Current
As a GM, I hate all my players in particular
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8 mos ago
joining the war on smoking, on the side of smoking
2
likes
9 mos ago
as a patreon reward I will read your least favorite person's handmade custom tabletop RPG homebrew and ask them why they didn't just run it in 5e instead
3
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11 mos ago
I started RP before double digit age but you couldn't have gotten an admission I was under 18 under threat of death. Kids just casually admiting it online now is wild.
"Fer tha last fuckin' time, I dinnae where Ryker is or went. Kid's got his own private life." Fiona groaned at the random PMZ """interviewer""" that had decided to accost her while she was walking through the streets of Ballonlea on her way back to the Gym from grabbing lunch. "Now piss off, would ya? I said ya get one, an' ye used it up." Without any further words, she released Raptor from her ball and mounted up, taking off towards Ballonlea Stadium and leaving the paparazzi in the dust.
Not a minute later, Raptor descended into the Gym's training facilities through a ceiling entrance, touching down and letting her Trainer off. With a pat on the beak, Fiona sent her starter off towards her own exercises as she began to touch base with each of her team, working on individual training with them for a few hours before a phone call disturbed her.
With a groan, Fiona picked it up, expecting it to be work-related. She was correct, but not exactly how she'd assumed.
”Hello, hello! Listen, Hyacinth can’t call you right now. Something’s happened– something terrible! Someone broke into Wyndon Central Laboratory only a few minutes ago, and the cops need help fending them off! They have Pokemon in their arsenal, some of them we haven’t ever seen before! They’re too strong! Hyacinth said to get over there for backup, immediately!”
"Wha-" Was all Fiona managed to get out in response before she was hung up on, presumably so the kid could call in more backup. "Well, shite." She sighed before clapping her hands together, getting her team's attention.
"Right, listen up! We're gettin' called in fer a break-in. Considerin' where everyone else's at, we'll probably be there first, so get yer arses ready fer a fight!" Fiona called out to her team before calling her main roster back into their balls, with the exception of her Corviknight, moving over to get up on her back. "Wyndon Central Lab, girl! Rest of ya, keep on standby in case I need ya, don't break nothing, ye know how it goes."
With a screech, Raptor took off through the same ceiling flap she entered through, making her way from Ballonlea to Wyndon at a breakneck pace.
"Omitting?" Renar scoffed in response to the assist from Sir Sergio, taking a moment in the reprieve that the Knight of the Harvest Moon afforded him in order to sheathe his backup weapons and retrieve his poleaxe. "I can hardly call it that when that move was the first I've seen you make all day, now can I?"
Renar's new compatriot was a familiar face. Sergio was something of a known quantity to him, having trained with himself, Gerard, and Fionn on several occasions. While Renar admired most of the man's attitude, such as his practicality and general mindset, he took pause with some of the man's more...honorable tendencies. It'd lead to a clash down the line between the two for certain, but right now, it was little to be concerned about. They'd cross that bridge when they got there, as Renar would have to do with most of his comrades and acquaintances.
For the moment, Renar was more concerned with sticking the spike of his poleaxe into the throat of the next bandit that tried to charge Sergio, covering the Knight of the Harvest Moon from the flank.
"How does the battle find you, Sir Sergio?" He asked conversationally even as he slipped back into a guard stance. "Unfortunate that we've drawn poor lots on having to cover our comrades instead of engaging either of the larger threats, but that's how the heat of battle is-" Renar chanced a look back towards the griffin while there was a lull, and found himself gawping at the sight of Lucas and Fleuri chaining and mounting the beast, and then not even having the good sense to stab the fucking thing.
"Goddesses help us, what are they doing?!" Renar murmured aside to Sergio as he turned his attention back towards the battle, but not before shouting behind him at the top of his lungs so that Fleuri could hear him. "Plunge a blade into the back of its damned head already, Jodeau! It'll stop going after the others once you kill it!"
"No, that isn't it..." Dragan spied the approaching armored skeleton, dismissing it the moment he noted the lack of silver sword in its hands. He had other concerns to deal with at the moment, namely micromanaging his small number of stolen undead to decimate a much larger force.
A mental command sent the two spirit wraiths he'd ensorcelled to harry and harass those of the horde that split off to try to circumvent the gate while Dragan listened to Ayakasha's message with one ear. Now this was curious. Was there simply a second skeleton commander, and the first merely lacked a sword? Or was this the actual skeletal paladin and the two humans mentioned somehow managed to steal the blade for themselves? The latter would be something of a problem. A silver blade in the hands of someone who knew how to use it would be a great threat, as every single one of his companions knew. Their relative lack of strength at the moment only compounded said threat. In truth, Dragan was hoping that the humans could be reasoned with. But if they insisted on hostilities, they'd have to be chastised first.
"I am trying." He ground out in response to Ayakasha's plea to avoid damage to the cathedral. "However, that is what the gate's purpose is. So long as we stop the horde here, the actual cathedral itself can be preserved."
The First and Youngest wasn't the only flame the bandits were flocking to. While Fleuri had taken the initial pressure off Renar with his assist, now the Bastard of Brias found himself contending against yet more brigands as he guarded the backs of those knights that were handling the griffin.
The growing stack of corpses around Renar wasn't quite nearly as large as Tyaethe's, but that was a measure he'd always known he wasn't going to reach today. Plus, it wasn't as if he had much time to even realize it or even compare. The latest pair of bandits to rush him had actually managed to knock his poleaxe from his hands, sending it spinning through the air and landing with the axe head stuck in the ground a good distance away. His foes thought him helpless and left themselves open as they moved in for the supposed kill, leaving Renar able to draw his arming sword in one hand, his dagger in his off-hand, and thrust each into a bandit as they drew back to swing their weapons.
