Take Back the Crown

[TeeKay]

Phaedra frowned at the elf.

"Wait for what? I refuse to let the creature go free until I hear more from its own mouth." She spat. Her manner of speaking was terse and a complete change from her behavior displayed previously. Still, she did soften a little, though Phaedra was clearly not fooling around now. "I am not harming him.. it..? I am being cautious. Do you not see that we are all weakened?"

She felt defensive. Perhaps it was because of her weakened state, as she had said. Phaedra did not wish to be so cold to her companion all of a sudden, but did she not see that she was trying to play it safe? What would stop the imp from calling for reinforcement as they slept, or if they simply let it go free?

@OlKaJa77
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[Lo Alyssa]

Svetlana was about to explain her plan when she heard a burst of commotion come from the wagon. She scowled and got up, resting her elbows on the back of the wagon while peering inside. "What happened this--" she started and then noticed the floating imp. She was silent for a moment, and then smiled in amusement, "This is quite unexpected." She said with a chuckle, "Phaedra dear, he is not a danger, please do put him down. One imp will not do much harm. Besides, if he wanted to hurt us, he would have done so by now... This one seems to be capable of intelligent thought, well, more than the other imps anyway."


@TeeKay @Danika @RP Marshall @Rydellius @OlKaJa77
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[TeeKay]

Phaedra, reluctantly, released the swirling wind that enveloped the imps - one that they had not noticed yet -and frowned.

"Fair enough." She replied. "As I said - I was only being cautious."

Her eyes lowered to the creature before them and her gaze was cold. She held no love for the imp and it was obvious. It didn't help that, at this time, she was hyper-defensive because of her irrational mind having control at the moment. Without the strength to cast magic beyond her innate abilities - and even then not enough to literally carry her own weight - she knew she was defenseless. This likely (if not completely) attributed to what could be considered her hostile behavior.

@RP Marshall @Lo Alyssa @OlKaJa77 @Rydellius
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[RP Marshall]

"Please Madam!" Pip said in annoyance as they were lifted up and immobilized by Phaedra @TeeKay . "I see that you are quite weary at the present moment. Please do not strain yourself on my account."


"Let me go, you Filth!" Screamed Gore who was still cloaked in the bag.

Phaedra, reluctantly, released the swirling wind that enveloped the imps - one that they had not noticed yet -and frowned.

"Fair enough." She replied. "As I said - I was only being cautious."

Her eyes lowered to the creature before them and her gaze was cold. She held no love for the imp and it was obvious. It didn't help that, at this time, she was hyper-defensive because of her irrational mind having control at the moment. Without the strength to cast magic beyond her innate abilities - and even then not enough to literally carry her own weight - she knew she was defenseless. This likely (if not completely) attributed to what could be considered her hostile behavior.

@RP Marshall @Lo Alyssa @OlKaJa77 @Rydellius
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"Peace Gore!" The stone imp said to the imp captain. "She is letting us go!"


Looking down at the group, Pip calmly said to them, "Please everyone! We are not... I am not a Spy. My intention are pure. I have a suggestion!"


Pip turned his gaze to wise looking Svetlana @Lo Alyssa , saying, "Pardon our untimely interruption Ma'am. I ask that you continue discussing your plans. My companion and I will be silent until the conclusion. After that, you may speak amongst yourselves on how deal with us. May I suggest a vote? Please... continue Madam."


"I ain't gonna stand for this!" Gore screeched out.


Quite Gore! Pip said in his mind, to the imp captain. Do not undo what I have tried to rectify! The master will be angry if you fail him!


Gore hissed but stayed silent so the group could make their plans.


{Be back in 2 hours. Sorry! It's probably a good idea to discuss the groups plans while I'm gone.}

@OlKaJa77 @Rydellius​

 

[Danika]

"Well. Finally I know someone's name." Valeiah snorted. "It's no trouble." Not very long after that, the two imps came out and she had to scoot away from them. She found imps so horrifyingly ugly. And just scary.


@Lo Alyssa @OlKaJa77 @TeeKay @Rydellius @RP Marshall

 

[TeeKay]

"We?"

Phaedra's temper began to show, her voice low and dangerous. It was really just a show, much like the opossum who would yowl and hiss and threaten before finally playing dead. But she was genuinely concerned about the imp's slip up.

"If you dare withhold any information... Are there more of you here in this caravan?"

She whipped the bag - which Pip appeared - from under the imp and shook it out.

@RP Marshall


(I know you said you'd be back later, but I figured I would get her action out there - my bad.)
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[RP Marshall]

"We?"

