venalos-archived

[venalos-archived]

HEY. FOLLOW ME HERE.

A Monster Hunter & Pokémon crossover role-play blog for multiple original characters. Independent, selective, and dashboard-only. Written and maintained by Panda🐼.

Please go over the guidelines and character pages before interacting, both below the "Keep reading" cut.

Please like and/or reblog if interested. Personal blogs that interact will be blocked (with exceptions, e.g. hub blogs).

Guidelines

Adamantia, the Diamond Devotion Safine, the Sapphire Star Ameth, the Amethyst Apex Topace, the Topaz Triumph Marina, the Aquamarine Archon Rubina, the Ruby Reckoning

The Region (optional read)

[venalos-archived]

🐼

Y'know what, after taking a good, long look at my blog, I figured that there are some things about it that I'm not 100% happy with and want to change (e.g. characterisations; "He/She/They would NOT say this").

I'm definitely coming back to write with y'all, but chances are I'm either gonna be reworking this blog or archive it and start somewhat fresh.

🐼

Gonna be honest, gang, I've been feeling real bad about this blog for a while and I have no idea as to why.

So, uh.

Take this as a semi-hiatus announcement. I'll still be here to lurk every now and then, but threads will be put on hold until I get over this slump.

I got my Discord username below the read-more in case anyone wants to contact me directly. Of course, make sure to let me know what your usernames are as well so I know who's who.

Sorry, y'all.

captain_pandastic_panda

[venalos-archived]

🐼

Gonna be honest, gang, I've been feeling real bad about this blog for a while and I have no idea as to why.

So, uh.

Take this as a semi-hiatus announcement. I'll still be here to lurk every now and then, but threads will be put on hold until I get over this slump.

I got my Discord username below the read-more in case anyone wants to contact me directly. Of course, make sure to let me know what your usernames are as well so I know who's who.

Sorry, y'all.

captain_pandastic_panda

[venalos-archived]

"Oh, come on, you look great!"

Chantilly continued to hold up the mirror excitedly, peeking from behind it and beaming at his partner.

"You look like an angel!"

Adamantia seemed hardly convinced. She looked herself over in the mirror, turning this way and twisting that way, an eyebrow raised in a pensive fashion and her lips pursed to one side. She turned around to look at the countless feathers trailing from her shoulders and hips, each flawless and white. Then she faced forward again and looked down at her boots, then her gauntlets, also snow-white and pristine. Slowly, surely, her eyes would trail towards the milky hood and mask, set aside for easier viewing before wearing them.

She would be lying if she said she disliked any of the pieces that made up Zoh Shia's armour; however...

"Not to insult all the hard work Gemma and 'Legend' put into the armour, because it genuinely looks and feels amazing, but..."

"But?" urged the Felyne, eager for Adamantia to finish her thought.

"... It just isn't sitting right with me."

Chantilly's smile dropped and he carefully set the mirror down, asking, "Wh... What do you mean by that?"

Adamantia huffed. "Maybe I'm just being silly, but...you know the superstitions regarding Black Dragon equipment, don't you?"

That made Chantilly grimace and pin his ears back. He even went so far as to softly recoil in utter revulsion at the mere mentioning of the topic, which was the only real answer his partner needed to continue.

"I'm not saying that I suddenly hear voices in my head, or that I have the desire to tear out people's guts with my bare hands, or any kind of nonsense. Quite the opposite, actually."

She paused, choosing her next words very carefully.

"What I'm trying to say is...something feels a little wrong."

Chantilly interrupted, "As though you're not supposed to wear it?"

"Exactly that."

The two fell still for a handful of seconds, the silence between them deafening, with nothing occurring save for the two sharing eye contact the entire time. Then it was broken, Chantilly turning his gaze towards the tent floor and Adamantia rubbing the back of her head. Neither was entirely certain what to say to assuage the other's new-formed worries.

"... So, uh, you're not gonna use it?" Chantilly asked at last.

"Of course I will," came Adamantia's swift reply. "It doesn't feel entirely right, but it does feel...good. Like I'm stronger than before."

She turned her gaze towards the mirror again, looking herself in the eye. She stood taller and puffed out her chest, now looking fittingly imposing for a Guild Knight who had donned armour forged from a formidable beast like Zoh Shia.

