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Post by Robshi on Jul 10, 2022 21:48:10 GMT
"Alright, see you later!" The dragoon happily waved back to Daisy before leading the group towards the ranch. Once he got there, he was pleased to hear their chocobo carriage was about ready to go.
"No, that should be everything thanks, unless you have any advice on how to handle the chocobos." Frato replied. "Otherwise I think we'll just get ourselves loaded up."
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Post by M&M&M on Jul 11, 2022 1:58:21 GMT
"Oh, handling the chocobo's? I assure you sir it can be no simpler! Please, come this way and I'll show you all!" The cleyran lead the way for Frato and his party to their wagon. The carriage itself thankfully didn't lack in quality despite how affordable the hybrid Dragoon once thought. It was large enough to hold Frato and the crew with spare room for their luggage. Tho the armor did seem a bit worn from months of wear, it did show careful amount of repair as well to help keep it up to date until by some miracle it falls to a irreparable state.
The chocobos up front, tho lacking in as heavy in protective gear as what they are pulling, were happily cawing and clicking their beaks to each other as they allowed their trainers to put the finishing touches to their harnesses, which all connects to a pair of leather strips hung carefully up front of the carriage. Hans then grabbed hold of the reins and showed everyone how to properly hold them and what to do in order to issue commands to the chocobos pulling them. After some time has passed, Hans dropped back down to the ground. "And there you have it. Once you all decide who will be leading the chocobos, the rest shall be, as we Cleyran's say, a desert petal's journey through the wind. Anything else you'd like to know?"
Just then, Ditz, being carried by Mortimmer, walked up to the rest of the group and completed them. "The armoured nezumi looked up to them shakily, to Frato in particular. "Ugh. I'm awake. Dunno if you can say I'm alive tho, just yet..." The poor nezumi coughed and a small visible stream of smoke puffed out of it's helm.
"Geez Ditz, what happened to you?" Firebrand asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
"Heh heh, I might have been a bit overzealous in my experimentations.." The scientist nu mou chuckled nervously. "I may have intended a bit more er...awakening reagents than was needed, fearing it may not be enough and not wanting to waste precious resources. It has proven to be a...dare I say...'spicy' success? Tho it worked, this one should be thankful. My back up awakening was supposed to be a suppository."
Ditz shook from the admission. "Please Sir Frato, don't leave me alone with this man again. I don't think my frail body can take it.." He groaned. The experience has left the burmecian losing faith in it's mentor (-15% affinity from Ditz), but gaining the same from the scientist for the opportunity (+15% affinity from Mortimmer)
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Post by Robshi on Jul 11, 2022 23:01:19 GMT
So this is our carriage huh? Impressive! Looks like we've got plenty of room, and it looks sturdy enough. Hopefully these birds can get us moving quickly too.
The hybrid paid close attention as Hans showed them how to control the chocobos. "Ah, no. I think you covered everything pretty well. Thanks for all the help."
He then turned as he noticed Mortimmer returning with Ditz, and his eyes widened with concern as he noticed to sorry state of his student. Geez, I really need to find someone else to act as our healer. Mortimmer's remedies seem worse than the actual ailment. I hope Ditz will perk up after a little while and that there aren't any nasty side effects.
"I'm sorry to have put you through that Ditz. Just try and take it easy for a bit, okay?" Frato apologised, before glancing around the group. "Well, if we're all ready, let's get moving. Uh... wait, where's Daisy?"
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Post by M&M&M on Jul 12, 2022 0:06:15 GMT
"Here I am!" Daisy almost immediately came up from behind with a wave. "Sorry, the Pink One forgot to add me in the last event, so here I am ready to go!"
"Who's this 'Pink One'?" Killy asked, then she shook her head. "Nevermind, sounds like something I don't wanna get involved with. Let's just go before I regret it." And so, after everyone arguing and deciding ultimately on Frato leading the caravan, they all load their baggage and supplies. With a friendly farewell from Hans and his crew, Frato and his allies led the wagon out of the city and into the Cleyran Desert; where the bright sun and humidly hot air blasted the hybrid in waves as the chocobos sprinted through the sands. Sadly the heat have casted a wave of illusionary deceits, making it very difficult to see whats up ahead. Even the Cleyran Tree looked as tho it was a an image depicted in waving water. Frato would have to concentrate more than normal to figure out any peculiar landmarks or oddities within the desert. So far, the hybrid could see nothing strange along his journey. Even if he could it would be difficult to find tracks left by a lone chocobo, especially in soft sands such as the ones they are traveling on.
