The Manipulative & the Subserviant

~Lesalia~

E"Well, that depends on whether or not you think you can make a trip through Zeklaus Desert."

*Euryale takes a bite & drops the fork.*

E"This is even better than where we ate when we first met!"
==================================
~Zaland~

L"If only we knew what he wanted, we might have a bargaining chip."

R"We already do."

*Roatha walks towards the table.*

L"What are you--"

R"How did the abducter know which Ovelia to take? There's only one way. Someone was involved with both the abduction plot & the body double plan. If we let that slip, then His Holy Fatass can ignore us at his own peril."

L"But for anyone to buy our story, we'd need some kind of evidence like...an eye...witness...."

*She slowly looks towards Sab as Roatha nods in smug satisfaction.*
==================================
~Eagrose~

Larg<I thought this information ill-fit for a messenger. Goltanna's forces already intercepted one of our best-laid plans. We did not wish to offer him up more. Aside from that...we were hoping you had information on the attack on Lesalia. Apparently, hours before the event, my sister, the Queen, had received an anonymous intelligence report of an assassination plot. However, no one in the Northern Sky nor the Lionsguard had any information on the attack, before or afterwards. Indeed, all of the invaders were gone before any investigation could be mounted, including the corpses. I've not the slightest clue what it could all mean.>

"I'll see what I can dig up. I still have contacts in the... seedier... parts of the country. If I discover something I'll send word through the usual channels."

"I find out when the job is done, but if you want to pay us to go away, that's fine."

*Azuma gives chase. Taiyo continues dancing and Mimiru attacks whoever with Aurablast.*

*They fall back again. Parker casts Tanglevine on Mimiru. Rhea casts Blizzard on Mimiru, if enough MP.*

Parker: <Or, OR... We could give in to the power of friendship! Who's with me on this?>

Reiter: <Name your price.>

Mortal gave a smug grin, "I was born and bred for desert life," She said proudly, "Of course I can make a trip through Zeklaus."

When Euryale nearly had a heart attack from the food Noctis took a deep breath to stifle a laugh. Mortal looked down at her food and said, "I do enjoy this meal, perhaps I can make it for us while we travel."

--

Zac and Iliad give Sab a look as well, "Seems we have a plan, then," Zac said.

Sab furrowed her eyebrows and looked around, confused, and a bit self conscious under the multiple stares, "I don't get it, what do you want me to do?"

"Seventy-three thousand two hundred."

~Lesalia~

E"Not to salt the wound, but humans are not bred for desert life. There is a reason I had to stay in the mountains for a few years before trying to make my way through Beddha. And Beddha isn't anywhere near as bad as Zeklaus. The point is, I just don't want to take you anywhere that's too dangerous."
====================================
~Eagrose~

Larg<Much appreciated. Then we are adjourned?>
====================================
~Zaland~

R"You might say your mere existance is enough. Now hurry up, we've shit to do."

L"Who died & made you King of Ivalice?"

R"King Demnada IV."

L"That's not funny."

R"It is to me."

"We are indeed" Sorrel placed his helm back on.

Iliad furrowed his brow, "You know, acting like an asshole to people you've just met is not a good way to get them to do what you want."

Zac shrugged, "Calm down Iliad, he wouldn't be the first crass man we've met, and far from the last. Besides, he is in a good position to be an asshole, either we do what he wants, or a war happens."

"I don't think calling him an asshole is a good way to get him to not be one either," Sab offered, before taking another bite of her food.

--

Mortal tinged pink out of embarrassment, "Like I said, I'll be fine."

~Zaland~

*Roatha laughs. Rather than being jovial, it's very hollow & a bit disturbing.*

R"Oh, now we're arguing mannerisms. That really does bring me back. I suppose I really have lost concern for that sort of thing since Lesalia, haven't I? Oh well."

*Without looking at any of them, he walks out of the building.*
==========================================
~Lesalia~

E"...Alright. I trust you. Gil for your thoughts, Noct?"
==========================================
~Eagrose~

*As he leaves the castle, a chunk of wall where his head used to be suddenly cracks as though it's been struck by a particularly heavy blow from a sword. Up on the roof of a nearby building, Sorrel sees movement, but only for a brief second as the person disappears down a flight of stairs on the other side.*

"The... hell?" Sorrel decides to give chase.

Zac, and Iliad have already come to terms with the fact that Roatha is acting like an asshole, so they don't really care about his little hissy fit. Sab on the other hand seems a bit uncomfortable, "You two should apologize."

