The Meager

Wiegraf<You could put it like that. We aim to fight until the common man has a voice in Ivalice's governance, instead of being commanded unconditionally by the nobles and the crown.>

Thief<...Ser, we don't have this kind of time to waste. We've only a few days before the rendezvous.>

Wiegraf<Quite right. I'm afraid we need your answer now.>
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<Sure. Whatever.>

"Before you do that, could you tell me if there are any monsters that need slaying? Or, I don't know, a thief the Order is trying to catch?"

<Like I told you 20 minutes ago, there is not. Nor is there any mining going on in Gollund right now. Here's your room key.>

*He hands a key to Prat Parker.*

Reiter: <Hmm. Rhea?>

Rhea: <I... Yes, I want to go.>

Reiter: <Then it's settled. Where is the rendezvous?>

=====

*Parker takes the key, and turns to Roatha with a glare.*

Parker: <Why are you looking for thieves?>

"Because they steal from people. And that's bad. But there's more to it than that."

<Here we go.>

"The Corpse Brigade is going to be defeated soon. And once Wiegraf is finished, everyone who worked for him is going to need a new mission with which to restore their Gil & glory. And I'll pave the way, providing an example for how they can use their combat skills for legitimate jobs!"

<Provided someone ever actually hires you for a mission.>

"And they will, Tubbo!"
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Wiegraf<Right now, several teams are marching around these mountains from different angles. We'll then cross through the Lesalia area on either side, giving the appearance that we're surrounding the city. In actuality, we'll be heading for the Windflats of Fovoham. There we will regroup our scattered forces and plan for the showdown with the Order of the Northern Sky.>

Reiter: <Our intention was never to face them... I mean, we're just thieves. But this is an opportunity for-->

Rhea: <We're not thieves. Not anymore. I want to fight back.>

*Reiter smiles and nods.*

Reiter: <Okay, Wiegraf, we're in.>

=====

Parker: <Oh, is that so? I might have a job for you. What do you say?>

"I say I'm not interested in taking a common wench as a client. If you want the nobles to take you seriously, you have to do something THEY can't do. Anyone can plant flowers, or whatever it is you're up to."
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Wiegraf<Excellent. You there, take them through the city. And act natural.>

*One of the thieves salutes him as Wiegraf & the rest of the thieves turn to walk up the mountain.*

Thief<We can't have too many of us going through at once, because it looks suspicious, but Wiegraf doesn't want to take you up the snowy ridges. They're trecherous to traverse.>

Reiter: <...Right. Okay then, lead the way.>

=====

Parker: <Okay, dude, I want to hire you. Do you want a job or not? Unless you don't think you're not strong enough. If you're not up for it, I'll find someone else to help.>

Sab nodded her head, "You're correct, I suppose. I just assumed that you would know. I guess I didn't really think it out though," Sab replied, "Anyway, I should probably get going now. There are matters I should attend to. I can only allow my musing to take up so much of my time."

--

OOC: Didn't the Marquis of Limberry, and Saint Ajora have white hair?

Mortal was about to continue argueing, but she was caught off guard by something Euryale said, "Blood thirsty, gah, never. Honestly, I hate blood, it is sticky, and gets everywhere, and makes sand cling to you. It is horrible." Mortal then followed Euryale's line of sight, "Why would a guard attack us? Do they usually attack people? Is it something I've done?"

Noctis followed Lilith, nodding in agreement about the hair, "What do you plan on doing with them?" She asked.

--

"I'd rather just leave than lug around four bodies to the Fenlands," Zac replied.

~Gollund~

*The thief leads them trudging through the snow to where the mountain levels off into a plateau. Most of this plateau is filled with small, squarish buildings with sloped rooves for the snow to fall off of. In the distance, there's some kind of wooden scaffold-like structure.*

<This is the mining town of Gollund. If we keep heading through here, we'll come to the Lesalia area. If we cut through the igneous fields, we can get to Fovoham.>
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~Besselat~

OOC: Ajora is gray ('cause she's old) & Elmdore is silver. Either way, it's still odd.

L"I'd like to ask them some questions."

E"Most people aren't fans of dragons. I think I can take one or two soldiers, but not here, in the middle of town. Come on!"

*She grabs Mortal by the hand & starts running down a back alley.*

L"W--what? Hey, wait a minute!"

*Lilith starts running after them.*
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~Goug~

"And go where? Ordinarily, the Order might not pursue the killers of common thieves. But with the Corpse Brigade about, their plan is most likely to clear Goug out completely."
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~Dorter~

"Nice try, but I'm not dumb enough to fall for that. I mean, who would be? 'If you were a REAL man, you'd take my pointless, low-profit job, because all REAL men are really, REALLY stupid.'"
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~Mullonde~

<Sure thing.>

Rhea: <So we're here...>

Reiter: <All right, are we going right now or are we waiting for a specific time?>

=====

Parker: <Okay. Dude. This isn't reversed psychology. I need help to do something, and you can help me. Maybe I can even help you too. What was it you were saying about some Wie--something dude?>

*Back in town, Taiyo casts Raise on Azuma.*

"So did we kill it?"

Mimiru:<Yes, we did.>

*For emphasis, Mimiru pulls Taiyo close to her.*

"Good job. Although I think I should die more often. Then I can wake up with nice stuff on."

Taiyo:<Can we go do that treasure hunt now?>

"I don't see why not."

