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Botanist And Bards

As they approached the gates, they would likely notice that there was some sort of carvings adorning them - seemingly religious in nature, one of which consisted of a woman laying down in water with her hair spreading out naturally. At the end of each strand of hair was a tree, mountain, or other natural landmark situated as if the ends of her hair were life itself. As for opening the door, it resisted for a moment as if something was holding it in place, but then slowly began to give way as it was pushed on as its ancient hinge creaked loudly.

To their right, one of the broken stones slid off its pedstool and landed on the ground. A moment later Valiants voice entered the princess' mind. "Princess! The other statue!" A fraction of a second later, the royal would hear a scream. The leftmost person working on the door would find a stone statue burying its claws into their back deeply, raising its beak to rip the spinal cord in half - it hadn't been there a second ago, meaning it had to have moved incredibly fast. As of now, it was throwing the person off balance as its wings flapped quickly and forcing them into an awkward position.

Botanist And Bards

After the Storm

The storm eventually blew itself away sometime the next day - the sun was shining as if nothing had happened, and the peasantry were in the fields working away in the now humid air, and the various trees and animals that had hidden in their own unique ways from the might of the windmothers were returning to their normal activities.

The directions given to Izzy and those she would choose to bring along (Gracie wouldn't want to come, but she'd obey her Princess if she was told to) led to a location that was a couple hours away at most. After travelling along halfway through well tread paths, the group would have to go through a tree filled wilderness for the second half. Despite the slightly ominous forest, they would find no bandits or other nefarious forces hiding there. Instead the group would arrive to what appeared to be a large hill unhindered, where they would find their objective on the other side.

From a distance it was easy to see that set into the hill was a pair of large, stone gates. Inlaid in the hill were also two statues of Eagles in a hostile position - or rather, one full statue and one that looked like it had collapsed with age.

What would Izzy and her crew do?

Botanist And Bards

Valiant didn't bother to correct Isabella again, instead simply offering a brief agreement with his wielder. "Of course, Princess. Anything for you."

For a few more seconds the sword would remain quiet, allowing the Princess' thoughts to drift off wherever they went - but soon enough the sword forced itself back into Izzy's mind. "Someone's coming down the left hallway."

St. Sappho Academy, Medieval Magic Academy (Invite Only)

Fia wasn't surprised as the hydra began to give chase to a surprised dog girl, who sprinted away as a new 'apex predator' entered into town. It was a little odd how the familiar seemed to institutionally know that Ritsa wasn't simply edible lizard and rather was far, far bigger. Or it might have simply been the hissing and a showing of a line of very, very pointy teeth. Whatever the girl's reasoning, Fia had some faith that the golden tailed girl would be able to stay away from Ritsa for quite a while. After all, dogs were natural sprinters.

With a sigh of relief that she wouldn't be the target today, the phoenix turned around to give Lyssa a smile.

A boy with cat ears occupied most of her vision when she turned, probably having snuck behind her. Shit. Fia barely managed to dodge a pounce from the kitten as she too began to run away. For now, Lyssa didn't seem to have anyone chasing her as demons were outside of the natural bird-cat-dog-hydra foodchain it seemed.

"H-hey!"

The two nobles on the bench started laughing harder as the two familiars added themselves to the chaotic fray. Would Ritsa help Fia, or would she continue to chase the fleeing puppy?

Otille Kohler

It was a good thing that Cocoa seemed to know how to braid hair, and obviously better that it had managed to distract Cocoa from the prev-

Gods she was so happy the cow couldn't see her blush right now. Still though, she buried her face into her hands as she continued to lean over the edge of the pool ... was it still her job to milk her familiar, or should she teach Cocoa how to do it herself? She'd never heard of 'familiar milk' being sold before, so she wasn't sure how it'd taste or if there was even a market for it. But it was likely becoming a little bothersome for the cow as the pressure was likely building up.

"I um, dunno how this works now that you are a familiar, Cocoa." Otille answered honestly. "I-I'll ask someone how we should err, handle the excess production." There certainly was likely a bit more than a little excess as the globes continued to press into her back.

It was embarrassing, but maybe Luna would know what to do about this?

Botanist And Bards

Valiant as always remained motionless - a couple disappointed words entered her mind. "I can't-" The sword went silent as the princess continued to celebrate privately for having hit a wall with a reasonable amount of force. The sword let out a slightly happy version fill the royal's head. "Congratulations, Princess Isabella. That which ye Broad Sides of Barns cower in fear from. May every wall tremble in horror at your approach. I dub thee 'Izzy the Wall Beater'."

