2018-06-12: Well Enough to Travel
- Log: Well Enough to Travel
- Cast: Riesenlied, Seraph Ragnell, Noeline
- Where: Pendrago
- Date: 12th June 2018
- Summary: Riesenlied and Noeline recuperate in Pendrago after their trip to Felkirk, and a Seraph catches up with them...
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied is on a journey south to Glenwood -- to a certain out of the way roost north of the Volgran Forest, but... as of very recently, their trip has been interrupted by the calling of the spirits that dominate the world. And Noeline and Ragnell both know that such voices can be extremely debilitating and arduous indeed.
Such as that is that Riesenlied is recuperating with her partner in life at Pendrago right now -- she's draped in her usual white and gold hood, taking a bread basket that she's acquired from some local merchants to... distribute them to some homeless and impoverished down at the Port District.
Well, no one said she had to lie down when recuperating, and given that it's a spiritual ailment, healing yourself emotionally seemed a good thing.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
Oh yes. Ragnell knows that quite well, considering what she's seen inside of Riesenlied's mind and soul.
These days, she's largely hanging out with Alisha for various reasons, one major one being the escalation of the war between Hyland and Rolance. After discussing what she'd seen during the attack on Lastonbell with a companion, she'd come to the conclusion that it might be worthwhile to share with Riesenlied and Noeline, get their input on things.
That's why she's currently away from her Princess companion, heading towards the docks of Pendrago. She doesn't know where those two are currently, but she figures a good bet is that tavern in Vane. She almost passes by the figure in the white-and-gold hood without a second glance, but then the familiarity of it dawns on her, and she takes another look, and...
She clucks her tongue, half-smiling, at the sight of the 'disguised' Hyadean handing out bread to the homeless. "Nice t' see you're still you, no matter where you are," Ragnell remarks, strolling over and coming to a stop next to her.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Of course, Noeline is near Riesenlied's side, watching as her partner distributes the baked goods around. She's technically dressed for travel, but that doesn't really mean a great deal when she was already making herself out to be some kind of knight - ultimately, the main change is that she's shouldering a hefty-looking pack on one shoulder, managing the weight easily as she keeps an eye out for anyone who might recognize the dragon and decide to tie her to a bounty.
She'd be lying if she said she weren't at least a little worried about her partner - the trip they're making is a rather long one, especially at a time when they only just found the Fereshte and the Ebony Wings, only just fought off Id once more. The spirits interceding to drag Riesenlied mentally to one side, sending them through the Felkirk Ruins and dredging up their past, certainly didn't help matters either.
At the same time, that would be overstating things. For all that they moved around on Filgaia, she's never really had the chance to just /travel/ with Riesenlied, and certainly not to a place which is more-or-less totally unknown to her and while her schedule is more-or-less empty. Lunar has provided the opportunity in spades, and it's a pleasantly nostalgic feeling to just go back to her tourist ways and share them with her companion.
She lets out a quiet chuckle to herself as Ragnell slides past, looking up from where she's paging through a weathered little book she picked up from a stall in the middle of her tugging Riese through the main markets. "Not all of us can hide ourselves /quite/ so effectively," she comments with an amused sigh, never mind that right now she's barely even trying.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied blinks very softly as she looks up and smiles warmer, expressing, "... well, I felt restless lying down at the inn. Noeline's suggestion is wonderful," as she holds out another baguette to someone lying near the gutter, nodding in sympathy as she exudes a bit of her photons for just a moment.
Noeline's keeping her moving, so she pulls in a little towards a more quiet corner of the docks, and tilts her head. "We are here... because of an important lead. But what brings you here, Miss Ragnell?"
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
Honestly, it feels rare to encounter Riesenlied without Noeline. That suits Ragnell just fine, though. She does give the pack Noeline's hefting a curious look, but doesn't pay it much mind beyond that.
