Fantasy Tales of Ristafel

[Boomrocker]

"Walking is no problem, for my legs are powerful and, while I may be small, I am rapid!" El Saldo exclaimed, wiping his hand off on a handkerchief he retrieved from his pocket before shaking the green eyed maiden's hand. His shake was firm, and perhaps a little overeager.


"Forgive my hygeine. I have previously eaten a significantly filling yet greasy meal and forgot to tidy myself! I feel dishonourable for shaking the hand of a fair lady such as yourself while I resemble a swine!" the short man elaborated, perhaps unnecessarily. "But my dear, I have not introduced myself. I am known as El Saldo de Marad, and I come on a pilgrimage from distant lands to find adventure and students."

 

[Blumenkranz]

Laria hugged Beltway back. "Y-you mean he...? O-oh. Oh my...". If it wasn't because Laria was already red like a tomato, she would have turned red once again. It was exactly like in those forbidden love romantic novels she loved so much. Thousands of impure thoughts invaded her mind.


"B-but you do not understand!", she said, addressing all three. "I have been waiting all my life for this... I could not afford a months long trip through the seas now! Please, it is my dream, I need it!"


But then it struck. The pirate mentioned something about a legendary flying ship, capable of navigating not the seas, but the skies. Indeed, she knew about such a legend, and she had studied it a bit in her free time. "Oh, yes! The legendary flying ships of Skudia!", she exclaimed. "I am not sure how true that legend is, but I sure do know a thing or two about it!".


"Sir", she continued. "I will offer my services as a historian if you accompany me in this journey. I will gladly lead you in your search for the greatest flying ship the world will ever see!"

 

[Xenonia]

Emerald smiled at the overeager sportsdwarf. "It is good to meet you, El Saldo de Marad, my name is Emerald. That's it, that's the whole name. Would you perhaps like to hear the nature of the quest you are about to undertake before so bravely embarking on it?" She thought a moment for how to best summarize their intended journey to the small and hairy fighter. For some reason, his appearance reminded her of a circus act of some kind. "Well... We're off to raid an ancient tomb for a secret treasure of some sort. And that's about all I remember, actually." Emerald frowned. Perhaps she should have listened better to Laria.

 

[Boomrocker]

El Saldo smoothed his pants and his jacket, now that he was happy that his hands were clean. The most popular fashions of his home in the mountains had not reached civilization, it seemed. And everyone here was at least a few inches taller, too! "Secret treasure!" he exclaimed in his strange accent with the rolling Rs. "A noble cause for an adventure, would you say, my dear? Please," he continued, gesticulating eloquently, "I am all ears."

 

[MechaGhoul]

"As I said." Pressmaster Crawley glared again annoyed at Laria. "Yer dreams mean naught ta me. 'Specially when yer fate is t'serve o'er t'high seas." The mariner wagged his finger, as she continued begging with how much her dreams meant to her. With each speech on the subject, his face grew more stern and the glare grew more intense. It was quite obvious by the annoyed scowling, that he absolutely did not care whatsoever for Laria and her dreams. "You an' t'lot will serve in seafaring. That is fact."


But then she said something, actually worthy of attention. She did know of the flying vessel. With an amused smirk he gave a nod, "Aye, that be t'name of t'vessel." He stroked at his beard, "Heard of it ages ago, durin' one leave fer shore. An amusin' thought it be." Peering back at the woman he paused for a moment.


"Don't think yer gonna be able t'desert yer duties o'er the seas." He firmly noted. "You'll serve. But." His pupils glanced upwards for a brief moment, before he glanced back at Laria. "If you have skills t'help find my prize. I'll allow fer such a diversion."


He glanced back at Beltway and began cackling, "Ah, yer rallies, doth they always turn folk red?"

 

[DergTheDergon]

Vallen smiled back, nodded, and caught up to her with a newfound bounce in his step. He had a feeling that he would soon head out on the adventure of his life. He knew that it could bring untold dangers, sorrows and turmoils, but despite that he was overall very optimistic about what would lie ahead of him.


