Return of the Emblem Chapter Four: The Human Condition

[Phoenix]

Someplace to Someplace Else

While she and Valter waited for Bert 'the literal Crusher' to clean the blood and fleshy pulp off of himself, they conversed a bit, and she took a seat eventually while they waited. The moment he and his pegasus returned, she picked herself up, and stood idly by. It wasn't long before a little misunderstanding came up about them, and she managed to get in her own version of the story before they departed. "You see, I'm not only a pacifist but I'm also considered ... well a bit naive." she said with some hurt in her voice. "Because of that, I am usually assigned an escort when traveling between cities."

Once all of that was cleared up, they were on their way. Joanna was asleep for some of the trip, but when they arrived and the yelling and conflict caught her ears, she started paying attention again.

"Ey, look, peggie boy is back." Gabbie commented, a little amused. "Noice knowin' ya, Pinky."

"Stop calling me that! Look, Bert, we had just started getting our rooms and then Gabbie showed up and now we're rushing off in a big hurry. I haven't had time to get to fixing anyone's clothes yet. Could you try to keep in mind that I'm doing it absolutely free of charge here?"

"Boooo, Pinky's got lousy service! Boooooooo!" Gabbie said obviously mocking her. "Free does not take an eternityyyy, boooooo!"

"Would you two get on your mounts so we can get going?! You said we didn't have time for this, Gabbie!"

These people seem awfully dangerous. I wonder what they're planning to go do in such a hurry. Joanna thought to herself.

Edited June 8, 2011 by Phoenix

[roymbrog]

Thankfully, after the little incident Bert mostly left him alone till they reached civilization. As they reached an inn the pegasus rider excused himself, saying he had someone to talk to. Valter thought nothing of it till the shouting started.

“What’s their problem?” he asked of no one. He leaned against Phyllis again, something he was prone to do while waiting. “I wonder where they’re heading off to in such a hurry…”

-----

While Synthia had stood there wondering what was going on both Ranyin and Gytha had climbed on top of the cart. She was about to join them when the pegasus knight returned, yelling at Raquel something about his tunic. That was annoying, but what was worse was what he brought with him. Was that… Valter? Why was he with Bert? She slipped out of sight behind the wagon and pulled up her hood, hoping she hadn’t been seen. Meeting someone from her hometown was not on her to do list today.

[Mercakete]

Gabbie's jeering he didn't mind quite as much. Nicknames like that popped up every now and then. What was frusterating was how much trouble Raquel's idleness had caused him...and it showed itself in a half-strength suckerpunch. "You have NO IDEA WHAT SORT OF TROUBLE I'VE GONE THROUGH BECAUSE OF YOUR CARELESSNESS, YOU SPOILED, LAZY, GOOD-FOR-NOTHING, PINK-HAIRED WENCH! DON'T GET THAT WITHOUT MY TUNIC, PEOPLE CAN TAKE BETTER AIM AT HOW TO ATTACK ME?! DON'T YOU GET THAT THIS IS INCREASING THE RISK I'M TAKING?! IM NOT EVEN USING THE WEAPONS I'M USED TO RIGHT NOW! SO GUESS WHAT; YOU'RE GOING TO GET INSIDE THIS BLASTED CART AND STITCH THAT UP SO i CAN KEEP BREATHING WHILE SOMEONE ELSE DRIVES, GOT IT?!"

Gytha woke up sometime while Bert was yelling. A couple clicks later, she remembered that her gun wasn't reloaded yet. She was still sleepy enough that she wasn't thinking so clearly so she just wound up muttering to anyone in the general area. "Could someone put a hole in his head? I'm out o' rounds..."

[Acacia Sgt]

John was now mounted, waiting for when it would be actually time to leave. While waiting, the pegasus rider from before appeared again. Bringing company it seems.

'Hm? More company?' He wondered. 'Must've been looking for a pace to stay or something... huh?' He finally noticed Joanna. 'Wings!? Could she be...?' He though, a look of surprise on his face. 'Though, she sure is pretty...' A slight blush appeared on his face... and then he snapped back when Bert started shouting, causing him to almost fall from Gil.

'Woah! What...!?' He looked around trying to find who shouted.

[-Cynthia-]

Veronika rolled her eyes at Bert complaining about his tunic, then sprung into action as soon as Bert punched Raquel. She walked up and gave Bert a right hook right to the jaw.

"If you're that eager for a fight, attack someone who will hit back coward. You pull shit like this again and I'll bring weapons into this. Don't order anyone in this group around again or you'll be leaving us permanently, probably in stitches," Veronika said to Bert, hand on her sword. If he was going to pull a weapon on her, she was ready.

