Riften
"And that's the last one.", Anna sighs, leaning back against a wall.
"Thank you~", Anna's sister
◊ happily says, holding a pouch filled with gold pieces.
"Luckily we didn't make too much of a loss in profit.", Jake
◊ says.
"Only because none of the ballista were destroyed. Otherwise I'd have had to cough up a lot more."
"Well, I'll have to go back now. Can't stick around too much unfortunately. Good luck with your Einherjar situation, and don't forget, you can always call on your big sis if you need extra help.", Anna's sister says. Anna smiles a bit.
"Luckily the family discount makes you help affordable.", she jokingly says. "Thanks."
Anna's sister waves them goodbye before disappearing through an Outrealm portal. Anna pockets the remaining gold she has on hand, having had it out in case she needed to pay more than she ended up having to, and sits on the front of Jake's ballista.
"Well, Grima's gone and my debts are paid. Where to now?"
"I've got nowhere I specifically want to go to, so we can go back to wandering around until we find a good place to set up shop."
"I like that idea, honey~"
Jake starts the engines of his ballista, starting to move it through the city streets.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Riften
Two people who looks like contemporaries of the Shepherds are walking by the streets. One of them is young, slim and tall, while the other is of more rugged constitution and is a bit shorter, also boasting a mighty beard of power whereas the other one is clean-shaven. Furthermore, one has a sword in its sheath, tied to his hip. The other is holding a broken axe, its blade chipped apart.
They could't be more different if they tried. Especially since one has regular clothe while the other wears tough armor.
Aye, t'was a mighty blow that put an end to my axe! It died as it lived. Contemplate Dozla, cradling his broken weapon with a somber look. Rennac also looks concerned, but for a different reason.
And now we're screwed if something jumps at us, urgh.
Fear not my friend! Should evil come to us, I shall fend it off with my fists!
You'd die.
With much panache!
Rennac sighs and bury his head in his hands before looking back at the knight in annoyance.
You'd still... Let's find L'Arachel, alright? She could get you a new axe if you want. We just need to listen to the sound of annoying laughter and track it down!
Oh, she must be searching for us too! We'll fin each other, right? Fate will bring us together surely!
Yeah, I don't... hm? Is that a balista?
Yes! And there are people! Come, my friend! Let us see if we can communicate with them!
Dozla happily walks towards the group and hold up his broken axe, while Rennac stares in incredulous awe. Behold, strangers! My axe is broken! Thus, I cannot harm you even if I wanted to! Let us engage in trading!
...
Beruka flies over Riften, still searching for Anna. She's heading towards Dozla's shout though.
Edited by Bolded1 on Jan 21st 2021 at 9:01:46 PM
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitterJake stops the ballista upon seeing Dozla wave.
"They are... Dozla and Rennac, right?", Jake asks Anna before the duo gets to them.
"Yeah, and it looks like they aren't Einherjar. Seems like they wanna do business.", Anna eagerly says, her merchant's eye immediately noticing Dozla's broken axe.
"You think they'll have a Member Card?"
"Considering our net loss from fighting Grima, I'm not really gonna worry about that unless they want stat boosters too."
Once Dozla and Rennac make their way over to them, Anna hops off and shows them a pleasant smile.
"Welcome, good sirs~", she says. "You've come to the right place for that. We're traveling merchants, so maybe we can help you out."
Beruka should easily notice them once she gets close enough to Dozla's location. Jake's ballista is pretty hard to miss, even from up in the air.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.... Have we met before? Says Rennac, briefly looking confused before he just lean back and fold his arms. Heh, must be twins.
Ah yes! Hello! My axe is broken! This is rather troubling, for I specialize in axes! And yet I have broken mine! I thus need another axe. Be reassured that I take care of my weapons quite well! However, my fallen weapon has accompanied me through many battles, perhaps to a point where age and tear caught up to it! He gets emotional. But what a pleasant death for an axe, then to die from being swung too hard! Gwa ha ha!
... Axes can't die, they're not even living.
A detail! Regardless, I do have money, and a desire to use it! Would it bother you if I ask for your aid, strangers?
Beruka swoop down before any transaction can occur though, jumping off her wyvern and landing next to them. Anna. Jake. Your aid is-
She spots the two guys, and Rennac immediately look suspicious. ... A wyvern knight?