After riding for sometime, Firebrand decided to stick her head out the window and lighten the mood. "Dad, are we there yet?" She said with a smirk.
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Post by Robshi on Jul 12, 2022 21:11:25 GMT
The hybrid breathed a sigh of relief as Daisy piped up, and he nodded in agreement as Killy hastened them along. He elected to take the reins of the chocobos as heecided it would be best to keep the long range fighters of the group free and ready if anything nasty drew close. He also didn't trust Firebrand not to get impatient and overwork the chocobos, and felt sorry for Ditz after what had happened with Mortimmer.
After bidding their farewells and heading out, the dragoon felt his mood souring somewhat as he started sweating profusely under the desert heat. Sheesh, I forgot how hot it can get out here. It doesn't look like it'll be easy to track this ninja down either. Any tracks can easily be blown away in this soft sand, and this heat haze can play tricks on the eyes. He could be right next to us and we might not even notice.
The sound of Firebrand's voice then jolted Frato out of his train of thought.
"Heh, the heat must be frazzling your brain if you're calling me dad." Frato smirked. "Has Ditz perked up a little? Or has everyone else fallen asleep back there?"
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Post by M&M&M on Jul 12, 2022 23:58:43 GMT
Firebrand noticeably brightened when she heard her mentor respond heartedly. "Yes, supposedly anyways. I think the poor little guy's a little wagon-sick but that's par for the course. He's always had a weak stomach when it comes to traveling anything faster than going on foot. Killy is taking a light nap but everyone else is awake. I'm worried about ole Morty finding a fiend outside and demanding we kill it. I don't mind a good fight, but I don't like doing it in this heat." After wiping her brow, she decidedly it was a good time to make small talk.
"So, Teach, you actually handle chocobos pretty well actually. Have you done this before? Ever thought of becoming a cavalry knight? Oh! Cavalry Dragoon knight! OOOH! A Cavalry Dragon riding Dragoon knight! Man, that'd be sweet..but really. You're doing great. Maybe you should just buy some chocobos to own and we'd be a band merry of adventurers!"
A voice cackled from inside the wagon, belonging to a thieving moogle. "Don't let her fool you, kupo! She's just buttering you up so she can have and ride her own chocobo!"
"Quiet you furry pin-cushion!" The red head attempted to lightly kick her 'ally' inside the wagon but missed, her attempt making him jeer with a taunting laugh. "Ugh. Sometimes I really do wanna turn him into a pin cushion...anyways, don't listen to him. What do you think?"
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Post by Robshi on Jul 13, 2022 23:03:46 GMT
Oof, Ditz gets travel sick? Huh... I didn't notice him feeling unwell when we went crossed the sea. Aw, s/he really is having a rough day today, and right after that whole bunny suit thing too. I hope I can cheer the poor guy up when we get to Cleyra.
"Heh, I don't think you'll need to worry about Mortimmer given he had sell off all his containers. I don't know how he thought he was gonna bring all of that over the desert." Frato remarked. "Uh... no. I've never driven chocobos like this before. I guess Hans is a good teacher."
He couldn't help but smirk as he heard Jack pipe up and irk his student, before then thinking about his student's question.
"Travelling around does sound fun, but I wouldn't want to give up being a Dragon Knight. Besides, I can only imagine the pain of finding and renting stables in each new town, not to mention having to clean up after these birds."
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Post by M&M&M on Jul 14, 2022 1:58:59 GMT
"Yea, but think about the companionship!" Firebrand tried to argue excitedly. "You'd be fighting with a giant attack bird side by side! And when you want to, you can jump on it and become a bigger stronger version combined! Think about it! Think about being called..wait for it! Fratocobo!" A moment of silence passes before the red head starts again. "...Okay, that one sucked. But we can work on it. We got lots of time."
Just then, a shout from inside the wagon inside the wagon interrupted their conversation.
"Hey! I see something strange over there!" Mortimmer put an arm outside one of the mini windows to point outwards. Beyond the haze, there was several large bumps of sand in the desert along with a unidentified black object in the midst of it. "Such an abnormality must be made to investigate! Make haste to the location I have provided! Chop chop!"