Phaedra's temper began to show, her voice low and dangerous. It was really just a show, much like the opossum who would yowl and hiss and threaten before finally playing dead. But she was genuinely concerned about the imp's slip up.

"If you dare withhold any information... Are there more of you here in this caravan?"

She whipped the bag - which Pip appeared - from under the imp and shook it out.

@RP Marshall
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Gore wanted to stab her in the brain for that remark. She wanted to scream at her an say how she and her party had mercilessly slaughtered her people but held her tongue for the sake of the master.


Pip, praying for Gore to remain silent, awaited for the elder @Lo Alyssa to reply.


(Sorry can't post much)

 

[Lo Alyssa]

"As much as I would love to talk about my plans, you do realize how suspicious it is for you to ask me to continue." She said calmly, "I will discuss plans after you explain yourself, and answer the question my dear blue friend has asked. Are you alone? Or is there someone with you?" She asked kindly.

(It's okay! We can wait for a little while before continuing. It'll give people a chance to catch up anyway!)




@TeeKay @OlKaJa77 @Danika @RP Marshall @Rydellius
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[TeeKay]

"Svetlana.." Phaedra began slowly, now speaking calmly to the older woman. Though the irritation and suspicion was written clearly across her features, the amount of respect and trust she had for Svetlana was very clear. "I agree. I don't feel comfortable discussing plans in the presence of imps. We have had various strangers - myself included - showing up and we welcome them, and I have had no complaint, shifting between ambivalence and approval. You know this. However, I do have issues with imps."

She paused, taking them in for a moment before continuing.

"But I do trust your decision and it is not unreasonable to listen to his.. it's?.. explanation.."

Phaedra didn't want to openly admit that she was nervous, even if she was having trouble containing her thoughts and emotions at this moment. The imp couldn't have had worse timing to reveal itself. Kvacht had appeared in the castle - causing Phaedra to blackout - and then what? Did he plant a spy? She doubted that the Demon Lord would be so conspicuous, but even still.. It was odd that they were there and, if left unnoticed, they could have easily reported back to Kvacht. If not for Nameen's perception, they would never have known.

@Lo Alyssa @RP Marshall @OlKaJa77 @Danika @Rydellius
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[Danika]

"Wait, that thing's a spy?" Valeiah shrieked. "What if it's the reason Kvacht knew we were in the castle! I doubt he just magically knew like some kind of fairy princess!"


@Lo Alyssa @RP Marshall @OlKaJa77 @Rydellius @TeeKay

 

[Lo Alyssa]

"I understand your apprehension about this." Svetlana said, taking the hands of both Valeiah and Phaedra, glancing back and forth between them as she spoke, "But I will tell you something... Kvacht was not always what he is today. I remember a time when he walked in the castle halls, helping people, including the king. He had a good heart, that despite it seeming cold and coarse, was full of love as well. Syrk was a place of dark creatures and lands, but they were not inherently evil. Just as the night balances out the day, they were necessary for our world to exist. Something happened, I was never sure what. But Kvacht disconnected from our world, and then returned ten years ago to wage war on our land. That being said, just as not all here are loyal to the crown of Algoran, not all are loyal to the crown of Syrk." She said. "Besides, I know he is not a spy, because I have been aware of his presence in my wagon for quite some time now. I just waited until he wished to reveal himself." Svetlana said with a small smile toward the imp. She was fairly intuitive. If someone meant harm, she would be able to sense it.


@TeeKay @Danika @RP Marshall
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[TeeKay]

Phaedra nodded slowly, taking each word very carefully into her mind - which was already racing with an endless amount of questions, but what else was new - so she was sure to understand.

"I see. I still have many questions, but..." She sighed heavily, deciding it would be easier just to let go. The mortal half of her unfortunately made it easy for her to grasp too tightly on ideas and worries and thoughts, unlike the airy, carefree nature of her magical kin. In this case, she had to relinquish the control to that aforementioned carefree nature - to trust in intuition. "As before - I trust your judgment, Svetlana."​

 

[Lo Alyssa]

"Thank you." The old woman smiled warmly, she hoped to ease her worries, even if just a little bit. Many people looked at Kvacht as a horrible demon incapable of love, but she had known him before the war, before Algoran even had a king. Daresay, she even considered him a dear friend. It was sad to see him take the path that he did, and she did not understand why. It wasn't like he would explain his actions, not if he now believed all of his friends, as well as the sons and daughters of his old friends were now sworn enemies. Perhaps one day she could learn, but for now, he mind should be elsewhere.


"Well, go on little imp." She said, "Do explain yourself."