In truth, the forced weapon swap may have helped him more than it hurt. While Renar would always prefer the poleaxe above all else, wielding a weapon in each hand left him better able to deflect and parry blows from multiple opponents at once on his own. His sword found most of its use on defense, turning blows aside while his dagger plunged in for the kill.
As another small party of brigands fell before him, Renar chanced a look back to see what progress was being made by his fellow knights on the griffin.
"Do hurry up back there!" He bellowed, turning back to face yet another bandit looking to ambush the knights with backs turned to him. "The longer you take, the more of this rabble comes to stop you! I'll not be able to hold them forever on my lonesome."
"Iriiiiiiis!" Fiona sauntered into the Wedgehurst Gym's office at noon, a takeaway bag clutched in her left hand as she pushed the door open with her right. "Getcher arse over here, I brought lunch. Sushi an' desserts!"
Today had been so boring... Trainers came and went, but all of them had A) quit the challenge because they were too afraid or B) failed to beat her. These things become uninteresting if too many people lost... Even her Pokemon were bored to the point that one of them had snatched Iris's headband and made her give chase.
The ghosts within the haunted house gym heard the voice and recognized the gym leader. They knew better not to challenge Iris's friends and colleagues, so they sauntered off back to their original positions, letting Fiona through easily.
"Give it back or you're in so much trouble!" Fiona would hear calling through the hallways.
The ghost had led her straight into Fiona, which made it pause and give Iris the moment she needed to catch the Pokemon into its pokeball then put the headband back on.
"Hello Fiona, it's nice to see you." Iris had heard her friend's call about sushi and desserts. "Next time I'll bring lunch and desserts. We can take that to the porch or the balcony so my Pokemon don't disturb us." She left that decision to Fiona, though the option of "neither" was always present if the other woman wanted to eat somewhere else.
"Balcony sounds good." Fiona replied easily, gesturing for Iris to lead the way. As they walked, she glanced around, taking in the sights of the haunted house. It seemed the layout had changed from the version she'd seen last year. Different spooks, maze wasn't the same.
"So how's th' Challenge been going so far? From what I've seen, ain't no one's made it tae Isaiah yet, so yer keepin' our workload light."
At that, Iris led her friend through the correct doors of the haunted mansion that would eventually lead them to the stairs up the balcony. Iris had made sure to remodel the gym a bit so that she would have a place to stay and no one would be able to accidentally get into her room.
As they walked to the balcony, Fiona would see that since Iris didn't have employees she was able to dress the haunted house up a little more. Old yet polished dining tables, paint purposely messed up to look older than it was, large paintings, dim lighting, cobwebs, statues made to look like their eyes were following you, and the door maze that had been redone; Iris just felt the first one was much too easy. Then there were her Pokemon who haunted various different things. Each one made sounds or messed up something to try and spook Fiona along the way. Iris, of course, saw each spook coming from a mile away.
"Well, everyone today has either left because the maze was too scary, or they couldn't beat me. One trainer even insisted his Fighting type team could win... Well, you can imagine how that went." Iris shrugged. "But it means they'll be faces I have to see over and over again until they win or they stop showing up. I don't know which one is more bittersweet." She smiled.
"How about you? What have you been up to if you're not getting challengers?"
"I mean, he probably coulda if he had half a brain. Pretty sure a good amount of Fighting types learn Foresight. But, well, Fighting type and brain's a fuckin' oxymoron." Fiona guffawed before thinking about Iris question. What had she been doing? Oh, wait, that's right. Jack shit. Most of her contacts regarding the Ryker investigation hadn't gotten back to her yet or were still investigating. So for the moment, she was just spinning her wheels. But there was no point in worrying Iris about any of that yet.
"Eh, same ol', same ol'. Led th' paparazzi on a chase yesterday. Better th' fucking media hounds keep tryin' tae track me down than bother any of ya."
Iris nodded in agreement. Any trainer could win with Pokemon weaker against another if they had plenty of potions and played their cards right, but her gym also worked to weed out who had a brain and who didn't. At least the other gym leaders could rest easy knowing that Iris would make sure only people who knew what they were doing made it through.
As they made it to the balcony, Iris was intrigued by Fiona's activities.
"Oh, I'm not surprised they haven't caught you. Are they trying to get information about Ryker? Or perhaps some sort of gossip to sell their tabloids?" It wouldn't surprise her. Iris still remembered the magazine they published regarding the rumor floating around about her. Anything to sell copies.
"Bit of column A, bit of column B." Fiona replied easily, setting the bag full of lunch down on a table. "Good thing they ain't found out yet that I'm workin' wit' my ex. Probably never hear th' fuckin' end of it, tae say nothing of Nordy's response. Anyways," She started pulling packages out of the bag.
"I got a nigiri set an' a spicy tuna roll. Which one ya want?"
As Fiona spoke, Iris took a seat in one of the open chairs, gesturing to one for her friend to take. Though, the other's information did make Iris perk up a bit. "I still find it incredible that you and Nordrin ended up working for the same league. But yes, I can't imagine how much more annoying they'd be if they found that out... It's good you're such an expert avoiding them."
Hearing the food options, Iris thought about it for a second. "The nigiri set, please. Let me know what you want to eat the next time we have lunch together."
