Side Story Ilmea's Lament Roastmeats Upon Steaming Waters

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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Adventurers Guild

Ulfr's Camp, Ilmea's Lament

Ayna just stared at the naked little dog girl (@Charlotte Ann Marie) who interrupted her, uncertain as to what to say or do to her. With an eyebrow raised, she turned to @Kamala Graham, hoping the elf would help remind her who their eavesdropping party crasher was.

In her defense, though, Ayna pretty much spent most of that battle fighting the Leviathan up close and personal, with little to no time spent on socializing with both Landers and Starcalled. Even before the skirmish, the magia already had her hands full with assisting the Rune-callers. Her only respite was the few times Kamala switched places with her during the fight, though she'd always rush back immediately to duel the massive sea monster until it eventually had enough of her.

"..."

Thankfully, someone's lost child came up to them bearing gifts and flattery. Sadly, the bounty intended for Ayna was anything but. With a forced smile that was made even more awkward when she took both the skewer of greens and the skewer of...rod from the boy—the child held on to the pierced vegetables with his life for fear of Ayna being a complete glutton until the magia gestured toward the elf and powered through to victory, she tried to thank him for the effort at least. He didn't lose his teeth biting on my skewer, did he?

"You're a fighter, aren't you? Don't worry... The lady elf is in my charge. Thank you for the offering."

Of course, Ayna didn't put the skewered rod in her mouth, even after relinquishing the vegetable skewer to Kamala. She felt like she required more time to question whether that was appropriate or not, unsure whether to be grateful to or offended at the gesture, but that was more time that she didn't quite have, as a body flew straight for them from out of nowhere.

"Hold this please."

In one fluid motion, the Lightning Lancer of the Lament surrendered her skewer to the elf for safekeeping before sweeping her off her dainty little feetsies in a princess carry and then zooming out of the way well before @Erick Stryker's entire body could collide with theirs. As she did all that, her two Storm Drones, small constructs that resembled tiny mechanical bats, simultaneously unfolded from her wrists and attached themselves to the boy and the dog girl, hastening them both so they could help themselves. Ayna would have helped them herself if she could, but her hands were full at the moment. Full of elf.

❰ Drone Command: Gold in the Sands ❱

❰ Protocol: Residual Induction ❱

Once the dust settled and the threat was over and done with, Ayna carefully deposited Kamala back to her feet, all while scowling at yet another interruption. What's wrong with these kids? Do they not get enough attention at home?! These were bold thoughts, especially coming from someone who can't stop defying death in public, who literally just let herself die not too long ago because she didn't want Kamala to one-up her in the death count department, and who keeps getting unnecessary titles like the "Lightning of Lyrwick" and the "Lightning Lancer of the Lament."

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Adventurers Guild

Ilmea's Lament

Kamala chuckled at @Ayna Nietzsche's confidence, her balled-up hand finding its way to her mouth as her eyes disappeared in lines, more like inverted letter Us. She thought it was cute but at the same time very impressive. As for the wingwoman thing, she wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. Despite the fact that she had some semblance of confidence when performing her songs, she didn't quite have the same when it came to dating. Maybe that's why she was still single.

The elf was caught surprised when Ayna suddenly thanked her, and sort of @Chrys, as the gesture was something that she did not expect from the magia right then and there. Before she could say anything, however, a naked beastfolk girl (@Charlotte Ann Marie) came up to them. Kamala's eyes widened in horror at her lack of clothes and immediately looked away, blushing red. Catching a glimpse of Ayna's confusion, she slid next to her and whispered the reminder.

"She's with us... I think? Helped get you out of that Leviathan, if I'm remembering correctly..."

Kamala was in the waters, trying her best to survive, when the other girl was bombarding the Leviathan with her ship's cannons, so she wasn't quite sure what that was about. Ulfr had ships, too, so misremembering wouldn't be out of the question. Besides, Kamala wasn't even the sharpest tool in the shed. It took her a few seconds more to remember that she tried to heal the beastfolk girl during the fight. Or did I? I should probably take it down a notch, taking that herb... It's not helping with my memory...

When the boy came, Kamala's eyes widened in awe and amazement. She was overwhelmed by his kindness and his youth that he spent more time gawking at him than actually trying to receive his gift. Thank Tyldr for Ayna who did it for her. Once she received her skewer, she bent down to take a closer look at the boy, patting him carefully on the head.

