• !!JOIN THE DISCORD!!

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      Ozzy: "Sounds good to me! I can help carry whatever you need, since I don't need a whole lot. Don't even need to bring a radio because..." Ozzy reached behind one of his ears and fiddled around before some reasonable volume rock music plays, the eyes of his screen turning into equalizer bars. "Ayyyyy."
      Sasha Sable: Sasha shrugs with his hands to his shoulders and stretches out. "Sasha can always find ways to make good use of time regardless of what he is doing. He would not have become the people's hammer if he was afraid to help others who needed it because someone else might need it too. We must prepare for travel, we can read up on it as we go." the sable stands stretches, and starts muttering about a list of supplies, then stops, looks over to Ozzy, and starts muttering half the previous list of supplies under his breath.
      Ozzy: Ozzy idly twiddled his thumbs. Made sense that Sasha would have to mull that over in his head a little... Or maybe a lot. The gears were turning he was pretty sure... Hrm. Small crack in the plaster of the ceiling. Gonna have to get that fi-Oh! "Well don't feel pressured! If you wanna take the time to adjust to the region and get to know the place that's fine! I'm sure the other Freedom Fighters would be happy to have some help." the possum gave a thumbs up, both by hand and by screen. "And if you do wanna come along with, I wouldn't expect you to jump in blind! We can look over the details for the real nitty gritty beforehand."
      Sasha Sable: Sasha thinks it over, then thinks it over some more, he is quiet for a long enough period that it becomes awkward. "Hmm. I do not know, I just got here and I was hoping to have time to familiarize myself with this region before going almost right back where I came from." he looks aside for a moment. "But what kind of protector would I be if I said no to people in trouble ah? I cannot be everywhere at once but I can be where it is worst, at least for a little while!"
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      Ozzy: "So, not terribly long ago there was some information that came around from the Dragon Kingdom. I didn't catch all of it, but it sounds like there's a lot of people over there needing some help." Ozzy said with a nod, leaning on his paws, his shoulders on his knees. "A lot of the Freedom Fighters here have their paws full with everything here. So... wanna take a trip?"
      Sasha Sable: Sasha looks around, shrugs, and takes a seat. He has seen sparser living conditions. Well, no, be he has heard of them, during the great war between the humans and mobians, things were even harder on the people than they are today, where all you had was your potato plants in the hole in the floor next to the window. He crosses one arm over the other, sits, and waits. "She suggested you discuss something?"
      Ozzy: Ozzy awkwardly rubbed his head again and chuckled. "Uh yeah, sure! Here, follow me! I've got a room here we can talk more in..." he glanced at the chairs around the room and coughed. "Uhh... just give me a second first." scurrying around swiftly, Ozzy took a few moments to wrangle all the chairs back into place. Rest in peace, tower of seat-sa. Dusting his hands off with a clunk, Ozzy nodded. "Alright! Onward!" Pointing off dramatically, the poss would lead Sasha down around and through the halls off to his room. In lieu of a full on bed there was just a pile of beanbags, a radio sat in one corner with a small TV on top of that. It was a pretty... empty room otherwise. Then again, robians didn't need a whole lot really. Pulling a couple of beanbags from the pile and fluffing them, Ozzy sat down on one with a plop, motioning to the other to offer the marten a seat.
      Nicole: Nicole looks, uncomfortable for the Iron Nicole debacle to have been brought up. It is effectively the most sore of spots she has, but she attempts to be polite to the newcomer, as he doesn't know her and despite being an avid fan has no reasonable way to know that. When the marten passes through her, she, looks even more disgruntled. "I'm not really, solid right now due to certain factors.. As you say, a 'Hologram Lady.' Ozzy, perhaps you'd like to our guest to a comfortable area and discuss whatever you were intending to discuss with him?" Nicole quickly deconstructs herself in exit, though obviously she is still here, she's everywhere. She's also pouting.
      Sasha Sable: Sasha looks surprised at first, then pleased. "Ahh-hahh! It is the hologram lady! The story of you and your sister in arms defying the odds and overcoming the Iron Queen is one of the most inspirational! It inspired Sasha to take up ice carving!" if you the reader are confused as to how the two are at all related, that is the appropriate response. He moves past Ozzy to hug the Lynx, and swoops right through her. "Ah?" He is not abreast of current events, and has made another mistake besides.
      Ozzy: "Oh hey, no no. Sorry, I'm just still pretty new here too. I don't even know if I'm technic-ACK!" Ozzy jumped, his explanation cut off by Nicole's sudden appearance. Criminy, does no one enter normally? Granted, Nicole had a bit more of an excuse. "Hey Nicole, good to see you."
      Nicole: Nicole immediately materializes behind Ozzy, looking a little bit more transparent than the locals are used to. "Not no-one... Sasha Sable, self-made leader of the Cyberian Freedom Fighters and Member of The People's Hammer. Master of Penmanship, Woodcutting, Carpentry, Judo, Asymmetrical Wrestling, Mobini Husbandry, Parkour, Fondue, Brewing, and a supposed hundred and twenty seven other skills, if rumors are to be believed."
      Sasha Sable: Sasha says something that very much sounds like "Oy" but somehow different as he is asked that question. "Sasha has been sending letters for ten years and STILL, no-one knows his name?" he replies, pinching the bridge of his snout, looking a little bit disheartened. He cannot believe this, he thought they would have at least gotten him into their database by now.
      Ozzy: "Well, part of it's cus of the whole... robo virus thing..." Ozzy waved a paw in general. "Having one around might frighten everyone more than be a help." the possum tapped his chin with a little tink-tink-tink as he thought, glancing over at the radio. There had been some news recently that had caught his ear. "You've got a good point though... Uh... Oh right, forgot to ask your name!" or anything about them now that he thought about it...
      Sasha Sable: Sasha looks a little bit nonplussed in response to the Robot insisting he would rather be anywhere but here... "Then why are you not? Surely if you were to look around you could find something needing your talents? Why are you sitting here, wasting away your time when you could be using it!" he lets go of the hand and crosses his arms. "Surely there is something you could do for yourself, or someone, somewhere that might need your assistance. Surely the intent of having you watch the fort was to look for trouble while other trouble was being handled?"
      Ozzy: Ozzy was only bounced a little by that vigorous handshake. There was no mouth on the poss' face, but one could easily tell he was smiling and taking it in stride. "You've got that right. Someone's gotta keep the smiles alive!" he said with a little wink as he glanced around. "Oh no one's taking time off, most everyone's out handling probably three to six other tasks, y'know, local recovery stuff. I drew the short stick and got stuck with base sitting duty..." Ozzy sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "I'd much rather be out there doing something, but..."
      Sasha Sable: Sasha does not crush the hand, but he does give the hand a grip that is bordering dangerously on uncomfortable. The marten appears to have mastered the art of the firm handshake. "You have a sense of humor I see. Good! Good humor is vital in our position, you must be able to laugh in the face of the cruel indifferences of life!" the sable looks around, places one paw to his chin and shakes the hand vigorously before releasing it. "If you do not mind me asking, where is everyone else? Are things so well in hand here that the freedom fighters can afford to take time off?"
      Ozzy: "Ahh. The latter, let's go with the latter." Ozzy said with a little nod, dipping his head in thanks when his chair was righted. "The name's Ozzy, nice to meetcha!" the roboposs held out a hand for the proper universal greeting of a handshake. Silently hoping that this seemingly inordinately strong woozle won't crush his hand like an empty pop can.
      Sasha Sable: Most of them would! Sasha is from a branch where he was the only person involved until the previous month, and spent most of his time with other people in a place flush with the sound of industry or the whistle of bitter wind. The Marten looks at the crashing chairs, then back to Ozzy, then grabs the chair by a leg with one hand, picks it and Ozzy up and rights the chair, with a little bit of visible effort which is surprising because the leverage is working against the noodle to an extreme degree. "Is this how you greet people in this country? Or is this some kind of balance training little robot man?" he takes two very polite and generous views of Ozzy's chicanery.
      Ozzy: One would also think that a member of an elite group of peacekeepers and rescuers would know when it is appropriate to use their indoor voice, but apparently not. At first there was just a wobble as the door bonked hard against the leaning tower of seat-sa. But that wobbling shook all the way up to the top, where Ozzy's visor game quickly blipped to a trio of interrobangs. "W-woah!" the shaking tower only finally started to topple when the marten shouted. Luckily for the both of them the tower toppled away from the door. Save for Ozzy's own chair the teetered off the stack in his surprise and went hurtling over Sasha, landing 'safely' on the marten's other side. "Oogh... Hey there..." the metal possum said with a wave, still 'seated' on the some how intact chair, even as it lay on its back.
      Sasha Sable: One would think that a member of an elite group of peacekeepers and rescuers would have the discipline to get through a single day without succumbing to the wicked wiles of boredom, but apparently not. Thankfully for the freedom fighters, there is a new member, fresh from the Cyberian forests, who takes the job seriously enough to be paying attention to the news. As the leader of the branch of (now) Officially Recognized Cyberian Freedom fighters, he has senority over the possbot by technicality. He is a bit miffed about the fact that he was not actually an officially registered member or branch until just this year, despite many a letter detailing his fantastic, dangerous, and absolutely true exploits and tales to stupefy.

