1x1 Winds of Insurrection

"I wouldn't miss it," Dorothea said. "My first lively dinner in months...though I should warn you. The emperor's meal tastes are a bit...unique."

Before she could elaborate further, it would soon be obvious what Dorothea meant. They entered what must be a banquet hall, where a table had been set up covered with all sorts of finger foods. Colorful and fresh, the food choices were varied, though something was missing...

"Where's the meat?" Balrog asked, looking over the options.

"I do not eat meat," Walhart replied. "I hope you understand."

The boxer grumbled at that, but still took a plate offered and started piling food on it. Dorothea looked to Kassandra. "I hope you don't mind, Kass. Our chefs make some interesting variations, though. It's like you won't even miss meat at all."

@Jeremi​
 
Not a carnivore per say, Kassandra had to wonder how a man like Walhart got as big as he did by just eating vegetables. Or perhaps that armor was hiding a secret from them? “Not at all,” She said to Dorothea with a re-assuring smile. “It’s the company, not the food that a meal makes.” Okay that was a lie, it was definitely the good food, but good company did alleviate it somewhat. With that she went and gathered an assortment a colorful spread of vegetable food that was up for offering and took a seat at the table.

Ikaros it seemed had noticed what had been on the menu and with a cry it flew out of a nearby window, perhaps going to look for some food of its own.

@Yun Lee
 
Dorothea soon joined Kassandra after preparing a smaller plate for herself. The table itself was circular, and a bit more intimate than what would be expected of a royal banquet. It was likely Walhart had anticipated a smaller group.

On Kassandra's other side sat the young woman from before, who immediately started eating as she sat down.

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"............" It was almost as though she was excusing herself from any possibility of conversation.

Dorothea didn't seem to mind all that much, though, as her attention was on her new friend for the time being. "I haven't had a chance to leave Enbarr since The Melding...what is it like out there? Sparta too...I don't think a place like that exists in Fodlan."

@Jeremi​
 
Kassandra looked over to women from earlier but didn't think much about her and instead turned her attention towards Dorothea "That is very possible. There is quite a lot where I've wandered that has not been part of Sparta. I'm not even sure if my Sparta is here," Kassandra remarked as she poked a brussels sprout with her fork. "I do not know how to describe it, but where I have been it has been a combination of terror and compliance. And monsters, quite a lot of monsters."

Kassandra wasn't really quite sure what she should mention. "I saw a mechanical device they called a "car". It was like a cart that pulled itself forward and the passengers sat inside it. I understood that they have difficulty traveling far with them unless it receives fuel of some sort." She pondered a bit more as she popped the vegetable into her mouth. "Some places even outside a little outside of Enbarr have areas that look like they have been patched together. It just feels...wrong."

@Yun Lee
 
Dorothea listened to Kassandra in awe, not really eating much herself. "A car...that sounds like a shortening of 'carriage,' in a way. Of course those require horses in order to use them, but I don't think I've ever seen one move by itself." She started picking at her food idly, frowning. "Enbarr seemed to be taken altogether, which I suppose is lucky for most of us. Though all my close friends from school are gone. The emperor, the ministers...the only person left to run this place is Walhart." She looked up to the man sitting across from them, engaged in a conversation with Balrog that seemed to be extremely one-sided. "But as you can see, he's not exactly sociable."

The teen boy from earlier took the seat by Dorothea, flashing her a smile. "You don't mind if I sit here, right?"

She smiled back at him. "Not at all."

The bird man from before sat down next to the quiet woman. He watched her eat for a moment, then looked past her to Kassandra. "I should have chosen my seat earlier," he said. "It appears I'm missing out on the conversations."

@Jeremi​
 
Oh the bird man was sociable. "Well I've been in more rowdier table conversations," Kassandra replied to him. "If you wish to join in then, by all means, you're welcome." She then turned her attention towards Dorothea again. "I have also heard rumors of machines allowing flight just like any bird," She chuckled. "It really feels like I shouldn't have access to all of this knowledge of what we as a species can be capable of."

Looking over to Walhart she'd shrug. "Some times the only thing a leader needs is action, rather than words, to do what needs to be done. He has a...certain charm to him as well."

@Yun Lee
 
"We can change seats..." The quiet woman offered, getting up. "I don't like being in the way..."

"Thank you." The bird stood as well, and took the seat beside Kassandra. "A machine that allows you to fly like a bird? Hmph. I highly doubt it's half as graceful as the real thing..."

"What, you mean airplanes?" The boy nodded. "Those are normal back where I'm from. Meanwhile castles like this? Not so much."

