Raineh Daze

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Tyaethe

"Just make sure nobody breaks through the windows," Tyaethe said, not really focusing on the risk of someone launching another attempt. If they tried to come down the corridor, it was empty enough that she was rather confident even their previous assassin's stealth wouldn't be able to deceive her senses... and if anyone planned to attack through the castle walls, there was little any of them could really do to stop it. They'd just have to hope that whatever protections had been engraved in the stone itself were strong enough to dissuade such brazen attempts.

Given the improvised nature of the implements, and the rather pressing fact that the subject in question was choking, the paladin did a surprisingly efficient job of setting up a circle that seemed halfway organised: the candles regularly placed around the nem, interspersed with the lilies, and Fionn's badge set in the centre with a nod. The water only got a brief prayer--although the red gleam of mana was visible, no doubt using her own magic to assist--before being rather less ceremoniously poured atop the subject.

The prayer that followed was an... odd choice. Something that was even familiar: the supposed transcription of Saint Lilianna's prayer for assistance before standing to fight Orodrunn. Only, the phrasing and grammar were off, the words a considerably older, less elven-influenced form of Talderian. Still recognisable, yet with a few passing similarities to the languages of Barukstaed or Velt.

Rounding it off was taking the oil to daub a fleur-de-lys on the poor nem's throat as the rushed ceremony drew to its conclusion.

With the somewhat unexpected addition of the symbol bursting into violent flame with a click of Tyaethe's fingers.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Down in the Mausoleum

"My final rites? My, you're a quick one to jump to killing, aren't you?" the apparent young man said, shaking his head in disappointment, even though the smirk never left his lips, "I don't quite recall doing anything to warrant a death sentence. Oh, I like to play rough, but I assure you, everyone leaves satisfied."

With everyone else gone, his eyes took on a thoughtful look, "Oh, do you mean this little faux pas? I'm quite sure my existence isn't a capital crime, and I already paid for that with my disinheritance.

"Hmm... or maybe that was for getting caught with the prince and the stableboy. Again." Damon continued, offering a slight shrug, "Oh well, I've never done anything bad enough for the family to disown me. Why, I even set up this little rescue opportunity you all have. I think I'll have to turn down your offer."

He seemed to finally have tired of his own voice, as that was the last warning before the arbalest swung into action, aimed and fired one-handed despite the length and weight. However, either he was a terrible shot, or it was deliberately targeted for the thigh rather than anything more... integral. Not that the risk of extreme blood loss was any better from such an injury.

His follow-up was equally indirect, the vampire seeming to prefer to do anything but advance and attack directly. His form was nothing exemplary, the thrust almost textbook apart from the foreign influence and circular approach. The movements of a duelling enthusiast rather than a lifelong warrior. It was just unfortunate that the speed, although not impossible to follow, compensated a lot for any sloppiness and the imbalance caused by his other weapon.

A weapon where a red tendril was already steadily pulling back the string, resetting the hefty weapon for another shot.

@ERode

I Reincarnated into the World of an Otome Game, But———?! (Now Accepting)

Elastasia

"Er, Reggie, you might want to let that one go..." Elastasia offered hesitantly. Of course, if the Heroine had been here, this very early opportunity to get the bird would have had it decide that the holy magic-aligned girl was its ideal partner despite the general disorganisation and chaos going on, but here? Well, maybe a maid would be a good alternative. Or it would be happy to find its way home or to freedom or to wherever it might actually find a suitable partner.

She highly doubted it was going to enjoy being held by a young man whose major skills lay in chopping things to pieces. "It might, ah... blow your hands off?"

Well, hopefully only bruise them. But holding onto it would likely hurt, if it wasn't all that happy with the current situation, and result in not holding the bird anyway.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Tyaethe

"Er, yes, the Milk Bunny and Elei get their name from the same place..." Tyaethe answered, with a sigh, "Maybe? I don't know if you could bring Thrinax to Candaeln, and I'm not sure if I could bring something to the castle so easily..."

Oh, and the experience would be mortifying, there was that.

Fortunately, at least for the vampire's remaining pride, her expertise was needed, and she gave the little princess a quick apology and gathered up her dress as much as possible before going over to see what exactly Adeforth and Fionn were talking about. On the plus side, it seemed that Nicomede had successfully bought some time to think and gather any materials needed.

