[center][h3]Tora, Poppi, and Big Band[/h3]
[b]Location:[/b] Sandswept Sky - Split Mountain - High Hrothgar
Level 9 Tora (117/90) Level 9 Poppi (117/90) Level 5 Big Band (56/50)
Midna’s [@DracoLunaris], Fox’s [@Dawnrider], Jesse’s [@Zoey Boey], Sectonia’s [@Archmage MC], Primrose and Therion’s [@Yankee], Yoshitsune and Sora’s [@Rockin Strings], Mao’s [@Potemking], Laharl’s [@Dark Cloud], Raz’s [@TruthHurts22], Ellie’s [@Thatguyinastore]
[b]Word Count:[/b] 1673[/center]

[center][hider=For Midna]You have acquired:
[b]Mordant Dew[/b]
[i]A whole vial of the nasty, toxic venom that Stingers inject into their victims. While underwhelming at first brush, it is actually a very valuably magical and alchemical opponent, as well as one of the requisite ingredients of the Grim Talisman, a charm that -when equipped- allows the user to build up his or her special resource with every landed attack[/i]
[b]Deegahla Hide[/b]
[i]A roll of skin from flying dragonspawn, more than could conceivably be gathered from any one creature. Although it looks and works like hide, the countless tiny scales that cover its outer surface make it more durable and aesthetic than it would be otherwise. An artisan could doubtless craft it into any number of useful things[/i]

Adjunct fusion:
[b][url=https://i.imgur.com/0EbkEfm.png]Pendran[/url][/b]
Midna’s wolfos has scales as well as fur, with the fur coming out from beneath the scales in tufts. Its tail now arches over like a Shiba’s and the fluff on the end is long, hardened with ice into spikes. Its legs are now splayed outward and it has longer toes, allowing for more precise navigation of rough terrain. Its ears are now longer, fan out sideways like wings, and have three spikes on the ends. This spirit confers the Power [b]Rabble Rouse[/b], allowing it to increase the attack speed and movement speed of allies that it strikes with its tail. It also confers the Weakness [b]Cold-weather[/b], giving it a weakness to fire[/hider][/center]

Among the Seekers, no hero took breaks with quite the gusto that Tora did, no matter the occasion or what might be at stake. No sooner did the break command disseminate among the members of his team than the Nopon waddled straight over to a fire and plopped himself down in front of it, snug between two Greybeards already warming themselves there. “Hello friends, how are you? Nice and roasty-toasty?” He paid them no mind as they scooted away in brusque silence, instead giving all his attention to the beacon of warmth in front of him. With his limbs spread wide he soaked it in, eyes closed in bliss. “Meeeeeeh,” he cooed. “Poppi make excellent radiator on way up, and Tora really appreciate it, but nothing quite like roaring fireplace, meh.”

After offering both Greybeards an apologetic bow, the inventor’s companion seated herself by his side. While she didn’t experience cold quite like her Masterpon, Poppi’s systems suffered from prolonged exposure to the elements too, so a few minutes to warm back up would do both a world of good. And if Master Arngeir’s account of the Inner-Mountain in store for them at the end of this brief respite was no exaggeration, they would need every modicum of heat in their bodies that they could get. Of course, Poppi was loath to spoil the enjoyable moment with talk of more hardship yet to come, so she just sat with her legs crossed upon the stone floor, leaning against Tora as he leaned against her, and thought. Going through the trial that had been Baur’s Reach and knowing that even worse was to come would dampen the spirits of just about anyone, but somehow the Nopon seemed content. Even if she could see the world from a more logical and unbiased perspective than her creator, she saw the wisdom in his simple philosophy. A daunting road lay ahead of them, but rather than spend the present in worry for the future, her Masterpon chose to take his days one minute at a time, savoring each bit of happiness that came his way. [i]How very Tora[/i], she concluded, and with a smile she scratched his back.

A few quiet, peaceful minutes passed by. The pair kept still, listening to the crackle of firewood and the murmurs of their friends throughout High Hrothgar. Not once during that time did they hear any Graybeard besides their spokesperson Arngeir speak. At first Tora thought that they might just be unfriendly, since a number of the old men sported grizzled, severe countenances that made one think twice about exchanging pleasantries, but the elders didn’t even converse among themselves. Eventually, the Nopon posed the question to his companion. “Everyone here very quiet, don’t you think?”

“Mm-hm,” Poppi agreed, her tone hushed. “Maybe they take vow of silence. This strike Poppi as some sort of religious order, sort of like Grimleal in Al Mamoon, or Indoline Praetorium.”

Tora nodded sagaciously in agreement. “Meh, meh. Good point! Tora wonder what they worship. Grimleal worship evil dragon Grima, right? And Praetorium worship Titans, including Indol itself, which is also dragon. Maybe beardypons worship dragons, too?” He glanced over his shoulder on impulse, but after a few uneventful moments spent looking around it seemed like nobody would sidle up to offer some convenient exposition. Oh well.

Now that she knew Tora didn’t mind conversation, Poppi pursued another subject. “So, how Masterpon faring? What think of climb so far?”

“Not too bad,” the Nopon replied with a shrug. “Not like cold, of course, but thanks to Poppi, Tora not need drag undercarriage through snow, meh. Although, it kind of feel like friends are going…too fast, if that make sense?”

