Dice Our Shenanigans

[Zer0]

- Nightpost -
" Town Square "​

A crowd gathered around a wooden platform, where the ransom broker and his men dragged chained wild looking men, women, children, the old, bandits from the look of their scars and hardened faces. There were barbarians lion men from the mountains that were fetching a high price, trolls, goblins foaming at the mouth, gypsy cat folk, dark skinned drow, and a heavily tattooed dwarf. It was like a bidding stage, where the wealthy who were mostly merchants and land owners competed for the strong and the beautiful catches. The elderly and the children were sold off cheaply.

Currently, a couple of prisoners of war, raiders skilled in combat were on display. They were shackled and muzzled, straining on their chains, being poked with enchanted lightning rods forward. A couple of Templar soldiers high in rank were putting out high bids for them, buying to use them as combat practice for their men or laborers to build their settlements. And then the slave women were put forward and there was a gasp in the crowd as a beautiful human woman, unblemished save for the rope and shackle marks on her skin was shoved forward. She was putting up one heck of a fight, cursing in Purrsian, the tongue of the desert folk, until a slap from the ransom broker fell her. She looked dizzy, as she was hauled up forward and introduced as: "The Ruby of The Dust! With a voice so fair a pit of desert cobras stayed their fangs and left her unharmed!"

Then a basket was brought up the stage, as she was shackled on to bolted metal rings on the ground. She froze, as the basket was dumped on her and a great hissing, spitting cobra rained down on her. The crowd screamed, gasped, moved away as the snake hissed furiously around her.

"Sing!" Commanded the ransom broker. She kept silent. The man laughed, looking annoyed about losing face in front of the crowd. "Ruby needs a little persuasion!" and he took one of the elderly slaves and threw them down on to the snake. The cobra reared ---

Suddenly an unearthly voice pierced the screams of the elderly. The cobra turned, watching mesmerized, as the beautiful woman's voice rose high in a sweet melancholic melody. A soft silence blanketed the crowd, as the elderly slave crawled away to safety. The ransom broker was pleased. She finished the song, and the cobra, still mesmerized, did not even fight as one of the slaver's men hooked it up with a stick, and sealed it back in the basket.

Many men immediately bet high for her.

CoconutLeaves

- Next Day -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

There was a mermaid with flaming red hair manning Hera's grill today. Upon inquiry it turned out she was Hera herself and said that Moss wasn't coming to work today, that he was going to continue his travels. "You could check the cottage closest to the sea over at the east end, hon', owned by a man named Tybalt, blonde hair horn on his head, can't miss him. Moss usually stays over his friend's place. That or his other friend's place on the west end."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Next day -
“Time to visit!”​

He was confused to see a mermaid in place of Moss, but Isa wasn’t deterred. He walked up to the stall and politely asked. He smiled in his own rakish charm and thanked the owner for the information after ordering takoyaki. So he decided to go back to his inn, packed up Moss’ items in his worn-out bag, and walked to the east.

As the redhead made his way to the further east of the beach, he kept his head down. Sometimes stopping to pick up shells to admire their colors as he continued on. Dodging the sleepy merfolk or people with a side-step and asking the elderly of where Tybalt‘s cottage might be. It was until he spotted the closest hut to the sea, it was a bit further away from the other huts and cottages, but Isa didn’t think much of it. He just went up to the darkened wooden door and knocked. Waiting patiently to see if anyone would open the door.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

"Who is it?" said Moss' voice, and the front door opened to reveal the horned man in the same clothes he wore yesterday, his bed hair askew. "Isa! Hello!" he said surprised. He glanced behind him where the interior of the cottage was dark, smelled of dust and booze, and had the outlines of scattered rubbish and furniture, before stepping out and hastily closing the door.

"Hey, you brought my bag and spear." He said pleasantly, and moved to take them from him. "Thank you, are you here for breakfast and fishing?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Eastern side -
“Cascata ‘dell Oceano “​

Isa just waved at Moss when he opened the door, momentarily looking behind him to see how dark it was inside before the door was quickly shut. He just grinned impishly.

“Kind of. I wanted to give back your stuff. Washed the frock, flask, and pot too.” He reported casually, giving back the bag to it’s original owner. “And well . . . To be honest, I was worried for you and your friend after yesterday night.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

Moss was pleasantly surprised Isa washed his stuff. "Thank you." he said, appreciatively, receiving them and slinging his spear over his back. "Yeah, and about last night, thanks for helping me. You jumped in the water even though you couldn't swim. You're a really nice guy, Isa." he smiled. He looked behind him at the closed door. He sighed, rubbing his forehead, revealing the scar of a recent cut before his hair swept back in place and hid it.

