Fantasy Hunter's Moon: The Sin & Sentence [IC] [CLOSED]

[Dmaster]

Hudson looks to Mariette as she discussed the matters of leadership, resting his wrist on the hilt of his blade. "Leadership? What is the purpose of said leadership?" he asks aloud, his tone showing that he already took an issue with the suggestion. "With as much respect that is warranted, the only reason we've managed to go to Sazak's palace is through a falling out with our previous leadership. I'm not going to get stuck on others' moral quandaries or worry about being policed."

"That demon needed to die, Sazak would kill us for less so what point is there in leaving him alive? We killed him mercifully, that makes us better than he ever will be." the hunter concluded. "If a situation like that comes up again, we'll just handle it the same way we did the last."

 

[Infab]

"With as much respect that is warranted, the only reason we've managed to go to Sazak's palace is through a falling out with our previous leadership. I'm not going to get stuck on others' moral quandaries or worry about being policed."

Riberta grunted from where she stood nearby, arms folded. "You probably should, considering those suicidal delusions you have. Should have dragged your wife down here with you so that she could slap you every time you open your mouth."

Cassandra chuckled, glancing back to the pair. "We'll figure things out as we go. A leader will pop up, just as they always do." She looked back around, just in time to see Mariette's rock arrive at its intended target. What came next forced all of them to jump a bit. Something burst from the ground, a long bloody looking tentacle-like creature sending dirt and rocks into the air as it shot up and chomped on the rock. Then, it impacted the ground head first, tearing back into the ground and disappearing.

Cassandra looked wide eyed to the others. "What the hell was that?" she said, drawing her messer. Riberta had already yanked her claymore off her back, readying it as she looked about. "...I suggest we make our way back aboard the tr--" she managed to get out, before there was a sudden yelp.

Hudson had been grabbed by the leg by something which had burst from the ground next to him, long sharp teeth clamping down onto his leg. And suddenly, the strange red entrail-like fibers began to creep up his leg. Riberta was quick to act, rushing over and swinging the tip of her claymore close enough to cut the creature. It let out a screech, jerking its head back beneath the surface of the ground along with its red fibers. Hudson's leg was now bleeding profusely, the wound rather deep.

Rumbling could be heard, as whatever attacked them was moving beneath their feet.

 

[Dmaster]

"Actually she prefers kicking." Hudson called back to Riberta, his back still turned to her. "You keep confusing conviction with suicide. I've no intent on dying down here, trust me."

His eyes followed the rock as it landed, drawn to the heavy stone from the lazy movement it made as it hurtled down in its arc. The resulting creature that jumped out to destroy it got him to jump back an inch or so, actually startled that something like that was lurking beneath the surface. Getting back aboard the train did seem like a good idea...

With little warning the creature reemerged before Hudson could even fully draw his sword, panicking as the fibers burrowed into his skin through his pants. Immediately he fell to the ground on the injured leg, "M-Mother FUCKER!" he shouted, making a futile swipe at the thing before Riberta cut it with her own sword. With little delay Hudson stood to his full height again, his balance put into question with how heavily his leg was bleeding yet he grit his teeth and unfurled his chained mace.

"Just try that again and see where it gets you! I'm ready for you now you abomination!" the hunter angrily shouted at the rumbling ground.

 

[joshuadim]

Venextos quickly got to work as Hudson was attacked by some manner of creature from the ground, conjuring an ice spell and aiming it at pools of red to limit the beast's avenues of attack onto the group. In other terms, freeze it out of its hiding hole and force it to face the group.

