Ti

Welcome to Vradia

I am going to punish you with my cringeworthy humour due to lack of Simbel post, @Red Wizard !

The Hourglass Order

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Event: The Proposal | Location: Ersand'Enise

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"Jammy," said Penny, mercilessly, "You know this thing is a magic lamp, right?" She was swinging gently in the hammock in his dorm, her lone foot hanging out of it. Presently, the Avatar of Reshta was turning the shiny brass trinket over in her hands and, after a brief silence, she took a moment to glance his way. "It grants five wishes, but it's sneaky. It tries to subvert them."

Ashon nodded as he listened to her words, “You have mentioned this before, but sometimes these things have a reputation far worse than implied.” As if on cue, he brought out the so-called Twig of Woe, “Like this cool-looking knobbly stick. If anything, it is a very sturdy stick; I even batted a cannonball away with it once, but it has never given me a single ounce of bad luck.”

He moved toward her, stroking his hand against her cheek and into her hair. “How many wishes have you made with it?”

Penny straightened in the hammock until she was sitting 'cross-legged', or her best approximation of it. "Why, my dear monkey boy," she purred, "I have used only one." There was quite a big grin in evidence. "I thought we might use the rest to improve our fortunes and... maybe... unimprove those of some people we don't like?" She was feeling mighty devious and clever at the moment.

She rocked back and forth, self-satisfied, until her toes brushed the twig of woe. On her next swing, she found herself over-rotating and tumbling to the floor with a series of painful thumps. Grimacing, Penny sat up, rubbing at her left elbow. She regarded him dubiously. "My love," she began frankly. "Light of my life." He blinked. "Luush'elar," She pursed her lips, pawing momentarily in discomfort at her legless hip. "That thing is cursed as fuck. Maybe we can start by un-cursing it?"

He stroked his chin, “Un-improve those we don’t like? That sounds like a bad idea; we don’t want to make them even worse. Barely tolerable as they are.” He definitely had a few people in mind as he shivered, giving her a big, knowing grin. Though the idea something happening such as a 8-foot Ayla gave him goosebumps too, or an even smaller one, running around and biting peoples ankles.

He blinked as he looked toward her and the twig, watching her crumble to the ground into a puddle, a smile growing on his face. “You just have to treat her nicely. She gets a little defensive, though she can be a little jealous too if you spend too much time with other sticks.” He rubbed the top of the staff, polishing it a little. “Though, would you really trust it not to do something to your lamp?”

"Who'd have ever imagined there'd be a thing called chivalry, huh?" Penny shook her head and, after a moment, stood. "Well, to be fair, your stick gets plenty." She rolled her eyes. Casting about for her crutches, the one-legged woman hopped a few steps to grab them and turned on the spot, holding the lamp awkwardly as she went.

"If twig-chan is too precious," she decided, "I say we wish for something simple it can't possibly fuck up. We just need to leave enough wishes to avert the looming disaster of the three babies I'm going to make in seven months out of wedlock."

He pondered for a moment, especially at the last comment. It was something that had occupied his thoughts for a while. Contemplating rather seriously, he suddenly had an idea. “If I'm honest, there is one thing…”, he moved to settle on the hammock, patting the space beside him. “I find myself in the fortunate position of always getting what I have ever wished for.” He reached out to hold Penny’s hand in his, squeezing it tightly. “I've never lacked for any possessions, having more than I ever want or need. As for love…” he gracefully rose from the hammock and knelt before Penny, taking both her hands in his, “I found the most beautiful girl who has occupied my dreams since before I can remember. One who loves me and is carrying my children.” He gently placed a hand on Penny’s stomach, looking up into her eyes, “The one thing left that I truly wish for is to marry you, Penny Pellegrin. If anything, to give you the wedding you've always dreamed about, even having your father bring you down the aisle as you've spoken about.” He grinned up at her, planting a soft kiss on her ring finger. “Can your lamp do that? Grant us your father’s approval, recognize me as worthy of his daughter's hand, and allow me to give his precious and most beautiful daughter the wedding she has always dreamt of?”

She was about to settle into the hammock beside Ashon when he seemed to think better of it and, in his restless yasoi fashion, rose.

She thought little of it and remained standing. Then, he knelt. He knelt and began speaking in an earnest voice and he was so handsome and so perfect and so... *there* and she didn't know what to make of any of it! Involuntarily, she'd have taken a step back if his hands hadn't been clasping hers. He... wanted to give himself to her. To... be married in the sight of the gods. He said everything right. He *was* everything right.

...and, yet, he was not.

Her father might 'disown' her to let her free of the restrictions of her station. He might attend such a wedding incognito or in disguise. He might furnish her with his well wishes and a sizable dowry and embrace her one last time before releasing the tethers that bound her and letting her sail away to be her own person. Her heart pounded at the thought: her and Ashon, a couple, setting off into the great unknown of a shared future.

Her mother would disown her in earnest, however. They would not speak again and she knew it. She might receive some notion of the woman's 'profound disappointment' through limited contact with one of her siblings, and that would be it. For some reason, she found herself surprisingly unperturbed. All her eighteen years of life, Penelope had tried for her mother's regard, and the best she'd ever gotten were grudging acknowledgements or shallow, public displays of acceptable affection, so as not to lay bare the distaste in which the queen held her daughter. It had always been... exhausting. It had been a constant investment of time, energy, and worry that had nibbled at the edges of her sanity and emotional wellbeing. And now, because she might want to marry a man - *any* man, for it had been made amply clear to her that a 'disfigured' creature as herself was never to bring life into the world lest her curse be passed on - she would face a tantrum from the old woman? Penny's mind was made up.

Placing her weight on her hands so that he held her up momentarily, she knelt before him and brough them eye-to-eye, or something like that, despite his height. "Yes, Ashon." She had said it, and it was cathartic to say. She took a moment to breathe, a smile blossoming, unbidden, on her face. "Yes one hundred percent. Yes. Yes. Yes before Ipté and Oraff. Yes before Dami and Shune and even Eshiran." She rose, pulling him to his feet. "Yes before all the people who give us strange looks in the street." She looked up at him, giggling giddily through the tears. "Yes before you being a foot and a half taller than me. Yes before people asking 'I'm sorry if this is a rude question, but are you two able to... have children?'." She grinned. "On that note, yes before the three Oraff-damned kids you put in me and the agonizing pain of multiple childbirth." She shuddered, but softened it with a rueful laugh. "Which also means yes before those girls who shoot you coy looks. Fuck 'em. You're mine." She reached up and cupped one side of his jaw in her hand and pinched his cheek playfully. "Yes before your prophecy, too. I'm Reshta now. Always was." She winked, hands clasping his, swinging both of their arms back and forth.

