[center][h3]Q&A[/h3]
Feat: Roland, Sectonia, Juri, Rika, Jr
Words: 2808 (+3 exp)
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[color=92278f]”It's a shame we have so little intelligence. We get more and more, but it feels like we get more questions than answers.”[/color] Sectonia said, thinking of the situation as a whole.

[color=d7d7d7]”You know, perhaps we should get some information from that person who says he knows a lot. He trades that information for spirits does he not? While I doubt he knows where this ‘source’ is, maybe we can get good information from him regardless.”[/color] Roland said.

[color=92278f]”Ah yes, Ganondorf asked him a question if I recall. Although I was unable to claim any spirits in our last excursion.”[/color] Sectonia said, making a note of that for the future, although she didn’t know what to expect.

[color=d7d7d7]”I have some extras thanks to my books being unable to expire. I can give you one or two for your own questions if you want.”[/color] Roland said, helping more because he had no reason not to and so far he hadn’t seen anything that made him dislike Sectonia. Granted he was totally fine with authority unlike many of the others so her aura of authority didn’t bother him at all. She was already way better than the Head in the short time he knew her. Although Roland would say the same thing about Ganondorf if asked.

While not one to vocally give thanks to such a small gesture, Sectonia did nod in acceptance and acknowledgement. Roland handed her two books of Bugsnax, Sectonia having a bit of a perplexed look on her face as she saw the picture on the cover of the book. [color=92278f]”You met these food creatures recently?”[/color] Sectonia said, opening up a book to read about it and finding very little information in it.

[color=d7d7d7]”Yeah. They turned people into themselves by feeding their babies to them or something. Is that something that all the food looking things with eyeballs do?”[/color] Roland questioned.  [color=92278f]”I don’t know. But that sounds horrible.”[/color] Sectonia said, with Roland nodding with her.

[color=SpringGreen]”Ew”[/color] Jr agreed, really grossed out about this treacherous food, before recovering to ask the question he’d thought of, which was [color=SpringGreen]”Do you think we could find out how to smash those clocks from that guy?”[/color]

[color=d7d7d7]”Probably. But once we learn that, smashing them will be pretty quick. But first I’ve gotta see how this all works.”[/color] Roland said, a book in his arm.

And with that, everyone made their way to gather some information from their spirits. Having never used him, Roland and Sectonia had no idea what they were in for. 

Luckily, the merchant in question happened to be in this evening. The squad of seekers found Vulgrim in his corner of the otherwise highly technological [url=https://i.imgur.com/t0kMqYm.png]Spirit Chamber[/url], surrounded by the lavish decor and occult objects one might associate with a soothsayer. The [url=https://i.imgur.com/Avt7hVB.png]demon[/url] himself lay half-immersed in the Serpent Hole he used to travel in and out of the Avenger, reclining on a fine velvet cushion as he read the book [i]How Wars Profit Nopon[/i] with the aid of a tiny pair of spectacles. The moment he spotted a group of solicitors, the volume and spectacles disappeared, and he tented his claws with his teeth bared in a typical snakelike smile. His rings and baubles gleamed almost as brightly as his emerald-green eyes. “Well well well, to what do I owe the pleasure? Not just here for a courteous social call, I take it?”

[color=d7d7d7]”I hear you're an information broker.”[/color] Roland said, having an idea about this guy just a moment ago. [color=d7d7d7]”You give information for spirits. We just so happen to have a few spirits to trade for that information.”[/color] Sectonia would say more, but Roland said it all for her so she just nodded. Neither side balked at him being a demon. [color=d7d7d7]”So how does this work?”[/color] Both presented the books that Roland had given them.

Handing over a book of Bugsnax, Sectonia asked her question. [color=92278f]“How do you extend the 10 year time limit of a person here without finding the source or becoming a Consul or Nobody.”[/color] This was the most pressing question on her mind, and considering how important it was, she wanted it answered. 

“The secret of immortality, bought with a blueberry? Hah! I wouldn’t tell you even if I knew.” Vulgrim took a bite out of the book, munched for a second, then set it aside. He did not look particularly thrilled. “Why don’t you ask that little nopon instead, hm?”

Well, this is how he worked. Welp, He made a point and while Sectonia wasn’t sure what to expect, having been denied so quickly was a bit embarrassing overall. Well, a better spirit hm? But even a denial gave information… information that wasn’t much to her liking if it was true.

Roland then offered his book of Wendigo and asked. [color=d7d7d7]”How do you infiltrate the City that Never Was and bypass its aura that seems to make that impossible.”[/color] Having seen the city from his tenure at Merdi-at-han, it was this crazy looking place.

The wendigo spirit proved to be appreciably spicy, so it wasn’t entirely worthless, though it still tasted like paper. Vulgrim mulled over the question. “The Transmission is a sound. A frequency. If you don’t want to hear it, why not cloak yourself in a frequency of your own?”