Iris, once Fiona got situated, decided to ask her. "How have you been since finding out about Ryker? Bianca might have taken it worse than all of us."
"What, me?" Fiona tilted her head as she reached for the container with the spicy tuna roll, not bothering to grab chopsticks as she started to pop sushi into her mouth.
"Mnf. Mnf." She chewed and swallowed one piece before speaking again. "Already took it upon meself tae cheer Bianca up, probably dinnae need to worry about her. As fer me, well..." Fiona trailed off, shoveling more sushi into her food hole.
"Ah, don't worry about lil' old me. I'm doing fine. Sucks about Ryker, but we cannae do shite about that until some kinda lead pops up. No point worryin' my head off until we get more info." Fiona paused for a moment, as if considering her next words, before speaking again. "I'm askin' around about it, alright? No one's gotten back tae me yet with anything useful, but I'll share it when I get something."
Iris had broken her chopsticks and opened her packet of soy sauce to dip her nigiri into; enjoying pieces while Fiona talked. She was glad Bianca was a little happier now, and a little more happy that Fiona was asking around. It was the most Iris could do as well, though she wished she traveled out of the region more to be able to ask people outside of it.
"I just find it very strange. Ryker was gone and so was his Pokemon... The only thing that makes sense to me is that they wanted his help with something illegal and Ryker refused, hence the kidnapping. Then again, how can they force Ryker to do anything if Ryker has his team with him?" So many questions that she probably wouldn't get the answers to any time soon. But it was fun to theorize nonetheless.
"Depends," Fiona shrugged, idly chewing on a piece of ginger between pieces of sushi. "If he keeps his Pokemon in balls overnight, it ain't like he can get 'em out if his kidnappers got even half a brain cell between 'em. I've been thinkin' about this too. If it were me, I'd have hit any mons left out wit' Sleep Powder or Spore before gettin' Ryker. Most of th' ones that can do those moves ain't exactly big or loud."
"That is true... It's possible the kidnappers got to his Pokemon first, took them away, then fought with Ryker. But without any evidence, I suppose our theories are just that..." It would make sense if Ryker's Pokemon were being held hostage; she would be as compliant as possible if she were in Ryker's shoes, but there was some other things about this that didn't sit right with her. "I wonder why they needed him specifically, and if they'll be coming for Hestia next."
"Way I figure it, probably not Hestia. Gettin' yer hands on th' Champ's already huge. Plus, if ya start with something as high-profile as this, nae fuckin' shot yer gonna be able tae get anyone else, increased security an' all." Fiona sighed, finishing her sushi.
"Anyways, enough about all that. Think I might stick around after lunch, see what this batch of challengers're like. Ya still got that observer's box in th' stadium?"
Fiona did have a point, which made Iris feel better. She was just worrying too much over something that would be resolved soon enough.
Iris finished her meal soon after Fiona, hearing her question. "Of course." She smiled. "If you want to be part of the experience, I can give you a spooky masquerade mask. It's not necessary, but it makes things more fun for me."
Being in the immediate vicinity of the turned undead, Dragan was far quicker on the mark than their foe, and his own undead began to rip into their former fellows faster than their slow reactions could respond to. As his minions began to viciously assault the undead around them, Dragan leapt up to the gatehouse and entered, watching over the battle from above. For now, he made no move to actually open the gate.
At his mental command, one of the two spectral shades hovered in front of him, brandishing its dagger.
"Go. Find the one with the silver sword, assault him but once, and lure him back towards the gate." He commanded, sending the spectre flying off while the unarmed one remained by his side for the moment.
From his vantage point, Dragan oversaw the conflict below, directing his enthralled skeletons to assault weak points in the opposing horde and be far more effective than they would be otherwise. Any skeletal warrior that fell would soon be replaced in Dragan's forces by another one of their number ripped from the enemy's control.
"Would that my former brother could emerge already, so we can end this farce sooner..." He murmured under his breath, his warhammer planted into the floor as he placed both hands upon it.
As evening fell life truly found its way to the Pavillion. Locals and Nobles passed by one another, or were standing shoulder to shoulder ordering drinks and food from the different stalls. Outside the tents jugglers and fire eaters were performing their craft and the Redwynes had ordered several smaller bracers to be lit so the paths would be properly lighted. Wine and Beer flowed richly, whilst a bard strummed his lute as he entertained the smallfolk farther away. Lady Honora was accompanied by Lord Domenic and his wife the Lady Cyra, awaiting the arrival of the Tarly’s as courtesy having send out the dinner invitation. It would be the first time they would meet and they needed to make a good impression. Lady Cyra had motheringly managed to get the Twins to dress a little more modestly, instead of the tight laced corsets and shimmering silks that barely concealed anything. Domenic and Arnaud were dressed in their usual leathers, but had donned their shorter cloaks and clasps in effort to be a little bit more formal. To Honora’s great relief had Arystide been nothing but pliable, he had donned a silk shirt in their house colours and a brown leather overcoat. Odette had been hidden away. As surprise for the young lord and to hopefully impress the man. Nadiya had put her in the best jewels they brought and Lady Cyra had been making the final alterations to the dress this very afternoon. Hopefully it would all work in their favour.
The Tarly contingent had arrived with several bannermen in tow, all present to display a show of the house's might and for said knights to compete in the lists. Lord Talbert had prioritized having their entourage set up and encamped before any other undertakings, and by the time everything had been set in place, dusk had arrived.
As they approached the Redwyne pavilion, Talbert allowed himself only a minute scowl at the sheer extravagance of it all before his face set into a stoic mien, as unchanging as stone. Behind him, however, his two children didn't fail to notice.