"Maybe with this armour, I can finally..."

"... You can finally...?" Chantilly prodded.

Adamantia shook her head and looked down at him. "Never mind, it's nothing important."

The Felyne pouted and crossed his paws at her, but made no further comment. Although, he did go on to ask, "So, uh, what about the Dual Blades?" and point at the propped-up weapons.

Zoh Shia's Dual Blades, the Blazing Liel, were a pair of masterpieces. Together they appeared like a single blade when sheathed, though Adamantia knew better; unsheathed the one blade became two, one acting as the other's scabbard, a blade like bands of hardened, pure-white ribbons and the other a solid sword of pitch-black matter, pulsating with a blue-glowing core. Meticulously crafted, wonderfully light and sharp. Gemma and Legend did not disappoint.

Adamantia nodded at Chantilly, a smile finally gracing her lips.

"Perfect score, no complaints. I'll definitely use them."

[venalos-archived]

Her stomach churned as she looked on in apprehension.

There it was. Zoh Shia.

What once was meant to be ancient Wyveria's salvation, now the silent custodian of what ruins remained. Curled in on itself, encased in a cocoon of Wylk and resting within the Dragontorch. Before it lay countless lesser cocoons, each like the bud of a snow-white blossom, yet she knew that roiling within them were masses of black, putrid tar with wills of their own. Melting away into puddles, only to amass and crawl onto Zoh Shia like sentient oil slicks whenever it deigned fit to emerge.

This would be the third time she had come to confront the Guardian, the second time it had resurrected itself. Erik's theory rang through her mind, how he surmised that it could endlessly regenerate from even the smallest of scraps so long as the Dragontorch was there for it to feast upon. Her skin crawled at the idea of having to face an enemy that could never be killed, an enemy that could possibly return to life better and stronger than before.

Zoh Shia slowly emerged from its cocoon, the Wylk melting away to reveal its pitch-black form. The dark masses coalesced onto its body, and the Wylk rematerialised to conceal its misbegotten figure in the sharp angles of crystallised energy. The artificial beast had yet to see her, thank goodness, yet it was clear that it sensed her presence and connected the dots.

After all, twice is coincidence, thrice is a pattern.

She continued to look on from a distance as Zoh Shia took its place in the middle of the arena, tail curled around itself and sitting idle. She knew this monstrosity was hubris made manifest, that its devastating might could never be controlled even if the ancient people of Wyveria did everything right. To even attempt doing so would be madness; it would be suicide.

And yet...

Adamantia could not help but wonder if this synthetic Black Dragon could be tamed.

Then, maybe then... Perhaps then she could finally stand shoulder to shoulder with her relatives, her family.

[venalos-archived]

"Sir, you- Sir!? Champion Lance, you can't just-"

Adamantia sputtered, utterly bewildered at the fact that he left her side just like that. Not only that, he was also approaching the Jin Dahaad! How would Professor Fabius react if he found out that she just let Lance get himself killed?! Would would it affect inter-regional relations?! Undoubtedly, the death of a Champion would lead to severe political consequences!

Groaning in frustration, she could only look on in abject horror, aware of the fact that her presence would send Priscus flying into an even worse rampage.

Unsurprisingly, Priscus swiftly caught on to another presence. Slowly, like an unstoppable glacier, his vast form twisted around to face the random intruder. A metallic growl escaped his jaws, his ridges began to rub against one another and glow red in obvious agitation. However, he did not attack, not yet. There was something about this intruder, this human, that was...off-putting? Not in a negative sense, no, and yet...

His growling ceased and his jaws closed, the red-hot glow of his ridges abated. Needless to say, Priscus was confused.

... And so was Adamantia, whose horror melted into bewilderment. Where she expected a slaughter there was silence, the howling winds of the blizzard the only thing cutting through the silence.

"... Huh."

"I'm willing to risk it." Pity about the exporting though. He really did want one of these. He contemplated for a moment before finally striding towards the pokemon. His pokemon were alert enough in their balls to interfere if this turned dangerous quickly, but in the meantime he'd approach without any threats.

Dragon to dragon, for a first meeting.

Lance paused a few feet away to wait, chin lifted as he studied the dragon in front of him. Powerful for sure. It'd be stupid to intrude any further; the trick, in his experience, was to let the dragon make the first move.