"My friend . . . He's sleeping the firewhisky off. He's okay for now. Erm . . . ." he shoved his hands in his pockets, tapping his foot and thinking. "Do you want to have breakfast on the beach?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Eastern side -
“Cascata ‘dell Oceano”​

Isa raised a brow. “Are you sure you want to leave Tybalt alone with his hangover?”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

Moss looked back at the door in serious consideration. He shrugged. "Yes, he's better off without me anyway. We'll probably end up having a row." he walked ahead, pass the unkempt garden of the sea-side cottage and stopped at the little fence gate. "Coming?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Eastern side -
“Cascata ‘dell oceano”​

Isa blinked and slowly nodded. “A row? Like a paddle? Like a single line of something?” He walked towards Moss, taking in the unkempt garden and wondered if perhaps . . . Just perhaps . . .

For now, he’ll keep his thoughts to himself.

”Coming.” Isa followed to wherever Moss led him to, picking up random shells again before running away from the upcoming waves. “The seafood pasta was delicious, by the way.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

"Row like a fight. " chuckled Moss. They made their way down the shore, where he watched Isa, amused as he ran away from the waves.

"Glad you like it, Isa! Just keep the compliments coming and I'll cook you more!" he grinned. "The sauce had sea urchin uni and venerupis scalops that I cooked in garlic butter." And off Moss chattered about all the ingredients he added and asked Isa what he could improve on the taste.

The next couple of minutes found them on the shallows under a great curving outcrop of rock on the beach, where Moss said they could practice fishing flounders, funny flat fishes that half burrow themselves in the sand. He taught Isa how to spot them, and thrust the spear in proper form, nudging his foot with his own or tipping Isa's elbow to adjust the angle of his next strike. And when Isa speared his first one, he fist pumped. "Good! That's how you do it!"

"You've got a good knack for this." he complimented, when Isa not only caught flounders, but also fishes worth half day's pay in the market. He left him to go build a fire for their breakfast, and it was about a couple of minutes since Moss left that Isa caught something peculiar.

When he removed the spear from his seventh fish, something shiny sparkled from within its belly. Inside it was an ancient gold ring emblazoned with the coat of arms of three eyes, one of which was open.

Spoiler: Loot

Isa gains:

1. 3 fresh ingredients, 3 Spices, 3 alchemical
2. Unidentified Ring

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Eastern side -
“Cascata ‘dell Oceano “​

“Ah! That explains the richness in the butter! Sea urchin!” Isa exclaimed, grinning wide. He pointed out to not be afraid on trying outside of seafood. “Other than that, you’re fantastic at cooking seafood!”

Within the next couple of minutes, the redhead found himself to practicing, striking down the spear in the shallow parts of the sea to catch flounders. Boots off and pants rolled up —— Lord Loki, he hated feeling the chilly waters freezing him again! When he finally caught his first one, Isa smiled happily. Looking younger as his cautious eyes brightened up in joy. “Okay! I’m gonna catch more!” He piped up, acting more like a kid as he skipped away to find another fish to spear. He got the hang of spear fishing the more he tried to catch other types of fishes, staying quiet and observing their swimming patterns as he lured them with a single floating orb of flames like before. He even stopped complaining about how cold the water was as he collected water grass.

Whenever he stopped to pull the fishes off the spear, he’d hum a lullaby. Surprisingly deep sounding for someone with a medium pitch in his voice, like he has more ranges then he lets on. Dulce tones bounced off the curving stoned outcrop the more he got into the song. There were no lyrics, but one can tell it was a precious song to the singer as he let himself get carried away sometimes. Only to quiet down to fish again, leaving his catches next to Moss in case someone tried to steal them.

At his seventh one, he pulled the fish off as he hummed again. He raised a brow when a shiny thing came out of the stomach, bending down to pick it up between his thumb and index fingers. Taking a closer look, Isa knew it was old —- ancient perhaps? —- and bit it. Then he spit out the sand that lingered on his tongue. “Hmm~ it’s real gold. How strange . . .”

Who would lose an ancient ring like this? Of course, it looked creepy too. The biker couldn’t help but think that the ancient people in this realm are really weird for making creepy designs in jewelry. “I wonder . . . “ Isa looked at Moss for a moment and walked over to him. He plopped down, crossing his legs as he shuffles closer to the fire. Then he placed the fish on top of the pile.

“Think that’s enough for breakfast?” He asked, staring at the ring closely as if he wanted to learn more of it’s secrets. Stories that it might tell with the designs. Something —- anything to indicate what the ring might be able to do.

Spoiler: Isa’s lullaby

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

Moss chuckled when Isa skipped off like a kid. This person's presence was fun.

Around the campfire, Moss was lounging on the sand under the sun with an arm behind his head and a small book entitled, Ninjas of Love 1, Honorable Intentions, held in the other. The campfire was now a bed of tame coals underneath a boiling vintage oriental kettle, and a ring of shishkabob fishes smoking in between the campfire stones. He looked up and nodded. "Yeah, that's enough. We can smoke and preserve some later. It'll stay good for two months after it's all salted and dried."

