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

[Breadman]

"Shhhh" He glared at Annya. She might have a wolf form, but she was a fox, that one. "If you plan and scheme, do not give it away." Back to Inari, he could smell her anger. Oh this was something else. If it was different, he would be enjoying seeing this rage unleashed, but things were as they were. "As I said, they do not care for honor. The idea is laughable for most of them."

Henderson lifted his hands off of Inari's shoulders, trusted her not to go on a wild chase after Loque. She was wild, but he doubted she was stupid. Ribertta just casually walking by naked, covered in blood caught his attention next. 'Did she just undress before making that big entrance earlier?' he raised an eyebrow. How many years stuck in a basement with her, he'd thought he'd figured her out. Guess not.

"Quite. We're bound to have one of the abyssal lord's attention after this. Maybe more. Killing them and putting their heads on a spike sounds like a better prize, don't you think?"

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Inari shook her head at Riberta's remarks, though her eyes lingered on the woman's form. Any kill against an opponent that actually fought back was honorable enough. Maybe this one wasn't so impressive in their past dealings, but the kill had been hers, and the right to the head belonged to her. It was unfortunately clear that none would properly take her side on the issue and support her rightful claim, which left her to either break from the matter or pursue it. The latter would be a pointless solo endeavor. Even Henderson's words did little to soothe her. Even if demons were a race of dishonorable cretins, that doesn't excuse the behavior around civilized people.

Anya had a fair idea, though she was no shinobi who would sneak around and kill in the dark. No - her foes would know she was coming, because they should die knowing that she was coming for them from the start. A surprise death lacked the point in the slaying, though she didn't disagree that it was useful at times. The alternative was a later duel... but that felt pointless in the grand scheme. This was an insult she would have to suffer and live through without proper redress.

She cast her eyes back towards the corpse of the priest and sauntered over to it. If she couldn't take the head, she'd take the next best thing. She stooped down and grabbed the demonic priest's hat which had fallen and remained behind, and she inspected it. This would be hers now.

 

[Damian0358]

Stretching confirmed to Takato that the flames from earlier were intense enough to have raised him off the ground slightly, as he felt as though he hadn't just collapsed onto the ground, but as though he had slipped off of a step on a small set of stairs. With one big stretch, he reached down to his ankles to check whether the talisman-like cards on his ankles had been charred or not - and as he suspected, with his pants and robes reaching far enough down, they hadn't received much damage. He wouldn't need to spend time remaking them.

Bringing himself back up, he turned to Vincent:

"...if travel by magic is acceptable, levitation could ease my travel," he said, as he spotted Riberta, confirming her presence in the building after hearing her voice and feeling her aura, "know I do not whether staying in Sheol is a good idea. If the preference for camping here and resting is the majority thought though, objectful I would not be," he answered. It appeared as though he didn't seem to care much about resting in one place to heal. Perhaps he just wanted to move on swiftly, especially considering the tone of the discussion here up to now.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

If Hudson turned his head, he'd see Loque slide near him as she finds a spot to stand by her lonesome at the very base of the steps. She's still finding it troublesome to calm her nerves, so a cigarette was needed. After a few puffs, she turns to him and waves the carton before going back to staring at the messy emptiness in front of her.

 

[K0mori]

At Henderson's warning, Anya gave a blank expression. She wasn't offended by his accusation of "scheming," as, from a certain perspective, that was exactly what she had been doing. In fact, he hadn't even told her to stop, but rather to be more subtle about it. Although he had glared at her, her unmoved reaction slowly gave way to a sly smile which told him everything he needed to know about her thought process. "I go find my boots, now," she said, and trotted off toward the passage they had entered from. There was an odd spring in her step as she went.

A few minutes later, she exited the cathedral to find the moodier members of the party sitting on the steps. She walked over and sat next to Loque. Without looking her in the eyes, she said, "Demon-friend, do not think much of what I say indoors. I was only trying to calm Lady Inari. One can go hungry a night if good meal is promised next morning. You are prized hen, good meat, very wanted. So... all we need is find a hog. And kill." Her eyes flashed yellow just for a moment as she spoke before subsiding back to brown. "She will find glory elsewhere, forget all this."

