Complete Private Story Quest All The Tenderness of a Seasick Slimeodile

[Zelrius]

His teeth were gritted during the entire healing process, head down so that it was only his red scalp that faced the woman. Ready to block the incoming verbal assault, and instead met with the strained 'No.' Instantly, his gaze lifted to meet hers. The sheepishness had melted away, instead replaced by a sense of intense comradery with Moonsong. This was two shitshows they had been together now, and for the most part, everyone had come out okay this time.

"Me neither." He admitted to her lonely sentence, thinking about how close he had come right there. The rest of them would have still made it - if Toko was anything to go by. That bunny-girl was a force of nature. Or maybe Natural Disaster was a better way to describe her. Like a hurricane or earthquake. Certainly that one was right that Zelrius had more fun today than he had since the Kurungaar. There was just something so exhilirating about embracing the moment, risking his life to do cool shit and really shine.

"No, I didn't." He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow down at Moonsong's feet, wondering if she actually could fly, as if she was just about to start doing it right now. A bit disappointed that she didn't show any excitement for his use of animancy as he had. It couldn't be helped, she definitely had others things to worry about. As did he. The man stood, gaze focused on Toko as she and the warrior-woman both offered that this thing be diced up and brought home. "The hide?" He asked drawing up his swords once again, looking at the way that the curved of the blade had so many dented and thinned, cragged metal in it now. Had something eaten away at them? Another look to the slimeodile, and he reasoned that it was just normal wear and tear.

The heat channeled through his hands to the metal, until each was red hot, the man stepped forward, cutting at a steep angle and letting it slip just beneath the skin, before working away the scaled slime hide. "Game loot is always the best part huh?" He smiled to the others as it stripped away from the body, and then helping with the dicing efforts. The Adventurer's Guild spirit inside the redhead reasoned that it'd atleast be worth some money if nothing else. "We might be able to get some sick new kicks out of this." Holding the skin down to his shoes, wondering if the slime part was any good for soles and buoyancy. Something to be scienced out later, or by someone smarter than he.

---

It didn't take long between the three of them to pick the large enemy apart, and separate him into carriable parts. That was that, though it wasn't all of the luggage the team had. Kyra was distant, mumbling. The only word he had been able to make out was his own name. Guilt rose inside of him. He'd have to make it up to her, owing everything to the foxgirl. His first instinct was to ask Moonsong to scoop her up but, truthfully. There was a part of Zel that made him uneasy to make the girls carry a whole other person. Even if the other two conscious ones were stronger than he. His ruined blades fell to the ground, eaten away and holes burned into them through by the corrosive nature of the slimeodile's body. dfsfWeapons gone, hands free, and a favor owed, the man walked over, and slipped a hand under Kyra's shoulderblades, and then another under her knees, lifting her up and tilting his arms back in order to keep her close and not let her limbs and body dangle away. Looking to the other with a small, joking smile of his own. "We're ready when you guys are."

 

[Lune]

The slimodile was big, but three of them were hacking away with such enthusiasm. It's a rare beast after all, they won't waste any body part they could sell. "Yup, it seems we'll be making banks out of this thing." Eyes, teeth, hides, meat, claws, just about anything that is not corrosive. Her blades are easy to replace since they're arcanely conjured, but Zel's were not even looking like a proper weapon anymore, eaten by the corrosive slime.

"Don't worry, we'll get you a better pair. Ones that complement your fire powers." Moonsong commented. It certainly looked like the excessive heat from the final attack did weaken the blades' structure. Perhaps Zelrius has outgrown his weapon, after all.

After organizing the loot into groups, they were ready to bring it back to the camp, and maybe ask for a bonus for the bounty for the totally misleading intel. "I'm ready to head back. Toko?" She looked at the hare, who's probably hauling the most body parts right now. That girl's strength is no joke. "Let's go, then."

---

They walked through the path where they came from before. It's not hard to find the way back, as they left tracks everywhere. Maybe only one or two hours have passed since they departed? The battle was deadly, but it was nowhere exhausting like Kurungaar battle. Speaking of the Red Fever, she knew Toko was a monster right from the Magikronos incident, but what Zelrius has displayed today is a far cry from his performance back in the joint operation. Moonsong looked at the man carrying a foxgirl in his arms, the guy she scolded the entire day. Maybe he does deserve some credit for that.

"Hey, uh." The girl stumbled through her words. "The soul-sucking heal thingy was pretty cool, I guess. Thanks again."

 

[Toko]

30 / 180

Adventurers Guild - Platinum Rank

Their synergy was admirable as they went about carving up the massive beast, Zelrius' heated blades making get through the tough exterior hide before Moonsong and Toko made quick work of the plump and firm flesh within. "I can't wait to try this over an open flame~" Already the Lepus could feel her mouth watering at the thought, just from the texture and firmness of the flesh alone the fighter could tell this beast was of very good quality.

"Moon-san is right... oh! You could even check in with Brutus, Zel-kun. We went spelunking for ore since he needs to construct a new canon, maybe he knows a good place that has ore for your blades?"