Dorothea seemed to tune out of that conversation, instead resting her chin on her interwtined fingers. "I suppose that's true...though I may be biased since the last leaders were all close friends. Even so...Walhart certainly isn't the most charming person in this room. At least, not to me."​
 
Yun Lee said:
"We can change seats..." The quiet woman offered, getting up. "I don't like being in the way..."

"Thank you." The bird stood as well, and took the seat beside Kassandra. "A machine that allows you to fly like a bird? Hmph. I highly doubt it's half as graceful as the real thing..."

"What, you mean airplanes?" The boy nodded. "Those are normal back where I'm from. Meanwhile castles like this? Not so much."

Dorothea seemed to tune out of that conversation, instead resting her chin on her interwtined fingers. "I suppose that's true...though I may be biased since the last leaders were all close friends. Even so...Walhart certainly isn't the most charming person in this room. At least, not to me."​
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"Well," Kassandra leaned forward Dorothea with a knowing smile on her face. "I have my guesses as well but I'd be curious to hear who your pick is, I would feel silly if I chose differently from you."

@Yun Lee
 
Dorothea smirked, opening her mouth to reply when Walhart cleared his throat. "Ahem. Thank you all for agreeing to this task. I must admit I was hoping for a larger group, but I suppose this thief we've been dealing with has struck fear into the hearts of Enbarr. I do wish for you all to enjoy your meal, so I will make this brief. Before we begin, Perhaps we can all introduce ourselves?"

Balrog nodded. "May as well kick us off. Name's Balrog, I'm a pro boxer from the US. Lookin' forward to giving this thief's face a complete do-over when I meet him, heh."

The teen was next. "Uh, my name's Ryuji Sakamoto. I'm gonna be a third-year in Shibuya, Japan. Well, I mean...I was until this all happened. Now I'm just trying to help out where I can, y'know?"

"I suppose that means me?" Dorothea smiled at the group. "My name is Dorothea Arnault. I'm a former songstress from here in Enbarr, and only just recently was part of Emperor Edelgard's Black Eagle Strike Force. I now work as an adviser while we try to sort things out with The Melding." She gave Kassandra a little smile, as if to let her know it was her turn.

@Jeremi​
 
"I'm waiting on an answer," Kassandra whispered playfully to Dorothea as she got out of her seat to introduce herself. "I am Kassandra of Sparta. In my world I was a misthios, to put it bluntly, I solve problems, one way or another. I'm looking forward to working with you all," Kassandra added before sitting back in her chair.

@Yun Lee
 
"Have I not made it obvious?" Dorothea whispered. "And here I thought actions spoke louder than words..."

The bird now stood. "I am Revali, Champion of the Rito. I come from the kingdom of Hyrule. Though my specialty is archery, I should have no problem dealing with this thief." He sat down, and the woman stood.

"...Lucy...I'm Hoenn's Pike Queen...I travel with my companion Seviper..."

"And this Seviper is a Pokemon, correct..?" Walhart asked hesitatingly.

Lucy nodded. "...He's in his Pokeball...and I washed up before entering the throne room...just like I was instructed..."

The emperor nodded. "Good. I do apologize for the inconvenience...unfortunately I am terribly allergic to Pokemon." As Lucy sat, he stood. "Thank you all for coming. I am Walhart of Valm, temporary emperor of Enbarr until Emperor Edelgard returns. When I woke up on the outskirts of the forest and heard the screams from the city, I knew I had to step in and aid Enbarr however I could. I still do to this day, which is why I am determined to see this burglar apprehended."

He sat down. "Please, feel free to help yourselves to some food as I explain the specifics of this task. Over the past few weeks, nobles in this city have been suffering a string of robberies by an unknown assailant. No one knows their identity, or who they are, but they leave calling cards the morning before they strike." He held up one such card now, which featured cut-out letters on one side, and a strange emblem on the other that appeared to be a variation of a skull and crossbones. "This card was delivered this morning, which is why this meeting is so rushed. I will hire you all as guards for the noble family targeted, and provide a bonus to whoever can find and apprehend our thief. Does that sound reasonable to all of you?"

@Jeremi​
 
"I did not wish to assume," Kassandra muttered under her breath as she sat back down. "But I appreciate it all the same."

She listened to the others stories and to what Walhart had to say intently. This all seemed so flashy. Why would thieves reveal themselves like this and not just disappear with their loot? "It does sound reasonable...in its own way," She said as Walhart finished. "Do we know something else about these thieves other than." She motioned towards the card. "That."

@Yun Lee
 
"Indeed, even I need more information in order to succeed," Revali said. "Is there anything you've been able to deduce from those cards? Perhaps even a pattern in their robberies?"

Walhart answered by reading the card aloud. "'We know the truth about you, and the secret kept in your halls. Tonight you will face justice for your misdeeds, and pay for your mistreatment of others.' There is no signage on the card, but all have a message similar in nature. They don't steal much, we've learned...but they do something more to their victims."