She continued to stare at the ruined city with a slightly-fanged grin. "May I have?" she asked, motioning at the cigarettes.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

You are prized hen, good meat, very wanted."

Loque visibly flinches at being called that. It's already bad enough Inari got under her skin, almost literally, and she'd hate it if Anya started trying the same too.

"May I have?"

"...G-Go catch me later, why don't you?" responds Loque, still sniveling, and quite ineffective at trying to sound dismissive. "And don't-Don't... Call me... M-Meat."

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson could see the cigarettes offered to him out the corner of his eye, barely visible by the slit through his helmet as he continued to sit there limply. Part of him wanted to grab that damned carton from her and throw it to the horizon, another wanted to stab the demon for making the offer to him in the first place. Yet he lacked the energy to do all of those things, and he stood himself up in a most exasperated manner before he began to shuffle off.

"No. I'm quitting." was all he muttered, trudging to where he assumed they would be going.

 

[K0mori]

Anya blinked, and then gave a disdainful look. [Did I misspeak? Or did she simply not understand the metaphor?] she wondered. Whatever the case, Loque was spitting her words back at her, and sounded very upset over what had happened. Anya wasn't sure what to feel. Until now, she wasn't aware that demons were even capable of crying, and was honestly curious if it was some sort of act. "Fine, I go then. Next time, you face her alone." She stood and dusted her greatcoat off, scanning her surroundings for any sort of souvenir to take away from the cathedral. She soon wandered back inside, where the others were, as she figured Inari would make much better company at this point.

 

[Infab]

Riberta glanced at Hudson as she walked past, but didn't speak. What'd she have to say to the man? They already didn't like one another, and she had punched him before for being a jackass. She wandered about a bit, looking for her clothing. Eventually, she found it. She used some cloth she found off a dead demon's body, wiping the blood from her body as best she could, before getting dressed. She was fine with being coated in blood, really. She had been several times before. Still, blood started to smell bad. She'd still need a bath later, but this would do for now.

She came back afterwards to find that Loque was now standing at the base of the steps near Hudson. I thought they hated each other? She shrugged off the thought after a moment. She stood near the steps, folding her arms and looking about. The courtyard surrounding the cathedral looked like a war zone, with the rended corpses of thirty-nine demons scattered here and there. Some had been ripped to pieces, others had simply been crushed or killed. All in all, though, it was an utter mess of blood and gore. Riberta sighed. She used to get a kick out of sights like this. Not anymore.

She could see hollows in the distance, wandering down a nearby street. The same as usual, really. Mindless and simple. She then watched Hudson depart, wandering off. He really intended to get himself killed, didn't he? Dumbass just walking off and leaving them without knowing where the hell he was going.

---
​

Vincent nodded to Takato. He did need rest so that Venextos could heal him, and with this large city, they were bound to find a place to camp for a day or two before proceeding onward to their next destination. He would need to speak with Tariun again to see what they would be doing next as well. "We'll find somewhere and camp out. Venextos can mend you, since it looks like it might take a few hours with how badly your skin is burned." he stated, before looking towards Anya as she returned to Inari's side. She seems to have found herself a friend. And it was the one instigating fights. He glanced over to Seriphine. At least the elf was doing better.

Soon, he turned about and walked out of the cathedral, reloading his rifle as he went with a stripper clip. Once outside, he found Loque, Hudson, and Riberta. Quiet. Surprising, really. "Lets find a place to lay low for a day or two. Takato needs to heal, and we need to find out where we're going next." said Vincent, as he descended the steps. Riberta nodded, looking to Jakob as he came outside. "Claymore." she said simply, motioning to the large blade on Jakob's back.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Inari was inspecting the priest's hat, and she tried it on a few times. The damn thing was way too big for her. Even if she could shapeshift into an entirely new form, she'd not be able to be large enough to wear the hat. It was essentially worthless to her outside of being a token or perhaps a treasure to sell. She knelt down and undid some of the rope strung up all around her knapsack, as she kept an almost absurd amount. Rope was useful for pretty much anything. Carrying things, building things, tearing things down, helping people, killing people. Good stuff. She wrapped the helmet-hat up and slung it over her shoulder, fastening it to her gear so that it was secured.