[venalos-archived]

Chantilly's grin continued to grow as he listened to Nata speak, knowing full well where this was going. Then, when the reveal came that Nata wished to become a Rider as well, he nearly jumped for joy! Although it was suppressed enough that the following action was merely Chantilly hopping to his hind paws and patting Nata on the knee.

"That's awesome!" he exclaimed, smiling from ear to ear and his joy infectious. "It's always great to see others wanting to become Riders!"

As he stepped away from Nata, Chantilly would close his eyes and put a paw to his chin in obvioous reminiscence.

"Ahh... I remember the beginning of Ada's Rider journey like it was yesterday..."

Alma chuckled, "That's because she tamed Lazarus only a few days ago."

At that Chantilly whipped around to face her, and he pointed one of his pink, soft beans at her.

"I'm not talking about Lazzy, I'm talking about her Kinship Stone!"

The Felyne turned around again, hopping onto Adamantia's hammock for some extra height. There he turned yet again to address his two friends, placing his paws on his hips.

"You see, Ada got her Kinship Stone from her momma! She herself's a legendary Rider, so big and strong she'd make a Blangonga look like a Blango!"

Alma's eyes lit up in recognition. "You mean Rubina Drakos, the Ruby Reckoning?"

"Yeah, that's her!"

"Well, I already knew about their relations, but..." Alma gave a thoughtful pause before looking to Nata. "Chantilly's right. Adamantia's mother is a massive woman, taller and more muscular than even Professor Fabius, and you've how big he is."

"Frighteningly powerful, too," Adamantia interjected, nearly causing Chantilly and Alma to leap out of their skins! "My apologies for startling you."

Adamantia stepped through the tent's mouth, looking a little more unkempt than earlier. Her gloves especially, which were coated in a light layer of fur and just a hint of gore. She made sure to take them off before touching anything, turning them inside-out as she did.

"Ah, it's alright..." Alma murmured, a hand over her chest to calm herself (an action Chantilly mimicked).

An awkward pause followed, Adamantia still standing by the entrance while shifting her gaze between the three. It was only after several heavy seconds did she finally force out a sigh, briefly hanging her head limply before standing straight again.

"I would like to apologise for my earlier behaviour," Adamantia began, suddenly a little stiff in how she carried herself. "I shouldn't have snapped like that, none of you deserved to witness it."

She placed a hand on her chest as well, then gave a deep and apologetic bow. 

"I promise, it won't happen again."

Another awkward silence followed, this time cut short by Chantilly hopping off of Adamantia's hammock and waddling up to her, stating, "Nata wants to talk to you about becoming a Rider!"

Her eyebrows raised, making her mild surprise obvious. She cast her gaze upon Nata, casting her dirtied gloves aside.

"Do you? None would be opposed to it."

FRUSTRATED WITH WHAT? Nata kept that question to himself, though it was probably a good one to ponder. He had only known Adamantia as patient, stoic and kind . . . far from flawless, but both she and Olivia were people that Nata held in high regard. So what could be owing to her sudden (or perhaps more obvious) frustrations? Was it her new ranking as a rider, or perhaps self-doubt? Just what was that mysterious girl hiding?

. . . Well, he felt it wrong to try and find out so soon. For now, the youth trusted in Chantilly's word. Though, if events started to recur, Nata might feel tempted to prod for more information. He wanted to understand. He wanted to help.

There's already so much on his young shoulders. His stare towards the tent entrance is long-drawn and thoughtful, and it didn't waver until the felyne's statement: "That look in your eyes…I know it well."

"U-uh, oh," That came as a surprise to Nata, but he shouldn't have put it past either one of them to be so perceptive. Blinking away his arched brows as he looked back at Chantilly, and then to Alma, the youth looked briefly stunned.

Was it really that obvious?

"Well . . . I have been thinking about it for a while." He began. " . . . When I first met you all, I wouldn't have even considered the possibility. I mean, people coexisting with pokemon? Riders? I didn't believe it at all at first . . . and I'm sorry about that . . ."

It was no secret by now; Nata used to hate monsters—pokemon—whatever the greater world referred to them. Not that he could be blamed, given everything he had gone through, but he had let his own fear and anger control him. " . . . But, now I think I understand it. And, I think its something really special! To be able to form a bond with something like that . . . I don't know if I'd ever be worthy of learning, but if I am, then . . . I'd like to try. I'd like to become a rider."

