The Valiant

"And that is chaos?" Zac asked, genuinely interested, "That sounds a lot like altruism, if, you know, it wasn't your brand of 'help'."

--

"Try marking the envelope with the picture of a dragon," Mortal said with a chuckle.

"Does he know you're a dragon?" Iliad asked.

"No, but I think it could be funny... I might do that with all my mail now."

~Dorter~

E"Ooh, a dragon hairpin would look really cute on you. I wish I'd thought of that."
================================
~Lake Poescas~

R"Wow, so what you're saying is that it's like good will, except the part where it's the exact opposite of that?"

L"Who cares? Let's go file this!"

R"Yeah, I'm gonna have to pass. I don't have one of my own, & my face is still plastered over a few dozen wanted posters."

Zac ignored Roatha, mostly because everything he has to say is really catty, like a teenaged girl. He then looked over at Lilith, "I'll go with you then."

--

Mortal smiled, "Thanks."

Sab finally spoke up, saying, "I noticed the ribbon earlier. It looks really nice, the way it matches your eyes."

Mortal smiled deeper, "Thank you, I guess Euryale knows me well enough to get me the perfect gift."

Noct just smirked.

~Lake Poescas~

*Roatha responds stiffly, with no emotion.*

R"Fine. I'll follow that Alph guy, see what he's up to. I don't have any problems working alone."

S"I'll go with you.*

R"*Sigh.* I'd really rather you didn't."
=====================================
~Dorter~

E"I'm really glad you like it. I wasn't really sure...you have so much, I wasn't sure there was anything I could get you that would actually be useful."

Mortal smiled a bit weakly, wanting more than just material possessions from Euryale, but she didn't think it was wise to bring that up at the breakfast table, "It is alright, Euryale, I would treasure anything you got me."

--

"Have fun you two," Zac said with a smile.

~Dorter~

E"But that wouldn't do. I couldn't just give you some shoes and say it's the thought that counts, it would be like getting me a sword. Also, I am not allowed in shoe stores because they don't serve people who don't wear shoes. Which I always thought was a little ironic."
=====================================
~Lake Poescas~

L"Limberry Castle isn't far from here, we can file this there. As an added benefit, I can finally report on my investigation."

"If you think that is for the best," Zac said, "Lets get going. Don't want you to be a traitor any longer than you have to be. Perhaps we should take off the Corpse Brigade cloaks though, so we don't get shot with arrows before we make it to the front door."

--

"I could get some for you, but I don't think you like shoes."

~Lake Poescas~

L"Probably a good idea. I'll just go behind that pillar & change."
==============================
~Dorter~

E"Not really. They're so stuffy and uncomfortable. And hot. I'm actually surprised you wear them."

"Good idea," Zac said, pulling the cloak over his head, revealing a red shirt underneath.

--

"It just feels so different to walk on the ground barefoot now... I don't like it as much as before. I would consider it in the desert, but my feet are probably too tender nowadays."

"As much as I love the direction of this conversation," Iliad said, "Can we get breakfast or something?"

~Dorter~

E"Oh, yeah, I said I'd call a waitress over when you got here."

*She waves down a waitress.*
==============================
~Lake Poescas~

*Lilith tosses the Brigade uniforms over the pillar after withdrawing her clothes from the pockets.*

L"Good idea how?"

"As much as I would enjoy the sight, I don't think you want to strip out in the open where anyone could see," Zac replied.

--

Everyone ordered steak and eggs.

~Lake Poescas~

L"Yes, this desert sure has seen a lot of traffic today."

*She finally puts her cloak on & steps out in Southern Sky regalia.*
===========================
~Dorter~

E"Why are we all eating the same thing? Is there a discount, or something?"

Zac chuckled to himself. "Fine then, if it was such a bad idea then why did you do it?" Zac countered.

--

"Not that I know of, I just like steak and eggs," Noct said. Everyone else nodded in agreement.

~Dorter~

E"Okay, now that breakfast is over, does anyone need anything while we're still in town?"
============================
~Lake Poescas~

L"Just follow me."

*She hops off of the tomb & makes her way south. Small shadowy images of towers can be seen on the distant clouds.*

"To the ends of Ivalice," Zac said with a smile, and hint of sarcasm. "So, I can't help but imagine you're thrilled about getting your status back."