"The way Father's acting, you'd think it was him that was marching off to an unwanted marriage." Samwyle murmured aside to his sister, who scoffed.
"Oh, I'm fairly certain you'll change your tune with one look at the girl if she's pretty enough." Mina said dismissively. "Frankly, watching you flail around trying to woo her is payment enough for the price of Father parading me around the lords."
"Quiet." Talbert said once as they approached the pavilion at last, where the Redwynes seemed to be awaiting them. "Our hosts await. Come."
The Tarlys approached, with both Talbert and Samwyle clad in sturdy leathers and tabards bearing House Tarly's heraldry, while Mina wore a crimson dress.
"House Redwyne." Talbert stepped forward with a brief, but courtly bow as they finally came into range. "House Tarly thanks you for your hospitality on this day. May I introduce my son and heir, Samwyle, and my only daughter, Mina."
Both Sam and Mina approached, smiles on their faces. Samwyle's was a good deal warmer at the very least, with Mina's body language being more cordial than anything. Despite himself, Samwyle couldn't help but make a brief scan of the Redwynes with his eyes, trying to match their appearances and ages up with what descriptions of his betrothed he'd been given.
*you can add in between wherever you feel like
Lord Domenic nodded curtly, knowing lord Talbert's usual demeanor and allowed Honora to perform the proper courtesies. Honora smiled warmly,her soft voice rang clear and managed to make itself heard despite the busy atmosphere. "My Lords Tarly, Lady Mina you are most welcome. Most welcome indeed to our Pavillion. I am the Lady Honora Redwyne, eldest daughter to Gorlois Redwyne, it is so good to finally have a face to put to the writing." Honora spoke before explaining thing to lord Talbert. "I wrote father's letters for him and was asked to receive you in his stead. Father alas was not fit enough to travel, but please do not take it as a discourtesy towards your mighty selfs. He pressed upon me the urge to seal this betrothal properly and let you be our most honoured guests. Therefore thy delegation need not lift a purse during this Tournament whilst they spend their time here." She courtsied bending fluidly and elegantly before offering introductions.
"Of course." Talbert nodded curtly at Honora, his expression not revealing his opinion on Honora taking her father's place in the negotiations at all. "And how is your lord father's health?" "Father was suffering from gout Lord Tarly and had been looking forward to conversing with you, but Maester Tyburn convinced him to remain behind, much to his own displeasure as he would have preferred to 'give' our Odette away himself." She answered.
"Good Lords, Sweet Lady, allow me to introduce you to the rest of the family before we shall seat ourselves at the dinner table. If you permit me...my Lord Tarly," Honora said as she placed her arm upon Lord Tarly's allowing him to support her. It all was show and partly good manners, but it would also allow her to be in physically on the outside, placing the Tarly's in between. There was a smooth and natural warmly kindness radiating off of her that it would be hard for a man to keep grumbling or remain unpleasant. Honora had dealt with those kind of men far more often than she would like, yet such was the case when dealing with matters of diplomacy. "These are our Uncle and Aunt, Lord Domenic Redwyne, my father's younger brother and the Lady Cyra Peake, sister to our late mother. Should you have any further grievances or need for pleasure...please turn to them, they will attempt to accomodate you in whatever way we can." She spoke allowing Lord Domenic to add to it, having met Lord Talbert before, though explaining he had been a great deal younger then before asking how his wife and second son were. After which Honora went passed almost her entire family, so all the Tarly's would at least have a name to their faces, for the moment. Arnaud bowed cordially and in competitive fashion stated he was eager to see the both of them compete, as he was curious to see the fabled strength and swordskill of the Tarly's, offering a conversation topic for Samwyle to fall back on. Arystide stayed on his best behaviour as did the twins Serenei and Rowanne, though they couldn't hide the playful smirks and mischievous glints in their eyes, as a giggle escaped their lips it was perhaps all Honora could hope for as she quickly continued. At the end all were introduced save for one. The potential bride to be. "Come, we shall head to the Feasting Tent, where you shall meet our dearest sister." Honora promised as she leaned upon Lord Talbert's arm and guided them, whilst the rest of the family did the same in proper procession. Armand less tall and intimidating as his brothers offered the Lady Mina his arm, whilst Samwyle was flanked by the two elder brothers asking pleasantly about the Tarly's home, the hunting grounds and the lands surrounding them.
Samwyle responded animatedly, speaking at length about the hunting available in the woods surrounding Horn Hill and asking the same of the Arbor in return. Meanwhile, Mina seemed to barely regard Armand.
As they arrived at the Feasting Tent it showed the Tarly's that the Redwynes family table was separated from the rest of the hall and slightly raised so they would be able to overview the entire tent. In between them was a smaller stage usually reserved for a speaker or performer and at the other end of the Tent was a large stage for larger groups of musicians or performers. The Table itself was large and fitted to seat everyone save the soldiers of the Tarly's entourage, but they would have a table closeby near theirs and the bar, also decked out and prepared with a lavish spread of food and drink.
