Skill Seeker [hr] [@Crimson Paladin][@VitaVitaAR] [hr] “Tch!” The hunter that had fired the arrow frowned as the shot missed. Indeed, it seemed they had been hoping for the element of surprise. The spear wielding hunter would act as predictably as Nobunaga had expected. He’d strike out with his spear, the blow deflected by the petite girls upwards strike. It seemed like she was not the only one without tricks up their sleeves though. Nobunaga’s blade would sever flesh from bone, cleanly cutting through the hunters right arm. He’d stumble back, seeming shocked but they were trained hunters and while they may not have had the skill perhaps as trained samurai, they still possessed a few tricks. His remaining hand would pull a small hunting knife from his belt, striking towards Nobunaga’s own arm, but her katana would soon strike out, severing his remaining fight regardless of whether she managed to block it or not. “Nngh-ghh...” He’d grunt in pain, falling to his knees and soon to the ground. A swift, brutal execution...leaving only the Archer and the third hunter with fighting capably. He was still alive, for now, if he didn't die from blood loss any time soon. Novak would watch this brutal display briefly. Nobunaga’s skilled movements, every muscle she’d move to make them. They were fairly simple strikes, but the technique involved was unquestioned, requiring both a trained hand and sharp mind. Time would seem to slow, momentarily, as he’d watch her movements against the hunter. Deflect. Upward Strike. ...it seemed like he could easily replicate those movements now, after having seen this, and a few other people make similar movements. [hider=Goddess note, Novak] Skill Acquired: Martial training (Novice) Denotes a skill with swordsmanship and martial ability. You do not possess any formal training, yet you have the ability to at least know the pointy end goes in the opponent and how to avoid injuring yourself with it. While you won’t be beating any trained swordsman yet, you can probably make use of most standard bladed weapons. [/hider] This perhaps, reveal was certainly coming at a good time. The second hunter had decided to entirely ignore Nobuanga, making a beeline for Enli, only stopping when Novak had gotten in his path. The hunter would thrust the spear he was wielding forward. The archer was perhaps, the most problematic person here. After seeing the first arrow miss, he’d move his attention to their real target - Enli. In the time Nobunaga had dispatched the first hunter, the archer was already knocking a second and seemed as though he was aiming towards the village Chief. [@PKMNB0Y] [hr] Thankfully no more ill fortune befell her, and it was a fairly calm walk back. The deer for now, seemed intent on following Misaki around. It would follow her from the place where she was picking bamboo, back to the treeline where the village was located. The deer would hesitate, slowing to a walk as Misaki would pass from forest to village. It’d take it a few moments...but eventually it seemed to work up the courage to follow her. On her way back to lazhira’s house, she’d spot the girl leaving just a few second before she arrived. She didn’t seem particularly happy, judging from her facial expression but she didn’t say anything to Misaki unless spoken too first. She’d drop everything off just inside before she’d scurry off and find the tools to work with. A knife would be easy - Lazhira had several for cooking and cutting, and would easily let her use those. Failing that she could likely just ask another villager to borrow one. They were still perfectly friendly and willing to help. A large piece of cloth was a bit more difficult to find, but Lazhira would let her have what seemed to be an old dress of hers. After a few modifications, it made for a fairly useful cloth. A container was easier - a large pot could be found in many places where food could be found. Seeing her run around, the deer seemed to want to help more, but was unsure what Misaki was attempting to do so it would stand near the doorway, looking back and forth vaguely asking if it could ‘help’. It seemed Lazhira would move from the front of the house to some distance away, closer to the sea. Seemed she wanted to be away from everyone else. A little secret [@Click This][@Crusader Lord] [hr] Food would be easy to make, if Narkissa or Leannah wished. Lazhira would indeed let them use anything she wished, though she seemed a bit put off, unsettled, or like she wished to be alone even if she did help. Her mind seemed to be elsewhere, thinking of other things in a fairly distracted manner. They may even find Misaki rummaging about for materials to attempt making something, but for now everything seemed...relatively calm. They were probably safe and welcome to rest here as long as they’d need too, especially