 

[Infab]

Thorgran's Territory - Bathalom (Crop Fields) - Shadow Battle (Seriphine & Wesley) - TURN 4
Henderson = 2. Missed S. Wesley Copy #2.
Senya = 9. Does 3 + 1 DMG (4, Dragon Knight) to Shadow Seriphine. Shadow Seriphine HP = 38.
Takato = 8. Does 3 DMG to S. Wesley Copy #2. S. Wesley Copy #2 HP = 4. Chance for Execution. Chance Rolls = 9, 3. Chance Successful. S. Wesley Copy #2 dead.
Seriphine = 7. Does 3 + 10 DMG (13, Only a Copy) to Shadow Seriphine. Shadow Seriphine HP = 25. Chance for Execution. Chance Rolls = 10, 6. Chance Successful. Shadow Seriphine dead.
Loque = 9. Does 3 DMG to Shadow Wesley. Shadow Wesley HP = 33.
Gwen = 3 + 5 (8, Falcon's Eyes, Spiteful Survivalist.) Does 3 DMG to Shadow Wesley HP = 30.
Wesley = 10 (True Shot V2.) CH Roll = 9. Does 6 + 10 DMG (16, Only a Copy) to Shadow Wesley. Shadow Wesley HP = 14. Chance for Execution. Chance Rolls = 5, 2. Chance Successful. Shadow Wesley dead.

---
​

Henderson swung hard at the shadow clone of Shadow Wesley, but swung a bit too wide and missed the clone. Takato, however, wouldn't miss. As he moved away and fired off his qi projectiles, they shredded the clone's body. Ripping it to pieces as it collapsed. That was it for the clones. Now all that was left were the main copies. Senya's fireballs collided with Shadow Seriphine, sending her stumbling before Seriphine moved in for the kill. And a kill she would get.

Meanwhile, Loque and Gwen focused their shots on Shadow Wesley, their rifle rounds ripping through the shadow demon at precise points. Crippling the shadow demon, and preventing it from defending itself from Wesley. And finally, Wesley would deliver the killing blows. He drove a kunai deep into the top of the demon's skull, before drawing his ninjato and delivering a beheading slice.

 

[Viper Actual]

The sound of metal against stone echoed across the street as Shadow Seriphine dropped to her knees. Her corrupted blade and chain had been dropped against the cobblestone with blood having been splashed all over their dark metallic surfaces. Clutching to her abdomen with one hand Shadow Seriphine coughed and snickered. As the real Seriphine approached slowly the snicker intensified and turned into a crazed giggle.

Seriphine kicked away the sword and stepped onto the chain. She held both of her swords in tight grips while her eyes were locked onto her evil copy. "Look at me," she said.

The giggling stopped. Slowly and controlled the demon looked up. A look of amusement was plastered all over her face. "You are nothing."

"Your legacy. Your life. Your rebirth. It is all for nothing. To survive in this world you need strength and power. What power could you possibly have, Seriphine, Daughter of Slaves? Seriphine, Killer of Men. Seriphine, Warlord of a Dying Race."

She snickered.

"Killing me will only delay the inevitable. Beings like you- like me- never die happy. There is no life of comfort, no growing old with a loved one. Such dreams are nothing more but pitiful escapes from what life truly is. Know this; The only true comfort you'll ever feel is the feeling of cold steel slicing your neck open."

As she finished the copy coughed up more blood. Seriphine placed the tip of her right blade under her chin and raised it, forcing the demon to look at her. She said nothing and maintained a cold and piercing stare at her.

"You're wrong."

Then, before another word could be uttered Seriphine reared back, spun around and vertically slashed against her copy. Shadow Seriphine looked shocked as her head rolled backwards and fell to the ground followed by her now-headless body collapsing. As death claimed her body the illusions all around Seriphine faded. The burning village and cobblestone street slowly faded and turned into the crops and dark soil that the others could see.

Seriphine nodded to herself and sheathed her blades before turning around to the face the others. "Thank you," she said. "All of you."

 

[K0mori]

Having provoked some kind of monstrous underground serpent into attacking, Mariette had frozen for a moment in shock as it bit down on Hudson instead. Cursing her own lack of preparedness, she drew her saber as she couldn't think of a spell which would help anyone at the moment. Why had it gone for Hudson? She wondered if the creature, like herself, was a parasite that preferred mortal blood. Experimentally, she slammed her sword against the ground several times before leaping backwards, tossing a glass vial of demon's blood at the spot where she had been. It shattered with a splash of crimson.