    One would also think that if an individual was going to make a tower of seating, they would make a passable base by perhaps arranging said seating in pyramid formation. Ozzy has not, so hopefully he is not going to cause a tremendous amount of damage to Freedom Fighter property when the door to what, considering all the chairs, is presumably the main reception area of the HQ, and a Marten whom is definitely too big to be a Marten, and very much still wearing an Ushanka, despite the weather not in any way justifying it, enters briskly and says, almost boisterously enough to be considered shouting, "Why is Northammer branch so empty? Sasha may as well have stayed in Cyberia!"

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      Ozzy: Ozzy let out a bored little huff to himself as he idly rocked on the back two legs of his seat. On his screen, an game of Pong seemed to playing, a pixel dot bounding back and forth from one end of the visor to the other with little dinks and doinks of noise happening as it bounced across. One could say he seemed bored. Base sitting duty was one of the more dull tasks one could be assigned. Had to make your own fun somehow, and having stacked all the chairs into a teetering tower only provided so much stimulation... How he managed to seat himself up there was anyone's guess.
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      Event: The lynxes roll their eyes at both the moth and the cricket. They're just going to drag him off to a secluded monastery where he will be given comparatively light training and made to earn his priveleges. You'd think with the way people react they were going off to die. The lynxes proceed, instructing their recruits. "Double time. We will be back by sunset and then it will be a hundred of reps of all seven of the beginner forms before dinner. Then we will stretch, then we will run the mountain trail to the peak and back before bed. Then, in the morning, we will begin the actual training."
      Cade Crofton: Cade titters at the Lynxes, not being above having jokes made at his expense. “Touché,” he responds with a chuckle, before then addressing his fretting subordinate. “Good lord mate, what do you expect me to do? I'll have to find another way to get all this rubbish sorted out, so just try to hold out in the meantime, will you?” Cade simply waves goodbye to Valet as he watches the Raiju usher him away, smiling in amusement all the while.
      Valet: “Oh god!” Valet outbursts, realizing that Cade's usual tactics to maneuver things in his favor weren't working. As the Lynxes continue leading him away, the Moth cries out one more time to his employer. “Sir, please, help me! Don't let them do this!”
      Event: The lynxes laugh at the suggestion that they might be willing to accept a bribe. "We are certainly in need of additional facilities. If you would like to donate to the cause we'll be more than happy to name a dummy after you." the lynx holding the Civet looks back. "You test our patience and waste our time, there are many more places to check and slim few people worth recruiting. Be thankful you have not actually impeded us thus far." and, if Cade has nothing else to do or say, they will take the moth out into the streets and hand him to another of their number, to continue on with their recruiting.
      Valet: Valet withers under the grip of the Lynx, having been so fast and strong, he seemed to accept there was no escaping without risk of suffering grievous harm from these troops. Being unwillingly pulled away, he tries to look back at Cade, his stare a fearful and pleading one. Silently hoping that, he might come up with something to diffuse this situation, and free him from the clutches of these Raiju.
      Cade Crofton: Cade thinks over the Lynxes' words for a moment, before tossing his hands up in the air in an animated shrug, while exhaling an hefty, smiling sigh. “I don't suppose money would be of value to you lot? Where I lack in physical prowess, I certainly can make up for in wealth. Might I be able to buy my assistant back? Perhaps slip some currency under the table, just for the two of you, as thanks for looking the other way?”
      Event: ( I thought Cade was a cricket, not a WASP. )
      Event: The lynx moves faster than the untrained eye can see, placing both hands upon the moth's shoulders, picking him up. "Then Eurish is welcome to come here and fight us for you. To the victor go the spoils, though I do not expect that they will hit very hard if the majority of them are like the two of you. Rather I believe it more likely they will thank us for returning you better than you left once the crisis has passed." the lynxes look to Cade and tilt their head.


    "Unless you prove you are strong enough to be worth such an assistant, you will receive nothing. Demands are not strength, neither are threats, complaints, or whining." and, giving Cade very little other attention, they begin to leave with his assistant in tow, the unoccupied lynx grabbing the Civet by the scruff and dragging him effortlessly by it despite the mobian being dead weight.. Valet will find that the grip of the lynx's paws is very much like having a manacle clamped. They do not seem to want to budge.

      Valet: Valet's reactions to the displays of this military exercising their command waver between fear for himself, and dismay on behalf of those being involuntarily seized. Once they approach him, he freezes up under the weight of their examination, followed by a horrified expression as they are set to do the same to him. Valet reactively pulls back, trying to sway out of the way of the hand intruding upon his person. “We're Eurish citizens! We're out of your jurisdiction!” The Moth quickly states, in hopes to dissuade these Lynxes.
      Cade Crofton: Cade watches the troops weeding through the line, taking those who were willing to go, as well as those who weren't. As has been his custom, he takes to it all with his smile, even when the Civet is forcibly subdued into the service. At the point of which they reach his subordinate and attempt to recruit him, he speaks up. “Excuse me,” the Cricket begins, “that is my valet you're commandeering. Unless you intend on providing me with an assistant of equal or better measure, I would appreciate it if you let him be.”
      Event: The two lynxes each take one end of the line. "Anyone who wishes to join the Raiju Clan of their own accord, step forward. You will be trained until such time as you are suitable or you are deemed useless." one of the women from the den, a Gloden Cat, steps forward, is assessed, and is ushered out. "No-one else? Very well." the two lynxes begin a steady walk, each with head turned to face the line, each mobian is in their line of sight for all of two steps, each getting closer to Cade and his companion... One stops dead and grabs the Civet by the arm. "Nononono please not me!" he twists, squirms, attemps to wriggle out of the the Lynx's grasp and is succesful, but takes a chop to the temple from the other Lynx as he attempts to flee the den and drops like a sack of root vegetables.

    "That one is agile, flexible, and has good eyes, he will make a decent addition to the forces." comments the lynx who had just commited a sharp and terrible violence upon him. "Indeed." says the other, and continues. "It is every citizen's duty to be prepared to the best of their ability to defend their home from the incoming threat. That those who might not otherwise be saved, survive." he takes another two steps, passing Cade, and raising a brow... then taking another two steps and stopping dead in front of Valet. the lynx leans in and scrutinizes... "This one is a soft, as his kind goes, but he has good breeding. we can use him. Fire him from a soft clay into a brick that will carry the weight of the kingdom." and out comes a hand to grab Valet by the upper arm.