"And yes, finally, before my bitch of a mother who says you're not good enough and I'm not good enough to be happy." She smiled with finality, and there was suddenly a hint of shyness to it. Penny took a couple of deep breaths, letting them swell her chest. She rose onto her tiptoes, craning her neck and pulling him in toward her. "I love you, Ashon, with everything I am." She leaned in to kiss him. "We don't need any wishes this time. My father will come around."

Ashon was undeniably startled by the response, taken aback by the reaction. For a while, he had assumed that marriage was an elusive dream, particularly given the apparent disapproval from her parents. After all, would a Perrench King even allow his daughter to marry the local Yasoi orphan boy turned monkey man? This uncertainty had made him hesitant to bring up the topic, and his initial request was more about changing circumstances to make it a viable option. Perhaps the lamp could have changed their minds, or given him some Yanii title to parade around with, or even a so-called 'King of the Yasoi,' as far as such a title would ever exist other than in a comedian's tale.

However, considering everything they had been through, it suddenly seemed to make sense. Here she was, carrying not one but three of his children. What struck him even more was that she hadn't once considered getting rid of them, despite societal expectations and norms. It was no dirty secret, not even with the magical lamp in the picture. He was going to be a father, which was incredibly exciting, and now, he was also going to be a husband too.

As Penny extended toward him, Ashon decided to seize the moment. He effortlessly picked her up, cradling her in his arms and hoisting her upward as he wrapped his hands around her hips. In this playful lift, he found himself the shorter one for a change and leaned up to engage in a deep, passionate kiss with her. After breaking the kiss, he couldn't help but beam at her. “Well, that's another wish granted.” His wide grin persisted as he looked into her eyes. “I suppose this means I'm taking you to Hyparii. Got to show you off to the Old Man for his blessing before the big day.”

Penny leaned into the surprise direction of the kiss. On some level, she knew this was mad - it was all mad and daft and would be her ruin - but it also felt like deliverance, and she wanted it! *Ipté* how she wanted it! When they parted and he held her there, she winked. "Well, you know, you are engaged to the Avatar of Vyshta, you know. She let him set her back down. "Wishes coming true tends of be part of the deal." She straightened her ruffled clothing. "Could you imagine our fathers meeting?" She proposed with a rueful laugh.

Whether or not they would remained to be seen, but now, perhaps, there was just a touch more certainty to it all.

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Hey ya!

Welcome to the Guild!

Searching to itch my hyperfixation! (Loki [Marvel] rp) Ignore Post Count!

You are now Burdened with Glorious Purpose.

The Hourglass Order

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Event: Primitive Wrap-Up. | Location: An Zenui

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A Picnic

Ayla looked around the white space she was in. To be fair, she wasn’t sure where she was, only that moments before, she was grasped by Hetraxa and being dragged to hell. Was this hell? Being surrounded by nothingness. She pinched herself, and it hurt, and the blood from the cuts and grazes she acquired were certainly still present. Wherever she was, she was still alive. This place elicited a bunch of emotions, from feeling lost and desolate, whilst another part of her saw it as a blank canvas that needed to be painted.

She began to imagine what would make the environment a little more interesting. Perhaps a little picnic table, a nice tree for there to be shade, perhaps even a little pond. As she thought about it more, she was distracted by a meow. She blinked as she looked down toward the Calico kitty which began to rub itself against her ankles, “Oh, hello there.” She crouched down as she began to pet it. As she did, more appeared, each a varied, part of a collection of different breeds.

She made her way over to the picnic table, as she sat on a bench, the kitties crawling over her. “It seems they like you.” Ayla looked up to see a man, wizened in his features, approached the table. “Mind if we take a seat?” He smiled then moved to sit down, a cat moving up to stroke itself against him.

“What is this place?” Ayla mused, asking aloud, “Have we gone to Heaven?”. The old man chuckled as he moved his hand to stroke the cat curling up against him, “No, this is Purgatory. This is where the souls of the dead come to rest before judgment, and very infrequently, the living appear here too, it seems.” He raised an eyebrow toward Ayla with the last point, “So, what brings the living here this time?”

She thought about it for a moment, “We made abuela so angry, she tried to drag me to hell with her.” The man raised his eyebrow at the response, taking a sip of the drink in front of him, pulling a face at the strange bitter mixture. “Does your abuela have a name?”.

Ayla nodded, though clarified, “It is coffee. Add some milk and spratz, it does make it very palatable.” She poured the same within the man’s cup, as he tasted with some approval this time. “Admittedly, it is in jest. Our ancestor is called Alizée Arslan, a great person, though she is often regarded as the Grand Demon Hetraxa,” she sipped her coffee, “A being who is so freakishly horrifying in appearance, it is an eldritch horror which has tendrils for eyes.” She shivered as even the mental glimpse of the grotesque appearance was putting her off the pastas de natas on the table.

The man listened and frowned as he examined the custard pastry, holding it up towards the girl to identify it for him, as he took a bite. The custard filling almost scolding his tongue as he bit into it. “That is Pastas de Natas, they are from Segona. Our friend Maura introduced us to them.”, she clarified, smiling with a giggle at the man’s reaction. The man smiled warmly toward her, as if a grandparent to their young grandchild. “The world has certainly moved on since my day. Though one thing is for sure, she definitely would have got that from her mothers’ side, nothing got past her gaze.”

Ayla tilted her head in curiosity at the comment, as she ate silently for a moment, “Do you know much about our family?”. The old man smiled brightly, “Well, we would like to think that was the case, but age is certainly getting to me. Which one are you again, Maëlle?”. Ayla shook her head, “We are Ayla Arslan of Varrahasta.” The man acted as if a candle lit in his mind, “Ah, one of Alizée’s children. We are still waiting for another Maëlle, it is a beautiful name.”

Ayla continued to look toward him strangely, “Who is Maëlle? We have not heard that name before.” The man shook his head, “We imagine not, you are not one of her descendants. A real shame. She ran off with a boy and travelled off east… or was it west? Married a boy called Snorri who became a King, we believe.”

Ayla blinked as her mouth dropped a moment, “My ancestor was married to King Snorri of Vossoriya?” The old man let out a laugh, “One of many, we are led to believe, but she was the first.” He continued taking in the refreshments. “Though less of an ancestor and more of a… tía abuela, if you will.”

She continued to scrutinize him, “That was around 800 years ago. Who are you?”. He wiped the crumbs out of his beard, before he returned to the question, “Has it really been that long, it feels like it was almost yesterday.” He could feel the girl's eyes on him as he delayed the question, “Don’t get your kitten knickers in a twist, you are just like your tia Sasha looking at me that way,” He muttered, “We are more of a nobody really. Grew up as a stable boy of a huntsman, some dumb kid called Asier with a talent of getting into trouble.”

