[center][h3]Janus' Campsite[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Rune_Alchemist], [@AzureKnight] (KIR, VRA & LAV) ~[/center] [quote=N'ylaatothk][color=a187be]"A-at any rate, think of me as your servant for as long as I am here, Lord Oja. Please."[/color][/quote] Takeshi picked up on [u]Nyla's[/u] unease, and decided to finish this conversation for now. "...Very well, I suppose I can allow that. Anything more would be problematic anyway..." Although, the young Oja was a bit saddened at his own words as he left [u]Nyla[/u]. [quote=Kirei Kannazuki][color=beige]"...But, barring that, is there anything else you can tell us about the island's current situation. Are they any other forces that could aid us against the invaders?[/color][/quote] Takeshi met back with [u]Kirei[/u] to answer the questions. "Most of the island's fighters fought at Sanjo Beach. We could've tried to defend all the ports and beaches, but that would be stretching our forces very thin. We could've also attempted unconventional warfare, hit the invaders before retreating to the shadows. But that would require the Varjans to be unsure of occupying the island and if we learned one thing from our talks, the Varjans and The Order seemed [i]very[/i] interested in Shizuyama." "That's why my father ordered a last stand at Sanjo Beach. If we could not stop them there, there was no stopping the Varjans from taking Shizuyama." Takeshi grimly finished answering the first question. "A last-ditch effort at defiance..." "However, there were warriors, friends, that I didn't see with us during the battle on the beach. They may still be alive and if they are being smart, which I'm sure they are, they'll be hiding in the Onrai region." The young Oja then saw [u]Vară[/u] and Lavinia talking, with the former looking distressed. "...Are those two alright?" --- Soon, all the tents have been torn down and tied up. "[color=red]Alright. Someone pick those up and follow me. Don't worry, you won't have to carry that all the way to Onrai.[/color]" Janus let out a short chuckle. Janus led the party towards a nearby base of a cliff. The spellcaster then waved his gauntlet hand and a circular part of the cliff's face disappeared, revealing a shallow cave. A cave with a couple of resting horses and a small, wooden wagon. "[color=red]Load the tent supplies there, and we'll also ride that all the way to Terauchi Temple. Provided we don't run into anything... destructive on the way.[/color]" He bit his lips as he counted the party's heads. "[color=red]The wagon's going to be cramped, though.[/color]" Janus remarked. "Hmm, let me see if this works..." Takeshi then whistled a distinct sound and moments later, from the thick shrubbery came a strong, healthy stallion that was as black as the night sky. The horse was complete with saddles and reins. "Shiro! Why do you have a saddle and reins? Did someone put them on you and tried to take you for themselves and then you bucked them off?" The horse nuzzled Takeshi, who let out a happy laugh. The young Oja was glad that at least one of his friends were alive and well and he immediately embarked on his trusty steed. He rode Shiro beside [u]Nyla[/u] and reached out a hand, inviting the Shoggoth to ride with him. Shiro, on the other hand, eyed [u]Nyla[/u] with suspicion... but he wouldn't be a trusty steed if he frequently disobeyed his master. [hr] [center][h2]Akamagaseki[/h2] [h3]Lady Kyouko's Estate[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Enkryption] (UMI & RCD), [@The Irish Tree] ~[/center] [quote=Vivian][color=7bcdc8][b]"Please, allow me to stay and fight. I don't have anywhere else I can be of use."[/b][/color][/quote] "[color=aqua]A fine display of... a greeting dance, Madam Vivian of Lyonesse.[/color]" Lady Kyouko approached, putting a gentle hand on the [u]Claremont[/u] sisters' shoulders to signal that the Ryu would be talking for now. "[color=aqua]And you say you have already engaged a ship of the Varjan armada? I am very impressed, and thankful that you have aided Shizuyama.[/color]" Lady Kyouko bowed towards [u]Vivian[/u] before adopting a serious face. "[color=aqua]But I wouldn't pledge service too fast, Madam Vivian. This is no mere defense and rescue of an island's people. Shizuyama is an anti-monster island, technically an ally of Varjo and the rest of The Order. It's only recently that their relationship has... soured considerably, for reasons that are unclear to me.[/color]" She briefly explained the situation. "[color=aqua]With all that in mind, do you still want to join?[/color]" Lady Kyouko finished. "[color=aqua]The people there will be distrustful of you, suspicious of you, hurl insults at you. That's the kind of place you will go to if you join.[/color]" "[color=aqua]And as for you two...[/color]" Lady Kyouko reached her hands out to pinch both [u]Claremont[/u] sisters' cheeks. "[color=aqua]Such behavior may be allowed in these yokai territories, but that might be construed as a sign of attack in Shizuyama.[/color]" With a gentle tone, she lightly scolded the two even if [u]Umami[/u] was the only one that lunged at the newcomer [u]Vivian[/u]. "[color=aqua]If you two are really, really sure you want to go to Shizuyama, then you two must learn how to behave. Especially around members of the Oja Clan. Am I understood?[/color]"