Side Story Paradisum Perdidit

[Ver]

The urge to snidely remark that they all fell from the sky passed Adam's mind if he were to be completely honest, but he deftly held it in, knowing that there was little purpose in speaking in any manner that wasn't direct. This was a serious situation that they were all wrapped up in here after all, despite the short man's almost comical appearance.

"It's... not important," Adam responded to the man's question as though attempting to bypass it, deciding to once again take charge of the conversation unless someone else felt so inclined to pitch in, "What is is that we all require a place to rest, as the girl said," he went on, gesturing toward Shelke.

"However, we don't exactly have anything to pay back your services... unless one of us is holding back," Jensen continued, glancing toward Jihl silently with his last few words briefly.

@Jeremi @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Gummi Bunnies @Everybody​

 

[York]

Spoiler: Replies

Dropping to his feet once more, Jensen remained silent. His thoughts were a mystery as his expression betrayed nothing, his mind a mystery obscured by the spectacles covering his eyes. Certainly, another new development was one to focus his mind toward, but here and now, they were hardly any closer to figuring out how they got here or how to get back to where they came from.

Whoever that voice was from before, the thought still tortured his mind; what was their aim?

He kept on moving forward silently, figuring that he could only hope his question would be answered later as they moved further in.

@Jeremi @York @Everybody​

❝ Byeeeee! Thanks for the ride, fluffy birdie! ❞ Two waved off the Chocobo that she rode on, watching it return to the folds of the forest once she dismounted. As she was busy with that, One was more cautious with what they've found upon reaching this empty village. The smoke didn't bear anything good that must've taken place in this location.

❝ Hush your tone, sister. Do you intend to give away our location to whatever remains in this abandoned village? ❞ The older Intoner silenced Two, telling her to lower her voice with her own whispering voice. After getting an alerted nod, One silently stepping forward and surveying their surroundings. What could be possibly here before them?

@Jeremi @York @Ver @Everybody​

Chris Eriksen and Charles Eriksen

" Place feels kind of fucking unnatural to me. I don't trust it. It just seems that every place has something potentially dangerous to us and I don't think this will be any different."

" Be positive, maybe there are nice village people here," Chris honestly said.

" Okay, then I'm positive it will be bad news."

@Jeremi @York @Ver @Takumi @Gummi Bunnies @Everyone

Grtting off and patting the Chocobo's hide, Hiro waved as the flock of birds left their group. Bamboo spear in one hand, he decided to cautiously entered the village.



Hiro gave Chris a pat on the head and a smile, giving a nod of agreement. They had to stay positive on this adventure!

Maribel on the other hand frowned deeply as she trudged behind Hiro, dagger in hand and rolling her eyes at her silent friend.

@Jeremi @Lucky @Ver @York @Gummi Bunnies @Others

Grtting off and patting the Chocobo's hide, Hiro waved as the flock of birds left their group. Bamboo spear in one hand, he decided to cautiously entered the village.



Hiro gave Chris a pat on the head and a smile, giving a nod of agreement. They had to stay positive on this adventure!

Maribel on the other hand frowned deeply as she trudged behind Hiro, dagger in hand and rolling her eyes at her silent friend.

@Jeremi @Lucky @Ver @York @Gummi Bunnies @Others

Ramza seemed sad to see the chocobo go, as they were the the one thing of familiarity he had in this situation, and with them leaving, he felt a bit sad. As the others in the group headed towards the village, he trailed just slightly behind, glancing around them for any sign of life or movement.

As the group came closer to the village it was clear to them that despite the quiet muddy streets there no doubt were people living there. Produce like different colored fruits could be seen in stalls as they walked. While they were a number of buildings around one that had a sign that said 'inn' on caught Jihl's attention. "Perhaps we will find inside someone that can help us?" She went to inspect one of the applecarts nearby and picked up one. "One would assume there are people living here, considering how fresh all these fruit and vegetables look."



@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

Chris Eriksen and Charles Eriksen

" Well, either one of two things is happening here. Either the fruit and stuff is a trap or we are going to meet some nice people," he said, picking up an apple from the cart and biting into it.

Chris looked worried for his dad doing that and if he thinks anything will go wrong, he will knock the apple out of Charles's hand.

@Jeremi

"Maybe they're all out on a trip together," Adam lightly quipped, but even so, he shared Jihl's curiosity. Indeed, if this was supposed to take on the appearance of a well lived-in town, then where are the people living in it? Still, even if more and more questions kept piling up, that only pressed him forward even more to keep looking around for the answers that up to this point were nowhere in sight.

Letting the others examine the fruit to their liking, Jensen walked toward the so-called inn, attempting to make his way inside from there if possible.