Leannah. Narkissa would find she’d have plenty of time to read the book she picked up, or work on getting a wooden frame together. How well she’d to the latter though, remained to be seen. A Traveler [@PaulHaynek] [hr] The zombies were as relentless as one might have assumed of some undead creatures. Nicholas could at least, do a decent enough job of keeping himself from becoming zombie food. It seemed he was a fair bit stronger than these run of the mill undead, and shoving them away was fairly easy...though he’d pick up a few scrapes here and there, but it was probably nothing to worry about. “Almost there!” Elisette would shout, evading a lunge from another two zombies that had attempted to pincer her. “Nngh...looks like there’s some sort of big house over there! Large steeple!” She’d shout. It was a fairly obvious structure - the largest one in the village made completely of stone...it looked vaguely like a small church one may find in some countryside somewhere with a large rectangular main room, and several smaller ones branching off from the side. Thankfully it was near the edge of the village and they’d be able to get to it easily. That meant they just had to get inside. “...guh! The doors are locked! - huh?” As the pair would draw near the village, something a bit curious would seem to happen. The zombies chasing them would slowly withdraw, stopping their chase and merely standing, seemingly watching as they’d near the large church. In fact, they hadn't come past the villages perimeter at all. “...t-they’re...not going to follow us?” It seemed very much like it. Elisette would slow to a halt in front of the church's doors, breathing heavily as she’d gaze out over the snowfield. At least it would afford them to get a good look at the village - much of it had already been claimed by what was likely heavy snowfall but aside from that the various wooden buildings also looked abandoned for quite awhile. “Nnh...doors locked.” Elisette said with a frown. “Okay, uhm...we should see if we can find someone. There should still be people left alive here...though it...doesn’t look good.” Seemed heavy snowfall recently had removed most traces of anyone living here in the village. The Roma Mob [@Pyromania99] [hr] “I...can’t believe...I’m doing this.” Nesherit would say with a mildly concerned tone. “Oh...what will...they all think? Augusta are you sure some ancient Prince of the Sirithen dressed like this?” He’d ask, feeling extremely self conscious about his current attire. They were off to meet his mother again, but had been told to wait temporarily outside of the main hall. “Hmm,? Of course. Probably.” Augusta mentioned as they stood. “Well, regardless, I think you’re looking pretty cute.” She looked her princes-- Prince, up and down, making a few tiny adjustments here and there, making sure he looked the cutest he could. “Plus, you’re the Prince. If they say anything mockingly, it’s off with their heads. Especially since it’d be slander because you have quite a cute look about you.” Augusta tried to make the ‘off with their heads’ part an obvious joke. “You can’t just...off with their heads because I’m the prince...you know what forget it.” He’d sigh. “And I mean, I guess? Being cute isn’t really...what a prince should be though...” Still, he didn’t say no or seem to fight it in the end, and Augusta could tell he was at least mildly enjoying the look, even if he didn’t entirely want to admit it. Their conversation would come to an end as they would soon be let into the throne room once more. Aside from a few curious glances, the prince seemed to not be attracting too much attention. There was a very good question if they even recognized him. Regardless, they’d make their way to the throne. The Queen would remain silent as they’d approach the throne, only responding to Augusta and her son once they were where they should be in front of her. “Hmm? I do not recall having a daughter.” “M-mother...” “Pfft, ahaha, sorry dear I have to tease you just a little.” The queen would reply, looking over her son. He was dressed in a style most other reincarnation would say was a chinese dress. A bright regal red with elegant gold trimmings, perfectly fitted to his body. A slit had been cut open around his thighs, with long stockings adorning his legs with elegant shoes upon his feet. His hair had been done up in a braided ponytail. “You look good, Nesherit. I take it Augusta helped you with this?” “Of course, Your Majesty.” Augusta said, putting her left hand over her heart and giving a light bow. “I thought Prince Nesherit would look absolutely stunning in a cute outfit. I was right, of course, though he complained a dress would be hard to move in so I thought of this.” The other-worlder cleared her throat. “I apologize for bringing His Highness here dressed as