"Can I help it if I was born naturally stealthy?" Ragnell drawls, half-grinning, as she shrugs broadly at Noeline. A joke, naturally, considering she's only 'naturally stealthy' because 99.9% of the population can't see her. (On Filgaia, it's a mere 99%. What an increase!) She looks back at Riesenlied, nodding once, before following the two to a quieter spot. After checking to see if they were followed--a distinct possibility, considering Riese was just giving out free things--she looks back at the two Hyadeans.
"If you're 'round these parts, I imagine you heard 'bout the attack on Lastonbell," she says, not smiling for once. "I was there, an' one o' th' major attacks looks t' be the result of a super-advanced ARM. I wanted t' describe it t' you two, see if either o' you recognized it, or could point me towards someone who would." A beat. "What lead're you two followin', by the by? Fereshte?" A reasonable guess, since she doesn't know it's already been found.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline's offers Ragnell a rather wry grin at Riesenlied's comment; the expression makes it rather clear that the Hyadean's suggestion was probably meant to be a little tongue-in-cheek, right up until Riesenlied decided to run with it. She's not really complaining - as ways to help people are concerned, it's certainly less taxing than most, and offers them both a chance to look around more of the city itself.
It also gives her a chance to look on with momentary, undisguised fondness, chuckling as she helps steady the other metal demon with a hand on her arm. Finding a bench for her isn't too hard, and she helps guide Riesenlied down to it carefully.
Her eyebrows quickly go up as Ragnell makes her opening gambit; she frowns uncertainly, but slowly nods her head. "... we can help, at least. Bear in mind that I'm not all that certain whether 'super-advanced ARMs' even have limits on what they can do, but--" But she's heard of the projection in the Mystic Ruins, and there's a curious little suspicion brewing at the back of her mind.
Still, it's not a day she wants to mar too much with news of war, so she's quick to pat Riesenlied on the shoulder to reassure her. "No - in fact, we have already found the Fereshte. It was embarrassingly close all along," she grumbles in a good-natured fashion. "Hammer managed to find it before I did. My pride has definitely taken a hit."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied smiles just for a moment as she closes her eyes longer... she does glance backwards for a moment, then nods towards Ragnell. "... ah--" she does frown very quietly, and then glances towards Noeline as she holds onto her hand and lets her help her down. Her balance isn't what it used to be, and she does need that help sometimes...
"I... did not, actually. Not details... we've been helping some people with some refugees," Riesenlied furrows quietly. She raises her eyebrows and expresses to Noeline, "It's all right. You've been spending all your time helping me..."
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
As she follows behind Riese and Noeline, arms folded behind her neck, Ragnell's smile fades and her gaze turns bittersweet. It doesn't last long: by the time either of them looks her way, she's back at it again with her usual smirk. "Awww, how cute~," she drawls, before seating herself on the end of the bench.
"Even if that's true, if you two can think of anythin' at all, it'd be helpful," she says. She nods thoughtfully at the news. "Huh! Well, good for you two on findin' it, then. Where was it?"
She looks over at Riesenlied. "Ah. I see... Well, if you want t'hear about it, I can give you an eyewitness account. I kinda s'pect you're not too interested, though." She glances around the city. "...not t' mention you can probably get any number of 'em right now, anyway."
She looks back at the two. "Anyway. I didn't see the ARM up close, but it took out a huge, tall defensive wall in one hit--would way it was about yea high." She points towards the mast of a nearby ship for reference. "Th' blast was green, real bright an' sickly, an' while I didn't feel any particular heat, it hit the stone so hard it glassed it--kinda like lightnin' strikin' sand, except this was solid rock we're talkin' about. The Hylandian soldiers were equipped with ARMs, too. It was a bizarre sight t' behold." Let alone what happened /after/ the Hyland soldiers showed up.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline's grumbling is obviously not meant genuinely, and the other demon's defence prompts a wry but warm chuckle in return as she squeezes Riesenlied's shoulder in mutual support. "Halfway up Taben's Peak, surrounded by a group of young vagabonds. Thanks to them, Cetiri has turned full 'territorial tribal mother'," she explains with a brighter laugh, shaking her head. "Honestly, it felt rather like the second coming of Wayside - that well-meant, vaguely-organized chaos."
