"Oh? Then you've been missing out. There's a lot of these in my world. I'm really glad you're enjoying it.", Zola says. She then chuckles as her hair fully falls down without her bandanna, her face slightly covered until she moves some of it away with her hand, smiling warmly before giving Anthony a fast and sneaky kiss on the cheek.
"None of the ones in my world are anything like this one. They don't have you."
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Eastmarch, Hunter's Camp
"Well, now I kinda want to pay your world a visit someday, if only to rectify its little hot spring problem," Anthony says, smiling lovingly at Zola as he runs his fingers through her hair. "You look amazing with your hair down, by the way."
He then pulls her closer before kissing her right on the lips.
She looks worried for a moment.
"I'm not sure how welcome I'd be there. You know the things Killer Bat made me do involving the Darkness."
Her worry fades instantly upon being kissed, returning it without hesitation.
Once their kiss ends, she smiles at him once more.
"You think so? I may keep it down a few days a week at home then. But not every day. This bandanna is a part of my attire after all.", she says, teasingly yet again.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Eastmarch, Hunter's Camp
"You've got yourself a deal, then," Anthony says, chuckling before looking Zola in the eye. "And... in the event that we do visit your world someday, anyone who tries to start trouble because of what happened with Killer Bat will answer to me."
He places a hand on her face.
"That's a promise, Zola."
She looks grateful.
"Thanks..."
Then she relaxes some more, now at pretty much maximum relaxation without outright sinking into the hot water. She doesn't break eye contact with Anthony though.
"You know, if we ever have the capital for it, we should definitely obtain a hot spring such as this one close to home."
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Eastmarch, Hunter's Camp
Anthony relaxes with Zola as he wraps his arms around her.
"On that, we couldn't agree more, my lioness. Guess that means I ought to start brushing up on my drawing skills once we get home."
"You joke, but I have faith that you're talented enough to make a job out of drawing.", she says, poking him once yet again.
"And if we need some extra cash, I can always look for mercenary work once I've caught up with my training."
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.She snickers a little.
"It would be nice to live in riches and luxury.", she says, partly joking.
"As long as we're together though, it doesn't matter how much money we earn. As long as it's enough to live peacefully."
Edited by DevilPsyco on Oct 3rd 2019 at 1:42:11 PM
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.She kisses him back happily.
A little distance away, someone, after noticing Zola's and Anthony's clothes, approaches a little bit. The moment she notices the hotspring though, she stops, not intent on intruding on what's obviously their private time.
She still has something important to share with Zola, however. So instead she writes it down and silently puts the letter in Zola's pants' pocket. Then she turns around and walks away again, with nobody ever the wiser.
"Well, I actually did it... My conscience is clean. It's all up to Zola's decision when she reads that." , she mutters.
"Decision, decision!" , the tiny creature floating on her shoulder repeats as the two disappear into the shadows.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Boyero rasies his second fist, and attempts to punch the frozen hand into pieces. If he was successful, the Warlock would stand and attempt a three punch combo aimed for his opponent's head.
"Overconfident. There's always weaknesses and strengths of each individual, I haven't quite fully assessed yours. You've still got something up your sleeve, don't you?"
The Hub Centralis
Shadow narrows his eyes as Dark!Bakura wheels around to face him.
"Yeah, me again. I told you that I'd be watching you. This place is under my surveillance and protection."
He scoffs, and folds his wings, straightening up and dusting himself off, while the gouge he made in the ground seems to seal up as he shifts his weight.
"Oh, right, because erasing someone off the face of the earth in a magical sacrificial card game is totally legal in most places. Anyway, you're right that I can't bust you for stealing the artifact and claiming Ra..."
A confident gleam enters his eyes, and his teeth flash in the dark between his hat, scarf, and collar, revealing a contemptuous grin.
"...but that'll change if you go through with what you were just thinking about, regarding the aforementioned card, eh?"
He tilts his head.
"I'd say attempted Deicide would leave you without a loophole to exploit, thus nullifying your little case of diplomatic immunity..."
His grin grows darker, and his wings fan open, amplifying his presence.
"...and allowing me to exact some divine retribution."
Edited by SacredSpirit123 on Oct 3rd 2019 at 9:01:41 AM
"Life isn't a fairytale. There isn't always a 'Happily Ever After' waiting for you at the end of the road." ~ Isengrim Heath-Stalker"For a supposed protector, you sure let a lot of threats run free in here.", Bakura says. He then shrugs.
