The Valiant

~Orbonne~

"We don't even know who Gabe is."

*The female knight blocks the slashes.*

FK<Attacking head on? How droll.>

*She moves to Mortal's side & aims a slash at her. From Mortal's other side, the ninja hurls a fire bomb at her. The thief & the male knight move towards the room, but Euryale takes Mortal's place at the door. The knight slashes her while the thief performs Steal Heart.*

MK<You know you don't have enough armor to win a direct confrontation with me, don't you?>
=================================
~Sal Ghidos~

R"That's what we need to think about."

S"Screw this, I have enough magic to erase a village of about 25 thousand square feet."

L"--I don't like how specific you were with that."

S"--So let's stop beating around the bush, & just blow his head off!"

"He'll be the one with the phoenix downs," Noct replied, "And a penis. I'm sure that narrows it down."

Mortal counters, then attacks again.

--

"Alright then, lets get going," Zac said, "Wait... can we have breakfast first? Killing on an empty stomach is never good."

~Orbonne~

*Euryale heals herself with Chakra. The thief & knight repeat their attacks, but both miss.*

"Mortal, would you mind shifting down the hall a little?"

*The knight blocks again.*

FK<It doesn't make a difference how many swords you have, swinging them wildly at a well-armored knight won't accomplish anything.>

*She turns her sword slightly & stabs at Mortal's stomach.*
=========================
~Sal Ghidos~

R"Well, yeah, I planned to shop around for supplies anyway."

S"You people have no appreciation for indescriminate killing."

Zac smiled, "Great, I'll see you guys later then." He took a few steps away before looking back, "Unless you want to eat breakfast too."

--

Mortal shifts down the hall, per Euryale's request, avoiding the stab in the process. "Fine then, knight, try blocking this," Suddenly thunder breath.

Noct switches over to a Forbidden Dance.

~Sal Ghidos~

R"No, I planned on emaciating myself to fool the Baron into thinking I'm undead."
==================================
~Orbonne~

FK<What the Hell?!>

*The knight finds this turn of events quite shocking. Once Mortal has moved, Euryale punches the ground, sending a shockwave through both knights. The ninja continues to stand back cautiously. The male knight attacks Euryale before moving out of the way, at which point the Thief attempts Steal Heart again.*

E"Is it just me, or is it getting a little warm in here?"

"That is the best plan I've heard you come up with yet," Zac said with a chuckle.

--

Noctis notices what is going on, and feels a bit bad for Mortal, "Just ignore the thief."

With the knight distracted Mortal tries her attack again.

~Sal Ghidos~

R"How about the plan where I use you as a human shield against the Baron's forces?"
=============================
~Orbonne~

*After the second hit, the knight slips to her side & holds out a hand. Rocks rise out of the ground underneath Mortal, pelting her.

"I don't see how I could. He is being highly distracting."

*The thief smiles at her.*

"What was I saying? Oh, right, Shockwave."

*She blasts Noctis with a shockwave. It is only after this point that her dance finally triggers, turning the male knight into a toad & causing the thief to stumble into him & start stabbing him.*

"Oh, you're so witty..." Zac replied, "I mean, how could I possibly have a come back for your devastating wit?"

--

Noct flies over towards Euryale and punches her in the face.

Mortal uses Thunder Breath again.

~Sal Ghidos~

R"Apparently, you cannot."

*Seraph is shaking his fists in the air.*

S"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"
================================
~Orbonne~

E"Owww. What did you do that for?"

*She turns & aims a shockwave at the thief. The male knight rushes into the room & slashes across her back. Outside, the female knight stumbles back, clutching her face.*

FK<A little assistance would be greatly appreciated, Vanessa!>

Ninja<I'm not getting anywhere near that freak, so long as she has those swords. You see what happened last time. So, for now, this is the best I can do.>

*She tosses a shuriken into Mortal's back.*

Zac looked confused, "Yes, that is literally what I just said. I'd hold off on fighting the Baron if something is wrong with your hearing. Perhaps breakfast will make things better?"

--

"Vanessa..." Mortal committed the name to memory, then rushed the knight down and attacked with more lightning breath.

Noct goes back to dancing a Forbidden Dance.