 

[Infab]

The shadow copies of Seriphine and Wesley soon dissolved into black dust, which gently seeped into the black shadows of Seriphine and Wesley respectively. Vincent's dagger made a thud as it dropped to the dirt, as did the variety of other weapons and bullets that had impacted and embedded into the copies and other enemies. Vincent stepped over, picking up and sheathing his dagger into his boot, before putting away his large knife and pistol. "Any time." he said, looking to Seriphine. Kassidy made her rounds, healing those that needed it with her abilities, before motioning towards the village. "Think we need ta stay here? I imagine everyone heard th' shootin'." she said, putting her hands on her hips as she looked to the others. Vincent looked to the others, before shaking his head. "When we came out, I didn't see any guards wandering around...and I don't hear any coming...Maybe we're safe for now. Let's just head back to the shop quickly. Finish getting some rest."

---
​

The clinks that Mariette made against the ground certainly stirred the creature below, and as soon as the demon blood hit the ground and splattered, the creature burst from the ground nearby. Its strange red fibers spider-webbed across the ground, certainly giving its feeding frenzy a disgusting appearance. The fibers seemed to absorb the blood straight from the dirt, the puddle shrinking in size before eventually disappearing. Then, the creature moved back below the ground. Leaving them standing still on the surface. Meanwhile, Venextos froze the other splotches of red scattered about, crystalizing the red fibers inside.

Cassandra watched, glancing between Mariette and the creature, before noticing it disappearing again. "...Quietly...let's step back aboard the train." she said, motioning to it. "Baby steps, ladies and gents. Baby steps." She then slowly walked back across the white dirt, moving towards the ramp leading up to the train's passenger car. "...Seems like its interested in loud no--" she managed to get out, before the creature moved about beneath them again and erupted from the surface.

This time, it seemed to have targeted Riberta, whom had made a few steps in the direction of the train. But instead of simply biting her and trying to drain her blood where she stood, it wrapped around her leg, bit into her thigh, and yanked her downward as if it was trying to pull her down into the ground with it. Riberta yelled out in her native tongue, a string of curses flowing forth as she punched at the creature as it pulled. The red fibers beginning to cover her whole left leg, as Riberta strained with most of her body to keep herself standing upright.

 

[Doomevil]

Two shadows were defeated and they were victorious once again. Senya deactivated her powers and waited for others to share their input. Senya nodded, "Let's save our energy for the Palace. I have a feeling we might encounter more shadows on the way there. We need everything we can to finish this task."

 

[Damian0358]

Moving away, Takato flung his qi projectiles as he watched Henderson miss with what appeared to be a leg. Not having put much raw energy into the qi, he found himself surprised as they shredded the clone, ripping it to pieces before it collapsed. Stopping himself, he but had a brief smile, before looking over to Shadow Wesley seriously.

As he did so, however, he watched as both Wesley and Seriphine finished off their shadowy counterparts in proper fashion - the fight was done. The hermit sighed in relief. As Seriphine thanked those whom had helped her in her fight, he approached the ninja and patted him on the back.

Takato nodded as Senya responded to Kassidy and Vincent: "Concentration will be needed for what's to come."

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Inari rolled her shoulders and sighed as the shadows drifted away into oblivion. No breaking the backs of these little ninjas, not this time around. She had to admit it was a little concerning when that bastard had made copies of himself. One ninja you could handle, but if you had a dozen of those bastards jumping around the place, that was balanced somewhere between irritating and deadly. What if he could have made a hundred? Now, that was some real work right there.

She sheathed her spirit blade and the sword vibrated with indignation of being returned without supping upon mortal blood. ["Calm yourself,"] she chided the sword, and pulled out a bottle from her rucksack. Green glass, thick, with a faded label. Not the only bottle that still remained in her possession. "Drinks up, yes! Drinks very up!" Inari grasped the cork with her teeth and spat it out, then took a quick guzzle, just to freshen up and wet the tongue. "I say two people are much deserve of nice drink, ah?" She waved the bottle around at Wesley and Seriphine.