Her mouth dropped open, as she was face to face with the great patriarch himself, Asier Arslan, the family founder. “THE Asier?!”. He looked at her in return, then nodded simply, “Sometimes we got to spell out the Lion Knight, and for the really dense ones… We just give up with those, Shune has a special place in his hell for those.” He took a sip from his coffee, “It looks like my legacy is alive and kicking then, so where are we now with those stories? Anything juicy added to them since the last lot.” She returned to frowning toward him, as he shrugged his shoulders, “It is where we get our kicks these days. You must have at least dropped the stupid thing about me riding lions, right? For a start, Parrence never had any, and besides, even if they did, they don’t have the anatomy for it. You need a good, strong, sturdy horse underneath you. Managed to snag a couple in Kressia, those beauties were like 17 hands.” Ayla’s mouth was hanging agape as he leaned over to push up her chin to close it. “We are not even much of a cat person, we preferred dogs.” At this point, even the kitties turned to looked toward the man. “We are jesting, but it is your abuela Gisele where you get that from. She and her sister loved their cats. It only made sense when picking the heraldry to choose a lion, she wouldn’t want otherwise.”

The pair continued to talk, as Asier regaled the true story of his life. A more amazing tale than the fictitious rider of lions. There were even tales about her family that she hadn’t even heard before. Overall, a pleasant experience.

“It looks like our picnic is coming to an end, kitty cat. Just one last thing, when you meet Sasha, let her know we miss her.” He made his exit as Ayla friends arrive through the door.

Good Byes

They returned to dawn breaking over a city that had been shaken, battered, and burnt. Yet, its people had stood strong. They had vanquished the evil, the corruption, and the rot from within their society and, though the cost had been great, they would be stronger for it in the long run. Ayla showed up and she played her music and the great beast that slept at the centre of their world quieted and returned to its slumber, pulling the pieces of its tower back together as if it had never stirred in the first place.

Yet, the cazenax of An Zenui, wondrous and terrible place that it was, remained a society divided. The Dowager's final poison would not fade so easily. While some had learned to see friends and neighbours in the sirrahi and other beings of the VOID, others' suspicion of anything to do with that place had only deepened as a result of the horrors they had witness on the day of Bloody Golden Skies.

The Traveler who had visited their city walked the streets and lived among them, for this was what she had wished for, in truth: a revolution of the people, imperfect though it was. She had not used her great power to interfere. This had happened all on its own... more or less. It had been led by a once-unremarkable man who had been inspired to lead, to right the injustices he had lived among for his entire life. She went her own way, satisfied.

So, too did Nyax-Acan - a man once known as Benedetto Corvi. Those years spent apart from his one-time peers at Ersand'Enise had forever changed him. Gone was the brash, petulant, puerile thug of his youth. The qualities that had always existed within him but never been nurtured now rose to the fore and shone through, tearing down the veneer that had long protected him from the judgement of others.

When a small group of stuzéts led by Egosto-Alguo came to him, now calling themselves the Sirui Hé, he knew what needed to be done. They asked to travel to some place where they might be able to build a free society of their own, from scratch, without any outside interference. He granted them their wish and... while some waited for Benedetto to return, most understood that he would not. This was how things were supposed to happen. How they were always meant to be.

And finally came Karan Harrachora himself, with a portal and magic, and an interest in a particular eeaiko girl and two cazenax they had met along the way. Many were the questions about what they had seen, and Tku's, among them, had not gone unnoticed and would not go unanswered in the coming days.

But there were matters to be wrapped up first. It was time to say goodbye. They stood there: a group of people who had been, varyingly, friends, acquaintances, and strangers a week and a half ago. They stood upon the grounds of the Shimmering Sails Sweetwater Stead as a blustery wind blew across the desert, carrying with it the scent of rare and welcome rain. “Looks like a real good one,” remarked Samaxi, “eh, dad?” Jascuan nodded. He smiled in his understated way. “It does,” he agreed. “It really does.”

Ayla recalled how many people spoke about an experience being like hell, and given their recent ordeal of being dragged halfway there and ending up in purgatory, she felt entitled to her unique perspective on that saying.

There was much to think about, including her encounter with Hetraxa herself. It felt like there was something missing; the demon, the cruel and calculating mistress of her nightmares, appeared as a raging, mindless beast—an oversized demonic bug that had to be squished like the pest it was. She was strong, unbelievably so, but the fight left her feeling hollow afterward. Perhaps sometimes reality is not as frightening as your nightmares, she mused on the consequences of this.

As the others went their separate ways, Ayla used the opportunity to secure what she had discussed at the beginning of this adventure: arranging a trade deal with 4S Sweetwater to supply their product in Ersand’Enise. As she discussed the proposal, the Tuskers returned with their entourage of Sirrahi children, the civilians they rescued, and the beasts were able to find new homes. It was somewhat of a down payment for the supplies. Obviously, carrying sweetwater back would be a little difficult for a girl of her size, so it was only natural that Athos came with her, carrying the supplies and joining his new home in the city of magic.

Unfortunately, their tailor shop was destroyed, and it was highly unlikely for Nyan-Acan to find himself a set of boots, a hat, and a little cape. However, this is something she could arrange back home for the cat.

There was one last matter to resolve, one that she had held onto for a long time. She had always wanted an opportunity to really speak to Benny since that ordeal, but they were two different people. Even now, that was most likely the case, but he had shown them loyalty when none was actually expected. Perhaps she may never truly understand him, and this was maybe the last time they would meet in her lifetime at least.

She made her way toward Benny, as she looked up at him. She couldn’t think of the words she wanted to say as she gazed at him, only doing what she could do best. She moved to give him a hug and squeeze him. “Thank you, Benny, for your help, here and for what you'll do in the future.” She leaned up to peck him on the cheek before breaking the embrace. She would leave him to ponder the intricacies of temporal magic paradoxes in his own time.

Benedetto, too, was something of a removed figure, until Ayla came to speak with him, fresh off of a conversation with Samaxi and her elder brothers. To her surprise, perhaps, he hugged her back, and tightly. "Thank you, Ayla, for your help and..." He trailed off for a second. "Never stop being good, okay?" the separated. "Never stop being a light for other people. You have more power that way than you ever will by destroying. It took me ten years in the wilderness of the past to learn that, but you got me started on that path." He swallowed and his face became pinched. His eyes shone and he took a couple of deep breaths. "Fuck.... this wasn't supposed to be hard. I wasn't supposed to care."

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Then, as the sun sat atop the horizon like a great, overripe peach, there came a portal. It sparkled and swirled. Benedetto stood beside it. He had already said his goodbyes to Zarina, to Ayla, to Marceline, Fiske, Yansee, and Evander. He and Desmond eyed each other for a moment, for they were both old friends and old rivals at this point: more similar than either would ever have wanted to admit. "Keep fighting the fight, Desmond." It was all he could manage. He was, even now, having his doubts about the necessity of the course he had chosen. "Read about me in your history books, okay?"

