Skill Seeker [hr] [@Crimson Paladin] [hr] Enli would listen to Novak’s explanation, a concerned expression growing longer on his face the longer he spoke. The older man would exhale, long and tiredly as he’d seem to lose some of the vigor he had since last evening. He’d end up taking a seat in the usual place near the table by the time Novak would finish speaking, head held in his hand as he’d shake his head. “...I assumed some of the hunters had. Why wouldn’t they? It is a logical choice, once the Kyrnith stops supporting us, but...to openly attack you...” He’d sigh again, shaking his head. “I have no reason to not believe you, after most of you outsiders have been so helpful already, and if Mie is helping you all, then its even more reason for me too.” He’d straighten his posture, the troubled frown turning towards one of more serious determination. “I do not believe it is just between me, no. I expect the Kyrnith would be fine with it as well...I am no fighter, either, so having a skilled one or two not affiliated with the hunters would be a welcome boon.” Enli would stand again, having regained that brief lapse in seeming motivation. “I suspect its not the act of worshiping him itself that is currently causing the Kyrnith to disassociate with us...its likely that the hunters are being completely irreverent of the deer in the forest, among other things as well. Once your companion arrives, we’ll set off. I’d rather get this over with sooner than later. In the mean time...please, ask me anything about the temple that needs discussing. I'd be happy to elaborate if I can.” Just an old man [hr] [@VitaVitaAR] [hr] “..pfft. Ahaha, treating me like a random mortal! Outrageous!” He’d laugh, seemingly amused by the open opposition. “Ah, that makes me so furious if you were someone else I’d just turn your brain into a delicious little soup! Oh I like you!” The laughter would die down, as he would follow after Nobunaga, seemingly not really too perturbed by the thought of having to seek a mortals attention. “Ah, no matter. Opportunities only come knocking once, would be a shame for you to never get your hands on something you want.” He’d end up following Nobunaga for a little ways, seemingly intent on getting her to react or to open actual discussion in some manner. “But as a man of opportunity and learning, I always know how to make more, y’see.” It seemed as though he was saying that he could give Nobunaga something she wanted, while he’d get something in return...but if she didn’t, then he’d simply find another way to get what he wanted, from someone else. “Course I understand if ye don’t trust me. Poor little Iva, always the one people blame. Not my fault you mortals don’t have a measure of self control. Unlike you...which is why maybe I think we can help each other. You get something you love, and I get something I want to know. Everybody wins. You, me, the people of this village! Well, one person wouldn’t win, but that’s a solution to all the other problems.” That last phrase was said with a surprisingly serious, stern tone for the rest of his jovial demeanor. Of course, it was just words from a seemingly irreverent God who was connected to whatever bad was happening here. How much of it was truth? How much was it a lie? What was he offering anyways? He didn’t elaborate, and if she asked he didn’t seem intent on that, either. It really was up to Nobunaga if she was even listening to his rambling. It was probably best just to ignore him, after all. If she decided to ignore him further, she’d arrive at Enli’s place just in time to overhear the end of the conversation he was having with Novak. He would seem to have vanished without further pestering. Plant hunting [@PKMNB0Y] [hr] With an agreement between them, Misaki would leave Lazhira’s house. Paper should be easy enough, and there were likely plenty of plants in the forest for Misaki to find of use. She’d eventually find her way back to where the ‘Bamboo’ shoots had been located. The only difference was, that this time, she was by herself. In a forest. Full of probably some creatures that wouldn’t mind an easy meal. Pounding plants into pulp was something that was more time consuming than it was difficult, though she could reasonably do it after a bit of work. As she would work on whatever it was she was doing to prepare the bamboo for its making into paper, she’d find the forest a fairly quiet, relaxing place to work...at least until her two furry ears would make out the sound of a few twigs crunching nearby! In fact, something was approaching rapidly! A few things! She’d have barely a few moments to react before a familiar blue furred foal would run