Fantasy Valenzia

[TheImmortalDeity]

It was Aegrius' mistake to assume he had the time for idle chatter. As Qorryn clapped his hands and made himself known, the minotaur let out an annoyed huff. His questions relating to the Forbidden Woods would have to wait. He affectionately patted the top of Mallus' head, allowing his meaty hands to graze their warm scales. Fascinating. "We'll talk later," he told them gruffly. He sprung up and headed toward the impromptu line the recruits had formed. He chose to stand next to Yazquin, flashing her a cheeky grin before turning his attention to their superior.

"Here, sir."

Indifferent. That was the impression the minotaur picked up from Qorryn. Aegrius had grown accustomed to the closely knit camaraderie shared among his tribe. They properly balanced brotherhood and support while still retaining a clear sense of experience over him. The depressing undertones that the lizardman shared only worsened Aegrius' mood. While it was false to say he enjoyed the sorrows that war brought, he still anxiously looked forward to the legends his adventures would create. When the mention of death arose, the weight of the war ax strapped to his back felt heavier than usual. He felt himself getting cold hooves.

What did the others think? A cursory scan of their faces told him nothing. Were they unperturbed at the thought? He assumed the topic was somewhat hard to gauge for Bob, considering their current faceless circumstances, but what of the others? He had his pride, personally speaking. It was unbecoming of a warrior to buckle under the fear of death. Aegrius had years of training under his belt. Even so, there was no clear outcome on the battlefield. That was something General Diamondhorn had taught him.

When Allie began to speak, Aegrius felt somewhat reassured. The human was wise. She was asking questions that hadn't crossed his mind in the slightest. The gentle giant felt soothed by the thought of having someone as dependable as her having his back. He was not as quick to say the same for Naivier, but even he admitted that she was far brighter than himself. Despite her somewhat crass behavior, she counted among those he found reliable.

Then, something hit the tent. Seconds later, a bird walked in, wobbling back and forth, similar to Aegrius' brothers during a hearty drink. He had the idea to cut it down and add it to the group's rations for later, but as soon as he went for his weapon, the creature transformed. Nature's influence caused their bones to mend and their skin to transition, their structure altering from avian to humanoid instantaneously. It was . . . odd. Aegrius based his actions on Qorryn's lack of surprise, lowering his grip on his blade.

The oddities didn't stop there. Soon after, the minotaur had a staring competition with the newcomer, their mouth saying nothing but their eyes saying everything. Aegrius thought he might've been experiencing a fever dream. It'd explain the large hand erupting from the ground as well as whatever was happening before him at this moment. Then again, he doubted his mind could explain what happened next. The once-goose-man had transitioned again, this time manifesting into a perfect replica of Aegrius. He might've taken it as a compliment, but as soon as the phenomenon began to dance, the minotaur only felt his cheeks flush in embarrassment.

He swiftly took Mne by the wrist, dragging them to where they stood beside him. Was conversation fruitless? Were they capable of understanding him? What even is this thing? As these thoughts bounced around Aegrius' mind, he decided to keep things simple. "Uhhhh, here, sir," the minotaur said, attempting to speak for Mne. If this was indeed one of his fellow party members, gaining their trust was ideal.

Acting like a fidgeting mess, Aegrius awaited Qorryn's further explanation.

Lo Mayn AI10100 LokiPokie . D O V E Colorless Spectrum Arvios Ambiloquous

 

[TheImmortalDeity]

Captain Qorryn​

Everyone had arrived. Good. Qorryn wasn't the type that enjoyed repeating himself. They also listened to orders. That was another check off the list. The officer appeared rather pleased as he jotted down additional notes, his quill scribbling with excitement. Then Allie Gival, the human Oracle Ankarceda had personally requested for the platoon, had spoken. While it was difficult to discern the emotions of a reptilian being, Qorryn established that he was disappointed by contorting his face into what the group assumed was a frown.

He ceased writing. He tucked the quill onto the clipboard and let them rest at his side. A long-winded sigh escaped his flared nostrils before he replied. "You are an intelligent person, Ms. Gival. The Oracle herself has attested to that. That said, I want to clarify something of the utmost importance to you and your teammates. Never assume there is time to be spared on the battlefield. Each second wasted raises the risk of a potentially catastrophic loss on our side. You will soon learn that a successful unit can adjust to sudden changes on the fly. I do not expect perfection from any of you; however, I expect a sense of responsibility for your actions."

He nodded his head. "To answer your first question: yes. A time limit of two days. It will take approximately three hours for Rugrat to drop you off at the objective and another three for your return to Lapas Ghûl. That leaves you roughly eighteen hours to locate and potentially rescue the three operatives of the Foxtrot Recon Squad. It consists of three bugbear brothers named Vark, Brank, and Vunk. I'll leave the decision of a rescue attempt to your team's discretion. If they are alive, that is." He then turned to Naivier Ifficus.

"I'll also leave the decision of leading up to your squad. Whoever you delegate will burden the consequences of any decisions made, whether good or bad. I also suggest discussing a potential name for your party. If you survive, you'll become an official platoon in service of the Nuvok Army." The drone of an engine sounded from above the tent. "It sounds like Captain Rugrat has finally arrived," Qorryn commented, heading his way to the tent's entrance and beckoning for the others to follow.

Outside, the team watched as a war zeppelin landed a few feet away. It was a wooden structure that rivaled the size of an elephant. It had wings on its sides and a carving at the ship's bow in the shape of a hawk's head. Portions of the balloon had been sewn together with tarps. Its side had EMPTY PROMISES scratched in. The door to the pilot's den opened as a small green goblin crawled out.

The goblin looked older in years, sporting a line of white hair at the back of his scalp and a bald spot on the top. Soot covered his face. A pair of goggles rested over his eyes, which matched the other trinkets he kept on him. He wore lots of leather. Finally, he sported a large, metallic backpack that had a fuel gauge attached to it. Steam shot out from it every once in a while.

"Ey, Bossman!" Rugrat said with a wave, his leather gloves too large for his hands. "I gots the crew all ready whenever yous is. Them's tha blokes we takin' aboard?" He smudged the lenses of his goggles to get a better look at them. "Lil' wet behind tha ears, eh?" He cackled to himself. "No problemo! Good ol' Rugrat'll gettem in 'n out real quick." Behind him, the door to the cabin of the vessel opened. "We'll take off when yous' ready."

Qorryn gave the recruits a final scan before finalizing their briefing with a salute. "I have high hopes. May the future of The Nuvok Army rest on your shoulders." He watched as each member entered the war zeppelin. Then, the door shut, and the mission finally commenced. The airship took off.

Inside, Rugrat and three other goblins controlled the aircraft. The captain looked over his shoulder and gave a goofy smile, a jagged tooth escaping from under his lip. "Feel free ta talk 'mongst yerselves. Tha ride's gunna be a while."