A pause, before his grey eyes trail down to the floor. "I'd been wanting to talk to her about it for a little while now . . ."

[venalos-archived]

@beiowzero, cont.

He would be correct in looking the opposite way, for something else came rushing down the slope. However, it was not a trainer desperately running after their escaped Pokémon. No, it was much bigger, much faster, and much...fishier?

Whatever the newcomer may have been, it was swimming through the snow! Not digging through, not sliding over it, a massive and blade-like horn cast aside snow like the bow waves of a ship. For a split-second the gleaming sword disappeared below the blanket of white, only for the beast to erupt forth in its entirety. Indeed, it was a massive fish-like Pokémon, covered in blue-and-cream scales and lobed fins. It landed beside the giant rabbit with a great "splash" of snow, scattering it everywhere (and inadvertently burying the mountaineers again).

The fish beast had landed awkwardly on its belly, though righted itself with a flick of its tail and jumped onto a pair of finned legs. It shook itself, scattering even more snow, then turned to the other Pokémon with an agitated hiss. Though shorter than the great hare as the latter stood upright, the piscine Pokémon was much longer, perhaps overall more massive.

The two Pokémon seemed to almost argue with one another, going back and forth with a chorus of grunts and hisses -- the rabbit appeared almost smug, in an anthropomorphising way. Regardless, it slumped back onto all fours as its fishy companion dug head-first into the snow again, the latter's horn and back fins the only thing poking out through the surface.

A twitch of its ears and nose as the rabbit smelled the ground, and it did not take long for it to notice the blue-haired human staring. The beast tilted its head in an inquisitive manner; a lunge of its hind legs sent it gliding over the snow and towards him in the blink of an eye, skidding to a halt mere inches away.

... Ah. It was sniffing him, now. At the very least the Pokémon appeared to be harmless, despite its immense size.

[venalos-archived]

they'd know this look. it was a look she had when she was on her hunting mode, except the fact that now those golden hues were looking at them. specifically their neck. if she had sunk her fangs into them and said it's supposed to be an april fool's joke, would they let her get off scot-free ? decisions decisions. [ eden to topace HJHJKLKHK ]

Indeed, Topace knew it well.

They could already sense Eden approaching before she even entered their line of sight, like the light cast by a lantern in the dark. A warm and comforting presence, in all fairness and honesty, yet Topace could also see her intent from a mile away. It was...not the first time she had bitten them, and this will certainly not be her final attempt.

Really, this exact scenario had happened multiple times before, each scene playing out with minor variations. Topace had the "marks" to prove it. They rose from their seat slowly, as to not trigger Eden's hunting instincts, their eyes locking with her own in an intense staring contest. Unblinking, unmoving. This was a stand-off not between lovers (begrudgingly, on Topace's part), but between two rival predators. The two were each other's prey and greatest danger.

There could only be one victor, only one who would walk away from this confrontation. Topace knew it, Eden knew it, the Felyne servant who just walked in with fresh tea knew it.

...

Honestly, if Eden tried to play off biting them as an April Fool's joke, Topace would be even more miffed than they would usually be.

Raising a finger at Eden, Topace gravely uttered, "Don't. You. Dare."

[venalos-archived]

Adamantia saw the strike coming from a mile away. She could tell by the way Mari's jaw clenched, how her hands balled into tight fists, by the fire and fury burning in her crimson eyes. She saw Mari rolling her shoulder back to prime the punch, and everything slowed down as the fist came flying for Adamantia's face. She had to admit, even if it was a moment of passion, it was a good and solid punch; proper posture, good angle, the way Mari leaned back was a nice touch that would amplify its strength...

"BULLSHIT!"

She made no move to dodge, only passively closing her eyes as Mari hit her mark. A gasp rolled over whoever was watching; Chantilly yowled in alarm; the Knight was forced to step back.

Even though it was a good punch, Adamantia did not even flinch. It was not the first time she was struck; she faced bigger, stronger opponents before. Compared to them, poachers and crooks whose every attack was fuelled with killing intent, Mari's strike was lacking.

And yet, a part of Adamantia wanted this to happen all the same.

