, didn’t quite scratch the itch.

[color=tan]”Ah, easy. This hombre just needs some liquid refreshment.”[/color] He checked his pack, but found the only liquids were chems or alcohol. He frowned. Rushing Water would have worked, it was more water than chem, but the dog didn’t need to get hopped up on something that gave him energy and speed… Assuming the dog’s physiology would even work with the drug properly. He gestured for Gaige-Tron to come over, and the robot did so.

[color=tan]”Ya got any water from that casino stored up?”[/color] he asked it.

“Oh yeah, boss!” the robot answered enthusiastically, having decided on a different moniker than “master.” It opened its chest cavity and fished out a bottle of water. 6 smiled, uncapped it, and offered the liquid to the dog.

Caesar nosed the bottle, clearly eager for its contents, and as 6 started to pour he snapped at the stream enthusiastically, snagging mouthful after mouthful of clear, sweet water. That set his tail wagging, and once the bottle ran dry he pushed up against the Courier, leaning against him affectionately.

[color=0072bc]”Aww, its like a movie!”[/color] Blazermate said, giving as cutsy as a face as she could, with the lack of most facial features. Sectonia, the ever stand-ofish one couldn’t help but give a bit of a smirk herself, as while these two creatures weren’t the best looking, the moment was wholesome enough to be beautiful. 

[color=0072bc]”Although, if this dog has way more intelligence than I’m used to, wouldn’t this be almost patronizing? Dunno if that’d be bad or not.”[/color] Blazermate said after getting over the cute moment, thinking to herself for a bit. 

Cadet had no clue what a movie was, but for once he didn’t ask. The Courier’s way with animals remained as impressive as it back in the Coral Highlands. The hunter grinned down at the dog, and never one to stay silent for long he said, [color=salmon]”Feeling better? That’s good! Wish we could learn your name.

...think it would be a good idea to bring it along on the G-rank quest with us? It’s got a pretty spiffy set of armor on and all, bet it’s trained to fight a least a little, right?”[/color]

The dog sat down and lifted up a leg to scratch his ear, mostly ending up batting at his helmet instead. His collar jingled as he did. The noise brought the Cadet’s attention to the name tag and he knelt down to read it, a sheepish grin on his face.

[color=salmon]”Oh. Caesar?”[/color] The rest of his collar’s inscription read, [i]Commander of Cherrystone Kingdom. Royal pet of Queen Mercia.[/i] The dog panted, recognizing his name.

Meanwhile, the Courier’s Pokémon had given up on their staring contest and had engaged in an actual contest of strength. The donphan has charged the heracross, who was holding it in place using its powerful arms to grip the tusks. Both pushed against the other, locked in place. Neither was giving up any ground. 

[color=tan]”Cool it, you two.”[/color] On his order the Pokémon stopped their squabble, Bugfoot being only too happy to do so while Ivories was more reluctant. He then gave them some snacks Gaige-Tron took from the casino, which they were only too happy to gobble up. 

The Courier crouched down by the dog. [color=tan]”Wanna come with us, Caesar? Fair warnin’, it’ll be heckin’ dangerous.”[/color]

While the dog didn’t understand the gunslinger’s words aside from his own name, something in 6’s tone reached him. The sense of warning got across, and when he felt it, Caesar's mouth closed and his tail went down. He gave a faint protesting whine, unhappy about the prospect of being brought along if something was going to be seriously dangerous.

[color=0072bc]”Why not leave him at Peach’s Castle? I don’t see a problem with that, do you?”[/color] Blazermate suggested, noting that Kamek was setting up the teleporter to the castle as they spoke.

The idea sat well with the Courier, and after everyone agreed, they made arrangements -at the Cadet’s suggestion- to leave Caesar with Rick, the cucco tender. While the boy dealt mainly with poultry, he could take care of a dog no problem, especially one as splendid as Caesar. Plus, with Linkle reclaiming cuccos, he found himself with a little time to spare. Once the dog received his last scratched from 6 before leaving, the gunslinger proceeded to crafting.