AI10100 Colorless Spectrum . D O V E Lo Mayn LokiPokie Arvios Ambiloquous

 

[Lo Mayn]

Aerline Ceto​

Aerline with his final huff, disguised as an exhaustive exhale, entered the aircraft last. Hesitant, but soon resigned. He didn’t want to throw a hissyfit. As if that was a luxury afforded to him in the first place, which it wasn’t. Beyond that, Aerline was supposed to be quick to adapt. An old saying of those who were forced to exchange hands and places was,
‘By mire of flesh,
Boats of willow trees,
School of fish hunted,
The shallow depths experienced many
And soon many more’
A reminder that we all travel through shit, not because we want to, but because we have to.

“Here,” he said plainly when Captain Qorryn did roll call, joining in line with his group. Again, he looked over the others. Some faces familiar, some faces not, some faces not there at all- what the hell is that thing? - he thought of Bob. And believe it or not, there had been, at one point, a second minotaur man. A clone of Aegrius Nohorn, he assumed, which had subjected everyone to a form of interpretive dance. Though the process of getting its skinsuit on had been a horrifying ordeal itself, perhaps this was worse on the basis of embarrassment. If the creature could even feel embarrassment that is. If it didn’t, Aegrius sure did, and quickly shut it down. Shy. Flushed perhaps. Whatever this creature was, having Aegrius speak for it, Aerline thought to thank it later. If it understood words, if it was sentient. Questions to be answered later as Captain Qorryn once again spoke in response to the others.

Laying out, if not scornfully advising, the process and mentality of the squad. Two days to accomplish their locate and rescue mission. Adjust on the fly. Decisions left to their discretion and wisdom. Such ideas were second nature to Aerline at this point, engraved partly into him as a child. And again relearned through many conversations with Varenza and eavesdropping on her thoughts whenever she voiced them, typically as she wrote. He was made, quite literally birthed for the military. Hopefully he hadn’t gotten too soft. The team would also have to name their leader eventually out of one of the members among them. Allie. It was going to be Allie if Aerline had his way, blissfully dismissing his bias for the human. She seemed tough yet nice, good enough in his books.

And finally, Rugrat arrived, and Aerline entered onto the ship.

“Are you sure this is safe?” He asked in return to Rugrat. Simply put, fish belong in the ocean, not the sky.


| Mentions: (Allie) AI10100 (Aegrius) TheImmortalDeity (Mne) LokiPokie || Interacts: (Rugrat) TheImmortalDeity

 

[AI10100]

Allie Gival
Interacting with: TheImmortalDeity (Qorryn, Rugrat)​

Allie looked over to the entrance of the tent when something landed outside. Did someone drop something out there? A goose suddenly entered, woozy from... something... then immediately puked onto the floor. Her nose scrunched up slightly from the sight but she couldn't take her eyes off of this weird goose. After that, it began to transform into a more humanoid figure. Polymorph? Allie thought. Could he be a druid as well? Must be a skilled one to have achieved an animal that could fly.

Then it happened.

Whatever humanoid person this was shifted once again into a minotaur— no, not just that, into Aggie himself. She blinked, wondering if what she was seeing was correct. It spoke no words. It seemed to only serve to confuse them further. It simply danced in Aggie's physique and Allie glanced at their captain who seemed unperturbed.

Oh. Ooohhhh. This was Mne.

Aggie spoke for the shapeshifter and Captain Qorryn spoke once again. Whatever Mne was, Allie was sure they could figure it out later. Hopefully, it spoke common. While the captain seemed to be disappointed at Allie's questions, she merely took notes about what he was saying regardless of intonation. There really wasn't any information provided about their charges aside from the fact that they were three Bugbear brothers. If everything goes well, they should be able to report back within the time frame.

In the case of both the leader and the name of the group, Allie had no opinions. It wouldn't matter anyway. There wasn't time for any more questions as Captain Rugrat had arrived. She exited after their commanding officer and behold a war zeppelin! It wasn't the fanciest of rides but it would certainly do the trick. An older goblin hopped out decked out in leather and a backpack made of steel with steam shooting out. Allie thought to ask him about it but there was a time and place as most people say. Maybe when they're done with the job. Artificers felt like a completely different study but, like with most magic, she couldn't help but want to hear more about it.

"Thank you, Captain. We'll achieve this mission as best we can." Maybe she shouldn't be speaking for all of them but she did hope that everyone shared the sentiment of doing their best on this mission. With another look at the others, hoping that they were all ready because she definitely wasn't. But that was between Ruthven and her... Vienna and her. She needed to get used to that.

"Pleasure to meet you, Captain Rugrat. It looks like we'll be in your care then." Allie said with a smile and a nod before she entered the zeppelin. She took a moment to look around before taking a seat. For all that she had in her past, she had never been in a zeppelin before. Even as Aerline voiced his concerns about the safety of the aircraft, Allie felt excited to be in such a contraption. It looked crude, sure, but she doubted the army would employ them if it didn't get the job done.

 

[Arvios]

Replying To:

Mne

Mallus of the Raulthraxx Tribe

Interacting with LokiPokie , AI10100 Lo Mayn ​

---

Mallus blinked rapidly as if he had broken free from a magically induced trance, the view of his surroundings immediately transitioning from the layout of the familiarly crowded red tent, to now facing a grounded zeppelin dubbed “Empty Promises”. It possessed a curiously miniature space, no bigger than a small home back in the Forbidden Woods. But similar to when the room seemed to shrink whenever Riz would practice her assassination techniques on him within the confines of their hut, the space seemed oddly… smaller than what it appeared. The obvious explanation was a lot simpler — even though it was only Allie and Aerline in the passenger space, with the other engineer goblins zipping around as if performing routine checks, the available vacancy was not by any means abundant. But, putting that to the side, and much more importantly, just how much of the events did he miss? At first, he cautiously shakes his head with his bulbous eyes shut as his claws pinch the space between his brows, reflecting on what transpired before he zoned out.

Deep inside of his thoughts, he remembers himself awaiting the answer to the Dullahan’s curious case of rhymes and ventriloquism, though it had not taken long for the tracks on his mind to change back to his typical train of thought. With his curiosity in full swing, Mallus had begun eyeing one teammate after the other, sizing them up on their worth in the battlefield as they each took turns speaking, the first being the human Allie. “A spellcaster? So she’s like Raz!” he had blinked with his jaw still hanging. He was curious if he could perhaps convince her to teach him something his brother might not know, so as to impress him once he returns home a hero.

The second voice to have spoken was the paladin Yazquin, who had partaken in his rally far more fervently than even he had. Her roar had given him a boost in his morale, both as a fighter and as an outsider seeking inclusion into this new environment. Like one who possesses a true warrior’s heart, she wasted no effort to be socially capable, easily making conversation with the others as if to make her mighty presence known. She was definitely someone of right influence that he would want to fight side by side with.