She recovered quickly, sliding the foot used to brace against her fall back to a steady posture. Slowly her eyes opened, her expression unnervingly calm and unreadable. It would be difficult for others to tell if Adamantia was taken aback by this sudden assault or woefully unimpressed, yet those who knew her would figure out that it was most certainly the latter.

Slowly, a frightening frown sneaked its way across her lips. A horrifying glint shone in her eyes.

"You want me to act like a Guild Knight...?" she questioned, her voice suddenly grave. "Alright."

Adamantia's movements were a blur; her hands shot out to grab Mari's shoulders and pull, her knee shot upward and forced itself into her gut with thunderous force! Mari was strong, yet Adamantia would quickly prove herself stronger.

She let go, letting Mari collapse. People yelled. Chantilly screamed.

A debilitating blow, to be sure. One that Adamantia used before, one that made even hardened fighters of greater mass crumble to the floor. Adamantia kneeled down beside her collapsed foe and placed an arm on her raised knee, almost lackadaisical in her movement. "I'm genuinely sorry about what happened to your Rathalos," she admitted, this time showing at least a hint of sympathy, "and it's completely unacceptable that a branch of the Hunter's Guild failed in checking those Hunters' backgrounds. But, whether or not you think I 'abuse' my authority is irrelevant."

Adamantia leaned down, closer to Mari's face.

"I admit that, in hindsight, holding your beloved at sword-point was unnecessary...but I'm not the one going around throwing the first punch."

CRIMINAL. What a poor shitshow of an excuse. Mari felt her teeth clench tighter, her knuckles brazen and white as they squeezed tighter when she heard such a description. It only made matters worse, given that Church had confided in Mari the suspected reason for why Adamantia had confronted him in the first place: It had been jealousy.

This girl maliced them out of pure envy of Rubina's adoration, or so Church believed. Mari would take his word for it, but that was besides the point she was here to make. Adamantia's sarcastic use of 'monstie' only serves to embitter the Champion of Mahana further, and she cracks.

"BULLSHIT!"

CRACK. The sound carries throughout the camp following her even sharper yell as her knuckles strike, hot and fast against the hunter's cheek. Despite Mari's lacking height, the applied force should be enough to knock the unsuspecting Adamantia onto her back. Mari was bristling. The once restrained anger is now unleashed to full on fury, and it shows with the fire burning in her eyes.

"YOU'RE A GUILD KNIGHT AREN'T YOU?! Act like one!" She roars. The rider could elaborate, but her words should be clear enough. This wasn't just about threatening her loved one, though it certainly made things personal. This was the fact that Adamantia, a ranking superior, had acted unprofessionally and abused her title to intimidate someone who had done nothing worth stirring such ire.

"Though I shouldn't be too surprised, HUH?! You people really are the same. When Church and I signed onto this, we were promised we wouldn't be treated like dirt like we were by the hunters who stole my rathalos. WHAT A FUCKING JOKE! All you do with power is abuse it!"

[venalos-archived]

Adamantia had to restrain herself from rubbing her eyes in utter exasperation. Although it would be objectively correct to say that Mari was justified in her anger, Adamantia's own disdain towards the other two Riders prevented her from reaching a similar conclusion. From her own perspective, she was in the right for her mistreatment of Church. 

Why was it that he and Mari so readily received mom's praise while I have to struggle for even so much as basic recognition!?

Her hands clenched into fists, then unfurled and stretched wide -- Adamantia's nervous tic.

"I didn't know that he's your lover," Adamantia lied, keeping her tone steady. "Regardless, he unfortunately looks very similar to a wanted criminal, so I had to interrogate him."

Whether or not Church shared an appearance with a Guild target meant little when one knew why Adamantia confronted him in the first place; it was pure envy, a demand for knowledge as to how to be acknowledged by such a legendary figure. Little did she know that she already had her mother's adoration in spades -- Mari would surely know of this -- yet Adamantia herself was unable to see it.

Chantilly continued to look between the two Riders, hoping to calm them before things could turn ugly. "C'mon, girls, c-can't we talk about this someplace-"

Adamantia's eyes narrowed as she interrupted, "Besides, my 'monstie' still tried to attack me even after doing everything you said, so your advice ended up being worthless."