@Jeremi @Lucky @Bark @Takumi @Everybody​

❝ Talk about weird. Hopefully whoever owns these happens to be nice... ❞ Two only expressed genuine confusion as to what this could mean, looking over the various fruits and vegetables in the cart. As the blue-haired Intoner tried to make sense of this for herself, One silently made her way to get inside the inn. It doesn't make sense for a fresh food cart to be stationed near this inn and the owners not having signs of ever being in the inn in the first place.

@Jeremi @Lucky @Bark @Takumi @Ver @Everybody​

True to Geno's suspicions, the ominous pillar of smoke rising in the distance happened to belong to some form of civilization. The star warrior managed to grin (as much of a grin he could manage with his uncanny wooden face), thankful for the fact that this unusual place wasn't completely devoid of people. Mallow was nowhere near as subtle in his relief - an obtuse sigh left the little cloud's body, followed by a wide, dopey grin to paint itself across his face.

"Whew, finally! I was getting worried we wouldn't find any real natives in this place. I could go for a snack right now..." Mallow murmured, rubbing his tummy as he waddled along with Geno. The gang always told him it was a bad idea to snack on those Yoshi cookies, but those dinos are baking artisans.

"... Hold it."

As the group encroached on the town's muddy streets, Geno's grin quickly vanished once he was able to get a better look at the town's interior, which was eerily absent of actual people. A wooden hand promptly emerged from beneath the puppet's cerulean cape, blocking his fluffy prince's path. "Something about this doesn't seem quite right," he said while quickly glancing around his flanks for anything particularly dangerous.

"Ugh, come on, Geno! You're the most pessimistic optimist I've ever met!"

Ignoring Mallow's protest, Geno looked back to Jhil. "I advise we move cautiously through this place. Something about it makes my wood crawl..."

"Huh? How does wood even crawl? Are you actually the puppet, or the... star... thing taking over the puppet?!"

Geno shrugged, dismissive by the accusation. "Perhaps they're one and the same."

The fluffy prince looked like he wanted to retort, but all he mustered was a grumble beneath his breath about forests, mazes, and arrows before stomping off after Jensen and Two towards the inn. Geno chuckled coolly as Mallow left in a huff, crossing his arms and moving deeper into the town to investigate anything besides the Inn.



"That sounds expensive..." Mallow naively doted on Adams quip, cupping a hand around his... well, where a chin would be if Mallow weren't a walking ball of fluff. "I hope they got some insurance if anyone breaks their stuff while they're gone. Sounds like something Mario would do."

@Jeremi @Lucky @Bark @Takumi @Ver @Gummi Bunnies @Everybody


​

Jihl stayed behind for the time being listening to the people argue and talk with a smug look on her face as she pushed up her glasses. Shelke meanwhile followed Adam towards the inn. If he attempted to open the door he'd find it to be locked.

"A locked door implies people," Shelke responded off hand before knocking on the door. It took awhile before they could hear someone on the other side of the door.

"Who are you! What do you want?" The mysterious voice asked.

"Travelers seeking shelter, is this place open?" Shelke replied her head leaning to the side as she said so.

Again there was a long silence before the two heard the door unlock and swing open. In front of them they saw a short, stout fellow with a thick heavy beard. "Rally-ho strangers! We don't see many visitors in the area...or any in fact! Tell me, how did you arrive to our village?" The man gave the two a friendly smile as he awaited an answer.

@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

The urge to snidely remark that they all fell from the sky passed Adam's mind if he were to be completely honest, but he deftly held it in, knowing that there was little purpose in speaking in any manner that wasn't direct. This was a serious situation that they were all wrapped up in here after all, despite the short man's almost comical appearance.

"It's... not important," Adam responded to the man's question as though attempting to bypass it, deciding to once again take charge of the conversation unless someone else felt so inclined to pitch in, "What is is that we all require a place to rest, as the girl said," he went on, gesturing toward Shelke.

"However, we don't exactly have anything to pay back your services... unless one of us is holding back," Jensen continued, glancing toward Jihl silently with his last few words briefly.

@Jeremi @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Gummi Bunnies @Everybody​

Lucca Ashtear
@Jeremi @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Gummi Bunnies @Everybody

Lucca eyed the stalls carefully, looking confused.

"The fruit is still fresh... Are they hiding from something? From us?" She said, frowning a little.

Heading to the Inn door, she carefully knocked on the door, hoping for an answer.​

 

[Bark]

Ramza turned slightly as the man in the inn spoke to Jihl and Adam, but looked at the other houses around the area. Was there anyone even there? Considering the inn had been locked, it seemed that there was probably something - or someone - they didn't want coming in. He dropped his hand from his sword and crossed his arms, waiting to see what the man in the inn would have to say next.

@Jeremi

 

[Jeremi]

Jihl seemed to ignore the stare Jensen was giving her as the man looked up at the people for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I suppose where you're from doesn't matter. We're all strangers in this land after all!" He stepped away from the door and beckoned them inside. "Come in! Come in! We do not have much to spare, but the soup can no doubt warm your bellies for today!"

