[she crouches down first to pet the lamb gently, smoothing her fingers over its little head and behind the ears.]
Yeah, yeah, don't worry - seriously. I can do darkness. You stay safe too, okay? Go find someone to look after you.
[and then she looks up at the knights again. specifically mr. blue voice.]
Are you guys going into the woods? Don't go without me. Temenos said.
[and then quietly, to ponta - and kogi too if he's listening:] I think this whole thing belongs to Temenos. Like how the other ones did to Danny and me.
Whoa!! All right, thanks, man! I'll try to put this to good use too!
[ safely squirrels this little bag away... and before he goes over to join the rest of the group, he'll see if he can get a little guidance since this guy seems to know what he's talking about when it comes to this town. ]
Congrats on the nice town, by the way! Any other places you'd recommend stopping by while we're here?
two things happen when nimona says the name "temenos". the first is that the maroon knight just looks exhausted, immediately. real this energy. the blue knight, however, perks up immediately, his eyes lighting up. ]
- You know Inquisitor Temenos? [ !! !!!!!!!
the maroon knight says: "Crick, that's probably not a good thing." and the blue knight, heretofore known as crick, shushes him, his attention going to nimona. and. wait. actually. actually!!!! he seems to realize something and then frowns mightily. >:C ] That... does sound like him - wait, was he insisting that I needed to be protected, again? Please don't let him convince you of that, anything he said was just - he's just being difficult. [ the maroon knight mutters "as usual" but crick ignores him. perhaps he could be convinced to come along with the right ability.... ]
[ the lamb rubs its face into nimona's hands, bleats, gives her a boop of the nose kiss on the hands, and then runs off, hopping the fence back into the garden.
alrond!! he taps a hand against his cheek, thoughtful. ] I'd try the tavern, if I were you. They make a strong drink. Good luck!
[ and with that, alrond is going to run off, dragging his extremely exasperated manservant behind him, who just bows and thanks datz and follows him. goodbye. ]
first, to ponta:] Not really, I just know this guy is friends with Temenos - the lamb said there's darkness in the woods and to be careful.
[also she laughs like an asshole at crick getting super excited about knowing temenos. what a fuckin' nerd. she can't convince him because crick is not an animal, as much as i think he is a cute puppy, but hopefully someone else can.]
He just wants to make sure you guys aren't going to eat it in the woods. So I think you should wait for us to help out before you go?
[she hasn't heard alrond talking but the tavern probably is important i'm just bound by the tag order]
Yeah, yeah! Inquisitor Temenos was like... pretty excited that we could meet you, too. It'd be sad to miss out on an opportunity to get to know someone he talks so much about, y'know? We should absolutely partner up for this!
[ Ponta sincerely hopes that he doesn't have to like... flaunt this midriff free outfit or anything for this to work.
Just being excitable and likeable ought to be enough allure! Come on, charming smile, do your thing!! ]
[ lord. crick looks still like a puppy, caught somewhere between "he talked about me!?" and "oh no he talked about me what horrors did he say", and when nimona talks about them eating it he has no idea what that means but deeply feels as if that's an insult. he turns a little pink, and his expression is a tiny bit sulky. puppy. ]
That... there is no need for such - nevermind. [ SIGH. ] I am Crick Wellsley, and my companion is Ort Edgeworth - we are both Sanctum Knights. [ newly anointed.
ponta's smile is bright and pure and he should be extremely glad that this is the second game and not the first game, because his sunny smile works like a goddamn charm. that, and the nice words about hearing he's being talked about maybe positively, actually. crick stares at him for a moment, confers briefly with ort, and then puts a hand to his heart and gives a very chivalrous and proper bow to the group. ]
If that is the case, please allow me to escort you on your journey. My blade will strike down the wicked, as is my sworn duty as a member of the Sacred Guard in the service of the Sacred Flame. [ crick looks over his shoulder to his friend, who nods. ort'll stay behind - he is not easily seduced, and also it sounds like crick has it handled, though he does squeeze his shoulder and tell him to be careful. aw.
anyway! Crick Wellsley has joined your party! crick is a godsblade, and he can help shield you from dangerous blows. he's extremely friend-shaped, so, good pick.
[ me like i absolutely have to get this edgeworth thing in here. this is imperative. thank you.
ort looks a little surprised by this. but nods...?
[ crick, meanwhile, gets extremely flustered at the phrasing kogi uses, his cheeks starting to turn red. ] Y-your? [ (dies in fantasy catholic) ] I, ah - that's... good, that's good, yes - I did swear to be his godsblade, I suppose. Temenos is...well. I'm sorry if he said anything... distressing while you worked together, but he is a valuable ally.