Botanist And Bards

Valiant remained quiet, not answering the princess for a short time. It was hard to tell if he was annoyed at being waved around like some sort of child's plaything. "Fine. We will do as you ask, though against my advisement. Put me in the scabbard and swing me at the wall." The sword went silent. "And like you mean it. You still have to be commit the action, I simply provide the skill."

As the princess began to intend the blade to swing at the wall, she would feel her footwork adjust to a better stance. The edges of her vision would blur slightly, as if there was an intense moment of focus ... and a feminine battle cry in the distance? Her hips would move with the shot, and her grip on the blade would be the optimal level of loose.

When she swung the blade, she'd hear it hit the wall with a resounding boom that echoed down the castle hallways as a portion of the wall chipped off. It was a good strike - one a knight would be proud of. Her brothers would be proud of.

A noticeable pain would ripple through her body as if various muscles were pulled on in ways they weren't meant to be, especially at her hips, knees, wrists, and shoulders. None of the aches would be excruciating, but it was certainly there.

Valiant spoke absentmindedly, reviewing the events. "... I think your hips are thicker than hers, and your shoulder isn't as loose."

Botanist And Bards

"... show you? Hmmm ..." The sword thought about how to explain this. "Honestly, its probably best to train against an actual partner. And not with me. I ... adjust to you, not vice versa. If I tried fighting with you like I did with my previous wielder, you'd find yourself exhausted and possibly injured."

The blade decided to clarify. "I've been wielded by women in the past, several of whom were independently competent. It'd probably be best for me to figure out which one of them is most similar to you and adjust that style to your strengths and weaknesses."

Botanist And Bards

The sword paused. "... Are you intending at swinging at a wall, your highness?" Isabella would probably swear she heard Valiants cold, serious voice be cut down to simple confusion.

Botanist And Bards

Valiant expression as Isabella spoke of the stronger, more impressive swords was steely and difficult to read. It was difficult to cut through the blade's shell and try to figure out what it was thinking at times - there was no 'emotion' transferred through their bond it seemed. It took a few seconds after the princess stopped speaking for the blade to finally offer some response.

"... If you are afraid of some sort of possession, fear not. So long as you wield me in a battle, every blow you swing will be swung with the technique of every prior wielder. You will still be the one swinging, but it would be as if you had centuries of experience you do not possess."

He didn't comment at all on her speaking cheerfully of these other more powerful swords - was he offended? Injured? It was hard to say.

St. Sappho Academy, Medieval Magic Academy (Invite Only)

"G-Ahh!" Fia was a little surprised to find herself being dragged in some random direction by the always over-energetic Ritsa. The phoenix's protests were cut off as she focused on regaining her feet - and then walking along side her friend as they held hands together.

Soon enough they found themselves in a small park like area - which was convenient, since the 'princess' (Fia still had her doubts) didn't have any cash. A brief look around revealed a large playground which confused Fia for a couple of seconds - weren't most of the students here too old for such things at Sappho? The reason for the playground's existence was quickly revealed though as Fia watched two young familiars - a dog girl and cat boy - chase eachother up and down the playground in circles. Or rather, watched the dog girl chase the cat boy as he remained high and safe from their predator. On a bench nearby, a giggling couple holding hands wearing similar colors to the familiar's collars revealed who was watching.

It was obvious this place was intended for young or otherwise overly energetic familiars to burn off that excess energy. Such as Ritsa. Fia eyed the girl curiously, wondering if she'd start chasing and tormenting the dog girl at the bottom and make the 'predator' into 'prey'.

Or maybe she'd just eat the playground.

Otille Kohler

Otille looked down at her two large 'prizes' before blushing slightly and raising her eyes back up towards the cows. Was it really possible Cocoa had no idea what she was talking about? She was a prize milk cow, and it wasn't surprising after all those years of being milked she was a little proud of what her udders produced ... but undoubtedly she knew that humans treated those organs with other feelings as well?

"I-It's okay, Cocoa. W-why don't you just braid my hair instead?" The blush intensified for a moment - for everyone involved sakes she hoped the cow didn't understand that was her human body's way of conveying emotions. The farm girl turned her back towards the cow, pulling her hair behind the tub and leaning over the edge comfortably