As they stepped inside the establishment they found it mostly empty, except for a woman behind a counter and three men sitting silently looking at their drinks at one of the tables. All there seemed to have a similar stature to the innkeeper. "Gladys! We have guests!"

The woman perked up and motioned towards a long table in the back. "Visitors you say? Well sit down and I'll have some grub for you in a moment!" Despite the cheery disposition of the woman, you could feel a fog of melancholy and darkness over the entire village. What ills had befallen these people?

Lucca Ashter

@Jeremi @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Gummi Bunnies @Everybody

Lucca eyed the stalls carefully, looking confused.

"The fruit is still fresh... Are they hiding from something? From us?" She said, frowning a little.

Heading to the Inn door, she carefully knocked on the door, hoping for an answer.​

As Lucca knocked on the door she could hear some shuffling from inside the cottage but otherwise there was no other action. If there was someone on the other side of the door they were not going to open.


@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

 

[Ver]

"Yes... A meal would be lovely," Jensen said, trying to manage a more warm and relaxed tone in his words despite his naturally low voice. He found the vacancy of the inn somewhat curious, as well as the man's remark that "we were all strangers," even if for all that knew, it was just a throwaway line. Armchair wisdom, if one would please.

At the woman's suggestion, Adam settled down at one of the tables. The melancholic air that betrayed the two's lively dispositions was not lost on the man, but he initially said nothing, not wanting to alienate their tentative caretakers, until his curiosity eventually got the better of him as he waited.

"Not so busy these days, huh?" He idly commented.

@Jeremi @York @Bark @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Gummi Bunnies @Everybody​

 

[Jeremi]

"Yes... A meal would be lovely," Jensen said, trying to manage a more warm and relaxed tone in his words despite his naturally low voice. He found the vacancy of the inn somewhat curious, as well as the man's remark that "we were all strangers," even if for all that knew, it was just a throwaway line. Armchair wisdom, if one would please.

At the woman's suggestion, Adam settled down at one of the tables. The melancholic air that betrayed the two's lively dispositions was not lost on the man, but he initially said nothing, not wanting to alienate their tentative caretakers, until his curiosity eventually got the better of him as he waited.

"Not so busy these days, huh?" He idly commented.

@Jeremi @York @Bark @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Gummi Bunnies @Everybody​

"Yes," Jihl continued sitting down in a chair a bits away from Jensen. "We saw your produce outside, but the people."

"Well...there is a reason for that." The man replied between ladling up soup for Gladys to give to the group. "Much like you I believe you aren't natives to this land and neither are we. One day we just...woke up here. Half the village gone and in an unfamiliar forest. Yet, to survive, we adapted." As the final people received their soup he sat down at a table and lit up his pipe to continue the tale. "Fertile lands and building material made so that we quickly got everything in order. That is until...a few weeks ago, when it arrived."

Gladys gasped in horror and the three men murmured something under their breath. "We are few left. Those with children barely leave their cottages. We leave out the food for it to take but...it only hungers on one thing."

Jihl knew what the man was implying and wasn't going to give him the pleasure to shock the group. "Living flesh, correct?" She responded in a nonchalant tone that made the man look a bit surprised at her.

"Y-Yes, exactly. We're only poor farmers, we do not have the tools to fight back...and so we hide. Hoping our house is not the one that will be hit next."

Shelke looked at Jihl and the rest of the group. "Then we will stop this monster." She turned towards the man. "We are strong and have the tools to do it."

"While you are extending our help with out proper discussion is very bold of you, Shelke." Jihl responded, the irritation very clear in her voice. "I don't believe we'll have the time. If you have forgotten we need to find that tower in the middle of a desert."

@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

 

[Ver]

"..."

Jensen listened intently, the man's words confirming his initial suspicions. How long had these people been here? Far longer than he intended to stick around anyway. He didn't touch his soup once despite his earlier words, not out of apprehension at the thought of eating it, but rather feeling that his eating would disrupt the tension in the room once "it" was brought up. Something horrifying that caused the natives -- comparative, at least -- to quiver.

"Living flesh, huh..." The augmented man repeated, holding his bearded chin pensively. While he agreed with Jihl's sentiment that Shelke was a bit too eager for her own good, a part of him did agree with the prospect of considering taking care of the mystery creature in question. Not that he exactly cared to undermine someone like Jihl, all things considered, but...

"I don't imagine that tower will be going anywhere if we spend a night here. I think we ought to at least consider it," he spoke, "These are people's lives we're dealing with here. Besides, for all we know, the two things could be connected, couldn't they?" Adam speculated. Maybe his heart of gold got the better of him here, or maybe he really just didn't want to leave any potential ties loose -- considering this was far from the first time that he'd been asked to sidetrack himself from a job to handle a personal case for someone else -- but the idea of not wanting to keep things open like this wasn't such a bad excuse.

