The Meager

"Well, there's our mark. Feel bad about what you said about those 'nobodies'?"

Mimiru:<No.>

"Anywho lets try to get through this with our limbs in tact. Think you can whirl up a dance to make this easier, Taiyo?"

*Taiyo begins dancing the Polka.*

~Mt. Germinas~

*The Behemoth jumps down to a little plateau next to the summit & roars at them.*
==========================================
~Gariland~

*Ramza finally dispatches the squire.*

Ramza<...Why did they keep fighting?>

The battle is won!

Gil: 2000
JP: 500

"Just keep it up and hope it works."

*Azuma steps in front of the two, sword drawn while Taiyo continues her dance. Mimiru attacks with Aurablast.*

"Who knows? I need to go check on my sister. After that I'll go back you up on whatever report you have to make to the order" Sorrel walked over to Ramza and extended his hand.

"Proper introductions are in order now that we aren't being accosted."

~Gariland~

*He shakes his hand.*

Ramza<As I said before, I am Ramza Beoulve. Oh, & this is my friend Delita Heiral.>

*He indicates the Squire with the bronze armor.*

Delita<We were told of the escaped Brigade prisoners & ordered to capture or kill them. You might say it was our graduation test. And you were brought here by...your sister?>
============================================
~Mt. Germinas~

*As Taiyo dances, she starts emitting sparks & the Behemoth becomes clouded by a blue-black fog. A mass of flesh on its shoulder also becomes compressed & bruised. Neither of these things stop it from jumping down & charging Azuma's ass.*

*Azuma slashes the Behemoth while Mimiru moves around beside it, attacking with another Aurablast. Taiyo stops dancing and casts Protect on Azuma.*

Astarte gave herself a mental pat on the back for introducing herself to someone she had just met before going on.
"Tell me, are you able to summon any kinds of monsters?" She asked, less eagerly this time. "Oh, but if you're busy, you don't have to stay and entertain me..."

*A translucent, blue diamond-shaped barrier surrounds both Azuma & the Behemoth. The Behemoth counters Azuma's slash by stabbing upward with its horns, critically wounding him. It then turns towards Mimiru & charges her ass.*

"Perhaps we've tried to bite off more than we could chew."

Taiyo:<Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!>

*Taiyo begins casting Cure on Azuma. Mimiru runs off to the Behemoth's side keeping some two tiles between them.*

"I live in the city with my sister Alicia. I'm Sorrel Convolt... just... don't associate me with my family" he scratched his head. "I'm trying to earn my own living without relying on my family's blood money."

*Rhea looks around and smiles to Astarte again, shaking her head.*

Rhea: <N-No, no, don't worry. I can summon Moogle, but that's it. I've been training to learn to summon new Espers though...>

*She turns to her right to request some stuff from the shopkeeper before turning to face Astarte again while he/she goes to get them.*

OOC: This is why I was upset that I had to repost, I was posting something like this (the original was longer mind you) to spite you, but it bit me in the ass I guess. Also, to address your point in your OOC, you don't stand in front of it, but to the side, and they were not trying to break in, but eavesdrop making your point moot.

Zac let out a long sigh, the situation was slowly worsening. He had been surrounded, So much for that damn training, if the world itself conspires to screw me over, he though, disenfranchised with the goings on. Still, Zac looked around, two thieves, a knight, and a chemist... Me and Iliad should be able to handle this situation with relative ease; they have not even found Illy yet, so all should be good. Zac lowered his hands slightly, "Listen, I have no plans on alerting the order, or anyone. I have no idea who you guys are, or what you guys want to do, and, in all honesty, I really don't want to know." Zac said, trying his best to get himself out of the situation, "So how about this, I just go on my merry way, and we all forget this ever happened. I mean, think about it, killing me is only going to be a hassle." Zac motioned with his arms, "We're not exactly hidden, so a commotion isn't in your interest, hiding my body isn't either, and leaving me on my dead body on your doorstep is even more foolhardy." As he was talking he heard one of the aggressors, the chemist, ask if someone was with him. Dammit, they found Iliad. Zac thought, tightening his fists, but when a voice answered it was most certainly not his friend's, and when the knight played the role of lightning rod, Zac realized he was not dealing with anyone he knew.