He turned to the sirui hé. "You all know what comes next," he announced. Their goodbyes were finished. Many took last, anxious looks back out at their home: the only one they'd ever known. Final, rushed goodbyes were spared for the humans and cazenax they would be leaving behind. "It's time for us to go." But, then there came something unexpected. Evander stepped forward. "I think I'm going to go with you, actually: just for a little. Just for a year, to help you get settled." He shook his head. "Can't leave you with just Benny here, can I?"

At least a couple others tried to dissuade him, but most accepted it. He was implacable, as he had always been. Instead, they said unexpected goodbyes. In theory, he would return. In practice, who could say? Life is the experience of the unexpected, after all. One by one, they disappeared: Egosto-Alguo, leading them through, Poto-Mits and Cazelui, Stela and Sazan shepherding the kids along. Then, finally, Evander and Benedetto. All at once, the portal wavered and winked out of existence and it was dark and cooling. Zarina began to feel her expanded form deflating. Marceline and Tennaxi wrapped shivering arms around themselves.

Then, a new portal appeared. From it emerged Karan Harrachora, Arch-Zeno of Ersand'Enise. He regarded them for a moment, evaluatively, before nodding. "In one week, you did more good for the world than most people do in a lifetime," he said simply, a mysterious pouch hanging from his hip. The Cazenax watched warily before easing. Classa eyed the strange man with suspicion, her more childlike nature seeming to have returned, as if the effects of her wish had worn off now that its paramount lesson was learned. "Come with me now, back home." He smiled in faint satisfaction, taking a deep breath of the desert air through his nostrils. His gaze fell upon Tennaxi, Samaxi, and Yansee. "Oh, and you too, or... you three," he joked. "You show much promise: far too much to be anywhere else but at Ersand'Enise."

The portal yawned open. Classa hugged Zarina and Tku one last time before Zox picked her up and held her as if she was a little doll. He bid farewells of his own: brief but meaningful, while Naxos chattered on, dabbing tears with a kerchief. Josca, Buinats, Cozoban, and Cozezast did not have anything too longing to say. They would be there in a couple of weeks for the Trials. Jascuan, the old man who had started it all, slept peacefully as they said goodbye.

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Welcome to Vradia

Sneaky boy like Gus is already there in the midst of combat... on the opposite side! How dare he.

Welcome to Vradia

I didn't eat Simbel, I promise

The Hourglass Order

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Event: The Summons | Location: St. Yuri's Academy of Thaumaturgy, Sovetskaya, Vossoriya

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Oksana was writing on the slate tablets in class. Things at the Academy have been rather turbulent over the last couple of weeks, given the events in Kirimansk. The strict ban on teleport magic had been broken as the group known as the Dieci Volti Nascosti crossed the great pond and stolen several artifacts of magical power hidden by the state. If it wasn’t for the students from Ersand’Enise Academy, it would have been far worse, a fact that unsettled many. The idea of outside help was something that greatly upset the orthodoxy, yet, it provided a convenient lie that their interference and inexperience caused the great loss of the Kingdom’s treasures.

She sighed out; she had hoped she could have rescued at least some more of them for her own people. The Kozaky held a place just outside the central control of the kingdom, acting like war dogs to keep the borders in check. With the artefacts, they could have potentially become truly free. But there was always a bigger picture to such things - so they say.

The chalk scribbled on the slates as she continued the age-old practice of rote note-taking they practiced here. Probably more to keep the students in line than to provide the best education, after all, you don’t want your food able to fight back too strongly. The chalk snapped with her frustration. She remembered asking the Ersand’Enise students for help, only to be met by the indifference of that one girl with brown hair and a freckled face, one of those goody-two-shoes who thought Sanguinares could be good people too, clearly ignorant of the world. She wondered if she would like it, to be viewed as nothing but livestock to them, to be a plate of hot food at the mercy of their whims. A sheep bleating that not all wolves are bad.

Her frustration and lack of attention were noted as she felt the whip of the cane against her fingers. The instructor barked toward her, a demonstration toward the class more than her, knowing she could not hear it. Perhaps another comment about the idle, ignorant Kozaky, unintellectual girl from the tundra, most likely. She simply picked up the broken piece of chalk as she continued to start writing again, only for her hands to feel the kiss of the cane again. She noticed the expressions of the others; there wasn’t the typical mirth, but one of seriousness. She looked up to see the instructor pointing toward the door, with one of the headmaster's attendants standing there. She had been summoned.

Her testimony had previously been under scrutiny, especially with the claims she made, though they were right to suspect some mistrust in there. After all, a Kozaky being loyal to the regime is a convenient truth that is always doubted, and it was clear she went beyond her role as a mere silent observer. However, her documentation on the traitor, Khaluin, was not false, and an exposure of someone so close to the regime by someone like her, an outsider, unsettled more people than made them comfortable. Especially if they knew her bloodline as the Tundra Princess, one of her many monikers as a descendant of one of the wayward children of King Snorri.

After the meeting ended, it went better than expected. She is to be sent out yet again in the trials. She is to sign up for the Sipenta Academy trials as an independent and to get herself recruited by one of the Ersand’Enise teams. Simple enough task; she had hopefully fostered enough goodwill with the students there to pull that off. After all, there were plenty of gifts to be given. The rest of the request? That would be another thing entirely.

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The Hourglass Order

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Event: The Owlglass Order | Location: Ersand'Enise

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Far from the watchful eyes of Ashon, Ayla, Kaureerah, Marci, and Zazzy, who were busy with upcoming trials and the impending melon derby, a clandestine gathering took place. Beneath the imposing shadow of the Glass Owl Statue, our heroes, Nyan-Acan the Nashibansek Coon and Nibbler, the Djamantese Giant Dormouse, met. They were known to a select few as The Owl Glass Order, and they convened with a singular purpose: to put a stop to Hot Salsa once and for all.

Nyan-Acan, his fiery fur glinting in the soft moonlight that streamed through the window, gracefully leaped onto the mantelpiece where the owl was situated, a place of venerable significance within their covert society. The glass owl's eyes seemed to bestow their silent blessing upon the duo.

Nyan-Acan, tipping his hat as he checked their surroundings, his deep purr barely above a whisper as he spoke, "Amigo, the time has come for us to embark on the pursuit of the most coveted treasure of our enemy - the legendary golden Virangish pepper. We must navigate this treacherous course with caution and cunning."

Emerging from the dark corner of the drawing room they had convened in was Nibbler, the legendary defender of humans and Sanguinaires alike. His small, beady black eyes leered at the large feline’s figure, with a hint of apprehension in his furred body language. Ever vigilant, his head shifted side to side to assess whether they were truly safe, or a wolf walked among them. “Pepper? What pepper?!” the nervous bugger became increasingly suspicious. “All the peppers have been taken. Only the big Belcher knows the location of the last one …” the back paw rose up to scratch his ear in rapid little laps. “You better have a plan, ‘Sploder!”

