Gnatty Spider - Rival Scorpion Saga: Vance

Meria Boucher: Do you have any more of those... ah, that potion that made me fast?
Isaudorel Vairemont: "I do, yes! I can bring them along, as well, my dearest Meria."
Meria Boucher: I believe that'd be for the best.
Meria Boucher - as she waits for everyone to become ready - may or may not be trying to restrain herself from batting at the moogle mailbox like a cat. She fails after about thirty seconds and smacks its pom.
Terres Regalius glanes over to Meria with concern.
Eleanora Clover: "Careful."
Eleanora Clover: "They've been known to come to live to take vengeance on those who strike the poms."
Eleanora Clover: (life*
Meria Boucher ...bats it again, unaware that she's being stared at. Once Eleanora speaks though, she turns to face the woman.
Meria Boucher: ...Truly?
Terres Regalius: "Gods, we have t' teleport, don't we? Ugh..."
Momi Hajinne sighs and shakes his head, closing his eyes and teleporting to begin the job assigned.
Eleanora Clover: "Ever been turned into a paissa before?" she asks, snickering.
Meria Boucher: I have not. That seems like it would be an interesting experience. Also, it would allow me to fulfill my desire to eat a Moogle.
Meria Boucher - with that awful statement - teleports.
Eleanora Clover grins, and then poof.
Terres Regalius is immediately sick as shit and ready to vom.
Eleanora Clover withdraws a tiny vial full of blue liquid from her coat pocket.
Eleanora Clover: "Take this."
Meria Boucher reaches out to pat his head.
Meria Boucher: ...Oh, it is floating in the water. That is unpleasant.
Momi Hajinne gets a steppin'.
Terres Regalius has a hand covering his mouth, before managing to return to his feet. "N....no, I'll— be alright in a little while. Just— give me a moment."
Eleanora Clover: "Take. The potion."
Isaudorel Vairemont promptly gets himself and his nice boots out of the water.
Eleanora Clover: "Trust me, I'm a doctor." She does not have a medical license but he didn't have to know that.

(Meria Boucher) "When someone tells you they are a doctor, it is best to trust them unquestioningly."
(Terres Regalius) stares at the vial with pursed lips, before hesitantly taking it from her. "Eugh.... fine."
(Artani Dazkar) "I... have some objections to that."
(Aurelle Surlaint) gives Terres a little pat on the shoulder, lending him a bit of healing aether. "Just breathe, you'll be okay."
(Eleanora Clover) "When I was unused to travelling from Doma-ways to here and back regularly, I made this to keep myself...let's say level. For you, since it's so bad, it won't fix your nausea completely but you'll manage."
(Eleanora Clover) "Even for someone with lots of aether to spare, that trip's a bit of a doozy."
(Terres Regalius) pops it open and downs it, feeling even a little better with the crutch of Aurelle's magic. It was.... nasty. But the best medicines always taste bad, right?
(Meria Boucher) After witnessing the Terres helping - or bullying? Who can say - Meria wanders out of the vomit-water and to Isaudorel's side. "I think Mister Momi went on ahead. Let's catch up."
(Aurelle Surlaint) noticed Momi had left them. Concerned, she turned to the group. "I think we should get going. I don't wish for any of us to be on our own."
(Terres Regalius) "Ah... right."
(Isaudorel Vairemont) "Very well, my dear Meria. Let us be off, then."
(Eleanora Clover) The specific taste was "great value blueberry". So, not great, but vaguely blueberry. Sort of.
(Meria Boucher) "...What makes it a great value?"
(Artani Dazkar) arched a brow. "-Vaguely- blueberry?"
(Momi Hajinne) appears to be debating directions, looking back and forth curiously for a while.
(Eleanora Clover) "Inside the big stone structure."
(Terres Regalius) is feeling much better after their nice walk in the dark. The chilled air helps the queasiness.
(Momi Hajinne) "Obviously." The viera says cooly, "Pr-probably better from the s-south."
(Eleanora Clover) "I'll defer to you on this. I know where it is - not much more."
(Meria Boucher) Meria lets the others take point from this point on, instead turning her mask up to the canopy of bright stars above.
(Isaudorel Vairemont) "Consulting the stars, my dearest Meria?"
(Momi Hajinne) "Hm...s-south is shorter...th-there's ruins for co-cover should we-we require a place to hide..." Momi mutters shaking his head and starting on again.
(Meria Boucher) "Yes," she says absently. "They're very loud tonight."
(Terres Regalius) doesn't even question and follows, he seemed to know where he was going.
(Aurelle Surlaint) smiled at Momi. "You are doing very well at taking the lead today. I'm proud of you," she said only to him.
(Isaudorel Vairemont) "Hopefully not overly loud or unhelpful."
(Momi Hajinne) glances back at Aura and gives a half smile, seeming a little off kilter, "Th...thank you..."
(Terres Regalius) wasn't listening at all, no sir.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || As they approach the location, two guards could be seen standing at the entry to the Sepulchre. Not a single patch of skin could be seen on their bodies, scarves covered their necks and lower half of their faces. They stood completely still, not even shifting on their feet or making any sign that they were even alive.