@Jeremi @Bark @York @Everybody​

 

[Takumi]

"Yes," Jihl continued sitting down in a chair a bits away from Jensen. "We saw your produce outside, but the people."

"Well...there is a reason for that." The man replied between ladling up soup for Gladys to give to the group. "Much like you I believe you aren't natives to this land and neither are we. One day we just...woke up here. Half the village gone and in an unfamiliar forest. Yet, to survive, we adapted." As the final people received their soup he sat down at a table and lit up his pipe to continue the tale. "Fertile lands and building material made so that we quickly got everything in order. That is until...a few weeks ago, when it arrived."

Gladys gasped in horror and the three men murmured something under their breath. "We are few left. Those with children barely leave their cottages. We leave out the food for it to take but...it only hungers on one thing."

Jihl knew what the man was implying and wasn't going to give him the pleasure to shock the group. "Living flesh, correct?" She responded in a nonchalant tone that made the man look a bit surprised at her.

"Y-Yes, exactly. We're only poor farmers, we do not have the tools to fight back...and so we hide. Hoping our house is not the one that will be hit next."

Shelke looked at Jihl and the rest of the group. "Then we will stop this monster." She turned towards the man. "We are strong and have the tools to do it."

"While you are extending our help with out proper discussion is very bold of you, Shelke." Jihl responded, the irritation very clear in her voice. "I don't believe we'll have the time. If you have forgotten we need to find that tower in the middle of a desert."

@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

"Uh, for all we know that monster could be a major pain in the arse later if we don't deal with it now." Maribel spoke up with a huff, crossing her arms a sshe looked to Jihl and Shelke. She was put off on the fact that Jihl seemed to eager to brush off helping these people. Maybe they could be rewarded for doing so, or maybe they could bw given something useful in the end! Really she just didn't feel right not helping-something she could partially blame Hiro for.

Speaking of, Hiro simply nodded in agreement with his redheaded companion as he tested out the soup.

"..."

Jensen listened intently, the man's words confirming his initial suspicions. How long had these people been here? Far longer than he intended to stick around anyway. He didn't touch his soup once despite his earlier words, not out of apprehension at the thought of eating it, but rather feeling that his eating would disrupt the tension in the room once "it" was brought up. Something horrifying that caused the natives -- comparative, at least -- to quiver.

"Living flesh, huh..." The augmented man repeated, holding his bearded chin pensively. While he agreed with Jihl's sentiment that Shelke was a bit too eager for her own good, a part of him did agree with the prospect of considering taking care of the mystery creature in question. Not that he exactly cared to undermine someone like Jihl, all things considered, but...

"I don't imagine that tower will be going anywhere if we spend a night here. I think we ought to at least consider it," he spoke, "These are people's lives we're dealing with here. Besides, for all we know, the two things could be connected, couldn't they?" Adam speculated. Maybe his heart of gold got the better of him here, or maybe he really just didn't want to leave any potential ties loose -- considering this was far from the first time that he'd been asked to sidetrack himself from a job to handle a personal case for someone else -- but the idea of not wanting to keep things open like this wasn't such a bad excuse.

@Jeremi @Bark @York @Everybody​

"This guy is talking sense." Maribel said while jabbing her thumb at Jensen.

@Jeremi @Ver @Lucky @Others

 

[Yun Lee]

"Why don't we set up a trap for that thing?" Joy, who had stayed silent for the majoriry of their time in the village, now spoke up. "Like, live bait or something...unless it's too smart or fast for it." She looked to the people. "Have any of you actually seen this thing?

@Jeremi @Ver @Bark @Takumi @York​

 

[Jeremi]

"..."

Jensen listened intently, the man's words confirming his initial suspicions. How long had these people been here? Far longer than he intended to stick around anyway. He didn't touch his soup once despite his earlier words, not out of apprehension at the thought of eating it, but rather feeling that his eating would disrupt the tension in the room once "it" was brought up. Something horrifying that caused the natives -- comparative, at least -- to quiver.

"Living flesh, huh..." The augmented man repeated, holding his bearded chin pensively. While he agreed with Jihl's sentiment that Shelke was a bit too eager for her own good, a part of him did agree with the prospect of considering taking care of the mystery creature in question. Not that he exactly cared to undermine someone like Jihl, all things considered, but...

"I don't imagine that tower will be going anywhere if we spend a night here. I think we ought to at least consider it," he spoke, "These are people's lives we're dealing with here. Besides, for all we know, the two things could be connected, couldn't they?" Adam speculated. Maybe his heart of gold got the better of him here, or maybe he really just didn't want to leave any potential ties loose -- considering this was far from the first time that he'd been asked to sidetrack himself from a job to handle a personal case for someone else -- but the idea of not wanting to keep things open like this wasn't such a bad excuse.