"Ugh we don't take orders from you, and get your damn pet flan away from my face!" Apparently the nu mou woke up Killy from her nap. "Don't listen to him! It's probably another mirage or something. Let's just go to Cleyra as quick as possible so we can get away from this accursed heat already."
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Post by Robshi on Jul 14, 2022 21:40:57 GMT
Attack bird? I guess Firebrand doesn't know much about chocobos, since they're usually timid. He then gave his pupil a rather withering stare when she made a suggestion for a fusion name. Seriously?
He then turned to look at where Mortimmer was pointing excitedly, and his eyes widened as he noticed the black object the nu mou was shouting about.
"Good eye Mortimmer. That could well be the package that ninja stole earlier." Frato complimented the scientist. "I don't like the look of those bumps though. Hans warned me there have been bandits roaming around here lately, and those mounds could be them hiding under cover. Everyone, be on your guard and ready to attack. I'm going to take a closer look."
The hybrid then tried to lead the chocobos nearer to the object, intending to pull up a short walk away from it. I daren't leave the chocobos too close just in case they are the bandits.
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Post by M&M&M on Jul 15, 2022 1:04:48 GMT
"Ugh fine..." Groaned the black mage from inside. "You all heard the slave driver, get up and get ready." As Frato and his allies ready themselves. The chocobos pulled over as close as the hybrid directed where it was a walking distance to the area and the group can suddenly tell a 'burning' type of smell could be noticed ahead.
The black object they saw earlier isn't any clearer but it's becoming pronounced as it looked like a dark grey horizontal object laying flat on the sands almost hidden by the many sand hills of varying sizes. The biggest one was as large as a tent and has hidden most of the object from sight. It is up to Frato if we wants to move in for a closer look or try another option.
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Post by Robshi on Jul 15, 2022 21:48:39 GMT
The hybrid's nose wrinkled as he drew closer. What the... fire? Is this one of the attacked caravans? I'm getting a bad feeling about this.
Drawing the chocobos to a stop, he turned to his allies to give his orders. "Alright, I'm gonna take a closer look. Firebrand & Ditz, come with me. Daisy, you'd better stay close to the reins in case we need to make a quick getaway. The rest of you had best stay close to the caravan to make sure nothing attacks the chocobos our or ride."
The dragoon then stepped outside to investigate the black shape, and drew his spear in case any fiends or bandits were lurking.
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Post by M&M&M on Jul 15, 2022 23:33:35 GMT
"You can count on me, love. Just be careful." Daisy left the carriage to get to the front with the reigns, but she also kept a arrow out and her bow ready just in case. Firebrand and Ditz came out soon afterwards, already ready with their weapons and eyes keeping notice of anything suspicious.
Thankfully, Frato didn't run into any traps or ambushes along the way and investigating further up ahead. The smell of burning became stronger as they closed in, particularly when they got to the largest mound which had a disturbing amount of yellow feathers and splotches of blood spread about. Closer in, they can start to hear the crackling sounds of a fire.
"I think it's chocobo feathers.." Ditz whispered, looking down at the mess. "I don't see any signs of a struggle. And that smell..what could it be?"
Firebrand was holding her halberd tensely as she looked about and sniffed the air. "I dunno. But..is it just me or does it smell...delicious to anyone else? Oh..what's that over there?"
Upon closer inspection, the black object they couldn't identify has now been found to be a body wearing dark clothing. As it turned out, it was the ninja that had raided and escaped from Frato beforehand. The man lay face down in the sands, dead, still clutching to the package he had stolen under his chest. The one notable thing however is the bullet-like wound in the man's forehead. It's freshness was revealed by the still flowing blood that began to pool in the sands below.
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Post by Robshi on Jul 23, 2022 21:49:02 GMT
Frato nodded reassuringly to the mole before making his way closer to the mysterious object. As it became clearer what they'd found, his sense of dread only grew. A gunshot in the head? Jack didn't take a head shot, and it looks too fresh. This could be a real headache if these bandits are hiding with firearms. Whatever this item of Violet's is had better be worth all this trouble.
"Well, there's our ninja." Frato whispered. "Although looking at that wound in his head, it looks like these bandits must be nearby. Let's try laying low for a moment and see if they show themselves."
The dragoon then waved his students to follow him nearer one of the mounds to hide behind, keeping a watchful eye on the fallen ninja.
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Post by M&M&M on Jul 24, 2022 18:53:23 GMT
Both of Frato's students nodded and followed behind a nearby mound and waited for anything to happen. Soon their patience was rewarded when the three began to hear voices nearby. In fact, it was coming from the very mound they were hiding in.