 

[Viper Actual]

Seriphine's eyes lingered on Vincent for a while before she nodded. When Inari spoke of drinking Seriphine approached her and grabbed the bottle, taking a quick taste of its contents before returning it. The Elf suppressed a cough before wiping her mouth. "Thank you."

She looked back at Vincent and the others. "I am ready to move when you are."

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson shuffled on his feet the best he can despite his gaping injury, working to remain on the alert for the next time the creature would arise. As Mariette and Venextos attempted to either lure it out or distract it, rhe hunter readied himself for the beast to resurface. When it surfaced to drink of blood Hudson cast out his flaming mace, only for it to fail to make contact with the creature when it slinked back imto the ground.

As Cassandra suggested retreating, Hudson cursed under his breath as he retracted the mace and chains back to his person. It wouldn't be so easy to lose such a voracious thing, yet he slowly stepped back anyway, eyes scanning the ground before it popped up and grabbed Riberta.

"Fuck off you ankle-biting piece of shit!" Hudson roared, closing the distance as he made a swing with his sword. If at all possible he would try to cleave it in two to free the hybrid.

 

[Infab]

It wasn't long before the group made their way out of the crop field, eventually reaching the edge of town again and moving through its alleys until they arrived back at the abandoned shop. Making sure that there were no guards lurking about the streets to interfere, Vincent glanced up and down the cobblestone streets before motioning for the others to head on in. They creeped through the building, soon venturing upstairs and arriving at where they were planning to spend the night. Now the task was to get comfortable once more.

---
​

Hudson's blade struck true, slicing a gash deep in the creature's neck which forced it to screech and retract the red fibers digging into Riberta's leg. As she stumbled away, blood pouring out of her leg, the ground rumbled beneath them once more. Two more creatures burst from the ground, attacking the now wounded one flailing about. Apparently these things were also cannibalistic. "Quickly, to the train." said Cassandra. "Let them eat their own."

She moved over and assisted Riberta, while everyone moved for the ramp. Once on it, they would turn back to see that the two other creatures had ripped the wounded one apart. Pieces scattered about as the two remaining ones absorbed all the blood from the corpse using their strange red fibers.

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson was prepared to perform a killing blow on the worm-like monster yet he was interrupted by the rumbling of the ground beneath them. Stepping back, more monsters emerged from the ground as they started to tear up one of their own. With a grimace the hunter took Cassandra's advice, heading into the train with little hesitation. Moving quickly was still painful as he had his torn up leg, but at the top of the ramp he was rather safe.

With a groan he stumbled back and fell over into one of the nearby seats, rolling up his blood-soaked pant leg to examine his wound. "Fucking far worse than any leech I've seen..."

 

[Infab]

The night for Vincent's group passed by relatively uneventful after the incident with Seriphine and Wesley's copies. The group's members took turns keeping watch, until finally morning arrived. False sunlight crept through the cracks in the walls and roof, the light hitting the group and arousing them from their slumber. It was time to move on...after they woke up first, of course. Vincent spoke up, after drinking from a small flask he drew from inside his coat. "We should start asking around...maybe some of the local demons might know something we don't. We need to get through Tehom without being spotted if we're going to reach the palace and find a good way in."

---
​

As the group moved back into the train, Cat appeared once more. "I did say to avoid the red." she stated, before moving over and inspecting Hudson's leg. "I can heal your wounds...if you'll allow me." she muttered, glancing up. "If not, then I can at least supply you with bandages and other supplies." Riberta, nearby, was already chugging one of her canteens of blood. Her wounds were already healing a bit, the blood flow having stopped by now. Cassandra was squatting next to her. "...They look like needle wounds." she said, looking at the holes scattered across Riberta's leg.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"We should start asking around...maybe some of the local demons might know something we don't. We need to get through Tehom without being spotted if we're going to reach the palace and find a good way in."