Edited June 9, 2011 by -Cynthia-

[Nanami Touko]

Gotta get on with what I'm here for, could ya finish talkin'? Tanner stood among the soldiers at the southern fortress, listening to a women explain the situation. Of course, he'd love to join them in their little raid, but he'd been sent to keep watch over one of the prisoners on location. Some slave-fighter, according to the letter he'd received. At least the squabble between the two women was entertaining.

As the soldiers began to disperse, Tanner approached the woman who had given the orders, making sure to take the letter he was sent, out. "Ma'am, could I trouble you for a moment?" He held out the letter, "I've been sent here from Ursaea to keep watch on a..." he glanced down at the letter, " 'Robin', part of some guard-exchange program; I was hopin' you could point me in the right direction?" He'd rather not have to search through the large group of soldiers to find her. He had a picture, and she seemed like she'd stand out in the crowd, but he hadn't noticed her just from lookin' around.

Edited June 9, 2011 by seph1212

[Mercakete]

The pegasus rider hadn't been expecting the somewhat-dizzying sneak-attack, causing him to stumble backwards a little, having to use the cart for balance before he shook it off. "Like I'd attack anyone that much weaker than me at full strength!" he shouted back at Veronika, stanging up on his own again and punching his fist into his hand as hard as he could to relieve his anger somewhat, "If you want to start a brawl, I'm fine with that, too! Go on! Swing again!" She talks kind of strangely. Oh well, if she attacks me again, I'll be ready for her this time.

[Phoenix]

Arguing

The punch she got wasn't as bad as she had expected, but it still upset her just the same. "Look, you! No one, and I mean NO ONE told you to run off and pick fights with bandits without your maces and without your tunic! You're supposed to be working with us, not going off and trying to get yourself killed! Don't take it out on me just because your impatience backfired!" she shot back, holding her arm.

Joanna wanted to speak up and try to stop the shouting but she didn't think anything she could say would help at this point.

[Zsword]

Shadrak looked over to the scene developing by the cart with a sigh, he held up his index to Chelsea indicating 'wait here one moment' as hewalked over to Raquel and the others. He quietly pulled out his Staff and held it over by Raquel's arm. "Let me know if want me to step in..." he whisperred to her before taking a step back and watching the scene unfold. I knew this guy was going to be trouble... As he waited he made sure both his tome and staff were in easy to remove locations so that he could use which-ever on the fly.

[Mercakete]

"It's not just about the bandits, you short-sighted sow! You expect me to fight for you, right?! You're heading out for some reason involving fighting, right?! WHY THE HECK WOULD IT BE ABOUT BANDITS RIGHT NOW?! I ALREADY FOUGHT THOSE! Right NOW it's about whoever it is that's going to be attacking us!" the pegasus knight corrected, keeping his guard up and watching Veronika in case she took him up on his taunting. He was so worked up that his renewed wound was beginning to bleed again a bit. He didn't quite notice it, though. He was too angry.

[Phoenix]

More Arguing

Around the time Bert had first punched Raquel, Amon had tried to move in to get between them, but Gabbie had caught him in a playful choke hold he couldn't escape. "Now, now, there's plenty-a people over there already." she said giggling to herself a bit.

"Urgh! Let go, would you?!"

"Nah, just settle down." she shot back sounding bored.

"It shouldn't have been about bandits in the first place! Like I said, BERT! No one told you to run off and risk your neck! I don't even know why you would do something like that in the first place." she replied. "Alright, now everyone, let's just calm down, and not let this escalate any further." she said to everyone nearby. "Right now, we need to focus on what we're going to do about the serial killer and those scientist guys."

"The serial killer?" Joanna repeated aloud.

[-Cynthia-]

"Attacking merchants is cowardice, no matter if you held back or not," Veronika replied to Bert, calming down a little. "I'd love for nothing more than to beat some sense into you, but we don't have time for this right now. Raquel's right, let's just focus on the mission. Where do we have to go?" she asked in the general direction of Amon and Gabbie, who seemed to be...wrestling or something, Veronika didn't particularly care at the moment.

[Mercakete]

"I'M TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE YOU AIRHEADED TWIT!" Bert shouted in responce, "I'M SAYING THAT IF I DON'T HAVE IT FIXED BY THE NEXT FIGHT -- WHICH APPARENTLY IS AGAINST A SERIAL KILLER -- THEN I'M GOING TO BE SHREDED IF WHOEVER WE'LL BE FIGHTING KNOWS WHAT HE OR SHE IS DOING! WHY DO YOU THINK I'M TALKING ABOUT PAST FIGHTS WHEN THAT'S IN THE PAST?! NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT THE PAST, PINKY!" He ignored Veronika seeing as Raquel was his target here. Merchants can stand up for themselves just as well as anyone else; I don't pussyfoot around anyone's feelings!