Nyan-Acan, with a sly glint in his eye, checked the doorway once again. "Ah, my dear amigo," he purred, "We have a scheme so cunning, you can stick a brush on it and call it el zorro. We shall liberate the blankie from Nehki, that mischievous monkey bird, as she sleeps. With it, we shall frame Big Belcher, and amidst all the chaos and confusion, we shall abscond with the closely guarded secret of the Virangish pepper's whereabouts!" With a flourish of his tail, he underlined the scheme. "Hot Salsa shall never see it coming."

Nibbler squeaked. “That would not be very nice to Nehki. Oh no, it wouldn’t.” he shook his head violently at the notion. “But it is a sacrifice for the greater good. My calculations have determined to be the safest approach, yes.” then it was nods. “But the blanket is at the very peak of this fortress! We will need my nibbleness to open the door, as well as my genius. Oh yes.” he sniffed about and slowly approached the cat. “Once I unlock the trap door, you will have to use your soft paws to snatch it at record speeds. My calculations suggest that you can do it under 3 purr vibrations. Yes yes.” nod nod.

Nyan-Acan hesitated for a moment. "Amigo, to do it under three purr vibrations? That would put one of my nine lives at stake," he said, shaking as a chill went through his fur. "We must be as swift as a gust of wind. Here's the plan: we shall execute the ol' switch-a-roo, replacing the blanket with one of the monkey's undergarments, for they shall indeed smell the same." He waved a paw in front of his nose. "Then, without a moment's hesitation, we must swiftly depart toward Big Belcher. Once she awakens, she shall summon her feathered fiends to her side, and by then, we shall be far, far away. A dance with danger, but one that suits our cunning perfectly!" He pawed at his cape as he posed with it.

Nibbler grinned internally. “Excellent plan. We must act swiftly while the night is still young and the humans are still out.” and just as he spoke, he heard a couple walking in. He and Nyan-Acan hid under a table, where a couple of women made their way to the first food in giggles. Then, Nibbler took his chance and dashed out an opened window and climbed to the attic’s smaller, singular window. With a little bit of magic, he could nimbly sneak in and open the latch for Nyan-Acan to slip in. “Shhh,” whispered the rodent. “the avian is fast asleep, but always alert! I will grab the undergarments, you slip the blanket off, then we exchange!”

The plan was proceeding without a hitch, and not even the giggling girls would interfere; in fact, they provided the perfect distraction. Allowing Nyan-Acan to scamper up the stairs towards the attic from the inside. The Monkey never kept the ladders down, for he had no reason, but Nyan-Acan was a cat, and so he leaped to latch onto them, pulling himself into the now-open hatch in the attic.

The room was cool as the Avian rested, lying there vulnerable and asleep, clutching the blanki. Stealthy like a cat, the feline nimbly traversed the wooden planks, using his paws to sense any squeaky boards and gracefully avoided them.

As he finally reached Nehki, he tipped his hat toward Nibbler, as he used his soft paws to swipe the blankie away quickly. Yet, it did not budge! The monkey bird had its grip firm, refusing to release its treasure. Nibbler was approaching with the smelly garments, as he called out in a hushed tone and whispered, "The Blanki! It won't move. She clings to it tighter than a mouse to cheese!"

Nibbler, on his side, was merely browsing through the smelly clothing left by Ashon. Which was the best to substitute a blanket was a challenge, as all were either very big, or too small. “Ah-ha!” the dormouse dug into the pile like a mole in dirt, pulling out Penny’s old skirt from there. It was perfect! Dragging it out with his mouth, he was about ready to celebrate when …

“A mouse, you say?” a Cheshire cat smile grew within, even if he couldn’t actually smile. “It sounds like you require my expertise, ‘Sploder. Move aside!” of course, these were all subtle squeaks. The rodent scurried over to the sleeping Monkeybird and worked his magic: he slid the skirt between one of the wings and the blanket, until it started taking quite a bit of space, and eventually Nehki would clench the thicker of the two - being the skirt in this case.

“Now.” whispered Nibbler to Nyan-acan. Soon, Nehki was going to wake up from the commotion and improvised switcheroos. They had to be swift!

Nyan-Acan gave a determined tug on the blankie, wresting it free from the Monkeybird's grasp! The once pristine fabric now stained a permanent sooty hue from its escapades avoiding the clothes' washer, which caused the cat to wrinkle his nose. "Let's make haste with this wretched item before she awakens!"

With the prized blankie clutched in his teeth, Nyan-Acan darted for the window. He could hear the Monkeybird's squawking growing louder as she awoke to the trickery, "Squuuuaaaa! Ma Blankie!". As he reached the windowsill, he noticed a nearby table and knocked over a vase filled with marbles. The marbles clattered and rolled across the floor, further diverting the Monkeybird's attention toward the door hatch.

As they leaped out of the window, the moonlight guided their way. Nyan-Acan spotted a clothesline, its ends hanging perilously close to a roof's edge. With feline grace, he used the blankie to lasso one of the line's sagging ends. In a daring move, he swung, gracefully gliding through the night air. He could feel the wind rustling his fur as he approached the fence.

Finally, Nyan-Acan landed on the fence with all four paws poised for action. He turned to Nibbler, and flashed a sly grin. "Come, my amigo, we have damsels to rescue from the clutches of the Hot Salsa! Adventure awaits!"

Just as they were making their mad dash, with Nibbler taking his own exit, they’d notice Zarina in the kitchen. She was indulging in some drink and did not seem bothered by the Monkeybird cries. Curious! But she then retreated to her room with the other figure.

Nibbler flew out of a window and … Flew some more. He could fly, and when he could he’d stick to rooftops to avoid attention, but there was no need for acrobatics. He definitely didn’t have the style of Nyan-Acan.

Reunited with the cat, the rodent stretched his hind legs and yawned. “We must first infiltrate the draconic stronghold, ‘Sploder. Our greatest struggle yet. I estimate a 21% chance we even survive! Oh wait.” a sudden itch took him over, leading him to nibble his own abdomen before focusing again. “Anyway,” back to panic mode. “ahhhh weren’t gonna die if we do this! Darn darn darn!!!” he paced in circles, super nervous.

Nyan-Acan flashed a reassuring feline grin at his companion. "Don't fret, my furry amigo. If you enter through the rafters, they won't be able to climb up there. We shall strike a deal with the mighty Big Belcher, then employ the blankie to veil our escape." With a graceful leap, they followed the fence toward the formidable dragon's lair, already hearing the restless Froabas as they drew near.