(Momi Hajinne) stops against a rock, looking ahead, ears twitching curiously, "Hm..." His voice, already quiet, goes MORE QUIET!!!! "A-and what ha-have w-we here...?"
(Terres Regalius) examines the guards carefully, before whispering, "... Shall we take them out?"
(Momi Hajinne) shakes his head "I-I can't even he-hear br-breathing..."
(Eleanora Clover) "...???? are they, golems?" she mutters under her breath. "Creepy."
(Artani Dazkar) frowned, removing her bow from her shoulder. "Voidsent?"
(Aurelle Surlaint) gripped her staff in her hand nervously. "I do not like this. Their aura feels very off."
(Meria Boucher) Meria stares up at the stars again, murmuring to herself, "Something obscured or something hidden? Or, hm. Sight taken away..."
(Momi Hajinne) looks around at the group, focusing on Artani, "Ca-can you h-hit one of th-them accurately...? P-perhaps w-we can guage a reaction...and pe-perhaps not be seen just ye-yet..."
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isaudorel mutters to himself. "I imagine that, whatever it is, it still be vulnerable to acid."
(Terres Regalius) glances back at Artani. "I got knives, ye've got a bow. Wanna try and get'em both at once?"
(Momi Hajinne) "I-I mist ask i-of you try f-for both...d-do not fail to k-kill them in o-one shot."
(Eleanora Clover) ./em waves them off for a second and takes a few steps closer, trying to see if they *are* void monsters or not, just sensing off the cuff.
(Terres Regalius) "Well, if they're not human, that might be difficult— but i'll be sure t' aim at a vital organ." Hopefully they had those, given how everyone was freaking out about them.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || Despite all of their whispering, it seems the guards remained still. No matter the amount of time that had passed, they had yet to make any kind of movement.
(Artani Dazkar) nodded at Terres. "Worth a try."
(Momi Hajinne) sighs, "This is why I-I'd prefer to test one...i-if it fails th-there is ev-ever going "ha-ham" as some would say..."
(Eleanora Clover) "....You ever stared at a doll for an extended amount of time?" she asks in a hushed tone toward the group.
(Terres Regalius) "Y' want th' furthest, and I'll take th' one closer?"
(Terres Regalius) "Hmm... then perhaps we should both aim at th' same one."
(Terres Regalius) "Can try t' pick off th' closer one..."
(Isaudorel Vairemont) He looks to Eleanora, nodding. "There's a non-zero chance we're doing exactly that, Miss Eleanora. Nothing should be so still, lest it is a construct of some form."
(Artani Dazkar) hummed softly. "Closest one first, then? Everything we've got."
(Eleanora Clover) "You know, if the Viera here wants to fiddle with one, you could take the further one and I could try and yank the other one over and tether it to this rock."
(Meria Boucher) Meria withdraws her deck, staring at the guards and turning the first card over. If she could manipulate fortune away from their favor, that'd be Neat. Even if she's just cursing dolls.
(Terres Regalius) gauges the rock to their left, before climbing up ever-so-silently and pulling out a large throwing knife as he sized up his target. In a whisper, "On your hit."
(Eleanora Clover) "....Or we do it that way." Ellie shrugs and pulls her staff loose. "There's always explosion."
(Momi Hajinne) frowns at Elenora, "T-try to listen t-to what's going o-on..." he scolds gently, holding up a hand for the group to wait until a reaction comes from the stone still guard.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || Unfortunately the curse didn't seem to take effect on either of the guards, however Terres' knife manages to strike the closet guard. It cuts through the cloth of his scarf and into his neck. He falls over with a thud. The other guard turns as Artani's arrow flies by. He stands still for a long while before rushing forward and standing in front of the group. He doesn't seem to do much else... almost as if he were listening.
(Terres Regalius) "What th' hell—"
(Momi Hajinne) jolts as the guard rushes...and then stands there. He seems hesitant to speak, looking back at the others with a concerned gaze.
(Eleanora Clover) "........"
(Eleanora Clover) Eleanora opts to rest her staff at her back and just stare back at him.
(Meria Boucher) Meria instinctively shifts herself in front of Isaudorel before turning over the next card on the deck floating beside her. She glances at it.
(Artani Dazkar) blinked a couple of times as the guard seemingly flew towards them only to stop and stare abruptly. "Yeah. No." She reached to her side and threw one of her daggers towards its throat.
(Terres Regalius) keeps himself dead still atop of his rock, hoping that perhaps if something happens, he wouldn't be spotted.
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isaudorel smiles down at Meria behind his mask, patting her on the head.
(Aurelle Surlaint) instinctively held out her staff in front of her, startled by the guards odd actions. "W-what do we do?"
(Momi Hajinne) sighs and shakes his head as Artani just goes for it, "Th-that I suppose."
(Eleanora Clover) Ellie staaaaaaaare.