Beruka frowns, perhaps thinking they're Einherjars, and pull out a small tomohawk axe. Haha no! Look at the weapon she's planning to use to kill us! It is an axe! Not a spear!
Assist me, I will retrieve their cards. Says Beruka to Anna and Jake, drastically misjudging the situation. While Rennac seems ready to run, Dozla is amused, contemplating her armor.
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitter"It's no bother at all~", Anna says as Jake gets off of his ballista and opens up a compartment that houses Anna's wares. Anna turns back to it and gets out a bunch of different kinds of axes.
"What sort of axe would you specifically want?"
Then Beruka appears, getting Anna and Jake to look at her. Jake immediately gets in between her and Dozla and Rennac when Beruka is ready to attack.
"Wait, Beruka, you're misunderstanding."
"These men aren't Einherjar, they're costumers.", Anna says. "They came here looking to buy an axe."
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Onyxis - Imperial Outpost
Lambert spots Medic and Warrick now in a similar elevation as he and Lacia are, but not nearly as maneuverable. "Oh, for the love of..." He says in frustration, as they managed to get themselves in trouble despite their invincibility.
As the Sith below him are still distracted, Lambert takes out something from inside his vest this time around for a quick attack - a Spiny Shell. He drops it unceremoniously like a bomber plane as he takes off, not looking back at the blue explosion going off behind him.
He charges forward at the Sith holding up Warrick and Medic, flying in low. He repeats the bomber tactic from before, this time with a bunch of smaller explosives to at least divert their attention if not kill some of them, letting the Übercharge take care of the fall damage for his allies. He then drops down to the ground to conserve his jet boots' charge - smack dab in the middle of the enemy group.
Lambert's Buffs: Thermal Vision, Third Eye, Metatron
Active Spells: Duplicated Übercharge (Discharge, Warrick)
Ahh yes! Good good. Big axe, small axe hm... I would quite like a Silver Axe if I do say so myself! Such a strong weapon befits me! Says Dozla, unconcerned with Beruka enough to do it while she's still threatening them.
She quickly stops though, and consider them before sheathing her Tomohawk
Hm... They are real, then.
Hey, what are the Einherjars? And who is this girl? Is she from Grado? Asks Rennac. She sure is aggressive.
No. Nohr.
Right. Because I sure know what Nohr is.
Beruka ignores him. Your help is needed. A dragon attacked the fort yet again but was driven off. It has left a shard. Some musicians are also looking to return home, and were led to believe that a connection exist between the shard and that way back. As one who knows much of the world, it has fallen up to you to handle the shard.
Beruka then blinks and reach for her pocket. I will pay ten gold coin per second spent studying the shard.
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitterJake searches out a Silver Axe for Dozla as he answers Rennac.
"Einherjar are warriors from legends, brought back into existence with magic. They can be summoned through their corresponding cards on which the magic has been applied."
He finds a Silver Axe and turns to Dozla.
"Here we go. That'll be 1000 gold."
Anna, meanwhile, tilts her head.
"A dragon shard? I'll try my best but if it's not a shard from our world I can't guarantee-"
Then she hears Beruka's statement and holds out her hand.
"I'll get started right away."
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.:Hrmph. She says, smirking for a millisecond before getting back to things. Follow me. It is easier that way.
AHHH ONE SECOND MY FRIEND! Dozla is rolling on the ground, searching for new pockets in his armor he may have forgotten a bag or two of gold in. You fight with dragons and mighty warriors? Gwa ha ha! My curiosity is PIQUED! I shall come with you! He finally scrounge the money and hand it over. Don't worry, the smell of that one gold coin that was in my shoe will fade in the next few days!
Hm... I'd come but we have a mission Dozla. He says. Yeah, I don't say that too often, I know, but we can't just go off our path to fight some cards.
Ah, yes, but I cannot ignore the opportunity for glory! Besides, Lady L'Arachel may be amongst these people!
And that's supposed to be an argument? I'll come, sure, if I get paid.
He looks at Beruka but does nothing aside. He stands there, and look... composed. Beruka just looks annoyed.
No. You are weak.
How can you tell that at a gla-
Yet you do not deny. Farewell. Be thankful that you are not in Nohr, where death by bandits is the kindest fate available. Beruka get on her wyvern, but stop and glance at Dozla. You can join us though.
