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Post by Robshi on Jul 31, 2022 22:34:34 GMT
For the thrill? I guess he does have a point about Cleyra being boring, but personally I think there's better ways to get your kicks than roasting alive out here. The dragoon's ears twitched as he heard more voices shouting out from the mound nearby. Eh? Damn it... we've spent too much time. It looks like his friends are going to head out here.
Frato cleched his teeth in annoyance as the Cleyran made his offer. He was loathe to just walk away when the ninja's stolen item was so near. Thinking on his feet, the hybrid tried to salvage the situation.
"That's a nice offer, but there is a reason we came out here." Frato replied, before lowering his spear. "Go and check your bird, you don't want to keep your friends waiting. Ditz, let his friend go, but keep an eye on them. I'm going to go and investigate that body."
Warily backing away, the dragoon will then try to head over to the fallen ninja to see if he still had the stolen item and try to retrieve it.
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Post by M&M&M on Aug 1, 2022 2:06:02 GMT
Ditz turned it's head nervously at Frato's order but eventually let the ferret go, who shifted away while pawing at her neck to ease the pain. The cleyran merely put his hands down and turned to his captors once again.
Thankfully the ninja's corpse still held all it's belongings, including the package that Violet left for Frato. The time mage saw the hybrid pocketing it and her curiosity piqued.
"Ooo what's that you got there? Something important? Something valuable?" The ferret turned to her companion. "Hey Josef. I guess we shoulda pilfered him before getting started on the bird first, yea, huh?"
"Lord, you have a big mouth." The man gave her a annoyed glare then went back to the question at hand. "Actually yes, I'm curious myself. You leave his gil pouch, items, and his weapon, but that parsel is what you're after? Wouldn't be anything valuable in there, would it?"
Firebrand gave her own version of an annoyed glare at the suspicious man. "How about you shut up? That's none of your business."
"Scary again. That reminds me, Dragoon, would u mind telling her to give us our weapons back? As I said before, that muskets a precious heirloom. Loathe I am to think where I'd be without it. I can almost feel my PTSD setting in by being away from it for so long."
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Post by Robshi on Aug 1, 2022 22:34:08 GMT
Phew, the package is still here. I daren't think what Violet would have had me do to make up for losing it. The hybrid decided to peek inside just to check the valuable item of Violet's was still there, and quickly pocketed the package before the Cleyran and ferret could lay eyes on it. He gave a slight grimace as he heard said ferret wondering what he'd taken. Well, at least that mage is upfront with their intrigue. I hope their curiousity doesn't tempt them to fight us over a mystery box.
"What's in there is what that ninja had tried to steal and getaway with by running over the desert." Frato replied firmly as he made his way back to his students. "I'm sure you two can make good use of the rest of his belongings. Firebrand, lay their weapons down for them and let's be on our way. I'll leave you two to your meal."
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Post by M&M&M on Aug 2, 2022 2:36:32 GMT
"Well! That's mighty kind of you!" The Cleyran actually looked pleased at how Frato offered up the rest of the ninja's booty. Thankfully for the hybrid, everything left to him from Violet was still inside the package other than a few wrinkles and blood stains on the package through it's journey back to it's intended owner.
The ferret mage did a double take. "Eh? What about that package he's got? Maybe it can be something more valuable than a cho-BLEH!" The poor woman's out loud ponderings earned her a mouthful of sand thanks to her acquaintance, who is now busy spitting and clawing at her mouth.
"Next time you say something stupid, it'll be my foot in there. Besides, we all agree'd that the chocobo was the most valuable thing there and I see no reason to waste time. Double besides, if we try anything, the poor bird could end up burnt and go to waste. Now then, speaking of which..." The cleyran held out a hand to Frato and his posse. "Our weapons, if you please? Don't worry, a deal has been struck and yes, we WOULD like to get back to our meal. And I can't test our dinner without a good poking stick. Hmm?"
Firebrand still looked suspiciously at the two and then eyed her mentor, awaiting his order.
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Post by Robshi on Aug 2, 2022 21:03:12 GMT
Ok, the item's here. Whatever this things does had better be amazing for all the trouble I've had to go through just to keep hold of the stupid thing. The dragoon felt rather relieved that the Cleyran was satisfied with the rest of the ninja's belongings, including the cooked bird. I felt so certain we were walking into trouble here. Thankfully this has gone easier than I thought.
"Alright Firebrand, give them their weapons back and let's get out of here." Frato relented. "I'm sure they'll be eager to tuck into their chocobo."
The hybrid then waited for a moment for his student to comply, keeping his eyes on the Cleyran and ferret in the meantime before intending to lead the way back to their ride.
