Main Event Brand of the Hawk

[Ver]

"You're right, we didn't." Ciel stated rather bluntly to the woman, having been more phased by the drunkard's attitude than how he treated her. "Now that he is gone, perhaps you could indulge us onto who that man even was? He certainly had quite the unique personality."​

Well, that was one headache gone. It worked out, she didn't need to exert too much if the guy was going to get rowdy on her. Funny that for once, Kaine's loud mouth contributed without a violent backfire. Hearing the barmaid's grateful words, she wasn't all too surprised to hear it all.

❝ Whatever. I'm not the type of person you should be thanking, lady. The problem's gone, so it's less of a pain to be here in the first place. ❞ Kaine made it sound like she only let her temper do the talking to make it more bearable for herself to be at the bar. ❝ Besides, are you usually acting up like this? That piece of crap's long gone. ❞

A sigh of relief came from Emil, relieved that it didn't blow up into a bar fight. Here's to hoping that his friend didn't just immediately build up a bad reputation around these parts.

❝ Whew... I was worried that Kaine was going to get herself in trouble again. ❞ Emil expressed his relief, as if this wasn't the first time this went down.​

Ben knew something was up with Constantine's expression, but he figured that tracking the goblin and the castle would deliver some answers, so he left it be.

"No barfight, that's for the best, I guess."

Ben looks at Ciel with a slightly angry expression when he said that they didn't need to aid her.

"Saving people's kind of our thing, a hero's job is never done," Ben noticed a tone shift in the woman's voice, thus came his next question. "Well, why shouldn't we help you?"

@Ver @Otto @Raptor Jesus @Kaykay @Minerva @Gummi Bunnies @Crow @Tavern​

"Oi. Bloody well done, luv," Constantine said toward Kaine, raising his mug of ale toward her as it seemed he chose to... deliberately brush past Sera's question initially, "Up for a pint? You've got to try the ale! Or... Are you too young for that too? I'm sure the cider is fine too, eh? What would you say, Sera? Ben?" He asked with a small laugh, finishing his drink for now.

The immediate moment he did though, placing his empty mug on the bar, he sighed, running a gloved hand through his short hair as he pursed his lips. He shook his head, then irritatedly scratched his head, then pinched the bridge of his nose. A series of all sorts of verbal gestures to try to communicate how exasperated he was right now.

"That goblin... Well, I s'pose you could say somethin' to that degree," he finally answered Sera, crossing his arms, "That sorcerer from the town before? Faust? The last time I fought him, it was alongside two... associates, I guess is the apt word for it. Both of 'em... disappeared tryin' to chase him through the ends of the multiverse. And I was stuck behind, lucky me, eh? If things had gone a lil' differently, who knows? Maybe one of 'em woulda ended up bein' the one to bump into ol' Skullie if I chased after him faster. So, on top of trying to find out where that tosser Faust is, I've got another plate of barmy nutters to dig through, and I was hopin' to kill three birds with one stone by runnin' into you lot. So far, the gambit is working, but I won't hope until I see it. Hope ain't never done anything for me anyway."

He shook his head again, lighting another cigarette. "Case in point. That bloody wanker I call friend is goin' 'round kidnapping people now? Must be under some sorta influence, 'specially if the cloaked man is s'posed to be Faust. But even so, I have to prepare for the worst," Constantine continued, his gaze hardening from its former distant look, "Even if it means freeing him from his curse... permanently."

Meanwhile, as everyone around questioned the young looking barmaid, she looked tempted to hide her face even more behind her tray meekly, her eyes scattering about uncomfortably. "Well, you see... That man is... well, to put it simply, I'm close friends with his daughter. In fact, I'm... her only friend. She tells me everything," she said, slowly easing herself and allowing herself to sit down at the table, "She even tells me... how he acts at home. How... domineering he can be. Sometimes, when he's in an extra foul mood, he hits her and calls her names..." She revealed, looking down at the table, "So that's why I let him do as he pleases. Not only is he a regular, but she's told me that every time he comes here and... expresses himself, he comes home much happier, so it's all for her sake..."

@Otto @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Tavern​

 

[Ver]

"For someone always seeking justice, maybe it is a matter of life or death. All I know is, even if we didn't need to find rooms or to kill some great evil, I'd still be offering to help because it's the right thing to do," Virginia replied with a nod of her head before sighing as the innkeeper rambled about the depressive situation of this village. Even when a world is plentiful... there's still monsters and hardship in it. "You're wrong, you know? No one's fated to die off, and even if they were, everyone can change that fate."

A hopeful spark was to be found in her spirit as she smiled at the man, trying to reassure him in some ways, "Even if the whole world's against you, you can always change it and your place in it. Nothing binds you to a terrible existence except one thing; the loss of hope, when you just stop trying and... accept things like you do. At that point, you've already given up and resigned yourself to an unjust end, because you won't keep fighting for what is yours. Honestly, that's a lot sadder than a plague or a monster attack, seeing someone else just give up on trying for something better."

"People can be saved from illness with medicine if you put in the work to make it, and people can be healed from their injuries if you work fast enough for it. It's when you don't try to fight back out of fear of failure, just accepting hardship as reality and not believing even a miracle of your own creation can help you... That's when that thing called fate becomes fact, and that's when you allow everything you care for to rot away."

"But that's just my opinion. Sorry for rambling on like that," Almost to try and play off the rant, Virginia awkwardly laughed and waved off the topic before nodding, "Anyways, we'll get to work hunting down the demon and its cloaked friend. Just stay inside for now, alright?"​

When the group arrived at the village, Soraka decided that she would go to the inn. Brothels and taverns were not her type anyway. She followed a small group moving towards the inn.

After arriving at the inn, she couldn't help but think that the inn looked surprisingly normal. After seeing those hideous monsters back at the other village, she thought that this place would be dark and scary too. That wasn't until the innkeeper told them rumors about a mysterious demon goblin roaming around the place.

Then a young, brown-haired girl spoke up and practically gave a speech that they listened to. Soraka, impressed, said "Everyone, if you desire to purge this evil, this one shall offer you her services." She nodded at everyone and proudly showed her staff.​

The innkeeper blinked in surprise, eyes wide as Virginia went on her tangent. He wasn't expecting such a passionate response, yet there it was, refuting his defeatism. He stood there for a moment, as though unsure of how to respond, before a smile crept up on his lips. It had been a while since he'd seen someone so openly hopeful, and unafraid of such gestures as well. He expected to find such an attitude jarring or naive, and yet, there was something refreshingly earnest he found about it. Taking a breath, as though inspired by her a bit, the innkeeper pursed his lips, before finally formulating a response.

"Alright, then. You win. Tell you what? If you people really are supposed to be demon hunters or whatever, then I'll let you stay. Don't worry about what it'll cost ya. If your journey happens to let you run into that blasted demon and whatever's the cause behind it, then that'll be more than enough reimbursement," he said, before gesturing to the side, where a number of keys were hung on the wall, "Go ahead, then. Make yourself at home. You're free to the whole place. Isn't like I really have any full rooms anymore, after all."