There was, however, no time to deal with the new comer. Whoever he was, he had managed to completely agitate the situation, and now Zac had to deal with attackers from all sides. To his luck though, was the fact that the mage seemed to be on his side, if his answer was to be at all believed. Seizing the opportunity the mage supplied him with, Zac rushed down on the chemist and unleashed a Barrage of punches on him. He attacked four times in quick succession, starting with two hooks to the gut to knock the wind out of him, and ending with two to the jaw to hopefully knock the guy out.

Out of the corner of his eye Zac managed to notice Iliad spring from his hiding spot, and swiftly attempt to stab one of the other thieves in the back, while also reaching a hand out to steal his weapon. Iliad too was upset with the current direction the situation developed in, but with no one paying attention to him, it allowed the thief to work at picking off at least one of the attackers with stealth. After his attack, Iliad chanced a look at the mage, Who is this guy, and why is he attacking these people? Iliad thought with a bit of trepidation. Zac couldn't see, but from Iliad's angle it had looked like the mage decided to join the fight on the whim of a coin toss. Such flippancy did not inspire trust, and Iliad had to wonder if another coin toss would result in the mage turning on them.

--

As Mortal was run though with a blade through her back she hacked up some blood onto the knight she was wrestling with, still, she refused to give up on the fight for her life. She wasn't going to die here, she wouldn't allow for that to happen, even if the odds were heavily stacked against her. Mortal pushed off the knight she was wrestling with once her face had been cut into. She could feel blood pouring down her back, and down the left side of her face as she staggered backwards. She reached her left hand up to her face and tried to push away the profuse amount of blood that was oozing from the wound the samurai had inflicted. It was blocking out her vision from her left eye, and didn't seem to want to stop, even when she tried again with the back of her hand. Resigning herself to the loss of vision in that eye for the time being, Mortal simply closed that eye, and pushed the blood smeared hair out of her face. Grinding her teeth, Mortal continued to backpedaled away from her attackers using her new found Ice Breath to try and finish off the Knight she was wrestling with. "Leave me!" Mortal let out in a rage, though she was unsure of how she even knew the words she spoke. What has that spell done to me?! She thought frantically, in a voice that seemed alien to her. As Mortal stopped moving she took on the appearance to an angry, cornered animal; not willing to die without a fight.

--

Noctis furrowed her eyebrows when the Orator responded; she didn't quite like her tone of voice. Knowing that an argument would get her nowhere, Noctis simply took in a deep breath to clear her mind, and concentrate on finding out anything about where Zac and Iliad may have gone. Alright, so they used fake names, not really surprising, Noct leaned back a bit and ran a hand through her hair before she continued on her train of thought. What is surprising is that those names are the ones they used to use when posing as commoners. I can imagine why they didn't want to use their real names, but why those particular fake ones? Perhaps using the names of noble houses would have gave a bad impression to whoever they were meeting here. Someone with anti-aristocratic leaning... Corpse Brigade perhaps? Noctis unfolded her arms and eyed the orator once again, "Alright then, does your book happen to say who they visited, or what they did while at Besselat? Did they happen to visit anyone from the Corpse Brigade perhaps?" She asked, leaning in a bit to try and get a peek at the contents of the page.