Until this very day he had never met so many interesting people in one day. Sure, some of them were not the most likable sorts he'd ever met, but there were many exceptions. He felt that Emerald, Gustav, and Lily could become very good friends of his in time, perhaps a few of the others as well.


As for Ayrenn, though he had only met her mere hours ago, he'd never become so fond of someone so quickly before. As he followed her back towards the group, which he could see was bustling, busily chatting and making preparations, he realized something. 'I'm developing strong feelings for Ayrenn... I'm certain of it.' He found himself gazing at her with a wistful smile on his face as he thought this.

 

[Xenonia]

Emerald began thinking of a way to tell the petite foreigner that she didn't actually know more than that, but... That's when she saw them coming into view: Ayrenn, Kyubi, and Vallen walking closely together. Vallen and Ayrenn... Perhaps a bit too closely. A strange feeling started brewing in her feeling, a feeling she had not ever felt before. Was this... Jealousy? It must have been! Emerald didn't know why, but she felt JEALOUS of Ayrenn. That simply wouldn't do for her, not at all. It could get in the way of their friendship! And so it was she dismounted the hornet-horse and approached the trio, first heading for Vallen. "Welcome back from your... Hunting expedition?" she wasn't sure just what they had been doing in the woods. And there was that jealousy again. "Vallen, allow me to apologize for earlier. I cast you aside perhaps a bit... Quickly. I don't want you to think I dislike you. Can you forgive me?"

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

As the three came out of the tree line and onto the dirt road, Ayrenn glanced over to Vallen. His face seemed content; free of worries. Her admiration grew for him, and Ayrenn had to force herself to look away. Kyubi let out a huff as a vibrantly colored butterfly fluttered around his antlers, weaving in and out. He shook his head, and the beautiful insect flew away.


Ayrenn glanced up when Emerald made her way towards them. She stared particularly at Vallen and payed no attention to Ayrenn. She wondered why. Obliviously, the golden Etherborn turned towards Kyubi with a smile. She reached into the leather pouch on her belt, and scooped out a batch of pink berries. He immediately shoved his muzzle into her palm. The berries vanished in seconds. She bit her lip as he released his mouth from her hand. Berry juice stained the fur on the outside of his mouth, making him look quite strange.

 

[Zerohex]

As people left the tavern, Ajax was left standing there wondering just what to do with the knocked out pansy of a priest. The sod thought he could talk to his goddess, he seemed insufferable and had gotten knocked out from a little love tap, but Ajax had learned that anyone could make themselves useful. The sucker had tried to help with the amazon's leg, even if it was just to take a peek, and if it came down to it he could be used as bait. Or to trigger traps. Or as a human sacrifice. Or just left behind in the wilds or thrown overboard. And the look on the guy's face had been pretty great when he got laughed at. Eh, what the hell.


Ignoring the barmaid that did her damndest to stay as far away from him as possible, a common reaction after a night of partying, and ignoring that the priest was likely well on his way to waking up on his own, Ajax grabbed the man's clothes in the most unflattering way possible. One hand tugging at the man's collar and another at the seat of his pants, he lifted the priest up in this most uncomfortable of ways, carrying his still unconscious body outside the door to find himself staring at a giant bug of some sort, a shorty being loud and a whole lot of nothing. Except for that animal. Yes, the white one, nice and juicy, a perfect treat for breakfast. Or lunch. He still had no idea what time it was.


Without dropping the priest, he walked over to the puny, golden-haired female that seemed to be its owner as if carrying a man around by giving him a wedgie was a perfectly normal thing that happened every day. "Say, woman, how much does your husband or father demand for the beast? A questin party needs a feast before getting down to business and this thing will be good food", Ajax said as he put his hamhock hand, leathery as a dragon's hide, on Kyubi's side to get a feel for the meat. "Some nice venison. I've plenty of coin".

 

[Darksoul180]

Smelling salts were nice, but always took a bit to kick in. Gustav began to shake his way awake, slowly but surly, he was having a nice dream, a much better place. A place he began to wish was real, enjoying his time with his Goddess. In his dream he had a headache, although it wasn't much, then he started to feel a pulling pressure on his clothing, he felt it being him sucked into the sky!


