Xaltwind

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

The trio advanced through the northern corridors of the sewers, heading northwards. The path was very straight-forward, with only a few sharp turns here and there. There were plenty of wall-grates from which the yellowish brown fluids of waste poured into the canal beside them, but there didn't seem to be side-paths or off-shoot paths - which made sense, considering Palisade Town was a rather new settlement and hadn't been around for too long, meaning the sewers hadn't needed to be expanded or reconstructed yet.

As they walked though, Steppe Archer would find that the bite marks on Guard Lady's neck, and butt, were looking rather red and irritated. There seemed to be tiny holes as well, but there wasn't any blood seeping out or trailing from either... Though that could also be due to them having moved around and it haven been shaken off or wiped away by movement or while sitting back at the alcove.

Still though, the marks looked anything but healthy, and appeared to be quite painful... Which they were, but Guard Lady was either ignoring the stinging sensation, or was too focused on her job as point-man to think about them right now. Still, as they approached what looked like a larger, arched opening in the corridor, the halberd-wielder stopped and raised her hand.

"Wait..." She said, cautious in her one.

Squeeeaaak!

A long screechy squeak, followed by many much lighter or softer squeaks. It was like a bustling marketplace ahead, with many voices chippering and chirping in each others mouths. Motioning for the boy to move back a bit, so as to not let their light give them away, Guard Lady carefully stepped forward and poked half her head around the edge of the large archway. There she a room. A very large room, with small walkways and and circular, wall-clinging path that surrounded a large mass of sewage in the very center of the room... A cistern, perhaps?

In addition, there were a lot of rats. Not just giant ones though, but either regular sized ones, or the offspring of the giant grown ups. This must have eben one of the nests mentioned in their quest. Retreating back to her group, Guard Lady cast a glance behind her, before speaking again.

"There's a lot of them in there... Big and smaller ones. Lots of small, elevated walkways and a lot of... liquid... in the middle of the room." She paused, placing a hand on her chin in thought. "What do we do? The archway entrance is a bit too wide for me to cover it all, and if we attack from afar, they might scatter and flee into other tunnels and paths on the other side."

DanMachi: Alter Oration [DEAD]

There we go, a short little post.

Duoya, we'll be doing a collab for the next bit, which is why I didn't include any Torran-related things in the post this time. Jus hang on a bit more, will get around to it later this evening. :)

DanMachi: Alter Oration [DEAD]

Warrior's Rest, Athena's room:

With all the excessive amounts of layered fabric removed, they could finally get started. Once Dahlia sat down on the bed, Athena merely stated that she would begin - before moving behind Dahlia and sitting down on her knees behind the girl, lifting both her hands to hover them a very short distance from the young woman's skin. The goddess said some words pertaining to herself, her familia and her blessing, then proceed to state that she now blessed the child before her.

A luminous light began to glow from Dahlia's back, yet it felt almost as nothing was happening. A slight tingling sensatiion, barely enough to be even noticed. The light, however, shone with such vigor that the rest of the room was cast into shadoq infront of Dahlia., while the back of the room where Athena was sitting was rather bright. The entire process took no more than a few minutes, and once Athena removed her hands, the glow faded.

In her hands, the Goddess now held s small, hand-sized scrap of what looked to be paper, or perhaps parchment, with something written on it. After eyeing the piece of paper for a bit, Athena then looked at Dahlia, smiled
very slightly and held the paper-scrap out to the girl.

"There we go. All done, and here's your status sheet." A statement void of grandeur, pompous theatrics or even a hint of formal ceremony. It was more akin to the Goddess having given the girl a pat on the shoulder and handed her a recipe for omelettes - nothing grand, nothing spectacular, nothing awe-inspiring or incredibly amazing.

"You should feel a slight bit different after a little while. When we bestow the blessing and update your status, it's a bit like forcefully making your body grow or change in regards to what you've done." She tried to keep it as simple as possible. "Basically, depending on what you do from here on, your body will grow in a certain way whenever we update your status next. Now, do you have any questions before I go get the next person?"

She was still sitting on her knees, hands resting on the topside of her thighs. Her posture was straight and her face was like that of a kindhearted teacher, looking at their pupil and waiting to see what they would ask - if anything - before sending them off to their assignment on their own.*

Warrior's Rest, downstairs dining area:

When the little pallum-brawler stated that they would be getting accepted as an unerring absolute, Tira couldn't help but laugh happily, whereas Grent merely gave a grumble and muttering something about arrogant kids. However, when the boy then asked about how the two of them had managed to impress Athena, Tira stopped laughing and Grent turned to look the kid square in the eyes - a most scowling expression his aged face.