@Jeremi @Bark @York @Everybody​

"Uh, for all we know that monster could be a major pain in the arse later if we don't deal with it now." Maribel spoke up with a huff, crossing her arms a sshe looked to Jihl and Shelke. She was put off on the fact that Jihl seemed to eager to brush off helping these people. Maybe they could be rewarded for doing so, or maybe they could bw given something useful in the end! Really she just didn't feel right not helping-something she could partially blame Hiro for.

Speaking of, Hiro simply nodded in agreement with his redheaded companion as he tested out the soup.



"This guy is talking sense." Maribel said while jabbing her thumb at Jensen.

@Jeremi @Ver @Lucky @Others

"I don't care to chase ghosts, Jensen." Despite that, Jihl knew this would be a hopeless battle and just relented. "But I suppose there is some truth to what both of you are saying. Perhaps a little reward is enough for us to do this task."

The innkeeper looked on at the conversation but said nothing, he seemed to smile slightly though, perhaps a glimmer of hope to the situation.

"Why don't we set up a trap for that thing?" Joy, who had stayed silent for the majoriry of their time in the village, now spoke up. "Like, live bait or something...unless it's too smart or fast for it." She looked to the people. "Have any of you actually seen this thing?

@Jeremi @Ver @Bark @Takumi @York​

"Well...that wont be necessary. The monster marks its prey." He pointed out to one of the huts that had a X slashed over its door. "The monster you see...prefers the young. And there is not many children left..."


@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

 

[York]

Spoiler: Replies

Ramza turned slightly as the man in the inn spoke to Jihl and Adam, but looked at the other houses around the area. Was there anyone even there? Considering the inn had been locked, it seemed that there was probably something - or someone - they didn't want coming in. He dropped his hand from his sword and crossed his arms, waiting to see what the man in the inn would have to say next.

@Jeremi

Jihl seemed to ignore the stare Jensen was giving her as the man looked up at the people for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I suppose where you're from doesn't matter. We're all strangers in this land after all!" He stepped away from the door and beckoned them inside. "Come in! Come in! We do not have much to spare, but the soup can no doubt warm your bellies for today!"

As they stepped inside the establishment they found it mostly empty, except for a woman behind a counter and three men sitting silently looking at their drinks at one of the tables. All there seemed to have a similar stature to the innkeeper. "Gladys! We have guests!"

The woman perked up and motioned towards a long table in the back. "Visitors you say? Well sit down and I'll have some grub for you in a moment!" Despite the cheery disposition of the woman, you could feel a fog of melancholy and darkness over the entire village. What ills had befallen these people?



As Lucca knocked on the door she could hear some shuffling from inside the cottage but otherwise there was no other action. If there was someone on the other side of the door they were not going to open.


@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

"Yes... A meal would be lovely," Jensen said, trying to manage a more warm and relaxed tone in his words despite his naturally low voice. He found the vacancy of the inn somewhat curious, as well as the man's remark that "we were all strangers," even if for all that knew, it was just a throwaway line. Armchair wisdom, if one would please.

At the woman's suggestion, Adam settled down at one of the tables. The melancholic air that betrayed the two's lively dispositions was not lost on the man, but he initially said nothing, not wanting to alienate their tentative caretakers, until his curiosity eventually got the better of him as he waited.

"Not so busy these days, huh?" He idly commented.

@Jeremi @York @Bark @Lucky @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Gummi Bunnies @Everybody​

"Yes," Jihl continued sitting down in a chair a bits away from Jensen. "We saw your produce outside, but the people."

"Well...there is a reason for that." The man replied between ladling up soup for Gladys to give to the group. "Much like you I believe you aren't natives to this land and neither are we. One day we just...woke up here. Half the village gone and in an unfamiliar forest. Yet, to survive, we adapted." As the final people received their soup he sat down at a table and lit up his pipe to continue the tale. "Fertile lands and building material made so that we quickly got everything in order. That is until...a few weeks ago, when it arrived."

Gladys gasped in horror and the three men murmured something under their breath. "We are few left. Those with children barely leave their cottages. We leave out the food for it to take but...it only hungers on one thing."

Jihl knew what the man was implying and wasn't going to give him the pleasure to shock the group. "Living flesh, correct?" She responded in a nonchalant tone that made the man look a bit surprised at her.

"Y-Yes, exactly. We're only poor farmers, we do not have the tools to fight back...and so we hide. Hoping our house is not the one that will be hit next."

Shelke looked at Jihl and the rest of the group. "Then we will stop this monster." She turned towards the man. "We are strong and have the tools to do it."

"While you are extending our help with out proper discussion is very bold of you, Shelke." Jihl responded, the irritation very clear in her voice. "I don't believe we'll have the time. If you have forgotten we need to find that tower in the middle of a desert."

@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

"..."