Opening his eyes, he learned this was no dream, he was flying! Although, very shortly off the ground. To his dismay it was also incredible uncomfortable. His robes were tight around his body, and it was as if he was being hung by them. His eyes blurred and still could not make out what was around him, he saw light, and heard voices.


"Goodmorning Crea!"





The priest announced feeling pain as he moved his jaw. He blinked again and again, trying to get a clear sight. He toke one arm and started to wipe his face, and felt a bit of blood. His lip bleeding, and his headache worse than ever. He looked around, his vision starting to fill in. He was being carried. By the large man who he had last scene before his untimely knock out.


"I thank you for your kindness sir, but this is one of the most impractical ways to carry a man!"





The priest pleaded while looking to his side, and trying to angle his head up to the man, although his pain was grave and he looked back forward as he tried not to strain to hard.

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

Ayrenn rubbed Kyubi's ears, a smile on her face. He let out a soft wheezing sound, rubbing up against her stomach like a stray alleycat begging for food. The magnificent deer was the first one to notice this beast of a man approach them. His footsteps were painfully loud.


Ayrenn glanced up when a looming shadow appeared over her. Once again, another man had came up to her asking for the price of Kyubi. Although he was rather large, Ayrenn showed no sign she was intimidated. She waved her hands in front of her, dismissing his words.


"I'm sorry, but he is not for sale. Nor is he for eating." She laughed quietly. The feeling of this strange man's rough hand on his side made Kyubi's instincts blare. He let out a loud grunt, and flung his head towards the sky. He pushed the man's hand away with his huge antlers violently, huffing out through his nose. Ayrenn grew nervous and flashed the man a small warning glance.


"Please don't touch him, sir. He's not good with strangers." She said politely. Ayrenn's hand ran down Kyubi's soft fur soothingly, hoping to calm him down.

 

[Nautilus]

"Ah, she is just pulling your legs, barrel-man Ajax.", Hadi said as he walked over and leaned on the beast, propping his elbow up on it, "You see? This deer-like thing that is not entirely a deer is actually very good with strangers. It is a pack animal, you see, and this woman has told me it is very well-behaved around people and in the markets, even abound as they are with large men and strange noises. I am sure it is just confused of why its owner is not taking it to market on market day."


Come to think of it, Hadi was also quite confused about that. Had she not said she was going to market, and begun to leave earlier? Oh well, she had probably gotten sidetracked. The people in these parts seemed very flighty and easily-distracted.


"I have been meaning to ask you, yellow-hair woman. What are such beasts normally used for? I have passed many farms on my way through, and yet this is the first of these animals I have seen. Why is this?"

 

[DergTheDergon]

Vallen snapped out of his daydream as Emerald approached him, hastily apologizing, asking for forgiveness. This confused him greatly. "E-Emerald, I never thought that you disliked me, there's nothing to forgive! I apologize if I made it seem that way, but if I had any doubts of that sort they were entirely washed away when you forgave me so willingly."

 

[Zerohex]

Ajax completely ignored the priest, busy as he was trying to buy some food. Or maybe he just pretended to ignore the priest in order to leave him hanging in that uncomfortable position for as long as he could. Either way, he did not let go of the religious man or even acknowledge his protests.


"Pah, don't be that way, lets skip the hagglin and just gimme a number, I can get the money. Why else would a woman be walking this creature around if not for sale? Good meat, good pelt, good horns. Let me talk to your man and I'm sure we can settle, we gotta have some roast before any questing is done". A normal man might've been hurt by this clearly poorly domesticated animal's sudden trashing about, the horns ripping into their hand. A normal man would've likely backed off and let the woman and her pet be, but Ajax wasn't really normal.


Before he could get angry at it, however, Hadi approached them and propped himself up on it. Come to think of it, he did always make livestock angry. Must've been all the eating them he did. He was still set on eating this creature, but it would wait for the moment. "Hadji, man, come on, the barrel thing was a first for me too. Just drop the "barrel-man" bit alright? You can just call me Ajax, buddy. As for the animal, I'm sure it's for eating. Ever hunted your own venison? Makes the meat sweeter man, but I'm sure domestic's just as good. Trying to get a price here".