Loque gives a small jab and a sarcastic wave at Vincent. "Hi."

If they must really go around and ask the locals how to get into Thorgran's palace unnoticed, then perhaps they ought to start with the actual local in this group.

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson looked up at Cat and narrowed his eyes at her offering to heal him. Allowing the succubus to use magic on him seemed incredibly ill-advised, though what was surprising was the hunter's lack of anger from said offer. "Yeah, I'll take those bandages." he replies after a shake of his head, now squinting at how pierced his bleeding leg was. "Might need a suture kit too.. "

 

[Infab]

"I shall fetch that as well, then." said Cat. And a moment later, she had disappeared, heading off down the hallway towards the end of the car. Riberta glanced over to Hudson, lowering her canteen for a moment. "I'm surprised you didn't tear her head off for offering to heal you." she muttered, before finishing off the canteen. Her wounds were closing up now, quite rapidly. Hybrid healing. Eventually, Cat returned and supplied Hudson the bandages, some alcohol, and a suture kit.

It took a little time for Hudson to fix his leg, but soon it was sewn up and wrapped in bandages. Whatever remained of the utensils Cat took back to wherever she got it, leaving the group where they were. Soon, out of nowhere, Wesix appeared. He wasn't dressed as fancy as he usually was, instead wearing a simple shirt and what appeared to be coveralls and boots. He greeted the group with a smile and wave. "The train's all fixed up and ready to go...What happened to you?" he asked, taking note of Hudson's patched up leg. Cassandra answered for him. "We decided to step outside for a few minutes...and met a rather angry red tentacle like creature." she said, motioning towards the nearby door with her hand.

Wesix nodded, eyebrows raised. "Ah! The Blood Worms. Resemble strange splotches of fauna...or freshly ripped open corpses. Nasty creatures." he said, glancing towards a window. "They feed on the blood of whatever comes within proximity to them. And they don't discriminate either." Eventually, he looked back to the group. "Its good that you were able to get away from them. We've lost passengers from time to time to them. People get so curious and wander a little too close to them. And you obviously know what happens next."

Eventually, he brushed his hands together. "Anyway, we'll be underway again within the hour! The conductor is doing a few final checks on the engine."

---
​

Vincent looked to Loque, and smirked. "I mean, I know you're from around here, Loque. I'm just worried that they might have changed a few things in the time you've been gone." he said, moving his hand around in front of him as if he was circling something. "Still, what do you have in mind?"

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"I mean, I know you're from around here, Loque. I'm just worried that they might have changed a few things in the time you've been gone." he said, moving his hand around in front of him as if he was circling something. "Still, what do you have in mind?"

Loque puts a hand on her chin as she thinks of a plan. "Hmm... Well, I know of many ways we can get inside Thorgran's palace. Not once in all my years of servitude to him has he ever renovated any part of it but the kitchen, so I know how to get us inside and where to take us from there. Now, getting to his palace may be a problem. The layout of the city probably hasn't changed much since hardly anyone can afford renovations, but Thorgran may have added more checkpoints, more guards, and more patrols around the city in response to my escape."

 

[Breadman]

"May have, may have not." Henderson grumbled as he got up "We're gonna need something more than that, don't you think?" The mutant had spend his time on watch duty doing something more than just sniffing that air. His own rations were split apart and wrapped up. One of them he held up "We know ol'Blubbergut hoards the food for himself and he's keeping his workers busy making sure the rest makes its way to the pit of his stomach and leaves scraps for them, correct?" He looked to Vincent "I say we find someone who can share information and bribe it out them the good old fashioned way." With his free hand he pointed to the rest of the rations. "We can even use these as a way to start a commotion so we can move while the guards deal with a hungry mob."