"U-Uwah... You really mean it?"

"Sure. Think of it as a gesture of goodwill. I've seen too many people act like real shite to each other, but... maybe the lady's right. An environment can shape you, but it doesn't have to stay that way if you remain true to yourself. And my ma didn't raise no hogger."

And that was that. The group was free to take a key from the side and see their room, if they'd like, or lounge about at the bottom for anything more.

"By the way, if you do decide to poke around in your rooms, don't worry if you find anything strange. People been leaving in such a rush, I imagine a few of them might have neglected to take their effects with 'em too."

@Khan of the Mardu @Tutski19 @Alex Azure @Takumi @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Inn​

 

[Hida Tomonatsu]

The innkeeper blinked in surprise, eyes wide as Virginia went on her tangent. He wasn't expecting such a passionate response, yet there it was, refuting his defeatism. He stood there for a moment, as though unsure of how to respond, before a smile crept up on his lips. It had been a while since he'd seen someone so openly hopeful, and unafraid of such gestures as well. He expected to find such an attitude jarring or naive, and yet, there was something refreshingly earnest he found about it. Taking a breath, as though inspired by her a bit, the innkeeper pursed his lips, before finally formulating a response.

"Alright, then. You win. Tell you what? If you people really are supposed to be demon hunters or whatever, then I'll let you stay. Don't worry about what it'll cost ya. If your journey happens to let you run into that blasted demon and whatever's the cause behind it, then that'll be more than enough reimbursement," he said, before gesturing to the side, where a number of keys were hung on the wall, "Go ahead, then. Make yourself at home. You're free to the whole place. Isn't like I really have any full rooms anymore, after all."

"U-Uwah... You really mean it?"

"Sure. Think of it as a gesture of goodwill. I've seen too many people act like real shite to each other, but... maybe the lady's right. An environment can shape you, but it doesn't have to stay that way if you remain true to yourself. And my ma didn't raise no hogger."

And that was that. The group was free to take a key from the side and see their room, if they'd like, or lounge about at the bottom for anything more.

"By the way, if you do decide to poke around in your rooms, don't worry if you find anything strange. People been leaving in such a rush, I imagine a few of them might have neglected to take their effects with 'em too."

@Khan of the Mardu @Tutski19 @Alex Azure @Takumi @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Inn​

"R-Really?!" Despite her idealistic faith in her own words, Virginia hadn't actually expected him to go so far as to give them some rooms for free. Honestly, she was just speaking her mind on the matter, interjecting like she always did when she heard such self-defeating talk from people. Whether it was Maya Schrodinger saying that her belief in justice and heroics had no place in the wastelands or some downtrodden innkeeper saying there wasn't hope, there just wasn't any way she could abide by it. Seemed like that sort of attitude was still serving her well, making the miracles that both she and her friends needed reality...

But enough about that, they had just gotten the rooms they needed! "Thank you, mister!" She cheered with a grin from ear to ear, hopeful sparkle in her eyes as she plucked one of the keys from the sideboard, "Don't worry, we'll get right on the demon menace once we get settled in. By noon tomorrow, you folks won't have anything to worry about!" With that, the Drifter dashed off to secure the room she had plucked the key to, excited just to see a nice, soft bed after being left out in the wilds for a few nights.

@Ver @Tutski19 @Alex Azure @Takumi @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Inn

​

 

[Macy Moretti]

The innkeeper blinked in surprise, eyes wide as Virginia went on her tangent. He wasn't expecting such a passionate response, yet there it was, refuting his defeatism. He stood there for a moment, as though unsure of how to respond, before a smile crept up on his lips. It had been a while since he'd seen someone so openly hopeful, and unafraid of such gestures as well. He expected to find such an attitude jarring or naive, and yet, there was something refreshingly earnest he found about it. Taking a breath, as though inspired by her a bit, the innkeeper pursed his lips, before finally formulating a response.

"Alright, then. You win. Tell you what? If you people really are supposed to be demon hunters or whatever, then I'll let you stay. Don't worry about what it'll cost ya. If your journey happens to let you run into that blasted demon and whatever's the cause behind it, then that'll be more than enough reimbursement," he said, before gesturing to the side, where a number of keys were hung on the wall, "Go ahead, then. Make yourself at home. You're free to the whole place. Isn't like I really have any full rooms anymore, after all."

"U-Uwah... You really mean it?"

"Sure. Think of it as a gesture of goodwill. I've seen too many people act like real shite to each other, but... maybe the lady's right. An environment can shape you, but it doesn't have to stay that way if you remain true to yourself. And my ma didn't raise no hogger."

And that was that. The group was free to take a key from the side and see their room, if they'd like, or lounge about at the bottom for anything more.

"By the way, if you do decide to poke around in your rooms, don't worry if you find anything strange. People been leaving in such a rush, I imagine a few of them might have neglected to take their effects with 'em too."

@Khan of the Mardu @Tutski19 @Alex Azure @Takumi @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Inn​

"R-Really?!" Despite her idealistic faith in her own words, Virginia hadn't actually expected him to go so far as to give them some rooms for free. Honestly, she was just speaking her mind on the matter, interjecting like she always did when she heard such self-defeating talk from people. Whether it was Maya Schrodinger saying that her belief in justice and heroics had no place in the wastelands or some downtrodden innkeeper saying there wasn't hope, there just wasn't any way she could abide by it. Seemed like that sort of attitude was still serving her well, making the miracles that both she and her friends needed reality...

But enough about that, they had just gotten the rooms they needed! "Thank you, mister!" She cheered with a grin from ear to ear, hopeful sparkle in her eyes as she plucked one of the keys from the sideboard, "Don't worry, we'll get right on the demon menace once we get settled in. By noon tomorrow, you folks won't have anything to worry about!" With that, the Drifter dashed off to secure the room she had plucked the key to, excited just to see a nice, soft bed after being left out in the wilds for a few nights.

@Ver @Tutski19 @Alex Azure @Takumi @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Inn

​

"Don't worry. You'll be rid of that demon in no time at all!" Kokichi assured the innkeeper with his typical shit-eating grin. Of course, Kokichi planned to do no fighting on his part. However, it couldn't be that hard to convince all these warriors around him to do something.

"Well, if they forgot to pack their things, it's finder's keepers I suppose." Kokichi swiftly took one of the room keys and ran to its matching room. He hoped to find something nice that another traveler had left behind.