into sight, being chased by what seemed to be two particularly hungry wolves. It would slow, upon seeing Misaki, though it would quickly make a beeline for her. Seemed like it assumed Misaki would protect it. A little secret [@Click This] [hr] Narkissa would easily find herself able to find wood in the forest...but high quality wood? Well, that might have been somewhat difficult. Many of the trees in the forest were growing well as they could in the snow covered area, but they didn’t seem to be particularly suited for large scale projects. If she asked the villagers, they’d point her towards the northern end of a deeper part of the forest. As for wood laying around the place, there was quite a few cabins that had a decent stock of firewood laying around, but nothing she seemingly could use. After asking around a bit, though, she’d be able to find something towards the edge of the village, near the start of the forest. Some freshly cut trees, stumps sticking just above the ground. A small cabin nearby with a bunch of hand axes seemed to indicate this may have been the place where some villagers would gather lumber and wood if they needed it for construction, though it looked like it hadn’t been used much recently. At some point though, she’d realize she was being followed...though it was soon apparent it wasn’t anyone she should be worried about mugging or causing her harm - rather it seemed Lazhira had found her after some time away. “...hey. Uhm...we should probably talk. I erm, its probably obvious I know a lot more than I’m letting on, huh?” Lazhira would say with a sheepish, uncertain grin towards Narkissa. “I didn’t wanna say much in front of the others but you and Leannah are probably...the only ones I really trust a lot, and I’m sorry if I’m bothering you while you’re busy, but I want to go ahead and get this out of the way...if we could talk in private.” She'd hesitate for a moment before quietly adding, as if to convince her further. "...he's my dad. Erm, the Illuminator that is." A Traveler [@PaulHaynek] [hr] Of course, the giants would attack sooner than the woman seemed to have expected. The spear wielding giants would attack in tandem. One would swing its large, heavy spear in an upward strike with force enough to dig a deep cut in the earth with it. The woman would barely be able to deflect the blow, having little time to bring her sword up to deflect the blow which would send her own body spiralling across the snow covered mountain side. The second would immediately take this opportunity to attack her as well, the spear coming down upon her body as she’d lay recovering from the previous blow. But the blow would never hit its mark. Instead of attempting to defend, in the last few seconds she’d get to her knees...rolling forward and slashing the giants feet with her blade. The large cleaver like blade would slice each ankle, the tendons in each being severed with clean precision. It would bring the giant crashing to its knees, feet no longer able to hold its impressive weight as she’d then, in a rather cruel display, systematically render more of the giant’s muscles useless. It would attempt raising its spear to cut her, but she’d slice its wrist muscles, severing the muscles in it. As it would make a grab for her with its good hand, the blade would slice the muscles in its forearm and shoulder, until it had been rendered completely immobile. The final blow, the blade cleaving into its neck. A long, deep gash nearly severing it as it would fall onto its back where it would proceed to bleed out. “Ahah, jeez, haven’t you heard that double teaming a lady is rude!” She’d jovially call out. The remaining giant was carefully gauging the situation, holding its spear defensively as it looked at its fallen comrade, and the ones struggling to get up at the base of the mountain...and it would make, perhaps the intelligent decision that this human was no longer worth it as it would turn and start running. “Oh no you don’t! Nuh-uh, no one runs from me after picking a fight!” Instead of running him down, though, she’d [i]throw[/i] the blade at it. It would careen through the air, spinning as it would soon impact its target. The hefty blade struck true, the blade nearly cleaving the head of the giant clean in two as its heavy body would soon crumple to the ground. The two giants that she had managed to throw off the cliff had gotten to their feet, but had no desire to continue the fight and were running. “Heh, yep! You two down there run and tell your king not to mess with me!” She’d pull the blade from the head of the giant, grinning triumphantly. “...oh hey, almost forgot about you.” She’d say, running