      Valet: Where Cade takes to the situation with unflappable composure, Valet is not a person to respond so calmly to a situation such as this. Nervousness is evident in his features, and when commanded against the wall, he's quick to follow the order, pressing his back up against the wooden panel as his hands land uneasily upon the camera around his neck, held in a tight grip that advertises his anxiety. He doesn't even look back at Cade as that comment is made, his attention focused on the Lynxes in heightened alarm.
      Cade Crofton: Thus, the commotion had reached the teahouse. Cade gazes back from his chair, at the troops intruding upon their activities, barking commands, and roughing up the customers. The Cricket's hand raises flippantly, before he leisurely rises from his chair, and saunters over to the wall the Lynxes were directing the patrons towards. All the while, his smile never wavers, taking on a seemingly mischievous countenance. “A good lot your warning did, mate,” he remarks playfully at his subordinate.
      Event: The time to leave would have been before the hand started, the Raiju are quick, powerful, and ruthlessly efficient, and within moments two lynxes have entered the teahouse and made their way directly to the backroom. The Civet has now hidden under the table and the two others at the table are attempting to leave too late, and are quickly grabbed, manhandled, and placed against the wall by the two cats. "Everyone is to line up against this wall, those who refuse will be incentivized with disciplinary action, those who cooperate will find the next minute much more pleasant." most of the patrons do so. The civet, however, continues to hide under the table. One of the raiju grabs said table by the edge and lifts it with a single hand, staring. "There are four players for Pai Gow, get to the wall before I throw you to it." the Civet is about to bolt to the wall, but, carefully, cautiously, slinks his way over instead despite that most would be very much hurrying when threatened.
      Valet: With the sounds outside getting more worrying by the minute, Valet waits to receive Cade's attention with a frown steadily spreading across his face, fingers fidgeting with each other anxiously. Once he's finally given cue to speak, he relays his concerns in a raised, whispering tone. “I think we should leave. Something's happening outside.”
      Cade Crofton: Cade seemingly ignores Valet, busying himself with pushing his collection of tiles towards the Civet, allowing him to add them into the basket. As he waits for the tiles to be redistributed, he lifts up his cup of tea, closing his eyes briefly as his lips meet with the cup, taking in the heated brew. After a moment of savoring the flavor with a satisfied sigh, without looking back at his subordinate, he finally responds. “Yes, what?”
      Event: The Civet looks a bit off put that Cade's had a better hand, "Hand to the cricket..." and gathers up the tiles again to swirl and toss them around in a straw basket just so, that they all end up face down, then places the lid and gives it one more swirl. Judging from his unabashed confidence, it is likely that he still knows where at least some of the tiles he's already seen are.

    The murmur grows into a ruckus at the Lynxes and their entourage drag a cook out of an adjacent inn, this man having been quite loudly collected against his will and relieved of his sharp implements just as quickly as he is loud. "What right have you to do this? to drag me from my home and place of business!" Whatever is happening is about to arrive, and the Civet takes the opportunity to deal seemingly above board while at least two of the other players are distracted.

      Valet: Since Valet is merely watching the proceedings of the game, he's not entirely focused on it, which allows the steadily growing commotion to reach his ears, and before long, taking his notice. The Moth's head turns, red eyes peering back towards the curtained doorway. Silent, staring, listening. The sounds were of a concerning nature, enough to give Valet one of those miserable gut feelings. Turning his attention back over to his employer, he quietly reaches over, tapping his fingers gently upon his shoulder. “Sir?”
      Cade Crofton: “Hmhmhm...” Cade laughs between pressed lips, his left hand moving upwards to brush over his upper lip. Normally, he wouldn't let such tells slip, but being that he was still in the process of getting the strategies down for this particular game, he felt he could drop his guard a bit. If anything, it would lull the opponents into thinking he was such a person that would be easy to read, which he could then turn around on them later. The outstretched fingers of his right hand push the tiles forward. “Match Yun, Match Chong.”
      Event: The current dealer, another patron, a Palm Civet, places his tiles in his arranged pairs. "Jae Goon. Mix Jiu." It is one of the best possible hands one can form in Pai Gow, but still beatable... His gaze flits around the table, the two other patrons looking rather visibly annoyed at this turn of events, with the first hand in the set like this, the best they're going to be able to hope for is a pull with the dealer this set.

    The lynxes continue their patrol, making their way down the street, entering establishments and causing a ruckus that gets slowly louder and closer with each passing business. So far, a few seem to have willingly, for a given value of willing, joined their small entourage and they are now accompanied by a number of mobian youths and a few adults who have had their bodies honed by labor in their lives.

      Valet: The other individual is a Mobian Moth. Unlike his brightly colored companion, the Moth is more drab in hue, primarily colored with light grays, accented with ruddy browns by his coif of hair and wing patterns. The only stark colors on him are in his vividly red eyes, and his shimmery casino valet's uniform. There's also a profession-grade digital camera hanging over his chest, strapped loosely around his neck with a faux-leather band.

    This Moth stands by the table, near the Cricket's seat. Uninvolved in the game presently underway, he's merely keeping himself ready for any commands his employer might make of him, hands folded behind his back, and nose pointed upwards, exuding an air of professional stoicism.

      Cade Crofton: While this disruption is occurring outside, inside the teahouse, there's two customers presently partaking of the more hushed offerings of the establishment. One of these persons being a Mobian Cricket, a lustrous turquoise in color, with violet eyes, hair that is wind-swept and dark brown, and wearing a navy blue tailcoat suit. His gaze is one of a perpetual smile, seemingly unshakable in its pleasant countenance. Sitting at a table, hovering over a cup of the most exquisite brew offered on the menu, the Cricket is looking over a set of wooden tiles laid before him, chin resting on the back of one hand, while the other grazes over the tiles with his fingertips softly, moving from one to another, and back.

    “Decisions, decisions...” he says a silky, silvery voice, contemplating his next move with a half-cast, violet gaze.

      Event: There are many villages in the Dragon Kingdoms, and precious few of them appear on more than two maps. We visit one such village this evening, largely spared by the disasters. This village has seen a great increase in traffic as routes close due to strange happenings, and many new structures were recently built in a corridor to accommodate its new existence as a trading town. Inns, baths, and teahouses as well as homes for those who have fled theirs out of necessity.

    Onto the main street we encounter one such teahouse, entrance barred with curtains, and a hushed air unlike many of the more open establishments in the city, an establishment perhaps slightly less reputable than its purported purpose would bely. The dark blue fabric a delightful accent to the stark white walls and dark wooden beams that adorn the structure's facade. The Raiju have arrived here, in this village, marching down the main street, canvassing the youth in the streets and attempting to recruit others to their cause.

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      Event: Stormclouds gather in the east, snaking their way through the skies in unnatural patterns, bringing with them rains that do not cease, forming rivers and washing away roads. The land rumbles, sheer fractures spreading across jade peaks, causing entire faces to collapse, leaving massive landslides and heaps of rubble in once picturesque valleys. As of yet, no homes have been destroyed and no lives have been lost, but travel in the region has become both difficult and dangerous for the locals. The Dragon Kingdoms, one of the oldest nations in the world, do not live their lives as the rest of Mobius now does. They have kept things simple by choice out of a respect for tradition and the balance of the world in which they live. For them, this is a crisis, one difficult to resolve while respecting their traditions.

    These problems are not impossible to manage on their own, but if the pattern holds things will only grow more dire. Two factions are known to have set about an attempt to resolve the issue, the Golden Lotus is certain that a deity of the land is angered to have been forgotten, and is in a race to scour the country in order to find texts that may shed light on the situation.

    The raiju are certain that the source of the misfortunes is the awakening of a demonic beast, that somewhere in the region a creature diametrically opposed to goodness is building its power and its authority in a bid to sunder the region and subsume it, causing chaos, destruction and death. They have marshalled their forces and attempted to institute a martial law over the region, conscripting outsiders into their sect for the first time in a bid to grow their forces and protect their lands from the perceived explanation of their sect as they have, by virtue of the preparations, been spread to a shield instead of gathered as a spear.

    Neither faction are prioritizing dealing with the practical consequences of the growing disaster, as they both intend to stop it first and deal with the fallout later, neither believing that it may take too long nor that their interpretation of the problem may be wrong. When all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

    Stormtop village has sent a messenger to the west, to Eurish, to call for help, looking forward and seeing how the region will be divided and isolated should the occurrences grow worse, which they believe will become the new normal rather than getting better.