@Ver @Khan of the Mardu @Tutski19 @Alex Azure @Takumi @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Inn​

 

[Yun Lee]

"Thank you, sir. We will do all we can to free this land of its curse." Virginia's determination was admirable. She would've made a wonderful Shepherd, really. "I think I might check on the others, and see how they fare," he said, deciding to rest another time. So, Libra left for the tavern. Upon his arrival, Libra would join his those in their group. "Excellent news-we have rooms for the night. However, there is some sort of yellow, rhyming demon that has been cursing the village. Perhaps this could be the evil that will sate the sacrifice?"

@Otto @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Tavern

---

Sumia, however, stayed. "You guys want to settle down for a bit?" She asked the School Life Club. Truth be told, she wanted a break too-she missed sleeping in a nice, soft bed.

@Ver @Khan of the Mardu @Tutski19@Alex Azure @Takumi @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Krieg @Josh @Atomic Knight @Inn​

 

[Jeremi]

"Peachy as can be," Constantine answered Sera with a wry smile, resting his arm on the bar, "Which means... under the given circumstances, not all that peachy, but them's tryin' times, y'know? But it's fine. I'm used to feeling knackered all the time. In my line of work, you don't really get holidays, and as far as I'm concerned, this is really just another day at the grind. Just... with way more people 'round. You get me, luv?"

When Ben returned to report what he had heard however, Constantine's smile quickly evaporated when he described the characteristics of the so-called demon goblin, features contorting slightly into an expression of exasperation as he let out a drawn out sigh. "Ough... Oof. Blimey, I can never catch a break though. That's a constant for ol' Constantine," he muttered, taking a swig of his drink, "Oh, Jason... What mess have you gotten into this time? And what did it have to do with ol' Z and Faust?" He mumbled under his breath. It seemed that, despite what he told Ben, Ciel, and Kokichi before, he was still hiding a few details concerning the circumstances of why he was here.

As for the unsavory patron, Constantine pursed his lip and shrugged. "I mean, I s'pose I could give him a mean look. Wouldn't even have to stand up. People crack better when there's more cooks in the kitchen, just like eggs."

The man in question could only give an incredulous look when Kaine spoke to him in that manner, eyes and mouth agape as though he had never been spoken to like that before. Bolting to his feet, slamming his hand on the table in anger, he gritted his teeth at her. "You... Who do you think you are?! Why, I ought to..." He began to say, before looking at Siegward and Ciel, and then turning to the others' direction, with Ben having redirected Constantine's (and perhaps Sera's as well) attention toward himself as well. He was outnumbered here in every sense, so he stopped, clicking his tongue.

"Fine, then. I don't fokin' need this anyway. I'll just drink at home," he said, silently turning around and beginning to leave with that.

As he came out of earshot, the shy barmaid finally began to speak, a meek, soft voice escaping her lips as she did so. "T-Thank you, but... you didn't have to do that for me," she spoke, before adding on to herself, "In fact... Y-You probably shouldn't have..."

Indeed, it seemed like she was still just as worried and uneasy now as she was when the man was around for whatever reason.

@Otto @Raptor Jesus @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Crow @Tavern

---

"It may not be right, but that's just the reality of this world. Bad things happen, and all we can do is try to pick up the pieces from the aftershock," Luca said in response to Morte as she changed out the towel for one of the girls under her care, "These girls... They don't have anything, y'know? No family, no care... Just themselves. That's why they're in a business like this. All the men are out doing the real jobs, and the women usually on the other hand have to count themselves lucky if they get picked to be a housewife," she sighed, putting her hands on her hips as she talked, "Someone has to look out for the little fellows, y'know? Would you believe that a royal knight once proposed to have me as a mistress? He was a really nice guy, but really, that kind of life for me... Too extravagant for me!"

"I still think you shoulda went with him. Jerome was a nice guy! One of the few in the Royal Guard!" Puck piped in, continuing to idly laze on Isidro's head.

"Hurm. A life with a fancy title like noble mistress... It's a useless life if you're tied to a husband who probably wouldn't have let you go out, and a life where I can't help people... is not one worth living to me. Even if I have to live as below that of a commoner, I'll keep goin', no matter what!" Luca continued, before letting out a tired sigh as she ran a hand through her long, silky hair, "Maybe it's because I was just born into this kinda lifestyle, but... I figure hedonism gets boring after a while. Helping other people -- doing the right thing because it's the right thing -- is... something I'll always find far more gratifying at the end of the day. Wouldn't you guys agree? Certainly, there are times where you had to do what you thought was truly right over what might have been easier, right?"

"A-Ah... But I'm preaching. Sorry, usual customers don't let me get this far. They say harlots like me have no business running my mouth like that," she said with an embarrassed laugh, before clearing her throat, looking at Sebastian as he posed his question, "Hmm? A great evil? Well... I could totally say something unhelpfully whimsical like... Evil is all around us and all that, but I guess I already did something like that, eh? Ahaha..."

"But... Well," she spoke, her expression growing serious again, "My guess is you guys haven't been hearing about the legend of the night castle. Rumor has it, a goblin comes every so often and, at the whim of a cloaked man with a strange book, kidnaps innocent citizens and disappears into this mystery castle that only rises at night. Got yellow skin, red eyes, and speaks in rhymes. Those are the exact words; doesn't sound like anything from this world, y'know? Such a presence is said to have brought about this plague, but... That couldn't possibly be it."

Beat.

"Right?"

@Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Brothel

---

"I... ugh, I was joking," the innkeeper said, rolling his eyes, truly not expecting the thought of simply vanquishing the rumored demon to come so easily to them, "Though... With your get-ups, maybe I shouldn't have. Looks like you're all ready to put someone down at a moment's notice," he commented, nodding toward everyone's armor and weapons, before looking over at Grace, "Demon hunters, huh? Back where I grew up, we called 'em crazy folk, 'cause back then, I didn't believe in shit like demons. You'd think as we went on, we'd move past such archaic things. But now... I guess I need crazy to fight crazy."

"Right now... No one knows where the demon is. He comes and goes during the night, they say, following a cloaked man who controls his every move. Buuut, like I said, they did seem to arrive at the same time as the rumors about the castle that rises in the night. If you can find such a castle, maybe you can find 'em. But really, if I were you, I'd just go the other way. Nothing awaits beyond here but pestilence and suffering. You all seem so eager to track 'em down like it's a matter of life and death or something," he commented, placing his hands on his hips.

"But in the end, it doesn't really matter. Maybe this village was fated, destined even, to die off sometime. It's a little ways from fertile soil, the water tastes like ass... Mostly people who can't afford to live better lives live here. And to think their lives would get worse with this onset of plague... It's just not right," he said, shaking his head, "Fate comes for us all, I guess. Individuals and collectives. It's all just... useless. You'd do well to just settle for where you can right now, because ain't no way you're gonna see anything brighter if you keep carving your own path into uncharted territories. The unknown is the bane of man after all, as a people who strive for understanding. It only leads to despair."

It seemed that, basically, even if the group did have money on them, he was still reluctant to give them rooms, but perhaps an adequately stimulating response to his abrupt philosophy might stir him.