Edited by Bolded1 on Jan 21st 2021 at 10:10:06 AM
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitter"We'll come with you once we've rounded up things with our customers then.", Anna says.
Jake exchanges the gold for the Silver Axe, then starts packing the other axes back up, putting them into his Ballista. Anna, meanwhile, turns to Dozla.
"You want to help us? That's excellent, thank you! We have a little issue going on with them at the moment so all help would be appreciated."
She then looks at Rennac and Beruka during their brief conversation, after which Anna turns back to Beruka, swiftly motioning that she's going to whisper to her as a sign that Beruka shouldn't be too loud when responding.
"I know who that man is from my travels through Magvel long ago, and I believe he can potentially be useful. He's a Rogue, a promoted form of the Thief class. He may not have Assassin skills, but he can still open locks on doors and chests easier. If I know the remaining Einherjar well, we may eventually have to contend with fortresses, and right now the only person we have on our team who can reliably open locks is Gangrel. It wouldn't be a bad idea to hire someone more trustworthy who can do so as well. That way, if we ever have to split up into two teams, we won't have to risk one of our groups getting lured into a trap and locked up. I'll handle his payment, don't worry, just consider that he can still be very helpful, even if he's not as strong as his companion.", she whispers to Beruka.
Jake, meanwhile, has finished up loading everything back into the ballista and hops on, ready for them to follow once Anna's done talking to Beruka.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay....hm?...hmm...right...i see...oh.
She turns to glance at Rennac, who is a bit worried about being left alone (though to his credit, Dozla seems prepared to consult Beruka), and sighs, before nodding to Anna quietly.
... We do need more members. You can come in.
GWA HA HA! YOU WILL FIND THIS NOT BE A MISTAKE! RENNAC IS QUITE THE COMPETENT THIEF! Says Dozla, slapping him on the back. Rennac make a sound like his spine got snapped in half but stays happy.
I'm just glad to be of use... and to be paid.
Beruka roll her eyes. I will never get mercenaries. She says, getting on the Wyvern.
Well, why? I just get paid for fighting. Do you fight for free? He asks, sounding curious. Big dreams sure are nice, but money's easy to find if you're good at something. And I guess I'm skilled in my line of work.
I'm paid for killing.
That's..... a bit grim. But we're closer than you think.
Disagreeably enough.
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitterAnna, smiling, now gets on the ballista and Jake starts it up.
"We can discuss what your services will cost as we make our way there.", she says to Rennac. "We won't have much better to do until we get there, after all."
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay."Nowhere will you find a bigger money enthusiast than me~", Anna chuckles, after which the ballista starts following Beruka.
Pine Forest
Mani's sitting on a tree that had long since fallen over, letting her feet rest for a moment.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Fort Dawnguard
... So anyway, this was the day when I realized that I had to stop hiding some of my golden coin below my tongue.
We are here. Warns Beruka, landing as her wyvern fly off to the fort, seemingly to continue the journey on foot. ... It has repaired itself. She informs Anna and Jake, pointing to the redone fort, boasting Asgardian stones and the likes!
The fort can rebuild itself? How wonderful!
Yes.
Rennac just look confused.
Edited by Bolded1 on Jan 21st 2021 at 10:30:42 AM
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitterDef
Tournament of Power Arena, KOF FINALS VER.
Yashiro raises his guard to fend off Zelerie's attacks, then calls in Shermie for an assist. She pops up behind Zelerie and tries to suplex her, while Yashiro himself jumps overhead and tries to nail Zelerie with a divekick from the opposite direction.
Pine Forest
A bombastic, contralto feminine voice calls out to Mani.
"The wind speaks your name, young one. It tells me that you seek to learn the example of evil!"
Edited by KiriK on Jan 21st 2021 at 3:36:58 AM
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."Anna, who had actually been listening to Rennac's tale, looks when Beruka announces their arrival.
"It's already rebuilt? I suppose that's one big upside to this world.", she says.
"Let's go inside, then we can take a look at that shard.", Jake says.
Mani hops off of the tree trunk upon hearing a voice but seeing nobody in sight, hand now on the hilt of her sword as she glances around.