After all from what Toko had seen the man liked to infuse the metal with his pyromancy... finding an ore that was compatible and conductive for this purpose would no doubt give Zelrius an even bigger edge in battle as a result, and since Brutus also used pyromancy perhaps the man could guide the redhead in the proper direction for it?

"Ready to go~"

A thumbs up was given when Moonsong checked on them, the hare having offered for a good bulk work of the carrying—especially once it became evident someone would also need to give Kyra a ride until their little power healer was feeling better, a task that had fallen to Zelrius. A quick hand motion had brought up her UI palm menu, the hare taking the time to activate her < Investigation Mode > before they had begun to move, as she took the role of ranger for the group.

The additional information available to her thanks to the Nature mastery Toko possessed not only made backtracking their steps to camp easy... but also ensured nothing tried to sneak up on them as they went.

@Kyra Vashtana | @Moonsong | @Zelrius

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra

Swaying, as if in a hammock, or on a boat. It was a comforting feeling - and would've been far more comforting if her mind hadn't just connected the fact she had, moments ago - been locked inside the mouth of a large crocodile creature. Once it had made that connection, however, the pains of her wounds returned to her consciousness, and Kyra awoke in a sudden screaming fit, kicking and thrashing against the hold that carried her.

She felt herself slam into the ground as she managed to toss and turn her way from the grasp of the thing that had held her, blearily grasping at her scythe before stumbling to her feet in an unsteady ready stance, facing the creature before her. She cursed silently her wavering eyesight, swearing as she tried to focus on her opponent.

Something caused her to pause as she tried to study the thing before her, the blur of red and white, and numerous other colours coming into focus slowly.

"Zel...rius? Where....crocodile?"

Her mouth felt dry. The words were a chore to even choke out, barely audible as she stumbled forward, the weapon falling casually to her side as the effort of holding it up became too much. She felt her butt hit the ground, her head swimming as she tried closing her eyes to focus her senses.

"Water? Anyone...water?"

She knew she was going to have a pounding headache later. Even as she considered that, the flash of memories returned to her, managing to pull free of the beast as it died, crawling over to Zelrius and bringing the man back from the brink of death.

She collapsed onto her back, mumbling as she forced herself to stay awake.

"You really...need to stop dying..."

She smirked, eyes still closed, at her own joke. She wasn't even sure if she'd gotten the whole thing out, but she was sure that the concept would come across to the other. Either way, her throat hurt, her head hurt, and she just wanted a drink while she laid on the floor for a moment. It'll be nice once everything stops spinning. Never liked merry-go-rounds.

@Zelrius, @Moonsong, @Toko

 

[Zelrius]

"One's that compliment your fire powers." Zelrius couldn't help the smile on his face from that mention Moonsong made. That was actually a really good idea, some kind of metal that could take the heat, and stand up a bit better to usual wear and tear. Was there anywhere they could find metal to mix in with usual steel, or some kind of magic ore to make the usual weaponry, but a bit more resilient? Maybe she'd like to help with something like that. On a day that was maybe less irritable. Toko offered the immediate answer to the redhead's mental questions. Brutus would know, and there was not many people Zelrius would trust with information on the game than those two.

The bunnygirl was useful in a lot of ways. While they were walking, the man made an effort to turn his head slightly in order to see the brunette out of the corner of his right eye. It was difficult to focus on her while trying to keep it subtle. She seemed less angry than when they had first left. They'd need a chance to catch up, a check up. Perhaps if they could meet again outside of the Tangleweaves. "Yea, right?!" He said with a big smile and full turn to her in reference to the heal. "I honestly wasn't even sure if I could do it. A Lich had taught me the magic, and gave me some instructions. That was my first real time using it. Don't mention it!" Still amazed at himself at how it had worked so wonderfully. That was atleast a cool thing that he could tell her after he was done playing for the day.

Zelrius tried to fight the fussing foxgirl trying to escape his hold, to no avail. She broke free, hitting the ground. Kyra's forceful separation from his grasp and then reaching for her scythe made the far more alert pyromancer wary. He didn't hesitate, letting a small ring of flames surround the two and began looking around wildly for danger. Then she felt back over, asking where the crocodile was, and for him to stop dying. Or...herself?

The man turned on his heel, offering a free hand for the bags of the chopped up slimeodiles, a nonverbal way to ask for one of the others with some water to tend to their teammate, and help her to her feet. No more carrying people for this party.

They weren't far from town now. Kyra tended to, Moonsong's injuries sort of taken care of, and Toko able to sustain her own, it looked like their adventure was done for the day. Zelrius set his sack of slimeodile meat down by the stump of an old redwood tree that had been cut down, a place for them to rest for the moment. He pulled out the parchment, and then dug through Toko's bag of slimeodile bits, pulling out its top jaw and holding it up. "Proof that we won." He offered wagging the crumpled paper that he had taken a few hours ago. "If you guys stay here for a second, I can go turn this in, and come back and divvy out the rewards. Then we can sell the meat, and turn our separate ways. That one needs some time in the medical tent being looked at." Pointing to the Vixen in question, before his finger slowly drifted over to the Bunny as well, who could use a good chunk of healing.