At this point, Mallus had noticed the flap of the tent flow in and out from the corner of his eye, alongside a curious blur that could not make up its mind on whether to join or depart. A discontent voice from this figure perturbed the kobold, but he instead focused on the response of the half-elf, who was the surprising sister of the paladin. As if her apathetic words had cracked the hull of his recently buoyant self confidence, the kobold felt the cold, rising waters as he sank into the torrents of the unapologetic depths. Fortunately it had not taken long for him to simply shake off the feeling, almost as if drops of water had collected on his deep red scales from this emotional dive. Perhaps… he was overreacting. Before he was able to speak his mind to her regarding her lack of a warrior drive, something else had interrupted him.

The minotaur took his turn, lifting both his body and spirits with relative ease. Whether Aegrius was then aware of Mallus’ own sudden mood swing was unknown, but that hadn’t stopped him from hoping that the behemoth was attempting to comfort him. To make the situation more confusing in his mind, his memory was starting to become fuzzy from here on out, as if frozen by a flux of emotions. Being recognized as a warrior by Aeigrius, just as Yazquin before him, though imbued with a… curiously nostalgic touch. The last thing he remembered clearly was the flash of Mavarice scooping both him and the other hatchlings, treating the elder as if his hulking body was a playground. A feeling of untainted joy, one that he hadn’t felt in years, had suddenly flooded his senses.

He seemed to have bits and pieces of everything that came after, including another accompanying roar, something about a goose that was no longer present, while also definitely not taking proper note of the answer that Bob had encrypted through poetry. Their lizardfolk captain had also mentioned the mission, but… Try as he might, he couldn’t recall the details apart from it being a rescue mission.

Mallus turns to Aegrius, who was within a kobold arm worth of distance away, as if being flattened by the titan was as likely a risk as spontaneously catching fire from breathing. With a gentle poke with his claw, unaware that he was rousing the doppelganger of the minotaur, the scale clad warrior begins making way towards the other two who had settled inside of the flying machine.

“A-Aegrius, was it? I haven’t seen a warrior as strong as you in so long!” he begins shyly, as if he was conversing with a long time childhood hero of legend. With every word, he unmistakably guides Mne towards the zeppelin, totally oblivious of the real minotaur standing behind the fake, all thanks to his short stature and seeing nothing more than knees at standing height.

Looking up sharply at the powerhouse with every step felt like the kobold was watching the canopy of the Forbidden Woods, following more uneasy feelings of a past he would not experience so leisurely for another long while. He did his best to control his emotions, just as he had done during his coming of age test. His composure was like a mountain then, but now it was deformed as if a landslide had eroded a notable mass, diminishing the once majestic view into a jagged mess. The quick swaying of his tail, his uneasy steps forward, and the fastness of his beating heart. He was having a difficult time keeping everything in check.

“I was… I was hoping that as fellow warriors, we could definitely watch each other’s backs! Maybe we could most definitely learn something from each other with some training, too. I've learned how to do a firebolt recently, and I'm quite adept with the bow! It seems like you're good with melee weapons, which is somewhere that I could definitely get some practice on.” An obvious guise of warrior spirit like that of a cracked mask was now sloppily worn over his swelling admiration. As if to distract himself from this realization, the kobold readjusts his bow as the two are now in the airship, the space growing far smaller with their — or rather, Mne's— added presence. Mallus makes sure to nod a hello at both Aerline and Allie as he does so, as if trying to be a bit more accommodating with his new temporary family.

 

[Lo Mayn]

Aquaerline Ceto

Interacts: AI10100 | Glares @: Arvios LokiPokie Colorless Spectrum | Mentions: TheImmortalDeity ​

---

Perturbed by the slight itch of disappointment caused by a day of chaos to say the least, Aerline was ready to give the dirtiest of looks to whichever of the members to step into the zeppelin after him. Instead, her politeness came first through the door, introducing Allie’s presence. And if she had looked quick enough, she would have seen venom itself, metaphorically of course, leak from Aerline’s eyes as he looked away in a mild blush. The only one probably not deserving of his ire. Especially not the one he would consider his only friend perhaps. And now that she would be here to suffer alongside him, and him to her, he didn’t want to embarrass himself with this strange temper. At least, assuming her mere presence wouldn't inevitably cause a fire to burn from his wedded partner. Though, Varenza could have had a hand in this arrangement to begin with… But the minotaur.

Finally, when he was sure his face looked friendly enough, he scooted closer to get a word in before the others could interrupt. He said, almost in a whisper, “So what do you think? Are we going to live longer than five minutes? Or maybe 10?” Clearly joking with his tone, though not entirely a joke with this team he worried. “And I’m letting you know from now, if it comes down to it, I’m definitely letting them all die for your safety. And maybe hers,” his gaze obviously landing on Nai as she boarded the ship (and if she was looking, she might have caught his unsure glare) before his view was blocked by the entry of one of the minotaurs. The good one. The Goose one. Alongside a pocket sized monster. Noticing them but not giving them anything more than a look. “But that’s debatable,” he finished.

Despite the lightness of his projections, by Aerline’s standards for as long as Allie would’ve known him, he would appear off. Hair and clothes a bit more colored and trashy and dirty. Previous causal stoic pessimism now more a veneer slightly cracking. “You know, I haven’t quite been in many of these before,” he said referring to the ship, “ and can’t say I am the biggest fan.”

Once the rest arrived onboard and the ship lifted off, Aerline remained as close to Allie as he could. Feeling a mix between delirious and sickened by the mass of unwieldy characters. Or it could be from the pulsing wave rising through his stomach as they went higher.

 

[AI10100]

Allie Gival
Interacting with: Lo Mayn ​

Allie caught Aerline's gaze for only a moment but she couldn't decipher what the look was before he had turned away. Nevertheless, she knew where she would sit down. Aerline had been a good friend of hers— their meeting had been purely coincidental but she prized their friendship all the same. Maybe he didn't get along with most of her other friends but she wasn't going to force him to like something he doesnt. That's just how the world worked. As long as they remained cordial during the mission, then Allie would voice no complaints.

After a few moments, Aerline had come closer and began to speak. She gave him a smile at his joke, sending a glance to the others. "I'd give it fifteen if Nai thinks this mission is a good time to grace us with heals." She joked back. Unfortunately, since she didn't know something big was happening that day, Allie had regrettably not prepared a healing spell. She really did hope that Naivier would be kind enough to help them during this time. Her face softened at his remark about protection. "I appreciate the thought. I will also strive to aid you as best as I can." She said seriously with a nod, but not returning the promise about letting the others be. She simply would not be able to live with herself if she had prioritized herself over her friends.

Her smile turned sheepish and joking as she continued. "I do believe I have a duty to see you back to Lapas Ghul as well. I doubt Duchess Varenza would let me live if I didn't come back with you during any of these missions." Well, it might not be that much of a joke. She hadn't interacted with the Duchess too much as Aerline was often alone when they met up. However, Allie didn't doubt that Duchess Varenza was awaiting his safe return and she didn't want to be alive to see her wrath. "But please, do put yourself first Aerline. It won't be so easy to take me down, I assure you that." Allie had survived this far. She wasn't keen on losing what she had obtained for the past year. "As for Nai... she might not seem like it. But I'm sure she appreciates having people on her side." She muttered. It was just an observation, not something Naivier had outright told her. Their interactions were often ensnared in venom and snark but based on good intentions. They've both got scars they hid— and perhaps it was specifically because of that that they got along.

