The New Zodiac Braves

They pay her no heed as their business with her was concluded days ago. Anything else is not their immediate concern and so they continue their conversation.

Sab notices Aroma's exit, and follows after her. "Is everything alright, Aroma?" She asked as she approached.

--

"Great," Mortal said, "...Uh, gimme a sec, I have to go too." Mortal goes off to use the bathroom.

Noct and Zac sigh in tandem.

*Lilith is also sighing.*

E"Well, when you gotta go, you gotta go."
----------------------------------------------
<Yes, I'm fine. I just...wanted some fresh air.>
==========================
"Well, I'm not going to just tell you that. The deal is that you come with me. It's not safe to travel alone this day & age, you know."

Safian:<Why not. We're in.>

Cassandra:<I guess I'll let myself be dragged into this.>

"Oh, alright," Sab said, "You just seemed troubled, and I was worried."

--

"So we've heard," Zac said.

Mortal returns a short time later, "Alright, I'm ready now."

L"...I have to go too."

E"Really?"

L"Well, I didn't, but I've been waiting for you 2 for like 20 minutes, so now I do!"
-------------------------------------------------
*Aroma puts an arm around her shoulders.*

<Thanks, Sab. You know, you're really sweet.>
============================
"Right then. First order of business, they're heading south. Get anything you might still need for a trip, then meet me at the South Gate."

*He walks off.*

*Safian nods, gets out a piece of paper, and starts to write*

Safian:<Can you tell your parents that were heading back to Garland? I'll tell my Dad where we are actually going, and he can tell them when they get back.>

*Cassandra nods, then sets off to tell her parents the plan*

Sab smiled, "Thanks. I think you're really nice too."

--

Noct lets out a sigh, "Should I invest in a room as well?"

*She rubs Sab's shoulder a few times before letting go.*

<I expect it will be an absolute joy to have you in my home.>
---------------------------------------------
*Lilith comes back.*

L"Okay, I'm ready to go."
=========================
*Roatha waits at the South Gate.*

*Safian mails the letter to her father, then heads down to the South Gate. Cassandra heads down there as well*

"Thanks again for allowing us to stay," Sab said, "I'm sure it beats staying at an inn. Not that I'm one to complain."

--

Noct crosses her arms and looks at Zac. "Hey, I'm fine..." He said, "Lets just get out of here."

*And so Team Roatha arrives in the inn soon after Team Lilith has left.*

"Okay, I wanted to stop here to explain something--I've been traveling around these 2 cities, picking up information...I think that someone's preparing to spring a trap for Lilith & the others."
===================================
*Once they're in the desert canyon, a Blue Dragon & a Dragon appear from one end, a Red Dragon from the other. Behind them, a Cockatrice & an Explosive drift into view. Up ahead, some bones emerge from the sand, assembling into a complete trio of skeletons.*

Dragon<For Senthose!>

*Having the jump on the group, the skeletons pelt Lilith, Mortal, & Euryale with various soul attacks. The Aevis feather bomb Noctis & Euryale. The dragons advance, the Red & Blue dragons launching their breath attacks at Noctis & Mortal. Aroma & Sieg move to attack, but they both step on Sleep Gas traps.*

"He was a hydra!" Mortal said in beast tongue, "Meanwhile I've never gotten respect from you bastards!" Mortal rushed down the dragon and double slashed at it.

Zac shoots the Aevis with a Barrage. Noct backs up a distance and begins a Forbidden Dance. Sab charges up a Meteor to fuck up the Blue Dragon.

Safian:<Why do you think that?>

Azuma: "She looked happy to see us."

Mimiru: "Unsatisfied customers always do."

"The thieves keep mentioning something about the bounty on the heads of the Marquis & the Taleas not just being available to Senthose. And Senthose himself was the type to always have a back-up plan."
==============================
*Because of the sheer cliff, there's not really anywhere to go, & the bullets only strike rock. The Cockatrice continue feather-bombing Noctis. The dragon counters, & is slain by Mortal's counter.*

Red<Mayhap you simply don't have the power you think you do?>

*The Red & Blue Dragons close in on Euryale, who tries not to be a quivering bag of jelly as ice & lightning pelts her. She spins, bashing both dragons in the face, & they bite her back. Suddenly, the Cockatrice fall asleep, the Red Dragon stops moving, the Blue is poisoned, & the Living Bone falls asleep, but is soon awoken by his companions stumbling over to attack him before spinning around. He jumps into the canyon & blasts Euryale. When a fucking meteor drops on the dragons, Euryale & the Blue Dragon go down hard. Lilith positions herself to use Kiku-Ichimoji on the Red Dragon & Living Bone.*

~3,3,3~

Sab doesn't even feel bad, cuz perfume will save the day. She begins charging a graviga on the remaining dragon.

"I have all the power I need!" Mortal said, "More than enough to decimate you!"

Zac shoots the skeleton with a barrage, "Wait, so... is anyone else not really sure what's going on with Mortal, because you guys seem pretty okay with it."

Cassandra:<Well, I suppose they probably already know that. Do you think they are in much danger?>

L"I have no idea what she's doing, I think it's some kind of mating ritual."

*When they bring down the skeleton, Lilith turns & slashes at the dragon, critically wounding it. The other skeletons are frolicking in the desert, out of reach when Sab's spell hits & finishes off the dragon.*

~3,2,2,2~
======================================
"I don't know, but I think it's worth having a back-up team."

Sab casts hasteja on Mortal, who casts Dragon's Charm on the wounded dragon, "Do you doubt my power still? You should join me instead, I'll see that you're taken care of."

Zac shakes his head, "But... that doesn't make sense. She has... I mean... but it's..."

"Really guys?" Noct asked, "She is speaking beast tongue."

"Oh, what is she saying?" Zac asked.

"I have no clue. If I know her correctly she is probably yelling about a lack of respect and calling the monsters rude."

Safian:<So are we going to follow at a distance?>

<You know, I don't even remember what Senthose said to convince me to join him....>

L"I think the Aevis have both been stopped. If Euryale re-awakens soon, we can probably sneak past the remaining monsters with ease."

*She heads over to rouse Aroma. In her sleep, she has snuggled up to Sieg, who is slumped against the canyon wall, snoring.*

~2,1,1,1~
==============================
"That was my plan, yes."

Safian:<Sounds like a plan then.>

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it is of no importance now," Mortal said, putting her weapons away.

Zac looked at the dragon, "Did... she make a friend or something?"

L"How should I know?"

~1,0,0,0~
================================
"So then, let's head out."