---

Zelrius did just that, coming back with the gold rewards, separating it into little sacks made from old cloth that were just laying around camp. Handing one each to Toko and Moonsong, before looking at Kyra and sighing. He'd need to hold onto it until she was ready to go again. "I can take her over there, unless either of you wanted to?" Offering before they all split ways.

 

[Lune]

"You learned that... through a Lich?" She asked with raised eyebrows. That was a very odd thing to do, but perhaps a person who defied death is the best possible teacher for soul-based magic. "Tell me more about that someday."

The foxgirl suddenly wiggled and struggled out of @Zelrius ' grasp, causing her to fall to the ground. Luckily, she seemed fine, only dehydrated. Moonsong smiled at the fox's joke, tossing her bag of slimodile loot to the vacant hands before manifesting a skin container from her inventory. "It's a fruit juice." She kneeled near @Kyra Vashtana, offering to help her drink from the skin. "Careful, slowly. It should be relieving."

Not long after, they arrived back at the camp. The flame-head volunteered to turn in the rewards while they wait. "I'll be right behind you. Got something to protest about to these guys." The brunette pointed at the intel papers she was still carrying. After that, Moonsong's loud shouting could be heard across the camp, before the girl herself came back outside with stomping feet towards the party. "Turns out what we fought was never properly ID'd. It was a dangerous variant, now designated as Mega." She exhaled, looking at @Toko's wounds, feeling guilty. "And those gold-rankers couldn't even hunt a regular one. I should've confirmed the intel, sorry."

Grabbing her share of the gold sack, she tried to weigh it to estimate the gold inside. If she's anywhere right, each of them could buy a small property in the city with the rewards. "Looks like we've hit the jackpot." The job is finished, and Zelrius offered to bring Kyra to treat her further. "I'm good, still have a patrol to plan. I'll see you guys later." Moonsong waved at them as she walks off, before pausing for a second and looking back to Zelrius. "Oh yeah. Zee? We'll catch up later."

Seems that she had found herself dependable allies.

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra

She felt something pressed into her general vicinity, taking it carefully and drinking with the assistance of another. Slowly, the shape and imagery of Moonsong came into view, and Kyra closed her eyes as she sipped at the liquid. It contained an almost sweet taste to it, as if it was some sort of juice-substance. Whatever it was, it made her feel slightly better.

She slowly pulled herself into a half-seated position, leaning on her right arm to hold her up in place. Her head still spun slightly, and as she listened to the others, she managed to piece together that they had made it back to the camp itself.

She listened with a minor amount of amusement as Moonsong disappeared, before her voice carried over the air - a clear sign that she was screaming at someone, and Kyra almost felt a measure of pity for whomever was on the other end.

"She seems happy..."

She managed to mumble, before Moonsong returned - a grin plastered across Kyra's face as the brunette slid into her view again. Not missing a beat, she spoke her sarcastic question before she could stop herself.

"Yes, but do you feel better now?"

She found herself giggling slightly, and could feel Zelrius' worried gaze upon her. Shaking her head, she tried to clear the haze that seemed to surround her. Whatever it was - exhaustion, most likely - it refused to leave, lingering around her and covering her mind in a slight haze.

"I think...Zelrius might be right. Maybe I'll just hang around here for a little bit until I'm fully recovered. Although a visit to the medical tent sounds lovely. I'm sure someone there would need help..."

She sighed, softly. Her work was never done. Although she'd managed to help this group through, she knew others wouldn't be so lucky - there might even be some who truly required her assistance, who hadn't been so lucky with their own healers; if they even had any. Shaking her head again, she looked to the future - the work still to be done, knowing the sacrifices she'd make. The soft smile appeared on her face again, an almost sad instance to it. She looked forward to the help she could offer, but she knew that some would be beyond even her abilities.

"We should do this again...except maybe with a little bit less pain. That would be nice."

@Toko, @Zelrius, @Moonsong

 

[Toko]

30 / 180

Adventurers Guild - Platinum Rank

"Don't sweat it, Moon-san," Their return to camp had been uneventful, before the Lepus had waited with fascination as she could hear the brunette tearing out a new one to the people inside the quest tent. Upon her return Toko tried to comfort her, making a handwave motion to show there were no hard feelings in the mix. "As Guild adventurers those are the risk we signed up for anyways, and in the end it all worked out so no need to dwell on it~"

Everyone made it out in one piece, and they had acquired cool loot and payment for their efforts—in Toko's book that was a resounding W right there, and you always took those. A wave was given as the brunette went off to do her own things, the hare grinning before turning to look at Kyra and Zelrius.

"Yeeeaaah... I suppose getting some of these scratches checked on would be smart. C'mon then Kyra-chan, misery loves company in the medical tent after all~"

A hand was placed atop the purple vixen's head, ruffling the hair softly, before Toko gave a nos to the redhead. "See you around, and don't be a stranger... we're all just a message away after all." With that she begun to head for the medical area with their support in tow, a final wave given to the human as the pair walked off.

@Kyra Vashtana | @Moonsong | @Zelrius