Hearing that, Roland was very interested. His gloves canceled out noise so he would be one of the few who could actually deal with that city. But with how it sounded, it seemed like the blue reverberation would be there… or it would be something he made or something related. [color=d7d7d7]”Of course that lunatic would be involved…”[/color] Roland said with a huff.

Roland then gave his book of Bugsnax and asked [color=d7d7d7]”Will the organization of Nobodies obstruct the seeker’s mission like the Consuls do?”[/color] Roland was sure he knew this answer already, but wanted to verify it.

Vulgrim didn’t even bother with either the spirit or the question. He waved them away dismissively. “You seem to labor under the delusion that I am omniscient. On the contrary, all I offer is hearsay, and nobody is more elusive than Organization XIII. It’s rare that they’re even sighted.”

This was information that was interesting. Good to know he was nice enough to inform them on stuff he didn’t know. Even so, Roland took back his offered book.

Finally, Sectonia asked her question, giving her last book of Bugsnax.  [color=92278f]“In the region of the Highlands, where is a powerful item that would help us.”[/color] She thought about saying Spirit, but they were already hunting a Guardian.

“Now [i]that[/i] is the sort of information I peddle. But for a single kiwi? Hmm…” He thought as he chewed. “I’ve heard tell of a corrupted sword recovered by treasure hunters on Mount Dragonspine, which seethes with the power of an ancient dragon. Perhaps that would offer the strength you seek, if you’re able to wield it.”

[color=d7d7d7]”Well, not the first time I've dealt with an information broker, but probably the first time I’ve seen him just eat what we bring him. I’ll be on the look out for better things. Anything that you prefer or do you just want it to be a surprise?”[/color] Roland asked, knowing full well that giving someone the proper information or even bait was essential to get useful things, and he’d rather do things properly next time.

“No more books, for one,” Vulgrim remarked. “If a spirit tastes like food, a book tastes like paper dipped in food puree.” He shook his head, his fingers tented. “As for what I [i]would[/i] like…the bigger and rarer, the better. Oh, younger spirits too. There’s no substitute for…heheh, freshness.” The demon snickered.

Now that was something Roland understood. Not liked, but understood. This guy was like someone from District 23. Roland wasn’t much one for these unsavory types, but that's just how things went sometimes. [color=d7d7d7]”Hm… Not much I can do about the whole ‘no books’ thing. Whatever I’m involved with turns into books that contain the spirits.”[/color] Roland then took the untaken book of Bugsnax and lit it on fire to see if what was released was what Vulgrim was interested in. Instead, its unspecified destruction resulted in a random food item. An item that, when it wasn’t taken, Roland scooped up. He then shrug and left, Sectonia having dipped out a bit earlier to save herself from being embarrassed.

Overall Sectonia, having never used this guy before, came out a bit embarrassed. If Roland was trying to make fun of her, he didn’t show it as even he was put off a bit with how little preparation he made. She’d remember this, but would let it slide if it came out this was an honest mistake from the Fixer. 

Juri had tagged along, watching the encounter from the back. When Sectonia and Roland withdrew, she stepped towards them. [b][color=ec008c]”That’s it?”[/color][/b] She asked them. [b][color=ec008c]”Do you got anymore of those you haven’t used? Gimme one if you do. Somethin’ he’ll like. I’ll owe ya one.”[/color][/b] She said. She’d been dropping plenty of bodies but hadn’t thought to scoop up any spirits she wasn’t interested in merging with. 

[color=d7d7d7]”That's all I could gather that I didn’t destroy myself. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect. But a foodie, even if he does have the personality of someone from district 23, I can understand.”[/color] Roland said, shrugging. 

[color=d7d7d7]”I don’t know about you two, but I could go for a drink.”[/color] he then said, trying to change the subject and get people's minds off of things. Seemed he’d need to be involved with getting more spirits if he wanted more information. Although with how things went, the information that Vulgrim gave seemed to be less about overarching things, and more about ‘locations or how to get to locations, or items or how to get items.’ instead of more esoteric stuff such as enemy intelligence. So he was more like a traditional broker than something like he was at the Library.

[b][color=ec008c]”Damn it.”[/color][/b] Juri gritted her teeth. Roland as he passed by gave Juri the food item he had gotten from burning the book of Bugsnax, a banana float sundae.

Juri blinked at the food item she had in her hand. [b][color=ec008c]”What the hell am I supposed to do with this?!”[/color][/b] She asked as Roland walked by. [color=d7d7d7]”Feed the ‘war boss’, he likes food.”[/color] Roland said sarcastically as he made his way to the bar. 

Seeing as he was with Sectonia, one of the royals, and both were heading roughly the same way at the moment, Roland offered a drink and a chat to the Queen. Sectonia contemplated it.