Honora smiled at the sight of the lone figure standing in front of their table. Like a final mystery for the Tarly's to discover. It was ofcourse the figure of their youngest sister who stood there. Her face was hidden away in the deep hood and rich dark blue of her cloak, which was fastened with an eleborate clasp in the form of their House's sigil. As Honora approached her she smiled to lord Talbert and Samwyle. "My Lords and finally...allow me to present you my sister, Odette, our Arbor's Flowerqueen and who's birthday we will be celebrating in a couple of hours hence." She mentioned as Odette courtsied first, more deeply before unveiling herself by pulling her hood back. The young lady that stood before them was a proper mixture of the brothers and sisters fairest attributes, whether it was the fairness of skin, the length of her lashes, the elegant curve of her face and nose, the lushness of her long cascading red hair, the light brightness of her blue eyes or the perfect rose petals that formed her lips all could not deny that Gorlois had spoken true when he claimed her to be 'his most precious of jewels'. Her delicate rose gold necklace of grapevine leaves and chain tiara twinkled and glittered every time it caught the light of the lit candles. Her dress made of soft shimmering pale blue silk and lavender satin were set with Rose golden claps with beads of amethyst 'grapes' and was only giving a hint of reveal without being too promiscuous about it.
Her voice was gentle and one could hear the clearness that lay within it. "My Lords, My Lady...It is an honour to make your acquaintance." She spoke the carefully rehearsed words, though there was a slight tremble and a quick glance at Honora to check for approval, whose smile made her rest a little easier, though she still was somewhat terrified of the gruff man in front of her, before glancing carefully at her supposed 'betrothed'.
Samwyle took in his betrothed with the expression of someone who expected the worst receiving something far better instead. After a moment in which he followed her stare towards his father, he gave her a hopefully reassuring smile.
"My lady Odette." He proffered a hand for her to take. "I am Samwyle. The honor is mine. I hope to prove myself worthy of your hand and of your family's alliance."
For his part, Talbert regarded the young girl with little more than a nod of his head at her gaze. At Armand's side, Mina gazed at Odette with a critical eye, as if judging her every move to see if she was a worthy match for her brother.
As Odette tenderly took his Honora suggested they'd be seated so dinner could start. As drinks were poured and fresh food was brought in and set down before them Odette stood up from her seat again, slightly more nervous and gestured to one of the servants that had remained standing off to the side. "As...in a few hours I will celebrate my nameday I had thought of offering our honoured guests some gifts of mine own." She uttered as parcels were put before the lord Tarly and Lady Mina. A proper bottle of granate red port for him and a package containing some of the finer silk fabrics for the Lady Mina. For Samwyle however there was a smaller package. "I do hope it will fit..." She uttered slightly unsure as when the package was unfolded a handsome green open sleeved vest came out, but holding a fair decoration of an embroidered archer. "It is my gift to you Lord Samwyle." She offered with a slight blush before she hastily sat down again.
"You have my thanks." Talbert nodded to Odette before gesturing for one of his own men to take the present away while another set different parcels in front of Odette and Honora. "We would be remiss to have not brought gifts of our own for your nameday, of course."
He gestured towards Honora's. "This was meant to have been given to Lord Gorlois, but in his absence, I hope you can convey our well-wishes back to the Arbor for him." Within the package was a luxurious ermine cloak, with House Redwyne's heraldry stitched onto it. Similarly to Mina's, Odette's contained a selection of fine furs befitting a noblewoman. Honora smiled knowingly. "Undoubtedly my Father would praise you for the effort acquiring such a luxurious gift, true to thy sigil, it is a statement of perseverance and discipline. You astonish us Lord Tarly, with your generosity." Honora praised.
Speaking of, Mina regarded her present with some appreciation, nodding and smiling politely. With that done, however, she returned to watching Odette, as if to gauge her reaction.
Samwyle looked at his present with a grin of genuine delight, his fingers tracing over the embroidered archer for a moment. "It is very well-made. I'd change into it right now, but I fear it'd be rather untoward to strip down in front of this much company." He joked, trying to set her at ease.
Odette tenderly touched the furs lifting one and brushing it against her cheek in appreciation of its softness. At Samwyle's words however she blushed stating with a slight tremble. "I am glad it pleases you Lord Samwyle, I was quite pleased with making it, it forced me to do some research into threading it in such a way that it would create a leveling effect." She explained ignoring the stripping comment she did not dare to imagine anything further. "Did you hunt down the animals for the furs yourself? I was told your family were outstanding hunters." She asked growing a bit bolder.
Armand meanwhile attempted to strike up a conversation with the lady Mina. "Is it your first tournament Lady Mina? I cannot recall whether I saw you at Balon Swan's tourney last fall." He asked politely, before adding. "You seem somewhat concerned for you brother. Trust me, Odette is the least terrifying of all my sisters." He added jokingly.
"Just Samwyle, if it pleases you. I'll not be a lord in truth for many more years, hopefully." He chuckled. "And indeed. Both Father and I hunted the pelts ourselves once word of the arrangement reached us." Samwyle leaned in slightly, whispering the next words so as not to offend the subject in question. "He didn't quite trust the castle huntsman to do the job properly, I'm afraid. Thought it was important enough to oversee everything himself."
"Indeed, it is." Mina replied to Armand. "Father believed myself to still be too young those few years ago. As for those two," She flicked her eyes back over to Samwyle and Odette for a moment. "Perhaps she is. Still, I would have liked to see him struggle with someone more...difficult." Mina took a sip of wine at that. "You've several younger sisters yourself, so I'm quite certain you understand how much we like to see elder siblings embarassed."
"Your lord father honours me with his care and consideration and you as well...Samwyle."She tried the name out carefully before taking a sip of her drink. "I know you must have felt your reservations about someone like myself, to be attached to your person, but I hope I have not disappointed you too much in that regard." She asked. "Would you care to tell me more about your preferences...if I am to be your ladywife I would like to do a decent job and not vex my lord husband." She asked.