He noticed the ring. "What you got there, Isa?"

Isa would notice immediately that the emblem was of the Ancient Loki, and there was something about it, a touch of magic that could be unraveled with one of the spells he knows. Then a memory came to mind. Of members of his order going into the Thousand Cut Badlands, fighting demons, not coming back, the bodies lost, probably eaten. This ring must have belonged to one of its fallen members from long ago. He would recall that the higher ranking members of his demon hunter order wore rings blessed by Loki himself. This one seemed to be a Valkyrie's ring. Turning the ring around there was a name etched on the inside of the band, smooth and hardly visible: Salazar.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Eastern Side -
“Cascata ‘dell Oceano “​

Isa shrugged, staring at the ring’s emblem hard. Three eyes that are creepy . . . “I’ve seen this before- Hn!” He flinched, body tensing up, and sitting straight like a metal rod. Eyes unseeing despite them being open wide.

It was quick, his vision going out to a memory of the past. Seeing a battle, members of his own order going into the Thousand Cut Badlands, and never coming back. A grim reminder of who he was, what he would be if he still had his connection with Ancient Loki. Then his vision snapped back to reality. It has been a while since he has gotten visions from Ancient Loki, rarer still, visions when he’s awake. Must have been a traumatic experience for the owner if Loki gave him a vision like this.

Isa’s hand trembled as he turned the ring around. He barely spotted the name, but he can feel the etched edges of each curve under his gloved thumb. His breathe hitched. His pale face drained of his color as he stared at the ring’s name and gulped. “I-it was . . .”

The scars underneath his clothes itched, ghosting the burns he felt from his own horror. “T-T-This belonged to a demon hunter . . .” Isa looked haunted as he fisted the ring, covering it from anyone’s view. “From my convent. He’s dead.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

Moss sat up, frowning in concern. Putting his book aside he sat next to Isa, and touched his shoulder. He looked like he didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry." he said somberly. He looked at the ring. "How do you know he's dead? Maybe he just lost this ring?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Eastern Side-​

Isa didn’t move, looking into the fire as he spoke quietly.

”Do you know an ancient called Loki?” He peeked at Moss. His face blank of emotions. “Lord Loki gives visions to the dedicated. Be it of the past, present, or future. This ring has Ancient Loki’s symbol and it belongs to a somewhat high member. A Valkyrie.“

”I saw a vision of demons fighting Salazaar and his group in the Thousand cuts badlands.” He sighed, raking through his red locks with his other hand. Stressed. “This isn’t the first time I get visions and it won’t be the last.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

"Alright." said Moss. He was quiet for a moment, then patted Isa's shoulder. "I've heard of your Order and Ancient Loki. You . . . you demon hunters are what stands between us and the demons who consider us their play things."

There was respect and controlled awe in Moss' voice and the way he looked at him. There was a whistle as the cover of the vintage oriental teapot clattered. Moss took it off the coals then took out a coral box from within his bag. He sprinkled dried green leaves, herbs, and petals inside. Then the calming smell of tea permeated the air. He poured some in the same tin cup from last night.

"Here, Isa." he moved back to him. "Strawberry leaves, chamomile, blackberry leaves, heather flowers, lavender, and rose petals. I find this brew calming, if you'd like to try it?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

“Eastern Side-​

“Hm.” Isa nodded solemnly, sighing heavily as he stared at the burning coal once more. He sat still, slightly hunched over like he was tired of carrying something heavy. Only to perk up when the air smelled calm and herbal. His tense shoulders slumped as Moss shuffled back with an offer. An offer that broke his flat-line into a genuinely grateful smile.

”Thank you.” Isa said, taking a deep breathe. “This is very nice of you, Moss. You didn’t have to, you know . . . To a stranger.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

"Well, you're a nice guy." said Moss, smiling. "Sweet actually. I sort of got the gist that you were a mechromancer, with your meter bike and all, but I thought you were an archeologist or a treasure hunter. I had no idea you were a demon hunter! This is the least I could do for all the protection you and your order do for us."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Eastern side -​

Isa pouted. “Not sweet.”

”Though that’s rather humbling to hear from the prince of the merfolk.” He said casually as he pocketed the ring in his coat.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

Moss was startled for a moment. "I bet you got that from those gossiping groupers." he said in resignation. He flopped back on to the sand. "Yeah, I don't know if you've heard of the story about the prince of Atlantis and his three friends found stranded on land ten years ago with legs and not tails. Tybalt . . . He's one of my three friends. We're cursed . . . because of some brainless stuff I --- we, did." he avoided looking at Isa's eyes. "Anyway!" he changed tone, hitching up a smile.