"Hold on a sec, I'm gonna go check on the bird." From a low male-sounding speaker. It seemed to come well below them judging by the echo.
"I'm coming with you!" Said a second voice, this one female. "Can't trust you to sneak a bite before the rest of us. Need to make sure we do things proper."
"Pfft! Yea right, I can see the drool making a waterfall from your muzzle, you're as starving as I am and just as likely to do it. But fine, do what you want."
Sounds of metal 'clinks' crept from inside the mound, closer and louder as time passed by. Then the mound began to move. To the students dismay, the 'sand mound' turned out to be a very well made and cleverly camouflaged tent colored like the sands underneath their feet. Two figures emerged as they opened up, thankfully at the left side of where Frato and his friends are hiding. A tall hooded cleyran male was the first, dressed in the same camouflaged color robe, a pair of worn-out looking goggles, and wearing a musket behind his back. The other was a very short female female, barely taller than a moogle and wore the garb of a time mage. The two walked to the largest mound, barely giving any attention to the corpse except to make sure they step around it.
The cleyran reached under the tent and pulled the bottom upwards. A plume of grey smoke immediately escaped and assaulted his face. Were it not for the goggles he wore, it would've caused quite the irritation. The smell of flame broiled meat intensified around the area, seducing even Frato and his students nostrils.
"Ahhhhhh! Smells so good!" The little ferret body was shaking. "Come on, let's take a few scraps, I'm sure the rest won't notice..."
"Oh I'm as tempted as you are, friend. But if it's one thing my old home once taught me, it's that patience always gives the best rewards. And it gave us a chocobo too, we were very lucky the fools came to us! Hold on, lemme check if it's all cooked through yet..." The cleyran began to take his musket and reached out to poke what's inside with it.
Meanwhile, Firebrand can be heard swallowing a gulp of saliva then whispering. "Oh man, I know we had breakfast earlier, but I've forgotten how good a BBQ'd bird can taste. Teach, think we can ambush them now or do you wanna wait? If we act now, we can get a free cooked bird along with the spoils, hee hee."
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Post by Robshi on Jul 27, 2022 22:35:45 GMT
Huh? No-one's coming to check on the body? I thought with how fresh that gun shot wound was the killer would be close. Surely they'd have checked the corpse for any valuables?
The hybrid's ears then twitched as he heard voices coming from within the sand mound. Urgh... looks likes these mounds are being used as hiding places. Have they got a whole settlement here? Frato then grew tense as the pair of voices emerged from their tent, keeping deathly silent as they appeared on the left. Phew... looks like they haven't seen us. Huh, it's weird that they're more bothered about the chocobo than the body. Mmm... judging by that smell, I can see why. Still, it sounds like they aren't alone here, and they're bound to notice us if they turn around and head back this way.
"Alright, let's sneak up to them and hold them at blade point." Frato whispered back to Firebrand. "It looks like they're both ranged fighters, and we don't want them calling for help."
The dragoon then moved towards the pair as quietly as he could before pointing his spear towards the back of the Cleyran.
"Keep quiet and drop your weapons." Frato called out to the pair. "Then no-one has to get hurt."
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Post by M&M&M on Jul 29, 2022 2:03:36 GMT
"Er...got it." Firebrand gave a thumbs up and then motioned to her friend. "Psst, Ditzy, you're better at sneaking than I am, mind doing this for me?" Her helmeted friend nodded and silently moved with Frato. They both successfully incapacitated their intended opponents, with Ditz putting the ferret mage in a choke hold with both hands. She initially struggled at first but stopped when she noticed her bigger ally too was at a disadvantage. The cleyran silently stood still then dropped his musket, then proceeded to lift his hands slowly in the air. Firebrand soon came running in afterwards and drew her halberd to ensure any support should either of the bandits try any sudden moves.
"Whoa whoa, easy friend. No need to do anything drastic." The sand robed nezumi tried to talk to his unknown assailant calmly. "We're just hungry folks trying to beat the sun of the desert. Don't want any trouble."
"Oh yea? Then who's the dead guy over there?" Firebrand asked while pointing to the ninja's corpse in the sands.