"To be frank, my lady, I knew very little of you before I came. I still do, in fact." He chuckled slightly at that before continuing on. "Well, I enjoy hunting and riding, mostly. Between that and arms training, I spend more of my days outdoors than in, although I've begun aiding Father more in administrating Horn Hill as time goes on. Are you an avid rider at all, Lady Odette? Or have any interest in hunting? I know that outside of my family, women aren't wont to take part in the hunt much, but do you engage in falconry?"
Odette was growing slightly more comfortable around him listening to him as she got a better look of him and he explained his own interests. "Oh, I am not much of a rider, barely average, but not as bad as Nene. But I have my own peregrine falcon called Kieran, he's an excellent flyer and incredibly fast." She explained. "I sometimes get to go with our elder brothers to go hawking, mostly rabbits though." She said turning to him. "Other than that I of course have my needlework and enjoy painting, but I am often found with my brother Armand as he accompanies me in my singing." She spoke more confidently now, knowing her strengths in that regard. "Should you wish it I could sing for you later." She offered. "As I wasn't sure what would please you best, I mainly studied upon a couple of ballads."
"I should be pleased to hawk with you some time, then." Samwyle nodded and took an appreciative sip of Arbor Red. "I've a goshawk, myself. Though he's an ornery old bird at this point. As for song, well, we've not much of that at home in Horn Hill." His gaze flicked in his father's direction for but a moment as explanation. "Any music would be appreciated, truly." "All right..." she nodded before turning her head to Honora with a nod.
"Father cares little for bards, singers, or fools. Horn Hill only has song when we host the company of other lords." Mina murmured aside to Armand in explanation. "Though I'd surmise that wouldn't come as a surprise at this point." Armand who had been paying attention as well smiled wryly, feeling a poor situation come up. "Well then this will be rather unfortunate..." He stated as he picked up the lute from the side of the table, having put it there earlier in the evening. Odette stood again, this time Honora and Nadiya raised as well, smiling encouragingly at their baby sister as she waited for Armand to play. Armand's fingers easily strummed a gentle tune, bringing in the melody of a familliar ballad before Odette gently started the melancholy tune, her voice slowly raising in volume and power as her sisters accompanied her by adding their voices as backup. Whilst Lord Domenic and the others looked on with pleasure, Armand kept his eyes fixed upon Lord Talbert's expression, hoping the man wouldn't burst out in frustration.
As the song began, Talbert's only visible response was just the narrowest thinning of his lips, followed by a long sip of wine. Regardless, he simply waited patiently for the song to end while Samwyle and Mina listened attentively.
Tarlys and Redwynes meet, feast. Samwyle and Odette start getting to know each other.
And there it was. Damnation and hellfire. Renar had just enough time to witness the flaming tree splitting the knights off from each other before he was accosted by a warhammer-wielder. Worse still, it was evident from the first stroke that his foe very much knew exactly what he was doing. Even as Renar stepped back from the attempted sweep at his legs and retaliated with a swipe of his poleaxe, his foe raised the haft of his hammer to parry the blow.
Even as the pair exchanged practiced strikes and parries from various guards, the griffin's cry still had Renar's blood run cold for a moment. He recognized the sound, of course, but could take no opportunity to confirm it for himself as he shifted to the boar's tusk stance in response to his foe's guard of the lady. The enemy hammerer grinned, thinking he had the knight, and drew his warhammer back behind his shoulder, preparing to bash Renar's head in. Renar stepped forward, the veteran bandit brought his hammer down, and the bastard of Brias made his move. Renar shifted after he stepped, narrowly evading the bandit's downward smash with a sidestep, and thrust his poleaxe under the man's arms, straight into a thin joint of the man's armor. With one hand still keeping his poleaxe stuck in the bandit's side, Renar took the other and drew a dagger, plunging it into his enemy's throat and finally felling him.
A breath. Two. Renar afforded himself but a moment to catch his breath as he made sure there were no foes approaching before he ripped his dagger out of the bandit's throat and sheathed it, kicking the man's fresh corpse over and onto the ground. Going by Dame Tyaethe's words back before the charge had begun, they were to deal with the primary threats with all due haste: those being the griffin and Jeremiah. The Bandit King was out of the question at the moment: he was simply too far away for Renar to reach in time. As for the griffin...
Renar's planning was interrupted as he saw one of his fellows struggling for an instant. Ah, right: Lucas Storm. He was losing to his foe. Unsurprising. For a moment, Renar was genuinely tempted to let the boy die. He'd never proven himself as an Iron Rose. Never accomplished any great feat for admission like every other member of the order had. Should Lucas fall, that simply meant he'd never been cut out for this life to begin with. But there was always a chance someone was watching, even in the midst of a pitched battle. So with a look of resignation beneath his helmet, Renar hefted his poleaxe up and started to charge forward to save the idiot boy's life. Only to find out that he didn't need to. In a stroke of blind luck, """Sir""" Lucas managed to save his own life...and immediately move to throw it away again by running full tilt towards the griffin.
Lamplighters take him, this was absurd. Renar hadn't been the only one to notice Lucas's mad charge, either. Another pair of veteran bandits spotted the boy knight charging the griffin and brandished their weapons, preparing to take him from the side. With a heavy sigh, Renar dashed forward to intercept, his own charge taking one veteran completely off guard as they prepared to execute their rush. As Renar bashed that man's head in and began to duel the other in earnest, he bellowed out in Lucas's direction.