She grumbles, but she's grinning at the same time. It does rather match her preferences, after all.
It doesn't take all that long for the smile to slide off her face, though, especially at the news that ARMs are getting more prevalent. She's not foolish, and that means that someone's deliberately supplying the war, escalating the technology gap. Ragnell's description doesn't exactly match anything she's seen, but: "... there can't be many people with enough of a supply to man an army," she mutters thoughtfully. "Were their ARMs unified in style? Or just whatever scraps they could find? I suppose it could be a unit of Filgaian survivors..."
"As for the big one... I'm not sure I can say. I don't suppose you saw anything else? Beams, projectile? To be honest, it sounds more like something I'd expect from an emplacement or a Gear."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied lets out a quiet little breath as she bites her lip, trying to not cough or sputter for a moment. She takes an order for a cup of tea, as she sets some of the bread aside and brushes her hand against her chest. "... my first guess would be Gebler," she explains. "We know for a fact their capitol ship was stranded in Glenwood, so they would be my first guess as to how an advanced ARM weapon could have been involved..."
She shakes her head. "But I don't feel that lines with what I know of them. They are not so much in the penchant for arming natives with advanced weaponry -- they look down on them..."
A pause for a moment longer. "Or perhaps we could be seeing a repeat of what we saw in the events after Adlehyde. Not all eight Golems are accounted for -- and Kislev and Colonel Dietrich has surprised us with the ability to revive the Golem Sado. That description of a mass destruction ARM would not be... impossible at all for one of the eight legendary Golems."
There is a longer moment of hesitation, and then she finally expresses, "Or it could be... a Metal Dragon... but the one we are headed to see does not seem as if she would be eager to join in chaos. Or at least... I hope not."
A Metal Dragon in Lunar, huh?
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
"Hah! Really? I was up an' down that mountain a couple times an' never saw a thing." Ragnell shakes her head, amused. "Guess we both got blindsided, then. But hey, that means the folks on board managed to stay safe, I s'pect. Well, good for you two for findin' it."
Noeline asks questions and gives input on the ARMs. Ragnell lifts her chin in thought. "Let's see... for the big openin' strike, it was a BIG attack--didn't see if there was a Gear or anythin', but it mighta attacked from a distance. On top o' th' green light, there was lots o' red an' green fire, an' the blast reached well up into th' sky. As for the soldiers with ARMs, they all had the same ones: a long rifle with a bayonet on the end. Didn't look like no ragtag assortment of ARMs to me. Looked like they were supplied by a weapons dealer."
Then she looks over at Riese. A nod. "Yeah, I considered Gebler too. Didn't know 'bout their ship, but it seemed like their style. If they managed to bring a Golem like Sado over, though..." Ragnell lets that thought hang, thinking back to the day she crossed the battlefield desert with the Vile Fiends. Yeah, that Golem had had some impressive firepower, all right. And she's pretty certain there's nothing on Lunar that would be able to match it, short, perhaps, of the Lord of Calamity himself.
Then she blinks rapidly, tuning in to something else Riese says. "A Metal Dragon?" she echoes. "Huh. S'news to me. Which one're you goin' to see? Friend o' yours?"
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline is careful to rest a hand on Riesenlied's back, finding that the simple show of presence is often enough to encourage the other demon onwards. Once the tea arrives, she passes it across carefully, quietly snagging the tray as well. "Really," she sighs at Ragnell's surprise. "Honestly, I'm as surprised as you. To think it was there all along... it's certainly a relief, though the bigger question is how we're going to actually get it moving again."
Slowly, she sinks a little in her seat, her shoulders hunching slightly. The vampirish pose doesn't really look quite right when she's wearing armor rather than a dress, but she gamely tries to make it work anyway. "I'm inclined to agree with Riese - I can't imagine Gebler's hand being forced to that degree, not unless they're absolutely certain they can get away with it. This feels much too open for them."