The question appeared to excite Poppi a little. “Oh, Masterpon feel it too? Poppi was wondering if it was silly thought, it but it feel almost like shame we have to run through beautiful place, past all sorts of interesting things we maybe should attend to. Like poor man in statue. Of course we have mission to do, and cold make it hard to stick around, but Poppi can’t help but be curious.”

“Exactly! Tora always wonder if we walk right by shiny-sparkly treasures without ever knowing. After all, when on adventure with Rex-Rex and friends, we find treasures most anywhere we look! Or at least, stuff for cooking and crafting, meh.” Sensing that his time was about over, and plenty warm by now anyway, Tora picked himself off the ground before he could start sweating in his overalls. “And Poppi not need worry. Tora think enough silly thoughts for both of us!”

The two made their way through High Hrothgar at a leisurely pace, doing their best not to get lost in all of the more or less identical stone brick halls. As a result they reached the Seekers’ meeting point without issue, where they found a small group already formed. Big Band stood over them all, at ease thanks to a little time spent tuning himself up by the braziers to warm his frosty cheeks and get his B♭ oil mixture flowing again. His companion Peacock, however, looked less than pleased. As Tora waddled up, he sent a concerned look her way. “Hi hi. Everything alright, meh?”

“Naw, see,” Peacock began. “I’ve just about had it up to here with this stinkin’ mountain, ya get me? Nothin’ but snow, snow, ice, and more snow! I mean, good grief. Ain’t a lick of fun in the whole joint! I’ve got two halves a mind sayin’ I oughta blow the joint and watch cartoons back in Tacoville.”

Band furrowed his brows. “Cry me a river, Pea. I know it ain’t sunshine an’ roses up here, butcha can’t jus’ turn tail when things get rough. Some of us don’t got a choice in the matter. What about buildin’ character?”

“Character’s what they got on T.V., gramps,” Peacock informed the detective, her arms crossed and a matter-of-fact look on her face. “You’ll be fiiiiine. Just gimme a ring when you’ve found yer mawl, alright? Then I’ll pop right up and clean its clock!”

She produced and swung around a bat as if to demonstrate, causing Band to shake his head in resignation. It was at that time that Mao appeared, wearing a frown as he stepped forward to get Band’s attention. “Actually, count me out too.”

The big man blinked twice. “You sure you ain’t messin’ around? It looked like you were handlin’ yourself jus’ fine, son.”

Mao put on an expression of annoyance. “I’m not your son, or a kid for that matter, and be that as it may, climbing the mountain is a waste of my valuable time and energy. I’ve got plenty I can do in the meantime. Weapons to mod, experiments to run, stuff to figure out about this interesting little world we’ve ended up in. When you need me to come up and kill this thing for you, I’ll know.”

Band sighed. “Whatever you say, son. Just make sure you keep your hand on the plow.” After Mao sauntered off, he scanned the rest of those who’d arrived to carry on through the next leg of the voyage. The Phantom Thieves stood ready, their attire as dry and snow-free as could be. Midna seemed eager to proceed, having made the most of what she’d gleaned during the trip through Baur’s Reach. Everyone else kept their counsel, either reluctant to share their answers or confident in the presence of their tacit understanding. Band deployed his mechanical arm and laid its brass knuckle against High Hrothgar’s steely back door. “If you’re callin’ it quits, use the gliders I passed out earlier an’ fly back down to town.”

“Make sure to get ferrystone so you can warp up to join us later!” Poppi reminded them.

“Right.” Band nodded. “Everyone else? Let’s boogie.”

[hr]

It was dark in the tunnels, and cold. Cold even in comparison to the wintry heights outside around High Hrothgar, which for all their frigid bleakness at least lay beneath the light of the sun. Torches collected from the braziers by the tunnel’s mouth, courtesy of the Graybeards’ prudence, allowed the Seekers to beat back the pitch black that awaited them, but their paltry heat could not quell the chill. With the tunnel only so wide, Tora and Poppi took point both for the sake of defense and illumination, since the fiery glow of the various lights on the artificial blade’s body provided a more constant light than the sputtering torches. Beside them floated Necronomicon, releasing intermittents [i]bloops[/i] as her scanner pinged the inscrutable tunnel ahead for any sign of danger. Joker and Panther followed right behind them, their literal and metaphoric firepower at hand should the need arise, but no nasty surprises reared their ugly heads. It was, against all odds, smooth sailing.

Until they spotted light ahead, and advanced into the first cave only to be faced with a startling sight. Bluish rays poured down through distant cracks to reveal not just the classic icy bottomless pit, and not just a frozen zig-zag bridge spanning it, but also a monstrous titan trapped in the ice. He loomed from the wall in all his enormity, all sickly, yellowish, scabrous skin and hornlike ridges. Even Big Band stood no taller than the bridge of his nose. His eyes were shut and no warm breath issued from his lips, but whether he hung there in death or mere cryosleep, Big Band couldn’t rightly say. He took a deep breath and shook his head. “Startin’ off with a bang, huh,” he whispered. “Well, folks. Watch your step, and for the love of all that’s holy, keep quiet!”

After some prodding from Poppi Tora shuffled forward onto the ice bridge, where he spread his wings out for balance. He took one final look at the titan, under whose very nose he would need to tiptoe, gulped, and took the first step of his new and terrifying journey into the mountain’s heart.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/WwSrXSL.png[/img][/center]