"Mind you, Roedor, steer clear of the winged ones. They have an appetite for anything furry, and we're not on their menu tonight. Swiftness is our greatest ally." The cunning cat moved with feline agility along the sheds, deftly avoiding any holes as the dragons below made desperate attempts to snatch an easy meal. Nyan-Acan skilfully ducked and weaved, hopping from one support beam to another, narrowly evading plumes of fire that ignited around him. In a death-defying antic, he leaped across to the Skuggvar pen, where his cloak caught the tail end of an almost-fiery demise. He used his paws to pat out the flames, revealing a charred yet triumphant smile.

"That was a close shave, my friend. I could feel the leche curdle within me." This pen at the top was somewhat less perilous, but the residence of Big Belcher was not to be underestimated. With a fearless glint in his eye, Nyan-Acan forged ahead, ready to face whatever challenges awaited within the draconic lair.

Nibbler was terrified! Even though he had the chemical magic to repulse the beasts, his instinct told him to stay back. “You must go forward on your own, ‘Sploder! I will stand guard!” the rodent stayed at the entrance of the specialised barn, in a pile of hay, and prayed in his own mouse way.

Nyan-Acan found a particularly large pen, and inside snored a large beast. A Skuggvar, not even fully grown, had caught his scent when he drew near. With a loud, wet yawn, the mighty animal shifted to look his way, but did not stand. It gurgled and sniffed, before addressing the visitor. “Well, well, well, if it isn't the rather sizable and impressively polished feline. What, I must inquire, is the reason for your presence in my humble abode, my diminutive acquaintance?”

Nyan-Acan, with a graceful cat-like saunter, prowled along the pen's edge. "You see, my formidable friend, we are in dire need of something. A treasure, if you will, that only you possess: the secret lair of the fiery Hot Salsa. It is for the safety of our fair damsels that we must return victorious." He gracefully slipped through the pen's doorway, casting an appraising gaze upon the colossal beast. "They've enlisted the one they call Abdel, not the one ending in Aziz, but the one you fondly refer to as... Master."

The gurgles got louder and culminated into a single, loud burp. Qadira raised her front legs to raise her figure a tad, but her hind ones remained lazy. “You refer to my Master, do you? It is essential to clarify that he is merely a compatriot, even though he happens to be the benevolent provider of sustenance. My commitment to principles of honour and loyalty remains unwavering, and thus, I shall steadfastly guard the veil of secrecy that shrouds his affairs.” she leaned closer to the cat and blew hot steam into his furred face. “I cannot oblige your request without proper recompense, dear cat. You see, my assistance comes at a cost.”

"A cost, you say?" Nyan-Acan's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Why, reveal the price, my noble amiga, so we may strike a deal and celebrate with a round of leche to honour our newfound alliance." As the dragon released a rather unpleasant breath in his direction, the cat couldn't help but cough and, in a display of feline elegance, produce a well-timed hairball. "My apologies for such untimely manners. We shall handle this minor matter."

Using the distraction caused by the dragon's belch and his own coughing fit, Nyan-Acan seized the opportunity to deftly plant the precious blankie within the Skuggvar's den.

"It was indeed a slip of the tongue," Nyan-Acan continued with charming humility, addressing the majestic queen of her domain. "I meant no disrespect. I see you as a sovereign, not a servant. How, then, may one please an almighty queen like yourself? We aim to strike a bargain to safeguard your domain from the encroachment of the fiery Hot Salsa." The feline's words were filled with deference and charm.

The beast regarded Nyan-Acan with growing scepticism. Its small, beady eye narrowed as it turned its head to more properly observe the feline with one of them. “You articulate your thoughts as though you doubt the fiery intensity of my breath, insinuating that it might not be up to the challenge of handling the salsa. I must assert that I find this proposition of limited benefit to me, and as a result, the cost you must pay for my assistance will be quite substantial.” the beast sniffed the air again. “These olfactory senses of mine detect a rather unpleasant and noxious odour wafting through the air. Pray, may I inquire as to the source and nature of this disconcerting scent?”

It shook its head and focused on the deal itself. “I desire one of each: A tooth of the legendary sky dragon of the North. A scale of the tyrannical dragon of the south. A drop of blood of the ruler of the seas. The saliva of the king of mud and swamps. And the claw of the emperor of sands!”

The Monkeybirds descended upon the pen with raucous squalls. "BLANKIE! You've got Blankie!" they cried out in a cacophony of avian voices. Nekh-butt perched atop the Skuggvar pen, launching a relentless pecking barrage. The rest of the birds joined in, a chorus of support for their sibling as they relentlessly harried the dragon within. "Give, give! Give back my blankie!"

Nyan-Acan's whiskers twitched with a devious feline smirk. "Well, it seems you've added another treasure to your collection, my Reina. However, if you'd be so kind as to share the information I seek, I can certainly assist you in handling this matter." With an elegant slink, he gracefully made his exit, leaving Qadira at the mercy of the squawking Monkeybirds. "STOLE Blankie!" they chimed, as the audacious cat moved to spectate till the dragon relented.

Qadira roared in annoyance. Its tail flailed about and was about ready to unleash vicious quills to snuff out the problem. However, a low growl from another pen seemed to dissuade her. That, and an outside force - Nibbler - was actively hampering her abilities! Pushed into a corner, and not wanting any chastising, she relented. “Very well, I shall acquiesce to your request. Should you successfully eradicate this troublesome issue, I shall, in turn, be inclined to bestow upon you the very desires you seek, my dear interlocutor!”

Nyan-Acan sported a smug expression as Qadira finally relented, her draconic gaze meeting his. "Give us the location, and this conundrum shall be resolved with the swiftness of a cat's pounce." He gracefully moved to unveil the cherished blankie, revealing it to the curious Monkeybirds who observed from above.

"Blankie! Oh, there it is! Give me," Nehki cried out in a delightful state of distress. The anticipation in the air was palpable as Nyan-Acan held the coveted treasure within his grasp.

Qadira cursed the restraints that kept her from breaking the pen, and consequently from attacking the other animals. Glaring at the cat, it conceded with a soft blink of its eyes. “It is agreeable, I consent to your request. The incendiary fruit you seek is presently located within the shared residence for our peers, where a festive gathering is currently in progress. I must forewarn you that its imminent consumption is all but assured.” it huffed out of its powerful nostrils.

Nyan-Acan bowed with all the panache of a toreador, gracefully taking the cherished blanket into his possession. He swiftly opened the hatch, inviting the monkeybird to swoop in towards the inviting blankie, all while providing a convenient escape from the looming dragon. The resulting commotion of squawking and fluttering feathers, combined with the occasional belch from Big Belcher, artfully masked his exit.

