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Her Glory, Immortalized, Their Quest, Resumed

Scene details

Setting: Reize, Ivo, and Ruidosa reconvene at the Rosian La Crima residence to discuss their next steps and to marvel at its new crowning artistic achievement.

Log



 Rosia had its fair share of chaos over the past few days. The Ankhialeans set of an explosion near the royal palace. Further complicating things was that the Star Chasers got into a mix up with the Shadowguards-- which got Reize involved when a resident was caught in the onslaught. Nevertheless, the boy had made his return after getting dragged by the neck, noose-style, to the place.

 Now?

  Reize had made his way to the manor (ideally with Ivo in tow), as he grimaces. "Nnggh... At least the coast is clear now." He will have to explain it to La Crima family.

 As always, the manor has that old Victorian style to it as he is within the main living room.

 

Lacrima, herself, was overseeing the installation of a new window. Tranquila was in the living room eyeing Reize. "What did you guys get up to...?" she asks with a little suspicious tone.

Ruidosa throws her hands up. "These lunatics got involved with the Shadowguards like dummies." she says. "It's okay. It's all over." she says as she takes a deep breath as she looks over to Reize.

"Seriously. What DID you guys get up to?" she asks finally, at least the manor is currently unhaunted. Except for the usual at rest ghost.

"Ugh this is gonna delay the noble's ball. It won't stop it. Nothing ever stops it." she says.

"I wonder what THEY we're thinking..."


 Ivo seems none the worse for wear, despite the debacle that seems to have preceded their reunion in the Rosian residence of the storied La Crima family. His fine warm-weather cloak looks a bit damaged, on close inspection, but his courtier's smile is undimmed.
 "I had no doubt that the Madam La Crima's silver tongue would alleviate the ire of the Shadowguard," he says, stealing a glance in her direction. "Our debt to her only increases. Someday, surely, I shall gallantly repay it."
 As in, Ivo was convinced all along that the Star Chasers' connections with Rosian aristocracy would get them out of a jam. Besides, while he may know very little about the enigmatic vampire enforcers that lurk behind the facade of Rosian harmony, any security force would be in disgrace after allowing the Ankhialeans to get away with such an attack in the first place.
 "We simply took a side trip to introduce the wonders of our innovations, so stimulated by isolation on that tropical isle, to farflung societies. Have you heard of the rumored pirate utopia of Nova Luria? I'm pleased to say that the Shadowcat Bikini Set promises to be a hit there."
 Our resident Cosmopolitan has become entrepeneurial.
 "Perhaps we may all travel there together and enjoy its now enlightened culture," he says cheerfully, "once matters here are resolved. As for the Ankhialeans..." Ivo's smile subdues somewhat. "I can't imagine they thought they'd successfully injure anyone." The wielders of Purgation that our heroes encountered struck him as fairly competent, all things considered. "Perhaps they needed a delaying tactic for some other reason..."
 But with that clockwork merchant conspirator seemingly vanished, Ivo has no other leads, himself.
 "I am glad that, amidst all and sundry," he adds, "that the results of Rui's clumsiness may be undone..."
 He looks in the direction of the new window, curiously.



  Aware that Tranquila is eyeing him with suspicion, Reize hangs his head low with sweat running down his face.

 "Well..."

 Ruidosa sums up the encounter. "They were attacking one of the residents in the crossfire! I wasn't going to let that happen!" In turn, Reize got involved with fighting them. "And then I saw Ivo and a few friends that he made." Reize scratches his head at the mention of the side trip. "...I don't remember what happened... I was still unconscious during that time, right?"

 There were a few cute bunny creatures that were prepared to kill Reize, had it not been for Betty helping the boy.

 Reize thinks over, "Well, that means more time to adventure, right?" He cracks a wide girn.

 

Ruidosa La Crima gives Ivo a look at those last comments but closes her eyes and pinches the bridge of her nose. She does listen to the Pirate Utopia bit with some care and looks to Tranquila. Tranquila's eyes light up. She ughs and looks away from her. Her dumb merchant wanna be sister....

"Speak to Tranquila about it later. For now. Yeah it was probably meant to delay it. Ugh." she gently attaches to Reize's arms. "You won't let anything happen to me at the dance... right?" eyelashes fluttering lightly.

Lady Lacrima has appeared. "It's done. My father took care of this one." she says bluntly. "It's a dedication." she surmises.

Ivo Galvan rolls 1d20>=10.
Comment: Resist falling upon his knees in despair-- awe at the glory of Legendary Seductress Ruidosa, now immortalized in glass
Roll(s): 14. Total result is 14. This is a success (by 4).


