Arcane Tales

"Oh god... so hungry...." Alto moans.

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"Yeah me too Kelphy"

Derek: <Something smells good.>

*He follows the scent.*

*James starts looking around in all directions.*

Allina: <...Wait for me!>

*The smell takes them to a small village of wooden houses with hay roofs. There lots of people walking about, all of which have feline ears and tail. Some of them are grilling fish on an improvised stick griller by the entrance to the village, villagers sitting around them nibbling on the tasty fish. The other group that had smelled the fish arrives at village a few yards away from the first*

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Cat Girl: <I should be asking the same question!>

*She stumbles back staring at the gun and then glares at Kentaro*

Cat Girl: <So!?>

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Princess Kelphy: <So come and eat.>

*She leads him to a room with a relatively small wooden table laid with the finest silver wares and other luxurious items. She sits down*

Princess Kelphy: <My father's probably taking a nap. Take a seat, I'll ask for something tasty.>

Derek: <Oh... this is interesting.>

*He approaches the center of the village.*

"Well... this is new" Alto rounds the two groups up.

Creed sighs.

---

Lucien sits and sighs loudly.

"I believe I asked you first."

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*Kari looks at the approaching group.*

"Was Kentaro with you?"

*Derek looks behind him and notices Soul following him, but pretends not to. He sits down against a nearby tree and closes his eyes.*

Derek: <Hum...>

"Easy Kentaro. We're on a mission."

*Jade steps forward.*

"You know where we are?"

*The cat people start glaring at them, and a young man steps forward, walking towards Derek and Soul*

Man: <Humans! You dare step foot in our land?>

Allina: <What's going on over there?>

*The cat people by the griller all notice the groups and get up, walking towards them menacingly*

Allina: <Was it something I said?>

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Cat Girl: <You deserve no answers, greedy humans!>

*She glances at Jade and resumes glaring at Kentaro, raising her fist*

Cat Girl: <Leave at once!>

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*Two maids bring them all sorts of delicious pastries and fruits.*

Princess Kelphy: <The competition is going to be lots of fun! It's really big for the Torans, they celebrate with parties, and parades, I can't wait to see it all. Venessa told me this year there's a great warrior that has never lost a battle participating.>

*She waves at one of the maids, who smiles at her as they both bow and leave*

"First of all..." Alto silences Creed before he can speak and reprimand him for being, well, Alto, "... we don't dare shit, we got sent here, again, by this weird mist... again. Second, you want to fight, all of you gotta fight me first; and if you do that you better send everyone you have because I will wreck your shit if you do. Third..." he walks over to the male cat person and gives him an evil glare, "...if you know anything about why our world is suddenly being bombarded by agitated monsters, darkness fueled Aeldi, and other nasty shit, you better answer because I have not fought nearly enough today!"

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"Oh?" Lucien says as he takes an apple and bites into it.

*Derek remains perfectly still and calm.*

Derek: <We mean no harm. We're just passing by, I should think.>

"Greedy? We didn't take anything! I think..."

"I'd be glad to. If I knew where here was."

*Kentaro makes no indication that he's going to lower his gun anytime soon.*

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*Kari resumes staring at the ground.*

*Derek simply nodded to Soul and remained silent. He didn't want to give the cat people the inclination that he was being rude.*

Cat Man: <..What?>

*They all stop moving, staring at the group. A very short old man with a white beard that goes down to his feet walks out of the crowd. He's in a brown cloak with its hood covering all of his face except for the mouth, which is instead covered by the beard, with two holes cut out for his bluish grey cat ears, and he's holding a walking stick that is as tall as he is. He walks towards the group and speaks, even though they cannot see his mouth move behind the beard*

Old Man: <Dark Aeldi? So that is what he wants the Aeldi for... Let them in the village! ...Follow me.>

Allina: <Excuse me, a few of our friends are missing.>

Old Man: <You heard her, go and find them!>

*The cat man that had talked to Soul and Derek nods along with a couple others and they run off into the woods*

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Cat Girl: <Don't lie! You want the powers of the Aeldi too, don't you!?>

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Kelphy: <I don't think it'll take us very long to get there. The Sephirans are coming too.>

"The what?"

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*Kari slowly follows the group looking up every now and again so not to bump into anyone or anything*

"I think you got the wrong humans. We're here to help...I think..."

"We are" Alto says to Jade before following the old cat man with Creed following behind.

---

"Sounds... fun."

*Derek stands to his feet and walks forward.*

Derek: <Let's go, Miss Soul.>

*Derek looks back, a pleasant look on his face.*

Derek: <What is it?>