She turned back to her friend and he seemed less composed than he usually was. For a moment, she chalked it up to the chaos that was the rising of Vienna's hands. However, as he spoke and his voice wavered, emotion seemed to seep through. "Prefer the land and water, don't you?" Allie pointed out though it wasn't a tease. She looked out of the window as they rose further and further up. "I haven't been on any either. It was all carriages and nothing more back at the place I used to call home." She said, leading the conversation in an attempt to distract Aerline from the situation. She didn't know what else to do. She was no cleric! "Were you ever fond of riding horses and the likes?"

 

[Ambiloquous]

Bob

Pressing a hand to their unbeating heart, Bob brightened at their paladin companion’s declaration of their poetic ingenuity. Indeed, though her sister may have toiled tirelessly as the dullahan’s greatest literary foe, Yazquin had chosen the contrary route as their faithful writing advocate—a fact the headless dramatist was always grateful for. It made it abundantly clear that at least some individuals in Lapas Ghûl had good taste.

In the midst of preening themselves on their artistic aptitude, a goose ignorantly plopped on the ground in front of the assembled unit and regurgitated its meal. A sick waterbird flying over their tent would have been a fairly standard—if not exceedingly unlikely—event on the condition that it concluded at that moment. Unfortunately, the goose chose otherwise. Resembling a creature gone mad after being injected by a suspicious liquid in a lab of a mad scientist’s making, a particularly popular trope in a subgenre of experimental plays, the large waterfowl fell into a fit of spasms and tissue growth. Grotesque as the transformation sequence was, it captured the attention in a way Bob did not understand. The dullahan made a mental note to learn further on this phenomena.

When a tall figure finally formed from the mass of squirming feather and flesh, it too, continued the jerking its goose form performed. Bob almost sympathized with their direct audience, Meathead. Almost. Served the minotaur right for calling them by that distasteful “Airhead” moniker. Yes, the petty playwright had not forgotten that transgression; it was likely that they would not forget for the foreseeable future. It was at times like these that Bob’s selective short-term memory was put into question.

Ignoring all the pragmatic answers to the inquiries of considerable practicality, Bob’s thoughts immediately flew to the party name. An appellation to be spoken of throughout the ages, feared by enemies and beloved by allies. A mnemonic legacy to rouse children’s spirits at night, when tales of their daring deeds were voice-acted by their loving guardians. A most worthy title for those prophesied by Oracle Ankarceda herself, Master of Madness. No amount of extolling virtues would be enough to realize the significance of such a name.

Alas, there was no time to ponder! With a salute that Bob reciprocated and an introduction by a character of the inventing mien, the to-be-official-platoon was hurried onto a rickety airship with a suitably dramatic name. Sailing along the winds in the direction of their mission, the dullahan marveled over the view of the City of Darkness from high above. They had a mind to ask Glazzius to recreate the scene for the theatrical piece they were composing of their group’s upcoming achievements.

Pulling out an elaborately decorated, velvet-trimmed pocketbook from their jacket and a feather with so many curlicues it appeared that a hairstylist had tried to perm it, they decided that interviewing their fellow cast was in order. Of course, the headless horse rider of known faulty recollections believed themselves familiar enough with their friends (and critic) that they could go last. The competition then came between an indeterminate Aerline Ceto, Mallus of the kobold stature, another indeterminate Mne, Captain Rugrat and Meathead. Bob mentally crossed off Meathead. Examining their choices, they finally remembered that they had yet to introduce themselves to the captain of the ship. So off they went.

“Captain Rugrat, a fine airship you steer!
I, Bob of poetic renown, find it simply premier!
But before I leave you to your piloting session,
Could you answer a few of my questions?”

Interactions

TheImmortalDeity

Mentions

. D O V E LokiPokie​

 

[Colorless Spectrum]

Naivier Ifficus

Naivier let out a breath, her eyes rolled as she turned around after her question was answered. She couldn't see any viable options to be leader other than Allie, or maybe Aerline but she wouldn't admit that to the Fishman, ever. Yazquin and Aggie shared the same brain cell, almost nonexistent. The headless Dullahan only had poetry in mind and nothing else. The tiny Lizard seemed too enthusiastic for her taste and as for the Goose-Turned Minotaur... Just no. As for her, she wasn't narcissistic enough to nominate herself for the role, just the idea of it was a pain on her side already.

The half-elf had watched her fellow members go into the zeppelin, crossing her arms and tapping her finger as she thought about their likelihood of surviving. Probably not much if she wasn't in a good mood. She glanced over to Yazquin and proceeded to glare at her sister before finally going in. It wasn't anything impressive to her eyes, and as she swept through what free seat was left she caught Aerline's unsure glare which was answered by a questioning raise of her brow. But it didn't matter to her why he was looking over at her.

"Just a reminder for this mission, if you annoy me I won't be healing any of you." Naivier casually said before settling herself beside Allie, hopefully away from Yazquin. She also got a peek at Aerline who didn't seem to be comfortable on their ride. "You don't look so swell, afraid of the height?" She asked with a smirk on her lips, resting her head on the wall and closing her eyes. "Breathe. Try to breathe in slowly for two counts with your mouth closed, then breathe out slowly for four counts with your lips slightly opened. It works most of the time, can't have you wasting my heal before our task even started."

mention: || interaction: everyone Lo Mayn [Aerline]

 

[TheImmortalDeity]

Fleet Captain Rugrat​

As the airship began its ascent to the sky and the passengers began to talk amongst themselves, the tiny goblin moved in a blur. His experienced motions displayed the actions of a master in his craft, flipping various switches, adjusting knobs, and shouting incomprehensible orders to his subordinates. Allie and Naivier, while neither versed in the language, recognized it as the goblin's home tongue. His green ears flicked in response to the merfolk's comment. They had to shuffle quite a bit to face him, given that the enclosed space didn't allow easy movement for someone with a large metal canister on their back, but they possessed a grin from ear to ear.

"Ya ain't gunna wet yerself, are ya?" he cackled. "M'boys and I ain't cleanin' tha mess if ya do, 'kay?" He sniffed, rubbing his finger along the bottom of his pointed nose. His attention then wandered to the human next to them. His eye twitched ever so slightly. "Yeah. . . welcome 'board," Rugrat scoffed. "This 'ere vessel has seen its days o' war 'n strife! Ain't no way this beaut gunna tank now. If it do, thens Vienna strike meh now!" he pledged. There was a pause, then a breath of relief. "See?"

His nails, sharp and unrefined, scraped against the metallic seating of his co-pilot. There was some turbulence. Outside, the group saw the vast landscape of Lapas Ghûl stretch out for miles in every direction. Its residents, now no more than ants, mosied around to the beat of Empty Promises' engine. They each had their part to play, and that insight was far easier to comprehend when floating among the clouds. Rugrat finally turned to the headless monstrosity.

