Jotari

"Are the Hermans your current employer?" Emmet asked. Maybe it's just a landlord but I'd like to know who's actually paying the wage around here.

Takmaru isn't Japanese only anymore. His game was translated and released on VC last year.

That's what putting one's trust in google image search does. It has since been corrected on my own computer but I'm not going to upload a second video for the sake of it. Saki is in over Isa per the Marth idea that the oldest protagonist will always be the oldest while the newer won't necessary be the newer. Isa might have more moveset potential but I don't think it's be too strange for Saki to use Isa's moves. And, in general, I prefer Saki's design over Isa's.

Emmet clapped his hands. "Excellent. So do I need to sign any paper work? I should at least find out where your headquarters are so I'm not forced to wander the library hoping to run into you."

For the speculative amongst you, I've made a roster for what I think the next game's character selection should be. [spoiler=] And a video explaining my choices/opinions

Emmet began healing Niko's wounds. "I take it I can officially count myself a member of the reliants then? I call the bow Pinaka. A weapon of my own design though unfortunately I no longer have access to the materials to recreate it. I will of course allow you to study it if you wish, I never discourage learning. However I would have to insist I be with you whenever you examine it. It is perhaps the single thing in this world I cherish above all else." Though that vial lady Claire is carrying no doubt comes a close second he added in his head. "I got kicked out of the Raewald military for having such a nonconformist style" And also because my accuracy is less than stellar but there's no reason to let him know my confidence in that area is so low. Though in a few more battles he'll probably see for himself.

Emmet launched an arrow from Pinaka. He used the unique properties of the bow to infuse his attack with magic. Instead of a solid wooden object, a large beam of pure radiance was shot towards his foe. The attack struck true but Niko seemed to be a keen warrior and didn't let it deter him. He countered and Emmet received a bow of comparable power. Partly because he was elated by how well his first attack hit, partly due to being slightly rusty but mostly due to Niko's superior ability, he didn't manage to get another attack in for the rest of the fight. When Niko knocked him to the ground with his final attack, he lay there and laughed. "Well played, mage" he said as he returned to his feet. "I think you are the definite better of the two of us. I think I gave as good as I got but I really need to work on my aim it seems. You're no doubt less injured than I but how about I heal you nonetheless to prove I can use one of these" he said, brandishing his heal stave.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyphemus

Did you get my reference when I asked if you've ever killed a cyclops?

"Perfectly understandable." Emmet laughed. "I certainly don't feel like loosing my head."

"Oh, combat" said Emmet. "I was merely going to suggest I show my skills off on the firing range. But yes, that's a much more interesting an idea. And since you're a mage I can probably show off my secret technique without much injury."

Emmet raised an eyebrow at Claire. "Very well then. People, I request you forget about the secret research I mentioned but didn't elaborate upon in any meaningful way. For the sake of it's secrecy I shall act as if she and I have no prior history. Unless the lady would like to contrive some reason we might know each other that is more vague than my explanation." Emmet was of course aware that he probably just made everyone much more curious about the exact specifics of their research but he didn't mind. It was Claire who had made an issue out of it.

"Ah so you're the leader" Emmet said, returning to his feet. "Forgive me for not recognising the fact earlier. Since we're at a barracks anyway, how about I give you a demonstration of my unique abilities. I don't want to give you the impression I carry this bow around just for show."

"I already know the lady Claire" Emmet said flashing her a sincere smile. "She and I are working on a secret project together. Though I'm feeling a little peeved towards her right now. I asked if you could get me any mercenary work my lady, you neglected to mention you knew a group as famous as the reliants." He nodded at Sir Angus and Serge. "A pleasure to meet the two of you." He kneeled down to the bears level. "But I'm especially pleased to meet you, Lord Geoffrey. You must be a genius tactician to lead such an renowned group. Especially when you've yet to learn the basics of toilet training." He stuck his hand out hopping the bear would approach and allow him to pet it.

Emmet tried to hide a frown of disappointment. "My name's Emmet." I could have sworn I told him that already. He followed Niko through the streets, wondering what kind of people the reliants would be in reality. Suddenly Niko stopped and looked into the distance. Emmet followed his gaze and notice lady Claire standing outside what appeared to be a barracks. There was a man with her but Emmet was more distracted by the clothed bear that lay between them.

Have you ever killed a cyclops?

Seems I won't get any research done today Emmet thought. Though if I can get some work then it'll be worth it. Maybe I'll pop by the guild library later and see what they have. "Lead the way then mr...I don't believe you told me your name."

Emmet hopped to his feet. "Research can wait. I'll grasp this opportunity while it's in reach. I can recognise when fortune is knocking at my door. So to speak."