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Post by M&M&M on Aug 3, 2022 0:07:15 GMT
Firebrand actually looked annoyed at her mentor on hearing his next order, but she relented and handed the two suspicious characters their weapons back.
"Ah, many thanks. My PTSD is cured." Thankfully neither of them made any other move against Frato and his party, instead waving them with a free hand. "Hope we don't see you again. Seriously, it's a very dangerous desert out here, you should be very careful. Especially if you're traveling with valuables. Good bye!" With that, the two went back to poking their cooked chocobo for it's doneness, leaving the three to head back to their caravan safely.
Once she knew that everything was okay, Firebrand angrily kicked the sand below her in a fit. "Ugh! We missed out on what could've been a great sneak assassination mission! And we coulda gotten a free cooked chocobo for our troubles! Mannnnnnnn...." The woman whined while holding her hands behind her head. (Firebrand loses 20% Affinity for Frato)
"I don't know. I preferred a no-bloodshed approach myself." Ditz countered but politely. This one gained an addition of 20% affinity to it's own mentor. "Remember, Sir Frato said before that there would be times that we should avoid battles, and in his wisdom, this is one of those time."
"Yea, but still! This coulda ended way better if we had done it with a little more force. Ugh, hopefully we'll run into some fiends along the way to Cleyra.."
"Please don't jynx us, Firebrand..."
When the three arrived, they can see the rest of the party either hanging their heads out the windows panting.
"About damn time you came back!" Killy yelled out angrily towards them, her brow smacked with sweat. "You have any idea how hot it can get in a box in this heat! You idiots sure took your sweet time!"
"Did you find any fiends? Hmm?" This comment came predictably from Mortimmer, who had forgotten his heat troubles. "Any at all? Artifacts perhaps?"
Firebrand gave the scientist a sigh. "Cool yourself Mort, no fiends. Nothing exciting happened. i mean we found what we were looking for, but we did it in the most boring way possible."
"Ha ha ha, 'cool ourselves' she says, what a hoot." The black mage said sarcastically before going back to her old vicious self. "Next time you wanna make jokes, you should change your job to a comedian, smart ass! Yo, Frato, are we done here? Can we get moving now?"
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Post by Robshi on Aug 3, 2022 22:34:26 GMT
"Good bye. Enjoy your bird." Frato waved off the pair before heading back towards the caravan, rather relieved at reclaiming the valuable item without having to get into a fight.
Hearing Firebrand grumble about the lack of action irked the dragoon somewhat. "Firebrand, just what kind of reputation do you think Dragon Knights have? We're supposed to be law enforcers, not bloodthirsty murderers." He pointed out. "We had no grounds to get violent with those two, so just how do you think you could justify killing them out of the blue to someone like the Duchess?"
At least Ditz sees sense here. He seems to be the more promising knight in the making, in terms of his attitude and discipline.
The hybrid then sighed with annoyance as he returned to be greeted with Killy yelling at them. We could have been killed, or we could've been chased back by bandits or fiends, yet she just moans about the heat.
"Yes, we can get out of here." Frato replied, deciding not to argue with the black mage. He quickly returned to the drivers seat and coaxed the chocobos into moving. "Next stop, Cleyra. Hopefully they have some fans or something to help cool us off."
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Post by M&M&M on Aug 4, 2022 1:38:56 GMT
"Finally..." Killy sounded glad to get her way. "Alright, lead the way and step on it. The faster we go, the better the air current we get in here."
Firebrand didn't miss a chance to blow off some steam herself. "Well maybe if you learned some ice magic, perhaps you can make yourself useful instead of constantly blowing hot air."
"Watch it 'trainee'. Maybe I've only been a black mage for a short time, but I'm experienced enough to teach you a thing or two about respecting your betters. You should try it sometime."
The red head can be seen tightening her hand around her halberd. "Why don't we try right now? We got time." She said as a challenge. She began to walk towards the wagon putting a threatening stomp in each step until Ditz ran up ahead of her and stopped her with a hand between each of them.
"Please, stop! This is not the time or place! Remember, we're on a time sensitive mission! Come on, let's all get along for the time being!"
There was a moment of tense silence. But then, surprisingly, it was Killy who decided to back down. "Ugh. Yea, you're right. Not worth it, too damn hot to do anything. Just get in..."
Firebrand breathed out all the air she had stored in her lungs and relented. Her grip on her weapon now loose, she and Ditz entered the caravan while Frato took the reigns to lead therm all to Cleyra. The journey was long but without opposition, a welcome sight to most. Coming closer, they can see the sandstorm protecting the tree. As intimidating as the sight is, the chocobos doesn't seemed fazed by it, a sure way to tell that they were experienced in dealing with it before. They moved into and through the sandstorm, almost forcing everyone inside to cover the windows so they wouldn't be assaulted by sand.
