slarnd

[slarnd]

The captain.

Tristette didn't know much about him; Navis' objective was the Accordants, not some kid from Zinkenstill, and the same was true for her. There was only one reason she might care about the captain of the stupids, and she wasn't here.

"Yeah. Wasn't interested in you," she says flatly. "You were just kind of in the way."

She's still not interested, because what does he have to offer her? They might be from the same world, but they aren't friends. They aren't allies, they aren't anything. Even when he mentions Cupitan, it only earns him a derisive snort.

"She's not here." Because I would know if she was, is what she doesn't say. It never bothered her, because she'd already resigned herself to it, in a way. She was prepared to die, and that would've meant they were both alone, though if anyone could hunt her down in the Crimson Horizon, it would've been Cupitan.

Cocking a brow, Tristette mulls over her choices. She doesn't want to be friends with- she doesn't even know his name, come to think of it. She doesn't want to attack him either, because it just seems pointless at this point. The obvious choice is to just leave, but there's a part of her- something so small she won't admit it- that wants to know what happened after she stopped remembering anything.

So she cocks a brow. "Is there something you want? Bet you're just dying to interrogate me. Well spit it out."

@slarnd

he remembers the draph that summoned beasts. that was the first time that he heard of the organization called navis and what their goal entailed and it was the first time he had met cupitan. a bubbly girl with an infectious smile who was just as mysterious as the draph in front of him.

while it felt like the conflict wasn't really finished, gran had more questions about what everything meant.

"you...this would be our first time interacting with each other," well not really. he remembers speaking very little with the draph, but it wasn't really his first interaction as he stated. maybe he could get some information out of her, cupitan was a little vague about what happened after their last interaction with the navis.

"are you by chance looking for cupitan?" or do you already know that she isn't on spirale?

[slarnd]

What a good feeling, to stand at the top of the heap! Even with the world shifted into its alien shape, some things stay the same. The strong take, the weak don't have a say in the matter, and that's just how Tristette likes it. For all she cares about it, she figured taking this Elf's stuff and leaving it for some other Beastkin to find is contributing to the war effort. So it's quite a surprise when the one that blocks her blow is another animal.

As Tristette grits her teeth, the Elf takes the opportunity to scurry away and hide from their clash. Tristette's eyes follow her for just a moment before they narrow at the girl in front of her.

"What are you doing, stupid? Don't you know there's a war going on? We're supposed to be on the same side, or whatever!"

She presses down with her axe, wooden though it is, a grin spreading on her face. "But if you wanna get in my way, I'll take all your stuff too. Who knows, maybe you got something good in your pockets."

@slarnd

☆ It didn't matter if she was a pilot or a beast, Suletta underlying desire to protect others would not change and she would risk her own safety to keep even a stranger safe. A bull beastkin had attacked an elven merchant traveling with her cart through the area Suletta had been napping in.

Neither parties had noticed her though, because she had managed to rush in and block an attack by the bull with her furred and clawed paw-like hands before jumping back to create some distance and block easy access to the merchant and their wares.

"I... don't suppose you'll just leave?" She didn't want to fight if she didn't have to. On a fundamental level, but because she was afraid of her own instincts as a beast.

[slarnd]

Maybe whoever ran this island kept a tight leash over the monster population. With regular cullings, you could keep them out of the areas closer to the city, but... somehow, it didn't seem to suit this place. They didn't have skyfarers or post jobs, there didn't even seem to be any hunters to keep things in check.

"Of course it couldn't be simple," she snorts. "Was kinda hoping this could be a half-day thing so I could take it out on that shopkeeper... Oh well."

They told her she didn't have the money for a real weapon. Whenever she got her hands on Slarnd, they'd regret it.

Her eyes turn away from the city, into the depths of the Mistwoods. It doesn't scare her- she'd seen worse when she was on the run with Cupitan- but it does have a foreboding aura that excites her. Whoever's in charge here keeps the city in an iron grip, so whatever they can't get rid of must be really strong, right?

"Hunting, I guess," she says, turning back to the man. "I used to do it a lot back on my old island. Gotta make sure I don't slip up."

Maybe it's more info than he needs, but she's been feeling... different ever since she got here. Or more accurately, since right before she got here.

"You know your way around this place? What's the best way to head?"

Well, that wasn't the reaction he was expecting-- really, her question left the hero blinking a few times before it registered at all, but eventually, he would answer with a simple nod. That would be all the woman would get from him however, as he took a moment to remove his meal from the hot plate over the fire and put it into his own bowl.