    It has taken weeks to deliver the message to Mercia, believing the kindgom to be of like minds in tradition, willing to aid them in their plight in taking steps to prevent further damage in a practical manner, and recover from the damage already done... but Mercia has its own problems, and, after the plague, not enough people to resolve them swiftly. So Mercia has put out a call to all they know, any of their allies willing to aid the eastern kingdoms in their plight.

    The United Federation were already aware of the issues due to their satellite technology, but they are busy coordinating international efforts to recover everyone else's infrastructure, and changing their schedule or parting with forces would leave allies they have already promised aid to out in the cold. Help from neither the United Federation nor from its military forces will be coming. So it is up to only those with the time and the will to travel the world to offer their aid, whatever their skills may be, and hopefully, whichever side they choose to throw their lot in with, will be the right one...

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      Bonne: 6
      Debon: 5
      Debonair: 4
      Aubin Carmels : 3
      Tacey: 2
      Magnolia: 1
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      Doctor Eggman : Hm))
      Colin Kintobor Jr: x
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     Eloi: x
      Worth: x
      Sasha Sable: x
      Opera: x
      Nicole: x
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      Aressa: <3))
      Zhen Dabao: ( Hm. Makin' a list. )
      Sky the Wolf: (Post)
      Corion: ((G'night))
      Tacey: ((Then sleep you shall. X3 Goodnight Meg~! :3))
      Corion: ((I'm getting sleepy))
      Tacey: ((Alrighty, paused for now~ :3))
      Tacey: “Thanks, really,” she says, with an affirming nod. “It's a lot you've gone out of your way for, more than I'm used to seeing. Anyway, goodnight you two.” That said, she drifts away from the table. Following the instructions given, she heads for the first route she sees, and navigates her way into one of the rooms with a bed. Unless it was too dark to see, she wouldn't bother with lighting the candle, kicking off her socks and leotard to the floor, shuffling through the third drawer, and pulling out as many blankets as are stored in it. Then she would distribute half the blankets to cover the bed, abiding to Sasha's suggestion, and the other half to wrap around herself on top of the bed, curling up in them like a little cocoon. And if nothing else would interrupt this process, she would conk out in short order, sleeping like a sedated log.
      Sasha Sable: "Nyet. No traps. Blankets in the third drawer. The bed is firm, so you may wish to lay extras above and below you." he smiles. The blankets are also, obviously, handmade. It's unclear where he finds the time to do all of this, but somehow he does. They are not the nicest looking blankets, but they are soft and do their job. "Yes, a good rest." he leans back in his seat and pours a cup of coffee. "So, I suppose I will build the supporting frame tonight. I am sure there are plenty of parts laying around the property that can be repurposed. I also buy salvage occasionally so it is not just bears."
      Corion: **He'd give Tacey a nod** Have a good rest, Tacey, and we'll see you in the morning
      Tacey: Jumping on the opportunity given to her by Corion, she sets her fork down, and wipes her lips. “Okay, good idea. I'd like to excuse myself now.” The talking going on between Sasha and Corion was translating as a lot of 'blah blah blah' for her, but she still politely waits for a break in the conversation to interject. “Anything else I need to know before I go to bed? Any trap doors or bright lights I need to be aware of on the way? Just want to make sure.”
      Sasha Sable: Sasha laughs a bit. "I suppose you do. I did not expect a visit, I would have told you to arrive here. There is enough room to land a helicopter outside, so I do not imagine it will be difficult to avoid danger in the future." the marten himself seems to be favouring the blueberry treats. A lot. "Communications engineering is a noble pursuit, the resources to learn it are not readily available here in Cyberia, we are more about structural and mechanical, I would be appreciative of your assistance in this regard."
      Corion: Go to bed, Tacey, we'll talk more in the morning **He'd then focus on Sasha one more** Yeah, I learned a bunch of stuff from my father, and from my time with the Freedom fighters
      Tacey: She simply nods to Corion, “That sounds fine. Whatever you want to discuss with me, we can do it in the morning.” After the little pastry, she moves onto the fruits, systematically going through each available variety one at a time, liberally coating each one in the chocolate. Amid this, she addresses Sasha again. “We're definitely going to need an updated map for reference. So no one else has to fight through robo-bears to get here, ideally. Corion's good with...smart stuff.” She seems to have reached the point where she's too tired to even bother racking her brain for a proper word.
      Sasha Sable: Sasha waves a hand somewhat dismissively. "Anyone who can follow instructions and not burn the place down will do. It does not take much work to maintain. Living here might otherwise be a bit stressful but I assure you that anyone staying here should be as safe as they would be with you, if not more so, considering this place is not even on the map. Well, my map, but no-one else's, I think. In the morning, I believe we will get you on your way and you can decide what you need of me. My talents are many and varied, simply tell you where you need me, and I will do my best... You may take any of the doors under the stairs or balcony." he gestures to the doors leading off the entry area. "Each is furnished with a bed, a chair, a drawer, a candle, and a small brazier. They can become mildly chilly, but there are plenty of blankets." the marten nods to Corion and grins an unreasonably toothy grin. "Ah, you can install one yourself? Excellent! then we can leave as soon as someone can arrive to make sure the entry is suited to receiving guests and applicants. Have not had any yet, but I am sure that in time, I will."
      Corion: **He'd eat some more of the fruit, along with a couple of the donuts and the gummy/puffy treats, his gaze going towards Tacey** Sure, I can see about installing a transmitter, but we'd also need to discuss in the morning on who we'd have to come here and assist Sasha
      Tacey: The dessert induces her to make an especially audible mmming noise, one that she clearly did not intend to make at she covers her mouth while she chews, eyes closed, trying to suppress any further outbursts. After that, she removes her hand, and nods quickly to Sasha. “Thank you. And it's fine to let me know if I'm overstepping my bounds. I sometimes need to be told I'm doing it before I realize I'm doing it.” Thus, she goes for more, this time poking one of the donut-like pastries and repeating the process. “I'm definitely going to want to rest soon, I'm exhausted. All that traveling in all that snow for so long...I'm not used to doing marathons in cold weather. But Corion—” She looks over at him. “If you want, you can stay up and sort things out.”
      Sasha Sable: Sasha hmms. "Multitasking, I am quite good at it, but not perfect. Ah, forgive me, my brain is occupied by many things, I sometimes get lost in it. As for earlier... Do not worry about it. I have withstood far more than harsh words. I simply wanted to make myself clear so as to have no misunderstandings. If something needs to be said, you may feel free to say it. I am not a delicate flower that wilts under pressure." he smiles again. "I welcome you here as a guest and you will receive all the hospitality that entails. the gummy nearly melts in the molten chocolate, but solidifies quickly enough. It is, blueberry, and it's an explosion of fruity, meringuey flavor in her mouth. It tastes like, jam, but with an entirely different, chewable texture. "There are rooms, you may rest if you wish, or have coffee, stay up, and make plans for the installation of the transmitter, unless you would prefer to leave that to someone better equipped for engineering. In which case perhaps simply chat."
      Corion: **He'd stick some of the fruit onto the long fork, dipping them into the chocolate fondue and enjoying the treat, while considering on making something like this for himself and the orther freedom fighters back at base, perhaps for a more special occasion**
      Tacey: Shrugging to herself, she simply watches as Sasha removes the pot and returns with the dessert spread, and she again peers over it with hints of fascination in her stare. “Geeze. Where do you find time to do all this cooking with everything else you do?” As she asks, she's already getting her fork, gently plunging it into one of the strange gummy-like items, and giving it a dousing of the liquid chocolate before tasting.
      Sasha Sable: Sasha smiles and takes the pot away, then comes back with another and a couple of trays. On one tray are strawberries, apricots, dates, and prunes. On the other a kettle and fresh mugs, as well as some kind of firm, almost gummy looking swirls of some sort, but, not entirely, like a cross between a gummy and a merengue, firm, puffy, and with faint hints of dark blue and violet streaks. As well as something that look like plain donuts, but smaller, and slightly crisp and crunchy, mildly sweet. The lid on the pot is removed, and of course, it's more fondue, chocolate this time, with strong hints of cherry brandy and caramel liquer. "Plenty! With coffee." he rubs the back of his head. "Yes, I do eat quite a bit for dinner at times."
      Corion: You're welcome **He'd give a brief smile to Sasha, before he'd go back to eating...though he didn't see himself as a man yet, he knew he was also getting there and eventually, he would be an adult, even if the thought of going in again for surgery to adjust his implants was a bit on the annoying side for him. After some more of the fondue and meat/bread/veggies, he'd set his own long fork aside, wondering what was for dessert**
      Tacey: She glances over from her eating at the two of them when Sasha approaches Corion, taking note of their interaction. After which, she decides to just focus on eating at that point, but being careful to leave room for the promise of dessert as she samples through some of the vegetables, bread, and other meats. As she does so, there's a brief moment during her consumption where just the faintest of tears show in the corner of her eyes, but she's quick to rub an arm against her face, rubbing them away in hopes that no one noticed them in time. Once she's had as much as she's willing to eat, she sets the fork down, and nods slowly. “That's enough for me. And...by the way.” She peers over at their host. “I'm sorry. About earlier. I sometimes say stuff without thinking it through. It's something I'm trying to keep in check, but I still slip up now and then. You don't have to forgive me if you don't want to.”
      Sasha Sable: Sasha puts down his food, stands, walks over and places a hand on Corion's shoulder. "You are a strong man, and you make difficult choices. I like strong men. This nation was built on their backs. Thankyou for sharing." the marten then stretches and smiles before flopping back to his seat and resuming eating himself, and he certainly has an appetite. "There is also desert waiting so please do tell me when you are finished."
      Corion: **He'd swallow the bite of food before speaking** My family ran a farm up until I was eight years old, from then on I tended to it myself, both of my parents having passed away by that point. Though my father basically traded his life for mine, giving me implants that made me more then human and kept me alive when I was sick, even if he passed from the same illness not even a few days later. **He'd pause briefly, staring at the fork, before speaking again** I found the Freedom Fighters two years later, and have been with them since
      Tacey: “Cheese cave...” she mutters to herself in mild bafflement. She'd never heard of such a thing, and the idea that a person could have a cave dedicated to nothing but cheese was something she never considered. Shaking her head a bit as if to disrupt herself from a stupor, she goes in for another morsel, another piece of venison. Like before, she gives it a generous coating of fondue before delicately bringing it back to her mouth, and like before, she appears to get lost in the moment as she relishes the taste. This would allow for Corion to respond to Sasha's question without interference from her.
      Sasha Sable: "I have never had the pleasure of being Amorous in either sense of the word. As for how." Sasha stomps on the floor a few times from his seat, it creaks ever so slightly. "Cabin is much bigger than it looks. A lovely living space is essential but not productive to safety or efficiency. Many facilities underground, including cheese cave! Where I make many cheeses. Most of which are merely passable but some I have been quite adept at! There is even coal mine and charcoal furnace for getting two sources of heat."