"That was his game condition, not mine. I'd have killed him regardless though, even if my preferred method would have been more... physical."
Then he looks troubled, gritting his teeth and hissing when he realizes Shadow has a point. He thinks things over for a bit.
"... fine. Fine. Ra can live. But I'm keeping the card. It's my prize, and I can't risk the possibility of anyone else gathering the three God Cards. With just one in my possession though, that can't happen."
Grinning and changing back to his evil appearance, he then throws Marik's deck onto the ground in front of Shadow, the cards scattering on the floor.
"You can have the rest if you want. Those cards are useless to me." , he says as he pockets Ra.
Fort Fellhammer, Skyrim
Lekain
is standing at a window of the old fortress.
"And you're certain about this?" , he asks Naesala
◊, who's sitting on a perch in bird form.
"Yeah, the merchant girl's group is going to pass by here in a few minutes."
"Excellent. The test is just about ready to begin." , he chuckles. "Niagara, grab a seat. You won't want to miss this. It'll be a battle in the winds and snow."
Edited by DevilPsyco on Oct 4th 2019 at 8:40:02 PM
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.Niagara is around, fully clad in his armor this time. He doesn't appear to be very bothered by the cold, or at least, he's stoic enough not to show it.
Oh, I promise that I will not miss a single part of it. he promises, though he, secretly, hoped that his family would not be involved in the fight, fearful that they'd either die or would force him to intervene.
......
Luckily for him, the monster crew, made out of Xander, Ryoma, Saizo, Oboro, Emmeryn, Takumi, Noire, Kellam, Garon aandd Donnel doesn't feature any immediate family member. They all appear unfazed by the snow, except Noire, who's kind of wrapped in several layers of coats and is currently sitting on Kellam's armored shoulder, bow in hand.
I-i-i-i-i-i-i-i should've b-b-b-b-brought something warmer.
Oh, you guys have not-so-practical war uniforms too ? Nice. says Garon. Saizo silently weather the cold, but regret having a man-cleavage.
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitterSky Haven Temple
Awkeff is launching Sword Beams of crescent-shaped light from Tenebrae at Reyna, getting a feel for the weapon. Reyna, for her part, is simply dodging with the Temporal Mantle.
"Hmmm... Time out." Awkeff deftly sheathes Tenebrae.
Fort Fellhammer
Roy follows behind the Shepherds. His attention is momentarily drawn to a distant rupture in the sky, but then he figures that if it were important someone else would already be tracking it down, and proceeds along.
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."Lekain chuckles once more, then turns his attention to the window again. Naesala glances at Niagara, his eyes portraying some kind of emotion. One that's hard to tell on the eyes of a bird.
He then notices the others approaching though, and looks at Lekain.
"Hey, we have some unwelcome guests."
"What? ... oh, it honestly doesn't matter. Win or lose, the results of this battle will tell me exactly what I want to know."
Naesala shrugs.
"Alright then... I'm keeping an eye out for an escape route, just in case."
Lekain's chuckle turns darker.
"... it's time."
Suddenly someone approaches the group. Due to the snow and wind, it's hard to see who it is at first.
Once at a certain distance, he becomes visible... and it may be quite the surprise, for the person in question is another Roy
◊.
"..."
He's silent.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.The Reach, Sky Haven Temple
In the courtyard atop Sky Haven Temple, Viserys watches as Awkeff practices with her new weapon, though judging by his troubled expression, there's clearly something else on his mind.
Fort Fellhammer
Nicole
◊ can be seen walking after Roy and the Shepherds, wearing a red and blue Wonder Woman-themed jacket.
"Now that I think about it, some of these Arthurian/Feudal Japan-lookin' guys remind me of that one squad of Einherjar I fought. The one with that dragon girl, Corrin."
Cue the other Roy, prompting the Arcane half-dragon to raise an eyebrow.
Edited by IchigoMontoya on Oct 4th 2019 at 12:14:50 PM
Niagara put his hands behind his back and stand up straight, seemingly observing.
No one's approaching you while I'm here, Lekain. You have my word on it.
....
The group notices Roy, look at "their" Roy, then at Roy... and realize that it might be an ambush. They don't show hostility yet though, with Noire only descending off Kellam.
Greetings be upon you, prince. says Xander, deciding to be the diplomat.
Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitterReyna takes off the Temporal Mantle. She looks around, then notices Viserys and gestures at him.
"Right." Awkeff turns to the Nord Dragonborn. "Has something happened, Bron Lokaliin?"
Smash!Roy stops in front of Einherjar!Roy.