over to Nicholas. “Eh~ What’s a cute guy like you doing all the way out here by yourself? You get lost or something? Out hunting? You’re not very well dressed, but you don’t look like the cold bothers you at all, huh! You must be pretty powerful or somethin’ heheh!” Seemed like Nicholas had stumbled on a somewhat terrifyingly energetic girl out here in these mountains. The Roma Mob [@Pyromania99] [hr] “I see. Unfortunate. I was hoping you’d be more...open to learning more, but if that is your wish.” Rullphana would say mildly disappointed. “Well then, it was an enlightening experience for me nonetheless. Do not be late to the lessons with Leuca. I will not be waiting on anyone.” With that affirmation, Rullphana would wave Augusta off, turning back to her samples and cleaning up any other mess she or the pup had made during her experiments. Vallanur would give them a dismissive huff as they left the tower, though Augusta wouldn’t get very far before Octavia seemingly started to act up for some reason. The pup was growling, digging at the ground and whining lightly. A quick check with the eye would show something a bit odd as its status. [hider=Goddess Note] Special attributes: Seed Carrier - this pup carries a seed from the garden that birthed it within. Insatiable Hunger: Having started to grow, this demon is developing intense and near insatiable hunger for whatever food it can get its maw on. If it doesn’t eat enough, it might go on a rampage. [/hider] Seems like she may want to find Octavia something to eat. [@ERode] [hr] “E-eh? I-isidore!?” Raezel would shout, quickening her pace to keep up with the human and the one who had just pick-pocketed her. She wasn’t sure what Isidore was up to, but she was pretty sure she couldn’t do anything about this by herself. If the figure was upset about being seen, or being followed it didn’t seem to mind as Raezel did her best to keep up with the group. “If you want answers, not here, and not with the brat.” The elf would reply. Their tone was urgent and curious, but not hostile - as they would keep walking, but not seeming set on any destination. As long as they were being followed by Raezel it seemed like they weren’t going to be heading to their actual destination. “But if you’re not working with Rullphana...then maybe we can be friends.” A simple request, and perhaps a bit of an assertion that whoever this was wasn’t a fan of the esteemed court wizard. “Lets just say someone with the authority to have you executed for this bit of interference asked me to do it.” [hr] Send Feet Pics [@Cu Chulainn] [hr] “Hm, a bird mask huh...” Mie would think for a moment, walking over to where a few chests and other things of hers were. Rummaging around for a few moments, she’d eventually find something Malphas was looking for. A number of masks - though they didn’t seem to be completely what he had described. In fact, Mie seemed to have a lot of these masks around come to think of it. Especially of the fox sort, despite not having seen anyone wearing those. Regardless of the thoughts on it, she’d soon return with something that Malphas may have found to his tastes. A black mask, with a long...beak? Or rather, it seemed to in fact, be a nose? Or stylized to be both. Either way, under its long ‘beak’ there was clearly gold colored teeth turned upwards into a grin. Its eyes were a bit angry looking, with the eyebrows turned downwards into a serious expression, with large eyes and elfin like ears that would cover Malphas’ own. A number of feathers like engravings were under the chin and top of the mask, seeming to mimic a beard, or hair. “I think this is about the only one I got with a more...bird-like appearance. Careful though. If you’re on a mountain in Chagawa, some mountain spirit might think you’re one of them and challenge you to a race.” She’d chuckle with a grin. “As for a name, fine. You’ll be Shigenaga Nomura. You’re from a small village in Chagawa that I took in to train when a raiding party of Oni destroyed your village. If anyone asks where you’ve been the past few days, simply tell them I had you finalizing a sale for me and were traveling with only a small group from our previous destination. I'll leave everything else up to you.” For some reason, it seemed like Mie at least had some experience with quickly coming up with identities on the spot even if this one wasn’t too in depth. “Anything else? If you want something more bird like, you can probably find something from one of the craftsman around here. If not...then lets sit. Go ahead and ask me any questions, otherwise...I’ll tell you some things about what we’ll be going through on the way back to Chagawa.”