    "What about you friend? You all know my story, and moth friend has shared, but what about you? I know some about you, what is public news, but... Where are you from, what is your story? That is, if you do not mind sharing. I know there some people who prefer to keep such things closer to their chest."

      Corion: **He'd smile at Sasha, then would pierce some of the meat and veggies onto the long fork, dipping them into the cheese and beginning to eat, his gaze going towards Tacey as she tells a bit more about her background**
      Tacey: She blinks up at Sasha upon that mention of Amore, setting her hands down on the table for the moment, fork still in hand. The bittersweet expression of hers deepening a bit, fingers drumming lightly, weighing consideration of whether to speak on certain issues or not. “Well,” she says softly, “half-Amorous. My dad...he's from Amore.” She idly rocks her fork a bit in her palm, staring down at her own fidget. “But you're not Amorous, are you? Where did you learn to cook like this? And this cheese—I can taste the brie in it. Did you seriously age it yourself? Like...how, in a place like this?”
      Sasha Sable: Sasha perks a bit as Tacey takes venison, then laughs heartily again. "A woman with an appetite! It is not often you meet those mobians who are meat inclined. You, you must be from Amore! or the Dragon Kingdoms, but I think then you would have asked for pork." the venison is an excellent cut, tender, not gamey at all, it has clearly been dry aged with at least a rub of salt, and possibly smoked. It's not the slightest bit sour or pungent. Sasha cooks like he was born and raised in a kitchen with a star. He seems to immediately warm up to her again.

    Upon seeing Corion playing with his food, which is, in fact, mandatory, he smiles and eats largely in silence for a few minutes, before thinking. "You know, I think it has been... almost ten years since I have shared a meal with someone in my own home. It brings me great joy and deeper satisfaction to warm body and spirit of guests with my cooking. Do either of you have a favorite dish? I should endeavor to learn to make it."

      Corion: **Sasha's home life kind of reminded him of his own, having to grow and bake his own food. or getting what he needed for other supplies, he wouldn't say much on it however, before he'd begin eating as well, dipping in some of the bread and twirling it about, watching as the cheese becomes stretchy, before he'd grin, acting a bit more like his age before he'd eat the gooey bit of food**
      Tacey: “God,” she remarks after receiving Sasha's explanation, generally baffled that so much of this was all his own doings. The first thing she does is stick her fork into a slice of the venison, appearing to be a specific and intentful decision on her part. And similar to how Sasha just displayed, she too dips the meat into the fondue, thoroughly coating it in the cheesy mixture before carefully bringing it back and plucking it off the fork with her teeth, trying to avoid touching the fork with her mouth. And for the time she chews on this meat and melted cheese, a rare expression of joy comes to her face, although in a bittersweet form. She wouldn't say anything for the moment, apparently just focused on savoring this delight.
      Sasha Sable: (( BBIAB ))
      Sasha Sable: Sasha smiles briefly, and begins dipping his food with the fork, twirling, and extracting. He avoids the meat, explicitly for now. While he would happily eat it, fondue is a communal dish and it would be rude to just assume his guests are likeminded. "I'm certain you would, however it does not do to ask of guests to serve themselves or you. This is a formal occasion. You are here for business, not pleasure, though I hope you find some in these offerings regardless." he laughs heartily. "And yes, I did. the carrots and potatoes I grew, the bread and crackers I baked, the cheese I aged. The champagne and peppers however, I had to have imported. They do not grow here, and let me tell you, it took many tries before I found a way to keep champagne at the right chilling temperature all the way home."
      Sasha Sable: (( It depends. It's often slightly tart. It's not to everyone's taste but the alcohol cooks off and if it's done right you get a sort of fruity, nutty taste to the cheese that pairs well with lots of things. ))
      Corion: **He'd smile, then would look up as Sasha brings the food in, impressed over the display before he'd take the long fork** This all looks and smells so good, Sasha. Tacey or I would have helped you bring the food out if you had asked, though
      Corion: ((I've never actually had fondue, is it good?))
      Tacey: She freezes up slightly at Corion's quick hug, but would then look over at him with a mildly sad gaze. “...I might take you up on that. Whenever we get back to base. I appreciate it.” And thus, her stare is drawn towards Sasha's return, watching in attentive silence as he sets up the furniture with the spread of various foods. Her eyes widen a bit, surprised, partly from the abundance, partly from the clear diligence that went into the meal, and partly at the variety presented with it. She absently takes the long fork in hand when given to her, and sets her emptied mug down on the table. “You made all this yourself?” She asks the marten.
      Sasha Sable: It's not much longer until the marten heads in, carrying an iron pot supported on a hook, which he sets up on a stand, and pulls over some small tables, on which he places cubes of firm bread and various vegetables. Sliced carrots, roasted red pepper, rye crackers and potatoes that seem to be raosted as well, with a rub of dill.

    He wanders off, and returns with a third plate, on which are some shrimp and strips of grilled venison and beef in addition to the rest, at which point he removes the lid and hands his guests each a long fork. The room is immediately filled with a slightly tart but heady aroma, sweet and nutty and slightly rich. The fondue sticks to the sides of the pot and thus seems to have been bubbling a while, as though it was on before they both arrived, despite no-one being here to watch it.

