[Game Thread] Lord Windos’ PokeRole Adventure 2: The Wild Lands

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Once you were done with your pitch the 'hidden' otter let out what sounded like a bark of laughter, slowly shaking their head.

"Ha! A young warrier you are indeed. Enough fire in his blood to rival an Emboar's twilight Blaze, and all the Recklessness abandon of one too. You seek to hunt one of the Malefics? A so called 'god' among their number at that, too. You seek death. Much life myself - though perhaps you would disagree."

The old woman rolled their shoulders in a languid shrug, before picking up their saucer and taking a sip of what was in it.

"....Hm. You are either desperate if you are recruiting one like me to your cause....or you have some purpose you know I can best fulfil. *Lowers saucer and 'looks' at you, tone almost sly*  And you are far too brave and certain for me to take you as a harried fool. *Hmphs* Full of Swagger too, but that is another matter entirely.

"What, pray to the Dead Duo, have you in mind?"

Your subsequent allusion to your 'Swords' piques her interest, as she lets out the equivalent of an 'Oh?' after she takes another sip of her drink.

"Am aspiring young Sword Master, are you? Heh. Such arrogance and confidence. Hm...fitting, I suppose. I guess we shall 'see' ourselves if you are worthy of such esteem, or if you are an upstart worthy of only being CUT down to size. *Shakes head* I will pity your 'Swords' if you a paper Leipard - doom to 'rust' in a braggart's hands."

For a long time, that seemed like it was it from Kusanagi, until after a long draw of their saucer they simply said this to you:

"Have you ever killed?"

The air seemed to grow cold, but Kusanagi....she was unmoved. Neither overly curiously, nor overly dull about it. Like she was asking for such a simple thing, like a cup of Pecha Berry juice.

"I don't mean for prey or 'uncivilized' beasts. Nor out of duty or necessity, to serve your lord or cause, or if you have no other choice. Nothing so 'basic' and easy. "

The old warrior swished around her drink, 'staring' into it and breathing its aroma, before letting out a small *sigh* . Not one of discomfort or weariness, but a simple release of breath, calm as can be.

"Have you ever had someone, be it Man or Mon, at your mercy? Who you had complete surety of your power of choice over them? For whom you could suffer them to live....but instead you did not. Be it for hate. Anger. Revenge. Greed. Perhaps honor, valor, or glory. Justice, sound of mind, promise. *Tone turns sharp, Sly* Maybe even for the sheer pleasure, or just because. Whatever the motivation may be, whatever the reason, cause, or justification.... 

Kusanagi turns their dusk concealed face to you.

"Have you ever killed ?" 

....

The first question gets a completely level, measured answer.  "Soak.  I have some strong pokemon that would particularly appreciate fighting a Water type instead of a Ghost/Flying type, and have it on good authority that such a technique should be an exploitable weak point for a Wandering Hurricane.  Though if it doesn't work or is deemed too risky to attempt, your Dark type moves would still prove to be a boon against a Ghost regardless."

The second question though...

Seddi lowers the brim of his hat, hiding his eyes in shadow as his expression darkens along with the mood of the room.

"...once.  My Sword of Malice did not earn that nickname without good reason.  I was the one who dealt the finishing blow, however."

He raises the brim of his hat again, returning to his usual posture.  "But that's a story for another time.  We've had a lot of time to temper both our blades and ourselves since then."

Whatever answer she expected was not the one you gave, and the old otter reared back as if slapped in the face…

…And started to laugh, putting down her saucer as she barked in amusement.

“Ha. Ha! Ah ha ha! That old ploy of mine? That is the main reason you sought me? Ha! I don’t know whether to be more insulted or bemused! You hardly know a thing about me at all. Bah, another failing of Valarie , that absolute BRAT. Ha ha, ignorance is something that be cured, though - or you will be cured of it.”

It doesn’t take long for her to settled down, though a small quirk of remained.

“Were I younger, or you are not promising what I Wish most dear for I’d have CUT and diced that arm of yours for such an disrespect. Be grateful for that, young warrior. Your plan and tactics, while an insult to me, are sound enough. For now. We’ll see if they hold up against the raging storm. *Shrugs* The outcome doesn’t matter to me anyway - win or lose I get what I want.”

Cold and cutthroat, but at least she is humoring you instead of removing your humors.

Your solemn answer, darkened expression, and shift in posture do not go unnoticed by Kusanagi. Slowly, she leaned forward until her face was now within the candle light.

Kusanagi was grinning, a Dark sense of satisfaction displayed by her jagged teeth.

She had no eyes. Only scar tissue where they once were, a deep groove carved right through and past them.

“Oh? So I was right after all. Bloodied hands, heavy head, from a young warrior from the tamer world. That would be a most interesting tale indeed. But you are right. Now is not the time.”

She leans back out of the candle light and takes another drink.

“…I have more to say, but that can be saved for another night. I want a Battle, soon as possible. This old blade has been seethed too long, and needs to be honed. A good chance to see if you are as sharp as you proclaim - what says you, hm?”