She doesn't seem satisfied, though, and her brow furrows quietly. "But-- the idea of hiding a Golem is hard to swallow. They tend to be terrifically unsubtle. Metal Dragons, as well. I imagine if either of them were there, you'd know about it."
She shakes it away, in favour of a rough and amused laugh. "We do not know yet, but-- hopefully. I am a little tired of being shot at by legendary figures," she grumbles pleasantly. "It is as much of a surprise to us as it is to you, however. After /that/, I am hopefully going to do something terrifically foolish."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied looks just a little conflicted and wounded from the descriptions, as is befitting her empathic nature... but -- really, there's still that part of her that once led the Metal Demon forces and is versed with strategy and tactics.
And something... doesn't add up for her.
"... I'm loathe to voice this, but I wonder if we shouldn't chalk it up to our circumstance. The accident at Lost July and the Pleasing Gardens -- I can't think of a single party involved in those events that would have had the arsenal of a warhawk or weapons' dealer on hand..."
She tilts her head. "And we know the link between worlds has existed longer. It isn't out of the question that someone may have already been trafficking arms across worlds, perhaps as early as when you were first stranded in Filgaia -- there's much about that process we don't know, after all."
A pause, as she gestures. "Rifles, with bayonets... that does line up with a few descriptions of various Gunsmoke ARM companies, though we'd need to see a few examples, I'm afraid..."
She nods slowly towards Noeline to express, "... her name is Lombardia, and she appears to have lived here beyond our own years. I... wish to reach out peacefully to her -- to be able to hear a piece of our own history from someone who does not share Lord Siegfried's views."
It's curious that she still calls him 'Lord' (or -sama, if you've set the JP dub on). It's less an indication of superiority and more like the indication of... family, perhaps, for a Metal Demon...
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
"I dunno, Noel. The Fereshte managed to hide itself on a mountain for months, an' it's not exactly tiny, either. Plus if Sado's anythin' to go by, a Golem can shoot from an awful, /awful/ long distance," Ragnell says thoughtfully. "Still, you got a point. A Golem that size ain't subtle, an' I haven't heard even the slightest scrap o' rumors 'bout somethin' like that."
Too open for Gebler. They wouldn't supply landed folks with weaponry. "True, but consider the followin': they're basically unopposed on this planet, an' if they can get Hyland to conquer Rolance, they won't be far from conquerin' Meribia, which means if they can get a teleporter back to Filgaia workin', they've suddenly got half a world's worth o' resources to add to their side o' th' war, which means they'll pretty much stomp Aveh," she points out. "You may still be right--could be someone else entirely--but that's what I was thinkin'."
But Riesenlied brings up an excellent point, one that Ragnell hadn't considered: maybe this is completely unrelated to the recent teleportation. Maybe someone from Filgaia has been able to travel to Lunar this whole time, and has been smuggling arms the entire while. Ragnell blinks, then nods slowly, rubbing her chin. "...You got a point there. As long as we don't know beans 'bout how the global teleportations work, we can't say that's impossible. That puts us back at square one, though." She sighs and folds her arms back behind her head. "Still, that's a good insight. I s'pose in the end, we'll have to get someone over t' Hyland proper t' find out what's goin' on."
Lombardia. And she's been living here a long time, longer than Riese has been alive? Ragnell blinks again at her and Noeline. "Huh! Now there's a surprise. Can't say I've heard o' her personally, but... Where's she supposed t' live? If I hear anythin' about her, I'll pass it on... though given as I'm pretty busy these days, I s'pect you'll hear more than me, faster'n me."
She doesn't remark on the honorifics for Siegfried. That's between him and Riesenlied.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline, for all her attempts to act as Wayside's second-in-command and all her preparations as far as logistics and backup plans are concerned, is not actually all that well-versed in tactics and strategy - at least not as it applies to the logistics and movements of an entire army. Her abilities have always tended more towards the personal instead - guerilla tactics where needed, or stealth, or other aspects that don't translate well to open warfare.