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

With another deep huff, Kyubi turned to face Hadi and dipped his head low to the ground. He flicked his head upwards, striking his sharp antlers against his torso. And hard. He then continued to flick his head towards the sky, sending off as many warning signals as he could.


"H-He's good with strangers if they don't t-touch him. Please stop." She whispered to Hadi. Kyubi backed away and continued to aim his antlers at them, hooves digging into the ground. Slowly, Ayrenn felt her irritation begin to peak. But she made no attempt to show it. Unless these two made another disrespectful move.


"I already told you, he is not for sale." She said to the behemoth of a man, who continued to ask for a price. Kyubi dug his hooves further into the ground, and shook his head. He let out soft grunting noises, like every buck did when prepared to fight.

 

[Boomrocker]

"Excuse me!" El Saldo called, loud but not outrageously loud as he was earlier. As he had received no answer as to the nature of their journey, he decided to occupy himself with other things.


He shouldered his way through the crowd, to where the large man referred to as a barrel and the smaller man in red were accosting livestock. "Did I hear correctly? That there is a feast to be had with this magnificent beast as the main course?" he rumbled. "For if that is so, I would like to partake! There is nothing like meeting new friends and gaining students when doing so with good food. The sharing of a meal is a grand tradition in my home land, as willed by Marad himself, of course." He eyed over the buck, fighting furiously against its rider, and raised a quizzical eyebrow. "But perhaps this fine animal does not want to be eaten. A fine survival instinct! If only many men could possess one so strong!"

 

[CallSign]

As the three approached from the forest, Lily caught her first glimpse of Kyubi. Seeing the white deer-like creature exit the brush, she realized something: that egg was not by any means a filling meal. Her stomach growled, and her desire for meat rose. She followed Ajax toward the beast and threw in her opinion as well.


"Sure, it is a fine beast, but certainly there is a price you'd take. After all, I'm sure that you can just buy another beast later." Lily grinned, but her face betrayed her hunger.

 

[Darksoul180]

Gustav, still being lugged around, and started to get a decently sized rash from his wedgie. He gave up on asking the man to put him down, he did not want his handler to get upset with him. He attempted to stay in an easy to maneuver way, to try and make his carrier a bit more comfortable with holding the priests weight. He smiled to the group around them. And over heard the haggling of the deer creature.


"Perhaps the lady has no price for the creature. Some things are priceless! Such as lives!"





Gustav chimed in. Hoping that would end the conversation, but knowing his words would not mean much. The words of a man being given a wedgie did not ever mean much after all.

 

[DergTheDergon]

Vallen soon noticed a small crowd had gathered around Ayrenn and Kyubi. Listening in more closely, they seemed to be... trying to buy him from her for meat! Vallen immediately stepped between Kyubi and the entire crowd. "I assure you he is not for sale. He is a pet, not livestock. Ayrenn does not lie. Now all of you find your meat elsewhere, please." His arms were spread to separate the majestic beast entirely from the hungry onlookers.

 

[Nautilus]

"I have hunted many things in my time, Ajax-buddy. I have tracked great sand-serpents along miles of desert, speared fish twice as long as a man is tall. I have stalked the humid jungles of-", Hadi reacted in a split second, finely-honed reflexes trained from the age of eight taking hold of his body as he stepped slightly backwards out of the way of the creature's goring attempt, the unwieldy horns and awkward posture of the deer making it a very simple task. Hadi stood his ground, body tensed. Then vallen stepped directly between Hadi and the deer-like thing that was not entirely a deer, despite there only being about a foot of space between Hadi and the creature. The violent monk (who was also an etherborn), didn't seem to have thought this through.


"Something seems to be bothering your deer-like thing that is not entirely a deer. It is feeling like it has need of a mate, perhaps?"

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

Ayrenn clenched her eyes shut, trying to contain the anger she felt. Sensing this, Kyubi aimed his antlers at the newcomer. The voice of the Dragonkin from earlier appeared, once again, talking about the price of her companion. Ayrenn let out a deep sigh, managing to calm her anger at the same time.