"What, like attack 'em?" Balrog asked.

"No, fortunately...but something...psychological happens to them,"

"...trauma after robbery is normal..."

The emperor shook his head. "I can't explain it, but...it is a bit more involved than mere trauma. Almost as though their targets become whole different people."

"Oh, man! These thieves sound tough! I sure wouldn't wanna mess with these guys..." Ryuji leaned his seat back on its hind legs.

"Oh?" Dorothea smirked. "Then why sign up?"

"B-Because!" A blush came on the teen's face as the front legs of his chair crashed back down. "You kinda...gotta help, right? I mean, innocent people are gettin' hurt here...and stuff."

@Jeremi​
 
"In what way do they become different?" Kassandra asked curiously. "And what is this secret?" This whole situation seemed more and more suspicious to Kassandra. Thieves that don't steal anything of value but leave their targets changed?

She then turned her attention towards Ryuji. "They do sound...peculiar, but I'll cut them down all the same." Oh, that's right. "Do you want us to take them alive or dead?" Kassandra asked Walhart.
 
"It is quite strange," Walhart said. "They become overwhelmingly guilty for every little misdeed they've committed recently, sobbing messes or otherwise deeply depressed."

"So those 'secrets' are nothing more than skeletons in the closet," Dorothea said. Under her breath, she would mutter, "Though if you ask me, it's about time these nobles confess to their misdeeds..."

"H-Heh, cool..." Ryuji smiled, but he seemed to have grown a bit pale. He coughed pulling his jacket off. "U-Uh, is it me, or is it, like, super hot in here...?"

"I want them alive," Walhart replied. "For one thing, what they've done is not worthy of a capital punishment. And I would like to interrogate them on what exactly their goal is. If they are killed, your bonus for apprehension will be half. But if it is done in self-defense...I can make an exception if they attempt murder."

@Jeremi​
 
Kassandra smirked at Dorothea's faint words and nodded solemnly. If only it would be this easy to bring out those that profit through evil. "Then no killing," She replied to Walhart, more coin was always better after all. "I am curious to hear how they are able to do this as well."

@Yun Lee
 
Walhart nodded, "If all goes well, we will find out by tomorrow morning. Now then, everyone, please finish eating, and we will get on with our mission.

With a bit more banter and eating, in just a few moments they had all finished, and were escorted a few streets away to a stately manor. Clearly those in this area had been able to repair their homes after the robot attacks, no doubt having the funds to do so. "Unfortunate this business had to happen right before reconstruction could get fully underway..." Dorothea had elected to go along, staying by Kassandra's side. "We've been so wrapped up in war efforts for five years that after the initial uprising things haven't changed much here."

"Once we stop our thief, I will be throwing my all into reformation," Walhart said. "But right now, I require you all to split up. Half of us patrolling the exterior, and the other half within."

"Wait, we?" Balrog scoffed. "You're getting your hands dirty?"

"It wouldn't be right to do otherwise." Personally I will be outside. I hope to deter our thief with my presence. The rest of you, feel free to decide amongst yourselves where you'd prefer to be."

@Jeremi​
 
Kassandra was impressed that the Emperor himself was willing to get his hands dirty in something like this. "If there are no objections then I'll at least take the exterior. I think my skills will be better suited for outside work." She turned to Dorothea. "Perhaps you could help me navigate? It could be dangerous walking alone in this place after all."

@Yun Lee
 
"As if you had to ask," Dorothea said with a smile.

"I believe I am better suited for the outside air," Revali said. "I doubt I can use my full potential confined to a building."

Everyone else elected to go inside, which worked well, as Walhart was planning to stay outside and would be away from Lucy's Pokemon partner. "Revali. Go on and take to the overhead while I watch the front of the estate."

"That leaves me and Kass with the back." Dorothea took the eagle-bearer's hand and led her off to the back of the estate, where they found beautiful rose gardens and marble fountains. "I think I performed at this home years ago for some party," she said. "I was only sixteen at the time, no older than that Ryuji boy." She looked to Kassandra. "So, what do you think is our best bet right now? Splitting up?"

@Jeremi​
 
Dorothea’s question was answered by a sharp cry from the sky as Ikaros returned and sat down on Kassandra’s shoulder. “Ikaros will cover more ground than both of us could even separate. He will inform us of trouble if there is any.“ Kassandra said something to Ikaros in what Dorothea could assume was her native language before the bird went up into the sky once more.

“With that taken care of, did you say you were a performer?” Kassandra asked. “Perhaps I could envision you on a stage. I bet you had a lot of admirers even back then.”

@Yun Lee
 
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