The Valiant

~Lesalia~

<You're from another city? Probably more than you're used to, then.>
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~Warjilis~

Gaffgarion<The three thieves can start looking for someone to do some construction for me. The pair of you should look for mercenary work. It builds character.>

Clyde: <Alright. Anywhere in particular you know of that's looking for work?>

*They get their food and go upstairs to their room to eat it. Sitting around on the floor, they discuss their plans for the future.*

Reiter: <We're going to need a plan. Someone's apparently after us.>

Parker: <You mean everyone's apparently after us.>

Reiter: <Maybe.>

Parker: <Definitely.>

Rhea: <...Okay, guys, let's focus.>

Reiter: <First of all, we need new crap. We'll need to go shopping after we've rested.>

Parker: <All right.>

~Warjilis~

Gaffgarion<Check at the tavern.>

Clyde: <Alright. We're leaving, then.>

James: <...Fine.>

*The two leave and head for the tavern.*

*After getting some rest, the three friends visit the local store and buy new clothes and weapons for everyone, among other stuff. On her way out, Rhea looks at the bulletin board on the wall. Her posters have disappeared under several layers of new ones. She takes some leftover posters out of her bag and starts posting them.*

Parker: <"Summoner for hire"?>

Rhea: <Y-Yeah... I had them done before all of this happened. Maybe they can help us.>

Reiter: <Let's hope so.>

~Lesalia~

*An elderly black mage walks up to the billboard. He pulls the poster off & gives it a once-over. Afterwards, he pulls the rest off, & promptly sets them on fire.*

"Hah. This isn't even worth the price of dirt."
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~Warjilis~

Tavernmaster<If you're looking for work, there's a salvage job, a treasure hunt, or a bodyguard mission to be done.>

Clyde: <I->

James: <Bodyguard.>

Reiter: <What the-->

Parker: <I'm hurting him!>

Rhea: <W-What are you doing?!>

~Warjilis~

Tavernmaster<The famed thief Zerro has set his sights on the treasure of Count Minimas. It seems he plans to kidnap the count's son and hold him for ransom. His bandits have already tried twice to abduct the boy. After being thwarted both times, Zerro vowed to show up himself.>
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~Lesalia~

"Poof! Poof! Poof!"

*Each time he says, "Poof," he throws some ashes in one of their faces.*

"I'm getting rid of this garbage. No one wants an amateur summoner with less than ten spells to her name."

Rhea: <Please, don't do that! I'm just trying to make an honest living...>

Reiter: <You arrogant old fart!>

Clyde: <Alright, then.>

James: <Let's kick some ass! So, uhh, where is this Count Minimas person? Or better yet, his son.>

~Warjilis~

<Most likely at their mansion in the middle of the city.>
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~Lesalia~

*Seraph turns to face them.*

"If there were ever any doubts that you're worthless as a mage-for-hire, there aren't any more. You can't make it in that business without killing people. Lots of them."

*Clyde nods and they head to the mansion.*

*Rhea widens her eyes in shock and backs away from Seraph. Reiter and Parker step forward.*

Reiter: <Take it back!>

~Lesalia~

*They're both pulled back from behind by a boy who looks to be about their age, wearing light armor & a red knight's cloak.*

R"I'm sure he started it, but I'm going to have to insist that you don't attack my mage. He'd probably kill you all, anyway. Not sure if you noticed the hood on the back of his robes, but it used to be a dragon."
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~Warjilis~

*They come across a mansion behind a 12 foot stone wall. It has one massive iron entry gate, with 2 Gryphon Knights guarding it at front. The mansion behind it looks like it might be even taller than Gaffgarion's.*

Zac, not wanting to swing the shit with wanton blind strength, tried a simple slice downward on one of the shoots. He knew these swords were more... finesse, but he didn't exactly know HOW to finesse it.

--

"What, no, I'm saying she beat her up," Noct pointed at Mortal. "Were you even listening? Anyway, I just want breakfast. I'd like to forget last night happened."

"I'm sure you would," Sab said, walking in, "Divum told me that this is where the food was."

Noct pointed at the kitchen, "Tell them what you want, they'll make it."

Sab went off to do that.

~Lesalia~

E"Just making sure. I remember being mad enough to want to. Most of last night is just a blur."
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~Limberry~

*He cuts almost the whole way through the shoot. The rest wobbles & snaps off.*

L"Not bad, but try to move with the slice. These aren't as thick as Ivalician swords, so they rely more on cutting than force."

Zac tries again.

--

"You only threw a door at my face, then stared angrily at me before I ran away between your legs," Sab said, returning. "I was wondering, how much of last night do you think counts as rape?"

"None of it," Noct said, "It was all consensual."

"I'm a bit iffy on that. Do all consensual relationships come with bruises and emotional manipulation?"

~Lesalia~

E"And you think I couldn't have pursued you & done worse were it my desire? Fortunately for the both of us, at some point, I realized that bitterness over what was done wouldn't change it. And that it made more sense to be thankful for what I had."
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~Limberry~

*This time, he cuts one of the shoots in half.*

"Ha, not bad if I don't say so myself," Zac said proudly.

--

Sab got her steak and eggs and said, "Makes no mention of the rape allegations..." Sab said, walking towards the hall, "It doesn't matter though, she yelled your name more than mine anyway. And a Vanessa, I'd get that sorted out too. I'm going to go eat out on the patio."

Mortal just sat there, feeling bad man.

~Lesalia~

E"I said nothing because they are not true.But I won't continue a foolish argument. If you hate us so much, no one is forcing you to stay."
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~Limberry~

*Lilight chuckles.*

L"Yes, I do believe congratulations are in order, Great Treeslayer, Scourge of the Saplings."

Sab nodded, "That is why I'm going to eat out on the patio."

--

Zac chuckled as well, "I'll wear the titles with pride, oh great master. Now lets see if I can do it again." Zac tried again.

~Limberry~

*And so he killed another innocent tree.*

L"That one right there is an Osafune. It's about a two."
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~Lesalia~

*Some time later.*

E"...Your house is nice & all, but there's just so much bad energy floating around here. Won't it be great to get out and see the northern region while it clears out?"

"Uh, sure," Noct said, "Should we leave without Sab and Iliad?"

Mortal nodded.

"No," Sab said, walking back in, her plate cleared, "There are still people after you. People who have zodiac stones."

"I'm sure we'll be fine," Noct said.

"Your father asked me to go with you as well. He thinks I fell down stairs, and doesn't trust me to be by myself..."

Noct stifled a laugh.

--

"...Out of ten?"