[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3YdqYf1.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0zvnz6I.png[/img][/center] [center][url=https://youtu.be/9FvvbVI5rYA?t=55]🐉[/url][/center] [sub][@PaulHaynek][@The Irish Tree][@Crowvette][/sub] [b]Terauchi Temple[/b] [hr] Fully rested and refreshed, a now dressed Shizuka stood just outside the spring entrance while putting his hair back up in a ponytail. Fastening his sword back to his side, he began making his way back to the temple grounds. Along the way, he noticed that Io and Liliana were still conversing. He decided now would be as good a time as any to ask; he started to make his way over to ask Io if she perhaps new anything of Alice's condition. However, before he could someone had bumped into him. A look of surprise took Kannazuki's face as an assortment of vegetables spilled on the ground below them. [color=0072bc]"Goodness, that's no good! Please accept my sincerest apologies! I wasn't looking where I w-"[/color] At the sound of the familiar voice, Shizuka was cut off and his expression was soon replaced with one of slight vexation. [color=0072bc]"Indeed. I see you're keepingg yourself busy. But instead of complaining, perhaps you should focus your energy on cleaning up the mess you made."[/color] He said. However, the Varjan knight's rants continued as he expressed his grievances at being disgraced and having to perform menial labor at the temple for the past few days. Although, it was Kasseros's last statement that made Shizuka raise a brow. [quote=Kasseros][color=ec008c]"...Heh, I know you're no incubus. Yet. Why don't you do a favor for a fellow human, eh? Give me a human death. I mean, your blade's bloody already, right? What's one more life to you?"[/color][/quote] [color=0072bc]"Yes, I'm every bit as human as you are."[/color] He began, although saying that aloud made him mentally wince. [color=0072bc]"Indeed, I'm no stranger to killing. But, then again, neither are you. I wonder how many natives you and your idiot men senselessly butchered while laughing up, festering in your delusions of grandeur. Which I'm sure you rationalize as being for 'the good of humanity' or the will of whatever form of degenerate royalty you serve."[/color] While Shizuka's voice was calm, his word were filled to the brim with loathing. [color=0072bc]"The decision to keep you alive was one that was decided amongst the force as a whole, therefore it is not my place to take the matter into my own hands. And besides that, I feel that death that for is a courtesy. One that you are not owed; a simple and convenient way out. Coward."[/color] Shizuka began to make his way past Kasseros towards his mamono teammates, not even bothering to look at him. He did, however, stop for a moment. [color=0072bc]"Your army hasn't given us much choice in doing what've done up to this point, what I've done. From one murder to another: Instead of worrying about dying as a human, worry about how you'll continue to live as one. Given your current track record, being snatched up by yokai is the least of your worries. They don't tend to care for men like you, I can't say I would blame them."[/color] He said. [color=0072bc]"Everything you've done will follow you to the afterlife anyway. Live and repent, Kasseros Telmar. To continue to live through disgrace, ridicule, hate, fear, shattered dreams, and even a broken heart. That is what it means to be human. It may surprise you that many mamono understand this viewpoint as well."[/color] Shizuka said no more as he walked off. Eventually, he made his way over to the sprite and the lich mid conversation. He attempted to hide his sour mood while approaching them. [color=0072bc]"Exucse me, Io-san? I apologize if I'm interrupting, but I was a question in regards to Alice if you don't mind."[/color] He said. [color=0072bc]"I not too versed in cursed weaponry or in the finer properties of mamono not native to these lands. But, there seem to be combative ids in the girl that are at odds, competing for control. While she wasn't entirely at fault, it caused her to lash out at some of the other members. Do you perhaps have any insight into what may be going on with her and a way to effectively aid her?"[/color] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/cDfjYN0.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/0u0wcUo.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NporBQG.png[/img][/center] [center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbfOVMI-pKw]🌀[/url][/center] [sub][@PaulHaynek][@Hammerman][/sub] [b]The Headman, Onrai Woods[/b] [hr] The sisters were relieved that Sorae had acquiesced to majority demand and opted to follow Sogen to his destination , where ever it may be. Of course, their continued use of stealth would be short-lived, much to their chagrin. The group had eventually be led by their target to a large mill, with armored natives making a base of sorts out of it. Where they perhaps militia that had plans to strike a counterattack against the Varjans? Although, given tradition, it'd be hard to count them as potential allies of the mostly yokai comprised taskforce. Those thoughts were quickly subdued, however, as a battle-hungry Sorea instantly made her presence known. As par for the course, all of the warriors brandished there weapons and immediately began attacking. Hinami for a brief moment stood there with an exasperated expression, her eyes in a twitching slant while a large sweatdrop appeared on the side of her head. [color=9e0b0f]"Godsdammit, Sorae-san..."[/color] Atsuha whined, pinching her brow. A couple of bandits made their way toward the rest of the group while they sulked at the situation. Raising a single talisman, Atsuha blew them away in a flurry of purple flames without even looking at them. [color=7bcdc8]"...Well, I guess we should go a help out, yes?"[/color] Hinami said. She then jumped from the shrubbery and emitting a blue glow from her hands. From it formed some shuriken, she began throwing them at some of the other bandits. She foresaw the crossbows being a problem, especially for Sorae, so she opted to get rid of them as soon as possible. Since those two had jumped into the fray, Atsuha felt that for now it would be best to remain as support for now. She would, of course, take center stage as well when the situation called for it. She casted a defensive spell on both Hinami and Sorae to reduce any damage taken from enemy attacks. [color=9e0b0f]"Well, Luna-chan, shall we aid this reckless girl?"[/color] She said, preparing an attack spell this time.