"Not here," was the response she would get eventually, and yet despite being told that she had no interest in his cooking, Link seemed to be setting some aside for her anyway; placing the second bowl back to the empty space next to him.

"Further, into the Mistwood. There's plenty of monsters there."

He paused, blowing at his food and allowing the hot steam to rise past his face; taking a bite once it seemed cool enough to do so. Though he'd been apprehensive by her presence at first, Link felt like his concern had been somewhat unwarranted; after all, while the woman was looking for a fight, it certainly wasn't with him.

Although.. he was still curious as to why she was searching for one at all. She seemed like a warrior from her appearance alone, so maybe..

"Are you hunting? Or are you training?" either way, and despite that he had just finished his own for the day, Link looked like he was interested in her answer.

[slarnd]

That's fine, because Tristette will.

"Ehehehe, c'mon! Even a baby could cast a spell like that! I could hear how stupid you're being from a mile away!"

He's another beastkin, so it wouldn't be right to rob him, probably. Either way, seeing him struggle with such basic magic is a prize in itself, because it's nice for Tristette to be reminded of how much better she is than someone else without having to really work for it.

"Is that why you came all the way out here? So no one could see how lame you're being?"

No, there is someone else here, Tristette was just distracted by the sorry show of magical ability. "Or is this some kinda... thing for you?" she says, casting a sideways glance at the woman.

@slarnd

"Ow!" Ryuki flinched as a miscast lightning bolt seemed to double back on him, hitting him with a loud zap! Tama was snickering from where she floated in the air- not being helpful, but definitely enjoying herself. "You act like this is so easy..."

"Because it is~ For me, anyways." She snickered again, turning where she was at the sounds of someone approaching. "It's okay, Ryuki. I won't make fun of you for sucking at magic too much."

[slarnd]

Fantasia War Info

Draphs are already kind of cattle-adjacent, so Tristette is a bull beastkin. She looks pretty much the same as before, but has a cow tail.

She operates as a bandit, and doesn't feel any special loyalty towards Airaisal. Although she doesn't discriminate with her victims, she's especially cruel towards those from other kingdoms. Stealing from citizens of other kingdoms is her "war effort."

Is your character also doing crime stuff? They could do it together! She isn't against working with others if it gets her what she wants. She just has a superiority complex.

She doesn't use magic much, preferring her physical abilities. Has a beastmaster-type thing going on- this isn't magic, she just kind of bullies monsters into obeying her. She favors brute strength and overwhelming numbers to crush enemies.

[slarnd]

You really don't know what you have until you lose it. Tristette was finding she had taken Slarnd for granted, to a degree; without it there was no easy transport, no intimidation factor, no comfort of lugging a heavy weapon around. Without it, she was normal, and that was infuriating.

But what's even more infuriating is how normal this forest is. For how big it was, you'd expect it to be rife with monsters, but apparently the powers that be kept their population in check. Boring. Normal. Dull. Stupid.

The smell of cooking meat draws her attention, but not her interest. She's not trying to head in its direction, but she soon finds herself in a small clearing, with a crackling flame and a proffered bowl. Tristette snorts at the man.

"Hey, short stuff. I'm not interested in your home cooking. I'm looking for monsters. You know, wolves, bears, that kind of thing. I'm not picky. You seen any?"

What they armed her with wasn't even a wooden Slarnd, it was just a wooden axe. But she's had tons of experience taming monsters with Slarnd's power, how hard can it be? Maybe she can use this guy for bait or something.

▼ :   —   ( @slarnd )

Whether Yiga, monster, or some other type of foe, the feeling of eyes on his back was not unfamiliar to Link in the least-- the hairs on his neck standing on edge as eyes glanced cautiously over his shoulder. He could feel a presence behind him, lurking in the shadows just as he finished setting up camp for the evening; a warm, crackling fire filling former silent space around him.

He had just finished training for the day, deciding to reside in the forest overnight as he cooked his dinner; the scent of salted meat and grilled vegetables wafting through the air. Part of the hero couldn't help but wonder if that was what drew whoever was watching him to his side-- choosing not to ready the sword on his back, though his quill of arrows of bow lay just within reach from his seat on the ground.

Well.. he wouldn't know until they made themselves known, but perhaps Link could entice them to do so-- reaching into his pack and pulling out a second bowl to set next to his own.

[slarnd]

i'd devour you whole if you'd let me 🩸🫀

hand knit and crocheted, words by me

[slarnd]

Oh, she hit a child? Maybe it would've been a little sad if she thought about it; someone dying young and coming to this strange afterlife. Orphaned by their own mortality, perhaps leaving some grieving parents behind. However, Tristette's thoughts stop at the sound of a can striking someone's head, and she continues to cackle.