If the inquisitor vouches for you, you must be of good sorts. It's a pleasure to meet all of you.
the tavern is your typical medieval fantasy tavern. there's a bar and a few tables - music plays on a gramophone in the corner. it's not as packed as the department store was, but people filter in and out, and food and drink are flying. if you want to get food and something to drink you can do that, don't worry about cost idc.
of note! the barkeeper is quite busy at the moment, but at one table, two people sit near each other, talking quietly. the older man has his hand on his chin and lifts his glass of wine occasionally, delightedly and animatedly cheersing something. the young woman he's with writes something in a notebook as he talks, rolling her eyes, but it looks very fond. you would expect perhaps these two could have a << ... >> over their heads.
also of note at a bar is another young woman, mixing something with a mortar and pestle. she's sitting a table by herself, but seems to be in a fairly good mood, humming along with the music. also probably has a << ... >>> over her head.
[ is kogi just going to spend half of this cyoa seeing how many colors he can get crick to turn? i. yeah probably. if only to better tease tem about it later. he just Smiles when crick gets the wrong idea. weheh.
anyway, munchies sounds great right now, he thinks datz has the right idea honestly. for now kogitsunemaru is content to just vibe and listen with his maybe special ears. maybe there's someone to challenge here!!!
says the sword who is technically far too composed for such things usually but let's let grandpappy have fun too honestly ]
[nimona will go get some food for everybody, honestly. and drinks! she'll go talk to whichever npc ponta and datz don't want to talk to, since kogi's just chilling.
this is important she also buys food for crick and keeps an eye on him.]
[ Ponta is going to approach the older man and younger woman duo. ]
Hey, hey. Sorry to interrupt! It's just, we're a group of travelers new to the area and we're looking to cross the forest, so we were hoping we could get some tips from some locals.
You two just seemed like you really know your way around, so I was wondering if you'd be able to help us out...?
[ oh, ok, guess this is how we're doing this. datz ducks out of view as soon as ponta draws attention to them to avoid being included in this group of outsiders while he's trying to blend into this place.
...though he does pause to grab some of the food nimona got and stuff it in his mouth first. thanks.
is this couple focused on ponta right now since he's talking to them? it seemed like it would be hard to try to steal from either of them while they were looking at each other, but this way... can he sneak around behind this guy and try to take something?? the girl looks like a journalist or something so he's not counting on her having money, but THIS GUY, maybe... ]
[ crick is very touched by this gesture and gives nimona a very genuine thanks and a warm smile. he seems content just to kind of watch the group do what they do for now, giving kogi a smile to make sure he doesn't feel excluded too. the girl by herself in the corner continues to make something with her mortar and pestle.
meanwhile. the girl looks up when she's addressed, tilting her head. ]
Oh? I mean, maybe. I'm a scrivener. [ so datz was so right on that regard. ] Whatcha need?
[ as for datz... right as he's about to reach for something on this guy's person, he suddenly sits up straight, but doesn't turn around: just says relaxed and easy: ]
Ahh, my friend, are you here to have a chat? You ought to be careful. You never know whose eagle eyes are watching.
[ when datz looks down, he'll see the man has his hand on the hilt of a katana, an inch of the steel bared. he seems genial though, and smiles. ] Come, have a seat.
[ see this is why kogi just vibed for a moment because you never know which one of these kits are going to get themselves in a spot of trouble. he winks at crick for the hell of it and wanders over to datz's shoulder, also smiling genially. he's here to help! ]
My apologies friend, has my companion bothered you?
[well, kogi has that handled, so nimona hops up on the chair next to the lady with the mortar and pestle. she sort of wriggles a bit back and forth with the music, petting glory absently, and then:]
Whatcha making? [nosy...
she'll give glory a little command to keep an eye out for trouble while she chats.]
[ Ponta tries to not pay too much attention to whatever is going on with Datz and the other guy across from him, instead keeping his eyes on the scrivener girl. ]
Well, if you have an idea of like... recommended paths, or places to avoid, that'd be a really good start. Not that we can't handle ourselves, but one doesn't want more trouble than necessary, right?
[ datz is standing there like mmmmmmmmmmm okay anyway - quote eric
so. the grandpa (not kogi) smiles: ] Now, now. We're among friends here! No need to cause a scene. If you'd like to spar, I'm decent at it, but we can do so outside...? Perhaps you can regain your friends honor.