Her Palico winced. Other people looked amongst themselves nervously. Even Adamantia felt as though she crossed a line, though only for barely a second. A lapse in judgement brought about by a sudden flare of rage, of indignation, a feeling that the two Riders did not even deserve to have been included in the expedition.

She wanted them gone.

"HI." UNLIKE ADAMANTIA, HER FACADE IS HONEST, and its clear that she's upset, disappointed even. The snide curl of her lip and the crinkle of her scarred nose and eyes made her disdain easily apparent. Despite being significantly shorter than the other teen, Mari did not seem the slightest bit intimidated, even in the presence of an alleged 'Guild Knight.'

At first, the rider keeps her tone low, bordering a hiss for emphasis, almost as if she was doing her best to keep the conversation from immediately blowing up base camp. "What was that you pulled with my partner the other day? I try to give you advice on how to wrangle your monsties, and you repay me by threatening my significant other?"

She didn't even offer two winks towards Chantilly. To her, the felyne was practically invisible, despite his efforts to be present.

@venalos - continued

[venalos-archived]

"One of?!" Adamantia hissed, now genuinely considering cutting Church down where he stood. "I'm an only child; my-"

She purposely bit her own tongue, silencing herself. Agitated as she had become, she knew better than to pour her heart out with so many eyes on her. Truly, that would have been no less embarrassing and pathetic than collapsing and breaking into ugly tears. Instead she would exhale through her nose, slowly yet loudly. Her gaze had shifted from accusatory to downright murderous.

She almost scoffed when Church spoke of the Zinogre incident, remaining silent. Indeed, that was something her mother had written about as well. It was obvious that Adamantia remained unimpressed, however.

"That would've been noteworthy had you done that yourself," she pointed out, heavily implying that such a task would have been child's play with Rubina and Rex to lend aid. Her blade was pointed at his chest again in an accusatory fashion. "Go on, tell me something you yourself-"

"Hey, Ada!!" a shrill voice called out!

Adamantia's tore her attention away from Church, her expression flipping to one of genuine surprise. The spell appeared broken; everyone who had gathered to watch from a safe distance was forced to look at the sudden intrusion.

Even Puzo was caught off-guard, her tentacles a writhing mass as she turned to face the source of the yell.

Huffing and puffing as he ran on all fours, Chantilly entered the scene! The poor Felyne appeared almost out of breath as he stopped just a few feet shy of the confrontation, paws on his hips and doubled over as he struggled to gather himself. A few deep inhales later he stood as straight as he could, his eyes pleading as he looked up towards Adamantia.

"Hey, partner, c'mon, there's no need for that!"

Chantilly was one of the few people alive Adamantia trusted with all her heart and soul, and one of the few who could so swiftly curb her indignation. Still, her expression remained severe -- her brows were furrowed and frown wide -- turning her gaze to glare at Church again, her blade still aimed at him.

Again Chantilly attempted intervention. "Ada, buddy, you and Puzo roughed him up enough! Don't we have better things to-"

He was silenced by a sudden flash of her blade! Yet no flesh was rend, and with a click Adamantia sheathed her sword. Her withering glare remained on Church for several more agonising seconds, the Knight silent the entire time. Then, without warning, she turned on her heel and marched off, towards the base camp entrance and out into the field.

Her poor Palico and Xu Wu were left behind, unsure what to do. Ultimately, Puzo began to glide across the ground and after her Rider, pausing only to give Church one more "glance" and a cursory poke of a tendril. As the Cephalopod left the scene so too did the gathered crowd peel away to continue on with their day, muttering amongst themselves.

Chantilly heaved a sigh and wiped the back of his paw over his forehead, relieved at having averted disaster. He turned to look up at Church, giving him an apologetic bow.

"I'm so, so sorry you had to experience this. I promise you, she's usually sweet as candy..."

Church's expression was flat, making a conscious effort to look as unimpressed with her introduction as physically possible as he crossed his arms. It probably a little petty, maybe even childish, but Adamantia had hardly made a very good first impression, and it had soured his mood very quickly.

Only when se mentioned Rubina did he perk up slightly, blinking in mild surprise.

"...oh. You're one of Rubina's kids?" he asked, scratching the side of his head. "Sheesh, you two don't have much in common, do ya..."