"Him? Self defense. Asked him if he'd be willing to sell his bird and he rudely tried to ram into us. Shot him for the trouble, we did. Bird too, if you can smell it. If you're here to rob us, we only have a few coins to spare and some meat cooking. Take 'em if you needs it, but leave us a good chunk of bird at the least. Desert leaves very little nutrition besides fiends, and they generally aren't worth fighting for what little gamey meat they have inside them. What do you say?"
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Post by Robshi on Jul 29, 2022 22:43:20 GMT
The dragoon was rather relieved to see their stealthy move go off without a hitch, and for the two strangers to quickly surrender. He then raised an eyebrow as he heard their reply to Firebrand's suspicions.
"Self defense? The guy was likely unconscious in his saddle." Frato replied, still looking wary. "Look, we're not here to rob you. We're just wary because we heard that there have been bandits raiding caravans here lately. From the sounds of things you're not alone here. Who else is here with you?"
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Post by M&M&M on Jul 30, 2022 1:40:12 GMT
"Ooo? Unconscious?[" The ferret mage tried to make a sound of curiosity. "Ey'. That would explain why the bugger didn't stop when we yelled at him."
"Not the time, Mila..." The cleyran hushed then went back to his old negotiating self. "Bandits you say? Scary. As for our mates. Yea, we have a bunch of others down below. A dozen actually. Like a big happy family, we are." The man turned his head to finally get a look at his assailant for the first time and grinned. "Would you like to come down and meet them?"
Firebrand raised her weapon as a threat. "Yea right. How about we just kill you and take your cooked chocobo for ourselves instead?"
"Ooo so violent. Are you sure you three aren't the bandits here? I'm sure you..." The cleyran's eyes can be seen darting through each of his captors, particularly Frato and his wardrobe. "...law-abiding Dragoons wouldn't do something so awful to some innocent desert loving people that wish to just live in peace?"
"And how do we know you're not the bandits yourselves?" This time Ditz finally joined the conversation.
"Good question. How does a innocent man prove his innocence? Hmmm. Well how about we talk over with some cooked meat, hmm? We'll let you have first dibs if you let us live."
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Post by Robshi on Jul 30, 2022 22:38:37 GMT
A dozen of them living out in the desert? That sounds rather sketchy, why would they want to live in a fiend infested desert? There's nothing here! Frato's expression soured slightly as he saw the nezumi running his eues over them. I don't like the way he's looking over us like that. He's either eying us up for valuables or trying to weasel his way out of this somehow.
"Firebrand, pick up their weapons and keep hold of them for the time being." Frato ordered, before replying to the offer. "That is kind of you to offer, but we're in a bit of a hurry. I am curious why you and your friends are living out here though. Why would you risk your lives hiding out here?"
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Post by M&M&M on Jul 31, 2022 1:44:53 GMT
"Got it Teach!" Firebrand followed her mentor's orders once again by walking over to scoop the ferret's wand and the cleyran's musket from the sands.
"Hey careful with that, that hunting musket's the only memento I have from my father, eh?" Then the shady nezumi continued to parlay with his captors. "Why? For the thrill of course! Good sir, have you ever BEEN to Cleyra? The most exciting thing you can do over there is flower arranging and ogling the dancer girls. Always living on the edge of death with whatever the desert gives you will give you a real adrenaline rush. And it's even better when you do it with friends."
As if on cue, several disgruntled voices can be heard from the large mound the two characters came from earlier.
"Oiy! Josef! Mila! What the hells bells is taking so long!? Is the bird cooked yet or what?"
"I tell you what, they better not be taking first bites of it. First cooked chocobo we've had in weeks, I ain't letting them get first dibs over me."
"Sod off! I saw and alerted you blokes about the rider before any of you! I get first dibs!"
"Whatever, I'm giving those two a few more minutes before I go up there myself. If I see them gnawing on it's bones, I'm gonna cook an' castrate them both.."
Suddenly the cleyran's smile grew more arrogant as he eyed Frato once again. "Uh oh, you boys and girls better let us go. Wouldn't want our buddies to see you holding us up? They might think you're up to something no good. Like trying to steal our kill."
Now both Ditz and Firebrand looked at each other nervously, then at their leader.
"How about a trade?" The cleyran continued. "You just walk away and leave us be, and we'll pretend we never saw you."
"Ooh! Ooh! And the bird's ours!" The ferret added. "Famished we are, don't wanna share to some strangers!"
"Mila, please, I'm negotiating...so, what do you say? Let bygones be bygones?"
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