 

[Infab]

Vincent nodded. "Sounds like a plan, then. Gather up your gear, and lets get moving." he said, looking about to the others before beginning to pack his stuff. Everyone did as ordered, putting their things away as they prepared to venture out. And soon, they did so. Out into the street, where beggars were wandering about along with mindless hollows and thin demons. Just like the previous day, they shooed the beggars away as they walked through the streets. Loque singled out some demons, whom they offered food to in exchange for information. And useful information they would get.

Little had changed in the way of things around the palace in Tehom, beyond different patrol routes and a few new buildings used for storing crops for Thorgran. His fields were tended to as usual, which meant they would need to dispatch the guards patrolling them before they stole any for the masses to eat. After preparing themselves, they set off for Tehom. A long walk for several miles, passing by dying or dead crops along the way. The smell wasn't as bad as they grew closer to Tehom, probably because the fresher crops were gathered there. And they also noticed that some of the demons and beggars that they found wandering about looked a little healthier than those at the previous village. Probably sneaking food or granted food for being particularly useful to the Icon.

And soon, they arrived at Tehom. A large, brown mess of a village, surrounding a particularly ugly fortress which looked almost molded on the outside. It matched the land of Gluttony particularly well, it seemed. Loque pointed out that the crops were on the far west side of Tehom, and they'd have to make their way around. Easy enough, as they knew where the guard patrol routes were now. And soon they would come upon rather healthy looking fields of wheat and corn, among other vegetables. Potatoes, cabbages, tomatoes, peppers, and so on. Common items from the mortal realm, probably brought in to spice up Thorgran's palette. And all of these crops would be spread about to the locals...somehow.

One by one, they snuck around the fields. Dispatching any guards they came across with brutal efficiency. Then, they began the task of claiming the crops. Large wagons had to be tracked down and brought back carefully, before being filled with as many crops and such as they could gather. A little of everything, for everyone. The next task would be to find those that Thorgran had put in prison to be either beaten or eaten. The prison was beneath the palace, accessible from the outside via a series of tunnels and gates. The tunnels were navigated easily due to Loque's knowledge of the area. The gates were the more difficult part as none of them had the keys. That was where Henderson's immense strength came in. He would rip the doors off their hinges, tossing them aside with ease.

Once inside the prison, guards were hunted. Slaughtered where they stood or slept. And soon the numerous prisoners were freed, and given the task to take the wagons around and spread the food amongst the people. A proper way to screw Thorgran over.

Finally, it came time to sneak into the palace and accomplish the final objective. Dealing with the head chef and his staff, and poisoning Thorgran.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Loque's assumptions on the current state of her hometown was right. Hardly much of Tehom has changed over the long centuries during her absence it seems. Stores where she used to buy things with what little money she earned, warehouses that stored the scraps Thorgran didn't want to eat, and even guard posts were all still in the same spots she knew they'd be in. Unsurprisingly though, they looked just as run down and barren as she remembered too. Knowing Thorgran, he very much likely wasted all the money that would've gone towards infrastructure on more exotic and lavish dishes, better kitchen equipment that wouldn't actually do anything, and bigger clothes that fit his ever expanding belly.

Today, however, this is going to change.

Leading the group throughout Tehom whenever Vincent allowed her to, she sometimes took them along paths and alleyways she herself used to take whenever she left work. These alleys and streets weren't heavily guarded, and combined with her familiarity with the area, it made passage through them extremely easy. However, there was another obstacle that caused a few hang-ups along the way: the calming freeze of nostalgia, memories of times long past. Sometimes, when the group passed a particular store, or a pub, or even a lowly looking building that looks as if it could've been used for anything, Loque would randomly freeze and stare at it for a moment, sometimes even reaching out. She knows these places, the pubs where she'd drown all her bruises in pints of liquor mixed with her tears, the inns she sometimes took residence in whenever Thorgran kept her throughout dawn and she couldn't make it home, the bakeries her parents took her to when they had enough money to buy her something nice. A soft pat or a poke from Vincent was enough to snap her out of it, but she couldn't help it.