Edited June 9, 2011 by Mercakete

[roymbrog]

Valter had to work hard to restrain himself from stepping in. This was their problem and they should handle it, but something told him this was going to escalate soon. He walked over and coughed loudly to get the group’s attention. “If this man is a problem here, I’d be happy to get the authorities,” he said, glaring at Bert.

-----

…Did that pegasus knight really punch Raquel? Synthia continued watching the scene from her hiding place. Valter tried to intervene, but she was mostly surprised he hadn’t done so sooner. He’d been practicing his self-restraint, it looked like. What the hell was Gabbie doing holding Amon back though? Did she hate Raquel so much as to let her get beat up by an obviously homicidal bandit chaser?

[Phoenix]

Even More Argui-Intervention?

"STOP yelling at me, Bert! You're not going to be making your points any clearer by just raising your voice as loud as you can! Now listen to me! If I can fix your tunic on the way I will, but I'm not going to be bullied around just because you're having a bad day, got it?!" Turning to Valter, she answered saying "That shouldn't be necessary if Bert just calms down and starts using his head."

When Veronika addressed them, Gabbie let go of Amon, and little did the Rexian realize, she had relieved him of the file he had been carrying with him up until then. Holding it up to Amon's surprise and for Veronika to see, she answered saying "They're held up in this building in the city. Some old research building, labs, thick walls, tons of archives, etctera, etctera." she explained. "It's gonna take us an hour to get there if we rush our butts off though so someone might want to give Bert a tranquiloizer or somethin' so we can get movin'.

"Okay, this has gone far enough." came a timid voice from Valter's direction. Joanna had gotten down, followed him, and carefully yet speedily approached. "If you need a new tunic so badly, you really should have a spare handy, but since that isn't the case, perhaps you should find a replacement for the time being, just in case Raquel is unable to mend your old one by the time you all enter battle. That should be simple enough, shouldn't it? There are plenty of places that sell cheap garbs, and plenty in this area at that." she explained making a sub par attempt at sounding authoritative.

Fortress Nature

Lyra was left standing there and blinking for a moment as Tanner approached her about the letter. He was so much taller than she was ... and everyone else nearby for that matter that she just couldn't ignore it at first. Finally pushing the shock aside, she responded by taking the letter and giving it a quick once over. "That would be Robin over there." she said gesturing toward the archer but not looking away from the letter.

Edited June 9, 2011 by Phoenix

[Zsword]

Shadrak nodded and stepped into the conversation proper, he didn't directly address Bert, but the party as a whole. "All right, we heard the Ladies, yelling isn't going to solve any of our problems and only make them Worse, so instead of standing here talking and wasting time, let's see some action and get this show on the road, we do have places to be." He said, waving in his hand in the typical 'let's move' fashion.

[Nanami Touko]

"Don't worry, ma'am, most people have that reaction." The obvious shock of his height always left room for a joke or two, but he was here on serious business, so he couldn't joke for too long. "Thank ye, ma'am" he said, turning towards his intended target. Smaller woman, wearing animal hide with a weird haircut. Grand. Looks like she'll be a barrel of fun. He approached her warily, these types never seeming to be compliant with him. "'Scuse me, miss? Name's Tanner. I've been sent here to keep on eye on you from Ursaea. Now, let's not get into some silly fight about this, I'm jes' followin' orders." Maybe she'll be different... nah, they always flip.

[Mercakete]

"I need to save my gold for my maces," Bert grumbled in reply to Joanna before turning his glare to Valter and speaking to him, "I'll help you deliver these guys to the authorities in this area." Then to Raquel, he continued, "I'll fly back as quickly as possible. All I was asking was that you actually try to do your part. I don't appreciate it when I rely on someone and they decide not to do waht they said they would." With that, Bert began his hastened walk in the direction of the local guardhouse, walking past the wagon and only sparing Syntha a glance as he passed her. Riz followed her rider at a trot until she was right behind him, following at a slower canter. "Turn me in to the authorities, eh? On what grounds? I have enough people who've already tried -- even a bunch in the military. Thing is, I've never quite broken the law. Good luck with that," the much calmer pegasus rider asked Valter, assuming he was following, bot not really caring if he heard him or not.

[roymbrog]

“From what I’ve seen of him, I doubt he’ll calm down,” Valter grumbled to himself. He was shocked, though, when he heard the dark avian behind him. Or maybe he shouldn’t have been surprised, he knew Joanna hated conflict. “The lady makes a valid point. Even if you can’t spend the gold, you could’ve asked to borrow a tunic. Sheesh, I would’ve lent you one if you asked, it’s not like I need to be stingy.”