He'd puff out his chest in pride at what was apparently Ruby's description of him, but he was still baffled by this whole situation. Still, it was nice to know she at least had a good opinion of him.

"Uh... I helped her capture a Zinogre?" he said with a shrug. "When I first showed up here, one of the bastards was chasing me and my monstie. She helped turn the tables with Rex."

He could hardly take all the credit for that situation, obviously, but that was the only time Rubina had seen him in a fight so far, as far as he could remember.

[venalos-archived]

"Hey! Rider." Mari's voice is curt and interrogative, stifling the urge to fume. She calls over Adamantia, less like a friend and more like an agitated coworker. "I need to talk to you for a sec."

Oh, fantastic. Just great. Here comes mom's OTHER favourite...

Adamantia came dangerously close to speaking her thoughts out loud, though her training proved vital in keeping her from adding fuel to the metaphorical flames. Still, as Mari approached, Adamantia added literal fuel to the flame crackling before her, tossing in a small log and making it flare. With a sigh she rose from her seat, drawing some curious glances from fellow expedition members who were also sitting by the fire.

Chantilly was present as well, and he was the only one to frown.

This evening was one of the few times Adamantia was not wearing her uniform, having chosen lighter clothes as she prepared to unwind for the night, and still her presence became stifling the moment Mari made her presence known. Slowly Adamantia turned to face Mari, and she did as requested, approaching her with long strides.

Adamantia put a hand to her chest and gave a bow, more out of obligation than genuine respect; she did not think fondly of Mari nor Church, despite all the showering praise Rubina gave the two in the many letters she sent to her daughter. Or, perhaps, exactly because of the praise the two received...

"Good evening, Mari," Adamantia greeted, taking on a cordial tone despite her oppressive air and the resentment bubbling deep within. "What is it you wish to discuss?"

Despite asking this question, Adamantia could already tell why Mari was confronting her.

Chantilly also rose from his seat, quickly pitter-pattering towards them to stand beside his partner. The way he looked between the two Riders betrayed uncertainty -- currently everything seemed to be under control, yet a pessimistic part of him knew that the peace would not last for long.

[venalos-archived]

Adamantia nodded as Lance correctly identified Priscus' typing.

"Jin Dahaad are primarily Ice-type and secondarily Steel-type," she explained, matter-of-factly. "They can crush virtually anything in their path, and their Ice-type attacks are...devastating."

Indeed, she vividly recalled her first encounter with Priscus. Back when he was still a wild Pokémon, blocking her and her companions' path to Suja, blocking them on their mission to learn of the Guardian Arkveld's true nature. He attacked them out of nowhere, even with Rove's earlier assurance that he was absent, and pursued them relentlessly. The following battle was terrible and exhausting; Adamantia knew it was only thanks to Olivia's assistance did they survive to escape and reach their destination.

Priscus raised his head, scanning his surroundings with his dark, black eyes. Vigilant as ever, the uncontested ruler of the Iceshard Cliffs.

Adamantia inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, focusing on Lance again. Although a Champion, the fact still remained that he appeared out of nowhere and demanded to see the endemic Pokémon of Venalos. Professor Fabius, in his wisdom, figured it could only improve international relations to at the very least accompany him. Of course, Adamantia would never doubt Fabius' judgement, and yet...

"I must let you know, sir, that the Hunter's Guild has put a strict ban on the exporting of the region's endemic Pokémon, as well as any materials yielded from them."

She huffed a quick sigh.

"Besides, our Pokémon are extremely difficult to tame without a Kinship Stone," she added, briefly flashing her own. Not that it did much in taming a temperamental beast like Priscus, though...

@venalos || cont. from ask insert funny title here

"... Hm, might stretch my budget a bit." Pity. Feeding six or seven dragons already was expensive though, so one that could eat even more than they did now probably was a bad idea. At least for his wallet.

Maybe in the future.

"Is it an ice type dragon?" That'd be useful in stymieing people attempting to counter his team with ice types, and bugger against fairies. Tempting...

[venalos-archived]

To say that Church was at a disadvantage would prove a severe understatement. Adamantia was a Guild Knight, a warrior of such skill and prestige that engaging her in combat would surely court Death. Not even in her twenties, she already had wicked blood on her hands; all while having never suffered grievous injuries of her own at the hands of others.