--

Everyone shook their heads, prompting Noct to stand up, "Alright then, lets get going."

~Limberry Castle~

L"It is really a lateral move. But with any luck, I'll get a promotion from my investigation."

Guard<Freeze, traitor!>

*She shows the knight the paper & he stands aside. The gates are opened for them.*
=====================================
~Zeklaus Desert~

*When they get near the canyon, they spy the assassin. He does not see them because he is occupied with the hooded man.*

Assassin<Who are you?>

???<Senthose Rasheverek.>

Assassin<Unlikely. That is my name.>

???<I was addressing you.>

Assassin<Ah. That would make more sense. What is that?>

*The figure had pulled a blue gem from out of his robes.*

???<The Pisces Stone. It was left behind by Isilud Tengille when he died. I thought it should go to worthier hands.>

Senthose<I'm not really interested in joining Folmarv's little club.>

???<I intend to collect their Stones in good time. All I ask is your assistance. In return, I will teach you how to unleash the powers of Auracite.>

"I hope it goes well," Zac said, "The battles we fought together were not the easiest, and you deserve recognition for your hard work."

--

Iliad noticed the stone and instinctively put a hand over his knapsack, before remembering he had left the stone in Lesalia.

Sab noticing Iliad's movements, held her bag closer to her chest. She didn't particularly trust leaving the stone with someone who admitted wanting bloody revenge, so she stole it away from him when he wasn't looking.

Mortal looked at Senthose for a second before furrowing her brow. "Do you really think we look alike?" She asked the rest of the party.

~Zeklaus Desert~

E"(Yeah...he actually really does look a lot like you. He could be your brother, or something.)"

Senthose<And what is it that you need "assistance" with?>

???<Locating the Zodiac Stones.>

Senthose<You want people to help you...find Zodiac Stones, so you pay them...with Zodiac Stones.>

???<I will not need to use all of them simultaneously very often. But I must ensure I know where they are and how they are being used at all times.>

E"(So...should we, like, stop them, or something?)"
=======================================
~Limberry Castle~

L"Thank you. I'll have to go file this with the Marquis now. You can meet me at the tavern later. The good tavern, not the one in the slums."

"There are more of us," Sab said, "But I've fought against a Lucavi before, and it wasn't really a highlight of my life. Perhaps we should just avoid them."

--

"I hope to see you soon," Zac said, heading off towards the 'good tavern'.

~Zeklaus Desert~

E"(Of course I want to avoid them, but the one in the hood has attacked us before, and the other one is actively trying to kill Mortal. The last thing I want is for him to get...crazy magic god powers.)"

Senthose<And what does the Stone do that I would want it?>

???<Once you obtain the spell you seek, how will you be able to cast it?>

Senthose<That is a problem to which I've been looking for a solution...very well, Mysterious Stranger, I accept your offer.>
=====================================
~Limberry~

Tavernmaster<What can I do for ya?>

Zac sat at the bar and replied, "I'd like a glass of your strongest mead."

--

"So, what, we attack them now?" Sab asked, "They have a stone with them now, they already have the means to get 'crazy magic god powers'."

~Zeklaus Desert~

E"(That is why I wanted to attack them before that! Stop whisperyelling at me!)"

*After handing Senthose the Stone, the Mysterious Stranger teleports away.*
===================================
~Limberry Castle~

Tavernmaster<Coming right up. Anything else?>

*Zac has obtained mead.*

Zac uses the mead. "Perhaps you could tell me what the word around town is?" Zac said, putting his cup down after a long swig, "Also, dear Ajora that is nasty... Make my next drink a wine."

*Clyde takes a step forward.*

Clyde: <These are some pretty shady characters to be working with.>

~Limberry Castle~

*The tavernmaster's smile twitches a bit.*

<Coming right up. I'd have to say, what most people are talking about are the false reports of Marquis Elmdore's death, the unusual weather conditions, & this "Order of the Evil Eye.">
===============================
~Warjilis~

*One of the thieves charges Gaffgarion. Without even looking, he waves his sword, an ethereal spike emerging from the floor & killing him.*

Gaffgarion<You haven't been paying attention, have you, boy?>