[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/7VzgY22/pit.png[/img] Word Count: 651 (+1 exp) [u]Level[/u]: [b]2[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 62/20 [b]Location[/b]: Dystopiascape - Gutsford[/center] Pretty much everyone agreed that they didn't want to hoof it all the way to Midgar, so slowly they made plans to look around town for supplies and transportation. Even though they were on a mission, there was no reason not to make it fun - as Sakura was trying to do. Pit probably would have joined her on her escapades, if not for a comment from their Pokémon Trainer. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"No they are [i]not[/i] just for show! Watch!"[/color] Pit said, his cheeks coloring. A petulant pout formed on his face, but it was hard to see when he crouched low and then sprang up, using his wings to propel himself high into the air. After three wingbeats and he was able to get a great view of the immediate area even if not the whole of Gutsford, but that was his limit. He fell straight back down, using his wings to slow his landing toward the end. Once back on the ground he crossed his arms. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"See? They work perfectly fine!"[/color] It was pretty obvious during the demonstration that Pit had not actually flown though. After a moment spent chewing his cheek in thought, the angel let out a short sigh. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"I just... can't... fly with them, that's all. It's a whole thing, okay?"[/color] There, now the crew knew he couldn't fly. Better to get it out of the way now anyway, he'd hate to have someone expecting an airborne rescue from him... even if he wanted nothing more to be able to do just that, and would probably pitch himself off a cliff to try it anyway. He had before. Pit was eager to make himself useful after divulging that he couldn't fly, so instead of going the fun route and following after Sakura he went another way to focus on finding some vehicles. He made a point of hopping up onto the rooftops within reach, just to show that he could. Bede may have touched a sore point. Gutsford wasn't a maze-like city by any means, but the higher point of view did help with getting around. He moved straight toward any areas that looked promising, but mostly he just looked for any kind of vehicle in general. He did manage to find a few larger ones, but they weren't for sale, rent, or borrow. All deployed for specific jobs already. After getting rejected he'd move on, then rinse and repeat. ...he was getting no where fast, but he kept at it until he was sure he'd tried everywhere he'd seen. Then, he took a quick break. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"This town feels weird,"[/color] he said to himself. He was lounging at a [url=https://i.ibb.co/Pw6WnwB/1600px-SMO-Metro-Moon-16.png]roof-top cafe[/url], just gathering his thoughts. Maybe he was just unused to college towns, but whenever he was exploring on the ground he felt like someone was looking at him funny. That wasn't the weirdest thing though, the [i]weirdest[/i] thing was that no one seemed willing to give the Seekers a ride. It was strike out after strike out! He looked out over the roof toward the road, thinking about what to do. If they wanted to get to Midgar [i]fast[/i], they could all probably stow away on the cargo trucks. It wasn't allowed by whatever company they drove for (hence, stowing away), but if they were sneaky about it then it'd probably work. Otherwise... nope, he was out of ideas. Pit swung himself over the edge of the building, landing at the shop's entrance. Had it been long enough to meet back up with everyone? He didn't really know, but considering the Seekers were scattered around town he figured if he looked for them he'd find one or two. Maybe one of them had gotten luckier than him with the whole 'find a ride' thing, and if not - then they'd better hurry up if they wanted to try and slip into the truck beds headed for Midgar. [color=2e2c2c]------[/color] [center][img]https://i.ibb.co/88KWNj5/OTbanner.png[/img] [sup]____________________________________________________[/sup] [color=FFC6C6][u]Level[/u]: [b]7[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 144/70[/color] [color=2e2c2c]------[/color] [color=BC8DBF][u]Level[/u]: [b]4[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 59/40[/color] [color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color] [color=2e2c2c]----------------------------[/color] [color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color] [color=lightgray]Word