--

As the door opened, Sab immediately presented herself in a way that was appropriate for greeting the High Confessor, and silently took in what was going on. From her perspective the High Confessor seemed to exude holiness, and a demand for respect and admiration; his surroundings only served to further this image. As the conversation proceeded it became clear that Sab was suffering from a distinct lack of any usable insight. What is going on? Sab thought as she observed what was happening, Who is 'he', this black mage, and what does he want with the High Confessor? Whatever was going on, the High Confessor and what seemed to be his council were all deeply concerned about it. They're worried... They're worried about a single black mage? How powerful can one man be? Certainly such a threat can't be taken seriously, a single black mage against the entire might of the Church. He'd have to have a death wish... but why then do they looked concerned? Suddenly it dawned on Sab that they were discussing matters that went well above her head, matters she shouldn't be privy to, nor did she want to be privy to. Sab took a few steps backwards, "Perhaps I should excuse myself," She said, as a way to dismiss herself from the conversation at hand, "I have studies to return to, and this seems to be a matter of some import, and I would not like to eavesdrop on a matter not meant for my ears, or immediate understanding."

~Besselat~

*The Orator slams the book shut.*

<I think you should leave.>
=========================================
~Goug Slums~

*With the chemist down, the knight takes a swing at the black mage. He blocks it with his rod, sweeps to the side, & smacks her in the face before running down a back alley. One of the thieves starts forward.*

Knight<Forget him! I can take care of a lone mage!>

*At that, the 2 thieves round on Iliad, one rubbing the wound in his back.*
============================================
~Mullonde~

High Confessor<Yes...very good. The flock should not concern itself with the movements of evil men.>
============================================
~Gariland~

Ramza<I...don't believe I've ever heard of the Convolts.>
============================================
~Germinas~

*The Behemoth decides to charge Mimiru's ass instead.*
============================================
~Beddha~

*One of the knights kicks her in the stomach as a Samurai holds up a katana. A strange rain forms, falling over the assembled enemies & healing their wounds. The other Samurai uses the invisible blade attack again. The last thing Mortal remembers is the knight she attacked kicking her in the stomach mumbling something about how monsters should know their place.*

-------------------------------------------

"You look pretty burned, you must have been out here for a few hours. Not that I've been staring at you, or anything! In fact, you should probably take this."

*Before Mortal can roll over or say anything, she feels a fabric being draped over her. She catches the sleeve of a single-piece dress. It's shredded, with some pieces brown & others merely off-white. A dark-skinned girl crosses out in front of her.*

"Whoever attacked you seems to be gone now. Umm...did they...well, by that I mean...are you okay?"

Noctis leaned back, "I simply wish to know who it was that they visited here, if they visited anyone at all..." Noct said.

--

Sab nodded, and backed away. Once in the hall she couldn't help but think about what the High Confessor said, 'evil men'. What is going on in Goug, and who is this evil black mage? Sab thought, as she returned to her studies. After a few minutes of absentmindedly flipping through pages, Sab realized she could no longer focus on her books, so she wandered off to her room, perhaps a nap would help clear her head.

--

Mortal woke with a start and quickly stood up and backed away from the woman that was there. Mortal probably would have attacked her on sight, but all too quickly Mortal realized that she was too weak to even entertain the thought. Dropping to her knees, Mortal put a hand over her stomach as it protested any sudden movements, as did her back, and head. Mortal looked at the girl and tried her best to look intimidating, but she didn't even know how to do so in her new body, so she simply said, "I'm fine, don't attack me, or I'll fight back!" Once again, she didn't know how she knew the language she was speaking, but it seemed natural to her, as did moving about in her new body. "Where am I?" She asked, "Who are you?"

--

Zac rushes the wounded one and attacks with another Barrage.

Iliad slices at the other thief, "Are you alright Zac?"

"Quite alright, that mage a friend of yours?"

"He's helping us, so... right now I guess he is."