Almost at the end of the sandstorm, the party arrives at the base of the tree. It's trunk overwhelmingly towering to the sky as far as the eyes can see. There were dozens people crowding around the stairway entrance, appearing to show a big event is happening. One man appear to have broken off from the group and head towards Frato's wagon to anticipate it.
"Hail friends! Slow down to a stop so that I may register you." It appears to be a elderly looking male cleyran, wearing and armed in what appears to be a mixture of Warrior and Dragoon fashion. Tho carrying a long dangerous looking spear, he doesn't appear to be trying to threaten them. The cleyran squinted his wrinkled eyes to see better. "Aye, right here next to me. What be your party names and what's your reason for coming to our peaceful town?"
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Post by Robshi on Aug 4, 2022 22:28:33 GMT
Urgh, looks like Firebrand is determined to pick a fight with someone out here. He then looked rather alarmed as Killy seemed eager to start one with his trainee. Thankfully, Ditz stepped in to make the pair see sense. Phew, good job Ditz. The way those two were going our caravan was likely to be set on fire.
Breathing a sigh of relief, the dragoon took up the reins and led them to Cleyra. Looks like I made a good choice with my caravan, I can see the sandstorm getting close and there haven't been any fiends so far. I'm also glad for the caravan here, getting blasted by sand after the hot dry air of the desert would not have been pleasant.
As they reached the base of the tree, the dragon knight slowed the chocobos to a stop as he spotted the elderly Cleyran waving at them.
"My name is Sir Frato, and we've come here to attend the royal wedding." He replied with a smile.
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Post by M&M&M on Aug 4, 2022 23:57:23 GMT
"Eh? Sir Frato you say?" The elderly man took a few more steps closer and squinted his eyes to get a better look. After a moment passes, the old Cleyran's eyes brightened and a smile formed on his face. "Heh, I'll be damned! It is you, boy!"
The man walked up to Frato until they were face to face, then suddenly the man gave the hybrid a hard slap on the back of his face. Now the Cleyran Dragoon was furious. "You damned fool! You have idea how worried I was about you when you came here last time and suddenly you ran off back into the desert!? Now you come here acting like nothing happened! I aughta hang over the Antlion pit until you apologize properly for making my heart weaker!" Then after the whole tirade was over, he placed his hands on his hips and gave a sigh.
"Ahhh. Alright. Rant over. I'm just happy you're back, boy. Still, next time you run off like that, send a mog net letter to let me know what happened. I feared the worst when I haven't heard from you in a while, you know?"
Daisy poked her head out the caravan window and wondered what was going on. "Sir Frato, who is this gentleman? A friend of yours?"
The man sniffed once more. "Ah welcome to Cleyra, M'Lady. And if this man forgets my name, then he's REALLY going to the Antlion Pit."
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Post by Robshi on Aug 5, 2022 13:30:12 GMT
Frato was glad to see the guard recognise him, feeling they would quickly be waved through with his blessing. That was until he yelped as he was nearly smacked out of his seat.
"Ow! That was uncalled for!" Frato growled, rubbing his face which was turning to a stinging red. "I'm a Dragon Knight, for goodness sake! Doing dangerous missions is part of my job! You can't get mad at me for not sitting around in Cleyra with my feet up."
The dragoon then scowled as he was told to send a letter next time. He grew a little more irked as the guard replied to Daisy. Eh? I don't remember his name! I haven't been here in months, and it's not like we were best friends or anything!
"So much for a warm welcome." Frato sighed. "You could just introduce yourself to the lady instead of threatening me like that."
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Post by M&M&M on Aug 6, 2022 2:11:54 GMT
"Hmph! I should think you better than to talk to your elders like that." The old Dragoon folded his arms in disappointment. "And you ain't tricking me like that boy. I wasn't born yesterday. You either man up and tell me, after everything we went through, that you don't remember me, or you are not entering the city."
Just then, Killy was next to stick her head out of the wagon. "The hell is taking so long? Can we come out now?" Then she turned her head to see who was talking and saw the cleyran. "Ah. Well well well. Sir Byron, long time no see. Still harassing the innocent, I see."
The now identified elder pointed his head and eyes up in annoyance, then back at the black mage. "Hello Ms. Killy. Still causing trouble for others, I see. You've always had a big muzzle, even as a child. And I see you had a job change while you were absent." He shot back begrudgingly. "You know, your parents asked me to deliver a message in case I see you, so.."