As such, she tends towards silence, listening solemnly to Riesenlied's judgement in the matter and only letting out a long breath afterwards as she mentally sums up the various options open to them. "Perhaps I should find my way towards having a sneak inside one of their supply depots," she suggests thoughtfully. "There could be some useful clues there, above and beyond the simple question of whether the ARM is gunsmoke or not. Can you imagine if we'd be lucky enough to find a maker's mark?"
"Still... the thought of someone already knowing how to move between the worlds is-- quite a thought indeed," is the only way she can sum it up, sagging again in her seat as she imagines it. "It would be an astonishingly impressive thing to have kept it utterly secret this long, and positively breathtaking to have used it for profit and nothing else." The bemused smile on her face suggests she doesn't know whether to be awed or worried.
For a moment she looks to Riesenlied, gauging her face - then lets out a soft huff. "North of the Volgran Forest, and-- if I don't miss my mark, probably part of the Earthernspine Mountains. They span that area, and I've somewhat given up believing in coincidence," she grumbles.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied really can speculate for hours and hours -- but when it comes down to it, they do need some facts to latch onto.
"... I've... been careful about involving myself in the affairs of another world's struggles," Riesenlied speaks, knowing full well how hypocritical she is when she's had to redirect her brethren's energy as interventionism under the guise of the Ebony Wings. "Especially here, in Hyland and Rolance, where I do not understand the full history of the countries. But if ARMs have become involved..."
She nods silently towards Noeline, and then remarks, "... smoke and mirrors go a long way. The Sorcery Globe, in Filgaia, is not known widely as a Lunarian object -- yet we have incontrovertible proof of that in the Fell Dragon. Who knows what other terrors could've been brought here?"
She looks to Noeline, then nods. "... would you consider coming with us, Miss Ragnell? As much as I'd love to believe it -- I can't rule out that Lombardia may be involved in the Lastonbell attack. A Metal Dragon's breath can be indistinguishable to a high-powered ARM, after all -- and it would be a lead for you to scratch out, if nothing else."
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
"Sneakin' into one o' Hyland's weapons depots is a fine idea," Ragnell remarks. "I'd be happy t' join you on that, Noel, but--" She shakes her head. "Lastonbell's become a hotbed o' Malevolence. It's gettin' worse by the day, too. I got better defenses than most Seraphim against th' stuff, but I'm hardly immune. I've only been able to manage a few shallow forays into Lastonbell. Can't even make it all the way to the other side o' town." She frowns. "Unless I got myself a vessel proper, an' you booked it across with me hitchin' a ride, don't think I'd be able to make it without... consequences."
She pauses, then scratches her hair under her hat. "Well, that, or Sorey mops up th' place. But the Malevolence is too powerful for it to just be the normal course o' war. I suspect there's a Hellion behind the scenes, actively makin' things worse. If so, even the Shepherd won't be able to fix things. Not without dealin' with them first. But in any case."
Riese talks about having tried to avoid getting involved in the local conflicts, but that she can't ignore ARM usage. Noeline remarks on how impressive it is that someone might have hidden the ability to casually travel worlds and used it solely for profit. Ragnell chuckles wryly. "True 'nough, 'bout the Sorcery Globe," she says. "Boy, is Eizen gonna be pissed when he gets outta there... Nah, I'm sure he's pissed right now." She covers her mouth with one hand, staring broodily off in the distance. Then she looks back at her companions. "North o' Volgran Forest, huh. Well, if you can find a way there without cuttin' through Lastonbell, I'd be happy t' help out. I imagine that'd be easier on you too, Riese. Otherwise... we might be stuck. Me *an'* you two."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Slowly, Noeline lets out a sigh, nodding first to Riesenlied and then to Ragnell. "To be honest, I am not particularly eager to sneak into a weapons depot either. Without wishing to be rude or dismissive, meeting Lombardia and finding Duras Drum is a little more important than catching up on the makers of Hyland's arms..."
... but she is trailing off, with the visible signs of curiosity plain on her face. It takes her a moment of her eyebrow twitching, then she sighs heavily. "I-- will consider it, at least. I am more protected against Malevolence than some, but that doesn't mean I relish the idea either."
