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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 17:49:20 GMT -6
Those two looked vaguely familiar, Ashe thought to himself, watching what appeared to be twins finish tacking up a flyer, and then hand it out themselves to passersby. They must be really desperate to have their quest done, and fast! Most people just tacked up a flyer and hoped someone saw it in time to complete. But this also set off alarm bells in Ashe's head; if the quest was done by twenty people at the same time, the likely hood of him getting the prize himself diminished. So he wasted no time in walking over to the twins - startled to see that, when they were facing him, he recognized them as the bookshop owners. They probably wouldn't recognize him, as he didn't venture in there often. He took one of the fliers handed to him, looking it over as he was briefed. Alright, sounded like a shipment down by the docks, probably on a cargo ship or something. That might be hard to find, if he didn't know where to start. Hopefully there weren't that many boats down there. Or if there were...
Ashe: 0 1/20
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 17:58:55 GMT -6
First things first. As much as he would love to have Inyala with him to do this sleuthing, he didn't want her getting caught in the water, or getting caught by the shady guy. He already knew who he would be bringing along with him, and unfortunately, Inyala wasn't the powerhouse he needed. He summoned her long enough to cast a quick spell, loosening their bond so she could be away from him for a few hours. She gave him a look, the same look she always gave him when he was leaving her out of the fun stuff, but she knew better than to protest or sneak along anyway. She had to trust him.
"Stay safe, my soul," He said to her, something he never said out loud when there were others around. Inyala was indeed his other half, his other self, his soul. "Return to me in twelve hours. No sooner." Less than the day, but long enough for Ashe to accomplish this task. And if he was captured, and she poofed right to him, then he could use her to get free.
If he was dead... That would be another issue entirely.
Ashe: 0 2/20 Inyala: 0 1/5
Quest Post 2
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 18:16:21 GMT -6
Ashe would definitely not be thinking about dying today! In general, because it simply wasn't going to happen. But more specifically, he didn't want anything to happen to his closest bonded creatures. What about the Shijin? Inyala? Alaska, Dracula? He had plenty of creatures that would be too much for the general person to handle.
He shook his head, banishing such thoughts. He extended a hand for Inyala to grab his finger; their way of giving a firm handshake in farewell. "See you soon." He saluted her with his free hand, let her go with the handshake hand, and watched her scamper off. It was dusk now, after Ashe had gotten his affairs in order. He had to gather his nodes, hide them on his person, borrow some things from Jinx, and dress in black for the fun. He debated; wet suit, or trunks? Should he even bother? Gah, so many decisions! And already so pressed for time.
Ashe: 0 3/20
Inyala: 0 2/5 - exits Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 3
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 18:30:37 GMT -6
He had finally settled on a black tank top with black cargo shorts, for the storage of the nodes and the items. Black tennis shoes over boots, in case he ended up in the water with the shoes on. He made his way down, but to the far side of the lake, the training side. There, he said his special word to activate the Collar of Bonding, and waited for Alaska to appear. He'd dipped his hand into the water, kneeling off one of the docks set up there, trying to minimize the attention brought to him when a freaking pliathor appeared. Thankfully, like he'd hoped, Alaska appeared under the water. Instead of a giant splash as she displaced god knows how much liquid, there was a rise like a huge wave or bubble that swelled and slowly flowed away. He saw her eyes flash, felt her presence, her nearness. There was something eerie about being in the presence of a full grown monster such as a Pliathor! He got a kick out of it every time. Ashe: 0 4/20 Alaska: 0 1/5 Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP Quest Post 4
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 18:41:43 GMT -6
The giant sea serpent raised her head to the surface of the water, hesitating there just under the surface. If Ashe didn't know any better, he would think she was asking him what's up, the way a dog might when it cocks its head at you with that curious look on its face. But that was nonsense, because Alaska was a Pliathor and they didn't show emotion on their faces the same way mammals did. He gestured for her to come up further and she did, her head breaking the surface and then towering over Ashe by about ten feet. She brought her nose down to his chest, and he grabbed it as if accepting Equillion snuggles, and rubbed her snout as best as he could.
"Hey there, Girl. We got a mission to do." He said it out loud on reflex, but quickly corrected himself. Pliathor this big couldn't hear the human voice, which was why he had a ribbon of telepathy attached to her. So he repeated what he'd said, only this time mentally. She made a noise in her throat, an affirmative judging by the emotional response.
Ashe: 0 5/20 Alaska: 0 2/5 Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 5
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 21:36:22 GMT -6
"The shipment was supposed to arrive a couple of days ago and it never did. It must have been stolen, and we need to find out who did it. We have a suspect, I met him once... If I can find him and coerce some answers..." Ashe trailed off, trying to remember if there was a name or some other identifying factor that would be helpful on this quest. But the guy before hadn't used a name, and if he had, Ashe had a sinking suspicion it would have been a lie anyway. That guy was shadier and creepier than Alan on a bad day! Though he might have been considered prettier...