"That's great, I don't care." The woman rudely cut him off and proceeded to bang the caravan with her hand several times. "Alright fuckers! We're here! Everyone get out so I don't have to smell your sweaty bodies anymore!"
The rest of Frato's party gladly obliged, hastily exiting out the vehicle and stretched out their arms and their clothing to let in some needed air.
Byron took heed of each member and shook his head again to Sir Frato. "I see some new and old faces. By Burmece, I hope you can keep them out of trouble. Or at least make sure they don't cause said trouble. So anyways, you said you were here for the wedding? Are you a friend of the bride or the groom?"
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Post by Robshi on Aug 6, 2022 23:08:00 GMT
Rrk... is this old man really gonna make me ask his name? Ah, Byron! I remember now! Thanks Killy, you saved me some embarrassment there. And... she's cutting him off, great. So much for not making this awkward.
Frato scowled as the black mage called for everyone to leave the caravan, joining his party by getting out himself. It's nice to actually be on my own feet again.
Turning his attention back to Byron, he answered the Cleyran's question. "Uh, I'm a friend of the bride. I guess the inn is going to be packed with wedding guests huh?"
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Post by M&M&M on Aug 7, 2022 1:21:01 GMT
Byron smirked at the question. "Heh, that's an understatement. I mean I'm sure you may find a few rooms left, but they will be over priced higher than the Cleyran tree itself. You're better off finding a girlfriend or friend's place to stay in. You lot should've came here earlier."
"Oh ho ho, that does sound like the better deal." Jack the moogle walked up near Byron and Frato. "Hey old timer, you two know each other right? How about letting us stay over your cozy little cottage?"
The old Dragoon's smirk was gone. "Hmph. Sorry but my pride's been skewered by a certain Dragoon. And speaking of which, my memory isn't bad enough to have forgotten you, little thief. Even if Burmece herself comes down and asks me on your behalf, I am not letting you in. Why don't you ask Ms. Killy here? Her folks owns a home big enough to accommodate you all, I believe."
"Nope! No no no!" Killy walked in quickly to put a stop to the conversation. "Not happening! No way! Keep me out of this! I'd rather we stay in an over priced inn than interact with my parents again!"
"Why, you have very bad parents?" Daisy asked, genuinely curious.
"Shut up, this is none of your business." Then the black mage turned to Frato. "Let's just go up our merry way and find a inn? Okay?"
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Post by Robshi on Aug 7, 2022 21:17:02 GMT
Oh great. I should've figured the town would be packed with a royal wedding planned. Although Rizer did get this arranged at short notice, just how many Burmecians could drop everything to come rushing here at such short notice?
Frato huffed a little in annoyance as Byron promptly turned down the idea of housing them, although the idea of staying with Killy's parents and the reaction from the Black Mage perked the hybrid up.
"It's not like you to suggest taking the pricey option Killy." Frato pointed out with a smirk. "Are they even more vocal than you? Or are you just too embarrassed to have them doting all over you in front of us? Well, in any case, let's get ourselves up to the settlement. Maybe our friends here thought ahead and booked somewhere ahead of time."
I really hope we don't have to rely on Violet. I can just see her trying to get me to spend the night with her.
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Post by M&M&M on Aug 8, 2022 2:31:19 GMT
"Oh wipe that stupid grin off your face." Killy obviously took offense to the man's questioning. "At least I have a home up there! Knowing you, your home is in the slums of Burmecia. Or next to a sleazy brothel..."
"I don't know, the boy has a point." Sir Byron was now wearing the same smirk. "Didn't she tell you folks? Her parents are very influential in Cleyra since they help make and design the outfits our maidens and dancers wear. So I'm sure they, including Ms. Killy herself, is quite wealthy since they happen to be popular outside this city as well." The old man can feel the woman spray daggers at him with her silent stare. "Oh, you didn't tell them? Well, consider it payback for earlier then. I can still go head to head with you youngster any day."
Killy was about to open her mouth to retort with a round of curses but she herself was barraged with a payload from her own allies.
"Whoa you're rich!?" Daisy exploded without thinking. "How can you not tell us?"
"Does this mean you don't need that 50 Gil I owe you?" Firebrand asked.
And of course Jack wanted to get on this action. "Ooo really? Hey toots, I can share you some nice juicy gossip on everyone here if you spare me some gil.."
"Shaddup! All of you!" Killy held her hands up. "As of now, discussion of me or anything personal is now prohibited! On pain of a slow fiery death! Got it!? Without waiting for a reply, then quickly stomped ahead of the group without waiting for them. And before Frato could lead ahead, Sir Byron stopped them with a yell.