"Why are you so bent on hunting down the demon anyway? Do you really have a death wish or something?"

@Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure @Takumi @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Inn​

"And I'mma a floating skull but nothin weird with that huh? Lady, I gotta tell ya that tiny yellow goblins seem to be the least of your worries." Morte seemed to have a concerned look as he looked over the girls in the brothel. "Sounds like we're in for some goblin huntin! Anythin to save these poor girls, amirite fellas?"

@Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Brothel

---

Grace meanwhile as Libra went to inform the others bowed towards the inn keeper. "Thank you for the helping hand.". After that she went up to the rooms to inspect them. People leaving items behind had her intrigued.

@Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure @Takumi @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Inn
​

 

[York]

Lucatiel of Mirrah
@Ver @Gummi Bunnies @Otto @Raptor Jesus @Kaykay @Crow
@Tavern

The arrival of the so called "Black Swordsman", along with backup in general was certainly a sight for sore eyes... And soon enough, they managed to clear themselves of the slug menace, for now at least.

Introducing himself as "Guts", he appeared to know the strange, mute woman, calling her Casca... Maybe the two had been close? At least before she... Lost her voice, and her mind, she still wasn't sure what to think about that.

Though there wasn't much time to reflect on this, as Constantine revealed that these slug creatures must have been controlled by something, or someone. Ultimately, this turned out to be some levitating head thing that... He knew quite well (at this point, Lucatiel was a little desensitized to weird things like this, considering the things she's seen in Drangleic).

Whatever the case, it was evident where they were staying wasn't going to be safe for much longer; "Faust", the disembodied head creature appeared to know where they were now, and had a master... Likely someone after them now that they were marked with those brands, which wasn't good knews. Fortunately, Guts knew a place they could go... A destination that may reveal the "greater evil" they were looking for, though there didn't seem to be a gaurantee.

On the other hand, she was just glad to have a place to go, a destination that may lead them at least a little closer to their goal, but... Naturally, the journey took a little longer than expected, so much so that it was getting dark, and Lucatiel, for the first time in what seemed like ages, was feeling a bit tired, as did many others it seemed.

While she did not feel entirely safe sleeping out in the open, she realized that they would not be able to carry on with their journey very well without at least a bit of recuperation, and seeing that even Siegward, a knight like herself had decided to doze off... Lucatiel followed his lead for now, not seeming to be much for conversation, like the previous moment of calm they had.

...

In time, when morning came, Lucatiel was one of the first to rise, making the rest of the journey with the others to a town... This one, while seeming ordinary at first, appeared a bit... Off.

It wasn't just the execution of what was likely a hapless citizen that gave off this impression; there was a certain atmosphere that just seemed not to sit well with her.

Seeing that they were unfortunately too late to help the now execute dman, she hesitated for a moment, contemplating following Guts and Casca into the Brothel, before shuddering a little, and instead followed Constantine and Siegward's lead into the Tavern. While she, like before refused the prospect of a drink, deciding against removing her mask for such a thing, her attention was captivated by the commotion between a rather rowdy man... And a Waitress who appeared to be getting harassed by him.

While it didn't take him too long to take the hint from the others' words, and "bugger off" so to speak, it seemed that the waitress was a little unnerved by this. Her reasoning for this though, seemed to put Lucatiel off a little, as she realized the sort of situation the Waitress was in. She wrinkled her nose underneath her mask, before she cocked her head to one side, and finally decided to speak, breaking the relative silence she had maintained, walking into the Tavern up until this point.

"Why must he subject you to such degradation? Surely he could find... Gratification like that in the local Brothel?" She asked.

It felt really weird speaking of a Brothel as casually as that, but... Well, Lucatiel just could not understand why that man had to target this Waitress in particular, in order to "satisfy" himself enough to treat his own daughter properly when he got home... What kind of bizarre behavior was that?​

 

[Ver]

"Felix... Faust?" Luca responded to Sebastian with a raised eyebrow, crossing her arms and attempting to remember if she'd ever heard that name before, before eventually shaking her head. "Sorry, doesn't ring a bell. Is he someone I should know about?"

"Yeah, definitely!" Isidro nodded eagerly in response to Morte meanwhile, clenching his fists with great zest, "Anything for the girls!! I'll move mountains to protect their pretty faces!!"

"You're staying here though. Someone has to watch them and Casca here."

"Dammit!!"

@Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Brothel​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

"Felix... Faust?" Luca responded to Sebastian with a raised eyebrow, crossing her arms and attempting to remember if she'd ever heard that name before, before eventually shaking her head. "Sorry, doesn't ring a bell. Is he someone I should know about?"

"Yeah, definitely!" Isidro nodded eagerly in response to Morte meanwhile, clenching his fists with great zest, "Anything for the girls!! I'll move mountains to protect their pretty faces!!"

"You're staying here though. Someone has to watch them and Casca here."

"Dammit!!"

@Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Brothel​

"He seems to he a key figure in our little quest." Sebastian replied.

@Ver​

 

[Ver]

"R-Really?!" Despite her idealistic faith in her own words, Virginia hadn't actually expected him to go so far as to give them some rooms for free. Honestly, she was just speaking her mind on the matter, interjecting like she always did when she heard such self-defeating talk from people. Whether it was Maya Schrodinger saying that her belief in justice and heroics had no place in the wastelands or some downtrodden innkeeper saying there wasn't hope, there just wasn't any way she could abide by it. Seemed like that sort of attitude was still serving her well, making the miracles that both she and her friends needed reality...

But enough about that, they had just gotten the rooms they needed! "Thank you, mister!" She cheered with a grin from ear to ear, hopeful sparkle in her eyes as she plucked one of the keys from the sideboard, "Don't worry, we'll get right on the demon menace once we get settled in. By noon tomorrow, you folks won't have anything to worry about!" With that, the Drifter dashed off to secure the room she had plucked the key to, excited just to see a nice, soft bed after being left out in the wilds for a few nights.​

"Don't worry. You'll be rid of that demon in no time at all!" Kokichi assured the innkeeper with his typical shit-eating grin. Of course, Kokichi planned to do no fighting on his part. However, it couldn't be that hard to convince all these warriors around him to do something.

"Well, if they forgot to pack their things, it's finder's keepers I suppose." Kokichi swiftly took one of the room keys and ran to its matching room. He hoped to find something nice that another traveler had left behind.​

Sumia, however, stayed. "You guys want to settle down for a bit?" She asked the School Life Club. Truth be told, she wanted a break too-she missed sleeping in a nice, soft bed.​

Grace meanwhile as Libra went to inform the others bowed towards the inn keeper. "
Thank you for the helping hand.".
After that she went up to the rooms to inspect them. People leaving items behind had her intrigued.​

Indeed, as Grace would check out her new room, it had what would be expected out of a standard inn; a comfortable bed, a work desk, a nightstand, complete with some drawers, a window, a dresser, the whole nine yards. At first glance, there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary, unless she felt inclined to search a little deeper for anything.