"No," Iliad said flatly, taking a bite of his food, "Bad things happen to everyone, it doesn't give you the right to be rude for rudeness sake."

Zac let out a long sigh, "This little group is horrible with early morning conversation, I just want you all to know that."

--

OOC: Thank you for bringing this song to mind.

Mortal smiled and began to eat her food.

Noctis looked over at Euryale, "I was just thinking about how empty the house will be again," She said, sounding a bit more melancholy than usual, "Just when things were starting to get better, I'll be alone again." Noctis caught herself, "Oh, damn, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to rain on your parade. I'm happy that you and Mortal are going to travel together. It's just, I'm a little sad to see her go. It was like I had an older sibling again..."

Mortal is no longer smiling, but doesn't really know how to respond, so she just keeps on eating.

~Lesalia~

E"If that's the way you feel, then you should come with us."
========================================
~Eagrose~

*When he reaches the other side of the building, the mysterious figure is rounding the corner into another alley.*
========================================
~Lionel~

*After breakfast, they head to the shop, & then to the city exit, where Roatha already is.*

R"According to the tavern, something is attracting monsters to Balias Tor. We'll probably have to fight our way through to the castle."

"Alright then," Zac said, "We should make haste then." With that, he and Iliad began walking.

Sab walked up to Roatha and bowed her head a little, "I wanted to apologize on behalf of those two. They were rude earlier, even if they felt it was justified. Two wrongs do not make a right."

--

"Would you mind?" Noctis looked from Euryale to Mortal, with hopeful eyes.

"O-of course not, Noctis," Mortal said, unused to seeing Noctis quite so... eager.

Sorrel follows with his hand on his blade.

~Zaland~

*Roatha looks at her like he's confused.*

R"R-right?"

L"What kinds of monsters?"

R"Huh?"

L"What kinds of monsters are in Balias Tor."

R"O-oh yeah. Hmm...the tavernmaster mentioned Squidraken, Coeurls, & Goblins."

L"That means they're probably eating something. Recently killed meat. A lot of it."
=======================================
~Lesalia~

"Why do you think we'd mind?"

Reiter: <Yeah... no.>

Parker: <But the power of friendship!>

*Parker casts Tanglevine on Mimiru, wondering why it doesn't work even after like the 8th time it's cast. Provided Rhea has any MP left, she casts Blizzard on Mimiru.*

"Well, since you don't think your lives are worth such a small fee."

*Azuma gives chase while Mimiru attacks with another Aurablast. Taiyo continues dancing.*

"My charming attitude is a bit of an acquired taste," Noctis admitted, "It wouldn't surprise me if you didn't want me tagging along."

--

I'd imagine the three of them are moseying on.

~Lesalia~

*Euryale slides her chair out & walks around the table to give Noctis a hug.*

"You're a great person, Noctis. Don't belittle yourself like that."
====================================
~Grogh~

*Mimiru is paralyzed. Rhea casts nothing because she ran out of MP ages ago. By now both Parker & Rheiter are critically injured.*
====================================
~Balias Tor~

*The Tor is a large river. On either side is a range of small mountains. In the middle, the river is divided by another small range of mountains, as well as a few dots of rock here & there. On the other side of the river are 3 Black Goblins. A Coeurl is on the land mass next to them. In the water, a few meters in front of them, are 2 Piscodaemons & a Mindflayer.*

L"I see shreds of red cloth in the water. Someone fought with the Lion Knights. And it looks as though they lost."

Seraph wrote:

Sorrel follows with his hand on his blade.

OOC: Just a reminder that I posted.

*Taiyo casts Esuna on Mimiru whom attacks Parker with Aurablast. Presumably having caught up to Reiter, Azuma attacks.*

*James ignores the female thief briefly to turn around and slash at the male one.*

~Warjilis~

*He is promptly shanked in the back.*
=================================
~Grogh~

*Mimiru does nothing of the sort because charge time.*
==================================
~Eagrose~

*As the figure disappears down another alley, a knight with graying hair in golden armor with a purple sash steps in front of Sorrel.*

<Aren't you the Head of House Convolt? What are you doing so far away from Lesalia? Surely the Duke isn't plotting nefarious deeds behind the back of the people, is he?>

*The knight laughs at his own joke.*

*Parker slashes at Mimiru. Rhea uses a Potion on Reiter, who slashes at Azuma.*