"Aww... Thank you! You're so sweet! What's your name, little one?"

Kamala did not hesitate when Ayna asked her to hold her...skewered rod, not that she had any time to, because before she knew what was going on, the magia had taken her off her feet and ran off with her. It was already too late when she realized what happened. The sight of a discarded @Erick Stryker made her rush to him quickly as soon as Ayna let her go, checking him for any serious injury. Of course she remembered him. They were praying to the Lantern together for most of the battle.

"Goodness! What happened to you? Do you need healing?"

The concern on Kamala's face was palpable. Was the Leviathan back? Was someone trying to take revenge for its loss? One of their teammates was just attacked it seemed... Is there a traitor...among us? Kamala put a hand on Erick's shoulder as she waited for his explanation while looking around them every other second, paranoid at the prospect of more trouble when they least expected it.

 

[Chrys]

《⋯《 ⋯ ❖ ⋯ 》⋯》

Adventurers Guild

Weird Nude Viking Pop-up and Bath, Ilmea's Lament

Chrys was surprised when @Charlotte Ann Marie did what she did. He wasn't too pleased about it but he was also not too...annoyed? It was hard (heh) to figure out what he was feeling or what he should be feeling with the physical contact. On one hand, it did no one any harm. On the other? Was it a prelude to something he would regret later on?

"I just didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable, that's all. I am glad you don't...Captain."

Despite having been drowning in Ulfr's magic elixir, Chrys was able to still string together two whole coherent sentences. It would be so impressive, if it wasn't the bare minimum. Once the pirate captain left him with the old man, he heaved a sigh of relief, though for what reason, his head was too all over the place to come up with a reason. Maybe he, too, just enjoyed the sight of her beautiful behind like Ulfr. Sometimes, gamers just gotta enjoy the graphics, you know?

"You don't have... Well, it doesn't matter then."

Chrys was also surprised when Ulfr revealed he had no idea what a bamboo was, though to be fair, he may have just lived his whole life in this place that was probably not that hospitable to bamboos. So, instead, he celebrated his business agreement with the bearman. The fact that the drink could kill normal people, these landers, didn't even cross Chrys' mind. Why would it? These people aren't real. It's just a game. They'll be fine.

"You've got yourself a deal, old man! Although, speaking of deals, what's the deal with your lantern? Where did you get it? How do I get one? How much do they usually cost?"

The currently naked but usually armored adventurer didn't really think he could afford such an artifact, but he was curious about it and its kind. Never mind if it actually had a connection with the game's supposed god or whatever. If it's a powerful and potent magic item, it might be worth his time. He had no delusions of solo-ing a beast like that Leviathan, but just imagine what he could do to a small, profitable town with that kind of power. I could take over a small mining town in Lyrwick!

Chrys was too engrossed in such possibilities, he was actively ignoring whatever the hell was going on with the others. Unless someone was going to pay him more for his trouble, everyone was basically on their own.

@Ashifili*

 

[Ashifili*]

Erick reached out.

Out to extinguish the flame.

But it was not his to extinguish.

...

In the chaos of the crowd, the raucous violence that so easily gradated into merriment, Lune left alone, made anonymous once more by her cloak and the blizzard. Ilmea's Lament howled with an icy savagery, each step taken sinking ankle-deep as the warrior trudged on in solitude. The winds robbed her of her hearing, the snow of her sight, the cold of her touch, and it was only through the boons of the System that she had not yet marched herself off into the frozen seascape.

It was cold, indeed. The light of the Lantern shone on, illuminate the sheer sheets of falling snow that she was pushing her through, yet sharing none of the warmth it once had. Her limbs dragged on stiffly, a puppet pulled by chains rather than strings, any jubilation regarding her victory and escape slowly seeping away in the face of the drudgery of movement.

Slowly, quietly. That was how the siren took her prey.

And, gradually, a thought not her own began to form within her mind, a thought that seared itself into her very soul. A thought that knew.

Lune knew what she was doing, and the consequences there of. Not for her, but for those that she had left behind. If it was the hero who fought grand beasts in defense of the innocent, it was the villain who deprived the innocent of their one method of fighting back. And once lives were lost, no reparations could undo that loss.

This was the borderline, and there was no toeing it.

It was a simple matter then.

A step forwards, or a step backwards?