Emmet nodded to the entrance on the far side of the library where he had left his bow. "I'm an archer. I've also studied magic though tome combat isn't my area of expertise. Failing that I also have experience with staves, hunting, cooking and storytelling."

Emmet smiled. "The reliants. I've heard the name before. In Deira like you say. I can't recall ever meeting a member personally but I've only heard good things. From your research I take it your new in town. Have you signed up with the local mercenaries' guild? I'm looking for work myself at the moment. Do you think you could get me a meeting with your commander?"

Emmet was leaning back on his chair but sat up straight when he heard the word mercenary. "Ah! A mercenary. Our similarities only increase the more we talk. I too have engaged in much mercenary work. Though I'm unemployed at the moment. What's the name of your guild?"

"Oh. A fellow foreigner" Emmet said as he took a seat at the desk. "And a fellow mage, I presume." If I can justifiably call myself a mage without knowing how to use tomes. "I'm from Raewald, the name's Emmet. Tell me, how have you found Wyke's view of your country? Raewald is so distant, few people here really seem to acknowledge its existence."

"Well I'll be waiting over here for you to finish" he said as he moved towards a desk. He stopped half way there, turned, and looked back at the mage. "If I might ask, why exactly are you studying foreign history?" Claire got that vial from somewhere and I still don't know where. It's more than possible others on the same trail as me.