"What's the point of a test if we give you the answer?" The old chienthrope rumbled, obviously not very fond of this question.
"I mean, I get what you're askin'..." Tira said, hands now held behind her head like a faux headrest. "... But I think Lady Athena wants us to each figure out for ourselves how to complete it. There's not really any right or wrong way, just do what you think might work." The pallum girl said, a more thoughtful or contemplative expression on her face when compared to the old man. "But I don't think we should tell you how or what we did either, 'cause then you could just try and copy it as a way to shortcut your way in... And then we'd get spankin'." She finished with a smile and a wink.
"You'd get spanked. The old man corrected.
Tira began laughing again, saying that it was probably the truth and how her bum still was a bit sore from last time.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

We are currently recruiting one new player to replace the loss of Shard.

Please read the first post in the OOC for more details.

Many thanks,
- The Irish Tree & Xaltwind.

DanMachi: Alter Oration [DEAD]

Will wait for OwO, then I'll post next.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

Aww, sorry to see you go, man.
Rest up and have a nice break, I had to do the same and my break lasted for years. Still, hope to see you back here some day when/if you feel like giving RP'ing another go.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

Sliding down from the ledge, the young woman touched back down onto the sewer floor proper once again. The sound of tearing and crunching could be heard just some few feet away, and it made Guard Lady shudder. It was like some morbid, hellish chorus of the grotesque, a sound that you should never ever have to hear if you lived a normal life... Alas, going into sewers to slay overgrown rodents was anything but normal, and so this was one of the tolls one had to pay. Shaking the thought from her head, she began to move.

With cautious, yet hastened steps, the armored girl did her best to walk both quietly and briskly. Lingering too long near the feeding roaches would surely invite their attention. Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead as she passed by, holding her breath tightly, afraid to make even the slightest squeak. Sadly, her armor wasn't as quiet as Shade's clothes, but thanks to the feast's noises, she still managed to slip by unheard and unseen.

The walk back to where they had been was long. Far longer than she had remembered. Then again, they had been running at full speed when coming this way, so it was only natural that a trek at an average pace would feel far more elongated. The girl found herself constantly throwing a glance back over her shoulder, peering with narrowed eyes into the murky darkness... Not that she could see much, but she wouldn't let any foul bug sneak up on them. The pain in her neck and butt-bites still lingered though, and in fact it seemed to have gotten a bit worse the past few minutes, though that could simply be due to her moving about and upsetting the injured areas - so for now, toughing it out was the best option.

After a bit, she could finally see the faint glow in the distance. A welcome, warm light like a hearth on a cold, dark autumn day. She couldn't help but smile to herself, at least something had gone their way. After hearing the hooded boy's comment about a potential nest being located northward, she nodded and stepped past him as he had moved aside. Taking point and keeping the other safe was her job after all!

"Hey, archer." She said, turning slightly on her head to look back. "How many arrows do you have left? I know you took down a few rats earlier, but did you manage to recover those arrows?" This was asked mostly because they were now at the location where they had been ambushed before, and if the roaches hadn't gobbled up both the rat carcasses and the arrows ldged in said corpses, then perhaps the foreign girl could reclaim them? After all, arrows cost money and any expenses they could mitigate would benefit everyone in the long run... Maybe.

She turned back to looking forward, steeled herself and began to move at an agreeable pace, halberd held at the ready in case of unwanted visitors.

"We should probably try to hurry, but not rush. I'm pretty sure that those big bugs weren't the only swarm of their kind down here." he halberdier frowned in a displeased grimace. She really didn't want to run into more of those things.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

Post coming later this evening, too tired right now. :(

DanMachi: Alter Oration [DEAD]

Northern Orario.

With the kids trailing behind him, the boaz and his huffy-puffy miniature cohorts were now back to the very place they started. To the children, this felt like an excersise in futility, but at least the big oaf was trying. Still, their tiny, scrawny, malnourished and otherwise unhealthy-looking frames wouldn't be able to keep up with this back and forth for much longer. They either would need an extended rest, or get to their destination quickly.

Seeing his sister lean forward, hands on her knees and taking deep, long breaths, the brother decided that enough was enough! They couldn't just leave everything to the big, well-meaning-but-also-sorta-scary fellow. He had to be a man! A man who took action and was decisive and had the brass to ask someone where his own home-street waas because he had no idea himself!

Drawing in air through his nostrils, the boy pushed past the big lummox and approached a woman in a simple, but tasteful, dress. He stood right in her path, forcing her to stop and question the lad's actions. With all the courage his little voice could manage, the boy blurted out the words 'Do you know how to get to Daedalus street, miss!?'

For a moment, the lady looked bewilered and stunned. Then she broke out in a small laugh, replying that anyone who lived in Orario knew where that eyesore was. But since the boy kept staring her down, she soon realized that he obviously wasn't joking. Waving her hand dismissively and giving a very insincere apology, the woman gave directions on how to easily get to the desired location, before simply walking off without a farewell or other well-wishing.

The boy stood quiet fro a bit, then let out a relieved exhale. He'd done it! He'd managed to get the answer! He was so produ of himself you could positively see the sparkles coming off of him... Or were those flies...? In any case, the young boy sauntered back to his siter and the big boar-bro, hands on his sides in a triumphant display.

