[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3YdqYf1.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0zvnz6I.png[/img][/center] [sub][@PaulHaynek][@The Irish Tree][/sub] [b]Stronghold[/b] [hr] His plan uninterrupted, Shizuka's ice bolts hit their mark without issue. The crossbowmen yelped in pain as their hands completely froze over along with their weapons. [color=0072bc]"Apologies, gentlemen, but I'm afraid you won't be sniping at anyone at this point."[/color] He said, walking over to them. Taking his sheathed weapon off his side, he proceeded to bludgeoned both of their legs with it. Now unable to fight back, he also made sure they couldn't run away. [color=0072bc]"If you fella's have a moment, my comrade and I would like to ask you a few questions. We overheard a few of your friends talking about a woman who fell in love with one of your associates, and had even killed her whole family just to be with him. But it seemed that her love went unrequited, and she was abandoned. It hasn't been lost on me that my comrade and I may have been knowingly sucked into this farce, but we'd like to know the whole story."[/color] He then turned his attention to Eula for a moment, noticing how easily she dispatched the remaining swordsman that tried to swarm her. Knocking them every which way with simple punches and kicks, kicking up dirt and debris in the process. Either that or subduing them with multiple torrents of projectile attacks, it seemed she had the situation under control. The remaining bandits throwing down their weapons and running away in a panicked frenzy only served to confirm this. Mission accomplished. [color=0072bc]"Eula-san, that was well done! I trust you've no serious injuries, yes? Well, aside from the one on your arm..."[/color] He said, walking over with the two bandits he just got through tying up. [color=0072bc]"Could you watch this two louts for me? I want to check on that larger fellow, their leader. I think it's best we bring them back to the temple, we'll have them confirm with that woman the whole truth of the matter"[/color] Phasing from view for a moment, Shizuka instantly appeared in the hole that was made by the leader sent flying. There he saw the brigand, lying belly up and the cannon ball off to the side. He immediately bound his arms and legs as well. [color=0072bc]"Up and at 'em, scoundrel."[/color] He said, kicking him out of the house and back into the fort clearing. [color=0072bc]"Eula-chan, I believe it's safe to say that our business here is concluded. Time to head back and get some answers. Not to mention your arm would probably heal more efficiently off the field."[/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][@Restalaan][@Crowvette][@Nakushita][@Enkryption][@Rezod92][/sub] [b]Terauchi Temple[/b] [hr] Much to her chagrin, Kerry went ahead and aired out the business between her and her goblin lover. But, she did raise a brow at her and even Skarsneek decided to include Hinami as part of it. [color=9e0b0f]"What are you all on about? Hinami is just my sister, not my sister wife! I'm actually rather selfish and don't like to share! Besides, Hinami's never even seen his member."[/color] As she made her rebuttal, she realized this may have started to make things awkward for her little sibling. That was before she turned to see that Hianmi was too busy stuffing her face full of the food the temple had prepared. She could nothing but sigh at the whole situation. Seeing some of the other members still obsess over Takeshi situation, she decided to leave them to their devices. It did make her worry that what happened between him and Alice would further ostracize him from his people, and the possibility of his execution was enough to change her mind on the matter entirely. She certainly didn't save him on the beach those nights ago just to have him be killed by his own people. [color=9e0b0f]"Io-chan, just so you're aware I'm also a spell caster, and you look unsure about how to approach the situation if you don't mind me saying."[/color] She said. [color=9e0b0f]"Let me try and talk some sense into the young lord."[/color] Atsuha followed after Takeshi, getting his attention and stopping him for a moment. [color=9e0b0f]"Takeshi-san, could you spare a moment? Perhaps there's a better way to handle this situation. Having been here for the past few days, we've seen that your people's hatred for the yokai equals, if not surpasses the threat they feel toward the Varjans. I mean, some of the natives have even begun to ally with them! Some members of the taskforce, like myself, are quite magically inclined. I'm sure can find a way to work something out."[/color] She said, trying to reason with the young lord.