setting: some weirdass fantasy place with dragons and shit

[bearestofthemall]

...What poor excuses for men, leaving me to go hunt down that dragon...

[As much as Kai tries to convince other people (and apparently herself?!) that she's not cut out for this whole 'JRPG Questing' business, the sword-whip she's holding does look mighty sharp. Not to mention threatening, now that she's trotting towards you with it in hand.

Kai's choice of clothing and done-up hair certainly makes her look like she doesn't suit a job that basically entails 'hunt down and stab a bitch dragon'... except for her face. She doesn't have the happiest expression right now, and is almost glaring... quite a fitting face for a warrior.

Or a growling bear. Either could work.]

Oi. [oh god she's talking to you] You look like you're free! Interested in chasing down a dragon?

It's been too long since something interesting happened, after all.

Comments

[bearestofthemall]

[You're not quite right on the money about the denial bit, Takakage! She just sincerely thinks that if she yells that out enough, people will actually start thinking she's a normal woman of her high standing.

...

Just... don't say that to her face. For your own good. Please.]

What business would I have that involves speaking to a dragon? And you're asking me to make concessions?

[It's a good thing she needs your water abilities, Takakage. She may be foolhardy, but she's not crazy.] Well, I guess I'll be kind enough to hear you out. What is it? I'll give you a large portion of the gold, if that's what you're after.

[thirdarrow]

[ Takakage closed his eyes briefly before replying. Did the youth of this era pay no heed to tradition? ] Many of the kami take draconian forms. I think you ought to show the species more respect.

[ But anyway. ] If you are indeed intent on pursuing this quest, I do not think you will agree to my initial proposal. All I ask is for some time to see if the dragon can be pacified in ways other than murder.

[ Money did not really mean anything to him, either way. ]

[bearestofthemall]

I've never met any.

[Deadpan. She has no time dabbling in things that might no exist! She spends her time trying on clothes, doing her hair, beating people to a bloody pulp... totally normal but time-eating activities.]

...If you're so insistent, I guess I can't say no. But if you get into trouble for trying to do that, I'm not jumping in to save you! [Not like she can really turn her back on anyone in danger... unless they're on the enemy side.

Which he quite recently was in.

Enough of that, though.] So? Hurry up and get ready, we're leaving!

[thirdarrow]

[ Takakage decided to leave the matter be for now. Kai wasn't the sort to be persuaded easily. 'tis a shame, though, how the youth are gradually losing touch with the fiber points of culture.

... He caught himself thinking this, and managed not to show his amusement. Like father, like son. It was also a reminder of the fact that he had already progressed to be considered one of the elder generation.

How time flies. ]

I have all of my possessions with me, so we can see off when you see fit. [ It might seem strange to Kai, but that was the truth. He had little need for unnecessary things, and constantly guarded what he did own. The satchel slung across his shoulders contained some basic supplies, and a non-magical book. His other belongings were not here. ]

Unless, of course, you intend to purchase anything first?

[bearestofthemall]

[...She peeks into her Sack Of Endless Fantasy Items. Um.]

Give me a moment! [Aaaand time skip around half an hour, because apparently, that's how much shit she needed to buy.

If Takakage hasn't wandered off from boredom by then...] Alright, I'm back! Now let's go. On the back of the job offer, there's a map leading to where the cave is.

[LET'S GO! ADVENTURE TIME!!!!]

[thirdarrow]

[ Takakage had been sitting down underneath a shady tree, reading his book. Upon seeing Kai return, he closed the tome and stood up. ]

I hope you have everything?

[ From what he had heard, girls tended to carry around much more objects. He hoped she didn't leave anything behind. ]

[bearestofthemall]

[Yep! Everything, totally!

...Totally...

OKAY WHATEVER LET'S JUST GO]

Yeah, yeah. Well, onward!

[Timeskip to dragon/Forest shenanigans?]

[thirdarrow]

[ A while later, the two of them had arrived at the entrance of the cave. It was a pretty 'standard' cave - rounded entrance, grayish rock, and a tunnel that descended into the earth.

Takakage produced a lantern from his bag and lit it. ]

I hope you brought one?

[bearestofthemall]

[UM

...She takes out a pretty, stylish 'red' lantern which emitted a red light instead of the usual white. But it also lit up a lot less ground.

But! It looks nice!!!] Of course, I'm all prepared! [WHY IS SHE YELLING INTO THE CAVE] Now, let's go-

[--thaaaat's certainly an ear-splitting roar! Her eyes widen, and she stumbles back a bit. UH.]

[thirdarrow]

[ Actually, that was a Very Good Idea, Kai! Red light is the easiest colour for human eyes to adjust to. His own lantern had a red shutter for that purpose.

Though Kai probably bought it for aesthetic value. Um. ]

Perhaps we ought to be more discreet -

[ He jumped, the sentence dying in his throat. ]

... are you sure this is a good idea?

[bearestofthemall]

[...YEAH YEAH, SHE BOUGHT IT FOR THAT. As for the dragon... uh... Kai's just gonna sidle next to you, Takakage.]

Well... what else can we do? Just be prepared to throw water at it if it breathes fire, or... something! [On...wards?

She's going to push Takakage in front first. Power trip level: Low, very low.]

[thirdarrow]

[ He closed his eyes for a moment, extending his awareness outwards. ]

There isn't much ambient water here, I'm afraid. [ And he needed that to be able to work any 'magic'. ]

[bearestofthemall]

Wait, I thought you created the water!