 Ivo is grinning first at Tranquila, winking at her in a rather conspiratorial manner, and then at Reize, who looks understandably perplexed.
 "You've been subjected to a rather unfortunate series of emergency escapes at sea," he says to his friend in a comforting tone despite his apparent amusement. "I was able to acquire some seasickness-quelling and Sea Madness-alleviating herbs at one of our stops, but they had a dormative quality as well... so if there are some gaps in your memory from even when you were conscious, they could be the culprit."
 It went a little something like...
 ** PREVIOUSLY **
 CHIBI IVO: here reize, have these herbs
 CHIBI REIZE: kkhhhh BLURGGHHH kkhhhhh BLURGGHHHh (alternating frothing at the mouth and puking overboard, unable to respond)
 IVO: she said you're supposed to smoke them, but this is fine
 (IVO stuffs some suspicious plants down REIZE's gullet)
 CHIBI REIZE: (eyes expanding, drooling) i AM the harem master
 ** NOW **
 "I wouldn't worry about it."
 With an air of finality, Ivo calmly looks toward the finished window and so-called dedication-- and then staggers, compulsively clutching at his chest, gritting his teeth, eyes bulging. All his air of cool and composure is gone. He looks deeply shaken. Distraught. And, worse still, despite everything in him wanting to deny it, despite the fact that only sheer stubbornness and pride keeps his legs from bending--
 "A dedication... to... Rui?"
 --he is awestruck by the rendered Ruidosa's radiance, affected even through the art by the potency of Rui's undeniable Legendary Seductress title.
 "Is there... a... *particular* reason...?"



  Upon Ruidosa leaning in to attach herself onto his arm, Reize fixes her with a warm smile while his tone is filled with conviction. "Don't worry, Rui. I won't let anything happen to you at the dance!"

 Ivo's update of his fate is rather reassuring. "...I suppose." At least, Reize thinks he is supposed to be reassured by this situation. Nevertheless, he looks back at Ivo and then Ruidosa.

 Upon Lady Lacrima's arrival, Reize faces her and then he blinks, "Oh...?" Reize then looks up towards the window, now noticing the glass's design completely. He blinks, "...Rui...?" He cants his head to the side, "...That's you, isn't it?" He brightens, "You appear radiant!"

 

Lady Lacrima blinks. Tranquila blinks. Ruidosa facepalms at the reveal and Ivo's question. The stained glass itself is a side profile of Ruidosa, bat-wings unfurled, above a tiny Ordian capital. It's stunning and glorious.

Lacrima looks to Reize. Reize knows the story. Lacrima told him in secret. Ivo knows less so. So Lacrima answers. "...Did Ruidosa not tell you?"

Tranquila snortgiggles. "She's Poderoso's chosen. She's next in line when he retires to torpor."

Ruidosa ughs. "It's true. I am. It's why that jerk keeps trying to get in my good graces. And Also. Why the guard listened to me." she says bluntly.

Tranquila snortgiggles. "They didn't know!" she says. Lacrima 'ohs!' conspiratorially, placing fingers to her lips.

"Ruidosa why didn't you ever tell them."

"It's embarassssssing." she cries.

Ivo Galvan rolls 1d20>10.
Comment: Endure the indignity of learning that he was saved by Ruidosa and not her hot mom
Roll(s): 9. Total result is 9. This is a failure (by 1).


 Ivo's look of horror slowly fades, replaced by a perfect mask of composure, betraying nothing to the La Crima family. He is the consummate fellow aristocrat, decorous as can be, dignified and magnanimous to his companion and friend, surely most deserving of such acclaim.
 "How fortunate for Oradia," he says, tone well-mannered, expression unchanging. "Its people shall be in good hands, as our party has been with the lovely Ruidosa."
 He is silent, gazing calmly at the window, its radiant beauty an endless mockery of his presumptions.
 And a single tear runs down his cheek.



  Reize offers a warm smile, then he reaches over to grasp on Ruidosa's hand. He squeezes Ruidosa's hand and he looks back at Ivo. He leaves Ruidosa's side a bit to step behind Ivo. He places a hand on his older friend's back.

  "It's a good achievement for her! And it looks like that Ruidosa is the one that talked them down!" He brightens. "She has a lot of influence here." He thinks, "... I think that's a good thing."

 

Ruidosa throws a tiny fit. "H--hey what achivement!? I haven't even decided yet. Mandonna wants the job but she's too much of a B*****!" she cries out, as she cuts the silence with that bad word.

Lacrima gives Ruidosa a disapproving look, and Ruidosa shrinks. "Ah--s--sorry. Look Tranquila doesn't want the job and I'm kind of stuck with the decision and Grandpa's here for it... So-so..." she says a little frustratingly.

"But everyone treats me as the heir, so." she says, as she sighs as she sits down on a couch.

Ivo Galvan rolls 1d20>=19.
Comment: Empathize with Ruidosa (Mission: Impossible)
Roll(s): 2. Total result is 2. This is a failure (by 17).