Count: 2264 (+3 exp) [b]Location[/b]: The Under - Dirtmouth, the Chasm[/color][/center] Primrose and Therion's search for equipment took them all throughout the small fading town, it's far edges and outskirts. As expected of a practiced thief, Therion put his skills to use and swiped anything useful looking that he could get his hands on. Primrose's approach took longer to execute, but earned her better quality equipment than her friend - a compliment or two, a batting of eyelashes, and the miners were putty in her hands all too eager to help out. They didn't necessarily stick close to each other, but whenever they did work together they fell into a familiar routine. Primrose would flaunt her looks and distract the mark, while Therion snuck up and did his thing. They'd separate then, leaving poor men and women wondering what had happened. After she was done flirting and, frankly, manipulating people out of their spare equipment Primrose shed the overly long habit she'd been wearing and donned the twin crown. The spiked and feathered headband was added to hold the longer white cloth away from her face, giving Primrose the look of some barbarian queen. It was a nice look, she decided. She waited in a wide open area, searching for a glimpse of purple and then reminding herself that she should be looking for orange now. Eventually she spotted her partner in crime, waving him over. The two of them reconvened, sharing their spoils with each other. They'd done surprisingly well, and though the items they'd gathered were too much to comfortably carry alone for long the two travelers grinned at each other, sharing the feeling of accomplishment. As they started back toward where they'd last seen the other Seekers, Primrose tossed Therion an empty hand-me-down pack she'd been generously gifted by one of the working men. It was decently larger than the satchel she knew Therion to carry, and without delay he started shoving what he could into it. [color=BC8DBF]"Thanks, this was getting to be a pain to carry."[/color] Primrose couldn't agree more. Between the two of them there were ropes looped around their bodies, bedrolls and wood tucked under their arms, cookware and mining equipment attached to their persons, all number of things tucked into their bags, and Therion had his new cat ears flattened by a [url=https://i.ibb.co/sK7dLYn/Firefly-Head-Lamp.png]helmet[/url] he was carrying by wearing. She'd taken Midna's spatial storage for granted. While wondering if she could convince someone to part with their wheelbarrow, Primrose glanced at Therion. [color=D34C25]"No extra 'goods' this time?"[/color] she questioned, tone playful. In response he wordlessly held up a [url=https://i.ibb.co/cww7FPF/Copper-ore.png]lump[/url] of something that glinted when the sunlight hit it in a certain way. [i]Of course, how silly of me,[/i] the dancer thought. If it was ore from down in the mines, it might even come in handy if sticky fingers or a honey voice couldn't do the trick. [color=BC8DBF]"Got this too,"[/color] he said, swapping the copper for a [url=https://i.ibb.co/nkcbW6R/Compass2.png]compass[/url]. [color=D34C25]"Do you think it will work down there?"[/color] [color=BC8DBF]"Why wouldn't it?"[/color] [color=D34C25]"If we'll be surrounded by iron veins or other metals, it might affect the compass..."[/color] Primrose peered at the device, curious if it even worked at all. She was no scholar, but she knew compasses pointed north because of the world's poles... did the patchwork world of Galeem work the same way? Apparently it did, or at least there was some force attracting the compass' needle, for it held steady in Therion's hand. The thief shrugged, pocketing it. [color=BC8DBF]"Well, whatever. Doesn't hurt to have it, and if it doesn't work I'll just toss it."[/color] As they walked, a flicker of light caught Primrose's eye. It was unlike the shine of sunlight on steel, or the wink of electric devices. It was a flame atop a candle, opposite it's twin, both of them on either side of a stone door set into the rock face of a cliff. It was a curious sight only because none of the other buildings featured candles. Most of the dwellings looked either completely abandoned like those above the chasm, or overtaken by miners or bandits like those closer to the pit. The glow of the candles, set against a foreground that Primrose came to realize was a graveyard, gave off an eerie feel. She hummed in thought, drawing her companion's attention. Therion followed her gaze to the door. [color=BC8DBF]"Spooky. Want to check it out?"