2018-10-06: Returning to Duty
- Log: Returning to Duty
- Cast: Pearl, White Knight Leo
- Where: Adlehyde Castle Town
- Date: 6/10/2018
- Summary: After having been missing in action for three weeks, Pearl finally reports in to Leo.
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
The ever rebuilding castle town of Adlehyde is alive with activity. One of the hubs of civilization in the wilderness, and the site of many brutal battles.
It is also, the hub closest to the series of villages and towns Pearl has been working her way through in the search for someone- anyone- she recognises. The martial artists arrival in town is met with no real fanfare; she looks like just another country bumpkin in her current outfit. The fact that she doesn't have much by way of supplies might be the only tip off that she's anything but.
She looks around the entrance of the unfamiliar town, scanning for fellow guardsmen. Her eyes also scan the rooftops, just in case her other 'allies' can be found.
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
Althena's Guard remains a presence in Adlehyde--it never really left, after the Metal Demons attacked. Pearl might be surprised to find the Guard's banner above one of the gatehouses just inside the wall--a banner that looks like it's been there for quite a while. Uniformed Guards mingle with the remaining members of Adlehyde's guard; the two share shifts, posts, and facilities. The whole thing seems to be practiced, the sort of cooperation that comes from months working alongside each other. This couldn't have been recent. But then again, weren't Leo and his crew stranded on the Blue Star for almost a year before their fortuitous return?
The Guards can easily direct Pearl to the center of the Guard's operations, a small, well-fortified gatehouse just inside the inner walls protecting Castle Adlehyde. Needless to say, it is still not in great shape, but that doesn't mean they aren't trying. And as Pearl approaches, who should walk out of the headquarters but White Knight Leo, looking clean and well-kempt but no less distressed for it. He walks briskly ahead a short distance, looking at nothing, before he notices a familiar figure among the townsfolk. His head turns to face Pearl, and something that might be a genuine smile lights up his features. "Guardswoman Pearl!" Leo says. A tiny bit of the weight on his shoulders vanishes. "Praise the Goddess. I feared you'd ended up on the other side of the world, or in the Demons' territory--or worse. What do you have to report?"
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
The large presence of the guard in Filgaia is a surprise to Pearl. From all she had heard of the Blue Star, it was an untameable mess of the world. The fact that Althena's Guard could establish such a presence at all, let alone so quickly, is almost unfathomable. Something must have taken place in this town, the first time that the Destiny disappeared to this world.
"Commander." Pearl responds, giving an extremely precise salute. Her face remains as impassive as ever, but she does acknowledge Leo's smile with a nod. She then moves to stand at ease. "I am glad to see you survived as well."
Still, she is asked for a report, and she gives it. "I am afraid there is little information to give you. After we were separated, I arrived in a desert and came under attack by some kind of native monster. Combined with prior injuries, it took some time to recover." That much, at least, is spoken with complete certainty. What comes next, however, seems slightly... shaken, is not the right word, but not with the same confidence as her earlier report. "I was found by a caravan, and left at a small farmhouse to recover. As soon as I regained consciousness, I started towards the nearest town. While uneventful, this led me here."
Pearl takes a second to allow her commanding officer to process the report, before asking her own questions. "If I may ask, Commander, what of yourself and Guardswoman Paer? Did you make it here without incident?"
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
Leo returns Pearl's salute, crisp and comfortable as always. "I'm glad you were able to return to civilization," he says, and since he's got some sense of tact (however small) he doesn't follow up with 'or whatever passes for it on this rock.' In fact, he seems to take the whole thing at face value, nodding at the mention of the caravan. "...I know not where that device sent you," he says, "or Guardswoman Paer. But I returned to this world as the Demons were besieging this city for the second time. Worse yet, I'm told that they were able to accomplish their goal of awakening their heathen Goddess, and we will not let this stand. The only complication is... locating her, and bringing her--and them--to justice."
Considering this may be the first time Pearl has heard of this, there may yet be questions.
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
Surprisingly few questions run through Pearl's mind. The heathen goddess thing is new, sure, but Leo striding out to face evil just seems kind of the norm. Still, one question comes to her lips. "These are the same creatures that joined the attack on Blue Master Lunn, yes?"