She hadn't paid much attention to Takato's arm, though she had noted the curious situation regarding it. The monk was strange. She'd have to ask him about it later. They were already on the verge of moving out, and she spotted Anya coming back into the cathedral. She gave the woman a smile and wave, almost in a childish manner, as she adjusted the large hat on her back and made her way along with the others.

 

[Damian0358]

Takato nodded in turn to Vincent. It would take some time to heal his skin, and mend his damaged goods, but it was something they could do passively while moving onward. Finding out where to go next though, that's a valid reason to camp and lay low. He tapped his right foot to the ground, reactivating the flight cards around his ankles, as to not overly strain his own qi any more than he has, and floated over to Venextos, whose aura he could still feel slowly heal him, and followed him.

Considering the 'revelation' about his arm, he was sure that, in the coming downtime, at least one person was going to ask him about it. He was preparing himself for it, as it isn't often he had to share the story behind it.

 

[Infab]

Elsewhere...

"...Still not talking to me?...Of course not. If you've been silent for three years...or thirty...then I shouldn't be expecting you to say something now."

The figure sitting inside the near pitch black room against the back wall said nothing, nor did they move. Sazak could tell, however, that they were likely crying. They often were when he came to visit. "...I come today bringing news." he finally said after a long pause, his eyes locked onto her aura. He stepped inside the room, quietly stepping towards her before crouching a few feet from her. "...Mariette's a hollow now...her mind's gone. I had her dumped in the Hollowlands to wander for eternity."

The figure stayed silent. Sazak's smile remained. "...And Jakob is now in the Abyss." he added. Then, the figure twitched. Sazak's smile turned into a grin. "I knew that would get to you." he hissed. The figure's head turned to look at him, her ice blue eyes peering through red hair. Locking onto Sazak. As he expected, tears were already streaming down her cheeks, dripping off her chin. Then, she finally spoke. "...why...why me?" she asked.

Sazak tilted his head. "Why you? My dear, you should know that. After all, I was inside you for little while." he responded. Sometimes, when a demon possessed a human but did not remove their soul, some of the demon's memories would be imprinted into the vessel's memories. When the demon left, the vessel would retain the memories. Sazak soon sighed, and examined her face. "...But since you don't know...I'll fill you in."

He lifted a finger, pointing to her. "...Dame Rebecca Witlocke." he said, his tone bearing plenty of malice. "I loathe your entire bloodline because of that woman." Valeria's expression soon turned to one of confusion. Rebecca Witlocke? Who was that? She didn't know a 'Rebecca' in her family. Sazak soon stood, turning and heading back towards the door of the cell. "Now...I'll be back to feed you soon enough. And you'd better eat this time...or I'll possess you again and MAKE you eat it."

Sazak then disappeared out of the room, and the door shut tight. Valeria stared at the door for a few minutes. One of her ancestors wronged him, so he was taking it out on her. She soon turned back to face the wall, curling up into a ball as she lay against it.

Dame Rebecca Witlocke...who was she?

 

[Doomevil]

With that fight out of the way and the others walking out of the church, it seems like they were about done here. Going through all that fighting and the injury she suffered from one of the guards easily tired her out. Though, she had to wonder what was that conflict between Inari and Loque. Something about the Priest corpse? It didn't matter either way, they killed the Priest and no one died from the battle. Her shield and rifle laid on her back, Dark Shard sitting in its scabbard while she stared at the armor pierced on her arm. She'll have to get that fixed once they find somewhere to camp for tonight. Senya hoped someone packed armor material from the supply crates.

The Warden walked out of the Cathedral, looking at the sky. They got a long way to go, but it was a start. She saw several faces such as Riberta, Hudson and Loque. And they were all... silent. She had to admit she wasn't used to fighting with allies in her own ventures prior to the Abyss. This is an entirely new experience for her besides working with the occasional Warden like Hunk or her bastard cousin, Haegel Honors. Haegel always told her the first was always the hardest, but she'll get better. Stronger, faster than the average human. She just needed to keep training until she could have her revenge. And she did.

She took the time staring at the abandoned streets, hollows roaming around aimlessly. Senya could only imagine how many were crawling in this wrecked city and who they were before their fates. Which led to another question should one of them die here. Would they still exist or vanish permanently within this place? Senya didn't want to think about dying here, but it was a question that bothered her deeply. Whatever happens, she will meet her family and return home after this.