(Momi Hajinne) removes his cane from his back, closing his eyes and lighting it with aether in a small burst before he rolls because god told him to.
(Meria Boucher) Meria butts her head against Isaudorel's hand, waiting to see the result of her compatriots efforts before jumping in herself.
(Isaudorel Vairemont) He reaches into his coat and pulls out an all-too-familiar vial of green liquid, still patting Meria with his idle hand. "I will hold my fire until you tell me otherwise, my dear Meria. Simply say the word."
(Camilla VanceMateus) || Even with a knife to the throat, the man remains standing. He pulls sharp pins from his side and throws them at everyone who spoke. Aure and Momi are struck with the pins, while the other's managed to dodge.
(Terres Regalius) Terres drops to his stomach to dodge whatever was thrown at him, very quietly grunting in frustration.
(Momi Hajinne) is struck by pins here and there and everywhere. He bites his lower lip and holds in a groan as he feels them dig into his flesh...smal but hurtie. In retaliation he lifts his cane and with some force he ????ing hurls a stone spell at the guy.
(Aurelle Surlaint) shrieked as the sharp pins embedded themselves in her flesh, one just nearly missing her eye. Tears welled up as she attempted to pull them out.
(Artani Dazkar) leaped back just as the...thing started flinging pins. Frowning, she moved a bit of a ways away and fired a couple of arrows at the thing's face and neck.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || The guard is struck in the face with an arrow, but he remains standing.
(Meria Boucher) Meria, not approving of anything that shoots thumb-tacks at her stupidly beautiful husband, extends her hand and clenches her fist. It can't pull its Cactaur manuever if she's crushing down on it with the oppressive force of gravity... right? She glances back and nods at Isa.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || Seems uneffected by the gravity, still standing in the exact same spot as before he remained staring.
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isaudorel takes a breath and adjusts his mask before throwing a vial of acid at the thing.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || The acid falls just before his feet. He doesn't react to it.
(Terres Regalius) furrows his brow as everyone's attacks don't even seem to phase it— and so he attempts to do just as he did to the other, and fling a throwing knife directly into that vital spot of its neck.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || He is struck once again in the neck, finally falling to his knees slumping forward silently.
(Eleanora Clover) "...." Ellie kicks the body to see if it moves."
(Terres Regalius) holds still for a long moment, before relaxing and moving back up to his feet. "Uh... well. Hm."
(Meria Boucher) Meria looks up to Terres, nodding in approval, before striding forward to investigate the corpse. What spooky nonsense is all this? She pulls at the fabric concealing it with her single hand.
(Terres Regalius) drops himself down off of the rock to examine the body with the rest. "So... anyone got any idea what th' hell is up with these... people? Things?"?
(Aurelle Surlaint) smiles weakly at Terres, still trying to pull the pins from her skin.
(Terres Regalius) "Hells, Miss Aurelle, are y' alright..?" He looks over her with deep concern.
(Artani Dazkar) walked over to examine the body as well, frowning. "This one took a decent amount of punishment. Makes me wonder what we'll find in the rest of this place.
(Artani Dazkar) :
(Camilla VanceMateus) || Pulling away the cloth from his face, one would see his face was covered in strange markings and his eyes were completely white.
(Eleanora Clover) "If you lot want to fiddle with the corpse," Which she steps over and past, "I'm gonna go see if I can see anything further in." So she does just that, peering in once past the wooden barrier.
(Artani Dazkar) gave Meria and Momi both an inquisitive glance. "Voidsent....or something else, do you think?" She shook her head. "Cant' say  I've seen anything like it."
(Aurelle Surlaint) nodded to him, trying to heal herself and remove the damnable tiny needles at the same time. "I think...I got them all? I don't see anymore..." she glanced at herself, the pain slowly fading.
(Momi Hajinne) shakes his head, "I-I will return t-to note th-these markings...f-for now i-it seems be-best to assume w-we will see more."
(Momi Hajinne) "The priority is Ca-Camilla...w-we can puzzle th-this together o-once he is s-safe yes?" He tries to be reassuring in his smile.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || Further inside the Sepulchre, one could see even more of these strangely acting men. They stood around silently, not speaking or moving in the least. Though a bit further back in the cave, a form could be seen moving.
(Terres Regalius) gives her a look-over himself, confirming that she indeed retrieved them all. There was a small amount of guilt in his chest. "Aye...I'll try t' stay close t' you, from now on."
(Eleanora Clover) Rather than whistle or run the risk of being heard, she opts to return to the group without much sound, and relay to them what she's seen. "More inside, all...oddly still. One thing in there is moving, but I couldn't tell if it was our target."
(Aurelle Surlaint) blushed. "T-that isn't necessary. But I appreciate it," she answered shyly, turning her attention to the others.
(Artani Dazkar) "Yeah, you're right. Shit just gives me chills, and not in the good way." Rolling her shoulders, she looked over at Elanora. "So.....safe to say they'll let us pass unharmed, so long as we're quiet?"