[/color] She thought about it. Dirthmouth left a lot to be desired in many areas, and it's lack of what Primrose would consider magical or spiritual places had led her to believe the person she was looking for was further in... or further [i]down[/i], as it were. But while they were already here, a door like this could give her some clues. Even if it didn't, they had time to explore. [color=D34C25]"Let's go,"[/color] she said. The Travelers made a beeline to the door. If not for the candlelight it would have been half-hidden from the rest of the town. After navigating through the tombstones Primrose and Therion arrived, and were met with a lock. The dancer knocked, and wasn't surprised to receive no answer. She pressed her ear to the cold door, and couldn't hear anything inside. The only sound that reached her ears was a faint scraping noise, and she glanced down to find Therion already kneeling at the door's keyhole with his lockpick inside. [color=D34C25]"Really?"[/color] [color=BC8DBF]"Don't even pretend you aren't curious what's inside,"[/color] he scoffed. [color=BC8DBF]"Besides, this is a simple lock. Not anything like that ass Orlick's manse lock."[/color] [i]Ugh, that thing was a nightmare.[/i] [color=BC8DBF]"It'll take me no time to pick."[/color] True to his word, the door clicked open only seconds later. Pleased with himself, Therion stashed his tools, stood up and made a sweeping gesture for Primrose to take the lead. She refrained from speaking so as not to inflate his ego, but she did take his invitation - pushing the door open and stepping inside. A wave of thick, musty air greeted them, and within the pair discovered a [url=https://i.imgur.com/QBa0vgc.png]dingy chamber[/url], more of a hollow than a home. Draped in murky vegetation like tattered curtains and aglow with the flickering flame of a few dozen candles, it featured no other amenities, and only a single occupant. A rotund insect swaddled in cloth, with a bulbous head not unlike a giant turban, stirred as if from a deep slumber when the light of day fell across her face. Glowing white eyes blinked open, and they regarded the newcomers curiously. “Welcome, strange intruders. I've been sound asleep in here for some time… Some, time?” She paused for a moment. Her voice was strange, a chittering murmur, far from human. “Ah. Yes. Yes. Well now you've gone and woken me up. It's no matter, I suppose. I might even be able to help you. I am Jiji, and if you have found your way into my chamber you must need my help.” Primrose and Therion spared each other a quick, confused glance. Given that they'd apparently just broken into someone's home while they slept, the friendly reception of the occupant was unusual. If the plethora of working miners outside weren't commonplace, they might have even looked the part of burglars too - what with all the equipment hanging off of them. Still, rather than let this chance slip by and the old bug come to her senses about helping out strange intruders, Primrose took a step forward and greeted her. [color=D34C25]"Just so. Thank you, Jiji. I've heard that there is someone in this land that deals with departed spirits. A 'Confessor,' though that's all I know. I was hoping to find some information about their whereabouts."[/color] “How fortuitous that we should meet, then. For that is I.” The Confessor tilted her head. “You see, sometimes we leave our regrets behind in the world, like black stains. If we don't deal with these regrets, hope starts to drain from us. As a service, I can return your regrets to you, so they can be dealt with. You have regrets of your own, yes?” There was a pause as Primrose blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected to find the 'Confessor' so quickly, or so easily. Rather than hope, the dancer felt some anxious energy begin to grow. Either there would be a catch, or the journey ahead would be fraught with hardship, or both. She remained silent for the moment, and Therion the same behind her, not answering Jiji's rhetorical question. The stains of regret... it was an apt simile, if that was all it was. Then, the Confessor went on. Jiji closed her eyes, bowing her head. “Ah, but I am very hungry. Perhaps you'd be willing to part with a little of your food? Sleep for as long as I have and you build up quite the appetite. Can return your regrets to you, if you share your delicious food with me.” [color=D34C25]"...food?"[/color] Primrose questioned, skeptical. [color=D34C25]"Of course you can have some food."