"Trash getting hit by trash! You couldn't plan it any better!"

Even as the little girl gets in her way, Tristette continues to laugh. It isn't until the question is posed that she finally gives pause, not because she doesn't know what to say, but because it has implications.

"...Yeah, I am. That unusual around here?"

She takes a moment to look around, and new questions begin to collect om her mind. She didn't pretend to understand what was going on, but if there was a new twist to it, and some know-it-all presents herself...

Tristette looks her square in the eye, which isn't difficult given they're about the same height, and cocks a brow. "If you know something, then just spill it. I'm not in the mood for guessing games."

By the sheer miracle of taking a moment to look through her notebook rather than walking out through the street Cagliostro managed to avoid the worst possible scenario. A can from behind a wall hitting the back of her head and whoever was at the receiving end getting some of the worst pain she could dish out in her current state. However the one who did get hit only shook it off, cursing out whoever the culprit was before wandering on off.

As for her however, she felt a morbid curiosity draw her to whoever did it. And unfortunately it was something Cagliostro wasn't expecting, yet she still felt was always a possibility ever since arriving here.

"That's a draph alright. Unless some other world out there has people with horns like that." If they did it was still something to look into while she was here. After all if the alchemist wasn't going to do it then she sure as hell knew the Captain would at some point. And everyone knew how that conversation would go...

"I really gotta stop getting myself involved in this kind of stuff for their sake..." And yet here she was sliding her way around the corner to make her presence known.

"Hey, you're from the sky realm aren't you?"

[slarnd]

The cackle melts away from Tristette's lips; if this girl's goal was to confuse her, then she'd succeeded.

"That's... Yes? Is that not how it works on whatever island you come from? Do you wear signs around your necks with your feelings on them or whatever? 'Cuz you can tell how I'm feeling right now, right? I'm wondering what's wrong with you."

" the look on my face, is it .. ? " there's a pause. while she wouldn't argue that she might be a little traumatized after her adventures, kehda simply closes her eyes in feigned thought. " so you rely on reading people's expressions to tell you what they're thinking .. ? "

[slarnd]

"Well it's not-a-CHOO- going to! I've had allergies all my life, and if they couldn't kill me then, why would they now? Idiot."

Tristette takes a moment to try and shoo the dog away; it looks at her for a moment before turning around in a circle. "Great, I'm surrounded by stupids," she groans, wiping her nose with the back of her hand.

But the dog and the man are both insistent, so she listens to his words with a blank expression. She's trying to communicate she doesn't care as hard as she can, but it doesn't seem to be working on either of them. So finally, when he's done, she rolls her eyes.

"I know how medicine works. If you're such a genius, why don't you make yourself useful and go get some? Go on boy, fetch."

At her words, the dog barks and runs off. She watches it go before bursting into a cackle. "Eheheh, at least someone knows how to listen! If you're not careful, the dog's gonna take your place, big guy!"

 “Too much snot can actually choke you.” He says even though he’s full of bullshit on this claim. Afterall theres nothing really being blocked, her airways are fine if she could keep talking and everytime she sneezes, its going out. But it was stupid to keep being near the dog she is clearly allergic to. 

What does he know about the human world that might help…wait, why should he help someone who is clearly stupid here? being near something that might kill you, or cause a whole bad day?

 Hmm….

 “There is a medicine, that can help in preventing allergies so you can pet the dog whenever you want.” 

He mentions, after a moment of thinking. 

After all, it was hard seeing someone this stupid around.

[slarnd]

"Sure, sure, once you've fought someone, fought with someone, killed with someone..."

"Wait, the look on your face, you're actually buying this, aren't you? Hehehe, you're touched in the head! Don't be stupid!"

" you clearly understand. some people bond through trust falls .. other people learn to bond over shared trauma. "

[slarnd]

"Sure, it brings people closer. You kill someone, then you have a nice little burden you can carry together. That's a fun bonding activity."

" sometimes murder builds character. " humor is not always the best coping mechanism for trauma. ( hydaelyn must have been out of options when she chose this one. )

[slarnd]

"When I break the law I sure don't fucking talk about it in public. Stupid."

[slarnd]

She stares at him for a moment, and the only sound that permeates the scene is the gentle panting of the dog. His tail thumps on the ground once or twice as he looks back and forth between the two people gathered. He's not currently being pet right now, and so he gives a soft whine.

Tristette wipes her nose with her sleeve again. "Are you stu-aCHOO!"