Senya followed the group descending down the steps, getting ready to leave.

 

[K0mori]

Anya returned Inari's greeting as she trotted up. Seeing the priest's headgear strapped up to her back, her smile turned to a grin. [Aha, now that's the right idea. How much could that be worth in a place like this? How much might it be worth outside the Abyss? If the Gods are going to abandon me down here, they might as well allow me to reap the spoils...]

"Lady Inari," she asked, "is that not heavy? By end of travel, you will feel like mule. I will also look for treasure, but small treasure," she explained, coyly. She knew that the others in the party were beginning to head out, and so she didn't spend long sweeping the room. If she were to take something, she would rather it be something small, such as a piece of jewelry. There was no point in lugging around something cumbersome if it was likely to slow her down during the next battle.

 

[Infab]

The Cathedral of Sheol - The Nave (Main Hall) - Misc. Rolls
Anya searches the room for something of use (Abyssal Inclination.) D6 used. Chance Roll = 6. Chance successful. Anya found an enchanted obsidian stiletto dagger, an abyssal necklace with an unknown sigil charm, and a golden bracelet with a beautiful ruby.

---
​

Anya's searching around the cathedral's nave bore fruitful results. Near the priest's corpse, she found what appeared to be a necklace of some sort. It likely fell off the priest when he was beheaded, but it was made of some sort of metal material. Copper? Maybe bronze. It had an obsidian sigil charm hanging from it, the sigil itself being of unknown meaning. She would have to check with Vincent to learn of its meaning. Another object she found was a wrist bracelet on the corpse of the Fire Elemental. Made of solid gold, with a bright, gleaming ruby fitted into it. It easily slipped off the still warm corpse of the Elemental. And last, but certainly not least, she discovered a dagger stuffed into one of the small tables at the back of the pulpit. A stiletto dagger, made of sharpened obsidian. It was surprisingly lightweight, and gave off an unnatural sort of feel in her hand. Perhaps it was enchanted? Who knew what the enchantment actually was, until it was put to use.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Inari slammed one fist against her chest, squaring her shoulders. "Heavy? I stronger than I look! Small hat here is no trouble," she laughed, lingering near the doorway as Anya turned back to do some looting. She'd wait for the woman to finish so she didn't get left behind, something a few of the others didn't seem to care about. Always wandering off by themselves.

 

[K0mori]

It didn't take long for Anya to discover valuables among the dead and the disorderly surroundings. Much like she had rifled through numerous houses and carriages since her turning and subsequent vagrancy, she had an innate eye for the unusual types of goods which could fetch a decent price at the right market or in an unsuspecting secondhand store. The priest's sigil necklace looked intricate and possibly enchanted. She chuckled to herself as she palmed the bronze chain in her hand. Since the Gods had been so cruel, perhaps she could enjoy the irony of sporting a symbol of a dead, demonic religion instead.

The gold bracelet excited her even further, however. [How had the others missed it!?] she thought as she slipped it onto her own wrist, admiring its beauty as she turned it over, back and forth. She knew that something like this would be quite valuable, and felt a tinge of envy that she likely wouldn't be able to keep it. She also slipped the necklace over her neck, figuring that the best way to carry jewelry was to simply wear it, and after a bit of consideration, decided that there was little reason to worry that her wolf form would damage either piece, or vice versa, that the jewelry would harm her if she shifted.

Finally, the stiletto dagger was a welcome replacement to the silver-clad short sword she was carrying, which was more harmful to her than it was to the demons. Although the dagger felt a bit strange in her hand, she liked the sensation. There was something vaguely tempting about its black sheen which reminded her of a seafaring tale she had once heard as a child. She wrapped the short sword tightly in a discarded cloth before stuffing it through one of the loops on her great coat, and then slipped the dagger safely into an inner pocket where she could reach it on short notice. She couldn't bring herself to drop the silver sword; not while she was still forced to travel with other werewolves.

Excitedly, and in an increasingly positive mood, she dashed out the front of the cathedral with Inari to rejoin the others.