[spoiler=Frankenstein's Badger] Claire arrived back at the guild in the late morning. She hadn't arranged a time to meet Emmet again, so she was just hoping he was around. She ignored the guildmaster's presence completely as she glanced around the room, spotting Emmet in more or less the same place he'd been yesterday and making her way over to him. "So, did you find what we need?" she asked, trying to hide the anticipation in her voice. This wasn't exactly a normal thing, trying to raise the dead and all, so she was... interested to see how it went? Well, it was more like morbid curiosity, but still. If he hadn't found anything though, this meeting was entirely pointless. "Ah Claire, good morning" Emmet greeted her. "I managed to find some experiment samples if that's what you mean. I'm still working on the research. Most of is steeped in myth and rather vague but there seems to be some solid information mixed in there. Come to my room. That where the badgers are." He led her upstairs into his room at the back of the building. As they grew closer the smell of decay became more apparent. "That's one of the badgers" Emmet admitted when he seen Claire reacting. "If it can resurrect the dead I wanted to see if the corpse needed to be fresh. I know you probably feel compelled to complain about it but honestly I've heard enough from the other tenants." He held up his thumb and forefinger. "I'm this close to getting kicked out of the guild completely." Badgers? Claire raised an eyebrow at the man's choice, but didn't question it. She smelt them before she saw them, laid face down on a table, thrusting her hand over her nose in order to try and mask the stench, but it didn't do an awful lot. "Couldn't you have waited longer before killing them?" she muttered, although it was muffled further by her hand to the point that she wasn't entirely sure Emmet could make out what she was saying. With her other hand, she produced the vial, ready to- oh. She groaned. Why didn't I think to bring gloves? She hadn't really put much thought into this. She removed her hand from her face, figuring that she'd have to face the smell sooner or later. She'd seen combat now, sure, but actually handling dead bodies (even if they were badgers) still wasn't exactly comfortable. She placed her hand under one of their bellies and brought it upwards in an attempt to flip it onto its back. Thankfully, it was successful, and its jaw was limp. At least she didn't have to pry its mouth open. "Only a few drops?" Would they need to use the whole thing just on the beast? That could be a waste. "This one I only killed this morning" Emmet told her. "As for this one" he reached into the corner, lifted up a sleeping badger and put it on the table with the other two. "This one's still alive. I've given it a sleeping draft so it shouldn't be too much trouble. If it fails to resurrect the other two then I plan on fatally injuring it to see if the potion can do anything at all. I know we've both got quite excited about all this but it is still possible you've merely managed to acquire some colourful water. Anyway let's begin. We'll start the one longest dead first." Emmet noticed she was already standing over the body. Now that the moment had come he was starting to feel quite nervous. "I say start off with a few drops. Overall I don't think we should use up more than half the bottle." Claire nodded, not really in Emmet's direction, mostly to assure herself. She took care unscrewing the vial, and then carefully let a few drops fall into the badger's mouth. And now we wait. Would they would need to use more. Or give it more time? She had no idea. The badger remained still for a few moments, not moving a single muscle. However, its paw began to twitch, a wave of life spreading across its body. The animal's eyes opened weakly, the poor creature gasping for air. It appeared that the mages had managed to revive the creature, although not particularly well. Letting out a weak cry, blood started to trickle from its mouth, the animal feebly swatting the air with its paws. It was visibly in a great deal of pain, and its breaths grew more rapid and weak as it struggled to ventilate itself. "Incredible" Emmet exclaimed. "I honestly didn't expect it to work on this one. I thought a jolt through the body and nothing more. In fact I was mostly expecting it to just be an excellent healing potion and the whole reviving the death aspect being exaggeration. But this...this is incredible." He grabbed Claire by the waist and swung her around with glee. "We've actually found the elixir of life! The fountain of ages is real!" Ignoring Claire's protests he grabbed the bottle and began weighing it in his hand, he had his back facing his new science partner. "I thought we'd use up half the bottle but we've barely used any at all and it was enough. Course I don't know exactly how much you used. I forgot to give you the dropper. I don't think we even need to test it on the one I killed this morning. What do you think?" Watching the badger's reanimation wasn't a comfortable experience. Claire cringed a little as it happened, the poor thing was clearly in pain but crazily it had actually come back to life. She, at no point in this process, had felt confident about this working. "Wh-Put me down!" she yelled as Emmet grabbed her, trying to shove him off of her. Thankfully, it wasn't too long before he let her down, causing her to try and smooth out her robes to the point they were presentable again. "I... think the results are conclusive." she admitted, wondering what to do now. "Just, get the badger some water." She glanced back at their subject. For obvious reasons, she wasn't sure what exactly an animal would need after returning from the grave, but it was a start. Emmet regarded the badger still spluttering on the table. He shrugged his shoulders. "You probably shouldn't bother. I imagine it'll be dead in a few moments regardless what we do." He held up the elixir again. "Unless of course you want to give it some more of this, but I think it's far too precious for a simple badger. That being said...Maybe I could..." He quickly turned and started rummaging through a travel bag near the foot of his bed. "Ah, here it is." He pulled a Heal Staff out. "I have been meaning to practise my healing a little. This seems like a good opportunity." He stood up and flourished the stave. "Okay! You get some water and I'll see what magic I can work." He spoke with a confidence and determination that completely contradicted his earlier complete disregard for the creatures life. "Let's save this badger!" Claire probably would've felt slightly rude going through Emmet's belongings looking for a bowl without asking if he hadn't grabbed her first. As it was, she was rooting through anywhere in the room that might have a suitable container. In the end, she just grabbed a pot he had (probably for herbalist work?) and emptied the contents onto the side before filling it with water. It'll do. She brought it back towards the animal and placed it carefully on the floor. She glanced back at Emmet, then the badger, biting her lip slightly. Would normal healing staves be able to do anything here? Emmet's staff flashed, the badger being bathed in light. It didn't appear to make that much of a difference, the badger still looked rather distressed, its cries growing weaker and weaker. The poor creature didn't have the energy in it to drink, its head flopping down and the animal becoming lifeless once more. In the end, nothing was different. The animal died for a second time, regardless of their efforts. "Just to make sure, you ARE confident in your healing, right?" Claire asked, although she was fairly sure what his answer would be. Her eyes hadn't left the badger. Maybe they were supposed to use more of the vial? Regardless, it seemed there was some truth to Dettard's words after all - although all it did was raise more questions. "Of course I'm confident" Emmet