It was painfully clear which of the two would walk away alive if the two were to ever cross weapons...

She bristled again as he rose and spoke to her in such an accusatory tone.

"Who am I?" Adamantia fired back, her voice arguably sharper than her blades. "I am Adamantia Drakos. Guild Knight. Hunter-turned-Rider. Trusted associate of Professor Fabius. Overseer of the Forbidden Lands Expedition."

She paused, (unintentionally?) adding dramatic effect.

"Daughter of the Ruby Reckoning, Rubina Drakos."

Adamantia raised her ultramarine sword again, this time pointing the tip at Church's chest; his heart. Her intimidating air did not relent for even a millisecond, and some onlookers shifted uncomfortably as though she were ready to run her blade through him at any second.

Her tone softened ever so slightly as she explained, "My mother thinks highly of you." Her eyes narrowed, her frown deepened. "She wrote that you have a strong character and a good sense for right and wrong. That you don't back down easily, and that you're the kind to put his life on the line for those you care about."

Behind her Puzo gurgled and raised her many tentacles threateningly, also growing to dislike his demeanour. Her tentacles twitched and bulbous mantle pulsated. She crawled closer and closer, before being stopped by Adamantia whipping her sword away from Church and holding it squarely across Puzo's intended path. A swift and effective blockade, and decidedly blood-curdling as well.

Adamantia never took her eyes off of Church while halting her Xu Wu.

"So, tell me. What are your accomplishments? What have you done to receive such praise from a living legend?"

"Whatever, you're not exactly being polite eith--gah!"

He didn't get to finish his sentence before Puzo dropped him, practically on his head. He was only halfway up to a sitting position before Adamantia's blade was in front of him, and he winced at the feeling of metal against his skin. Hunters were forbidden from using their weapons on other humans... he was pretty sure. That had to apply to even a high-ranking Guild member, right?

He was, to his credit, equally silent as she stared him down, masking his own anxiety behind an almost petulant glare. Not nearly as intense as her own, obviously, but it was not for lack of trying. He was just at a bit of a disadvantage here.

When she withdrew her weapon, he jumped to his feet in irritation.

"What are you talking about?!" he demanded angrily. "I was just minding my own business, and you come over here to, what, try and prove something? Who the hell are you, anyway?"

[venalos-archived]

Don't mind him, Adamantia he's just going to continue staring intently at the incredibly large dragon across the way. "So, how much does it eat?"

Just her luck that she was currently stuck with the role of glorified tour guide...

The man speaking to her was none other than Champion Lance himself, of the greater Kanto-Johto region. A tall and stern man, exactly Adamantia's own height if his ridiculous hair was not taken into consideration, who routinely looked at her with such undisguised disdain as though she were a pest. Not that she would disagree with him out loud, however...despite all of her self-perceived flaws, Adamantia still possessed enough pride to not be a fan. 

Of course, she had since noticed that this applied to virtually every other person he encountered. At the very least he did not appear overly hostile towards Felynes... There was that.

Adamantiia visibly shuddered; the freezing, howling winds of the Iceshard Cliffs lashed at the exposed skin of her face. The area's Inclemency, the Frostwinds, was not even slightly tamer than the blizzards back west, even if it was artificial in its creation. She pulled a Hot Drink out of her bag and sipped it slowly, already relishing the warmth spreading through her body and providing some relief from the biting cold.

In the distance, Priscus could be seen walking across the many walls. Despite his great size and bulk, he slithered over the rocky surfaces with such ease and grace that it almost appeared unnatural -- his claws dug deep and his ice secured his footing. The great Leviathan then reached a plateau and crawled onto it with elegance not befitting his stature, his lower jaw splitting into four segments as a guttural bellow escaped from his maw. Steam rose in great billows from the many ridges lining his back, combining with the swirling snow to obscure anything behind him.

Despite the seeming aggression, Priscus had not noticed Adamantia and Lance yet.

"Difficult to say," she admitted simply, "I've never seen him eat, well, anything. Can't even say with any confidence what his diet is."

After a few seconds she turned to look at Lance.

"Although, based on his size, environment, and the fact he regularly vents body heat to amplify his ice powers... A lot."

[venalos-archived]

"Yes, yes, come closer. Come into my strike range."

"NICE SHINS YA GOT THERE. SAD IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THEM."