~Beddha~

"Why would I go through the trouble of reviving you just to attack you? Oh, my name's Euryale, & this is Beddha Sandwaste."
==========================================
~Goug~

*The knight slashes Seraph in the back while he's running around like a jackass. After that, a lightning bolt hits the remaining thief after narrowly missing Zac. Then Seraph turns around & whacks the knight upside the head again, running back the way he came. Enraged, she continues chasing him.*
==========================================
~Besselat~

<I don't have that information, & if I did, I would not tell you.>
==========================================
~Mullonde~

*As she walks, she remembers that Elidibus was a mage who is known as a hero of the 50 Years War, & who ultimately vanished during the retaking of Riovanes Castle.*

"That's a good thing. If you've heard of them it means you're one more person on their list of people to knife in the back" Sorrel sheaths his sword. "I'm going to go check on my sister. I'll meet up with you... somewhere? Where's a good place for us to meet up again?"

"Ah, well I am a Mystic," Astarte hesitated slightly, wondering if she was being intrusive. "I am quite inexperienced. My parents aren't exactly helpful or approving of my studies."

Mortal tentatively looks at the dress she was handed, "Why did you revive me? What do you want? Do you know who attacked me?" She asked, listing questions as they came to mind. With a bit of trepidation she slipped into the dress, "Thank you... for reviving me. And for the dress."

--

Stumbling upon that small epiphany, Sab instantly turns on her heels and makes her way back towards the study hall. I wonder if I could find something out about him... I can't shake the feeling like he might have something to do with all of this, She thought, But wait... do I really want to know? What if I stumble upon something I shouldn't? Sab paced for a bit before coming to the decision that she would do any studying in secret, hiding any books she finds, and bringing them back to her room to research in solitude.

--

Noctis let out a small sigh, the orator was being difficult, needlessly, and it was beginning to grate on her. "Sirah, truly, any help you could give would be most appreciated; I'm here on official business from the Royal City of Lesalia," Not technically a lie, "I simply wish to know where these two men are, and I believe that finding out who these men visited while here may be important to my search. I only ask for that small bit of information, then I'll leave and you'll never have to deal with me again."

--

OOC: By "remaining" thief I assume one died off.

Iliad and Zac decend on the last thief, Iliad with a slash and Zac with a Barrage. Assuming that the thief can't withstand that Ily turns towards Seraph, "Sir, please, I need the Knight alive, I have questions I need her to answer!"

~Gariland~

Delita<We actually have another mission to take care of, on Mandalia.>
============================================
~Beddha~

"I don't want anything. I was on my way to Lionel to visit St. Ajora's execution site when I saw someone who was in trouble. By the time I found you, you were all alone, but I could tell by your wounds that there was a struggle."

*The dress is tight around the chest & so ripped that it leaves wide sections around the stomach & legs exposed. The sleeves only go down a little past the elbows.*

"Ah, the dress is sort of old."
============================================
~Goug~

"What's that? I can't hear as well as I used to."

*The knight is hit with another lightning bolt & drops to the ground, kneeling. Seraph takes the opportunity to start beating her upside the head with his weapon.*
=============================================
~Besselat~

Orator<Then either present the proper papers or I'll have no choice but to call for the guards.>

"Ah, best of luck then Delitia, Ramza. I hope we meet again, only, you know, without being under attack first."

Noctis panicked inwardly for a second, Oh crap, oh crap. Then she realized that she actually did have something that may have been of use, from both House Bell, and House Talea. "Certainly," Noctis said, without betraying any of the concern she had before. Reaching into a small bag she kept at her side, Noctis produced two slips of paper, both bearing the sigil of Lesalia. One was from House Talea, an old APB of sorts, authorizing the use of any means to find Zac Talea, in the days before it became clear of his intentions to leave with Iliad. The other was from House Bell, a more recent one saying the same thing but for Iliad. It seemed the patriarch of House Bell actually did want his son back, or was at least willing to openly admit it. The documents were not meant for Noct, but she had found them when she was searching for any leads as to where the two of them may have gone.

Noct presented the two documents to the orator, "Please, I am simply trying to find two young men and return them home."