so, but I thought you would want to see, Your Majesty.” “Ahah, well thank you. It is indeed, refreshing to see my son at least getting along with someone and spending more time with the people instead of with his training, or books.” She’d say, smiling. “Though...I am curious. You did mention to him, my proposal?” A quick change of subject right to business, it seemed. “Augusta did.” The prince would reply with a small sigh. “I still can’t believe you suggested that.” “And? Then what did you decide?” “I have thought on it. It sounds a fine proposal to me.” Augusta declared, “So long as Prince Nesherit is not against it, I agree to your proposal, Your Majesty.” She gave the queen a confident smile. “Though I must confess, if we go through with this proposal, I might become addicted to dressing Prince Nesherit up like this.” She seemed a small bit apologetic for that. “Aha, I don’t think you should worry too much about that...then very well. I’ll need to make a formal announcement, as well as contacting Tamaln...mhm, but for now, you we should discuss a few things.” The queen would stand, seemingly a bit excited for this development. “Ah, if only your father was still around...ah, he’d find this hilarious.” She’d chuckle. “Well, then...come with me. We should talk in private, the three of us.” “I suppose this is about the party coming soon.” “Indeed, my son. Its partly why I invited Augusta to be my partner.” “...you were going to announce we were getting married whether she agreed or not, weren’t you?” “Now now, no need to go speculating things like that.” The queen replied with a light chuckle. “So that’s a yes.” Augusta said, not planning on hiding her saying so to the woman. She’d know anyhow. “Well then. Shall we?” Augusta mentioned to the Prince. “This should be a fun discussion, shouldn’t it?” She wasn’t quite sure of the etiquette but, she assumed there would be a small bit similar to her old world. Still, maybe she’ll see how this Prince of hers would react. She raised her hand to Nesherit, hoping he’d take it. The prince would place hands on his hips, sighing and shaking his head. “Yes, lets shall we?” He’d say, ignoring the hand offered to him, following the Queen. Seemed he still wasn’t quite open to being so affectionate? Or perhaps he was just being stubborn. Soon Augusta would find themselves back in the Queens Garden, a pair of guards on patrol saluting as they passed as a servant would be asked to bring some snacks for the meeting. The queen would take a seat where she had earlier. “Now, then.” She would begin. “We should discuss how we shall be presenting the two of you at the party.” Well, Augusta could have anticipated the Prince ignoring her hand. As she and Nesherit entered the room, Augusta would recognize it as the one from earlier. “Presenting the two of us at the party? What exactly are we discussing? Dress? Actual introduction?” “And here I thought you’d have the foresight to understand this.” The queen would say with a small frown. “What mother means, Augusta, is that well...I’m suddenly getting engaged to a princess of the Sirithen. People are going to want to talk to us. You’re going to need proper etiquette...both in Urutha and Sirithen mannerisms, as well as be able to predictably speak of the king and Tamaln if they ask. Those sorts of things. We’ll need to discuss how exactly we’ll be handling that.” “Oh, etiquette? Just teaching me every little thing. It’s not the first time I’ve learned etiquette from other cultures.” Augusta said without missing a beat. “My mind is a steel trap for this kind of thing. I was under the impression this party was only to have Urutha or would I be mistaken? If so, would there be a need to learn Sirithen etiquette at the moment? Any dances?” “Well, Augusta dear,” The queen would respond. “There won’t be any - aside from Sorcha and Leuca, but make no mistake the others of the shadow would definitely wish to pry for answers, to see if you’re indeed, the real deal...and whether or not you’d be a capable leader.” “Dances, likely no.” Nesherit would respond. “Truthfully, it likely wouldn’t be a very good idea for you to spend to long speaking with them. So we’ll teach you the basics, and how we’ll introduce you, let you speak and interact a little, before leaving so that we don’t look too suspicious.” “Which is fair I suppose… Given the relatively short time I’m assuming I have before the party.” Augusta mentioned, looking at the Queen with the slightest amount of concern on her face.. “Dare I ask when this is suppose to be?” “Four days, to be exact.” The queen would say with a nod of her head. “Here, at the palace.” "Oh? Good. Four days is more than enough time." Augusta claimed. "I'm going to be learning a lot in the next couple of days it seems. I was planning on asking Sorcha to teach me how to