[Almost as if a cue, there's another roar as Kaihime exclaims, causing a jet of fire to shoot towards them- but it dies out a few meters before even touching the two. Still, they can easily feel the heat. WELLLLLL SHIT]

...A fragile young girl like me shouldn't be left in the disadvantage against a dragon. Let's fall back first and draw water from outside. [If Takakage had to control water... ah, that's right. She broke the dams around Oshi Castle and flooded the Toyotomi formations.

Of course he would have enough water.]

[thirdarrow]

[ Takakage exits the cave promptly, expecting Kai to follow. Only after they were out of range did he speak. ]

Matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transmuted. The air itself contains water, and I am able to draw it out into the form we are familiar with. But this method is taxing, especially in dry conditions.

[ Such as this one. ]

There are water sources nearby, but I doubt we can carry a significant amount with us.

[ Fragile young girl? Kai, you're stronger than him, what are you talking about? ]

[bearestofthemall]

[...wh]

Wait, speak a bit more slowly. [WH???] But, basically you mean that you can keep some water with you, but not a huge amount?

Well... how about this, then? We sneak in- [-GOOD LUCK ON THAT WITH KAI IN YOUR PARTY-] -and then, when it notices us, splash its to daze the dragon momentarily! And then, I'll go in front behind and behead it!

[so apparently she's forgotten about the concession she made]

[thirdarrow]

[ Takakage sighed and shook his head. ] There is water in the air around us, so I can use that. But calling out the water takes effort, so I'd rather not do it.

[ Pause. ]

You're not supposed to commit murder straight away, Kai.

[bearestofthemall]

...Oh, yeah.

Well, let me remind you that this is your own choice, Takakage! Don't expect me to save you! [Yes, Kai. You've already told him that.] And if things get dangerous, I'm taking the situation into my own hands.

[NOW LET'S GO FOR REAL... trekking carefully into the cave, now...]

[thirdarrow]

[ He said nothing for a few seconds. ]

I have planned for this. Please do not interfere unless I request you to. Thank you.

[ Of course, every strategist has to prepare for the unexpected. He just did not want Kai to risk herself. ]

Of course, if the situation becomes too extreme, you will need to run.

[bearestofthemall]

[don't fucking test her takakage

In any case, she keeps her voice down, but glares at Takakage anyway.]

Why are you talking like that?! I'm the one who invited you along, not the other way around. Just because you won against me once while surrounded by your element doesn't mean you can just tell me what to do!

[The only people allowed to do that are: Ujiyasu, Hayakawa, and maybe Yukimura. Though her impression of him may falter a bit... she doesn't bother making her voice softer, still saying it within earshot:] Ugh, I hate guys who think they're 'all that'...

[thirdarrow]

Well, if you find it impossible to tolerate my presence, just say so and I will leave. The option is always open to you; I am merely providing some strategic counsel. [ Courteous as always - although water was not fire, it could still scald.

He continued walking for a few seconds before continuing, holding the lantern up in front of him. ] Has it ever occurred to you to perhaps, ah, employ a little foresight in combat? It could certainly save you a lot of strain.

[ It would be unwise to use a technique that summoned geysers against someone who had control over water, for example. ]

[bearestofthemall]

You're lucky your powers are still useful now. When we get out, though, you'll definitely feel my wrath! Your life will depend on whether I feel generous enough for your help after we're done!

[She grits her teeth even more at that second statement.] What do you mean by that?! Of course I do! Just because I'm confident since my victory is almost always assured from the beginning doesn't mean I'm cocky! Being cocky is unbecoming for a refined lady of my standing.

[keep telling yourself and everyone else that, kai

In any case... they're beginning to creep closer into the cave, and her trust in Takakage, instead of being reaffirmed, is only becoming weaker. There's a crouch in her step, and she advances extremely cautiously, taking a few extra seconds with each step to make sure her soles touch the ground with minimal sound.

...And if Takakage peers in close, he can hear her whispering to herself:] I can do this... I'm strong, I'm strong, I'm strong...

[thirdarrow]

[ It seemed that this mentality is ingrained too deeply into her psyche - he knows well enough to drop the subject. This cannot be changed at short notice, so plans will have to be changed.

But of course, he did take Kai's threat to heed. He could understand her reaction, after all, they were on less than good terms to begin with. Though he doubts that she will harm him significantly - after all, he is stronger than he looks. ]

Please be careful.

[ He follows Kai silently - making little sound is easier for him, since his clothing bear no metal embellishments. The lantern he holds had been shuttered before they went deeper - its red light giving everything a curiously flat appearance.

There is no sign of said dragon... so far. ]

[bearestofthemall]

[Of course she'll be careful! ...And Takakage actually looks pretty cute too, which makes Kaihime a bit less inclined to attack him when they're not on enemy sides anymore.

Fighting could still happen, obviously. But she's not out for the kill.

She gives him something of a look when he says those three words, a cross between a glare and an expression of curiosity. Then, she goes back to sneaking in.]

...Hold on. I see something. [It's... machinery...? Takakage, have a look.]

[thirdarrow]

[ He approaches the object carefully. It's motionless, but that doesn't exclude the possibility of it attacking...

... a box made of metal, with a nozzle protruding out on one end, and some kind of opening covered by black cloth on the other. It certainly doesn't seem like a dragon. ]

I... haven't a clue what this is for. But it seems important.

[ Perhaps this was what made the roaring sounds, or fire? ]