She does sulk for a moment at Riesenlied, though it's with an amused light in her eyes as she teases: "... I do admit your point, but the Sorcery Globe is surely something rather more impactful than an enterprising merchant. Human nature doesn't tend to be very good at keeping such major secrets safe," she chuckles, but shakes her head. "Really, though. Could you imagine? If it's Guild Galad's work, Miss Everstead-Rey might actually turn a whole new shade of purple."
She sighs out, but brightens as Ragnell accepts the offer. "Worry not. We are going a little slowly, perhaps, but taking the long way around, and seeing the sights. Not to mention, I can probably guarantee you a /splendid/ show after Lombardia."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
"... wheels upon wheels, I suppose. Perhaps I have been too used to layers of conspiracy to think this is just one merchant with no one else behind them," Riesenlied murmurs very quietly. "But if you'd both like to do that... I suppose I would only be in your way. I am both unstealthy and vulnerable to Malevolence, so I would be at a double disadvantage."
Her horns kinda wilt at that, just a little, but it's not like she's feeling bad for herself for long. "And yes... we had a route chartered out. We were just-- distracted, by..." A pause. "Well, Noeline had to help me with the voices of the world, at Felkirk." She frowns deeper. "/That/ case isn't Malevolence, at the very least."
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
Ragnell chuckles lowly. "Well, I never expected y'all to serve anythin' but your own interests first. No offense meant, mind. Y'all are good folks. But it's only natural to focus on your top priorities first." Especially if it means having to sneak through a city sick with Malevolence.
"Honestly, I'm in no hurry to lurk through Lastonbell m'self," she adds to Riesenlied. "If Noeline's not chompin' at the bit either, we can leave it for later, focus on this Lombardia first, scratch out that possibility."
Felkirk. Ragnell nods slowly, thoughtfully. "Been hearin' rumors about it. Haven't been, though. You say it's not Malevolence at work there?" Then she nods to the two. "If you're takin' the scenic route, I can come along. But I'll have t' come an' go. I got other priorities to handle, too." She chuckles and half-shrugs. "Then again, it's me, right? I'm sure you're used to me flittin' about as I please by now."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
With a puff of breath, Noeline nods her head, her hand resting on Riesenlied's arm. This time, perhaps it's as much for her herself as it is for her companion. "... believe me, if I do it will be as quickly in and out as is possible. It wouldn't be a place I would wish to subject you to, but-- I did not realize the Malevolence issue there was quite so bad, either," she sighs, tucking some of her hair back behind an ear.
Her smile, when the discussion turns to Felkirk, is not a mirthful one. "Felkirk was-- certainly something. It definitely did not have that tang of Malevolence, more--..." she trails off, struggling a little. She's not really in tune with spirits, or lingering feelings. "--something else. If you take a look, I recommend being prepared for a great many illusions."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
"No, it was not." Riesenlied pauses for a moment further, and clenches at the Dragon's Tear as she's been known to do when in deep thought. "I have... seen the faces that appeared there..." she whispers softly, shaking her head.
"It has to do with a cult back in Filgaia. It is one of our own..." she frowns very faintly. "We must cleanse the statue, but-- as Miss Ragnell says, one at a time. There are enough fires that if we try to push for them at a time, we'll get nothing done."
She shakes her head and-- smiles as she leans back for a moment. "That's true, I suppose. It'll be a bit longer before I--" she draws in another breath. "--feel well enough to travel anyhow."
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
"Illusions, huh..." Ragnell looks from Noeline to Riesenlied. And a Filgaian cult, besides, huh. It sounds interesting. If she gets the time, she'll have to investigate. "Thanks for the head's up. I'll keep that in mind." She gets up to her feet. "If you're not doin' well for the time bein', I'll let you rest up, Riese... an' let *you* have some alone time with her, Noel." She winks at Noeline.
"Anyway, if you two're gonna be in the area for a bit, I'll be by again. We'll figure things out from there. 'Til then, I got some other things to take care of. Later." She nods to the two, then moves to head away.