Mimiru:<If you somehow die during that I'm leaving you for the vultures to feed on.>

*The three head for wherever the treasure hunt is. I forgot where.*

~Dorter~

"You're annoying. How many times do I have to explain to you that you obviously don't have anything to offer me? You don't even know who the leader of the Corpse Brigade is!"
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~Gollund~

Thief<Unless there's something you need here, we can just head right through.>
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~Poescas Lake~

*The 3 encounter a camp on the lake bed. Despite its name, the vast majority is a dried salt desert, as far as the eye can see. There are some ruins sticking out of the landscape every now & again.*

Foreman<Here's how this is going to work. This is a historical expedition. You will be paid the Gil value of your finds, or be allowed to keep any find the scholars are not interested in. You can dig wherever you want, but it is suggested to stick near the ruins. Be advised that there ARE monsters here, even if they're wary of approaching this many humans. After the expedition, you will present all of your finds for inspection &, if necessary, trade. If no one has any questions, grab some digging tools & get to work.>

*Taiyo & Mimiru grab some tools and begin digging.*

"What are you hoping to find here?"

<These ruins are believed to be from the same dynasty as the tombs in the Beddha Sandwaste. We are looking for relics that will help us determine what it is that they did here. But there are plenty of other artifacts here. Adventurers, brigands, traders, throughout the generations they've come through here & been lost along with their possessions.>

"Sounds like a lot of grave robbing with a fancy title is going on."

*Azuma grabs a shovel and begins digging.*

<That's what archaeology is all about! You have an...interesting choice for a digging team.>

"Didn't have many options. Especially that one throwing sand everywhere. Real handful."

*Mimiru tosses a shoveful of sand at Azuma.*

Mortal follows after Euryale, though it wasn't like she had a choice since she was being dragged behind, "Why did we come here if we were just going to run away? Wait, why don't humans like dragons?" Mortal seemed particularly insulted by the thought, what had she ever done to humans? Well, as a whole species; individually she had harmed quite a few, but they had it coming anyway.

Noct followed along for a fews steps before breaking off into a bitchin' Slow Dance to reduce the speed of the fleeing enemies so that Lilith would be able to catch up to them.

--

Iliad thought for a second, "It'd be wise to leave this city if the Order is actively seeking to clear out Goug."

"Perhaps Dorter? A bustling trade city, easy to get lost in," Zac offered.

"As good a place as any I suppose; though I imagine it would be wise to stock up for the journey. It is a while away, Dorter," Iliad replied.

--

Sab returned to her room to go over tomes dealing with Time Magick, but every now and again she would reread the books concerning Elidibus, and Seraph, to see if there was anything she missed, though it was more a way to distract herself; she didn't expect to actually reach any kind of epiphany as to the whereabouts of either or them, or find a clue as to what befell them.

~Goug~

"Not quite as much of a distance if you go through a sea route, then sink the boat so it can't be traced. I've recently come into possession of a naval craft that I don't have space for, anyway."
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~Besselat~

E"Well, they eat people. That's a start. Why are we slowing down?"

*Lilith grabs Mortal by the shoulder & turns her around. Euryale ends up falling over when the person she's yanking on comes to a sudden stop.*

L"Who eats people?"
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~Lake Poescas~

*With the expedition over, they come away with 3 sets of Battle Boots.*

Zac smiled, "You'd really be willing to give us something like that?"

"I thank you for your generosity. Please, give me your name, ser, I'll be sure to repay you for all your help today."

--

Mortal pushed Lilith off of her, "Get off of me!" Quickly she was reminded of the situation that led to her death, and felt a pit in her stomach. "I won't let you people hurt me again!" With that she launched a closed fist directly at Lilith's face.

Noct switched over to a cool Polka to try and lessen the damage of the punch on Lilith's face.

Astarte had heard that the city was under attack and was now running home. She had no idea what the motive of the attackers might be, besides taking the city for themselves, and she wanted to make sure her family was not being targeted.

~Goug~

"I'm not 'giving' it to anyone, I'm going with you. This town & everyone in it is smelly & ugly. Name's Seraph. Just Seraph."
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~Besselat~

*Lilith is hit so hard her braid falls apart. Euryale then spins around & heel kicks her in the torso, smacking her against the wall. She looks around at Noctis, eyes wild.*

L"That is not helping!"
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~Lesalia~

*When she gets to her house, she finds it completely untouched.*

Astarte ran to the front door and tried to open it, looking back over her shoulder to make sure no one was following her.

Iliad and Zac nodded in unison, "Well, thank you for allowing us to venture with you. When do you plan on leaving?" Iliad asked.

--

"Give it a second, they'll start to hurt less!" Noct promised, "It isn't my fault they're both abnormally strong."

Mortal launched another punch at Lilith's head, eyes going into a tunnel vision, where images of Lilith, and the Samurai who scarred her eye blended together.

~Besselat~

L"Because you couldn't, you know, stop them from hitting me!"

*As Lilith is hit again, she unsheathes her sword. Instead of slicing either of them with it, they're both cut several times by an invisible blade. She then stumbles around Mortal so she's far away from Euryale & at Mortal's side. Afterwards, she holds the blade sideways near her abdomen.*

L"I insist that you stop attacking & state your business! As my partner said, she is draining your physical attack power. Beyond that, I have knowledge of how to use healing items. You cannot outlast me & you cannot win. This is senseless."
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~Goug~

"Now. So I'd suggest you hurry up & get that gun of yours."

*Seraph departs for the pier.*
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~Lesalia~

*At first, the door is locked, but a guard unlocks it from the inside.*

Astarte thanked the guard and entered, looking around to see if her mother, father or brother were around.
"Where are my parents?" She asked the guard. "Is everything okay?"