"Watch your damned flanks, boy! Next time, I'll let you die if the griffin doesn't have you first!" He snarled even as he continued to exchange blows with the second veteran, all subtlety and tact gone in the heat of battle.
Fiona hadn't been back to her childhood home in...well, quite some time, really. With her parents away on a long cruise and no other family in the area anymore, she hadn't really had any reason to visit the Crown Tundra outside of nostalgia. Still, the main reason she was here today, soaring above it, was because of the person accompanying her.
"How ye doing back there?" Fiona called out towards the figure on her Corviknight from atop her Salamence. "Raptor treatin' ya alright?"
"A-Ah yes, quite alright!" Bianca reassured her with a smile. Fionn flew close by them just in case, but mainly to stretch his wings out. "T-Though I really should consider catching my o-own flying type. Thank you again f-for letting me join you all!" She gently pet Raptor's head as she spoke.
"Don't worry yer head over it none!" Fiona yelled back as Felon flapped his wings beneath her, the highland chill seeming to barely affect him despite his weakness to it. "Least I could do after that shiteshow a couple days ago!"
Their destination came up beneath them, and Fiona rapped her knuckles against the Salamence's back twice, signaling for him to descend. Bianca's mount followed in turn, and both touched down at the base of a massive, frozen tree, with a building surrounding it.
"Welcome tae th' Crown Shrine." Fiona slid off her mount, helping Bianca off Raptor after she did so. "Thought ya could use a break from it all."
"Woah..." Once she slid back down to the ground Bianca took in the exterior of the shrine in awe. Her eyes wandered upwards to the massive tree towering above them. "H-Have you been here before?" She asked Fiona, taking a few curious steps towards the entrance.
"Once or twice." Fiona shrugged in response, wrapped up in her jacket. Despite it being almost summer, this part of the Tundra was as frozen as ever. Did it make sense? Of course not. But that's what her home was like.
"Ain't surprised ye've never been. Lotsa people in Galar don't bother comin' all tha way south. Bit of a frozen shitehole, really." She stepped back, allowing Bianca the opportunity to look around for herself. In the meantime, Fiona turned back to her Pokemon, tossing both Raptor and Felon an Aspear Berry each to help with the cold.
"Either of ya want back in?" She held their Pokeballs up, to which both shook their heads while munching on the warming fruit.
"I-I'll be the judge of that!" Bianca called back out to her with clear optimism.
Meanwhile Fionn lingered in place for a moment. He glanced over to his trainer, who was stepping further into the shrine, then to Fiona and her pokemon. The frosmoth saw she had some berries, and flew over to lightly bump her side.
"Eh?" Fiona blinked as she was nudged, glancing down to Fionn. Upon seeing his trainer accosted, Felon snarled lightly, wisps of dragon flame coming out the sides of his mouth. His trainer looked back over at the sound, shaking her head. The Frosmoth only squinted his eyes in response.
"Oi, none of that shite. He's just bein' friendly, so stop actin' like a cunt." Fiona lectured before turning back to the Frosmoth. "Want one, then?" She casually lobbed another Aspear Berry up underhand into the air, waiting for Bianca's Pokemon to catch it.
Fionn flew up a few inches to catch the berry in his mouth wherever that may be.... He nodded to Fiona in thanks as he chewed, then flew to catch up to Bianca.
"Right, then." Fiona nodded over towards her two flyers, both of whom began lazing around. "Stay out here, shout if anything happens, yeah?" She ordered before following after the Frosmoth to see where Bianca had gone up to.
"Biancaaaa! Enjoyin' yerself?" She called out, trying to get an idea of where her friend was from the direction of her voice.
"Oh! W-We're alright, over here!"
"We"?
Once Fiona and Fionn followed the direction her voice came from, they'd see that Bianca had brought the rest of her pokemon out to play in the snow. Mister and Aurora were busy trying to build a snowman, while Nyx and Weiss were caught up in a snowball fight, technically cheating by using their battle moves. They soon dragged Fionn into it when a stray snowball struck him dead in the face. He wasn't impressed. Bianca could be seen looking around with the only one of her pokemon who wasn't as active as the rest, Orpheus. She waved Fiona over to them. "Hope you don't mind the o-others taking in the sights. A-Anything to stave off the s-summer heat." Bianca chuckled.
"Ain't my shrine." Fiona shrugged and grinned in response, idly watching Bianca's Pokemon play around. "Local legend says some shite about this bein' dedicated tae some ancient king." She stuck her hands into her coat, looking to Bianca with a blank expression on her face.
"All this shite wit' Ryker. How ya feelin' about it now that ye've calmed down some?"
Ancient king? Hm. Better be careful not to accidentally wreck something, regardless. Don't wanna get haunted by any angry ghosts when she gets home. Orpheus kept a close eye on his teammates in that case. Bianca was curious though. She wanted to ask Fiona what all she knew about this king, but Fiona spoke up first.
"I-I'm alright now. It was just...a-alot to take in at once." Bianca answered with a nervous chuckle. She then frowned. "I'm still worried about R-Ryker. But I-I don't think there's anything I c-can do, you know? We're not supposed t-to intervene."
"Chairman said we can't do nae shite, true. But when'd I ever fuckin' listen tae a thing I was told?" Fiona chortled, lightly slapping Bianca on the back. "He ever get on our arses about it, just put all th' blame on me. Ain't like I care if I get fired. Boss man cans me, I go straight back on tae professional circuit."
Fiona squatted down in the snow, idly scooping some up and tossing it around. "Speakin' of, any opinion on th' new ones we got this season? Or new one? I dinnae remember, was it just water boy, or we get someone else movin' up too?"