use a rapier since Isidore bought me one. Regardless though, where should we start?" “Rapier, hm? Not a traditional Sirithen weapon, but I’m sure it will be fine.” The queen would say with a nod. “We’ll start by having Sorcha drill you in Sirithen customs. You should especially learn of the Geas and their Ancestral worship, bloodlines, and the Fey they worship. Ask Sorcha about it tomorrow, I shall speak with her in private tonight - but both of those things are integral if you wish to pass yourself off as a true Sirithen.” “I do know about the Geas a small bit. But ancestral worship, bloodlines and Fey… I’ll remember that. I suppose I’ll talk to her after the magic lesson with Rullphana. There are plenty of things to do in the next four days.” Augusta mentioned, trying to plan her schedule in her head. “Is that all for tonight then, Your Majesty?” “I would urge you to speak to her sooner rather than later, but that is indeed all for this evening.” The queen would say with a soft smile. “Unless you wish to spend it with my son for the night?” “I refuse.” Nesherit waid with a small sigh. Augusta gave a small smile and a shrug, “I suppose that settles it for that. Jokes aside, I do plan on doing the lesson with Rullphana, eating and then asking Sorcha those questions. I’ll keep in mind to keep moving on.” She cleared her throat and gave the two royals a small bow. “Until we next time, Your Majesty. Prince Nesherit.” Then she turned and left the room. She was getting used to this palace at this point. Augusta would wander through the halls of the palace, eventually reaching the rooms that had been prepared for them. It seemed like both Sorcha and Isidore were still out despite the growing lateness. Leuca though, would easily be found in her room she was sharing with the other woman. Octavia was following along quietly behind. “Oh. Hello Augusta.” Leuca would say as she’d let the other Sirithen into her room. “If you’re looking for Sorcha, she’s inspecting the armory...I don’t envy the Shadow Elf guards...she’s going to drill them really, really, hard. Her training is erm, a special kind of brutal...” The young Elf would walk over to the bed and sat on it, seemingly a bit nervous as she’d glance to Octavia who would tilt her head quizzically in response. [@ERode] [hr] It thankfully would have only taken Raelzeth a handful of moments to come running back, extremely flustered. A brief exchange later, and she’d hopefully leave with the seed, though there was nothing stopping Isidore from not giving it back if he so wished. Finding Sorcha was a bit more difficult. She wasn’t in her room, nor anywhere in the guest areas. After a bit of hunting and maybe asking a guard or two, he’d finally find her in the palace’s Armory. The blond warrior woman was seemingly doing something she did very well - inspecting the palaces weapons and armor. Apparently she had also antagonized a few of the palace guards, too which they were all to happy to complain about. No doubt they didn’t like the fact they were going to be trained by, and training with someone from Tamaln. The woman was currently inspecting a red blade, frowning lightly. “Finely made, but...hm, weaker than traditional blades. Soft material...but allows for magic to flow better through it...heh, fascinating.” She was talking to herself, it seemed. “Hm...oh, Isidore. Here to inspect the weaponry? Or here to talk about payments for services?” She’d ask, placing a red colored blade back where it rested upon its rack. “...or were you curious about my skills in particular?” [hr] Send Feet Pics [@Cu Chulainn] [hr] “Materials.” Bolcha would reply. “Provisions. You all have a long journey home, and she’s no stranger to performing favors for those things. Money, too, if she wants it. All the profits that I have.” He seemed serious about stating that. It was likely he didn’t have much in the way of that to start with, but to make that sort of offer he had to have a lot of faith in this rumor, and deeply value Enli’s friendship. “Do what you need, I’m sure she’ll send someone later.” With that in mind, Nomura would leave the longhouse, towards where the little fox had scampered off too. It was fairly easy to find them, sitting just under the window. “You’re holding onto that pretty tightly.” The fox would comment, seemingly speaking directly to Nomura’s mind. “Aren’t you a delivery boy? Are you gonna steal it? I wouldn’t drink it, if you do. A deer might get its revenge.” The fox would rub its face with a paw. “You work for Mie now, don’t you? Eheh, that means we’ll be friends, huh? You should get me a fish since you stole my lunch the other day.” It did not seem like the fox wanted anything important. “Don’t be so surprised I know who you are. Ayumi is Mie's extra eyes and ears and totally reliable nin-messenger!~” She'd yawn.