He walked away for a moment and returned with his horse in tow, and followed Bert. There was some cloaked figure on the opposite side of the cart, which he thought was odd, but didn’t dwell much on it. “I don’t know," he said, continuing the conversation, "but that excuse could’ve at least gotten you away from them for a moment. You were rather violent back there, hitting women and screaming at everyone,” Valter grumbled.

-----

As the pegasus rider and those following passed by, Synthia turned around as not to be recognized. She climbed in the back of the wagon afterwards and sighed, glad that the event with that violent man was over.

[Mercakete]

"Yelling a lot is hardly violent. I was angry, so I showed it. And I grew up with over onehundred sisters. Hitting women isn't a big deal for me," Bert replied, glad for the distance they were getting from the group.

[Snowy_One]

From her sitting position, Robin was forced to look up to the man, Tanner, whom had just introduced himself to her. Yet, despite her lower position, her hazel eyes looked up at his brown eyes, not as a slave, but as a superior. "Zdrastvuyte. It means 'good day' knight of Ursium. I am indeed Robin. You are the one they wish to watch over me? Keep an eye on the wild Neviskotian barbarian? Nice to know you think so highly of our honor and pride."

Though the tone in her voice was bitter, it was not at Tanner. Robin stood up to her full height. Though she was both shorter and thinner than him, she still did her best to show that she was not to be bossed around. She extended her hand, as if to shake Tanner's own, ready to take his hand in as strong a grip as she could muster. She was a slave, a slave to Ursium, and she hated it. She did not wish to be treated like one at all. "You may call me 'country girl'."

Edited June 9, 2011 by Snowy_One

[CT075]

Tyrsal - Still confused

Tyrs was about to walk out an leave when he saw someone else who looked almost as confused as he was, although this other man had a letter of some sort. Tyrs absentmindedly followed him, wondering why he didn't receive some sort of similar letter. It was almost as if they were out to humiliate him.

Actually...

Tyrs took out the piece of paper his father had handed him.

"You are hereby summoned... ...and you are to place yourself under the command of one *illegible*

"Great... now what the hell am I supposed to do...?"

[roymbrog]

“I don’t know, the way you were yelling I would equate with violence…” Valter mumbled. “And I don’t care how many sisters you had, I don’t think it’s appropriate to hit anyone under those circumstances, especially not a lady. I don’t know if you noticed all the glares you were getting, but I think most people would agree with me on this.” Just ahead was the guardhouse, he noticed. As soon as he dropped off these bandits he could be on his way and forget about all this…

[Phoenix]

Inn

"Ugh." Raquel moaned. I REALLY wish he wouldn't immediately get hostile the second something doesn't go just perfectly for him. Noticing that her arm was aching like it was at first, she turned to Shadrak. "Thanks by the way."

Meanwhile, Joanna followed her escort around and listened to him and Bert converse. When Bert mentioned how hitting his sisters wasn't a big deal for him, Joanna rushed around to get in front of him with a concerned look on her face. "That's ... just horrible! There's no excuse for any type of violence to begin with, but why on earth would you strike out at members of your own family? Your sisters? That's, so ... savage. What did they do to you that was so evil that you would do something like that?"

Fortress

"Alright, two of the captains agreed to lead the volunteers along with some buzzards of their own-LIZA! Stop!" Lyra suddenly shouted at the blue clad thief in the crowd.

You're just tooooo easy.

The captains just mentioned stepped forward, two similar looking men armored and ready to go. "We're ready to begin dividing up the troops." one of them said sternly.

"Okay then, I'll leave that to you and report back to the Major General then." she replied. "When I return it will likely be time to head out and begin the buz ... ... ..." she paused for about two seconds and then began walking toward the gathered troops. Stepping past everyone and stopping right in front of Liza she stared down at the shorter woman. "My vacation was ruined because of this case, Liza. I should be at home with my family but instead, I'm babysitting a bunch of wannabe museum robbers from Neviskotia." she announced letting everyone within earshot know what the five had been up to. "If you cause me anymore trouble, I will make your life a living hell, do you understand me, grunt?" she threatened.

"Uh ... yeah." Liza barely managed to get out.

[Mercakete]

"Tch. Most of my sisters are trained in the Ursian military. They got their roots at the same orphanage I did. I can't tell you how many times cecelia got me in a choak-hold or I woke up after she punch my lights out. We fought, I usually lost, I learned, I never hit anyone weaker than me too hard. We all have backbone, though, so it's not a big deal. I really don't care how people respond to me. If they get me angry, I react. I can usually hold my temper enough not to cause too much damage, though," Bert replied, waiting for the dark avian to get out of the way.

OoC: Bert's ever-present glare explained.