--

Mortal couldn't help but take some of the fabric up in her hands and twiddle about with it, "I've never felt something so soft... I don't think I've ever felt anything that was soft," Mortal was entirely distracted by it now. Her own hands were soft, her skin, her fingers, all soft, and not hard and scaled. It was a new feeling, to hold something in her hands like that, she never had as a dragon, she simply used her limbs to walk and attack. Mortal looked up after a few minutes and tinged a bit pink when she realized she spent more time than was probably appropriate feeling how soft her dress was. She fidgeted, "Uh, so you didn't see a group of people with swords trying to kill me? Or a magick man transform me?"

--

Sab had just returned to her room from the study hall, carrying a few books with her. They were all ones she thought would help her find out more about Elidibus, books on the 50 years war, and other such readings. She didn't know exactly why she wanted to know more, the High Confessor had already told her not to worry herself about it, but the thought that there might be a person strong enough to strike fear into the very heart of the church put Sab on edge, and she wanted to find out as much as possible.

Sab put down her new stack of books at the side of her desk, and put the top one on top of her workspace. Sab rushed to her door, shut it, and sat down at her desk to begin reading.

--

Iliad rushed to Seraph's side while Zac grabbed the Knight by the collar of her armor and dragged her away, "I said I need her alive," Iliad said a bit louder, "Please, don't kill her."

Rhea: <Oh, your... hum... we-well...>

*She sighs and thinks for a few seconds, looking at Astarte's feet. Then, she shakes it off and goes back to smiling to her.*

Rhea: <You're a Mystic, that-->

*She hands the shopkeeper some money and takes a bag with the purchased items, thanking him. She then continues talking to Astarte.*

Rhea: <So-Sorry, I was saying... that must mean you can cast Magick, right? ...I have to go right now, but maybe we could meet again soon and talk some more. I'd really like to learn a bit more about Magicks.>

~Beddha~

*She looks down, scratching her head.*

"It's...not really that soft...pretty cheap, actually...."

*After Mortal rants for a bit more, she looks up at her, confused.*

"What? Into...what, like, a toad?"
========================================
~Mullonde~

*Elidibus's biography says that he was born in Gariland, where he learned Black Magicks. Later in life, he learned Summon Magicks. He invented the Master Teleport spell, which he put to great use by fighting on both fronts of the 50 Years War. For a short while, he took on an apprentice named Seraph, from the church, but he disappeared while retaking Riovanes Castle. It notes that he was interested in snake magic during his later years. It also notes that Seraph disappeared a few years after the war was over, presumed to have died during a mission.*
===========================================
~Gariland~

*Ramza nods.*

Ramza<Yes, I would like that.>

*They then set off for the wilderness.*
============================================
~Goug~

"Well, I want her dead, so it seems like you have a problem, here."

Knight<As if I'd answer any questions YOU had, anyway!>
=============================================
~Besselat~

<...These are addressed to a Sir Reginald III.>

OOC: Unless you really want to you don't have to do anything involving Sorrel's sister. Just assume he visited her. Unless you had the corpse brigade kill her. If not then just have Sorrel show up at the Order of the Northern Sky's HQ with your next post.

Sorrel went to check on his sister.

Mortal shook her head, "No, he turned me soft-- I mean, into... this." She points at herself, "I used to be a... what is your word? Dragon!" Mortal said with a smile, "But then he did something to me. Turned me into... this. Then he ordered a group to kill me." Mortal sat down and pulled her knees close to her chest, and wrapped her arms around her legs. "Everything happened so fast, and I was so confused. I don't... What am I?" She looked at Euryale, "What is going to happen to me?"

--

Noct looked at the papers, "My apologies, I seem to have taken the wrong papers in my rush. I could return to Lesalia to retrieve my personal documents, but I don't think that is necessary. If I have access to these, then obviously I must be tied to an investigation into these men."

--

Sab looked around, she felt like someone has just said her name somewhere. Shaking the thought as her mind playing tricks on her, she returned to her books, moving from one to the next in the pile.

--

"I'm not saying you can't kill her, just give us some time with her," Iliad reasoned, "Then we'll hand her over to you without issue."