(Meria Boucher) "Agreed. I am hazarding a guess that they all are in a similar state. If we are quiet, we should just be able to sneak by."
(Eleanora Clover) "If that's the trend you found. All I know is that I wasnot struck, and all of you were."
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isaudorel nods to Momi and places a finger over where his lips would be if he wasn't wearing the mask in an attempt to assure the boy.
(Eleanora Clover) "If all of you made noise, then that could be the 'trigger' for them."
(Terres Regalius) "Do they respond t' any sound? We'll have t' exercise incredible silence if that's th' case."
(Eleanora Clover) "We'll just have to be on our a-game, then. No more words if you can help it, all."
(Momi Hajinne) exhales, letting out the biggest sigh he can before he decides to move on ahead.
(Meria Boucher) "They responded mainly to speech before. They couldn't hear us breathing, at the very least."
(Momi Hajinne) sticks close to the wall of the place, glancing around at all the weirdos, ears still trying to pick up like...y'know...l i f e...anything. Preferrably friendly life.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || Now further inside the cave, it was obvious the guards that remained were similar to those outside. They were unmoving and still. Beyond them however, a hyur sat, tied by the hands. He didn't seem to notice the group just yet.
(Eleanora Clover) Eleanora curiously moves away from the group, slowly making her way off to the opposite end.
(Terres Regalius) studied the other guards, noting their positions and how they held deathly still as the others before. He watched Eleanora branch off and away, and he'd do the same, but in the opposite direction... taking absolute caution and care in his steps.
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isaudorel looks over the still and silent guards, making sure he's never too far from Meria and the rest of the group.
(Momi Hajinne) curious as well, kneels down to pick up some loose stone. He tosses it up and down in his hand before he chucks it southwest. Watching where it lands and makes a skittering sound. Curious as to if the noise was something the guards would pick up. does not exist.
(Artani Dazkar) moved just oppoisite Terres, but in front of Elanora, completing the semi-circle.
(Aurelle Surlaint) glances around the cave before closing her eyes and attuning to the aether in the room. She was reaching out for any sort of sign as to what these creatures were composed of, some hint as to what they were and how to stop them.
(Terres Regalius) kept his ears open, hands held at the hilts of his daggers, as he had a thought. Weren't these... things, fundamentally flawed? It wasn't difficult to determine how they reacted to sound... Theoretically, moving past them wouldn't be too big an issue.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || All of the guards turn on their heels at the sound of the rock, they stare in it's direction but don't move to attack. This also brought Camilla's attention forward, glancing around at the group that was now making their way into the cave.
(Meria Boucher) Meria holds up a finger to her mask. Shhh, Camilla. Shhh.
(Eleanora Clover) Eleanora raises her hand, waving the group toward Camilla, but not moving herself toward the "hostage" (question mark). She'd had an idea, maybe?
(Momi Hajinne) seems pleased by that reaction. Wondering if a BIGGER ROCK WOULD WORK BETTER. He is too distracted by rocks to do much else. Picking up a rock the size of a soccer ball and liofting it above his head like he means to chuck it next.
(Meria Boucher) Meria points at Momi mid rock-chuck, then points at Terres and Artani, making a cutting motion with the side of her hand. Yes???
(Terres Regalius) moves with the guards' distraction, moving a bit faster toward Camilla as the "golems", or whatever they were, picked up sound with their own movement.
(Momi Hajinne) being smart sometimes bit not all the time, HucKS the rock in the direction he had tossed the last one. Biting his tongue HAr D to avoide making a grunt of exhertion.
(Eleanora Clover) As Terres moves toward Camilla, Eleanora abruptly brings her hands to her mouth and whistles s loud as she can possibly manage.
(Artani Dazkar) quietly nocked an arrow, meeting eyes with both Terres and Meria with a nod.
(Terres Regalius) shoots a look toward Eleanora. Ah, he had thought about doing something like that, himself.
(Terres Regalius) With a glance toward Artani, Terres whips out a throwing knife in each hand and readies himself.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || All guards imediately walk toward the sound and huddle around the rock. They throw pins at it then remain staring at it.
(Meria Boucher) Meria tugs on Isaudorel's sleeve, and then taps one of the vials in his coat before laying her palm flat.
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isa removes a pair of vials, handing one to Meria just to be safe.
(Meria Boucher) Meria proceeds to draw the vial upwards with a gravitational pull, and then points at the vial in Isa's hand.
(Artani Dazkar) looked up at the others, then waved her bow in the air, pointing towards the prisoners while making a "let's go" moptiuon.
(Artani Dazkar) motion**
(Eleanora Clover) Eleanora shrugs, and toward the group around the rock, begins to cast and release a fireball hopefully enough to take the group out in one swoop?
(Terres Regalius) doesn't hesitate to follow her, still keeping an eye on the guards. If they seemed to head toward anyone, knives were being thrown.
(Aurelle Surlaint) stands and whispers very quietly in Momi's excellent rabbit ears. "If they grab Camilla, we can cause a rock slide in the far side of the cave. It will be distracting enough to cover their escape and block them from following us."