[ ari, if you'd like to roll 1d20 +6 to challenge!
the scrivener looks at ponta, chin in her hand. ] Ahhhh. Well! Actually, I can help you. I'm on the nose of a case, you see. Apparently, late at night, there've been these monsters that show up in the forest out there. Different from the normal kind that drop leaves. It's only a rumor, but supposedly, there's something - [ she lowers her voice, theatric: ] wrong with them. The aura is downright oppressive. Soooo... I'd watch out for those.
[ helpful.
the woman smiles at nimona when she sits, and lets her see. ]
A concoction for healing poison. Interested? Maybe you'd be a good apothecary.
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Is that so? We will take extra precautions whilst continuing forward. My thanks for the information.
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Yeah, yeah, don't worry - seriously. I can do darkness. You stay safe too, okay? Go find someone to look after you.
[and then she looks up at the knights again. specifically mr. blue voice.]
Are you guys going into the woods? Don't go without me. Temenos said.
[and then quietly, to ponta - and kogi too if he's listening:] I think this whole thing belongs to Temenos. Like how the other ones did to Danny and me.
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Whispering back: ]
Do you know anything about what's ahead, then?
[ Nimona seems confident that Temenos' name will pull weight with these people, so she seems best-informed out of the four of them. ]
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[ safely squirrels this little bag away... and before he goes over to join the rest of the group, he'll see if he can get a little guidance since this guy seems to know what he's talking about when it comes to this town. ]
Congrats on the nice town, by the way! Any other places you'd recommend stopping by while we're here?
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two things happen when nimona says the name "temenos". the first is that the maroon knight just looks exhausted, immediately. real this energy. the blue knight, however, perks up immediately, his eyes lighting up. ]
- You know Inquisitor Temenos? [ !! !!!!!!!
the maroon knight says: "Crick, that's probably not a good thing." and the blue knight, heretofore known as crick, shushes him, his attention going to nimona. and. wait. actually. actually!!!! he seems to realize something and then frowns mightily. >:C ] That... does sound like him - wait, was he insisting that I needed to be protected, again? Please don't let him convince you of that, anything he said was just - he's just being difficult. [ the maroon knight mutters "as usual" but crick ignores him. perhaps he could be convinced to come along with the right ability.... ]
[ the lamb rubs its face into nimona's hands, bleats, gives her a boop of the nose kiss on the hands, and then runs off, hopping the fence back into the garden.
alrond!! he taps a hand against his cheek, thoughtful. ] I'd try the tavern, if I were you. They make a strong drink. Good luck!
[ and with that, alrond is going to run off, dragging his extremely exasperated manservant behind him, who just bows and thanks datz and follows him. goodbye. ]
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Aye, we are well acquainted with him. He has told us much about a knight we should look out for.
[ did he for realsies??? we'll never know ]
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first, to ponta:] Not really, I just know this guy is friends with Temenos - the lamb said there's darkness in the woods and to be careful.
[also she laughs like an asshole at crick getting super excited about knowing temenos. what a fuckin' nerd. she can't convince him because crick is not an animal, as much as i think he is a cute puppy, but hopefully someone else can.]
He just wants to make sure you guys aren't going to eat it in the woods. So I think you should wait for us to help out before you go?
[she hasn't heard alrond talking but the tavern probably is important i'm just bound by the tag order]
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[ Ponta sincerely hopes that he doesn't have to like... flaunt this midriff free outfit or anything for this to work.
Just being excitable and likeable ought to be enough allure! Come on, charming smile, do your thing!! ]
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Hey, I just made a bunch of money by buying a secret rich guy some discounted meat!
Anyway, he recommended the tavern, so probably wanna add that to our itinerary.
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That... there is no need for such - nevermind. [ SIGH. ] I am Crick Wellsley, and my companion is Ort Edgeworth - we are both Sanctum Knights. [ newly anointed.
ponta's smile is bright and pure and he should be extremely glad that this is the second game and not the first game, because his sunny smile works like a goddamn charm. that, and the nice words about hearing he's being talked about maybe positively, actually. crick stares at him for a moment, confers briefly with ort, and then puts a hand to his heart and gives a very chivalrous and proper bow to the group. ]
anyway! Crick Wellsley has joined your party! crick is a godsblade, and he can help shield you from dangerous blows. he's extremely friend-shaped, so, good pick.
the tavern is over there, taverning. ]
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This one is Kogitsunemaru, a companion of your Temenos. We have worked closely together quite recently.
[ that's a proper bow right back. ]
I suppose we are heading to the Tavern...? [ that's a glance to the others. yes? yes?? ] Before continuing on our journey.
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nimona gives ponta a little grin like yay, way to go, and then waves at crick.]