"Yo, do ya always talk like that? Ain't 'nyone tells ya it's 'nnoyin ta listen ta?" He scratched at his hairless chin in thought. "If ya gots questions, thens ask meh while I drive. Ain't like we's goin' nowhere 'n this thing." He then turned back to his subordinates, performing the same captain-like duties he showcased before. "TA THA FOBBIDEN WOOS," he bit his tongue.

Colorless Spectrum Lo Mayn AI10100 . D O V E Ambiloquous Arvios LokiPokie

 

[Lo Mayn]

Aquaerline Ceto


Mentions: Captain Rugrat ( TheImmortalDeity ) | Interacts with Allie ( AI10100 ) & Naivier ( Colorless Spectrum ) ​

---

It was a given that Allie’s presence provided some comfort to Aerline, as she spoke in a calm and collected manner. Gently even. And looking out the window with her, they continued to talk.

“Horses,” he started, vaguely remembering his days of seeing the animal and the unfriendly emotions that came with them. “Would you believe me if I said I’ve never ridden one?” He asked, “I’ve ridden in a carriage before albeit they were more like a wagon and I wouldn’t say I was fond of it personally.” If getting transported like a sack of rotten potatoes led to a fond experience, perhaps he would have been very fond of it. His very favorite, even. But it was not the case. And so every thought was a landmine of its own, images of his former friends and otherwise. His words could barely be finished before Nai spoke up, who was sitting opposite of Allie and sandwiching Allie between them.

“No, not heights,” he responded, “The confinement,” and he looked up and around at the suffocatingly busy ship filled with goblins, goblin captains, and others all in this flying box floating towards certain death, gesturing as if it were so crazy to imagine. When suddenly, Nai then offered something. Something Aerline didn’t quite expect. Something kind: a little bit of breathing wisdom for his anxiousness. An anxiousness he hadn’t yet considered was real by the way, and so he watched her with her eyes closed, his mouth slightly agape at her reply. “I’m surprised.. I wouldn’t think you’d use your spell in the first place. And on me? I wouldn’t let you use it anyways,” he said with his own cynical smirk. Taking in the sight of her, her skin, her features, before leaning back and looking out the window himself. Breathing in for two counts, then breathing out for four.

 

[AI10100]

Allie Gival
Interacting with: Colorless Spectrum Lo Mayn ​

Captain Rugrat seemed to have some form of resentment in his words while addressing her even when she hadn't even said anything remotely negative about the vessel. Perhaps it was simple prejudice? It wouldn't be the first time she had faced it and it didn't really bother her. Seeing as Bob has him distracted, Allie turned her attention back to her friends.

Naivier made a comment about how she wouldn't heal any of them if they annoyed her. Allie gave her a dry smile, figuring that the half-elf might not be joking at all. As Naivier sat down beside her, the human let out a small breath as her fingers began to tap along at her lap in an almost rhythmic pattern. However, she kept her attention on her friends. Surprisingly, Naivier offered a suggestion to keep him calm— albeit tacking on the side note that she wouldn't want to waste a spell on healing him before a battle has even started.

Whether or not Naivier was a truly kind person was up in the air but Allie liked to think that she is under all the thorns and venom she possessed.

Though Aerline's words struck Allie in a way she hadn't expected. She had befriended Aerline due to their outcast identities within Lapas Ghul— unfortunately, their race was not something they could change to fit the ideal of the monster city. However, the more they talked, the more similarities she found herself having with the guy. She leaned back and turned her eyes upward, a small smile devoid of emotion creeping up to her face.

"Neither have I. Ridden horses I mean. I wasn't allowed to do so." Her last carriage ride was less than a fond memory too. Though she wouldn't want to broach such a subject with her friends, especially not now. "Three hours." She muttered. "Hopefully, it wouldn't be too long of a ride."

Her smile finally turned into a smirk as she turned to Naivier, lowering her voice as if saying something conspiratorially to Aerline but loud enough for their resident cleric to hear. "And see, Nai truly does have a heart of gold. She just likes to hide it so she doesn't ruin her reputation."

 

[TheImmortalDeity]

It was quite the vessel. While he was not versed in the arts of craftsmanship, Aegrius knew this much. The Nuvok Army's naval fleet was renowned for its ingenuity and unparalleled might. To expect anything less from them was a tarnish to the Eternal Eminence's name. Thus, Aegrius wore a proud grin, feeling similar to how a father might look at their successful child. He lacked to note the patch job done on the balloon itself. A minor hiccup on an otherwise perfect war machine.

His scaled friend crossed his periphery. Aegrius missed the opportunity to converse earlier, but now that their mission was clear, he was sure that the chance to talk was nigh. "Ah, Toad-" he began, only to find his words stuck in his throat. They had already left for the zeppelin. To rub salt in the wound, they began to speak with the Impostaur™ of all things. "Eh?" His ears drooped, and his thrashing tail stopped dramatically.

The barbarian followed in the duo's footsteps. When Aegrius clambered onto Empty Promises, the airship notably groaned under his weight. Rugrat shot him a glare but said nothing before tending to his work. The others had already formed groups, chatting away without any care. Everyone except the dark elf sat directly behind the captain's seat. Yazquin possessed a bright smile, clearly within her element.

Pushing past the others and forcing Aerline to scooch over to sit directly between him and Bonk Bonk, Aegrius gave the paladin a toothy cackle. "Exciting, ain't it?" he huffed. "Who do you think should be leader, Bonk Bonk?" he asked, raising a brow. He knew the group had a few contenders, but it was a lie for him to say that her opinion didn't matter to him. She was his equal, after all.

A bit of turbulence sent the airship awry. Naturally, Aegrius stabilized himself. He slammed his meaty hand against the back of the captain's chair, and a loud CLUNG sounded from the impact. The ship evened itself quickly. While it may have been second nature, he realized that he nearly hit his companion in his reaction. "Ah, sorry. I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked sheepishly, his burly form looming over her in concern.

AI10100 Lo Mayn Colorless Spectrum LokiPokie Arvios Ambiloquous . D O V E

 

[. D O V E]

YAZQUIN IFFICUS​

Yazquin, as the paragon of paladins that she was, ushered everyone aboard the aircraft like some sort of traffic enforcer, ensuring that even a tip of her new comrades' hairs weren't put into jeopardy as they entered. The fishman was the first to pass her, followed by her only human friend whom she caught was wearing a brief look of reluctance. Yaz couldn't blame Allie. She'd hate to be all alone with a mean, rude, and tasteless fishstick inside a Frankenstein zeppelin, too.

Nonetheless, Allie shouldn't worry so much as their new kobold friend followed suit, leading a minotaur whom she knew for a fact was not Aggie after a quick sniff of the air. While the thought of two Aggie was great and all, Yazquin didn't like the fact that whoever this person was used her friend's form without his consent. Even worse, he embarrassed him by doing a silly dance.

Yazquin felt her gaze soften when the dejected and very much real Aggie trudge past her. His droopy ears and limp tail was like a fire to her moth, beckoning for her healing hands' touch. She took a deep breath and fought the temptation, shaking her head thereafter as she made a mental note to berate the goose-being for disrespecting her dear Aggie! Such fatherless behavior wouldn't go unnoticed!