~Sal Ghidos~

R"Foods means it'll be harder for you to talk, so yes, let us do that."
=====================================
~Orbonne~

*The knight grunts & stabs Mortal in the stomach. Vanessa moves forward a bit & hurls another shuriken in her back. By now, both knight chicks are mighty weak. Euryale hits both the frog and the thief with a shockwave.*
=====================================
~Lesalia~

*A young man with silver hair and blue eyes waltzes into the Taleas' kitchen like he owns the place, secure in the knowledge that the guards are both immobilized and disabled. After withdrawing a bottle of wine and a few glasses, he sets out for the living room, pours himself a glass before setting them on an end table, and then plops down on a nearby chair. Making sure to position himself facing the doorway that leads to the upper bedrooms, he then just waits.*

"There goes your devastating wit again," Zac said as he walked off towards food.

--

Mortal counters, then attacks the knight, assuming she is still alive after the counter hit.

--

"-Yes, so like I said, I can't help you," Divum Talea said, opening the door to his room.

Iliad sighed slightly, "I'm afraid I still had to ask. Thank you for your time."

Sab followed behind Iliad, and thanked Divum for holding the door, then jumped slightly when she saw the man sitting down, "Who is that?"

"I... don't know," Divum said, "Who are you, what are you doing here?" At this, Iliad grabbed the hilt of his dagger.

~Lesalia~

*He holds up a finger and crosses his legs.*

"Would you mind fetching your wife? I would prefer to speak to the both of you at the same time. Oh, and if anyone would like some wine, it's on the house."
===================================
~Orbonne~

*In fact, once the sword hit, a big honkin' ice crystal dropped on the knight's head, killing her. When Mortal turns around, it's to see Vanessa showing off her curves. On the other side of the doorway, the thief moves behind Euryale to stab her. She responds by turning around & beating the Hell out of him with a series of rapid punches.*
====================================
~Sal Ghidos~

*As they approach the table, Seraph is telling anyone who will listen of his desire for oatmeal. Also anyone who won't.*

R"Are you going to sexually harrass another waitress?"

S"Are you going to buy me some damn oatmeal? Am I going to fling fire spells at anyone drinking milk? These are life's big questions."

"Why fire?" Zac asked.

--

Dawn comes in from the other side of the house, apparently off yell at someone, or trying to anyway, "Divum, where are all the workers?! Oh, Iliad is back. Did you bring Zac along with you?"

Iliad shakes his head, "I'm sorry to interrupt, Lady Talea, but you have a guest." He pointed to the guy sitting.

"She is here, now what do you want?" Divum asked.

--

Mortal smiled, "Ha, so it does work!" With that she eyes Vanessa and immediately gets distracted, "Wha-what are you doing?"

~Orbonne~

*Vanessa starts speaking in a lower, more sultry manner.*

Vanessa<Come now, why are we enemies? The orders were to make sure there were no survivors outside of the Templarate. You could always join. I bet we'd have lots of fun together.>
==================================
~Lesalia~

"Such a pity. No one else has even touched the wine. I hope it won't go to waste."

*He takes a sip, then starts idly swirling the glass.*

"I was just curious: How much do you love your daughters?"
==================================
~Sal Ghidos~

S"Don't look a gift mage in the fireball, kid."

*A waitress comes over. She manages to get out "Can I take" before Seraph slams his fists on the table.*

S"Get me some goddamn oatmeal!"

<Ahh--o...okay. Anything to dri-->

S"Oatmeal!"

"Tsk, love? I--" Before Dawn could finish being a bitch she was cut off by Divum.

"Dawn, shut your mouth. I love my daughters a great deal. Now, what is this about?"

"Daughters, you have more than one? How much did I miss?"

"You were gone a long time, Iliad," Divum replied.

--

"And I'll have eggs over easy, and some orange juice."

--

"But... that makes more sense than I'd like it to," Mortal shook her head, "No, we just killed three of you. They'd kill me knowing that, let alone Euryale and Noctis."

~Orbonne~

Vanessa<Lord Folmarv would just say they deserved it for being weak, and Ser Wiegraf doesn't care for much these days other than avenging his sister's death.>
==========================================
~Lesalia~

*He sets the drink down, stands up, and begins walking around the room for no apparent reason.*

<House Talea officially has three children: A son Zac, and two daughters, Noctis and Mortal. It is a widely known fact that the latter was recently adopted. It is a lesser known fact that the adopted one somehow ran afoul of a certain church goer. Actually, it's kind of funny...he would honestly have me believe she is some kind of...dragon in human form, I believe is he said.>

*He turns slightly to see their reaction to this "news."*
====================================
~Sal Ghidos~

R"I'll just have what he's having."