 

[joshuadim]

"I suggest the rooftops... safer than being on the ground when we are in enemy territory." Venextos suggested to Vincent as they planned to camp out and wait for everyone to mend their wounds. The wizard would need some time as well to fully heal Takato.

 

[Infab]

"I suggest the rooftops... safer than being on the ground when we are in enemy territory."

Riberta soon spoke up. "Did you forget, wizard, that there are flying demons? I killed quite a few out here." she said, cutting him a look, "We need to be indoors." Vincent then nodded. "Indoors, out of sight, and away from large clusters of hollows." As Anya and Inari caught back up with the group, they continued out into the courtyard through the utter mess left in the wake of Riberta's slaughter of the demons that had once surrounded the cathedral. As they walked, they discussed the potential locations of where they could camp out. Eventually, one was decided on. An old warehouse that Jakob, Gwen, and Aliana had moved across on the way here. The group managed to locate it after a little searching, and soon they started to set up camp. Riberta blocked the exits with any debris that she could find, to prevent hollows from wandering in.

 

[joshuadim]

"Sorry, it does seem age is getting to me sometimes." Venextos replied jokingly as he conceded to Riberta's point as they made their way to the abandoned warehouse.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

The rest of the group may not understand, and probably won’t ever understand considering its makeup, but what Inari did by manhandling Loque viciously opened up something she had locked away and never wanted to ever contemplate again. It’s bringing her ever closer to the edge now that the box is opened and she’s reliving it all in her head, and it’s driving her mad much faster than whatever previous nonsense has happened. And to think it was all over a stupid dead head to begin with; a stupid head that if Inari wanted so badly, she could’ve just fetched it like the bloodthirsty dog she is instead of trying to kill Loque over a misunderstanding she herself caused. She should’ve killed her in that cathedral while she still had the chance, and she prays she will get another as she follows the others to the warehouse. For now though, she very much wants to be by herself than give any of the others a chance to humiliate her further than Inari has done already. She doesn’t even want her only friends, Senya and Vincent, to see her like this; let alone any of the others since she feels they’d just continually kick her as she’s down like the bastards and bitches she perceives them all to be.

Not a second was wasted by Loque to find a spot in the warehouse where she could sulk by her lonesome. Eventually she found it: some sort of office room overlooking whatever boxes were left inside. Some old rusty cabinets were in the room with her too, and she tipped a few over on the door, sealing herself inside. The window was also covered up in nearly the same manner, with one empty spot having her jacket draped across it. Her mask also comes off, placing it on top of a table since it’s not like anyone’s gonna come in here anyway. Finally she rests against the wall, slowly sinking down and holding her rifle very firmly as her eyes endlessly scan the room.

It’s only a matter of time now until she finds it in her to tell Vincent she wants to part ways. After what just happened, she can’t find it within her anymore to stick around with this bungling gang of utter scumbags that’s so generously labeled as a raid party, particularly one that now has two people in it which want to kill her over the pettiest of reasons.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Inari began looking the warehouse over, walking around the interior taking in every detail she can - entrances, exits, anything interesting. It was critical to be aware of one's surroundings at any time, but especially for a camp. There were no levels of sentries, retainers, and scouts to keep watch and guard all throughout the night and day. Not that there was much risk of any organized attack. Perhaps a retaliation for slaying the priest was possible, or maybe even a few hollows showing up, though nothing too concerning.

While the camp was being set up, Inari searched out for a good spot to sleep. Someplace decent, safe, but not entirely secluded. Not far from the main area was an old rectangular crate, empty since the side had been pried open, but it was sturdy enough that it only creaked a little when she climbed on top of it. It was only about six feet in height, anyways, and more than long enough for her to lay on. She sat cross-legged on it and sat her things aside, and watched the group for the moment.

 

[Dmaster]

The hunter found himself increasingly exhausted by the challenges the day had flung at him. Hudson had not had the opportunity to hear a gun discharge for so long that it took him by complete surprise when it happened. Every member that carried a firearm with them was now bringing him the threat of an episode or a psychotic break. Part of him wanted to just shove it down like he always did when it came to what thoughts such unpleasant reminders brought to him. Yet he knew very well that he couldn't, as over twenty years of guilt was not simply shrugged off or swallowed.