"Choking, choking... well, it can't be an active spell; the necromancer's not here," the white-haired girl mused out loud, holding one finger to her lips, "And any sort of enchantment-based trap would have been visible earlier and would definitely be something we could see now. It must be some sort of curse, then, maybe a spiritual possession or the like. Lucky for Tili, the solution is the same in either case."

The paladin looked around, noting that the girl's bedroom was, at least, fervently decorated. They might even have some useful plants here, "We're going to need to do an exorcism. It's more of a religious ceremony than straight magic, so..."

A paladin was, after all, a priest. Being a mage of any description on top merely helped in this situation.

"We'll need materials, quickly. Lilies, roses, any other holy symbols of the best quality you can get. More water would be good, don't worry about blessing it, I can do that. Candles would also help, and as much salt as you can possibly bring. If anyone finds any flammable oil in the process, that would also work."

Or anything else someone thought was helpful.

@Krayzikk@The Otter@Psyker Landshark

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Over at the Tomb

Those descending into the mausoleum swiftly found the space opening up once more, the clean marble surrounding them surprisingly well-lit by runic enchantments that flared to life on their entry. Alcoves lined the walls, flush with tombs of minor family members, many with lifelike effigies laid atop. Others, meanwhile, remained unadorned--its inhabitant perhaps represented by one of the many statues that stood between the alcoves. The entire environment was surprisingly colourful, from the uncannily lifelike figures to the repeated banners of House Cazt and its former cadets.

It also transpired that they were not alone, a figure emerging from an empty tomb with nary a sound in but a second, and leaning against a statue with a cocky grin. A statue with quite the resemblance in features--although dressed in the formal regalia of yesteryear, not the stylish clothing of a young gentleman, and with distinctly amber eyes rather than the vibrant red ones that affixed the knights. The pointed ears were a notable difference, too.

"I welcome you to my family's tomb, Iron Roses. I was quite concerned that the little assassin would find where I slipped the note and dispose of it for her sister's safety," he said, shaking his head in disappointment. Nothing about his posture seemed immediately threatening, but it was impossible to ignore the sabre casually resting in one arm... or the weighty, equally loaded crossbow in the other hand, "But where are my manners? Damon Cazt, at your service.

His eyes scanned the small group, before he let out a disappointed sigh, "The paladin stayed behind? Or did she choose to stay up top and fight Alfrid? No matter; it seems my planned distraction isn't here, so one of you shall have to do. The captain simply must go on, therefore..."

A finger tapped against the sabre's gilt hilt for a few seconds, before the blade swept up, idly dancing between Cecilia and Serenity, settling on the latter. "You! The presumptuous one. You stay here and fight me for a little while, everyone else can go on ahead and clear up the necromancer defiling our tomb. Nobody will be surprised for me to get sidetracked by an attractive thing like you, and they simply lack in boyish charm."

He paused for a second, looking at Lein. "And I've done well to avoid Hundi marriage proposals, I'm not going to start now. Now, the rest of you, shoo! A little friendly fight between us two is far preferable to staining this tomb with your blood."

@ERode

I Reincarnated into the World of an Otome Game, But———?! (Now Accepting)

Elastasia

When the kitten--why had a kitten known to go for her? had made that jump--Elastasia reflexively froze up, presenting a harmless and ineffectual target... one that would have been able to do nothing to maintain their little corralling effort. Fortunately for her, the totally-just-a-maid came to her rescue, and the barrier maintained its integrity. Barely; the little jumping trick did cause the entire thing to shimmer ominously before recovering its strength.

How odd that he'd caught a holy bird, though. Was that even a good thing? It might do... something, when panicked, and it wasn't exactly the holiest of all individuals that had just made a grab for it. Maybe they'd be lucky and it would make a beeline for someone more suitable, even if nobody with the exact magical affinity was in the area.

Of course, her brother now had his hands full, as well as his face. It looked rather like an ordinary puppy. A very large, very affectionate, very slobbery puppy.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Tyaethe

Thrinax, huh...? She had to wonder if that one was still alive, but she'd never really had a reason to try and find him... really, most people only ever sought out dragons when they were causing problems. "I once went where Erhan Lyn used to be, but I didn't see any sign of him."