L"And I'll have steak and eggs."

<Are you sure?>

L"Yeah...on second thought, steak and eggs sounds a bit annoying. How about pancakes and milk, plea--"

S"Oatmeal!"

L"Yes, we heard you! Shut up!"

<I'll be right back with your orders...especially the oatmeal.>

S"Damn right you will."

"Oh god..." Dawn said, highly annoyed, and less than surprised, "See Divum, this is what happens. Trash begets more trash, Noctis brought us Mortal, and now Mortal's wild fantasies have upset the church it seems."

"Quieten yourself Dawn, less you forget it was the two of us who begot Noctis in the first place," He then turned to the man, "What is it that you want? My daughters are not here."

Iliad is kind of dumbfounded, so he just stays quiet, and tries to absorb the information that is being given. Sab is lost as well, not having any context for any of this.

--

"I... no..." Mortal shook her head, "You're trying to trick me, again, and I'll have no part of it!" She took a step towards Vanessa, "I told you to get a better life, and it seems you have, and I'm happy about that. But your better life puts you at odds with me still." She readies her blades, "I'm sorry it has to end like this."

"Hey, are you done killing that last girl? My legs are getting kind of tired! I mean, I just woke up and started dancing, I didn't even get to stretch!"

~Orbonne~

Vanessa<Oh, you're "sorry," are you? Well, stay your so-called remorse, you'll not be killing me today. It's a shame about the others, but I'll not stay to fight a battle lost.>

*With that, she turns and sprints down the hall. I'm assuming the other enemies were killed off-screen.*
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~Lesalia~

"What a lovely, charming wife you have there."

*He turns to face them directly.*

"I should think it's obvious. When an assassin comes to tell you your progeny has angered his client, the outcome is inevitable: At least one of the three parties has to stop breathing. Also, I won't cry over collaterol damage, such as the trueborn or the peasant who accompany my target."

*He shrugs.*

"And I doubt very much that you have the ability to kill me. So, what else do you have to bargain with?"

Mortal gives chase, having quite enough of this chick's snark, and bad attitude, "Stop making me feel bad about things I have no control over!"

--

"Do you want to bet?" Iliad pulled free his dagger, and took a step towards the man.

"Iliad, stay your blade!" Divum looked the man in his eyes, "What do you want from me, what is your price to leave my girls alone?"

Sab had also drawn her staff, though she felt as if she'd sooner bolt than fight some random assassin that wasn't even attacking her directly.

~Lesalia~

*And the abyss stares back.*

"Save your money, I doubt you could rival my client in Gil. Still, I can't help but think it would be a waste if I killed this woman without ever knowing how he transformed her from a dragon. Why, that secret...it would be worth all the gold in Ivalice."
======================================
~Orbonne~

*Vanessa mocks her in a high pitched voice as she keeps running.*

<"Stop it!" "I'm just an innocent victim of circumstance!">

*Meanwhile, Euryale sees that Mortal is running somewhere, motions for Noctis to follow her, & gives chase.*

Clyde: <True enough, but you don't see everyone else conquering provinces to make a living.>

"So, what then do you propose?" Divum asked, "Will you just speak frankly?"

--

Mortal just gives a highly agitated roar.

Noctis becomes Wonder Woman and flies after Mortal, and Euryale.

~Orbonne~

*Vanessa delivers a flying kick to a side door, breaking it open. She keeps running once she's outside. Euryale turns to the direction of the front door, where someone is trying to crawl away from someone else, who is standing near the door.*

"Look, something's happening over there."
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~Balias Tor~

Gaffgarion<Most people are peasants, son.>

*Gaffgarion sets off for the town.*
=====================================
~Lesalia~

"I thought I was pretty clear. I want the spell used to transform a dragon into a human. If you know how it works, I'll drop the job and tell my client to fend for himself. If you don't...then maybe I kill one of them, and we'll see if it jogs your memory."

"What makes you think I know anything of the sort?!" Divum asked, "She came to me months after she was already a human! I doubt she even knows herself! She claims it was done by a Church official, most likely your employer, ask him!"

--

Noctis lands, and looks over, "I'll check it out, make sure Mortal doesn't get herself hurt." Noct goes to see what the hell was going on.