(Meria Boucher) Seeing Eleanora begin to cast, Meria seems to change tactics, pointing at her, then Isa, then counting down with her fingers. In tandem with Eleanora's fireball!
(Momi Hajinne) tilts his head in Aure's direction. He's not as confident in quiet talking (probably because he has a negative in speech) so he just gives a thumbs up and watches the two different scenarios unfold.
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isaudorel launches the vial, attempting to perfectly time everything together, just as Meria had no doubt planned from the beginning.
(Artani Dazkar) Seeing Terres, Tani moved in towards the prisoner, immediately putting a finger to her lips as she made her way in front of Camilla.
(Meria Boucher) Meria flings the vial towards the group just as Eleanora finishes the cast. That - that's gotta be distracting, right?
(Meria Boucher) After the throw, Meria takes Isa by the elbow and just... pulls him back towards the entrance. Just a little.
(Terres Regalius) follows with Artani and quietly moves to undo any bonds they may have around their hands.
(Camilla VanceMateus) || The fire and vials hit the guards, causing their bodies to catch fire and erode. They just sort of stand there, though one of them falls to the ground after some time.
(Artani Dazkar) crouched down to Camilla, head close. "I'm Artani, that's Terres. More later. Can you walk?"
(Isaudorel Vairemont) He gives Meria a very appreciative nod as he's pulled.
(Eleanora Clover) Eleanora mouths, "Mother ????ER!" Just you know....without saying it. Because talking is banned in this thread.
(Meria Boucher) Meria just... looks up at Isa.
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isa removes his mask for a moment. He's smirking and gives her a few nods.
(Camilla VanceMateus) nodded, fumbling a bit to his feet while staring at the two.
(Aurelle Surlaint) begins to gather as much earth aether as possible, preparing to bury the guards as soon as Tani and Terres came back with Camilla.
(Artani Dazkar) "Good. Let's go." She turned to see where the others were as far as distracting the guards before starting to walk over.
(Meria Boucher) Meria makes a vague gesture with her hands, her fist closing and then opening.
(Momi Hajinne) moves beside Aure, reaching his cane out to mimic Aure. Closing his eyes and focusing his aether.
(Eleanora Clover) Eleanora again begins to cast - this time a lightning bolt toward the wall, to cause an explosion against the wall opposite the exit.
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isaudorel simply shrugs, looking thoroughly unimpressed, even with the mask hiding his features.
(Aurelle Surlaint) grinned in satisfaction as their combined efforts brought the entire ceiling of the cave down inbetween them and the guards. "Okay now would be a good time to run!" she shouted to everyone before the whole cave collapsed.
(Eleanora Clover) Ellie didnt wait to see if it worked before NYOOMING the ???? out of there.
(Meria Boucher) Meria points to Isaudorel, then herself, then taps the mouth of her mask with two fingers. After that there is a pause, and she makes a weird circle with her hand. She does not wait for Isaudorel's reply before pulling him out of the cave after the others.
(Artani Dazkar) ran out after the others, checking behind her for a very quick headcount.
(Terres Regalius) immediately followed suit, keeping his behind them the whole time just in case something else decided to follow them. "Well... mission accomplished, aye?"
(Momi Hajinne) "I-I suppose s-so..." He looks around to make sure there are no constructs around before he sighs in relief. Glad to be unpinned for now, "Th-this is Camilla th-then? Y-you are unharmed?"
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isa dutifully follows his wife out, remaining perfectly silent *just* in case there were any additional noise-activated weird cactuar guard men. He nods and gives an overly polite bow, holding his hand palm up.
(Eleanora Clover) "Are we sure there aren't any more of those shitty experiments?"
(Terres Regalius) "Well, nothing's come charging at us so far."
(Camilla VanceMateus) pulled the mask off of his face and took a deep sigh, he stared up at the sky then to the group. "Thanks for the bust, I don't know who you all are but I was getting sore as hell." He glances to Momi. "Yea, I'm Camilla." He looks a bit reserved, unsure what to think of this group.
(Meria Boucher) Meria looks up at Isaudorel. Pauses. Then, she points at his hand, and then her mask. It is unclear why she is still communicating in vague hand gestures, but whatever, no one's dead so it's probably okay.

(Momi Hajinne) nods, looking relieved, "W-well...I suppose th-the best I can say is Batachikhan s-sent us..."
(Eleanora Clover) "Well good!" She brazenly walks up behind Camilla and puts her hand to his back at the base of his neck. "Mission accomplished. Let's get this one back and be upon our day!"
(Aurelle Surlaint) looked the boy over, checking for any obvious injuries. "Are you hurt anywhere? What did they do to you?"
(Terres Regalius) "Aye. Miss Bata said that you're a colleagye of Shadi's."
(Terres Regalius) colleague*))
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isa seems taken aback for a moment, but offers Meria his hand. He still isn't speaking, just gesturing like an idiot.