Jensen listened intently, the man's words confirming his initial suspicions. How long had these people been here? Far longer than he intended to stick around anyway. He didn't touch his soup once despite his earlier words, not out of apprehension at the thought of eating it, but rather feeling that his eating would disrupt the tension in the room once "it" was brought up. Something horrifying that caused the natives -- comparative, at least -- to quiver.

"Living flesh, huh..." The augmented man repeated, holding his bearded chin pensively. While he agreed with Jihl's sentiment that Shelke was a bit too eager for her own good, a part of him did agree with the prospect of considering taking care of the mystery creature in question. Not that he exactly cared to undermine someone like Jihl, all things considered, but...

"I don't imagine that tower will be going anywhere if we spend a night here. I think we ought to at least consider it," he spoke, "These are people's lives we're dealing with here. Besides, for all we know, the two things could be connected, couldn't they?" Adam speculated. Maybe his heart of gold got the better of him here, or maybe he really just didn't want to leave any potential ties loose -- considering this was far from the first time that he'd been asked to sidetrack himself from a job to handle a personal case for someone else -- but the idea of not wanting to keep things open like this wasn't such a bad excuse.

@Jeremi @Bark @York @Everybody​

"Uh, for all we know that monster could be a major pain in the arse later if we don't deal with it now." Maribel spoke up with a huff, crossing her arms a sshe looked to Jihl and Shelke. She was put off on the fact that Jihl seemed to eager to brush off helping these people. Maybe they could be rewarded for doing so, or maybe they could bw given something useful in the end! Really she just didn't feel right not helping-something she could partially blame Hiro for.

Speaking of, Hiro simply nodded in agreement with his redheaded companion as he tested out the soup.



"This guy is talking sense." Maribel said while jabbing her thumb at Jensen.

@Jeremi @Ver @Lucky @Others

"Why don't we set up a trap for that thing?" Joy, who had stayed silent for the majoriry of their time in the village, now spoke up. "Like, live bait or something...unless it's too smart or fast for it." She looked to the people. "Have any of you actually seen this thing?

@Jeremi @Ver @Bark @Takumi @York​

"I don't care to chase ghosts, Jensen." Despite that, Jihl knew this would be a hopeless battle and just relented. "But I suppose there is some truth to what both of you are saying. Perhaps a little reward is enough for us to do this task."

The innkeeper looked on at the conversation but said nothing, he seemed to smile slightly though, perhaps a glimmer of hope to the situation.



"Well...that wont be necessary. The monster marks its prey." He pointed out to one of the huts that had a X slashed over its door. "The monster you see...prefers the young. And there is not many children left..."


@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

Lucca Ashtear
@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

Lucca sighed disappointedly, abandoning her attempt to talk with most of the locals, and decided just to follow the others into the Inn. From there, she listened to what they were saying, seeming to piece things together. Apparently the civilization here were once wanderers too, no doubt people who were also plucked from their own dimensions.

Things were going fine, until a beast came.

Apparently it preyed on living flesh, particularly children.

So that was why the residents didn't want to open their doors.

Even as Jensen proposed helping the village, it appears Lucca's mind was set... Pounding the table she was sitting at with one of her fists, apparently quite passionate about this prospect.

"We MUST help them! Like Jensen said, these are lives we are talking about... The lives of children no less!" She shouted.

In her mind, she wasn't so concerned about the tower at the moment... Even if it wasn't connected with the monster terrorizing this village, and even if there wasn't any reward from doing this.

In her mind, the lives of others, particlarly children being at stake was incentive enough to help them, somehow...

After Lucca calmed herself somewhat, she suddenly frowned, looking towards the Innkeeper.

"This monster of yours. What does it look like? And... ... Do you know anything about it we can use to our advantage?" She asked.

Of course, it was unlikely the Innkeeper knew any crippling weak points or something on that monster, but it wouldn't hurt to ask anyways. She needed all the information she could get, if she were to form a strong enough plan of action.​

 

[Ver]

"Well then. Looks like we've found a way to pay for the lodging and the food," Jensen said with a lightly sardonic edge. How convenient it'd be for them then if the so-called monster's next target was here. Such a creature would hopefully be little match for him, along with the rest of the group, whatever they could do, really.

Still, despite his ever cool exterior, not even Adam was completely nonplussed by the idea of children being deliberately targeted. After all these years, he never did get over what had happened in Mexicantown, and sometimes, he wondered if that might be for the better. Probably not if it would get him wrapped up in these situations, but what could he do, really?

Resting his elbows on the table, he held his hands together in front of his face, his expression an enigma. "When do you expect it to come?"

@Jeremi @York @Yun Lee @Takumi @Everybody​

 

[Kaykay]

"Also, has anyone seen it?"

Aya Brea reiterated Joy's question upon suddenly speaking up. The blonde had no objections to helping these people, which was why she found it fortunate that the rest of the group seemed to agree. Even if their schedule was tighter, the idea of just leaving these people, and children no less, to be eaten would never sit well with her.