      Corion: **He'd finish off his cup of cocoa, before he'd reach out and would give Tacey a small, yet brief one armed hug before drawing back once more** You know if you ever need to talk about them, I and the others are here to provide a shoulder, right?
      Tacey: “I guess,” she responds tiredly, nodding. “See, this is why someone else needs to be the Leader, because I'm not good with the whole etiquette and diplomacy thing. I just...I still have things I'm working through. Things I need closure for.” That said, she inhales deeply, softly, and then raises her cup of cocoa to her lips, taking in the fluid with gentle gulps. And while doing so, her brow furrows a bit, starting to look just a little confused by the sounds and smells that continue to emanate from that region of the estate. It was beginning to register as unusual.
      Sasha Sable: The chopping intensifies, and shortly thereafter there's the sound of bread cracking. Yes, cracking, it's a hard crust bread. followed by the sound of something sizzling and dripping. It smells, meaty. Like, actually meaty. Like someone is grilling meat with an open flame. Not something that happens often outside of more adventurous cultures, or human ones.
      Corion: Do you feel better now, at least? **He'd pick up the scent of cooking food, his stomach grumbling quietly at him, before he'd continue speaking** Please, that would be good though, however, if you feel the need to do so, I'll just give this back to you *He'd hold the pillow up once more*
      Tacey: Tacey merely continues to treat the pillow like a baby's teething toy, putting aggressive pressure on the corner of it in intervals while Sasha and Corion proceed with their conversation. And she still continues to do so even after Sasha excuses himself, simply adding soft, audible growls to the effort in his absence. It wouldn't be until the scent of Sasha's cooking reaches her that she finally stops taking her frustrations out on the innocent piece of furniture, looking...bizarrely calm. Perhaps a little lost in thought. She passes the pillow back over to Corion. “I know—” she starts, in anticipation of what Corion might have to say. “I lost my cool. I'll try not to let it happen again.”
      Sasha Sable: The marten smiles. "That will do, but there are some things must be done before I can leave even if building stays staffed. Firstly, I must stock with many supplies. As you have no doubt seen, living out here is very challenging endeavor, even locals seldom do. One who is left here must have supplies to run HQ for extended period. Second, we must build transmitter, so that contact may be made immediately in case I am needed to return quick like. I shall return momentarily and we may discuss the details."

    He leaves the two to their own devices for a bit and wanders off to the far end of the "lodge", he is sure that at least one of them will have things to say they would prefer to feel he is out of earshot of, while he goes about preparing the fondue he mentioned earlier, examining two pots, and then beginning to chop... something. Actually several things, he seems to be making a whole, to-do out of it. It seems like fondue is going to be dinner. It's not the kind of food one would expect in this neck of the woods, but Tacey would probably get a whiff of... some very familiar smells when the pots are open and stirred, things like champagne, brie, swiss, and gruyere. And a faint hint of sweetness that's too quick to identify, but clearly something entirely different.