He simply mutters, "If this turns to violence, I will deal with my counterpart. The rest of you can find other targets."
Edited by KiriK on Oct 4th 2019 at 2:01:22 PM
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."Viserys looks to Awkeff before approaching her.
"I... encountered Farandare in Karthwasten. Rest assured, Fahliil Lokaliin, she didn't hurt me or anything. Rather, she wanted to talk."
Deciding to let Xander handle Einherjar!Roy diplomatically, Nicole looks around for any signs of an ambush, one hand tapping the pommel of Olympus' Wrath.
"Alright, something's wrong with this picture, I just know it..."
Edited by IchigoMontoya on Oct 4th 2019 at 12:12:15 PM
"..."
He looks... kind of demotivated. No... more like regretful. He sighs as he shakes his head.
"You ran into a trap set for someone else... but they won't allow you to leave now that you know we're here. We don't have much choice in the matter now. I'm sorry about this."
Multiple other fighters suddenly appear near and behind Roy, who slightly backs off too to get into position.
"Get ready, everyone. And keep your eyes out for Anna. When she appears, she'll be our main priority."
Roy (Great Lord), Level 16.
- Weapons: Rapier (5 Might), Legendary Durandal (17 Might, +5 Str)
- 42 HP, 21 Str, 12 Mag, 19 Skl, 22 Spd, 18 Lck, 21 Def, 13 Res
- Weapons: Elfire (8 Might), Physic
- 34 HP, 8 Str, 24 Mag, 19 Skl, 23 Spd, 19 Lck, 15 Def, 21 Res
- Weapons: Legendary Forblaze (14 Might, +5 Lck)
- 36 HP, 9 Str, 26 Mag, 21 Skl, 22 Spd, 17+5 Lck, 14 Def, 22 Res
- Weapons: Legendary Apocalypse (18 Might, +5 Mag)
- 40 HP, 12 Str, 24+5 Mag, 19 Skl, 19 Spd, 20 Lck, 18 Def, 22 Res
- Weapons: Silver Sword (13 Might), Spear (10 Might)
- 60 HP, 25 Str, 15 Mag, 24 Skl, 23 Spd, 21 Lck, 22 Def, 18 Res
Shanna (Falcon Knight), Level 14.
◊
- Weapons: Brave Lance (10 Might), Javelin (6 Might)
- 39 HP, 20 Str, 12 Mag, 20 Skl, 28 Spd, 23 Lck, 14 Def, 18 Res
Clarine (Valkyrie), Level 17.
◊
- Weapons: Legendary Aureola (15 Might, +5 Res), Recover
- 35 HP, 4 Str, 24 Mag, 20 Skl, 18 Spd, 14 Lck, 12 Def, 19+5 Res
- Weapons: Legendary Mulagir (16 Might, +5 Spd)
- 41 HP, 22 Str, 4 Mag, 24 Skl, 21+5 Spd, 15 Lck, 17 Def, 13 Res
Miledy (Wyvern Lord), Level 18.
- Weapons: Legendary Maltet (16 Might, +5 Skl)
- 44 HP, 23 Str, 4 Mag, 20+5 Skl, 19 Spd, 15 Lck, 20 Def, 9 Res
Karel (Sword Master), Level 20.
- Weapons: Brave Sword (9 Might), Wo Dao (8 Might, 40 Crit), Red Gem (Droppable, can be sold for 2500 Gold)
- 43 HP, 20 Str, 8 Mag, 28 Skl, 24 Spd, 19 Lck, 16 Def, 14 Res
- Weapons: Divine Stone
- 25 HP, 11+12 Str, 11+12 Mag, 11+12 Skl, 12 Spd, 16 Lck, 11+15 Def, 15+20 Res
Gonzales (Berserker), Level 17.
- Weapons: Legendary Armads (18 Might, +5 Def)
- 55 HP, 27 Str, 4 Mag, 15 Skl, 24 Spd, 12 Lck, 19+5 Def, 5 Res
Most of them are relatively close to the group. The only ones that are out of range at the moment are Roy and Lilina.
And while it may have been an ambush, the snowy battlefield slows them all down enough that they can't make a surprise attack.
In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.

Eastmarch, Hunter's Camp
"Believe it or not, Zola, this is actually my first time bathing in a hot spring. Gotta say, it's everything I imagined and more," Anthony replies, moving closer to Zola as he removes her bandana and tosses it over to the rest of their clothes. "Of course, it definitely helps that I have someone beautiful to share it with."