said, slightly crouchy. "I told you, I was with the priesthood for two years. Did you study staves? They have their limits you know. I doubt the best healer in the world could have saved the badger. At least not with this stave." He threw the healing stave onto the bed. "It was in a sorry state. I'd say if we used a higher dosage of the elixir it would have lived. The fact that it came back at all after being dead for days is impressive. Anyway what do you want to do with this one?" he asked, standing over the badger he had killed that morning. "We know the potion is the real deal now. In my opinion we probably shouldn't use up any more of it. A shame though, I wouldn't have went and bought three if I knew one would suffice." "I figured as such." Claire sighed. "I was just making sure. But it seems that we're still lost." Figuratively speaking, of course. "Do what you want with the animals. It doesn't matter to me." She didn't know how to take care of a badger and she doubted that Emmet cared. Maybe he would just eat it or something. "That was the assumption I was making." she nodded, glancing at the vial. While she had no plans for it yet, there was no point in wasting it. She stretched out her hand, gesturing for him to return the vial there. "And regarding your payment..." she began, biting her lip. They probably should've discussed terms beforehand to prevent Emmet throwing a ridiculous offer at her after they were all done. But since she didn't, she just had to wait and see what he wanted. He'd said that he just wanted 'see this through' or something of the sort, but it was unlikely those words were entirely true. Emmet waved a hand. "I told you not to worry about the payment. I just want to be involved with the research. If there's even a smallest chance I'll get to the fountain of ages then that's more than enough for me...Although..." Dammit Emmet thought. This going to make me look like a liar. He reached down and began scratching the ear of the sleeping badger. "Buying these guys has put me in the danger zone when it comes to rent. I don't want any money off you per se but I have done some research on you these past two days and I know you have some connections to the royal family. If you could maybe get me some mercenary work to keep me going then I'd be very grateful. I assure you I can use that bow and who wouldn't want a healer beside them in battle?" The fact that Emmet was actually sticking to his word here (albeit technically) was surprising to Claire. Maybe he was just a loon. But either way, he'd done what he'd promised her, and she couldn't fault her for that. "I'm only minor nobility." she gave him a small shrug. "Nothing comes to mind for work immediately, but I'll let you know if I think of something. There's likely a mercenary group or two around here hiring though, if you know where to look. Now, the vial please." He still hadn't given it back to her, and her arm was getting kind of sore... He looked at the vial in his hand absentmindedly. "Oh. That's a shame. I was hooping you could get me wrapped up in the business that got you this vial. That'd be good for money and research reasons." He offered it out to her. "Though on the subject of money, I hear rumours that the king is ailing. They say Prince Owen will be taking over sooner rather than later. That potion is so valuable, you could probably sell a single drop to him in exchange for anything in his power. A higher status of nobility. Maybe even the prince's hand in marriage. Just a thought. Anyway." He turned back to the badgers. "This one was recently resurrected but I still don't fancy the meat. I can still probably use it's coat though. The one recently dead should make a fine meal. I guess I'll keep the last one as a pet for the time being. Sounds like it could be fun. Would you like to stay for dinner?" She pocketed the vial as she listened to Emmet's ramblings, face neutral. "So they say." The rumours of the king's health were true of course; she hadn't been blind to his condition during their meeting, and his withdrawal from the public eye had given off the impression long beforehand. Not that she was going to confirm it. That being said, she really hadn't given thought to what she would do with the vial. She hadn't seriously entertained the idea that it was real for long enough to work out what she would do with it, although it wasn't hers of course - although she could just tell the prince it was a dud... She turned towards the door. "I'll worry about me, you worry about you." What he said was strange and... kind of uncomfortable to think about, partly because there was some truth to it. If the vial was able to save the king, the reward really could be anything. It wasn't hers to give away, but... still. A small flame formed at her fingertips, before she waved it in the direction of Emmet's stove. "If you're struggling for money, you shouldn't worry about sharing your food." she shrugged, although her thoughts elsewhere. She had a lot on her mind now, and would prefer to mull it over on her own. Emmet laughed. "Well there's some truth to that I suppose. It's probably best for the sake of my own reputation you don't stay. Somehow word got out that I visited your house the other day. When I then started inquiring about your background the other mages became convinced you were my new mistress." He laughed again, a bit more nervously this time. It probably wasn't a good idea to mention that. "But don't let some rumors dissuade you from coming back again. I really do want to be involved with the elixir. I'll continue seeing what information I can garner from the library. You should focus on finding out as much as possible about the previous owner. I can't stress enough how much more valuable the fountain itself would be over the contents of that bottle, which we have established, could probably buy one a lordship. Anyway, I won't detain you any longer. I'll visit you the moment I discover something interesting and I hope you'll do the same." "Your reputation?" She raised an eyebrow. "You're a traveler and I'm a noble. If anyone here should be worried about this, it's me." she sighed, making her way to the door. She didn't think much of the idea of finding the fountain; journeying to the land of thugs and murderers chasing a fairy tale seemed like a bad idea. She supposed it still merited some research though. "If I hear anything, I'll let you know." she replied over her shoulder, before leaving Emmet and his furry friends to their business. "I might be a wayfarer but I still consider myself a gentleman" Emmet shouted after her as she left. Emmet glanced at his wallet. Hmm. Less than 500 gold left. Keeping a badger fed is more expensive than I anticipated. I really need to find some work soon. I'll head to the mercenaries' guild later. It can wait till later though. I still need to check a few things in the library. He headed to the Grand Library where he had spent the majority of the last few days. He went to the section on foreign history, it seemed legends of the Fountain of Ages wasn't common in this part of the world. To his surprise there was someone else in the usually deserted section. A mage judging from his dress. Though not a mage Emmet recognised from the guild. In his hand was the book about Deira Emmet was about to read yesterday before the library closed. Sensing an opportunity to cut out some research time, he tapped the mage on the back. "Excuse me. You seem to have been stuck in that book for a while now. Tell me, does it deal purely with political history or does it cover myths and legends too?" Either way it could be useful if it details any ancient Deiran rulers acting strangely. Knowing the Fountain actually exists could make previous unexplained acts seem much more rational.

Ah, so you haven't read Fate//Stay Night then. Explains why you didn't pick Heaven's Feel to my earlier question. IMO it's phenomenally better than the other routes.