Bianca shook her head. "J-Just Mr. Tomas. And I'm not sure w-what to think of him yet. He doesn't seem like the s-social type."
"Mister?" Fiona snorted. "He don't look that much older than you. Hell, I think he ain't older than me." She shrugged. "So who do ya feel like gossipin' about, then? Figure we might as well talk shite about someone while we're here."
"Hm. I don't k-know, I'm not exactly one to g-gossip." Bianca crossed her arms in thought. "I've known H-Hestia long enough to see through her brashness, I d-don't really care much for Nordrin's...attitude, to put it lightly," She began to list off, idly stepping around.
"Pffthahahahaha," Fiona broke out into laughter as Nordrin was mentioned. "Och, he ain't that bad deep deep deep deep, deeeeeeep down." Brief memories of some good times a few years past came to the forefront of her mind, but she waved them off to focus on the conversation.
"Nae, but really, he's a softie somewhere in his heart." Fiona paused for a moment, as if trying to remember something. "Ya know we're exes, right?"
Wait what.
Bianca came to a complete stop. She slowly turned her head back to Fiona with widened eyes. "U-Uh. No? No. I don't t-think you've ever told me t-that." She shook her head. Maybe she should reel back on calling Nordrin bitchy when he wasn't paying attention.
"Huh, really?" Fiona tilted her head in thought before chuckling. "What, no questions? 'How'd ya put up with that cunt? What's he like in bed?'" She cackled in a slightly perverse manner.
"W-WH-WHYWOULDIEVERASKATHINGLIKETHAT?!"
Well, if Fiona was trying to fluster Bianca, she hit the mark there. An embarassed blush turned her face even more rosy than the usual.
"Because clearly, ya need tae get laid." Fiona shrugged in response, a shit-eating grin on her face, as if she knew exactly what kind of reaction she'd get. She probably did.
"You are a menace..." Bianca groaned, rolling her eyes. She was still red in the face.
"Too bad fer ya I don't kiss an' tell. Oh, well. Now ya know. It was a good few years back, when we were both studyin' in Kalos. Real fuckin' shocker seein' him when I came into th' league, I'll tell ya. Ever been outside Galar, then? Expand yer horizons a bit?"
Now that's something she knew about. She visibly perked up at the question. "O-Once or twice! Mainly when my m-mother tries t-to bring me along to her expiditions." Bianca explained with a small grin.
"Oh, yeah?" Fiona looked to Bianca in interest. "Where'd ya end up going? Anywhere particularly fun?"
"E-Ever been to Hoenn??" She tilted her head.
Fiona shook her head. "Nae, closest I've been's Sinnoh." She jerked her thumb back in the direction of the shrine's entrance.
"If yer wonderin' about Felon, picked him up in Orre."
"It's p-pretty nice. T-Though I wasn't as willing to go near the volcano as she was, haha..." Bianca sheepishly grinned. "The cities there were q-quite small compared to Galar, but it had stuff like S-Sea Mauville and Soothopolis' situation. I always w-wondered how they made living in a c-crater work." She rambled. "I also got t-to see Alola at one point. Mother p-picked Nyx up from there." She added, motioning to the vulpix in question.
"Oh, I've been tae Alola on vacation." Fiona nodded. "Spent a good bit there seein' th' sights and hittin' their circuit. Their League's still bush-tier, but that Battle Tree ain't bad fer a pro facility."
"H-Here's hoping they get their league off the ground. Did you get t-to see the beach on that island? T-The black sand's pretty cool."
"Aye, right pretty sight. Sun, beach, mai tais, what's not tae love?" Fiona responded simply, still watching Bianca's Pokemon frolic in the snow. "Speakin' of Alola, think I'm startin' to miss th' sun. Ya want we should head back soon enough?"
Bianca, and Orpheus in turn both glanced back at the pokemon as well. "Yeah. Who k-know, we can always revisit!" She smiled at Fiona.
"A skeletal paladin, still bearing a silver blade?" Dragan turned to the thrall, an eyebrow raised underneath his helmet. "How my former brothers have fallen. Fortunately, the blade will be all we have to fear. As for this Society," He nodded in response to Ilena's words. "We've no reason to seek them out for now. No need to start unnecessary fights."
Foreknowledge of the enemy would be invaluable. As he was now, Dragan had no doubt that most lesser undead would fall under his sway once more. This skeletal paladin sounded to still be beyond his grasp, however. Precautions would need to be taken. The Death Knight glanced back towards the rest of his companions, turning to venture deeper into the cathedral.
"I imagine some among us have preparations to make before we set out, myself included. When I'm finished, I will meet you near the west gate, past the yard."
Centuries-old memories led Dragan to the armories he knew the cathedral possessed. A quick search of said quarters revealed a collection of weapons, many still more or less usable. None were of the highest craftsmanship, but experience and knowledge of steel told the vampiric knight which were servicable and would hold up in a fight. He hefted a two-handed warhammer into his hands and took a practice swing, nodding in satisfaction. This would serve, for now. A blunt smashing weapon would be the most effective against the skeleton that barred their way. It wasn't his old mace, but it would be more efficient on his blood reserves than conjuring one up.
Once he returned outside and regrouped with the others in the courtyard, Dragan stepped forward towards the gate. The sound of shuffling undead had him extending a hand out, the other clutching his warhammer.
"Serve." He commanded, exerting his will to take command over as many lesser undead as he could in the immediate area of the gate without taxing his blood reserves too much.
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