I'm Nimona. [she looks over to datz next.] Wait, really?
[okay neat i guess we are going to the tavern first before we go anywhere else!]
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[ Thank god this works, Nimona seems pretty certain it's important. Thumbs up to her! ]
A brief stop at the tavern can't hurt, maybe someone's heard something?
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[ that guy had so many opinions about the plumed punisher and the steel samurai!! ]
Anyway, I'm Datz, nice to meet ya.
[ and an excited nod at nimona before answering kogi; that sidequest ruled tbh. ]
Yeah, I heard they got really strong drinks and stuff over there, so should be plenty of loose lips if we wanna listen for what folks are saying.
[ plus he still doesn't have any meat for himself soooo ]
Besides, it's a good idea to fortify before we hit the road, right?
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ort looks a little surprised by this. but nods...?
If the inquisitor vouches for you, you must be of good sorts. It's a pleasure to meet all of you.
[ but beyond that! we're off to the tavern!!
it's dusky outside so you get music change.
the tavern is your typical medieval fantasy tavern. there's a bar and a few tables - music plays on a gramophone in the corner. it's not as packed as the department store was, but people filter in and out, and food and drink are flying. if you want to get food and something to drink you can do that, don't worry about cost idc.
of note! the barkeeper is quite busy at the moment, but at one table, two people sit near each other, talking quietly. the older man has his hand on his chin and lifts his glass of wine occasionally, delightedly and animatedly cheersing something. the young woman he's with writes something in a notebook as he talks, rolling her eyes, but it looks very fond. you would expect perhaps these two could have a << ... >> over their heads.
also of note at a bar is another young woman, mixing something with a mortar and pestle. she's sitting a table by herself, but seems to be in a fairly good mood, humming along with the music. also probably has a << ... >>> over her head.
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anyway, munchies sounds great right now, he thinks datz has the right idea honestly. for now kogitsunemaru is content to just vibe and listen with his maybe special ears. maybe there's someone to challenge here!!!
says the sword who is technically far too composed for such things usually but let's let grandpappy have fun too honestly ]
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this is important she also buys food for crick and keeps an eye on him.]
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Hey, hey. Sorry to interrupt! It's just, we're a group of travelers new to the area and we're looking to cross the forest, so we were hoping we could get some tips from some locals.
You two just seemed like you really know your way around, so I was wondering if you'd be able to help us out...?
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...though he does pause to grab some of the food nimona got and stuff it in his mouth first. thanks.
is this couple focused on ponta right now since he's talking to them? it seemed like it would be hard to try to steal from either of them while they were looking at each other, but this way... can he sneak around behind this guy and try to take something?? the girl looks like a journalist or something so he's not counting on her having money, but THIS GUY, maybe... ]
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meanwhile. the girl looks up when she's addressed, tilting her head. ]
Oh? I mean, maybe. I'm a scrivener. [ so datz was so right on that regard. ] Whatcha need?
[ as for datz... right as he's about to reach for something on this guy's person, he suddenly sits up straight, but doesn't turn around: just says relaxed and easy: ]
Ahh, my friend, are you here to have a chat? You ought to be careful. You never know whose eagle eyes are watching.
[ when datz looks down, he'll see the man has his hand on the hilt of a katana, an inch of the steel bared. he seems genial though, and smiles. ] Come, have a seat.
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My apologies friend, has my companion bothered you?
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Whatcha making? [nosy...
she'll give glory a little command to keep an eye out for trouble while she chats.]
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Well, if you have an idea of like... recommended paths, or places to avoid, that'd be a really good start. Not that we can't handle ourselves, but one doesn't want more trouble than necessary, right?
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so. the grandpa (not kogi) smiles: ] Now, now. We're among friends here! No need to cause a scene. If you'd like to spar, I'm decent at it, but we can do so outside...? Perhaps you can regain your friends honor.
[ ari, if you'd like to roll 1d20 +6 to challenge!
the scrivener looks at ponta, chin in her hand. ] Ahhhh. Well! Actually, I can help you. I'm on the nose of a case, you see. Apparently, late at night, there've been these monsters that show up in the forest out there. Different from the normal kind that drop leaves. It's only a rumor, but supposedly, there's something - [ she lowers her voice, theatric: ] wrong with them. The aura is downright oppressive. Soooo... I'd watch out for those.
[ helpful.
the woman smiles at nimona when she sits, and lets her see. ]
A concoction for healing poison. Interested? Maybe you'd be a good apothecary.
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[ he pats datz on the shoulder and shoos him away. let the grandaps shark smile at each other ]
Yet if you do not mind a question for my victory...?
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