"He's not for sale. Please, stop." She whispered while avoiding each of their gazes. Kyubi continued to act defensively, not liking so many people crowded around him. He grunted and pawed at the ground. It created a small cloud of brown dust. The white buck continued to shake his head, preparing to run forward.


The golden Etherborn opened her eyes when she felt a presence move in front of her and Kyubi. She glanced up, seeing Vallen confront the crowd. Her heart grew warm with happiness towards both Vallen and Gustav.


Although Vallen was trying to help, the white deer was still upset. With a loud, angry grunt, he head butted Vallen right in the behind. He pushed the monk to the ground, with his antlers pinning him down. Ayrenn let out a gasp, pulling the white buck away from Vallen. He let out a huff in irritation.


"A-Are you alright?"

 

[CallSign]

"My, my! I may not have had a pet before, but I know that they're normally well-behaved. That, I don't think qualifies as well-behaved. Looks more like a beast that follows you for free food!" Lily gestured toward Kyubi with her empty hand as she spoke.

 

[Zerohex]

This deer thing was, by far, the worst pet Ajax had ever seen in his life. The single most unruly, poorly domesticated animal to ever be called someone else's property. If this really was this woman's pet, she had done a terrible job with it and was just dragging a wild animal around with her like an idiot. Speaking of idiots, the priest chimed up again and Ajax heard it this time, because the words were so contrarian to everything he held dear and true in life that he instinctively twisted on the man's collar a bit, likely restricting his airflow for a second, before just dropping him aside. Not setting him down, dropping him to the side like a bag of manure so he wouldn't be a bother while he wrestled a deer.


He hesitated for a moment, however, as Hadi stepped up in his place. The man was a hunter and the animal had tried to gore him. Not push his hand away, gore him, before stepping back to charge. Maybe the fight should be his. During this slight moment, some other tree-diddler stepped between them and the creature, exposing his back to the angry animal like a moron. He knew this long-haired baby man, he'd been the one to bring the amazon her egg and was given a look at her privates for a reward. He looked at the pathetic wretch right in the eye. "Outta the way manservant, or help us kill the thing. Your amazon mistress might give you another look at her nethers for it".


And just as he expected, the beast charged and pinned the little sucker on the ground. "AHAHAHAHA! Serves you right! I've seen lions who are more obedient. Tell you what woman, I'll help you break it in for free. First step is to cut off its horns, teach it who the alpha male is. And that's me".

 

[DergTheDergon]

Vallen gasped in pain. "Y-yeah, I'm... fine." he looked up and back towards Kyubi, speaking in a soft, gentle tone, hoping to communicate to him that he wished to protect the beast, through further grunts of pain.. "K-kyu..bi, I.. m-mean to, protect you I, agh! I promise." He pulled himself up and dusted himself off as quickly as he could, Took his chakram from his belt and held it menacingly towards Ajax in one hand, other hand channeling Yier for an attack. "He's... acting this... way because... YOU MEAN TO... KILL HIM! BACK OFF!"

 

[ComradeSenpai]

Hachi's mount carried him to where most of his group had migrated, giving a curious yet terrifying buzz from its gargantuan wings.


"What ho, friends? Are you lot actually making all this fuss over a scant beast? I overheard you speaking of feasts, but this lone deer is too scrawny for any proper meal. Here." Hachi reached into his saddlebags, and pulled out a gallon-sized jar of honey.


"Honey. It's very tasty, and packed with calories, so it's good for long journeys. It never goes bad, and it can soothe sore throats. Back home, we also used it to pickle fruits." he explained, offering it to the Adonis of a man, Ajax.


Kyouko stared at the deer, a gleam of hunger in her alien eyes. The samurai looked over, and spoke.


"Kyouko! Do you want to play?" he asked. The hornet's head tilted up.


"Chicka chicka!" Hachi called, to which Kyouko clicked her jaws loudly and rapidly.


"Chicka chicka! Chicka Chicka!" he continued, reaching forward to scratch the giant hornet behind her antennae. Kyouko's thorax vibrated rapidly, and she gave a nearly deafening buzz of her wings again.