[/color] She gestured for Therion to come forward and the thief rolled his eyes, digging through their packs for the rations and lunch leftovers. He held a small wrapped bundle of food out to the Confessor, while Primrose went on to question her. [color=D34C25]"Jiji, when you speak of returning regrets - can you return spirits to life?”[/color] She asked. [color=D34C25]“Surely there is a price involved besides feeding you.”[/color] The bug peered among the offered morsels, as if scanning for something she couldn’t find. “Life...?” she murmured quizzically, distracted. “Regrets... are a part of us. My ritual can only bring them here, from wherever they might be. What you do with your regret is up to you. Bury it, destroy it, accept it, I am but the usher...” She looked up at Therion. “Hmm, but you don't have any food on you. At least nothing that interests me. I can't perform on an empty stomach, so please return once you've found something truly tasty... something nourishing.” [color=BC8DBF]"Pretty picky for a- [i]oof.[/i]"[/color] Primrose retracted her elbow. [color=D34C25]"What kind of food do you eat?"[/color] “The food I like... it's soft and round and bursts delightfully in your mouth. The smell it emits... just thinking about is getting me excited. It truly is the most sumptuous thing in the world.” Jiji gave a wistful sigh. [color=D34C25]"I see."[/color] Primrose closed her eyes, considering the Confessor in front of her. She didn't get the feeling that Jiji was a fraud or otherwise untruthful. She also doubted her feminine wiles would work on an old, sleepy, shamanistic bug, so they wouldn't be convincing her anytime soon. Likewise, threatening Jiji was out of the question - not only because it would be tasteless and cruel, but if they wanted to use her services more than once, it would be best not to get on her bad side. She opened her eyes and nodded. [color=D34C25]"Then we will be back with something for you. Farewell until then."[/color] The Octopath Travelers left Jiji's hole in the wall, the bug bidding them goodbye. As they found their way back to the only road through town, Primrose remained deep in thought. Usually Therion wouldn't try to break the silence, but he found himself chatting as they walked. [color=BC8DBF]"Well, now that you know where she is you can come back anytime."[/color] The dancer hummed to show she was listening so he continued, his tail flicking. [color=BC8DBF]"No clue what she eats though. ...berries?"[/color] It was his best guess, and he followed it up with a shrug. Primrose glanced up, tapping her chin. [color=D34C25]"I'm not sure. Hopefully it isn't too difficult to find. I'm sure we'll run into it somewhere in the Under."[/color] A bit of unusual food was a small price to pay for what she thought Jiji would be able to do. Although as they'd talked with her, she was beginning to doubt that it was true resurrection. Even so, she was sure that it would be useful. They eventually arrived to where they'd last left the other Seekers, a spot between Dirthmouth proper and the lip of the Chasm. That they didn't see all of the Seekers there wasn't surprising, but it wasn't just a few that were missing - it was all of them. Primrose and Therion set down most of the equipment they'd been lugging around to rest, peering around for any sign of the others. Were they still exploring the town, having somehow avoided the Travelers on their way back? Or...? The final sounds of a battle below drifted up out of the Chasm, echoes of shouting and gunshots. When thief and dancer poked their heads over the side of the pit to look down, they found the Seekers of Purple Team minus Ms. Fortune and Sectonia having just driven away some bandits and about to head deeper in. Primrose sighed as the two Travelers straightened up. [color=BC8DBF]"So much for gearing up first,"[/color] Therion said, clicking his tongue. [color=D34C25]"Eager to explore, I suppose. It wouldn't be the first time we've been part of an unpredictable group, hm?"[/color] [color=BC8DBF]"Sure. I do know someone who loves going off alone to 'handle things'."[/color] [color=D34C25]"Speak for yourself,"[/color] she laughed. Primrose went down the path into the Chasm a little, waving and calling out to Kamek, Bowser, Rika, and any who weren't too far down yet. [color=D34C25]"Yoohoo~ We'd appreciate some help up here."[/color] Splitting the haul would make it that much easier to carry, and both Travelers were eager to shuck all but their share onto the others. While they coordinated to go deeper and meet with the rest, hopefully the final members of the group would appear so the entire team could descend as one.