(Camilla VanceMateus) listened to their words and eventually loosened up his guard. "Oh? Didn't think she'd really send people after me." He then waves a hand at Aure. "Yeah, I'm good. I'm good. Just glad to be out of there." He glanced back at the cave, then to the others. "Aye, I'd be glad to get the hell away from here."
(Eleanora Clover) "Can you teleport?"
(Terres Regalius) "I'd suggest we get th' hell out o' here as soon as possible. Who knows if they might send more o' those things when they realize something's wrong."
(Camilla VanceMateus) nodded. "Whatever's the fastest way, I'm game."
(Meria Boucher) Meria threads her fingers through it before bumping her mask against his knuckles. "Later. Mind helping me drag one of the bodies back? I'd like to take a more detailed look at the runic patterning."
(Aurelle Surlaint) nodded, relieved they had all gotten out unscathed. "I agree with Terres. For all we know those thing might claw their way out of the rubble."
(Artani Dazkar) "Getting out of here is probably for the best. I -still- feel like this was too easy."
(Isaudorel Vairemont) Isaudorel gestures something... before seeming to finally realize he's allowed to speak again. "Of course, my dear Meria!"
(Eleanora Clover) "Don't question it." she tells Tani. "Just warp away and call it a day~."
(Terres Regalius) "Would we be able t' even bring one o' them through a teleport..?"
(Eleanora Clover) "Something about looking a gift horse in the mouth, y'know."
(Camilla VanceMateus) stares at Momi's hand a moment before taking it and nodding firmly.
(Meria Boucher) Meria looks to Terres. "I think so, if I hold it close enough. "
(Momi Hajinne) looks around at the group, "W-we can talk more upon arriving home." He says before he closes his eyes and begins the teleport beehaw home.

-


Isaudorel Vairemont >> linked/explained (kinda) o/
Momi Hajinne sighs and shakes his head at poorm terres, "V-visit m-my room sometime...I-I will brew y-you a tea for th-this sickness..."
Artani Dazkar: "Are you....that sensitive to aether travel?"
Terres Regalius had a hand over his mouth, again, as he was crumpled toward the ground. He vaguely nodded at Artani's question.
Meria Boucher has one arm of a corpse thrown over her shoulder. Isaudorel is, presumably, helping her drag the other half.
Isaudorel Vairemont is absolutely helping his fiance drag a corpse back to the house, because he is a Good Man.
Momi Hajinne sighs, "Le-lets get inside...I-I'll get Te-terres tea and w-we can relax..."
Terres Regalius barely manages to lift himself off of the ground, his legs shaking, before frantically and slowly following.
Meria Boucher: Let's bring this to the cold room for later.
Isaudorel Vairemont: "Absolutely, my dear Meria. I look forward to finding out more about these..." He jostles the corpse a bit. "Whatever you'd consider it."
Meria Boucher: Yes, I am curious about its physiology.
Meria Boucher: And then, once we've taken care of the corpse, I can make good on those promises. Also, we can acquire dinner.
Isaudorel Vairemont: "A wonderful idea! A bit of celebration after a job well-done."
Isaudorel Vairemont says this in the most normal tone of voice, like he's not dragging some weird experimental corpse.
Meria Boucher nods. "Yes." Then, after giving the courtyard a quick look around, she leans forward to grab the fabric of his glove with her teeth and... gives him a slight preview with her mouth. While holding a corpse.
Meria Boucher is Completely Normal.

-


Isaudorel Vairemont >> it is a good plan.
Momi Hajinne pops out of the kitchen holding a tray with two small teapots and four cups. One pot is filled with a golden tea, rich in color and smelling strongly of ginger and honey and lemon. The other is filled with a bright pink tea. Flavored with dried cherries and rose hips. Setting the tray on the counter he pours some of the golden tea for Terres and holds out the cup, "He-here...to soothe you."
Terres Regalius reaches and takes the offered cup from Momi. "A-ah.... thank you. I really appreciate it."
Terres Regalius then gingerly sips on it, relieved that it didn't taste like literal toxins.
Momi Hajinne nods and once that cup is taken he pours a cup for Aurelle and then one for Camilla. Beckining the hyur to come sit, "C-come come...I-it's better to sit while you ha-have tea." Probably. Momi is a medic so he probably says correct things now and then.
Aurelle Surlaint happily accepted the tea, breathing in the fruity and floral scent before taking a small sip. She turned to Camilla, her eyes curious. "May I ask how you ended up with those...things?"
Meria Boucher is no longer carrying a corpse or wearing clothes that have touched a corpse. She lofts her single hand in greeting to the gathering as she enters.
Terres Regalius lets out a heavy sigh. Gods, he felt like he'd drunk an entire wine cellar.
Momi Hajinne notices Meria and pours a fouth cup of tea, beckoning her over as well, "H-hello Meria...th-that's a lovely dress...c-come sit and talk wi-with us...I made tea!"
Meria Boucher: Thank you for the compliment, Mister Momi. I would love some tea. Would you like some scones? I baked them earlier; this seems like a good occasion for them.