In Kokichi's room, much of it was the exact same, perhaps as expected, with the same basic set-up. However, if there was one thing that stuck out from the get-go, there was a strange looking object on the nightstand, reminiscent of a necklace with a red jewel on it. Otherwise, it seemed like the exact same.

In Virginia's case, it was a bit... less subtle. Even from outside the door, it seemed like there was a strangely foul scent emanating from it. Even when using the key to unlock it, it seemed like there was something jamming it from the inside. More force would likely be required to open it, but there was a strange sense of dread inside, similar to the one from the town before...

Meanwhile, downstairs, Miki, setting Yuki down gently at one of the tables, smiled tiredly and nodded toward Sumia.

"Y-Yes, I'd like that," she said, sitting down in the chair next to Yuki, the pink-haired girl still dozing off amazingly. "If nothing else, I'd like to at least switch places with Kurumi-senpai or Rii-san. I feel awkward carrying around my own upperclassman like she's my little sister or something," Miki sighed, holding her hands together, "But more than that... This place really is too much. I'm still struggling to accept... I'm in some fantastical world with knights and magic... and monsters. I'm just waiting any second now to wake up from this nightmare and be done with it, but... my life has never been fortunate so far, so why would it now, huh?"

@Yun Lee @Khan of the Mardu @Jeremi @Alex Azure @Takumi @Inn​

 

[Crow]

"Oi. Bloody well done, luv," Constantine said toward Kaine, raising his mug of ale toward her as it seemed he chose to... deliberately brush past Sera's question initially, "Up for a pint? You've got to try the ale! Or... Are you too young for that too? I'm sure the cider is fine too, eh? What would you say, Sera? Ben?" He asked with a small laugh, finishing his drink for now.

The immediate moment he did though, placing his empty mug on the bar, he sighed, running a gloved hand through his short hair as he pursed his lips. He shook his head, then irritatedly scratched his head, then pinched the bridge of his nose. A series of all sorts of verbal gestures to try to communicate how exasperated he was right now.

"That goblin... Well, I s'pose you could say somethin' to that degree," he finally answered Sera, crossing his arms, "That sorcerer from the town before? Faust? The last time I fought him, it was alongside two... associates, I guess is the apt word for it. Both of 'em... disappeared tryin' to chase him through the ends of the multiverse. And I was stuck behind, lucky me, eh? If things had gone a lil' differently, who knows? Maybe one of 'em woulda ended up bein' the one to bump into ol' Skullie if I chased after him faster. So, on top of trying to find out where that tosser Faust is, I've got another plate of barmy nutters to dig through, and I was hopin' to kill three birds with one stone by runnin' into you lot. So far, the gambit is working, but I won't hope until I see it. Hope ain't never done anything for me anyway."

He shook his head again, lighting another cigarette. "Case in point. That bloody wanker I call friend is goin' 'round kidnapping people now? Must be under some sorta influence, 'specially if the cloaked man is s'posed to be Faust. But even so, I have to prepare for the worst," Constantine continued, his gaze hardening from its former distant look, "Even if it means freeing him from his curse... permanently."

Meanwhile, as everyone around questioned the young looking barmaid, she looked tempted to hide her face even more behind her tray meekly, her eyes scattering about uncomfortably. "Well, you see... That man is... well, to put it simply, I'm close friends with his daughter. In fact, I'm... her only friend. She tells me everything," she said, slowly easing herself and allowing herself to sit down at the table, "She even tells me... how he acts at home. How... domineering he can be. Sometimes, when he's in an extra foul mood, he hits her and calls her names..." She revealed, looking down at the table, "So that's why I let him do as he pleases. Not only is he a regular, but she's told me that every time he comes here and... expresses himself, he comes home much happier, so it's all for her sake..."

@Otto @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Tavern​

"That's terri-"

Ben then realises something.

"We put him in an extra foul mood. Our bads..." Ben lowers his head. "did this line of incidents start from... say... after or around the time of certain events around town?"

@Ver @Otto @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Minerva @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Tavern​

 

[Macy Moretti]

Indeed, as Grace would check out her new room, it had what would be expected out of a standard inn; a comfortable bed, a work desk, a nightstand, complete with some drawers, a window, a dresser, the whole nine yards. At first glance, there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary, unless she felt inclined to search a little deeper for anything.

In Kokichi's room, much of it was the exact same, perhaps as expected, with the same basic set-up. However, if there was one thing that stuck out from the get-go, there was a strange looking object on the nightstand, reminiscent of a necklace with a red jewel on it. Otherwise, it seemed like the exact same.

In Virginia's case, it was a bit... less subtle. Even from outside the door, it seemed like there was a strangely foul scent emanating from it. Even when using the key to unlock it, it seemed like there was something jamming it from the inside. More force would likely be required to open it, but there was a strange sense of dread inside, similar to the one from the town before...

Meanwhile, downstairs, Miki, setting Yuki down gently at one of the tables, smiled tiredly and nodded toward Sumia.

"Y-Yes, I'd like that," she said, sitting down in the chair next to Yuki, the pink-haired girl still dozing off amazingly. "If nothing else, I'd like to at least switch places with Kurumi-senpai or Rii-san. I feel awkward carrying around my own upperclassman like she's my little sister or something," Miki sighed, holding her hands together, "But more than that... This place really is too much. I'm still struggling to accept... I'm in some fantastical world with knights and magic... and monsters. I'm just waiting any second now to wake up from this nightmare and be done with it, but... my life has never been fortunate so far, so why would it now, huh?"

@Yun Lee @Khan of the Mardu @Jeremi @Alex Azure @Takumi @Inn​

"I'm sure that nobody would mind me taking this," Kokichi thought to himself. He quickly scooped up the mysyerious looking necklace and stuffed it into his pocket.

He walked out of his room casually and asked, "Found anything interesting, anyone?"

@Yun Lee @Khan of the Mardu @Jeremi @Alex Azure @Takumi @Inn​

 

[Ver]

"Thank you, sir. We will do all we can to free this land of its curse." Virginia's determination was admirable. She would've made a wonderful Shepherd, really. "I think I might check on the others, and see how they fare," he said, deciding to rest another time. So, Libra left for the tavern. Upon his arrival, Libra would join his those in their group. "Excellent news-we have rooms for the night. However, there is some sort of yellow, rhyming demon that has been cursing the village. Perhaps this could be the evil that will sate the sacrifice?"​

Lucatiel of Mirrah
@Ver @Gummi Bunnies @Otto @Raptor Jesus @Kaykay @Crow
@Tavern

The arrival of the so called "Black Swordsman", along with backup in general was certainly a sight for sore eyes... And soon enough, they managed to clear themselves of the slug menace, for now at least.

