When united we come to the land of the sun [Closed]

[amakakeru]

🧙 WHO: Ryouma, Izō, and Mash
⚔️️ WHAT: Trying to find a dragon
🕒 WHEN: Early November
🗺️ WHERE: Lotus Pod Mountain
⚠️ WARNINGS: none so far



[ A dragon in the Ash Mountains...Of course he's going to do what he can to prevent more bloodshed. Had it killed people and destroyed homes? Yes. Was it really the dragon's fault? No. Would killing it bring any of those people back? No. Something has to be done.

He can talk to animals, he can try to right this before anyone gets there to kill it. He'd already asked Izō to accompany him and his next thought went to another Servant, one who was as soft-hearted as he is. Mash is nothing if not reliable, too, so she'd be good to have along.

As they make their way to meet her out front of the inn (he'd even thought to hire a carriage instead of walking at the way out there), he looks to Izō with a smile. ]

Thank you for agreeing to come along...I know this is outside your usual expertise.

Comments

[hitokiri]

What? Doin' it yer way, y'mean?

[ yeah, that is new. but it's still a potentially dangerous trip up a mountain to see a dragon, so how could he say no? ]

'Sides, if I didn't ya might do somethin' stupid...

[ he has no room to talk and is potentially making things worse just in tagging along, considering his first encounter with this dragon involved violence. it probably won't remember that, right? ]

[unfalteringwall]

[Mash can’t help but chuckle softly, fondly, as she overhears the other’s conversation as they approach. It was a relief that they were both here for one another in this place. DO NOT SEPARATE THEM etc. etc.]

Hello, you two! Thank you for inviting me.

[A polite little bow of greeting. It was nice to be thought of, to be included. She was still fuzzy on some of the details of exactly what had gone down a couple of months ago but she was always in favor of trying to resolve things non-violently.

She had briefly considered going up to the rent-a-ride and retrieving the Ortinax, but decided against it. This was supposed to be a peaceful mission, after all. No need for armoring up, right? … Right?? A quiet part of her hopes she wouldn’t come to regret that optimism.]

Are you ready to go? … Have you eaten yet? [Can’t very well go adventuring on an empty stomach.]

[amakakeru]

Now if I do something stupid, I know I can count on you to call me on it.

[ It's then he sees Mash and gives a little wave, then bows in turn. ]

There's no one else I'd rather have with us. [ Except maybe Oryou but shh. He checks his phone for a second, then looks back up. ] There's a carriage coming in about 15 minutes...We've eaten a little. What about you?

[ So there was a little bit of time to kill if any of them needed to take care of anything last minute. ]

[hitokiri]

Yeah, ya oughta be used to it by now, huh?

[ izō has probably said that this whole plan is stupid at least once by now too. and yet, izō is here anyway. and sure, he's in a decent mood, all things considered. which he supposes ryouma can have a little credit for, but that's all. agreeing to come along isn't the first of izō's decisions motivated by a desire just to be doing something. ]

Sorta feels familiar now, huh?

[mash's arrival makes it feel almost official, like it's a mission and not just a potentially ill-advised hike out to the middle of nowhere. she might not be the mash of "his" chaldea in the same way the ritsuka presently in avalon isn't "his" ritsuka, as he knew them, but her quick question as to whether or not they'd eaten tells him that this mash and the one he knows seem to be the same in the ways that matter. ]

What he said. Got us a ride an' everythin', so it probably helps, yer bein' here. Probably woulda had t'walk otherwise.

[it's not like they couldn't have, even without their former servant boons. walking long distances used to just be a thing everyone had to do in their experience. doesn't mean he wants to.

being in a better mood somehow still amounts to him giving ryouma a hard time, but at least it's not serious? ]

Wheezes loudly I’m so sorry for holding everything up

[unfalteringwall]

[Mash is visibly excited at the mention of a carriage. There was something sort of delightfully old-timey and fun about them. Like something out of a book!] That’s very considerate of you!

I already ate a little, yes, but they’re still serving breakfast at the Inn if you’re interested. I told them you were coming so they should have plenty. [The workers at the inn liked Mash, she was always trying to help out how she could.]

If you’re not hungry, though [she adjusts her glasses] I thought we might start going over our strategy!

[Self-care Mash is through now it is time for BUSINESS MASH.]

it's okay!!

[amakakeru]

I'm fine for now.

[ Strategy, though...While Ryouma was known for what he'd accomplished in life, he isn't exactly what's known as a master planner. He's good at flying by the seat of his pants and pulling off the impossible with his knowledge of the situation and players involved.

So what does he know here? Not a lot, if he's going to be honest. ]

As far as strategy goes, well...I don't know much about the terrain. It's going to be rough going getting up there and no one knows exactly where the dragon is hiding. Splitting our efforts seems like the best idea, especially since we have an easy way of contacting each other. [ He gestures with his phone in his hand. ] But...There's also the risk of one of us encountering the dragon without any backup. It's wounded and cornered, which makes it especially dangerous...So while it'd be faster if we split our efforts, maybe sticking together to explore the tunnels is the best idea.

[ He looks to the other to as he shrugs. ]

Those are just my thoughts, though. If either of you have any other ideas, I'd like to hear them.

yes it's all good! ♡

[hitokiri]

[ wow, mash is really giving them a lot of credit. ]

Seen the thing before, but it wasn't really in a negotiatin' type'a mood at the time.

[ and he can probably lend a little help in terms of trying to track the thing down. he's no hunter and the wilderness is hardly what he's accustomed to, but how hard could it be to find signs of something that big hanging around? ]

I'm jus' here in case somethin' needs killin'.

[ so... the usual thing. ]

Uweh ;u; thank you ❤︎

[unfalteringwall]

[Thankfully, bringing planning and structure to you haphazard weirdos is but one of the many services Mash offers.]

Mm, Hopefully nothing will come to that. [come on now you know there are always a few waves of mob enemies before a boss encounter!]

I think that sticking together is a good idea, at least when we initially arrive. After we get our bearings and can ascertain just how much territory there is to be covered, we can consider splitting up.

The mines there have been closed for quite some time but I was able to look up some information on them and I received a copy of a map from the Archivist. It won’t be perfect but it should still be a great asset. I also brought some rope and other simple supplies, should we need them.

[she tugs at the straps on the little backpack she is carrying. It had been waiting for her in the shitbox when she arrived here - might as well make use of it!]

[amakakeru]

Hopefully you won't need to kill anything, Izō, but I'm still glad to have you and your skill with a sword along.

[ Leave it to Mash to be more prepared than the one organizing this outing. He gives her a nod as their carriage arrives right on time. ]

You're a lifesaver, you know that? If nothing else, we can count on you to be prepared for anything. No wonder Master's so proud of you.

[ It's genuine praise, something Ryouma is good at giving.

He opens the carriage door and motions for the other two to go ahead of him. ]

After you.