As Nyan-Acan elegantly made his way back to his rodent companion, he couldn't help but comment, "She may have been a stern negotiator, but my feline charm won the day. We now possess the coveted location! And a dire warning. They're preparing to intrude into a grand festivity, and so our little mission is going to add a little sour cream to their hot salsa." His words were punctuated with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Nibbler was taking a nap! Only with the appearance of the cat did he snap back into reality. “Wha-what?! Yes, all is safe! Oh,” he blinked. “Hey boss.” he even raised his paw in a very humanlike salute. “Sour cream …” the critter scratched his ear, pensive. “What’s that?”

Although the duo could discuss all they wanted, back in Abdel residence with a few other Tethered and commonfolk, was a salsa in mid-preparation. The ingredients had been prepared, and the Virangish pepper was nearing its zenith as the fiery piece that would ruin the otherwise mildly spicy delight of the coming evenings. Would our heroes make it in time?

The duo, bound for Abdel's place, had a mission of great import. Young Abdel had succumbed to the allure of the forbidden spice, lured by the promises of Hot Salsa, and aimed to poison their beloved damsels with this perilous concoction. They dashed through the cobbled streets of Ersand'Enise, their every step filled with a daring sense of purpose. As they raced through the bustling student district, they hopped onto carriages, nimbly crossed rooftops, and engaged in feats of unparalleled agility as they ventured through the treacherous workman quarter.

It was on this intrepid journey that they encountered a distraction that threatened to derail their mission. Approaching the student dorms, Nyan-Acan's heart seemed to leap from his chest as he beheld a spectacular sight. There, on a moonlit balcony, sat the stunning Goma cat, her speckled fur shimmering like a starlit night. "Meeeeeeowzer!" Nyan-Acan couldn't help himself. He began to groom himself with a flourish, whistling charmingly toward the exquisite beauty. At this moment, the feline adventurer's attention momentarily strayed, captivated by the allure of the other cat.

If Nyan-Acan’s will could be truly tested by this wicked obstacle, Nibbler had no chance. He, too, noticed a thing of beauty: A petite dormouse he had reluctantly courted out of sheer nervousness. Out of instinct, he puffed out his chest and tapped his tail onto the ground below him to capture her attention. His striped coat was thick and made him look even bigger than he already was. “Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh!” he panicked, although his body acted naturally. “Do I look to wimpy?! On no, I definitely look too wimpy … I estimate a 3% chance of getting any positive attention!”

Nyan-Acan couldn't help but be amused by the flustered state of his rodent friend as he gazed in the direction of the enchanting dormouse. "Ah, it seems you've found a lady friend who has caught your eye as well!" His whiskers twitched with amusement as he gave his companion an encouraging pat on the back. "Remember, my dear friend, confidence is the key when wooing the fairer sex. Be as cool as a cat, and you'll surely capture her heart. But fret not, we have the matter of this confounded Pepper to attend to first."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Nyan-Acan leaned in close, placing his paw by his mouth to whisper conspiratorially, "And once we've dealt with the Pepper, you can impress her by showing her how you can take on a cat. That pretty kitty next to her will surely see my selfless act as a demonstration of my good character. Purrfect, wouldn't you say?" The feline adventurer's playful advice was tinged with a sense of adventure and camaraderie as they continued their quest.

Reinvigorated by the words of Nyan-Acan, Nibbler led the endeavour to securing the pepper, with the puss-in-boots in tow. Abdel’s home was the common’s dorm, essentially, with a communal kitchen that held a small cauldron filled with the cooking salsa. The odour was alluring to both carnivores and herbivores alike, with the strong scent of tomatoes mixed with foreign spices from around the Twin Continents. What was missing was the most dreadful of all, and their goal.

They snuck in by the window, while most of the youths were enjoying music played by their fellow bardic commoners, a couple were preparing food that was to come with the hot salsa. And, right by the frequently used chopping board was an untouched Virangish Pepper on a clean plate, almost like a pedestal with how distinct it was from the rest of the foods, and ready to spoil the wondrous sauce it was so close too. “This is our chance.” whispered Nibbler from the vantage point of one of the tallest shelves in the kitchen. “Make a distraction to get them out, and we’ll swipe the pepper!”

Nyan-Acan darted under the table, his feline instincts on high alert. The cauldron of Hot Salsa bubbled away, its fiery contents threatening to wreak havoc on the taste buds of any unfortunate soul who dared consume it. As the time drew near for the final, and decidedly indigestible, ingredient to be added, Nyan-Acan braced himself.

With Nibbler's call for a distraction ringing in his ears, Nyan-Acan surveyed the scene, his keen eyes spotting a dangling tablecloth. A mischievous grin crossed his whiskered face as he made his move. With a swift tug, he sent the tableware and cauldron crashing to the floor, creating a chaotic mess.

Amidst the culinary chaos, Nyan-Acan's eyes widened as he beheld a surprise. His feline grace and curiosity drove him to examine the disorder he had caused. Suddenly, he recoiled in shock. There, amidst the spilled concoction, lay a large green object with dark stripes. It slithered ominously across the floor, its gaping mouth reminiscent of a royal sand wyrm, and it was none other than Pepino-Dessierto himself.

"Holy Moly, it is Pepino-Dessierto!" Nyan-Acan exclaimed in sheer surprise.

♫

The monster slithered at staggering speeds toward Nyan-acan, prompting the large cat to bounce in terror and retreat, although not without his paws missing out on some friction, making for quite the comedic getaway. His speed and ‘agility’ managed to get him away from the clutches of the beast while Nibbler launched his counter attack by hopping off his vantage point and staring down the creature for a powerful internal chemical attack.

Nothing happened. It was completely unaffected, much to the rodent’s dismay! And that wasn’t all, the ruckus the two had made caused multiple utensils to fall from the counters and tables, forcing the two to scramble. What a mess! Plates were broken and rubbish spread all over the floor. But the green creature wasn’t done.

The red coon tried to put an end to this with more explosive magic: A VOID-made kinetic explosion, that … Made the thing roll away, mostly unscathed, and even more things were falling! And just as it bonked against the nearby shelf, the edifice began to fall upon the two heroes. Quickly, they dodged! Both with their lightning reflexes and wit, they elegantly jumped on opposite sides, and emerged with new vigour. The tables were about to turn! Literally.

The final assault was nigh - Both Nyan-Acan and Nibbler readied themselves. The latter with pieces of plate and forks levitating in the air with his mind until he hurled them all to pin the calamity. Meanwhile, the cat seized a knife, touched it with the VOID and went for the final blow now that their enemy was rendered immobile. With a quick succession of slashes, the beast remained in one piece …

For all but two seconds. It crumbled into many little slices.

The Cucumber had been slain.

With a triumphant gesture, Pepino-Dessierto met his end! The dynamic duo caused a raucous commotion, sending pots and pans flying in every direction, while the air was filled with the tinkling of shattered plates and the crashing of glass. The cacophony of their deeds reverberated through the house, and the ominous thudding of footsteps drew closer as the household's occupants rushed to the scene of the culinary crime.