Ashe cleared his throat to distract him from such thoughts, and tried to return to the task at hand. "So, the plan is, take me to the other side of the lake here, I'll walk around the dock and see if I can find the guy. And maybe a storage container. Or find out what ship they have it on..." As much as Ashe liked the idea of sneaking around, the thought of doing actual spy stuff was daunting.
Ashe: 0 6/20 Alaska: 0 3/5 Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 6
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 21:49:12 GMT -6
The Pliathor made a sound of acceptance, getting the idea. She lowered herself in the water once more, until just the top of her head was sticking out. Ashe climbed onto her nose, as was his usual place. He sat on her forehead this time, bracing his feet against her snout, and he held onto the front most fins for stability as she took off. She monitored her speed based on how Ashe was feeling; if he started to slip, she slowed and angled herself, but if he was feeling anxious, she picked up speed. Most Pliathor wouldn't be so compliant, but they had been through many years together and the feeling had become mutual between them. Ashe appreciated this; it was no small feat to have a Pliathor of all things being concerned about you, a tiny human they could floss their fangs with.
The trip so far was quiet and uneventful. Ashe got the idea in his head to surf, and he tried it. He slowly stood up on her nose, arms out to his sides for balance, and he did well for a while - until a wave splashed and distracted him and he lost his balance.
Ashe: 0 7/20 Alaska: 0 4/5 Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 7
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 22:36:30 GMT -6
They were crossing the lake at a decent speed and would reach the other side soon. With weight shifts, touches with his heels, and mental communication for guidance, Ashe maneuvered his giant serpent toward the edge, so they wouldn't be completely obvious coming in for a landing. He glanced behind him to see how much of a trail they were leaving, and found a satisfactory answer. Alaska was trailing through the water just where her head was, for Ashe to stay dry. There wasn't much he could do about that. He'd slow her speed so it would be closer to a duck swimming rather than a speedboat. No problem. The rest of her body was safely under water, far enough down to not affect the surface at all. And so, Ashe guided her toward the edge, and then continued along until they reached the edge of the shipping area. He saw a few large cargo ships docked there, and multiple smaller ones scattered around. There was even some sort of yacht with a party going on on it, lights strung and lit up. Maybe he could kill two birds...
Ashe: 0 8/20 Alaska: 1 0/5 Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 8
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 22:46:37 GMT -6
But no, right now he had bigger fish to fry. Ashe had been all ready to climb onto the shore, when an idea had hit him. There was a spell he'd been practicing, that would help him investigate an area he wasn't used to. It was a matter of scrying, in which he could leave his body and explore unhindered. Unseen. He was going to try it. "Hold on. Right here, stay here. Until I return." Ashe laid back on Alaska's face, feeling her confusion. He understood. His wording made it sound like he was leaving, but he was really just laying down. He didn't have time to explain, the anxious butterflies in his gut were urging him to get a move on. What if the books were gone for good by now? So he stared up into the sky, the darkness with the pinpricks of light as the stars came to life. He stared, relaxed, let his vision go out of focus, which ironically brought things into perspective...
And then he was free from his earthly confines and felt himself almost floating.
[Ashe uses Scry at 3MP)
Ashe: 0 9/20 Alaska: 1 1/5 Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 9
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 23:00:07 GMT -6
While Alaska held still beneath him, just the gentle rocking that came with her keeping her balance as waves gently lapped at her body, spectral Ashe rose up and climbed onto the land, hurrying down the path and to the business area of the docks. He felt compelled to keep to the shadows to avoid being seen and had to keep reminding himself that he didn't possess a body right now, that no one would be able to see him anyway. He made his way through, peeping in all the doors he could find that were open, taking his time to look in windows. Most things weren't lit up and he had to force his eyes to adjust, though he was tempted to believe his vision overall was better in this form. Almost like he was using other senses to know rather than to physically see. He was walking deeper into the district when he suddenly heard voices. He felt a chill go through him and was sure he would resemble a startled cat; fur and tail standing on end. He'd gotten too relaxed! But wait, no one could see him.