Introducing himself as "Guts", he appeared to know the strange, mute woman, calling her Casca... Maybe the two had been close? At least before she... Lost her voice, and her mind, she still wasn't sure what to think about that.

Though there wasn't much time to reflect on this, as Constantine revealed that these slug creatures must have been controlled by something, or someone. Ultimately, this turned out to be some levitating head thing that... He knew quite well (at this point, Lucatiel was a little desensitized to weird things like this, considering the things she's seen in Drangleic).

Whatever the case, it was evident where they were staying wasn't going to be safe for much longer; "Faust", the disembodied head creature appeared to know where they were now, and had a master... Likely someone after them now that they were marked with those brands, which wasn't good knews. Fortunately, Guts knew a place they could go... A destination that may reveal the "greater evil" they were looking for, though there didn't seem to be a gaurantee.

On the other hand, she was just glad to have a place to go, a destination that may lead them at least a little closer to their goal, but... Naturally, the journey took a little longer than expected, so much so that it was getting dark, and Lucatiel, for the first time in what seemed like ages, was feeling a bit tired, as did many others it seemed.

While she did not feel entirely safe sleeping out in the open, she realized that they would not be able to carry on with their journey very well without at least a bit of recuperation, and seeing that even Siegward, a knight like herself had decided to doze off... Lucatiel followed his lead for now, not seeming to be much for conversation, like the previous moment of calm they had.

...

In time, when morning came, Lucatiel was one of the first to rise, making the rest of the journey with the others to a town... This one, while seeming ordinary at first, appeared a bit... Off.

It wasn't just the execution of what was likely a hapless citizen that gave off this impression; there was a certain atmosphere that just seemed not to sit well with her.

Seeing that they were unfortunately too late to help the now execute dman, she hesitated for a moment, contemplating following Guts and Casca into the Brothel, before shuddering a little, and instead followed Constantine and Siegward's lead into the Tavern. While she, like before refused the prospect of a drink, deciding against removing her mask for such a thing, her attention was captivated by the commotion between a rather rowdy man... And a Waitress who appeared to be getting harassed by him.

While it didn't take him too long to take the hint from the others' words, and "bugger off" so to speak, it seemed that the waitress was a little unnerved by this. Her reasoning for this though, seemed to put Lucatiel off a little, as she realized the sort of situation the Waitress was in. She wrinkled her nose underneath her mask, before she cocked her head to one side, and finally decided to speak, breaking the relative silence she had maintained, walking into the Tavern up until this point.

"Why must he subject you to such degradation? Surely he could find... Gratification like that in the local Brothel?" She asked.

It felt really weird speaking of a Brothel as casually as that, but... Well, Lucatiel just could not understand why that man had to target this Waitress in particular, in order to "satisfy" himself enough to treat his own daughter properly when he got home... What kind of bizarre behavior was that?​

"That's terri-"

Ben then realises something.

"We put him in an extra foul mood. Our bads..." Ben lowers his head. "did this line of incidents start from... say... after or around the time of certain events around town?"​

"Oh, man. I'm gonna need a bloody stronger smoke for this one," Constantine chuckled as Libra came in, describing the characteristics of the demon he was already conveniently talking about with Sera, all the while having to listen to the barmaid talk about her life. Eyeing the knight, he puffed out some smoke, a smirk tugging at his lips, though not one born of innocent amusement.

"No, no. If he's who I think he is, that's just... a disgruntled ol' pal o' mine who ran with a really wrong crowd. Maybe if we find him, he could lead us to Faust and his mystery master, but if those blokes over there..." Constantine continued, gesturing toward two other men in the bar (the same ones who Ben approached earlier) talking about the semantics of one's mother being the same person as his sister, "... are any sort of reliable -- that it's a fact that he only goes out with Faust to do his command -- then there's no point in going out to find where they are, if they feel so inclined to come to this place regularly as it is. Why come to them when it's likely they'll sooner come to us, eh?"

The barmaid, meanwhile, had no words to respond to Lucatiel with, for she did not have any answers either. Human nature was something that was individualistic; it was different for everyone. Sometimes, it reflected the best in humanity, and just as often, the worst. It was something that perhaps many people understood better than they could put into words. She nodded when Ben realized what their actions had caused without knowing the full extent of their stories, and then just as quickly shook her head when the young hero asked his next question.

"No, he's been like that for as long as I've known his daughter. Even before all the rumors of demons and castles, the plague and the madness... There was still darkness inside people. I don't anticipate what's coming to my friend, but... I've said too much. I... I need to get back to work. Excuse me," she said with a shaky voice, rising to her feet with her tray and beginning to walk away, as though finished with the conversation.

Letting out a whistle as he watched that unfold, Constantine eyed everyone who talked to her. "Now, ain't that a peachy story to cheer us all up? Now, instead of jumpin' off a cliff, I only feel like settin' myself on fire!" He said in an insensitive, albeit facetious, manner. Crossing his arms, he stood up and walked over to them.

"This village is strong with malevolence... Dark energy. In the fears of the people, in their sickness, and in their hearts. But even if their fears and these plagues are recent occurrences, malevolence is something that always has been -- and always will be -- a constant factor. A man like that... He didn't need no demons from Hell to make him into the man he is today. He's already got those demons inside him."

"Try as we might to fight off those demons, at the end of the day, it isn't our business to fight other people's demons for 'em. Tell me, you lot. At least one o' you was thinkin' about trying to help her even more, huh? Bein' a big damn hero?"

@Crow @Otto @York @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Raptor Jesus @Tavern​

 

[Yun Lee]

"Oh! I can carry her, if you'd like. It shouldn't be a problem for me at all!" These poor kids needed a break... Taking a seat next to Miki, Sumia raised her eyebrows. "So you mean, this type of thing isn't normal for you? I feel right at home here...well, maybe not entirely. Ylisse is far less dreary than this place." It had its share of misery and injustice, but it was nothing compared to how downright cruel this place could be.

"What's your home like, Miki?" Sumia almost said something along the lines of it not possibly being as bad as this place, but...considering what the bad future narrowly avoided in her own home was like, you could never assume anything.

@Ver

---

"...I see." Well, that was quite the turn of events. Seeing that everyone here had their own business to attend to, Libra would be on his way again. He would tell the others at the inn, but first, he would go and report to the brothel. "We have rooms at the inn, and a lead that we can meet tonight. Some sort of demon that...rhymes who seems to be controlled by Faust and something else."


@Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT@Brothel​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

"Oh, man. I'm gonna need a bloody stronger smoke for this one," Constantine chuckled as Libra came in, describing the characteristics of the demon he was already conveniently talking about with Sera, all the while having to listen to the barmaid talk about her life. Eyeing the knight, he puffed out some smoke, a smirk tugging at his lips, though not one born of innocent amusement.