"See? See? I can do things too if I really try!" His voice was remarkably arrogant for the meagre accomplishment, but then again, he was just a child. "So, uhm... Big fella..." He then proceeded, a bit more tempered in his tone now. "Could, uh, could you grab my sis and carry her back home for me? She's a bit tired it looks like."
"Big Bro!" The girl protested, cheeks flushed like a red tomato.

Meanwhile, at The Hall of Justice Warrior's Rest.

After the brief introductions were over, Grentiloch and Tiramis gave their wishes of polite, social expectations and returned to the adjacent room. Athena was thus left with the three new, budding recruits. Clearing her throat by placing a balled fist infront of her mouth, the Goddess spoke a few choice words to the gathered.

"Yes, well.. As I already told Dahlia here." She motioned with one hand to the black-haired, dreary-garbed young woman beside her. "Once you join this Familia, you will be given 7 days to prove yourselves. Show us that you can be resourceful, useful or a boon to the rest of the Familia, and you will be welcome to stay. Fail, and I shall rewoke your falna, and you will have to go elsewhere." She spoke frankly and earnestly, neither meaning what she said as a threat or warning, but merely as a statement of how things were going to be done.

"That being said..." She continued, looking at each new face one at a time. "It is quite rare to have three new applicants on the same day, much more so at the very same time. I can't give you all my blessing at the same time, so while I take Dahlia upstairs first, could the two of you please wait in the room with Grent and Tira?" She politely requested, not really waiting for an answer.

Taking Dahlia's hand gently, the Goddess led the human girl away towards the flight of stairs that Tiramis had come down earlier. The second floor was very simplistic in its layout - a long hhallway with rows upon rows of doors on either side. In total, there seemed to be a bit over two dozen rooms. Still, apart from the occassional carpet or rug on the floor and some potted plants, there really wasn't much else on this level.

As they ascended to the third floor though, Dahlia was greeted with an odd sight. There were only three doors in a small, waiting-room like area. One door had a big 'A' on a plaque hanging on it, the other two doors looked fairly nondescript. Not that it mattered much, as Athena pushed the 'A'-door open and led her fledgeling inside.

"Welcome to my room." The Goddess said, shutting the door behind them.

Athena's room was very... Spartan. Aside from her somewhat comfortable-looking bed, there really wasn't much in the way of luxuries. There were a few bookshelves, a couple of drawers, a closet, a desk with a simple wooden chair, a wall-mounted mirror and some larger potted plants in each corner. There were neat stacks of paper on the desk, and the books in the shelves looked organized in alphabetical order. The maroon-colored curtains over the single, large window in the room were pulled half-ways apart, letting only a small amount of morning's light inside.

"Well then, let's get right to it." She said, moving over to the bed and sitting down on it casually. With a patting motion next to her, the Goddess called out. "Come on, sit here and take off any jacket and shirts. I'll need your back bare."

Downstairs...

"Can you believe we're getting new members?" Tiramis was clearly excited.
"Seems like it." The old dog-grampa muttered, taking a sip from a mug of... Something.

The duo were sitted in what looked to be a large dining area, with three large, square-like tables draped in white covers. The chairs had cushions on the seats, but not the backs. A few wall-mounted cupboards and a pair of glass-paned cabinets stood along the walls. The three widnows in this area had much brighter, almost see-through curtains than the rest of the building. The pallum and chienthrope were sitting at the table closest to the doorway leading back out into the hall where all the ruckus had been earlier.

There was two other points in this large room though. A shut, heavy-looking blue-colored door and another dooray leading out the opposite end of the room.

"Think they'll stick around?" The pallum girl continued.
"Hard to say. Maybe." Grent scoffed.
"C'mon! We haven't gotten any newbies since... Well... Me!" Apparently, getting juniors was a big deal to her.
"Hope they ain't as loud."
"So rude!" Even though she said that, she still laughed and smiled warmly at the old codger.

DanMachi: Alter Oration [DEAD]

Like I said in te Interest Check - people are free to wander about and do what they want, be it go to the dungeon, the tavern, the market or somewhere else in the city. The pace of the roleplay is based solely on what you guys do, less so of my interference or forcing things along. So if everyone wants to show up at the plot-advancement point coincidentally at the same time, that's fine. Just saying, if you wanted to have Ayame run around the town for 10 posts, you totally could've. :p

As for Ayame's joining, having a bunch of simple peons around to cater to her whims and act as her meat-shields sounds like something right up her alley... Who said she had to go adventuring when she can get the other fresh meat to do it for her? ^^

I will type up a post now-ish.then sleep. Slept very poorly last night, woke up 3 seperate times...

EDIT:

There we go, a little post with a little something for some people to do... Sorry it was kinda 'meh' in quality. ;(