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      Tacey: ((Okie dokie. :3 Paused for now!))
      Corion: ((Okay)
      Sasha Sable: (( Late for me. That's enough for the day, I think. ))
      Corion: I also do not wish to take you away from your work here *He'd think for a moment, trying to come up with a solution** Ah, I think I know, what if we sent someone to assist you, who can give us regular updates? That way we'd always be able to keep in touch and can offer more assistance to you should you need it?
      Tacey: Rather than beat on the pillow Corion offered, she moves the cup into one hand, firmly gripping the pillow in the other, and bites down on a corner of it. Not actively trying to tear it apart or anything, but merely sinking her teeth mightily into the fabric. She doesn't say anything else for the moment.
      Sasha Sable: Sasha looks from one end of the structure to the other. "Does it look like I have more convenient method of delivering status update to freedom fighters HQ? I stopped seeking approval when child. Everything I do, I do for the sake of it." Tacey finally hit a nerve, and now he's not smiling. He's not frowning either, but the hospitable air in the room just suddenly vanished. He looks to Corion. "Always I am happy to help people in need. If I am needed elsewhere, then I must go, I simply wished to know what could be so important to warrant the visit."
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      Corion: **He'd pass one of the couch cushions to Tacey, so she could beat her frustrations out onto it** Enough, Tacey **Hoping she got the hint, he'd then pass the letters over to Sasha, so the marten could take a look at them** Here are the letters we received, along with a map that led us here...we came to see if you'd join us, or, perhaps given you do not wish to leave this place, would consider becoming a branch office?
      Tacey: In response to that reasonable question, she proceeds to go on a charged rant, “If you're needed here, then why did you bother sending us letters? We can well leave you to your important duties here if they're so imperative, and you can stop writing us letters about it unless you want us to be involved somehow, instead of making anyone waste their time filing your paperwork away. If you need to write about what you've done so badly, just keep a damn journal!”
      Sasha Sable: The marten looks a bit nonplussed at the request, and sits up. "Sash, the name is Sasha. Have the bottom ten percent of my letters not been arriving?" names are signed right on them! He does not understand the purpose of these formalities, largely because he has lived alone for quite a long time. Social nuances are often lost on him. "For what exactly am I needed? I am also needed here. I do good good work for these peoples, someone must be here to hold down the fort, surely?"
      Corion: **He'd pick up the cup of hot cocoa, taking a drink and letting out a sigh of contentment before he'd set the mug down once more* Before we continue on, however, I feel that introductions are in order *He'd smile* I am Corion, the leader of the Freedom Fighters and my companion here is Tacey...might we have the pleasure of knowing your name?
      Tacey: She's suddenly giving Sasha death glares again, but is too preoccupied with the hot chocolate to make any additional promises of harm. Bubbles form in her cup as the fluid takes in a forceful exhale of her breath. Then she lowers the beverage, inhaling sharply before speaking. “Yes. A letter. I'm certainly realizing that would've been the better idea. But it wasn't just to see if you're agreeable, it's also to see if you're actually worth your salt and not a bold-faced liar. Given what we've seen so far—the case seems to be that you weren't just making things up. Which is good. I guess.” That last sentence said with a particular sting of bitterness.
      Sasha Sable: Sasha kicks back, his paws crossed one of the other. "The bears have been here since I was little sasha. Way wayyy back during Robotnik rebellion. Bears are mobini, driven mad by roboticization. Not sure why they are still robot bears. Perhaps they were heavily modified?" the marten pauses for a moment, then laughs, one hand covering his face. "Haha... Never a letter and now you come ask in person! A letter would have been much easier, comrades. I visit the capital every month, sometime thrice!"
      Corion: Well, the letters were found, and to be honest, we need more members for the Freedom Fighters...it's why we came here, to see if you'd be agreeable to working with us
      Tacey: She utters an additional 'hmpf', the pleasantries and hospitality of their host serving as an inconvenient barrier to her want for hostilities. With nothing for that aggression to latch onto, it starts to lose its way, and she resumes the attempt at maintaining some lazy form of cordiality. “Where exactly did these robot bears come from, if you don't mind?” she asks with apparent vexation in her voice, then taking a sip of the beverage she'd been given. She figured she'd let Corion handle answering the marten's question.
      Sasha Sable: The marten tilts his head. "I do not blame the moth comrade. Cyberian wilderness does not agree with most. Very unforgiving. Vast stretches of unfriendly terrain. Lack of food. Vicious animal, usually robot." he laughs a little bit and settles in on a seat himself. "Why are you here now, then?"
      Corion: *He'd resist the urge to facepalm over Tacey's suggestion, before he'd sigh and shake his head before his attention would return to Sasha* Yes, we're sorry about not replying, but we're here now
      Tacey: Upon receiving this confirmation, she looks at Sasha with a steely, stone cold frown. She walks back over to where she left her coat, picks it up, smothers her own face in its drapery, and emits a muffled scream. Then she drops down back down, returning to the group. She wordlessly receives her mug, and moves over to the chairs they've been directed to. Sitting, keeping the mug hovering over her lap, she looks over at Corion with her tired, sullen gaze. “Corion,” she says with a muted voice, trying to keep it low, but not caring enough to avoid being overheard. “My legs are sore. Kick him in the face for me. Like, a lot.”
      Sasha Sable: Sasha is more than happy to get the cocoa out of a small fireplace off the main room, and starts pouring into lacquered wooden mugs. He passes one to each and waves them over to take a seat, there are several wooden couches with thick blankets draped over them situated around a larger fireplace across from the door in the main hall, more than enough space to rest. "One of many, I am sure, though I have been writing regularly for some time now. I have not gotten replies, but I have seen what you have been dealing with. Very upsetting, you must be very busy."
      Corion: Cinnamon would be lovely, thank you *He'd give a smile to Sasha, then would pull the letters out of his jacket at the mention of the Cyberian Freedom Fighters* Ah yes, that would be the reason we came out here...never expected to be attacked though, but I'm sure there are worse things that have happened
      Tacey: ((Rest well! :3))
      Corion: ((G'night))
      Tacey: ((We shall pause here for now~ :3))
      Corion: ((Okay))
      Sasha Sable: (( Sleep then! ))
      Corion: ((Sorry guys, I'm beginning to get sleepy x-x))
      Tacey: She would do the same as Corion once she's got her feet back on the floor, shuffling off the coat, boots, and gloves, providing a rare instance of wearing socks and no gloves on her red hands. The delightful warmth puts her in a better mood, at least in the sense that she's not presently brooding. “Cinnamon, sure,” she says tiredly. “I just want to sit down somewhere.” And then in a delayed reaction, she blinks, looking over at the stranger. “Cyberian Freedom Fighters, are you the one that's been writing letters to the FF?” She didn't really have much time to consider such a thing given the situation they'd been entrenched in, along the foul mood she had been fostering.
      Sasha Sable: "Sure it is! It's made of logs isn't it? I've been working on it nearly every day for.. hmm. At least five years now, I'd say!" he presses his hands to his hips and looks very proud. "It's finally almost worthy of being the official base of Cyberian Freedom fighters! So! do you take cinnamon in your cocoa?" he rambles a bit as he pulls the doors closed. Being inside the cabin is wonderful. Every heating installation is perfectly placed and tended, and as he passes each and blows gently, the ambient temperature in the room rises to about 67 degrees fahrenheit thanks to the coals and excellent insulation.
      Corion: ...This is supposed to be a cabin? Wow **He'd stare for a moment in wonder, before he'd let Tacey down as she begins to squirm, he'd then move to enter in after the other two and remove his boots on any mat set aside for such a purpose, so he didn't ruin the nice flooring with the snow, he'd then aim to remove his jacket**
      Tacey: Being scooped up unsolicited provokes her ire, however, neither would she fight against it. She just continues being an angry and bitter bug in silence, only speaking out during the few attacks, in either doling out warnings or failed attempts at get involved. It's a little harder to fight without a weapon, on top of being physically sapped, so there really wasn't any way for her to make herself useful. Once the arrive at the “cabin”, she initially doesn't give it any attention, not until they get closer and its massive size becomes hard to ignore. “This isn't—” she starts, and then immediately gives up. She just wanted in the mansion, and out of Corion's arms. Which she doesn't hesitate to do once they are past the threshold, she wiggling again to free herself from his gracious gesture.
      Sasha Sable: The trip is largely uneventful, compared to their arrival here. A few attacks on the way, handled quickly. Eventually they arrive at said destination, and it becomes apparent why the bears don't like to be here, considering how many of them sit, in various stages of dismantling, around the perimeter of the property. In the middle is a log cabin that is absolutely tremendous, it is built more like a manor and a fortess than a cabin, must be 10,000 square feet at least, two and a half floors, east and west wings, a large, wooden double doors big enough for even a dragon to squeeze through and perhaps the most infuriating, a wide clearing they could have landed in. He takes a deep breath, smiles, and swings open the doors, it's warrrrm, and bright, coal braziers everywhere, and little charcoal stoves in each room. It's very rustic. Lovely hardwood flooring though!
      Corion: *He'd start jogging as well, though noticing that Tacey was moving slower, he'd scoop her up into his arms before he'd take off jogging once more, as he knew the sooner they got there, the sooner she could get warmed up, the added weight didn't seem to bother him though, given his enhancements**
      Tacey: Her arms got rigid at her sides, their fists clenching. Even with the promise of warm, delicious foods, she is not pleased with needing to take such a trek. And in an additional layer of stubbornness, she just starts jogging after the fellow without addressing Corion's suggestion, stewing in silence as she lumbers along. But she would, no doubt, be moving slower than Corion or the stranger, exhausted, but unwilling to acknowledge it.
      Sasha Sable: Sasha laughs a bit at the suggestion. "I can fight ONE bear. We can, perhaps, fight three bears at a time. There are dozens right now, I would not advise it. Besides! if we go back, you miss fondue! and cocoa! and chicken dumpling soup with beets!" he claps his hands together again and hmms. "Working up an appetite is good! A strong body makes a strong stomach makes a strong man!" he pats his belly, and picks up the pace to a brisk jog. He was being serious about the jogging.
      Corion: Tacey, we came here for a reason, if you want, I can carry you again, or give you a piggyback ride? After that, we can go home and get warm again, and not have to worry about death robot murder bears
      Tacey: She only barely suppresses a growl, which is uttered as a muffled 'mrgh' sort of sound. An even longer walk, or perhaps equally long jog being required for this destination sounded far too much. Throwing her arms up in sudden dismay, she announces, “What if you just escort us back to our ship? It's not far, you can kill any bears along the way, and we can talk there instead! And then we can go home!” And for good measure, she punches Corion in the arm, cushioned by her padded gloves, intending to make it clear she wants him to agree with her.
      Sasha Sable: "This was not my cabin, family cabin! It belonged to my parents. Have not lived here in years! ehh, it is not far, only about six, seven, miles depending on where snowdrifts are on a given day! We will be there in no time if we jog! and it will keep you warm. And if not, fire bears!" he does not seem to understand just how upsetting this situation is for Tacey. "Oh? I am not sure, it depends on what you consider living. At least ten years, perhaps more! It is verrry easy once you get used to it!" it is absolutely not, even by cyberian standards.
      Corion: *He'd start following as well, making sure to remain close to the other two, as he was wary of any other murder robot bears approaching them, despite his capabilities** So...how long have you lived out here?
      Tacey: “You have more than one cabin?” While he did mention this smoldering cabin was a family cabin, the thought didn't occur to her that there could be another. But she apparently doesn't actually care that much, since not having to worry about bears sounded pretty great at the moment, thus she progresses the conversation without waiting for an answer. “Sure, yeah, let's go. How far away is it?” She asks apprehensively as she starts following the stranger. Given the length of the walk they took to get to this particular cabin in the first place, she wasn't looking forward to another potentially arduous hike through this awful cold.
      Sasha Sable: The marten steps down of of the bear and struts over straight legged. "Not all of them at once, little moth girl!" he laughs, and gives a thumbs up to Corion. "Is a function of experience. Anyone can do! if strong enough. You, metal man, you probably can do too. Which is good, because they won't stop coming until they do not think they can win! Is not as fun as to wrestle, but much better at breaking them for a while!" as the marten states, the bears, though wary, are still advancing. "Come with me! We will go to my cabin, they do not like my cabin! and we will have have much bracing exercise in the storm along the way!" He pivots on the spot, and resumes his walk straight west, shoving the fallen trees from which their first bear emerged out of the way.
      Corion: **This time he'd let Tacey get out of his arms, his attention then going towards Sasha** Hey, that's pretty neat
      Tacey: A combination of Corion blocking her view of the flames and the stranger's overtly loud clap brings Tacey back to her senses in immediate order. “Agh!” She exclaims as she slaps her hands over her ears, or rather, over the section of the hooded coat covering her ears. By the time she recovers from this distraction, she's able to catch sight of the odd fellow going total beast mode on that bear in impressive fashion. She again tries to push herself out of Corion's hold. “I'm fine now, let go,” she insists, and if allowed to do so, she would stand in the snow, facing the defunct bear and its victor. “Hey, is that something you can do to every bear here? We'd appreciate it.”
      Sasha Sable: The marten asses the situation, puts his hat back on, and pounces in one movement from his place in front of the fire to about a foot away from the two, and swings his arms together in a blur of motion, producing an earsplitting clap. "Nyet!" fire is bad for bugs, he then spins around the two and dashes off into the snow on all fours, does a handspring, and lands on the neck of an approaching bear. Locking hands together under the chin, he plants his feet into the metal back, and pulls, hard. Nothing seems to happen at first, but then his body fwoomps out, fur bristled, looking a lot more like vector than the noodle he previously was, and the bear bends backwards, a red heat rapidly starting to build in its belly, before it begins to smoke and collapses in a heap under the marten, twitching and sparking.
      Corion: Uh, the bear kind of went crazy, and-- **He'd tighten his hold onto Tacey, though realizing she was staring at the flames, he'd groan and would turn away from it, to block her sight of the flames so she wouldn't end up going for it and hurting herself** Tacey, not now!
      Tacey: There seemed to be too much going on with what this stranger was saying for her, and the casualty of it appeared to irritate her. “Your cabin? Bear set it on fire. And there's a bunch more bears apparently wanting to hunt us down, so we're not exactly in a good position for small talk...” She trails off. It was hard to look at this person without her peripheral vision catching sight of the flames. While no longer as raging as they were, it's still bright enough to be enticing, and it seems her resolve isn't quite so steely this time around. Next thing you know, she's trying to shove herself out of Corion's arms, her eyes held in a trance on that irresistible dance of fire.
    DICE: Tacey rolls 1 = 1 on a 1d6 +0.
      Sasha Sable: The individual is startled out of their ruminations by the shouting. They turn, and tilt their head, before removing their hat and smiling a toothy, openmouthed smile. "Hmm? Da, always bears!" It appears to be a marten, lanky, noodly, dark furred and pointy, probably shorter than Tacey, definitely shorter than Corion. There also happens to, you know, be murder bear in the immediate vicinity that they kind of left there near the blaze. It does not seem to be functional, and is in fact, smoking. "Is fine, is fine! bears do not like the heat. Do you happen to know why family cabin is on fire, travelers?" he is completely unphased by this situation, or Corion's weird robot limbs, he pauses momentarily, then ahhs. "Ahh, I see, many bears at once, upset, at you. Haha, that's a difference!" they are definitely a teenager.
      Corion: Yes, giant murder death bears! *He'd move to land near the figure, in order to get a better look at them in the least* If you'd please some with us for your own safety, maybe?
      Tacey: “Apologies can wait for later!” She responds as they head back in the previously traveled direction. At the point where they approach the still burning cabin, the moment she'd notice the unknown figure standing there, she helps herself to shouting at them loudly. “HEY! WATCH OUT! BEARBOTS EVERWHERE!” It was her civic duty, she felt, to alert this person to the dangers of this unnatural forest, whether they might be friend or foe.