 Ivo looks to Ruidosa as she sits down on the couch, listening to her words, thinking. As Reize radiantly beams, Ivo's expression, still save for the glistening streak on one cheek, is momentarily contemplative.
 Perhaps he could reflect on how they are not so different, she and him. Ivo, too, has had a position of governance thrust upon him by circumstance, ostensibly in charge of a district in Cosmopolis that he so thoroughly has abandoned that he placed it in Fabroxo's hands at one point. One can only presume that it is not currently a smoking crater. Could he see, in Ruidosa right now, one like himself, who strains against the burden of an unasked-for authority and seeks freedom not just in adventure but from their very upbringing?
 "Maybe you could try kicking them all in the shins," he suggests, deadpan. "That's how you get me to do things."
 LOL. Gottem!



  There is a second hand wince from Reize when Ruidosa swears. Of course, it would get Lady Lacrima's attention. Reize idly slips away from Ruidosa with a large sweatbead over his head. However, Ruidosa's complaints has him looking thoughtful, "Well, it's why we adventure right? To not be confined to what's expected of us..." He gives a consoling smile to Ruidosa. "And to see more of the world!"

  Ivo's offer of 'comfort' earns a disapproving frown from Reize. He's on his own.
 

Lacrima blinks. Tranquila blinks. Ruidosa seeeeeeethes and rises from behind Ivo, hellish flames behind her as she's profiled in darkness besides two glowing blue eyes. Shing!

Ruidosa starts suddenly kicking Ivo in the shins repeatedly, one, two, three times with the BURNHEELS in wear. Besides protecting against constant burn damage, they give a +1 attack! To shins. +1 attack to shins.

"I COULD. MAYBE I WILL. IS IT WORKING IVO!?" she calls out.

Lacrima and Tranquila snorts both as the two place hands to their mouth to watch the debacle.

Ivo Galvan rolls 1d20-1>=10.
Comment: Resist falling upon his knees in despair-- no, wait, awe-- no, wait, pain. Just pain. From being kicked in the shins
Roll(s): 1. Total result is 0. This is a failure (by 10).


 "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"
 Ivo does the Vader yell up at the stained glass window this time, for real, but only because he is screaming in agony from the pain of being kicked in the shins. He kneels, raising his hands in supplication.
 "I yield! I yieeeeeeeld!"
 See, Ivo, this is why she does it. Because it works.



 Reize can only grimace at Ivo's fate. He rubs the back of his head, then he gives out an uneasy smile. Maybe it's to spare Ivo from further assault , but he does finally offer.

  "We should figure out what we can do while the ball's still on hold. There is the Ankhialeans to deal with. We have the Burn Heels and the bracers. Maybe we should start finding out their location?" His antenna hair flops to the side, then turning into a question mark. %
 ]



 Reize can only grimace at Ivo's fate. He rubs the back of his head, then he gives out an uneasy smile. Maybe it's to spare Ivo from further assault , but he does finally offer.

  "We should figure out what we can do while the ball's still on hold. There is the Ankhialeans to deal with. We have the Burn Heels and the bracers. Maybe we should start finding out their location?" His antenna hair flops to the side, then turning into a question mark.

 

Ruidosa looks down at Ivo and does all but T-pose over him. She huffs and sighs and reaches a hand down to help him up. She can do that much.

"Right. We should figure out where these losers are so they don't try anything at the ball. In wonder if Mandonna would wanna help."

Lacrima's gaze sours a little at this, and Tranquila gasps. "Ugh, look Ruidosa you used some crass language earlier but no one likes her, why?" she says with bewilderment.

"I dunno. But it might be nice to have an attack dog of sorts on this adventure."


 Ivo, knees quivering like jelly, dazedly allows Ruidosa to lift him to his feet, eyes watering, hardly seeming to realize that he's relying on her support as he does, mind only consumed by the need for his shin-kicking agony to end.
 "W-we have the lead of their distinctive beadwork," he notes, "in which Daiby was interested. We could try to track its origins in the jungle and find their village. I just wish we could know what they were trying to accomplish. Fire elementals and a clockwork merchant... disrupting the Ball to delay it, but... does something significant happen after the Ball?"
 He shakes his head slowly.
 "For all that the Royal Family and its ostensibly divine legacy is celebrated in Oradia," he murmurs, "their rituals seem to be a closely guarded secret. I wonder if the Ankhialeans know something that we might not... but we might have to find them first to learn what they know, rather than expecting to find it out from some other source. I'd prefer to preempt them and lie in wait rather than chase them down, but we might have not have a choice."
 Perhaps Ruidosa would be inducted into knowing such secrets herself upon her ascension. But if they are reserved for that level of secrecy, Ivo's usual brand of intel-gathering wouldn't be sufficient. He may have already learned all that he can roaming around Rosia.
 "In which case... we needs venture into the jungle."
 He looks to Reize.
 "Perhaps I should design a more leather-scraps styled variant of the Shadowcat Set in preparation? Or go with more of a primal-garden angle, with leaves and such?"
 Has Ivo not had enough shin-kicking?