Camilla VanceMateus took a seat on one of the stools, watching the three interact with each other. He then glanced to Momi to nod slowly. "Thanks, I appreciate it." His words were a bit curt but he seemed to mean them. His gaze eventually moving to Aurelle as he took one of the cups. "Yeah, well. I was doing some recon for Bata. You know, like looking into this Scorpion business. Then out of no where these things gang up on me and take me to this weird ass hideout."
Momi Hajinne lets the other talk serious as he smiles at Meria, "I-I can fetch them if you t-tell me where they are...th-they do sound good...i-its been a while s-since I've had good pastries..."
Terres Regalius happened to notice Meria fromhis peripheral, before glancing over and oh gods why was she so cute why did these things happen when Isaudorel was not present or also intoxicated. He..... needed to lay down.
Terres Regalius did just that, taking a frantic drink of his tea, before leaning forward and resting his head on the bar counter................and then promptly passing out.
Meria Boucher nods, sliding onto the stool next to Terres and Camilla. "They're on the right counter, on a platter with blue floral designs and covered by glass.
Meria Boucher looks over at Terres. "Oh dear," she says softly.
Momi Hajinne nods, dipping into the kitchen for only a moment to fetch the platter. He returns in a flash, setting it out on the counter before he walks around the also have a seat and nibble at one of those scones.
Aurelle Surlaint gazed thoughtfully at Camilla. "No doubt sent by this scorpion group to keep you from obtaining any information. Were you able to find out anything before they took you?"
Meria Boucher || She's prepared a nice assortment - tender and soft with fruits such as cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, and even one with cheese and ginger. She nods her thanks to Momi, and delicately removes the mask from her face, revealing the rampant scarring that marks the right half of her features.
Camilla VanceMateus chuckled nervously. "Sort of? I dunno, not much of note I don't think." He reaches into his shirt and pulled out a small, worn document. "I think they've been keeping tabs on this place." He put the paper down on the bar top, it was covered in plenty of tiny scribble. "I tried to get those weird ass dudes to talk but they'd just throw pins at me, so I gave up."
Meria Boucher: If I had to hazard a guess, I'd presume they were not able to speak. The last agents I encountered were rendered mute.
Aurelle Surlaint beamed at Meria as she chose a blueberry scone to go with her tea. "These look wonderful!" she said happily, before returning to more pressing matters. "May I take a look at the document?"

Meria Boucher dips her her in an appreciative nod towards Aurelle, then selects a cranberry one for herself to pair with her tea.
Momi Hajinne looks a bit sleepy as he eats a second scone. It's been a long day and he's been more bold than usual. He rubs a few crumbs from a cheek and leans a bit to look at the document should it be handed to Aurelle.
Camilla VanceMateus slid the document over the bar. "Yeah sure." He remained quiet a moment before adding. "I think they might be aiming to come here directly, but that's just my guess. I ain't no strategist."
Meria Boucher turns her attention to Camilla. "Here? " She repeats, as if prompting him for clarification.
Camilla VanceMateus: "Like, this place. Your home? Whatever you call it." He gestures around the room.
Aurelle Surlaint carefully took the worn paper and set it on the bar in between her and Momi. "It would be rather foolish to come here, where we have many skilled fighters able to defend the property."
Momi Hajinne looks concerned, "...that's no good...th-this isn't s-some fortified mi-military ba-base...a-an attack c-could be devastating..." he yawns, "Mmph...Ba-Batachikhan w-will surely wa-want to know about this..."
Meria Boucher: Interesting. Hm.
Meria Boucher looks over at the paper, squinting. "Now, how would they acquire the plans to this place, I wonder?"
Aurelle Surlaint furrowed her brow as she looked over the paper and the troublesome information written there. "How did they find these things out? You would have that Batachikhan would know if someone was lurking about. These is worrisome indeed."
Momi Hajinne leans to look at the paper and sees the name "Jun". There could be a lot of Juns! ARMIES of Jun even! But he looks...ill...when he sees it, "Hm..."
Meria Boucher: ...Mister Momi, what is it?
Camilla VanceMateus shrugs. "I dunno... considering the type of guards they had sitting with me, seems like we're dealing with something beyond normal."
Momi Hajinne: "It's...the name here might be fa-familiar to m-me..." He sits back now, "I-it's been a wh-while since I-I've heard it...P-perhaps I ought to br-bring this to SH-shadi's attention as well...i-if he doesn't already know..."
Camilla VanceMateus expression darkens as Shadi is mentioned. "If it's the same Jun I'm thinking of, he should be burried ten malms below."
Momi Hajinne nods in agreement, "I-Indeed...he SHOULD b-be...but by some..."miracle" he-he may not be. P-Perhaps if we are lucky this is s-some sort of re-revenge..."
Aurelle Surlaint sipped her tea, deep in thought. "I recall the past incident of which you speak. This man attempted to murder Shadi some time ago," Aure explained to Meria.
Meria Boucher: Oh. Why did he want to do that?