"No, no. If he's who I think he is, that's just... a disgruntled ol' pal o' mine who ran with a really wrong crowd. Maybe if we find him, he could lead us to Faust and his mystery master, but if those blokes over there..." Constantine continued, gesturing toward two other men in the bar (the same ones who Ben approached earlier) talking about the semantics of one's mother being the same person as his sister, "... are any sort of reliable -- that it's a fact that he only goes out with Faust to do his command -- then there's no point in going out to find where they are, if they feel so inclined to come to this place regularly as it is. Why come to them when it's likely they'll sooner come to us, eh?"

The barmaid, meanwhile, had no words to respond to Lucatiel with, for she did not have any answers either. Human nature was something that was individualistic; it was different for everyone. Sometimes, it reflected the best in humanity, and just as often, the worst. It was something that perhaps many people understood better than they could put into words. She nodded when Ben realized what their actions had caused without knowing the full extent of their stories, and then just as quickly shook her head when the young hero asked his next question.

"No, he's been like that for as long as I've known his daughter. Even before all the rumors of demons and castles, the plague and the madness... There was still darkness inside people. I don't anticipate what's coming to my friend, but... I've said too much. I... I need to get back to work. Excuse me," she said with a shaky voice, rising to her feet with her tray and beginning to walk away, as though finished with the conversation.

Letting out a whistle as he watched that unfold, Constantine eyed everyone who talked to her. "Now, ain't that a peachy story to cheer us all up? Now, instead of jumpin' off a cliff, I only feel like settin' myself on fire!" He said in an insensitive, albeit facetious, manner. Crossing his arms, he stood up and walked over to them.

"This village is strong with malevolence... Dark energy. In the fears of the people, in their sickness, and in their hearts. But even if their fears and these plagues are recent occurrences, malevolence is something that always has been -- and always will be -- a constant factor. A man like that... He didn't need no demons from Hell to make him into the man he is today. He's already got those demons inside him."

"Try as we might to fight off those demons, at the end of the day, it isn't our business to fight other people's demons for 'em. Tell me, you lot. At least one o' you was thinkin' about trying to help her even more, huh? Bein' a big damn hero?"

@Crow @Otto @York @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Raptor Jesus @Tavern​

"For once, I agree with this buffoon." Ciel said as he stood up, having been silent while Ben and the others conversed with the woman.

"These people's problems are none of our concern. We have enough problems to deal with on our own accord. Adding more problems to that list which aren't our problems is unwise and foolish."

@Ver @Crow @Otto @York @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Yun Lee @Tavern

---

​

"Oh! I can carry her, if you'd like. It shouldn't be a problem for me at all!" These poor kids needed a break... Taking a seat next to Miki, Sumia raised her eyebrows. "So you mean, this type of thing isn't normal for you? I feel right at home here...well, maybe not entirely. Ylisse is far less dreary than this place." It had its share of misery and injustice, but it was nothing compared to how downright cruel this place could be.

"What's your home like, Miki?" Sumia almost said something along the lines of it not possibly being as bad as this place, but...considering what the bad future narrowly avoided in her own home was like, you could never assume anything.

@Ver

---

"...I see." Well, that was quite the turn of events. Seeing that everyone here had their own business to attend to, Libra would be on his way again. He would tell the others at the inn, but first, he would go and report to the brothel. "We have rooms at the inn, and a lead that we can meet tonight. Some sort of demon that...rhymes who seems to be controlled by Faust and something else."


@Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT@Brothel​

"I see." Sebastian said to Libra, before turning back to Luca and bowing. "It appears that my acquaintance here has found a lead. You apologize for the sudden intrusion again." Sebastian said before leaving the brothel and heading to the inn.

@Ver @Yun Lee @Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT
​

 

[Crow]

"Oh, man. I'm gonna need a bloody stronger smoke for this one," Constantine chuckled as Libra came in, describing the characteristics of the demon he was already conveniently talking about with Sera, all the while having to listen to the barmaid talk about her life. Eyeing the knight, he puffed out some smoke, a smirk tugging at his lips, though not one born of innocent amusement.

"No, no. If he's who I think he is, that's just... a disgruntled ol' pal o' mine who ran with a really wrong crowd. Maybe if we find him, he could lead us to Faust and his mystery master, but if those blokes over there..." Constantine continued, gesturing toward two other men in the bar (the same ones who Ben approached earlier) talking about the semantics of one's mother being the same person as his sister, "... are any sort of reliable -- that it's a fact that he only goes out with Faust to do his command -- then there's no point in going out to find where they are, if they feel so inclined to come to this place regularly as it is. Why come to them when it's likely they'll sooner come to us, eh?"

The barmaid, meanwhile, had no words to respond to Lucatiel with, for she did not have any answers either. Human nature was something that was individualistic; it was different for everyone. Sometimes, it reflected the best in humanity, and just as often, the worst. It was something that perhaps many people understood better than they could put into words. She nodded when Ben realized what their actions had caused without knowing the full extent of their stories, and then just as quickly shook her head when the young hero asked his next question.

"No, he's been like that for as long as I've known his daughter. Even before all the rumors of demons and castles, the plague and the madness... There was still darkness inside people. I don't anticipate what's coming to my friend, but... I've said too much. I... I need to get back to work. Excuse me," she said with a shaky voice, rising to her feet with her tray and beginning to walk away, as though finished with the conversation.

Letting out a whistle as he watched that unfold, Constantine eyed everyone who talked to her. "Now, ain't that a peachy story to cheer us all up? Now, instead of jumpin' off a cliff, I only feel like settin' myself on fire!" He said in an insensitive, albeit facetious, manner. Crossing his arms, he stood up and walked over to them.

"This village is strong with malevolence... Dark energy. In the fears of the people, in their sickness, and in their hearts. But even if their fears and these plagues are recent occurrences, malevolence is something that always has been -- and always will be -- a constant factor. A man like that... He didn't need no demons from Hell to make him into the man he is today. He's already got those demons inside him."

"Try as we might to fight off those demons, at the end of the day, it isn't our business to fight other people's demons for 'em. Tell me, you lot. At least one o' you was thinkin' about trying to help her even more, huh? Bein' a big damn hero?"

@Crow @Otto @York @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Raptor Jesus @Tavern​

"For once, I agree with this buffoon." Ciel said as he stood up, having been silent while Ben and the others conversed with the woman.

"These people's problems are none of our concern. We have enough problems to deal with on our own accord. Adding more problems to that list which aren't our problems is unwise and foolish."

@Ver @Crow @Otto @York @Kaykay @Gummi Bunnies @Yun Lee @Tavern​

"..."

Ben was silent. Constantine was right. In this case, the group playing hero was what got the girl in deep trouble, and there was a chance that she would've been in deeper trouble if they persisted.

He concerned himself with her matters no more, but the guilt of just leaving the situation there carried on.

"Let's go check up on Yuki and the others in the inn," Ben said in a grim manner, attempting to sway the subject away, "it's right next door, after all."

