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[peachbaths]

Greetings.

[ A young woman appears in the smoke with her head high, but her mouth covered by her sleeve. She had to keep up appearances, no matter where she was—Sinbad and Judar were both watching her, after all.

that and she wants to look cool ok ]

I am Kougyoku Ren. I am from the Kou Empire, though I suppose such things do not matter now.

I am here because I would like to hear about the apparitions everyone saw last week. Surely there must be something about them that holds a tiny piece of the answer towards bringing us back home. ... Is anyone still interested in going back to their own world?

Speaking of which, I also, um. I would like to. I would. Would like to...

[ Oh no, her facade is falling apart. Uh.

"Get to know everyone else here!" "Make friends!" Just say it, Kougyoku! ]

Go to the castle and gain more experience in order to reach the top. Unfortunately, I can only venture so far alone. So... [ She looks away. ] I am looking for people with similar goals to come with me. That is all.

Comments

[advisors]

Ah- ( Well, it wasn't like Kougyoku being here really was a shock or anything. He'd heard enough from Sinbad, and it made sense at the very least. Still, this was another thing to keep track of for poor Ja'far. )

Princess, I should've known you were here as well.

[peachbaths]

Sir Ja'far. [ She should have known, too. Alas, all she does is stay in her room like a shut-in princess. Although her eyes widen in mild surprise, she doesn't say anything more and bows in greeting. ] Hello.

King Sinbad spoke of your arrival... [ Well. Not really. BUT she is trying to start a conversation here, work with her. ] Did you not join the Seven Titans as well?

[advisors]

( It's alright, Ja'far has been playing a bit of a shut-in himself - and trying to avoid all of the rather ridiculous things that this place has been throwing at them. )

Ah, no. I'm afraid I did not manage to capture their attention, unfortunately. I am in another guild. ( A guild full of thieves and assassins but never mind that. ) But that is of no matter. You wish to return home as well, I see.

[peachbaths]

[ Ja'far wants to go back to Sindria, that much is obvious. She wants to go back to Kou, herself. ]

... Yes. I was in the middle of something important. It is something that may change our fate... [ As friends standing on opposite sides of the battlefield.

She shakes her head. She doesn't want to say more. ]

I only know of one way back — by reaching the top of the castle. It is strange, isn't it? Have you been inside? It's like a dungeon.

[mostlymarried]

[oh, it's the girl who shares her bunk]

I am also seeking the top.

1/2

[peachbaths]

[ Ah, it's that woman! She's always wanted to talk to her, but she hasn't gotten doing it because 1. Belarus is scary and 2. Kougyoku is shy.

What does she say? What does she say!? ]

[peachbaths]

I see.

[ nOOOOOOOOOOO DON'T END IT THERE ]

... Do you wish to go home?

[mostlymarried]

I wish to marry Rasija.

[calmly]

[peachbaths]

[ Wow, she wasn't expecting that. "That's so romantic!" Kougyoku thought at first. She wished she was in a position to throw away a wish like this! But then it hits her—why would you wish that in the first place? ]

Is it not possible? Marriage.

video

[vytis]

I do need to go back to my own world, yes. [It's fun here, but he has responsibilities.] I could understands one of the apparitions and--ah, I saw something odd when I went to assist in eliminating the problem, as well.

video

[peachbaths]

[ She places a fist in her palm and bows slightly - a custom from her empire. ]

Lithuania, please tell me. I would appreciate even the smallest hint.

video

[vytis]

[Oh, she seems so earnest. And also, given her original message, he's seen that kind of attitude and cracks in facade from someone else he knows...]

The first apparition I saw was of a mother and her child. The mother said the king would protect them, but then she and her son were run through with a sword. I heard a man's laughter, as well. And later I saw the man--or I think it was him, because it sounded like the same voice--chanting and making a statue appear brand new again. It was only an illusion, but...

video

[peachbaths]

That's more than enough. In this situation, some information is better than none at all.

[ But Kougyoku shakes her head - she has a new problem. ]

But what could it mean? A fallen or incompetent king is all I can see... What do you mean by "making a statue brand new"? Was he cleaning it?

[Video]

[notyetlost]

[It's the girl from that tournament thing that gave him her fancy hat!]

Ah, it's you! [Never mind that she literally just mentioned her name in the video. "You!" is a totally fine way to greet someone in Poland's opinion.]

[Video]

[peachbaths]

Ah! Me?

[ There's panic in her tone. She recognizes him, but she can't remember where. Give her a moment! She's still freaking out because she thinks she did something wrong! ]

1/2

[notyetlost]

[O-oh. Wait no! Maybe not. Although really how many pink haired girls had Poland met while he was here?]

Oh uhm-- [Why did he jump straight to the video option, audio had been serving him so well up until this point! Poland ducks out of view of his communicator.


A-although...]

2/2

[notyetlost]

[...video did mean he didn't have to speak.

Some clamoring can be heard as Poland rifles around his room. Eventually he peeks back into view, shyly holding the hat Kougyoku had given him.

Y-yes? No? Maybe?]

1/2

[peachbaths]

[ Oh. Ohhh. Kougyoku gets it. She laughs, pleasantly surprised, and her face brightens up in an instant. So he was that guy! ]

video

[tsunderekun]

[Hello, princess. Remember this rude guy?]

I'll only go with you as long as I get to keep all of the loot.

[Money speaks for everything.]

[peachbaths]

[ It would have been okay if she actually owed him anything, but that's not the case here.

HE'S SO RUDE OMG ]

... That is an unfair deal. After all, I will be the one protecting you.

[tsunderekun]

[Hey, hey, another good looking guy has offered to escort you.

At least pay him just to stand around and look pretty. He remembers you were staring at him his general direction the first time they met.

That little comment did get some sort of rise out of him. Despite the smile on his face, you could almost see that angry cross-popping vein.]

Ahh, but I think you'll be the one in the most trouble, Miss High-class girl.

[He forgot her name even though she just said it earlier... oops.]

Aren't you afraid of getting your clothes dirty?

[twintailsofdeath]

[Dekomori's interest has been piqued by the mentioning of the castle. She hasn't been here for terribly long so having an actual castle in the nearby vicinity is still very new to her.]

Oooooh! I too have been wanting to explore the castle here! It must be filled with deathly wonders that my eyes must behold!

[afrozendance]

[The castle... their goal is to go inside there, right? Then maybe she should take this young girl's offer. And Ninian feels that she cannot only depend on Lady Lyndis's help when it comes to these things, either!]

I... I would like to go as well, milady. So if there's something I can do to help you, please say so.

[peachbaths]

[ Kougyoku hides her face behind one sleeve, party to look sophisticated, mostly because she's shy. ]

There is... one thing you can help me with.

[afrozendance]

[Ninian can't help blinking when she sees that... it's a bit odd for someone like her. But odd doesn't mean bad, at least by now]

... Yes? And what is it, if I may ask?