@TeeKay @Danika @RP Marshall
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[plasticlizard022]

Thora took heavy breaths and remained seated on her horse. The commotion on the wagon had paused their journey and the kind old woman checked on the chaos. From what she picked up on the outside of the wagon, she could tell that there was an imp aboard the wagon. She was never a huge fan of imps, especially after the attack that had happened recently; Though, she did know that not all imps were quite awful. She just hoped that this imp wouldn't lead them into a trap; she wouldn't handle that well, especially not right now.


The nymph grew restless even though they had distanced themselves enough from the castle. She was thankful that Yaro had found her and led her horse, otherwise she may have been permanently separated from the group. She looked at the tall man for a moment before turning her attention to the cart. She hoped that this wouldn't delay their journey for too long. She was ready for this to be all over already.

 

[OlKaJa77]

"Quite useful, that." Oceana smirked at the elder's explanation of her abilities but was rather unsurprised.


Feeling her famous elven liveliness slowly returning, she clenched a fist carefully, leather glove creaking.


Nodding in approval at the strength she had recovered, she opened her waist pouch, withdrawing two green fruit.


Unlike the one she had fed Phaedra, this one was in the curious shape of a dilapidated, star. If stars were long like tubes.


She gave one to Valeiah, for her trouble, and was about to take a bite of her own when she noticed the half-sylph staring at her peculiarly.


@Danika


@TeeKay (have fun with this bit, okay? Counting on you ;-) )

 

[Rydellius]

So this imp has been with us quite awhile. And Svetlana knew of it the entire time. Nameen smirked a little. This group is certainly full of surprises.


Never a dull moment it certainly seemed.


While on the wait for the imp to explain his presence, Nameen leaned back against the edge of the wagon, her dark state of mind brought by the incident at the ruined kingdom having passed. She silently sat with the others, wondering whether or not she should attempt to converse.


@Danika @TeeKay @OlKaJa77

 

[L1d1ja]

Garrett and Dorian were standing by the map, looking at it and conversing silently through their telepathic link, wondering where this adventure might drag them.


As the group was once again near trees, Hunter was watching over the group once again through them. He had walked up to the city walls when the group had entered it, and though he had felt the dark energy of the place, he was curious what had made them leave in such a messy rush.

 

[TeeKay]

And stare at Oceana she did, after she had turned her attention away from Svetlana and the imp briefly. Phaedra had noticed the Elven woman pull the strange fruit from her waist pouch and she couldn't hide her expressions, at least not well. The curiosity was plain to see, but so was the hesitation and the disgust. She opened her mouth as though to say something, but then closed it again. Perhaps her better judgment had made her decide not to say anything at all?

No, that wasn't the case. Phaedra was really just weighing in her mind just how stupid her question would sound. She already appeared weak, but dumb on top of it? The shame of the thought of it alone was unbearable.

"...So..." She started, still unsure of whether of not she should ask. It seemed that now she had Oceana's attention so she couldn't back down now. "Is that awful thing supposed to fix her?"

Phaedra pointed at the fruit, most likely mistaking it for the sour one that Oceana had gifted her earlier, and simultaneously gestured at Valeiah's knee which had yet to have been tended to. Well, beyond the thin strips of cloth that had already been bled through three times over, at least.

"Because I'll take one too."

@OlKaJa77


(sorry if that wasn't as fun as you expected, hahaha)
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[RP Marshall]

@L1d1ja[/URL] .


"He done hath caused this!" Gore lied while crying her eyes not.


The stone imp covered his face in shame at the imp's atrocious acting. What was he going to do with her? At least she was too busy with her acting to listen to Pip's mind. The sculpture was safe from her mental attack, for now.


Pip continued his speech with a dull frown. "As you already know Madam Svetlana, I have followed you on your quest, since Brink, to retrieve the crown for the true heir, the royal blood Lucasta @Queen of Fantasy . Originally, I only wished to observed your party's actions but now I have decided to aid you on this quest to stop Lord Kvacht. I do understand your worries about being betrayed but unfortunately I already know a great deal about the mission. I can only assure you by my words that we- uh... I mean you no harm. Will you accept us?"


Pip humbling bowed to the Princess in reverence. Gore, however, was completely against this.


I ain't gonna bow to that filth! she said to Pip, using her imp telepathy.


You will fail the master if you do not! Pip said to her alone.


Rrr!


Gore, with a glared bowed down to the Princess and immediately lifted herself up in anger.


Pip continued to kneel to Lucasta and her group.

@TeeKay @OlKaJa77 @soundofmind @Rydellius @plasticlizard022 @Danika @QueenSaiko @GalacticRam @Abberakelaran @everyonelse​

 

[Danika]

Valeiah took the strange fruit. "Yeah, is this supposed to fix up my knee? I mean, I would heal it. If I could. I can't heal myself."