Speaking of fatherless behavior, Yazquin's dear sister just walked past but not without dealing a deadly glare her way. If looks could kill then she would be being eaten by worms right about now. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, quickly masked by the grin she easily plastered on her face. Internally, she wished Nai would trip and plant face-first against the cold ground.

Thankfully, before she could further divulge on that sentiment, Bob whisked her attention as they walked past. From the look of their... gait, they seemed to be excited to board the ship. Yazquin nodded sagely at this, finding joy at the fact that her poet friend was bravely walking towards battle. To celebrate this, Yazquin promised to impress Bob and give them a lot of inspiration for their next pieces of literature. The Epic Tale of Yazquin, the Best Paladin! Protector of Realms! Champion of the people!

"And that's the last of them!" Yazquin proudly dusted her hands, like she had just saved a village from an invasion. She turned around to regard Captain Qorryn, giving him a firm salute. "We'll make you proud, captain!" The half-elf said with a bright beam before turning on her heels and heading straight inside the tottering ship.

Yazquin locked onto the seat nearest to the pilot's, strutting confidently before plopping down and resting a plated arm by the headrest. Well, it was only right for her to claim the seat. Among all of them, she was the one who possessed plenty of experience riding a zeppelin. She could recall a few moments with her father in one, discussing topics of importance while overseeing a duel in the Amphitheater. Suffice to say, in the off-chance that Rugrat would suffer a heart attack or something, Yazquin would be able to leap over and take charge of the ship! Not that she had ever maneuvered one...

A shift of weight and the familiar scent of masculinity whisked Yazquin's gaze from the ship's helm, flinging it towards the cackling hunk beside her. "Exciting would be an under-" an intense quake and a CLUNK, "s-s-s-s-statement..." Yazquin felt herself flush from head to toe as she found their faces in close proximity with each other. It certainly didn't help that the dense minotaur was looking at her with sheepish eyes, or that his muscular arm was ghosting the tip of her burning ear. She continued gaping at him like a drowning fish before finally composing herself. "A-Aggie, not infront of everyone..." She whispered with a persistent blush, audibly clearing her throat afterwards. Aggie was cute and she knew it must be difficult for him to resist her beauty, but they both have their own duties to perform.

The devotee stood and held onto the headrest of Rugrat's seat for balance. The way she briefly closed her eyes and let out a sigh indicated that she was about to do something needlessly dramatic again. "A leader is someone who can proudly stand in front of the group, possessing a presence akin to a beacon of light amidst a dark night and a clever mind like the guiding hands of Vienna. Yes, a leader is someone who stands at the conjunction of body and mind. The perfect blend of strength and wisdom. A bulwark against the encroaching dark times!" Yazquin theatrically described, ultimately pressing a hand against her armored chest. "Which is why I volunter..." Suddenly, she took Aggie's hand and raised it aloft. "I volunteer the brilliant and brave Aegrius to be our leader! There is no one more deserving in this ship than him."


Colorless Spectrum TheImmortalDeity AI10100 Lo Mayn LokiPokie Ambiloquous Arvios

 

[Colorless Spectrum]

Naivier Ifficus

Naivier snorted at Aerline's bold statement and Allie's crazy assumption. "I was willing to do my job in this mission but sure Fishman, let's see how long you last in the field when you get hurt." She then turned her attention to the human in their dysfunctional group and raised a brow with a displeased look on her face, "And please, Allie, stop believing that people like me have good in them because in whatever I do there are no good intentions in it." Naivier was then forced to scoot over and squished herself to the back of the ship and her seatmate due to Aggie's size and the ridiculous armor of her infuriating sister.

The sudden shake from the ship had Naivier fly from her seat, ricocheting around the ship twice, before finding herself held by Aerline accompanied by some pain all over her body. A groan escaped her lips as her eyes caught the sight of the Minotaur conversing with her sister. Yazquin blushed from the attention that was given to her by Aggie which was followed by a speech that made her want to grate her ears and gouge her eyes out.

She stood up abruptly from Aerline's arms and got back to her seat, afterward a pointed look on her face that was directed to the Paladin. "I decline your proposition of Aegrius to be Leader, it's a dumb choice. For one, he is not a shining beacon of light, he is a huge chunk of muscles. Two, he is not clever nor is he wise, he has a brain the size of a pea. Third, you're just biased because you have a crush on him and this is just you sucking up. I propose that Allie be our Leader, instead of Mr. All Brawns and No Brains. She's actually smart and can handle making decisions under pressure, not to mention she actually cares about you guys. She's the most logical candidate for leadership."

"I rest my case."

She'd boast about herself as the smartest in their group but she doesn't want that burden nor does she care. She just wants this to be over with already and go back home to her books and that won't happen if their appointed leader was some dumb schmuck that makes horrible decisions. Naivier lightly shook her head, hoping the slight headache would go away but it didn't. She settled on letting it be instead of using her skills and lightly massaged her shoulder which had the biggest impact from her bouncing in the vehicle.

mention: || interaction: everyone

 

[Ambiloquous]

Bob

Annoy her! Perking up his nonexistent ears, the dullahan let out a tiny, unnoticeable huff. It would be closer to reality to say that the half-elf critic annoyed Bob, though it really was more of an “intimidate” and “dishearten” rather than an “irritate”. Their mood turned glum at the thought of her disdain towards his clearly higher quality manuscripts—though Navier had no love for their art at the moment, they were sure that this journey would change that mindset entirely.

Just as their attention turned back towards the Captain, they were smacked in the face with another “‘nnoyin”. The dullahan gasped. What ignorant, philistine tastes he had! They were sure the goblin wouldn’t know Spearshake if they were smacked in the face with it.

“Forgive my refined speech,
I do not mean to preach,
But less said about your voice the better,
I would rather you write a letter.”

Scribbling “bad taste in spoken poetry”, “tactless” and “tongue biter” in the section under “Captain Rugrat”, they wondered if it was worth it to ask the other more questions. The pilot didn’t appear to be a long term companion of the party, so most if not all additional information gleaned from this encounter would not make it into the script they had planned. And they had had an attitude befitting that of a side chara—They immediately shook their headless neck; little utility was no excuse for laziness!

CLUNG.

The noise from what was clearly an impact from some flying monstrosity outside the ship triggered the dullahan to drop their ostentatious feather pen, which promptly rolled away from their row of seating. Scooting past Meathead(?)—part of their mind reflected on the fact that they had allowed one of the minotaurs next to them—and the small kobold with big dreams, they grabbed it right as it stopped by Yazquin’s feet.

It was then that Bob noticed that the paladin was in the midst of a dramatic soliloquy. Nodding along to her words, not that anyone aboard could tell due to the absence of the common nodding appendage, the dullahan readied their hands to clap at the end of the monologue. If support was received, support must be given, after all, and the headless horseman sincerely agreed with her statement. A leader of villains possessed of both strength and smarts in a myriad of stage pieces, save a few that went purposefully against the grain.