"... I seek as such indeed. Who's speaking to me?", she asks warily.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay."Evil is when you strike a puppy! Evil is when you disregard pleas for mercy! EVIL IS WHEN DARKNESS ITSELF BENDS TO YOUR WILL, AND RAVAGES WORLDS AT YOUR COMMAND! EVIL..."
In a swirling, towering pillar of darkness, Maleficent
◊ emerges, arms spread grandly.
"... Is me!"
Edited by KiriK on Jan 21st 2021 at 3:46:41 AM
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."Zelerie's hit by all the blows at once, but manages to catch herself in mid-air and try to kick Yashiro upwards. If that works, she switches with Vegeta, who flies in and tries to grab him by the face, flying down to slam him against the ring!
On a scale from one to ten...
If it works, he then kicks at him!
I'll give you a three!
...
Yes. Now let us head inside. Once they're at the door, Beruka prepares to knock... but Corrin open the door and surprise-hug her, wrapping his arms around her back and lifting her off the floor!
Hey Ber! I saw your wyvern head back in so I knew you were.... nearby? He glances at the group, surprised.
It's how we-greet ourselves, in Nohr, heh... Beruka stays still, clearly fuming. Dozla laughs.
I quite like this country! Nohr.. what a place! But let us go, my friends!
Corrin nods and step aside.
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitterMeanwhile, our 3 musicians were used to the daily life in the fort. Purple was at charge of the orchard. He just sprouted a little palm plant, and is his little bit of happiness. He nicknamed it "Palmer", and hopes to take her to his world.
Orange was watching the chicken coop... with a space adapted to guard Poyo. He grooms and feed him daily, and the bound between them had grown.
And Belen was practicing his dancing steps... and some melee techniques that learned watching Xander. She has the feeling that gonna need it soon.
Three freaking ghosts!"Hey Corrin!", Anna greets him after he lets them all in. Jake shows Corrin a supportive smile, silently wishing him luck now that he's invoked Beruka's wrath.
Mani looks suitably impressed by Maleficent's entrance, letting go of her sword's hilt.
"Wow! Who are you?", she asks, sounding as awed as she looks.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Yashiro gets combo'd into Vegeta's grab, but he jumps out of the kick and onto his feet. "Only a three?" he scoffs, then rushes forward with a high-speed barrage of punches.
"I am Maleficent, dark mistress of evil!"
Ominous lightning strikes in the background.
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."Jake's suspicion is right because Corrin and Beruka have a Big Ball of Violence in the background, though it's mostly Beruka dishing it out and she deals what amount of slaps-on-the-wrist by Corrin's standards.
Still funny.
H-hello! It's me! Noire! Noire burst out of a nearby door, fall over though momentum and get up. Follow me, and I'll lead you to the shard! She says. She then frowns and consult a small map. B-but if I'm too slow you can pick the map and spit on me for being not hasty enough!
Do not worry, I cannot read, so I am useless for reading maps!
... Why is everyone here so weird? Bemoans Rennac, as the group otherwise follows Noire. Could you make a little detour to your boss? At least for me? I need to know what's going on.
O-oh I wasn't expecting this. Hum... Don't worry, Samsara is near the shard, so i-if she isn't repelled by me, she'll be there! Says Noire, walking down some stairs slowly so as not to slip. N-nice stairs, huh?
Yes! I would love to slide down these stairs someday!
Rennac stays quiet. For his sanity.
...
You can raise that by fighting! Vegeta goes on to match him blow for blow with his punches, though no matter how many hits he lands, he's eventually pushed back and hit on the lip, causing blood to trinkle down it. He chuckles, satisfied, and wipe it away with his thumb.
... See? You're a five now. He says, before quickly raising his hand.
BIG BANG ATTACK! However, when Yashiro dodge (since the attack is telegraphed rather heavily), he fire another Big Bang Attack!
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitter"Hey Noire. It's been a while.", Anna greets her, after which they follow her as well.
"Don't worry about being hasty, we have time.", Jake says, trying to reassure her.
"Wow... you have some real flair, miss Maleficent.", Mani says.
"And you really want to teach me more about evil?"
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.

Skippy beeps in alarm, and uses the Force to swing his lightsaber across the Centurion's back, attempting to cleave through their armor.
{droidspeak:"This guy is weirdly tough."}
/\。。/\