"Hey! You're not leaving that caravan behind with me! I'm not your damn chauffeur. Either find someone to take your wagon in or leave someone behind to do it for you! And if you don't, I'm gonna have to charge you lot with littering."
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Post by Robshi on Aug 8, 2022 22:04:19 GMT
Frato's ears perked up as he heard Byron explaining about Killy's parents. Whoa, they decided the dancers garb? No wonder they're well off. Wait a minute, if she's from a rich family why has she been hounding me for money all this time? Heh... I wonder if it's because her parents want her to wear their designs? Pfft!
The hybrid had to suppress a laugh as the black mage started yelling at them before storming off. Hearing Byron start shouting about the caravan dampened the dragoon's expression somewhat.
"Hrm? Oh, alright." Frato replied. "Thanks for that juicy tidbit about Killy though. I would never her guessed her parents were behind the shrine maiden outfit." It does make me wonder just why she ran off and started dealing with the likes of Clan Carnicero in the first place. Guess she really is rebelling against her folks.
Turning back to his comrades, he looked towards Daisy. "Can you and Ditz bring the caravan in and return it to the moogle working with the ranch? I want to go on ahead and see where we can stay."
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Post by M&M&M on Aug 9, 2022 3:27:24 GMT
"You can count on us, Love!" The mole archer did a mock salute. Thanks to her love for the hybrid and readiness to get attention from him, she suffers no loss of affinity.
"OH darn, more work and more time in this heat.." The student groaned underneath it's helmet, who's head must be sweltering in the hot metal cage by now. This one suffers a 5% affinity loss. "Well...actually we don't have to go that far, I remember the rancher saying that there's another small ranch near the Cleyran entrance, so we just have to look around a bit to see if we can find them. Hopefully it won't take us long to catch up to you guys."
"Hmmm, should be a fair ways over that way, tho you'll be fighting with a few other wagoneers for the same honor." Sir Byron pointed at a certain direction with his spear then turned to Frato. "Alright, that's all I need. Need anything else, sonny?"
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Post by Robshi on Aug 9, 2022 21:10:52 GMT
"Thanks you two, I'll catch ya later." Frato smiled back at the pair. I knew I could count on Daisy. I picked Ditz because he's pretty reliable, but I suppose I forgot how lethargic he can be sometimes. You can spend all your time sleeping!
"Hrm? Ah, no, that's ok. We ought to get moving if we want to get a room." Frato replied to the older dragoon. "Come on guys, let's go find a bed for the night."
The hybrid then led the way towards the Cleyran settlement.
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Post by M&M&M on Aug 10, 2022 2:58:14 GMT
"Aye lad, take care and enjoy the festivities up there for me then!" Sir Byron waved back to Sir Frato, hopefully not for the last time. "And for the love of Burmece, stay out of trouble! The last thing I want to be remembered for is for hauling you or any of your friends to the cells!"
Frato led the long trek upwards the city's tree trunk alongside a swath of crowds going the same way. Every class of citizenry of Burmecia seemed to have been invited; to the lowliest slum dweller wearing trash garbs to the highest nobleman wearing their most sophisticated dresses, it appears all was invited to the celebrated bride and groom. There were even non-nezumi guests mixed in hailing from other territories like Treno and Alexandria, tho not nearly as many as burmecian citizens. Herding the crowd and making sure nothing goes wrong, there were scattered Burmecian soldiers every stone's throw ahead to help lead the way. Every so often, the soldiers would notice Sir Frato and his Dragoon garb and would give him a respective bow of the head, none barred him nor did they call out to bother him or his party.
Soon, Frato and his group come upon a large crowd that seemed to be peering over a bridge and pointing. Coming closer, they find a large sand pit far below with a interesting view or two very large insect-like pincers slowly coming closer to each other and then drawing apart almost mechanically. Dr. Mortimmer was the first to point it out with a child-like excitement and squeel.
"Oooo! There it is! The Cleyran Antlion! Look at how marvelous it's mandibles are! Oh just think of how many bodies of prey torn apart by such magnificence. Oh Sir Frato, we simply must get a closer look once this whole 'wedding' festival dies down!"
"I wouldn't make a bet on that one, Doc. We're lucky it ain't coming after us right now." Jack the moogle took a closer look at the docile creature. "Way I figure it, the Cleyran's musta fed it some sacrificial grub to keep that thing satisfied. So I don't think we'll be seeing it in action anytime soon.." The the thief gave a clownish smile to his leader. "Unless you wanna try to feed it something yourself, eh? Maaaaaybe try feed it a certain loud mouth black mage to blackmail some gil from her, eh? Heh heh."
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