Until the name of Meathead the First came from her open mouth. Before the poet could refute and convince Yazquin to see the error of her ways, their… healer in shining… cloth took the stage. Once her glorious speech that poked as many holes in Yazquin’s belief in Meathead the First as there existed holes in the minotaur’s brain concluded, Bob softly clapped. So softly that unless one stared straight at his hands and squinted, they would not realize at all.

They coughed and raised a hand.

“I agree, you see.”

Interactions

TheImmortalDeity Colorless Spectrum

Mentions

LokiPokie Arvios​

 

[Lo Mayn]

Aquearline Ceto


Mentions: Aegrius ( TheImmortalDeity ) & Bob ( Ambiloquous ) | Interacts with Allie ( AI10100 ) , Naivier ( Colorless Spectrum ) , & Yazquin ( . D O V E )​

---

Aerline contemplated prodding Allie for more about her history with horses and the like, but didn’t want to risk much more knowledge of his own past, which he always avoided, and left it to the air. For Allie’s good-natured comment about Nai to provoke her more.

“I’m more interested,” he started, partially genuine, “in how long you’ll last, without someone stopping you from getting hurt, I doubt those hands have much use outside of polite spells,” he said to Nai.

Of course, he knew of all the sorts of damage and craziness a decent spell-caster could cause with the flick of their fingers, but only Varenza was a mage he respected, whether or not they could kill him or make his life hell.

A moment later, when the ship’s terrifying turbulence sent a body into his arms, Aerline groaned from the sudden force to his crotch. It was Naivier, comfortably caught and willfully ignorant of him. She was focused on her sister, Yazquin, taking center stage for more dramatics. Though they were sisters, Aerline had a strict ‘preference,’ if you could call it that, for one over the other. Nai at least wasn’t plainly stupid and he hadn’t yet forgotten his and Yaz’s last interaction in the amphitheater some time ago, which left her in the ground and his hand stinging. And since then, Aerline did his best to ignore and avoid her whenever possible. It didn’t help that she always seemed to be under Aegrius’s arm, another creature he’d much prefer to be away from. Both of which he was almost successfully ignoring until he heard the words, ‘leader’ and ‘I volunteer.’ Followed by Yaz uplifting Aegrius to be their supposed leader. He’d rather drown and disappoint his fishman father even further. In fact, he must’ve already died for this to even occur in the first place.

“Good Gods, no.” He mumbled and pushed Nai off of him. She, still focused on her sister, went back to her seat to complain, disagree, and appoint Allie to be their leader.

He wouldn’t admit it directly to Nai then or ever, but he did quite agree with her. And with her case rested, and the ghostly theater creature agreeing, Aerline raised his voice too, “I don’t blame you,” he said to Yaz, “for your bias, but it’s wrong. Allie’s far more reasonable to be our leader.” Then to Allie with a bump of their shoulders, he said kindly and slightly abashed, “if you’d be willing anyways.”

 

[AI10100]

Allie Gival
Interacting with: Ambiloquous Colorless Spectrum Lo Mayn . D O V E TheImmortalDeity Arvios LokiPokie ​

There was a pointed smile on Allie's face as Naivier reiterated that she was, in fact, not a good person at all. Though she was well aware that Naivier had, on multiple occasions, used her healing spells for malicious reasons— the incident regarding Yazquin and Aegrius's fight bubbled up to the forefront of her mind— Allie didn't think she could ever twist aiding a teammate to be anything else than good intentions. She moved closer to Naivier as Aegrius and Yazquin took their respective seats and Allie had to push down the level of discomfort she was feeling at how cramped the space had become.

Her eyes flitted towards the much roomier space with Mallus and the transformed Mne. Getting away from this cramped environment seemed ideal but she stayed. There was familiarity with Naivier and Aerline which was enough to calm her racing nerves. There was a sudden turbulence that rocked the airship, sending both sister into someone else.

Allie was just thankful Naivier seemed to have been light enough to have skipped Allie and landed on Aerline who had deftly caught her. There was a tease edging itself on her tongue, knowing that she can likely get a rise from Naivier if she wanted at that moment. However, this quickly died down as Yazquin suddenly spoke up to finally talk about who should be the leader. She found herself agreeing to Yazquin's decision to volunteer Aegrius as their leader. However, Naivier was quick to retort, hailing Allie as her candidate for leadership due to her brain. This was then that even Bob seemed to agree, their short response uncharacteristic but endearing nonetheless. And once more, Aerline also agreed but amended that it was up to her if she would be willing to do so with a bump to her shoulder. Perhaps she surprised herself that she only felt a swell of gratitude at being given the option and she conveyed as much with a smile towards Aerline.

Naivier's points didn't seem to make sense in Allie's mind. The idea of being a leader made her feel like a cold bucket of water had been thrown down her back. And though Naivier seemed to be genuinely concerned— if only for her own wellbeing— Allie found herself nearly bristling up in defense.

"I do greatly appreciate the sentiment, support, and belief that I would be fit to be a leader." She claimed, her words coming out stiffer than she had intended. She cleared her throat, shifting in her seat. "Though Aegrius is no spellcaster and would rather spend the day wrestling than reading a book," She snickered at the minotaur whose eyes would glaze over when Allie started to talk about the intricacies of arcane magic. "He's far more capable on the battlefield. I have seen, firsthand, the kind of training minotaurs... Aegrius, goes through. Strategically speaking, he's no dumb oaf. I agree with Yazquin on this one, Aegrius is the most deserving of the title because I believe he has the most training and experience out of all of us." And maybe she wasn't considering Aerline, who had been forced into this but likely had quite a bright mind if he was in the presence of Duchess Varenza for so long; or Mallus who came from the Forbidden Forest and whose capabilities she didn't know of yet.

"And, if Aegrius wishes to be anything like the person he wishes to be, then he best be prepared to listen to our suggestions. He may be the face of the group, the one carrying the burden of a failure if it ever comes to that, but that doesn't mean only he can plan." And in the brief meetings she had had with General Diamondhorn, intimidating as he might be, his sense of leadership was astounding. And Aegrius must have been able to internalize that as well. "So, I will gladly hand over my own vote to Aegrius and, if possible, not be considered."

With that, she quieted down but not before sending an almost apologetic smile to Aerline. He never had the most favorable interactions with Aegrius so she understood his own reservations. Though, perhaps only to him, it could be gleaned that she was unwilling to take the post even if she thought Aegrius wasn't fit for it.

 

[Arvios]

Mallus of the Raulthraxx Tribe

Group interaction with: LokiPokie TheImmortalDeity Ambiloquous AI10100 Colorless Spectrum Lo Mayn . D O V E​

---

Many moments came and passed, and Mallus eyed the Impostaur™ the whole while without so much as a single blink, giving the behemoth more than enough time to formulate a response. Had his conversational partner even known that he had been invited to speak his mind, or had he somehow turned mute within the few minutes that were gapped in the scaly creature’s memory? In such a scenario with his own twin siblings, the young kobold would have cocked his head and waved a hand to check if there was a sudden vacancy at home upstairs. But both Mallus’ patience and body were like that of a statue, his stance eerily still with both chartreuse orbs aimed at the once cavorting bullman. To say that his reverence was preventing him from thinking rationally would be an accurate observation, the tiny creature acting as if he had just confessed to his childhood crush, awaiting their response. It was clear that he did not want to break focus on his hanging question, the answer of the fighter before him being of utmost importance.