Ashe: 0 10/20 Alaska: 1 2/5 Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 10
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 23:05:11 GMT -6
Ashe approached the voices, fighting off every single ounce of common sense he possessed. He stayed in the open, to better see the scene he sought, rather than hiding. He was invisible because he wasn't actually here! He was seeing it with his mind! This was almost a chant as he proceeded, repeating the mantra to himself over and over. Relax. And then the people came into view. Ah-ha! There was the guy, the guy from before! And he was talking to someone who was dressed rather proper, like a rich guy. He was in shades of brown, yet somehow elegant, and looked as if he was prepared for a night out on the town, not a night of sneaking around and dealing with thieves. They were speaking in hushed tones and Ashe had to get even closer to be able to hear. They were saying something about the delivery, he heard. Something about tomorrow night at the latest, and the guy should have brought the money now. The well dressed gentleman was saying something about people becoming suspicious and looking for it, that he was having doubts.
Ashe: 0 11/20 Alaska: 1 2/5 -- paused Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 11
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 23:14:56 GMT -6
"Those two that own the bookshop - they're trying to find someone to locate these, erm, items! The people in this city will be on to us!" He was saying.
The shady guy from the quest just smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry, they won't be able to find them. I've switched the entire lot from the Delphos to the Artemis. They'll be looking at the wrong ship, and the papers show that the Artemis arrived after the Delphos, which will make her an improbable target. Meanwhile, the Cross was docked here before she landed, which would make it easier to suspect..."
Honestly, Ashe didn't understand most of that logic, but that could be because his brain had picked up the key he needed; the books were on the Artemis. But which ship was which? He'd have to leave these two to search for the ship names... But he didn't want to leave in case they said something else of interest. Too bad he couldn't leave a speaker here to continue to listen while he searched. After a few moments of hemming and hawing, he decided to wait and listen.
Ashe: 0 12/20 Alaska: 1 2/5 -- paused Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 12
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 23:31:33 GMT -6
Though he waited, they didn't have anything else of import to say. They ended up parting ways, agreeing to meet at midday tomorrow to exchange funds, and then by night they would unload the shipment and the mysterious gentleman would be on his way. Ashe watched the gentleman walk away, then he followed the shady guy from the quest before. He followed him until he left the docks and headed toward the city. Damn, so he wasn't going to check on the - oh shit wait. Ashe did step back into the shadows that time, because here he was, coming back. He was looking paranoid now, almost twitchy. He kept an eye out, and Ashe got the creeping feeling that he could sense Ashe's presence there somehow. But the man walked in a zigzag pattern before he eventually ended up at one of the ships. Ashe noticed the name on her prow, Artemis. This was it, this was where those books were! He stuck close, a few steps behind, as the shady guy walked onto the ship and down into the cargo hold. He turned on a light down there and illuminated a hold full of treasures.
Ashe: 0 13/20 Alaska: 1 2/5 -- paused Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 13
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Post by Ashe on Aug 9, 2020 23:59:38 GMT -6
Ashe gaped at the treasures around him, things that looked like relics or coated in gold. And then his eyes, finally after what seemed like an age of roaming, settled on the books. There weren't nearly as many books as Ashe had assumed there would be - he'd been thinking an entire storage container or something. But this, this amount he could almost carry on his own. Maybe two trips tops and he could have it all on his own. He watched as the shady guy checked everything out and then made for the door. Worried about being left behind, and not positive he could walk through walls yet, he followed him out and slipped through the door as he shut and locked it.
Locked it.
Damn.
But that would be a problem for later. Ashe hung around to make sure the shady guy left, and when he did, Ashe made his way back to Alaska. He climbed down onto his Pliathor's face and touched his body, breaking the spell. He snapped back into consciousness, feeling Alaska sense the difference. She was slightly alarmed, not understanding what happened, but knowing her master had returned.
Ashe: 0 14/20 Alaska: 1 3/5 Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 14
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Post by Ashe on Aug 10, 2020 0:01:29 GMT -6
Now it was time to do the same thing, except in person. When they reached the edge, Ashe directed her to a shadow, then urged her to lift him up. "Please," he added, because he was a gentleman. She rose up out of the water to drop off her cargo, then she slipped back into the water, diving down out of sight. Ashe watched the area she'd disappeared into until he knew she was gone, safe, waiting for him to call on her. With any luck, he wouldn't need to - just find the stash, and somehow lug it away on his own. But if he could get it to a smaller boat, he could borrow it and have her tow them across... Of course, she could immobilize a larger boat if they needed to, too. As long as he didn't get caught and run into trouble himself. Heaving a deep breath and adopting a 'now or never' attitude, he headed down the path to the business end of the docks. It appeared to be quiet, dark and shadowy with minimal lighting except in places to discourage theft. Just as he'd left it. Ashe kept to the shadows himself, trying his best to look out for danger, see into the shadows as well to make sure he was alone, etc.
Ashe: 0 15/20 Alaska: 1 4/5 Ashe is using Sever Bond at 4 MP
Quest Post 15
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