Another sneeze, followed by a cough, and she shakes her head. "I mean, are you a mor-aCHOO!"

Stumbling to her feet, she takes a few steps away from the dog. "Of course she would've smashed my mask, it's like she knew it was going to be a pain in the ass later..." she grumbles to herself.

"Anyways, like I was saying. You stupid? No way something like this could kill me." She takes a moment to size him up; big guy, but not much bigger than another draph. Nothing special.

"How could I die again, anyways? Unless they got some stupid rule about that too-aCHOO!" Sniffling again, she looks down and finds the dog staring at her, tail thumping as it watches her. She reaches out and pets it, despite the watering of her eyes.

Dogs were useless , truly. The more useful dogs had more demonic origins to them, and that was a fact because they could smell, they could track and most of all they could talk. What more do you need from a dog?

Boredom etches into his features as he looks at the woman using her powers, the faint sense of something happening. But Jabberwock never thought too deeply in such trivial matters.

"You have snot covering your mouth."

He says in greeting. One hand pointing to the snot filled face. It was rude, it was unsightly, but Jabberwock has nothing else to say. Expect maybe a slight worry that too much snot can kill her by choking the air out of her.

"You'll need to wipe it or you'll choke and die."

An extreme, but an option considering she's still near the dog that looks like she's clearly allergic to.

[slarnd]

She wasn't even staring at the girl, more just in her general direction. There was just a lot of stuff to take in on this island, like the big tree, or the big canyon, or the big whirlpool- someone was really original with those landmarks- but if this girl wants to start something, Tristette doesn't back down from a challenge.

"Nah, they didn't. I was just thinking you had a familiar face. Reminds me of someone I used to know, she had the same stupid expression all the time... Yeah, that's the one!"

"Hehehe, that kind of blank stare like she didn't know what was going on, that's the same look you have right now! You'd be two stupid peas in a pod!"

She didn't flinch, not for a second. She's gotta prove she's the top dog here.

The last thing Mika wanted to do still so early in her time in Spirale was to assume the worst about people. But everything about the individual that locked eyes with her screamed trouble. Her outfit, the way her body slouched (as if that was an actual point against her), and the demeanor despite not even saying a word were all red flags.

And the horns, those annoying horns that reminded her of the students from Gehenna. Nevertheless she calmly walked on over, trying her best not to say something she'd regret and addressing the clear problem right away.

"Do you need something? Or did no one teach you not to stare?" It certainly wasn't off to a great start...

@slarnd | s.c

[slarnd]

Why is a wolf considered a monster, while a dog is just an animal? Tristette had never tried to see if Slarnd's power worked on people's pets, but it would've been fun to find out. Imagining all those people panicking because their dogs and cats and birds suddenly abandoned them to flock to her instead puts a smile on her face.

"Oh, look at you. Big guy. What are they feeding you here?"

It's a big dog. Doesn't seem to have an owner, and it seems content to be pet for now. Some fluffy thing, she doesn't know breed names and doesn't care to learn. She doesn't need to, they're all just stupid dogs. That's what's so nice about them, dogs know they're stupid so you don't need to prove your authority.

"Woof. You're just a big stupid, huh? You know your place, right? Hehehea-a-achoo!"

All that fur in the air sends Tristette into a sneezing fit. Once, twice, thrice, and all the while, her eyes begin to water and snot drips from her nose. It takes her a few minutes to compose herself, wiping her nose with her sleeve, all while the dog continues to sit there, tail wagging happily.

"Damn it, every time... Do you need something or what?"

It's hard to miss the guy who's been standing there for the past few minutes. Tristette had been making it a point to ignore him, but it's hard to play off an allergy attack.

"Or are you just some nasty stalker? I already have one of those, so buzz off."

@vorpalwhimsy

[slarnd]

She'd already raided the icebox at the home they'd stuck her in; it was her home so it was her food, right? But exploring- or was it nerves?- made her hungry, and she still wasn't totally sure if people would be pissed if she just took things. While a lot of the specifics of the island were still foreign to her, the overall idea was the same. No matter where you went, people didn't change, and they were usually mad when you took what you wanted.

"Gotta find where Slarnd went..." she muttered to herself. "Later."

Tristette's wandering brought her to rows of food trapped behind glass, perfectly unattended food locked away in some strange machine. Hitting it did nothing, tapping the buttons on its surface just made noises, so how the hell did the people on this island feed themselves?

"Hey, erune." She snaps her fingers at an animal-eared girl walking past, not bothering to peel her eyes from the food. "I'm new to this island. You know how this thing works? I'm really tired of all these stupid games."

@enflourish