"Nyibbleeer, my friend, we must be swift!" Nyan-Acan declared with a twinkle in his eye. With feline agility, he sprang onto the table, snatching the Pepper in his mouth, his lips tingling with the fiery heat of the spice. This was indeed the genuine article. With a mighty leap, he vaulted toward the sink, plunging his face into the water to quell the burning sensation. With a slick move, he stashed the precious Pepper under his hat and bounded toward the open window, ready to make his grand escape.

As he passed the wide-eyed and red-faced Abdel, who had just swung the door open in shock, Nyan-Acan couldn't resist a parting quip. "This is my cue to exit, amigo." With the Pepper safely hidden, the daring cat made his exit in a burst of feline grace and adventure, leaving behind a bemused and befuddled Abdel in his wake with Nibbler shortly behind.

Or that’s what he thought! Nibbler, once the pepper secured, had actually flown out without a shred of desire for style. A little, lingering squeak was all that the cat would hear until they met again at their HQ, pepper secured and humans in shambles after a Monkeybird meltdown and a kitchen in chaos. But, all was right in paradise. All that remained was …

“So, what do we do with it?” inquired the ceaselessly nervous Nibbler, hesitating to even approach this fire made material. “I say we burn it. Humans will let their greed to take precedence over reason, and they’ll claim it once more!”

The Pepper swirled and danced within Nyan-Acan's agile paws as he pondered the most suitable course of action. Nibbler's words rang true; the humans would undoubtedly go to great lengths to ensure the vile ingredient's return, even resorting to sneaking it into their sweet desserts if they could. With a sly grin, he concluded, "Let them never say that Nyan-Acan fails to repay his debts. We shall return to the Big Belcher, and she will breathe fire tonight!" Their journey back would take them full circle, returning them to where it all began.

As they approached the dragon pens, an air of palpable tension hung heavy. There was unmistakable anger and unease, the residue of the Monkeybirds' recent chaos. The Big Belcher grumbled with annoyance, her eyes smouldering with thoughts of revenge. Nyan-Acan, perched on a nearby roof, looked down at her, his tongue flicking out to lazily groom his paw.

"Missed me, my beautiful Reina?" he purred, casting a charming gaze down toward the formidable dragon. His demeanour was filled with confidence and a playful sense of camaraderie, as he found himself once again in the presence of the dragon queen.

Qadira regarded the feline with disdain. All she wanted to was eat him at this point. And now he came to flaunt his winning. “"It appears that you hold your own life in rather low regard, dear feline companion. I must emphatically express that, should your interruptions persist, I shall not hesitate to do more than just sample that pepper; a mere bite may not suffice to quell my vexation.”

He tsked softly as he gazed upon the dragon. "My Reina, you underestimate me so. I arrive bearing a symbol of peace." With a flourish, he dangled the Legendary Golden Pepper before her, its glimmering hue befitting a sovereign's treasure. "A delicacy fit for royalty." With precise aim, he propelled the prized item into the Big Belcher's open maw. "In exchange for a humble act of clemency, of course." His tone was gracious, embodying a sense of charm and diplomacy as he sought to mend their relationship with this daring gesture.

The Skuggvar gobbled up the small pepper. What a pitiful existence to consider this a danger to the culinary arts! Qadira was about to scoff until- it coughed, and cough some more. The gurgling was never this intense! And then came the flames! The mucus that her species turned to flames was no longer viscus, but a pure, fiery haze of intense heat. Luckily, the pen was made fireproof, but the whole barn suddenly got a bit too active to be considered safe. The howls of the Great Belcher were going to roar for the entirety of the night, all because of one mighty Virangish Pepper.

Tomorrow will now come, thanks to the Maginimals!

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Welcome to Vradia

ꁲ ꂵ ꁲ ꋊ ꂠ ꂑ ꋊ ꈼ ꋖ ꂑ ꂵ ꈼ Day 2 [Afternoon] ꒒ ꂦ ꀯ ꁲ ꋖ ꂑ ꂦ ꋊ Bandit Ambush ꉣ ꁲ ꌅ ꋖ ꂑ ꀯ ꂑ ꉣ ꁲ ꋊ ꋖ ꌚ @WhiteAngel25 Faline @Mechromancer Dorothea @Jamesyco Torsten @Red Wizard Simbelmynë ꌚ ꂦ ꐇ ꋊ ꂠ ꋖ ꌅ ꁲ ꀯ ꀗ ♫*

Amandine observed the unfolding scene below her, her robes flowing silently in the breeze, her presence concealed by the rustling leaves. She was taken aback by the sheer number of adversaries they faced. Had they stumbled upon an army? Or did these bandits simply crave a taste of eagle? Her suspicions were confirmed when members of the gang unleashed a barrage of arrows, targeting Simbel, who soared above them. Meanwhile, others charged at those on the ground, with Dorothea's incantation cut short before she could unleash a powerful spell as she slumped on the ground. Faline, protective of Dorothea, struck out with throwing daggers, and Torsten valiantly assumed a protective stance. The tension in the air was palpable as the bandits taunted the group with lecherous and menacing tones.

Amandine decided it was time to intervene. She gracefully moved along the branch, using the branch's motion to descend from the tree behind the bandits like a ghost. Her feet touched the ground without a sound. Amandine's hand shot out, fingers encircling a bandit's throat, lifting him up as she choked him, rendering him breathless, then dropping the now-limp figure to the forest floor. Her actions immediately drew the attention of the bandits at the rear, who gasped in shock and splintered from the main group to confront her.

The splintered bandits rushed toward her with weapons drawn, and she began to back away, using her agility to evade their attacks. She skilfully positioned herself, preventing them from encircling her, making use of the terrain to her advantage. Once she gauged their abilities, she transitioned into her dragon stance, her hands forming claw-like gestures as she countered their moves with precision. She swiftly bent a man's wrist, snapping it and forcing him to the ground with a knee to the face, then delivered a round kick to clear her path as another bandit lunged at her. She sidestepped and targeted their vital pressure points, rendering the sword-wielder's arm limp and leveraged it, rolling backward and using her feet to propel him into one of his comrades. Each of her movements flowed like a beautiful dance, a choreographed masterpiece, spinning, ducking, and weaving, that incapacitated the bandits without the use of a weapon one-by-one.

In the distance, a bandit aimed a bow at her and fired an arrow, but she charged towards him. She deftly caught the projectile, spun around clockwise, and redirected it to impale the archer in the knee. As another bandit raised their bow, she blew a plume of flame from her fingers, igniting the weapon in their hands. As she closed in on them, she executed a sweep kick targeting the archer's injured leg, causing him to lose his balance, and then she smacked him with a powerful kick into the other archer, sending them tumbling down an embankment together. Their adventuring days were now at an end.

Amandine ensured to disable each one, incapacitating them from action as she went to regroup with the rest, and joined their fray.

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