"It'll be easier to know how to attack when it shows up if we can get some information about it."

@Jeremi @York @Yun Lee @Takumi @Ver​

 

[Jeremi]

"I'm afraid not," The innkeeper replied to Aya. "It moves quickly and silently. The only thing it leaves behind is the marks on the doors of its victims and...the remains of its victims." A heavy sigh escaped from his lips before turning his attention towards Jensen. "Time in this place is hard to factor, but it usually makes its move when the village goes silent. Perhaps a few more hours. If you are really set on helping us then I may have a plan."

And the plan was a simple one. The group moved to the hut marked by the village while the family retreated into the inn until the ordeal was finished one way or another. Jihl was not impressed by the accommodations and with all of them inside it was quite crowded. "Sigh...well as long as we're here..." She moved to close the blinds on the windows. "Let's not give this monster the pleasure to see its potential prey." While it didn't make the cottage fully dark it did help to dim the lights a little.

After awhile of just either sitting around or even trying to get some sleep, the group could see Shelke suddenly draw her weapons. "I saw a shadow in the window." As she said that they could hear something scraping at the door. They had looked the door behind them and it seemed sturdy enough to hold when suddenly a blade burst through the wood, the blade slid back letting some sunlight shine in before the blade came down again on the door. "Get ready..." Shelke had already taken a offensive stance ready to engage if necessary.


@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

 

[Ver]

Jensen reminded vigilant and quiet the entire wait. His time in SWAT, along with his various infiltration missions while working as security, had certainly disciplined him mentally. Waiting, watching, it all came easy to him at this point, so he had no reason to complain about just sitting there with nothing to pass the time. And when Shelke suddenly drew her weapons, Jensen reacted just as quickly, turning his head toward the door where the strange sound seemed to be coming from.

And then... SHRRK!

"!"

The moment the blade stabbed through the door, Adam drew his pistol from his coat faster than the wind like he was the fastest hand in the west, aiming it at the door while keeping his distance. Deciding to take this moment to get a more strategic look at what was after them while he had the chance, Jensen activated the Smart Vision within his augmented eyes, using them to look behind the door to see just what was behind.

@Jeremi @Kaykay @York @Takumi @Yun Lee @Everybody​

 

[Takumi]

Hiro simply waited, arms crossed while Maribel leaned against him and tried to sleep. On his other side, he kept Chris close. Once the monster made itself known, the young man readied his spear, the sudden movement causing Maribel to jump from her comfortable position, blade drawn and other hand ready in case she needed to cast Frizz instead.

@Jeremi @Ver @Lucky @Yun Lee @Crow @York @Others

 

[York]

Spoiler: Replies

"Well then. Looks like we've found a way to pay for the lodging and the food," Jensen said with a lightly sardonic edge. How convenient it'd be for them then if the so-called monster's next target was here. Such a creature would hopefully be little match for him, along with the rest of the group, whatever they could do, really.

Still, despite his ever cool exterior, not even Adam was completely nonplussed by the idea of children being deliberately targeted. After all these years, he never did get over what had happened in Mexicantown, and sometimes, he wondered if that might be for the better. Probably not if it would get him wrapped up in these situations, but what could he do, really?

Resting his elbows on the table, he held his hands together in front of his face, his expression an enigma. "When do you expect it to come?"

@Jeremi @York @Yun Lee @Takumi @Everybody​

"Also, has anyone seen it?"

Aya Brea reiterated Joy's question upon suddenly speaking up. The blonde had no objections to helping these people, which was why she found it fortunate that the rest of the group seemed to agree. Even if their schedule was tighter, the idea of just leaving these people, and children no less, to be eaten would never sit well with her.

"It'll be easier to know how to attack when it shows up if we can get some information about it."

@Jeremi @York @Yun Lee @Takumi @Ver​

"I'm afraid not," The innkeeper replied to Aya. "It moves quickly and silently. The only thing it leaves behind is the marks on the doors of its victims and...the remains of its victims." A heavy sigh escaped from his lips before turning his attention towards Jensen. "Time in this place is hard to factor, but it usually makes its move when the village goes silent. Perhaps a few more hours. If you are really set on helping us then I may have a plan."

And the plan was a simple one. The group moved to the hut marked by the village while the family retreated into the inn until the ordeal was finished one way or another. Jihl was not impressed by the accommodations and with all of them inside it was quite crowded. "Sigh...well as long as we're here..." She moved to close the blinds on the windows. "Let's not give this monster the pleasure to see its potential prey." While it didn't make the cottage fully dark it did help to dim the lights a little.