Once in the warehouse he took up refuge in the center of an arrangement of crates a good ways from the group. Gods knew what was loaded in them but they were both sturdy and weighty enough to support his back as he sat against them. Yet again he did little to remove his equipment, though oddly enough he did remove both heavy leather gloves as he put them to one side. After picking away at a ration he had obtained earlier, Hudson sighed quietly to himself, hunching slightly forward as his right thumb and index finger gently rotated the smooth gold ring on his left hand. A certain kind of longing filled him, one he was not quite able to process.

You're getting just what you deserve. There can be no redemption for the things you've done. Velin knows all of your sins. Had you any hope, you would not be down here now.

Slowly Hudson stopped playing with his ring as those thoughts crept into his mind. He was right where he needed to be.

 

[Infab]

As Riberta finished up setting up the barricades at the entrances to the warehouse, Vincent decided to check on Loque. After the scrap with Inari, the demon seemed rattled. He figured Senya would have gone and talked to her by now, but she seemed preoccupied at the moment. So it seemed that it was up to him to go and speak with her. He ascended the stairs in the warehouse to where the office was, that he had seen Loque travel to, and knocked on the door. "Loque? Its me. Is it alright if I come in?" he asked, waiting outside the door as he glanced down to where the others still were.

---
​

Riberta sighed, after shoving the last of the larger, heavy crates in front of the door they had entered the warehouse through. Her work was done, so now she could rest. She turned about, looking over where everyone was. Hudson went off by himself, like the loner he was. Inari was atop one of the crates in the room, looking over everyone. Loque had went upstairs, and now it seemed that Vincent was going to talk to her. Venextos was tending to Takato, and Senya was doing...something. Eventually, she decided to go find a spot for herself to sit. That's really all she could do. She didn't need sleep, so in a sense, she was the perfect guard. She moved over near the tents, finding a small crate to sit on a short distance from Inari's larger one. She set her claymore down beside her, and gazed about.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

After a little bit, Inari allowed her legs to hang over the side of the crate she sat on, gently kicking them about as she dug through her pack for her food. She had plenty of rice, and a fair bit of vegetables and dried meat. If rationed it could last her probably a few weeks at the most. Given that wasn't a large risk, she allowed herself to eat a little more heartily, as if she were on a smaller campaign. Rice balls stuffed with vegetables and smoked fish. She had water with her in her traveling gourd, which sat beside her. The alcohol she packed was not for consumption. It was better used medicinally or as a trade commodity. She began eating quite happily, thinking over the fight.

It had been a good one up until the end. Henderson had spoken surprisingly elegantly. One often forgot that sometimes the big hunks could also have brains. Perhaps Loque truly did not mean the insult she had issued. It was strange, and very questionable, but as she was now distanced from her warrior's spirit and battle high, she could see the possibilities a little more clearly. The woman lacked in defending herself, and was insulting rather than expressing her mistake, but her character wasn't particularly in question. Simply her actions. Hmmm.

Loque had already took off by herself, as did Hudson - though the latter was no surprise. How a person could live such a solo life was rather sad. Half of what made a campaign so enjoyable was sitting with comrades and friends. Nights were meant to grow long with tales of adventure and war stories, those which were grand, and those which were somber. Sometimes lessons were taught and learned. The sad fact was there was no camaraderie in this miserable band. Only a few had any manners and wits about them, the rest were strange. Anya was a good woman, though she had some trouble with her feelings and transformations. Riberta was strong all around - dependable, like that Senya, though that woman was distant. Gwyn was an entertaining one but the elf had also grown startlingly distant in their journey through the city. The worst were by far those pompous, arrogant sorcerers. She'd done them no wrong, and they already salivated at the prospect of being rude and inconsiderate. Shameful people.

Maybe she should apologize to the demon. A mistake was a mistake, after all, though the woman was still a spineless coward. She slapped like one, too. Still, for the sake of their mission, it didn't do well to make enemies among the group. She wasn't an antagonist or anything, like the filthy magic wielders. They'd never apologize and she was a far better soul than they. But she would need something to demonstrate her sincerity... the priest's hat? No, the demon didn't care for the sanctity of the head.... Perhaps food? She didn't want to give up any of her precious food, but a rice ball may work. The demon was the eating kind it seemed.