@OlKaJa77 @TeeKay

 

[TeeKay]

Phaedra redirected her attention to the imps and frowned deeply at Gore, going as far as to narrow her eyes at the vile creature. She was definitely not convinced of Gore's innocence because her lying skills were even worse than what Hjalmar had pulled earlier that day. Still, while she couldn't deny that Pip's allegiance seemed truthful... She didn't discount the fact that he could be a truly gifted trickster, despite Svetlana's opinion otherwise. He did make a good point that, if he did want to betray anybody, he would have already since he had been following all along and was fully aware of their plans up until this point...

Unless if that were how Kvacht found their presence in the ruins in the first place.

Perhaps he could sense the imps far to the east and came to investigate their absence from the horde that dwelled within the plains of Syrk?

Once again, Phaedra's mind had gone full circle on to the same train of thought that she had been before. She refused to speak her thoughts at this point, as she would have nothing of value to say. Now was the time for Phaedra to allow others to choose for her and fade into the background for if only but a short amount of time.

It was better for her focus to remain on the strange vaguely star-shaped fruit. She would undoubtedly have more questions for Svetlana later.

@RP Marshall @OlKaJa77 @Danika @Lo Alyssa
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[Vampiricdoll]

Lucasta was still shaken up by the whole encounter with Kvacht, that she didn't even noticed the imps revealing themselves. She turned her head, when she was addressed to, and went wide eyed. "What are imps doing on the wagon? Were they sent by Kvacht?" She worriedly spoke, grasping onto the crown, tighter than before.

 

[soundofmind]

"We don't know. They, uh, they want to join us." He said, answering the princesses's worry filled questions. @Queen of Fantasy


Bo was thoroughly unimpressed by the imps. He sat atop his horse looking at them with suspicion and incredulity. Imps that wanted to help them? It wasn't unheard of, and it wasn't impossible, but it was very unlikely. From what he could tell, the imp addressing them seemed somewhat genuine, but the other... well, something was off about her. He, along with many others, wondered if it was a trap. Because the thing was, even if they were to join them, he wasn't sure how he could trust them. Yes, they were small in size and number, but he never wanted to underestimate a threat. Even if they were to help them, like provide insider information about Kvacht, there was no way for them to know if they were lying. There was no basis or foundation for trust. But heck, the same went for that Foxsprint guy. Hjalmar had begun to prove his loyalty, though (even if it was only because of the money involved).


All he could manage to say though, in the midst of doubt and jumbled thoughts, was, "Where did the other imp come from?" The one imp had said he was an observer, but the other had remained silent (and fuming) apart from some dramatic commentary.


On a completely unrelated note, he was happy to see those that were injured were beginning to regain some level of functionality again. Phaedra seemed to be much more like herself, at least in her words. He decided to hop down off his horse, looking expectantly over the wagon at the imps from behind her.


@TeeKay @RP Marshall

 

[RP Marshall]

Gore, after unenthusiastically bowing down to Princess Lucasta , watched as Phaedra @TeeKay gave her a dirty look. The imp captain hissed at the half-sylph, sticking her tongue out in disrespect.


Pip observed that the royal blood @Queen of Fantasy was in deep anguish as she grasped the gemless crown in her arms. What was troubling her?


When Bo @soundofmind had asked where Gore came from, the stone imp listlessly blinked his eyes. He had hoped this question would be avoided.


Before Pip could decide what he would say to the group, the imp captain innocently said spoke for him, "Who me? Good question. I'm one of the imps that attacked you after you left Brink."


Pip's face flushed white in exasperation. This was the exact reason why he did not want anyone to bring up the question!


Gore continued with a charming grin, "I was just a common foot solider in the imp army but when you guys walloped us I saw the errors of my ways. I ain't gonna serve the Master no more! The strait and narrow's my path now. Also might I add that you are the nicest looking human being I've ever seen! I bet you're a great fighter. Maybe you can teach me a few pointers later on. I ain't too good with this spear. You could probably bet me with one hand tied behind your back."


He he! Gore laughed to herself, in her mind. I'm a great liar, aren't I Pip? Like I'd loose to the likes of him!


Pip groaned in agony. When would Svetlana @Lo Alyssa put this to an end?

 

[soundofmind]

Bo didn't even know how to reply. He had a mix of emotions shown on his face, resulting in an overall disturbed and weirded-out grimace.


The straight and narrow path? What was she even talking about? She just switched loyalties just like that? Surely no kne would think they were being honest. They had to be lying. Right?