After awhile of just either sitting around or even trying to get some sleep, the group could see Shelke suddenly draw her weapons. "I saw a shadow in the window." As she said that they could hear something scraping at the door. They had looked the door behind them and it seemed sturdy enough to hold when suddenly a blade burst through the wood, the blade slid back letting some sunlight shine in before the blade came down again on the door. "Get ready..." Shelke had already taken a offensive stance ready to engage if necessary.


@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @York @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

Jensen reminded vigilant and quiet the entire wait. His time in SWAT, along with his various infiltration missions while working as security, had certainly disciplined him mentally. Waiting, watching, it all came easy to him at this point, so he had no reason to complain about just sitting there with nothing to pass the time. And when Shelke suddenly drew her weapons, Jensen reacted just as quickly, turning his head toward the door where the strange sound seemed to be coming from.

And then... SHRRK!

"!"

The moment the blade stabbed through the door, Adam drew his pistol from his coat faster than the wind like he was the fastest hand in the west, aiming it at the door while keeping his distance. Deciding to take this moment to get a more strategic look at what was after them while he had the chance, Jensen activated the Smart Vision within his augmented eyes, using them to look behind the door to see just what was behind.

@Jeremi @Kaykay @York @Takumi @Yun Lee @Everybody​

Hiro simply waited, arms crossed while Maribel leaned against him and tried to sleep. On his other side, he kept Chris close. Once the monster made itself known, the young man readied his spear, the sudden movement causing Maribel to jump from her comfortable position, blade drawn and other hand ready in case she needed to cast Frizz instead.

@Jeremi @Ver @Lucky @Yun Lee @Crow @York @Others

Lucca Ashtear
@Crow @Ver @Atomic Knight @Kaykay @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Hahli Nuva @Crow @Bark @Sark @Minerva @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @Takumi @Donder172 @Lucky @Yun Lee

Lucca was instantly alert, pulling what looked like a laster pistol out of her bag as she prepared to fire upon the intruder.

Just on the offchance they turned out not to be hostile, she decided to wait until she had a clear view of what was coming. Besides, she'd have a better shot that way anyways...​

 

[Jeremi]

Jensen reminded vigilant and quiet the entire wait. His time in SWAT, along with his various infiltration missions while working as security, had certainly disciplined him mentally. Waiting, watching, it all came easy to him at this point, so he had no reason to complain about just sitting there with nothing to pass the time. And when Shelke suddenly drew her weapons, Jensen reacted just as quickly, turning his head toward the door where the strange sound seemed to be coming from.

And then... SHRRK!

"!"

The moment the blade stabbed through the door, Adam drew his pistol from his coat faster than the wind like he was the fastest hand in the west, aiming it at the door while keeping his distance. Deciding to take this moment to get a more strategic look at what was after them while he had the chance, Jensen activated the Smart Vision within his augmented eyes, using them to look behind the door to see just what was behind.

@Jeremi @Kaykay @York @Takumi @Yun Lee @Everybody​

On the other side of the door Jensen could see a human silhouette. With another heavy slice of the weapon the door burst inwards and feel to the floor. Inside stepped a slender woman with pointed ears.

"Oh such a pretty gaggle. A most promising surprise." While the woman seemed calm and poised, there was something about her. A madness engulfing her being almost like an aura. "Such tall and poised figures..." The woman scanned the group in front of her, the younger in the group being met with a piercing glare that made them feel like she was staring right into their soul. "Are you here to see me?"​

 

[Gummi Bunnies]

The Intoner sisters immediately put their guard up once it was made clear that someone or something was trying to break down the door. Once the person responsible stepped into view once the door was fully broken down, Two felt a chill run down her spine. This woman was giving her all sorts of bad vibes, and the blue-haired girl didn't like it one bit.

On the other hand, One remained calm yet cautious, her hand resting around the handle of her chakram.

❝ The answer you seek to your inquiry should be apparent to you. ❞ One narrowed her eyes at their uninvited guest, ❝ ... Do explain yourself, unless you are unable to rid yourself of the highly questionable air which reeks profusely. ❞

@Jeremi @Kaykay @York @Takumi @Yun Lee @Ver @Everybody​

 

[Ver]

"..."

As the door broke down to reveal the subtly menacing individual behind, Jensen was just a hair away from pulling the trigger at the assailant, but the eerie calm admittedly caught him off-guard. Perhaps it was just as well as she didn't immediately attack, so Adam relented for that moment, if only also because One also spoke a bit.

To that end, considering how Jensen expected the so-called monster to be just that -- a literal beast, the thought occurred to him to perhaps learn more about the mysterious force. His instincts -- that of the need to find the truth even when neck-deep in a web of mystery and intrigue -- took over, and his mouth opened faster than he'd realized.

"Why...? Why are you doing this? What need do you have for the children?" He questioned gruffly, keeping his hands tightly poised on his gun just in case, still aimed carefully right at the woman.

@Gummi Bunnies @Jeremi @York @Takumi @Kaykay @Everybody​