Momi Hajinne: "It perhaps i-involved a c-cult and a Ka-kami..." Momi says with a sigh, "First Shadi and n-now Jun hm..." He's talking somewhat to himself.
Meria Boucher: Hm. Elaborate on this cult?
Momi Hajinne: "Well...a-a while ago...b-before Batachikhan w-was in charge w-we were given a misson t-to recover an artifact said to h-hourse a Kami...or at least the energy to summon SOMETHING." He is tired, and he is being vague on purpose in some places, "The cult w-we dealt with...th-the one J-Jun was a part of...wanted this Re-relic and...well...a lot happened between th-them half ge-getting their way a-and us putting them down." He looks up, "S-Sil was still our leader th-then..."
Camilla VanceMateus gazed down at the tea he'd been given, gritting his teeth in a quiet anger as Momi spoke.
Meria Boucher: Do we still have this relic?
Momi Hajinne shakes his head, "No...i-in an...altercation we-we managed to destroy it." He's a sack of nerves right now, twisting his hands and tapping a foot against the tile.
Meria Boucher: Hm. Then that would not be the motive, unless we still had the pieces. Jun is dead - how was his corpse disposed of?
Meria Boucher drinks her tea and eats her scone while casually talking about bodies.
Aurelle Surlaint gently placed a hand on Momi's shoulder, feeling the change in this mood. "Perhaps this discussion is best left for some other time. I think we could all use some rest after such a long day."

Momi Hajinne is biting at one of his knuckles when he feels Aure's hand on his shoulder. He's soothed a bit but the way his voice shakes still makes his anxiety about this known, "A-ah...p-perhaps...i-it might b-be good to t-talk more on th-this with Batachikhan r-rather than myself...I..." He bites at his knuckle again, "I ha-have some ba-bad memories of th-those times..."
Meria Boucher: "Ah - I understand. My apologies for bringing up unpleasant memories, Mister Momi." She pauses then, expression blank, stare unblinking. Then, "I will, of course, be indiscriminate in my efforts to keep such agents from harming you or those you care about. We are," A pause. "Friends. After all."
Meria Boucher turns her gaze back down to the scone. Beep-boop, what is friendship?
Momi Hajinne smiles a bit, "Th-thank you meria...I-I'm sorry I-I can't be of much m-more help...some details even when I-I feel better are...hazy. It's been some time...I-I was hoping we could put that mess in the past..."
Camilla VanceMateus had been silently fuming while they spoke, his hand on the teacup shaking ever so slightly. He reached up to touch at his cheek, taking a breath to try and calm himself. Not yet. "I wasn't there when it happened but I know that it did." He eventually added.
Aurelle Surlaint smiled softly at Meria. She was trying her best. "We shall all do our best and ensure no harm comes to anyone here. I think I am going to look into possibly fortifying our entrances with magic, since the enemy appears to know all about them."
Momi Hajinne fixes his gaze on Camilla curiously, noting the markings on the hyur's face, "...p-perhaps s-sometime y-you can tell us y-your role i-in th-this...f-for now..." He looks at the teacup, "I-it might be b-best to keep the china i-in one piece."
Camilla VanceMateus shakes his head as if clearing his mind from thoughts. "Yeah, yeah. Hate to already make a bad impression already." He grinned, though the tea remained untouched.
Meria Boucher: I am also very skilled at terrain defense and trap placement, along with predictive manuevering and... well. When one is used to having dragons for opponents, one learns how to manipulate unfortunate odds into one's favor.
Meria Boucher: I can aid in such fortifications.
Momi Hajinne smiles, shaking his head as he stands, "I-it's alright...s-something is bo-bothering y-you..." He looks to Terres, "W-we can discuss more la-later...or w-well...I will be here to discuss more later...f-for now I-I'm going to put Terres to bed...and p-perhaps do some thinking..."
Aurelle Surlaint drained her teacup, looking at Meria with an impressed expression on her face. "That would be fantastic. We should discuss this with Batachikhan we when report our findings to her and prepare a plan. For now, I believe I shall also rest for the night."
Momi Hajinne grabs Terres as if he were lifting a sack of potatos, "I-I suppose...he can sl-sleep on a-a sofa in m-my room..." He shakes his head, "I-I will bid you all g-goodnight." Momi waves, Terres heaved over one shoulder. In for a bumpy ass ride.
Camilla VanceMateus nodded, standing as well. "I'll be around if I'm needed. After all, have to repay you all saving me somehow." He rubs at his nose with a thumb. "Til then, I think I saw some training dummies I'd like to kick the shit out of next door."
Momi Hajinne nods his head to the three, "P-please t-take care...a-all of you..."
Momi Hajinne waves and is off to throw Terres onto a sofa.
Meria Boucher nod. "Take care yourselves. I can tidy all this up; I'll be up for a little while longer."
Meria Boucher finishes her own tea, and then with a sweep of her hand, lifts the dishware with a gravitational pull.
Camilla VanceMateus nodded, giving the two a wave. "Nice meeting you, sure we'll see each other soon...." He grit his teeth. "Soon."