 

[Lune]

She made it. With no one stopping her, Lune slowly but surely made her way to go far away from Ilmea's Lament.

Then she stopped, looking at the Tyldr's Light she took; a source of godly blessing. If she could utilize it, she would definitely get stronger, maybe enough to protect everyone now. But was it right to even take this from the people of Ilmea's Lament?

Nah, they'll be fine. They still have another lantern. If anything, she'll be doing them a service by using it for the better. Tyldr will understand.

The woman wanted to take another step, but her legs refused to budge as other thoughts slowly appeared inside her mind. Was all that just a sad justification for her quest for power? Because it's for the best? Because she means good? Kill one, save thousands?

No.

She quickly banished the thoughts. The woman did not come here to hesitate, after telling herself that she would do literally anything, just to prevent the thing that happened with Kenji to befall someone else.

Even as she doomed multiple innocents to their fate.

The end justifies the means. She's not a hero.

The steel reaver already made her choice when she first came here. And so, she growled. "Astorea, Falderen, Arcia. Whether the sun shines on them or not, I will protect them." Lune gripped the lantern tightly, even though the light stopped producing warmth. "This is my oath." And with her resolve, she decided not to look back and pushed against the blizzard.

 

[Lily]

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Waltzing around in her birthday suit didn't seem to particularly disturb anyone, including her fellow Starcalled, who fought the Leviathan. That was good because aside from her clothes being unwearable at the moment, Charlotte just didn't feel like going around and trying to find them. She hoped the group ahead would entertain her rather than shun her anyhow. But her expectations were not quite met, unfortunately.

With @Ayna Nietzsche simply staring in presumed contempt, Charlotte could only assume that the other woman either disliked strangers or beastfolk. Either one was possible in this place, honestly. The elf, @Kamala Graham, who was clearly far more friendly with the magia didn't exactly appear all that welcoming either. The fox captain could only laugh awkwardly and scratch the back of her head at it all.

"Don't even remember me despite fighting such an epic foe together? Ye be breakin' me heart, lass!"

At least the kids that approached them brought about some joy, given their offerings. Although she had to giggle when she spotted what they offered the magia. Perhaps she should save some of the meat to then give it to her instead? Actually, would she even be able to taste it. She had a magia in her crew, but they never talked about things like that... something for later, then.

What little conversation there was, it too was quickly interrupted by another lad suddenly flying toward them. Charlotte was already one step toward @Kamala Graham when @Ayna Nietzsche got to her, being much closer. With the two girls getting away, there wasn't much for the fox to do but shrug, smile, and turn directly toward @Erick Stryker.

Her hydromancy got to work, ice rising from the ground and reinforcing her feet when the two directly collided. Although Charlotte did her best to catch the boy in a way where they wouldn't get too tangled. Just barely not getting knocked down, she let out a sigh and grinned at the poor lad, lying in her arms as if he was some kind of princess.

"Heh, interesting way of hittin' on woman, lad! Very direct, I like it!"

However did he feel, being held like that by a completely naked tomboy captain while probably being stared at by anyone and everyone around.

 

[Erick Stryker]

Erick glanced up at the women who huddled around him in awe, more from the sudden and jarring nature of the encounter than because of any instance of nudity. His situation quickly robbed him of the wherewithal to ask after Lune, and by the time he did remember, she would be long gone. Before that, however...

"Heh, interesting way of hittin' on woman, lad! Very direct, I like it!"

He looked up at the piratical woman (@Charlotte Ann Marie ) who had him swathed in her arms like a baby, and his Cheshire smirk was one born of innocence rather than intent. The burning in his cheeks did not abate despite his shameless flirty response. "Eheh... my hero?" he replied, less ironic than actually serious. The speed at which he'd been flung could have sent him into the wall, and he could have been hurt much, much worse than just his pride.

"Sorry, er, uh, I didn't mean to ah..." he gestured toward the woman, jerking backward quickly when he realized that any amount of movement might cause him to accidentally touch her body. "...you get it."

The burn of chastisement that came when he tried to reduce the flame to smoldering ashes was still much greater sting than being rescued. In fact, he almost preferred the second sensation. He looked to @Kamala Graham who hurried to his aid, asking if he needed to be healed. "Only if you can cure blushing at severe disadvantage," he joked, averting his eyes from literally the rest of the world, staring up at the sky. "I guess I should have just taken a bath with everyone else from the start."