    Back to the cabin is an equally unappealing idea, as they've closed in to the north too, but at least the light in the distance makes it very obvious they're going in a straight line, and it makes it so Tacey can see where they're going too. Getting back through the line will be tough, but for some reason, the net in the north isn't as tight as those in the east and south. They're starting to wrap around the west too, which feels a bit ominous. As they approach the cabin, there's a figure that is definitely not a robot grizzly standing in front of the slowly dimming blaze amidst the winter flurry, scratching their head, wearing nothing but an ushanka, seemingly completely oblivious to the imminently murderous robots.

      Corion: **He'd take note of the way the robots were acting, before he'd turn back towards the cabin once more, aiming to pick up the pace of the swinging through the trees* I'm sorry, Tacey, for this mess
      Tacey: Her head rotates this way and that, listening to the sounds as they become more abundant and discerningly placed. She speaks again, jostling Corion a bit in a restless fidget. “Damn...dammit, they're pinning us in! We need to go back, or somewhere else! Something!

    As corion turns east and heads on, it becomes apparent that the ship is the least of their problems. There are hulking white shapes in the darkness, moving through the trees. The roars are still coming from the north, but the bears have moved down here too. To the east of them, to the south of them, moving quietly while others make noise. These robini use ambush and diversion tactics, they're not wild animals, they must have some kind of programming that makes them use area denial tactics. They're not just defending territory, they're establishing perimeters.

      Corion: We're heading south, but that doesn't seem to be doing much **He'd keep his grip on Tacey as he continues through the trees, internally annoyed over their bad luck, even as he heads back east towards the ship* ...I hope it's still intact
      Tacey: Fortunately for Corion, she's thickly bundled in her snow wear, and therefore only tenses up at someone else putting their hands on her. But she wouldn't make any motion to hold onto him in return, directing her gaze ahead as she squints her eyes tightly. This was certainly the better idea, given her restricted mobility, but she probably isn't going to admit that out loud. “This is...which way are we going?” She mutters, since it sounded like the noises they were trying to flee from were still getting closer.

    South it ist! the trees get thicker to both the north and the south, unlike east and west, so it doesn't really matter in which direction they go. The roaring seems to be getting closer despite their attempts to skirt around it, apparently the bears can move quite fast. Snow's picking up and it gets a little disorienting, but they're well trained and equipped, right? Moving quickly through thick and fallen trees. It's a few miles back to their ship in a fairly straight line, this detour is looking rough.

      Corion: We'll go south, then swing back around east...but, just to be safe about this, just don't get mad at me, okay? *He'd turn quickly, aiming to scoop Tacey up, before metallic tendrils would emerge from his body, grabbing onto tree branches and swinging them along, he wasn't sure if they could follow footsteps through snow, but he didn't want to find out either, so he figured this would be a better option as he heads south before switching around east for the ship*
      Tacey: ((Paused for now~ X3))
      Opera: (( Go sleep. ))
      Tacey: ((You go right ahead, Meg~ :3))
      Corion: ((I'm sorry, but do the both of you mind if we pause? I'm starting to fall asleep at my computer))
      Tacey: After the bear falls over, she feels satisfied at having some minor form of retribution for the perceived slight she received. Though, it being downed just makes it even harder for her to not notice the amazing display of fire the cabin presents, and she again finds her eyes wandering to it, fixated. But like before, she's quick to realize it, and tears her stare away, to the snow, and then up at Corion. She points to the east, in the direction of the sounds. “Whatever it is, it's in the direction of the ship, so I think we should try going north or south, and see if we can swing back around to the ship. You're Leader, so it's your call what we do!”
    DICE: Tacey rolls 4 = 4 on a 1d6 +0.

    The bear does, in fact, finish falling over after being whanged with a hefty chunk of flaming debris, but a non-flaming chunk of debris would have worked just as well. The bear seems to be rather unhappy to have something on fire on top of it though, and swipes it off quickly. the robot is having some trouble getting up off its own back with only one arm and a partially functional leg on the side missing one. There's still time to deal with this thing before all that gets here, but it's a question of whether or not it's worth it. Deciding on discretion here might very well be a good idea, so where are they gonna go?

      Corion: Yeah, uh...that might be a good idea...I'd rather not deal with any more angry robo murder bears **He'd withdraw the tendrils from the damaged bear and would jump off to come to a landing near Tacey**
      Tacey : Not recommended, but she still goes for a liftable chunk of flaming wood. Briefly diving her gloved hands into the snow, rubbing them together a bit, and then scooping up the sizable piece she was eyeing, hoping that the snow on her gloves would at least hold out long enough for her to make use of the bit. Keeping it at arm's length, she whirls around, and...for just a brief moment, her gaze is held by the alluring brightness of the cabin's inferno. Fortunately, the distraction doesn't last long, and she resumes her action, quickly spinning around a few times, building momentum, then hurling the wooden chunk at the bear, aiming to hit the thing in its chest as it wildly torches everything around it. Even if it wouldn't do much damage, she wanted to at least get some kind of shot in, out of spite. But of course, the ever-present noise in the distance continues to loom closer. At this point, she's starting to feel maybe it's something they ought to get away from, and she cups her hands over her mouth, shouting. “Corion! Something's up, we might want to bail!”


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