Wiping her "face", she took the group to the only healthy looking plentiful patches of green in this entire land: Thorgran's own private farm. They stalked through the cornfields, uprooting the heads of guards off their necks one by one until they were able to load up as many crops as they could onto any available wagons they found. That was step one of the plan. Step two involved freeing those fated to be ripped apart and shredded by Thorgran's teeth later. Again, with Loque's familiarity of the area, the prisons where these people were being held was easy to get to. Some of them were more than grateful that they were being freed, while others were somewhat confused and surprised that Loque of all people was trying to free them; the very same chef that cut up and served some of their friends and family. Nevertheless, they didn't take their freedom for granted and with instructions from the group, immediately took control of the fully stocked wagons of food. For Thorgran, generously donating his food to the lesser masses would be perhaps the most outrageous and most embarrassing insult anyone could give him. Though for Loque, this wasn't enough. She wasn't done yet. She still wanted to hurt him directly for all the pain he's given her. Loque took one long look back at Thorgran's dismal looking palace. It reminded her that they still have a job to do.

She still has a job to do. No more running away this time.

"There are several options." she speaks to Vincent. "Through the storage area, the delivery bay, or the garbage chute. I used the latter when I escaped. It's not pleasant, but it'll take us directly to the kitchen."

 

[SniperComZero]

Whilst Gwen had very little in the way of attachment to the place that they were saving, she reasoned that it was for the betterment of everyone there. Another small part of her did figure that this was some good lessons on insurrection. Both for quelling, and maintaining, though she would be loathe to conduct the latter. Coming upon the palace of the icon, Gwen couldn't help but find herself fascinated by the city that surrounded them. It still smelled awful by her own standards, it was marginally more bearable than the rot that had inlaid the lands surrounding it. From the squalor of the town beneath, and how even the castle's stone looked like rotted bread, it seemed very... human, to her. Twisted in an odd sort of way, but it still reminded her above all, of human settlements that she had passed through, both before and after she had been launched forwards through time.

She'd deigned it a good idea to use her rifle as little as possible, in order to avoid attracting even more unneeded attention towards the group. The sneakiness of how they dispatched the guards that guarded the fields and prisons they liberated was necessary, but... sat unwell with the elf. As someone who at least in some capacity wanted to pride herself on chivalry, skulking around and slitting throats wasn't exactly something that she felt naturally attuned for. Of course, neither is poisoning what is the Abyss's twisted version of a king... or, duke, as the case may be, but she had reason enough that it's different.

He's far more powerful than most of their group, and very much would not extend the same courtesy of honour...
...Or, perhaps she's just a hypocrite.

Either way, by the time that they group had reached the palace's foot, Gwenaelle stared upward, towards its spire. "...I've been running this scenario through my head since we've got here, but I've always hit something of a... a snag. How are we actually getting the food to him? As far as I can tell, we wouldn't have a poison taster to worry about, given I'm sure he wouldn't deign even a minutiae of his food to someone other than himself." She folded her arms, looking down toward the group. "...But poisoning him may prove difficult. I'm sure you could cook, madame Loque, if we were to dispose of the staff, but, I have a fear that our time window would be limited before we draw Thorgran's ire." Gwen shrugged her shoulders. "Perhaps we could... poison it on its way towards his feast? I'm sure that even not taking his demonic nature into account, a ruler being poisoned by his staff, or so he believes, would be grounds to deal with them. The ah, two birds with one stone, thing. But... I have no idea if that would be any more or less difficult."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"Perhaps we could... poison it on its way towards his feast? I'm sure that even not taking his demonic nature into account, a ruler being poisoned by his staff, or so he believes, would be grounds to deal with them. The ah, two birds with one stone, thing. But... I have no idea if that would be any more or less difficult."

"Trust me." reassures Loque. "I've poisoned foods before. I know exactly how much it'll take to hurt him. As for his kitchen staff, if what was said about them is true after all, then I'm not leaving his palace with them still alive. This isn't something we should leave to chance."