"That's old news. No use whining about the past. Actually, the real reason why I'm very friendly with you is because of your meter bike. It's amazing. I am looking for a way --- I've given up on spells --- instead I'm looking and designing a machine that could help me and my friends go back to Atlantis down, down in the bottom of the Atlantean ocean without getting crushed by the pressure and of course dying from lack of oxygen." He paused for a moment, watching the tin cup of tea in Isa's hand, and the pocket where he kept the ring. "But . . . I won't expound on that right now."

He sat up and checked a couple of the fishes smoking around the campfire. He pointed at a couple. "This, that, and that one's already cooked." He took one himself and laid back on the sand next to Isa, eating the fish.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Eastern side -​

“Pretty much.” Isa nodded, not hiding where he heard the title from. Though he wondered why Moss had to change his name, but he suppose he has his reasons. As he listened to the rushed tale, his fine brow raised high. I? We? What’s with his voice there?? He had to resist wincing with how unnaturally high Moss sounded.

”Actually, no. This is news to me.” He said, staring at the tea for a while and sips it. Sighing in relief as he can feel the warmth spreading over him like a cozy blanket. As suspicious as he was, Isa did watch Moss’ movements of what he put in the tea. Just in case, but it seems he was genuine with his care. The demon hunter stayed silent for a moment, taking sips as he pondered.

”I see . . . I can’t give you my bike, need it to travel fast.” He sighed as Moss sat next to him while eating a fish. ”Well then I hope even more now, that the spirits will guide you and your friends back home.”

”Though I’m a little concerned for your friend’s mental health . . . And his liver.” Isa said, reaching for one of the cooked fishes, and took a bite without hesitation. He didn’t even flinch from the burning sensation.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

"Hehe, same. Wish Tybalt would stop drinking, the sourpuss --- oh, I'm not going to ask you for your bike, Isa, I was hoping you could tell me how it was made, who made it, where they got the parts." He tossed his shishkabob stick and fishbones into the coals. Moss flopped on his belly and looked at him, kicking his feet in the air. "If you don't mind me asking, where are you traveling to?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Eastern side-​

Isa hummed, grabbing another shishkabob as he threw the first stick and bones into the fire too. “Oh, then I can teach you of which parts are what. I found it in a ruins near my hometown. It was weird to find the bike there but I wanted to know how it works. As you can see, I figured it out.” He grinned widely before sipping the calming tea. Then he huffed as he took out a rusty pocket watch after tossing the bones in the fire, holding it by the chain. Moss can hear a muffled ticking sound coming from it.

”Anywhere. I’m trying to find a . . . an important person in my life. My adoptive uncle. He left me after an incident a year ago and I want him back.” He growled at the end. Isa cleared his throat and sipped the tea with his eyes closed.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

Moss was perturbed at the edge in Isa's voice. "Welll. Hmmmm." He sensed some dangerous resentment there. The kind in dramas where someone ends up murdered. And he didn't want aaaaaaany part of that. But this amazing machine . . . .He needs to know how it works.

"I'm heading north to The Highlands, if that's where you're going?" he said carefully. He then changed demeanor, sitting up straight with the air as though he was going to persuade Isa to eat takoyaki again. "Would you be interested in a dashing travelling companion who's a good cook, an interesting conversationalist, with a keen eye for danger, and . . ." He paused for dramatic effect. "Contacts who could probably help you smuggle your bike through the Templar checkpoints?" Moss smiled winningly.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Eastern Side -
“Cascata ‘dell Oceano”​

“I don’t know you. We met yesterday.” Isa pointed out in a deadpan as he sipped tea. “While I do appreciate the help and you teaching me how to fish, I don’t think you’d want to travel with me—- or abandoning your friends. Especially Tybalt and his tendency to drink and drown.”

The redhead looked straight in Moss’ eyes. His grin wiped away. “I help others when I can and that’s part of my creed to Ancient Loki. I don’t know why you would want to help me, a potentially dangerous demon hunter.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Eastern Side -
" Cascata dell’ Oceano "​

Moss looked surprised and a little hurt in a way that he understood since Isa didn't know him when he suggested he was deserting his friends. "I am not abandoning my friends." he said indignantly. "There is nothing I can do here . . . " he hesitated saying something for a moment. "There is someone I need to meet in the east who can help me design my machine. That's why I'm heading north to go around the Thousand Cut Badlands. I'm not abandoning them, I'm looking for a way to get us back home." he looked at Isa with steady earnestness.

"And the reason why I want to travel with you, Isa, is because I want to learn more about your meter --- motor bike. I've never seen anything like it and you say that it moves by itself. I need that for my machine. Of course, I know that it's just not about me, so I'm offering you my services as a cook, dashing companion, watchful guard, and smuggler. And I can fight too, perhaps not as good as a demon hunter, but I can be relied on."

Katsuya