[center][h2][color=D34C25]Primrose[/color], [color=BC8DBF]Therion[/color], [color=gray]&[/color] [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]Pit[/color][/h2]
[color=D34C25][u]Level[/u]: [b]11[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 267/110[/color] [color=2e2c2c]------[/color] [color=BC8DBF][u]Level[/u]: [b]10[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 328/100[/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=lightgoldenrodyellow][u]Level[/u]: [b]8[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 253/80[/color]
[sub][i]Wednesday Morning[/i][/sub]
Word Count: 1649 (+3 exp)
[b]Location[/b]: Fields of Gold, the Forbidden Kingdom[/center]
The area was more than deserving of its name, with aureate rice and wheat nearly as far as the eye could see. It was made all the more beautiful by the still-rising sun that scattered speckles of light on the small streams that separated fields and paddies from each other. Though the Fields of Gold were far from the most outlandish areas Primrose had seen during her time this world, it was still quite the sight to take in. If anything, the more similar a place was to what was familiar to her, the more she could appreciate how lovely it was by contrast.

After hearing Sakura's explanation of everything, giving her own run down on what she knew, and making a note of Juri's input on one of Esaka's kings (as well as the way she'd delivered it, as the dancer was pretty sure she caught a hint of emotion all too familiar to her), the team got moving towards their destination per Pit's rallying. Naturally chatter loud and soft spread throughout the group, though unlike back on the Avenger (where Primrose had let Celica know there would be no hard feelings in taking over her previous roommate's bunk, and wished the other woman luck in her own mission as well), Primrose did not continue teasing Nadia or Zenkichi about their love lives. Neither seemed particularly easy to fluster, not that she would truly want to make them uncomfortable in the first place. Their relationships were cute to see, even if Primrose still didn't truly believe much good could come of it, regardless of what she'd learned about the nature of the Lost Numbers and the world. Of course she didn't tell either of them that - though she had made sure to playfully inform Zenkichi that if anything 'saucy' [i]did[/i] happen, no one would know about it. She would certainly do a much better job keeping it a secret than most. Him especially.

She did chat a little more with Nadia until the feral got the bright idea to sail on the water, after which her conversation partner switched to Therion. That was more than fine, since the two could get a head start on their own plans.

[color=BC8DBF]"I figure we spend a day or two in Esaka at least, and if it's a bust head north again,"[/color] Therion mused quietly. The signpost they passed mentioned a 'village of whispers,' and that probably had as much chance of being a wellspring of rumors and information being passed around as it did of being some haunted town... on second thought, with their luck, it was probably the latter. Maybe northwest, then.

[color=D34C25]"I agree."[/color] By sticking around for a little bit they would be able to tell, hopefully, if their time would be better put to use in the city or by chasing down any other leads outside of it. With both Sandalphon's communication sigils and the dainty long distance linkpearls, even if the duo split up from the rest they could be called back if needed. Though on that note... [color=D34C25]"We'll have to see about arranging some faster transportation if we leave, however."[/color]

If any emergency came up, it wouldn't do to have to run back on foot. Therion nodded his head, though he didn't seem all that concerned. [color=BC8DBF]"I'm sure there's a few horses we can 'borrow' around here."[/color]

Primrose's mouth curled slightly in amusement. [color=D34C25]"It would be a little harder to keep a low profile when taking something that big."[/color] If Esaka was anything like Meridi-at-Han and the rest of the Forbidden Kingdom so far, then a horse would be an expensive asset anyone would hate to lose. Of course, after their angelic co-captain brought up disguises, that would be an option to avoid unwanted attention. She knew that Therion was fairly good at them, and she'd always somewhat enjoyed the thought of acting the part of a dashing rogue herself. 

Another thought came to mind regarding another place mentioned on the post. [color=D34C25]"Did I mention to you that I made an acquaintance that lives in the plateau in this region? Perhaps we could pay her a visit."[/color]

There was allegedly a wealth of food in that area, and Kayna's raptor had been extremely swift. It wouldn't be a bad idea to see what they could find out there, or else stock up on a few things and procure a monster like that for travel.