@Ver @Crow @Otto @York @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Minerva @Raptor Jesus @Tavern​

 

[Ver]

"Oh! I can carry her, if you'd like. It shouldn't be a problem for me at all!" These poor kids needed a break... Taking a seat next to Miki, Sumia raised her eyebrows. "So you mean, this type of thing isn't normal for you? I feel right at home here...well, maybe not entirely. Ylisse is far less dreary than this place." It had its share of misery and injustice, but it was nothing compared to how downright cruel this place could be.

"What's your home like, Miki?" Sumia almost said something along the lines of it not possibly being as bad as this place, but...considering what the bad future narrowly avoided in her own home was like, you could never assume anything.​

"Ah, sure... If it's not too much trouble, I'd appreciate that," Miki said with a smile when Sumia offered to carry Yuki for a small while. At least some people here were friendly in these trying times.

"Zzzz... Ehehehe, Megu-nee..."

"..."

Miki's smile quickly evaporated when Yuki spoke in her sleep however, and wasn't helped when Sumia inquired about what her home world was like. Memories of her past came flooding back, none of them very much more pleasant than her experiences in this new, strange fantastical world. It was the kind of world that she'd only imagine of in some manga or a movie, but to really live it, to really see how it'd work before her very eyes... It didn't seem so much like a fantasy anymore.

"Well... It's hard to really put it into a word other than "normal," since that's what I'm used to, but... on the other hand, if I were to say that it was a place in which my friends and I all had to fight and run from waves and waves of monsters coming to hurt us, I guess it wouldn't really sound so unique compared to where we are now," Miki sighed, becoming somewhat depressed again, "But instead of demons and... whatever else you wanna call those things chasing us, they were more like... just, people. People who died and came back. I guess the proper term is "zombie" but... I just... I hate that word."

"That's... really all there is to it. It wasn't like that a year ago though. Seems like such a long time ago, I could see my parents, my friends, go to school without a worry, laugh, smile... but I can't do any of that from the bottom of my heart anymore. I can't even really cry most of the time..."

Suddenly blinking, surprised at even herself for going where she did, the girl cleared her throat, blushing lightly in embarrassment. "A-Anyway, um... What about you, Sumia-san?"

@Yun Lee​

 

[Ver]

"...I see." Well, that was quite the turn of events. Seeing that everyone here had their own business to attend to, Libra would be on his way again. He would tell the others at the inn, but first, he would go and report to the brothel. "We have rooms at the inn, and a lead that we can meet tonight. Some sort of demon that...rhymes who seems to be controlled by Faust and something else."​

"Oh! Hello, handsome," Luca said with a friendly wave as Libra entered the brothel, though her smile probably wasn't enough to detract from the depressing sight of the sick girls right behind her. Clearing her throat as she realized this, Luca turned to Sebastian, crossing her arms with an understanding nod.

"Of course. If you gotta go, then go ahead. No need to wrap me up in it. It was good to meet you! And good to see you again, Guts! Not great, but I'll take it," she said jokingly, managing a small laugh.

"Mhm," Guts humorlessly nodded, before turning around, "I'm heading to the inn too. Isidro, Puck, do what you can to take care of Casca and the girls here."

"You got it, boss!" Puck exclaimed, for some reason morphing into a deformed chibi when he said that.

As Guts left the building, regardless of whether or not Libra and Sebastian had already left earlier as well, Luca sighed to herself, crossing her arms and shaking her head.

Like I said, no apology was needed, 'cause I guess it really doesn't make much difference what I think of people just coming in and out when this place is supposed to be closed...

Such was life for a supporting character.

@Raptor Jesus @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Yun Lee @Brothel​

 

[Yun Lee]

".........."

Sumia listened to Miki's story, a small frown on her face the entire time. She never would've expected anything like that from a group as lively and happy as the School Life Club. These girls, they were just children! Children shouldn't have to live a life like that! Children were supposed to play and grow never, ever, have to fight to live.

"Those 'zombies'...we call them 'Risen' where I come from. And not only do we have those, but we have barbarians and slavers and the occasional evil king bent on taking over everything. It can get scary, fighting against enemy after enemy, and seeing how many people suffer because of them. But, in the end..." Sumia gave Miki a smile. "Good always comes around. Even if it doesn't feel like it. I never thought I would be of any help to anyone, but I managed to find my place. You and your friends will find yours, too, away from zombies and sadness."

Ugh, why did Libra have to leave? She was SO bad with words... "For now, though...would you like me to give you a flower fortune? I still have some flowers Sebastian gave me." Maybe that would help Miki cheer up...

@Ver

---

"...greetings, Miss." In spite of himself, Libra blushed slightly when referred to as handsome. It happened so rarely... But it faded immediately upon seeing the sick girls. "Are these women all right? I can try to heal what ails them."

@Ver @Jeremi @CrunchyCHEEZIT​

 

[Ver]

"Oh... So you have stuff like that where you come from too, huh? But... Barbarians? Evil kings? That sounds like stuff you'd find in books, but to you... That's all just, natural to you? Back where I'm from, there wasn't anything like magic or... or heroes," Miki sighed. She remembered one conversation in particular she'd had with Yuki-senpai and friends in which they wondered if, like the average zombie movie, there was a lone hero running around saving everyone he could, and it was only a matter of time before they'd all be saved too. Rii-san, realistic as she saw herself, tried to keep any unhelpful fantasies out by discarding such a theory, but it was Yuki-senpai who perhaps made the most surprising statement, in that the only heroes around were those who made one out of themselves.

And yet, here they were... In a dreary world, hunted by villains, with no one to call a black and white hero, try as Sumia might to see the light in this world forsaken by God, if there was one here.

"Yes... I can only hope that one day, my friends and I will find our share of ease, wherever it might be. It's all I can do right now, after all," Miki nodded, before blinking at Sumia's latter offer, "A... flower fortune? Ah, sure then. What exactly is it?"

---

"If that floats your boat, sure. I don't have any more rocks laying 'round in my coat anyway," Constantine said with a shrug to Ben, as though caring little for the fact that he had just pretty much spelled out the futility of heroism to these idealistic people. Maybe it was a little counter-productive, but Constantine had seen his fair share of idealistic, naive people crumble under the weight of the despair that awaited them.

"Wait, what?" The bartender blinked.

"Nothing. Let's go," Constantine said, walking with Ben to the inn now, along with anyone else who might have felt inclined to follow as well.

---

As newcomers came into the inn, such as Ben and Sebastian, they would see Sumia conversing with Miki at a table nearby, with a sleeping Yuki next to them as well. They had the option of joining in on the conversation, or they could go upstairs, where Grace and Virginia were in the process of checking out their own rooms, and where one could approach Kokichi, who seemed to have found something interesting that he might do well to share.

Emphasis on "might."

@Raptor Jesus @Yun Lee @Crow @Tavern / Inn​