Which was only to be expected. The fortress had been destroyed for years, she'd been looking for a particular vampire at the time, and dragons preferred mountainous regions. Talderia had been low-lying even before the entire city became a pit in the middle of southern Ithillin; not exactly the place a dragon was likely to be hanging around. Unless he was bound to some sort of promise to come to the fortresses' aid, but she hadn't heard any stories that would suggest that was the case. Or maybe they'd never been under sufficient direct attack before Erhan Lyn was lost? It was hard to say.

A blush stood out incredibly clearly on her pale skin. "W-Well, I don't have any friend as impressive as Thrinax. But Elionne got me a bunny once, and we named it Elei."

Which was, in turn, part of the name of a minor rabbit-eared folk deity. Probably some lesser divine spirit that hung around the elves a lot, with the full name being Eleinwyl.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Tyaethe

On the way to the bedroom, Tyaethe had somehow commandeered a sword off a guard. It was, in her opinion, rather on the small side, but just having it nearby ought to do in the event of anything happening... which seemed quite unlikely at this stage, and even then they'd have to get past Adeforth first. He might be old now, but that didn't make the man any less of a challenge to tackle with.

"I think I read the untranslated version," the vampire said absent-mindedly, looking at the rather more distraught younger princess and tilting her head in thought, "Given many of the hundi I've met, I'm not sure if it was actually a work of fiction to start with..."

Looking once more at the plush dragon, the vampire flopped aimlessly onto the floor, dress settling around her in a way that swamped the diminutive girl, the expensive fabric half sliding off her shoulders. Maletha was treated to a cheery grin from a paladin that now seemed younger than her, asking "So, does this dragon have a name? All the ones I've met have. They really like to make sure you know it if you're brave enough to find them."

And, in most cases, brave enough to fight them. Egos the size of mountains, the lot of them.

@VitaVitaAR[@@The Otter]@Psyker Landshark

I Reincarnated into the World of an Otome Game, But———?! (Now Accepting)

Elastasia

"N-No, nothing's the matter!" Elastasia squeaked, grateful for the distraction of... hmm, a whole bunch of furry creatures being released at once? Her memory of the game wasn't completely perfect, but she was sure this wasn't part of the usual course of events that had ever been covered... although, there were occasionally references to strange things happening off screen to establish the tone of the academy portion, so maybe this had happened, albeit never in detail.

The question was, what could she contribute? She'd just get in the way trying to catch them by hand, and magically snagging one at a time would be... well, difficult, and inefficient, and it wouldn't even help much as someone would still need to grab them.

Still, she had an idea! Sliding one hand into a well-hidden pocket, the white-haired noble pulled out a relatively simple wand--a basic focus, and not the best she had access, but definitely the best she felt comfortable carrying around for schoolwork... along with not being specialised for any particular task.

It was more than adequate for the task at hand, concentric circles of a deep blue appearing in the air ahead as she pointed, spinning counter to one another. Just a few seconds later, and two shimmering barriers appeared both behind the stampede... and directly ahead of them, ahead of those who had gone to help capture the creatures. Not the most solid of barriers, any serious attempt to break them would shatter the things like glass, but the pearlescent blue should hopefully deter any creatures from escaping further down the street. Especially as the two barriers steadily pushed closer and closer to the centre of the road, narrowing the space further... and pushing anyone who didn't notice insistently along.

Terys appeared to have joined the attempt with nothing but his hands, helpful as he ever was. All it seemed that he'd caught was a dire hamster.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Tyaethe

"I'll be staying with the princess, and the assassin," Tyaethe said, giving no explanation as to her choice. If pressed... well, they were planning to go into a mausoleum, which was hardly the roomiest place, and if she borrowed your everyday two-handed sword, it would only be a matter of time before she destroyed it on the walls. There simply wasn't time to trot all the way back home, pick up a sword impractically sized for a ball, and come back over here.

The rather less-stated reason was that she would have to try and find a change of clothes. This dress had been made and sized for her adult figure; it would just fall off if she were to go back to normal. That would be embarrassing, and 'hey can you find appropriate clothes for a page who's going to run off and get into a fight' would definitely take a while, even if they were here.

Besides, she wanted to know how this little assassin had managed to sneak in without being detected. Being a nem was one thing, but you still had to get through the doors, and a tiny hooded assassin rather stood out.