[color=BC8DBF]"..."[/color]

After not getting a response, Primrose turned to glance at Therion. Either he had chosen not to reply or he hadn't heard her - and based on the slightly pinched expression on his face and the way his feline ears stood tall and alert on his head, she guessed it was the latter.

[color=D34C25]"What is it?"[/color] she asked, voice a little louder. One of her friend's ears twitched in her direction, but he kept his eyes on the landscape ahead of them. The more civilization they encountered, the more the houses and dirt roads seemed to stick out to Therion. It was hard to tell why, though. There didn't seem to be anything sinister about them, and as far as he knew he'd never been to this area before. 

Something about it bothered him, and Primrose could tell that too. And yet all he could say in reply was, [color=BC8DBF]"...it's nothing."[/color]

Because it really was nothing. The simple clay and wood houses, the crop fields and the scarecrows that protected them, the misty mountains in the distance, the garments of the few friendly people they passed... it should all mean nothing to him. But it did, somehow. There was something familiar about them, in a bad way. Like he'd had some kind of premonition about them... or a dream.

Or a [i]memory.[/i]

Therion's jaw tightened. That was it, he remembered now. The nightmare of blood and lightning, which he'd learned had most likely been a vision of a past life. The scenery wasn't exactly the same, but it was similar enough that uneasiness radiated off of the thief when he realized it. The fur of his tail bristled out slightly before smoothing back down as he worked not to alert the rest of the group to his sudden tension. At best they'd shrug it off, and at worst it would set the Seekers on edge for no reason. If something more substantial happened he'd warn them, but until then he was going to keep the fact that he'd apparently lived and died in an area like this before to himself.

Primrose had been the only one he'd told about the dream before, though she wasn't a mind reader. She looked at him with a questioning gaze, but Therion gave her a minute shake of his head. For now, it really was nothing. She took the hint and didn't inquire any further. 

Oblivious to his comrade's uneasiness, partly because he'd been alternating between walking at the head of the group and trying to get a higher vantage point then gliding back to the rear of the party, was Pit. He'd taken note of everyone who expressed interest in Esaka's tournaments, and everyone who hadn't. Once they actually reached the city he'd get a better sense of what actions the group could take, and what orders he'd give to who. He was also aware enough to realize that a few Seekers would most likely blatantly disregard anything he said to them even as a suggestion, but he'd deal with that when it came up. There were also other things to think about, like where they'd stay, how'd they pay for things, how they'd try and move around and do everything they needed to without drawing too much attention to themselves... or at least to their real identities, since being sneaky wasn't really Pit's style. Plus there was the whole public hierarchy thing.

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"If everyone in Esaka's as fighting-crazy as Sakura says, there's no way we're gonna be able to avoid joining in some tourneys,"[/color] Pit said after Band mentioned it would be better not to get involved if possible. For one, they had their own fighting-crazy Seekers, and for two if they were recognized as powerful participants then they'd probably have more sway in the city, and could find things way easier! It would be two birds with one stone, ranking up and making their way to the top while getting access to more information and money at the same time. At least, that was what Pit assumed.

Plus he thought tournaments were fun.

For now they still had to make it to Esaka. On the way there, though Pit kind of wanted to explore some, he decided to be at least a little responsible and stick with the larger group on the beaten path. He also figured that there couldn't be that many hidden goodies or dangers around since the area was so wide open for miles and miles. He could see pretty far, and even farther if he leapt as high into the sky and got an aerial view. Which he did, a few times, his stronger wings taking him up higher and holding him in the air for longer before he inevitably drifted back down to the earth. 

This place would have been great to fly around over, Pit thought. He could have gotten a lay of the land much more easily, better scout ahead for the rest of the Seekers and keep an eye on the ones that split up, see anything suspicious coming for them sooner... but, he couldn't. Though he hoped he would be able to soon enough, even if it was just waiting for whenever his goddess figured out the logistics.

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Everything seems pretty clear for now,"[/color] he remarked after his latest look ahead from the air. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Except I think someone's broken down up the road?"[/color]

Though his warning came too late for the few that had decided to jet forward on vehicles or their own legs. Eh, they'd see it soon enough. So would the main group as long as they stuck to the path. He didn't think it would end up being much of an issue. After a few moments though he broke into a jog so as not to be too outpaced by those that had gone ahead.