Pointedly, Juri started eating the banana float sundae herself. Where could she get some spirits? Edward? That line of thinking led her to remember those monster spirits Edward took that she could reasonably have claim over. Monster spirits, live monster spirits. The weirdo must like that, right? She raced to the spirit archive and procured an armful of locust spirits and the Rompopolo spirit. [b][color=ec008c]”Hey!”[/color][/b] She called out. [b][color=ec008c]”Hey, Vulgrim. Sorry it’s not a freshly orphaned victorian child, but this should be enough to get me a good answer, right?”[/color][/b] She asked, approaching him. 

She offered him everything, having no other use for the couple of locust spirits and the Rompopolo. [b][color=ec008c]”I’m looking for a guy named M. Bison. D’you know where he is? Are these spirits enough to get the answer?”[/color][/b] She asked, her usual agitation accompanied by an unusual anxiousness. 

Vulgrim looked over the offerings and selected the Rompopolo spirit to slurp down. “Hmm… oily. A tinge of poison…intoxicating.” He ran his claws along his chin as he gave Juri a knowing look. “Bison, you say? That name gets around. As it happens, you’re on the right track. You’ll find four kings in the Tiered City, and Bison is one of them.”

She nodded with a lick of her lips, her eyes flashing with a toxic resolve. No doubt, she knew where she was going. Before it was just a guess, but it was good to know for sure. And the tidbit about the Four Kings was useful, too. [b][color=ec008c]”I knew it. Of course he’s sticking with that corny Four Kings crap. Wonder if he’s trying to restart Shadaloo…I’ll be back, when I get better spirits. ”[/color][/b] Juri said, collecting the rest of them and hurrying away, grinding her jaw. She didn’t know where to, but she just had to walk. 

While Juri had run off to pilfer the armory, Rika and Jr had been mulling over what they could get for their one Tonglegrop. Probably not, they guessed the way to break the clocks, that was for sure. So they went for something simpler that could help them be stronger.

[color=SpringGreen]”So we’ve got these cassette tapes that let us turn into other monsters, right”[/color] Jr started, showing the demon the of Undyne, [color=SpringGreen]”and we even managed to fuse two of them together one time to make one mega monster. So do you know, like, anyone in or around the Forbidden Kingdom who works with these and’d know how to get better at fusion? Like a teacher, or some kind of cassette tech-nerd or something”[/color]

Somehow, the Tonglegrop spirit made Vulgrim’s skeletal face scrunch up slightly, as if he’d just sucked on a piece of sour candy. “Cassettes? Hm. They’re rather popular in Shinjuku, if I recall correctly. They say you can find anything there, after all, so maybe it has an organization for you.”

[color=SpringGreen]”That's it?”[/color] Jr complained, while Rika shrugged and pointed out [color=Aqua]”It’s something. Probably wouldn’t have gone over there if we didn’t check this”[/color] before asking Vulgrim [color=Aqua]”So how do spirits taste anyway? Like, that one seemed like it was sour, but there’s gotta be more to it, right?”[/color] very curious about the forbidden snacks they had all been feeding him. 

“Now, now. You know how this works,” Vulgrim smirked. “ If you want me to feed your curiosity, you’ll need to feed me first.”

[color=Aqua]”Awww”[/color] Rika moaned in complaint, before recovering quickly from her disappointment, shrugging saying [color=Aqua]”Oh well. Guess I’ll try and save you something you like best for next time then”[/color] 

[color=SpringGreen]”Ehhhh. Given what he likes most is probably us, probably not”[/color] Jr replied, not sold on this whole thing given the vague answers, only to look horrified when Rika suggested [color=Aqua]”Ohhh, you could unfuse and we could feed him Omori. He was young”[/color] 

Vulgrim turned a questioning glance on Junior, wondering if he’d really perform such a callous act for such an insignificant factoid. If he had no qualms, of course, neither would Vulgrim.

Jr would not, but had difficulty explaining them to his sister who made several good points in favor of, well, maybe not the ethics of feeding a child’s ‘soul’ to a demon, but at least against staying fused with the spirit. 

[color=Aqua]”Why not? It's not like he’s doing much in there. Pretty sure he’s why you got really scared under the water that one time too”[/color] 

[color=SpringGreen]”Yeah, I mean. Sure. But I still wanna keep him anyway. I don’t like that he died”[/color]

[color=Aqua]”Didn’t you not like him?”[/color] 

[color=SpringGreen]”It’s complicated”[/color] Jr replied, once again struggling with his emotions, before crossing his arms, raising his snout, and taking a hard stance that was quite simply [color=SpringGreen]”I just don’t wanna”[/color]

There was a tiny moment of silence between the two, and then Rika simply shrugged and replied with an entirely accepting [color=Aqua]”Ok”[/color]

Vulgrim reclined onto his cushions. “If you’re quite finished, I’ll take my leave for now.”

[color=Aqua]”Sure thing. See you next time”[/color] Rika replied, to which Jr added [color=SpringGreen]”If your tip’s good!”[/color] before they both headed off to go get dinner.