Meanwhile, much like the cacophony that breached from the bright canopy overhead into the darkened surface of the Forbidden Forest, the sound of idle chatter between groups was nothing more than that — gossip among those who were birds of the same feather. Whether they are friends, frenemies, or outright hostile towards each other, it didn’t matter much to Mallus; compared to the lot, the fact that the strings of fate had already tied these strangers prior to him meeting them made the kobold feel a bit awkward. So why not show dedication to the few who had shown explicit interest in him? Well, maybe there was a hint of rationality in his reveled silence, after all.

Perhaps it was selective hearing, or more than likely the boisterous, familiar voice of Yazquin that almost snaps his sight away from the still not-known-to-be false minotaur. Without turning away — instead deciding to focus on Fakegrius’ bulked deltoid — he tunes in to her address, nodding subtly with that toothy reptile smile of his, agreeing with the validity of her points as his tail gently wags from his aggrandized excitement. Both strength and wisdom were important keys that a leader should possess, he agreed, and he couldn’t help but feel like she was speaking about the minotaur next to him. After all, “Who else would match that description?” he thought.

It didn’t matter that he had never seen the bullman in action, nor knew of his caveats or experiences firsthand in relation to her well spoken points. The Raulthraax followed a form of leadership that embraced the principles of ascension, essentially something that correlated directly with strength. This was the reason why his kind worshiped Raulthraax and not Vienna; while one birthed the other, it was the acquisition of power that destined the crimson dragon into Drakh-var, while the Mother of Darkness was weakened and shattered, left with only time to mend her strength.

As Yazquin was still fervently building up the crowd, Mallus hears the “clacking” of a pen falling to the floor. His delayed response finally diverts his attention as he catches sight of it, now rolling past his feet, followed by the Dullahan shortly behind its trail. The carmine lizard unplants himself so as to also give chase to it, but it was here where the engines of Empty Promises made a sudden heave. To anyone who didn’t weigh less than a soaking wet towel, the sudden turbulence may have been but a shake, or at worst a forced stammer. In Mallus’ case, the airship decided it would be bucking the unbalanced kobold like a bronco would to a novice rider, flinging him towards the cockpit as he crashes into the back of the pilot seat, and landing directly between Yazquin’s legs.

“Ugh,” he drawls, to himself. He wasn’t sure if anyone took notice of his 2-feet-off-the-ground airborne trip or instead mistook him for an unsecured piece of baggage, but he prayed it was the latter. Mallus had never been in a flying machine (or a machine of any kind to begin with), so it’d be a bit of an embarrassing detail for a warrior as proud as himself to be made a fool of by gravity because of his size. A second later, and Yazquin reveals that Aegrius was without a doubt her nomination for the role. Mallus would have shown support, had he not been busy attempting to peel himself from the back of Rugrat’s seat.

When he finally shakes his head to drive away the tiny stars in his vision from the sudden impact, the dark elf had instead taken a turn to not just denounce her selection, but to support the human as a leader, alongside the man she was conversing with. In a twist, the human herself passed her support back to Aegrius. The Dullahan also seemed to favor her, meaning that his vote would be the current tiebreaker.

The kobold, using Yazquin’s legs as a means of leverage, pulls himself out from the miniature crater he left on the cockpit chair, pretending as if it never took place. He puts a claw to the tip of his maw, clearly in thought about everything that had been said.

“I,” the small voice cracked as it began slowly, drawing focus to himself. His gaze wanted to give a look of confidence, but something in him started to stir doubt about his earlier assessment. Strength came in many different forms, and it was not something that could be defined easily. For instance, would he consider himself weak because of his size in comparison to humans?

“I think,” he begins again, thinking of how he didn’t really know these people, nor of their abilities that well. He knew Allie was a caster, while Aegrius was a frontliner. Positioning wise, who would have a better view for command?

“I think that,” he stalled once more, trying to quell his indecisiveness, squinting his eyes tight as if he had a sour candy hidden in his mouth.

“I… I agree with Yazquin and Allie,” he conceded. “My vote goes to Aegrius. While… I do think Allie would make a great leader, as she’s a human and can think like a human, we will need someone who is battle hardened and can provide order in chaos through experience from training.

“I don’t know you all as well as you know each other,” he admits with a hint of sorrow, “but this is what my pride as a Raulthraax warrior sees as the best option.” He beams at Allie, and then Aegrius, who just so happened to conveniently eclipse Fakegrius in the back of the hold. Mallus still didn’t have a clue that he had somehow mixed up both minotaurs twice already somehow.

 

[TheImmortalDeity]

Aegrius let his arm fall from Yazquin's grasp. Everyone's words were not lost on him. They each carried a terrible weight. Expectations that hung heavily on his shoulders. Qualifications aside, this was the reality he faced. He thought back to his childhood, waiting for his older brother, Barranak, to return safely. As he settled upon each of his teammates, he wondered how much impact they had on someone else. How much grief would be caused by their loss? One wrong move and their futures were gone in a puff of smoke.

The softskin made an astute observation. One that he only knew from Diamondhorn's teachings. The leader of an unestablished party was nothing more than the messenger of good or bad news. The purpose of their makeshift team highlighted the potential of the group rather than the individual. Rank, therefore, was distributed evenly to the whole. Captain Qorryn called the shots, and it relied on the appointed leader to heed those orders. It made communication between a superior and their subordinates simpler. The only change in the leader's status was their responsibility toward the mission. They became the face of the group and their actions, facing the consequences accordingly. He didn't understand Allie's reluctance to the attention it brought, but he appreciated her confidence in him.

The bull's demeanor was filled with determination. He put his hand on his chest, directly over his heart. It was a pledge to those before him. "We don't need to vote for a leader right this minute. We have the first of many missions ahead of us. We can use this time to learn more about each other and hone our skills as a unit, then decide on the way back." His fingers tightened into a balled fist. "Leader or not, my priorities go unchanged. As a proud warrior of the Diamondhorn tribe, I swear to give all my strength to ensure you all come back alive. May my ancestors bless us with a swift and effortless victory."

Then, Aegrius sat down. He woefully watched through the window as the city gradually disappeared from view. The butterflies in his stomach refused to settle, yet he masked his anxiety with a smile filled with bravado. It's what Diamondhorn would've done. The axe he wore, heavy and faded, grazed his skin with a terrible chill. He closed his eyes and earnestly prayed. "May Vienna bring us salvation," he muttered to himself.

AI10100 Lo Mayn LokiPokie . D O V E Colorless Spectrum Ambiloquous Arvios