That could be a problem. Those creatures knew her name, if not necessarily her face. Would they still have a connection to the Master, or was he still on Lunar? These questions she can't ask Leo, or anyone else. As far as she knew, there was no one to ask.
"Instead she refocuses. "Is anything known about their base of operations? Or is even that information beyond us?"
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
"The very same, I'm told," Leo says. He frowns, as if Pearl bringing the matter up just underscored how dangerous these beings truly were. "Regrettably, I only heard the aftermath, and saw nothing of them. Was it the one called 'Lady Harken', or the one called 'Berserk'?" Or the one he had to scrape off his boots? But that one's best left undiscussed.
Leo shakes his head, folding his arms. "Across the sea. Which would be trivial for us to reach, if the Destiny were not... regrettably missing."
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
"Neither." Pearl's response is swift. "They called the leader of the attack 'Boomerang', and he was accompanied by a great wolf. And another creature that I hesitate to describe." She pauses again. "The only reason this 'Boomerang' didn't kill the Blue Master is due to the influence of Black Wizard Borgan." Her tone changes ever so slightly at mention of the event. Or maybe, like everyone else, she just doesn't like Borgan.
A thought strikes her. "Did any of their allies in the Shadow Dragon Cult arrive here as well?" She raises it as though to add another threat to the pile, but the guardswoman seems genuinely concerned at the idea. Probably unsurprising, given the report on her state after the attack in Meribia.
But then, another thought comes to her. "The Destiny and it's crew came here before, did it not?" She may simply be voicing what Leo had thought himself, but she speaks regardless. "Could it not have come to this world the same way it did the first time?
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
Leo's frown deepens. "Another enemy, then," he says, his tone edging towards a growl. He turns on a heel, his cape blowing and twisting behind him as he stares down at the ground. "I know nothing of the cult, no," Leo says. "But... allies?" His lip curls in disgust.
Then, Pearl brings up a very good point. "I was hoping that would be the case," Leo says. "But no one has brought me anything to report. We may have to find alternative means."
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
That is... strangely reassuring. That said, if anyone were in a position to know, it would be her. Pearl does not strive to make eye contact, letting Leo have his majestic brooding moment. She does, however, speak up. "Would something the size of the Destiny appearing go without comment? From what little I have heard, rumour on this world spreads." Admittedly, all Pearl has is a few weeks wandering the wastes, from dying town to dying village.
Pearl continues to think out loud. "That would mean that if the Destiny arrived on the Blue Star, it would have to be either somewhere inaccessible, or somewhere there was no one to comment on it."
Then, she sighs. "I am merely speculating, however. If we are to fight these demons, perhaps we should be pursuing another means across the sea." The faintest smile appears on her face. "I should very much like to see vengeance upon our enemies for their acts in Meribia. And we are uniquely placed for such, it would seem. Have we any allies of our own?"
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
Leo turns back once he's finished brooding. "It does," he says. "But if it ended up somewhere no one dares venture, it will be far more difficult." Pearl asks if they have allies. Leo's face slips easily back into that frown. "Adlehyde has proven a worthy ally, but their first priority is the defense of their beleaugered kingdom. Other than that..." He thinks back to Krosse. They still won't let him in. The thought is no a pleasant one. "They are all but nonexistent. The Drifters, though--I would... hesitate to call them 'allies', especially in light of some of their recent actions. But they may be our only option."
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
Pearl crosses her arms and closes her eyes in thought. A powerful enemy, few allies, and quite frankly a fight that isn't theirs. It's an unenviable situation. A thought finally occurs.
"If these drifters can't be trusted, can they be bought?"
It's a risky option, but it is the one that first comes to Pearl's mind. "Perhaps their loyalty will only last as long as our silver does, but that is something we can anticipate." It's true that there are plenty of guardsmen, but a mere few demons and the Shadow Dragon cult wiped out almost the entire guard contingent placed at Lunn's arena, but these drifters have a knack for surviving.
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
"It's certainly a strategy we've tried," Leo says, putting a hand to his chin. "And while it won't directly bring the wicked to justice, it's an opportunity. Margaret is, regrettably, back on the Silver Star. Would you like to take over that operation in her stead, Guardswoman?"
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
THAT offer takes Pearl off guard. Her grey eyes widen, and it takes her a second to respond. "You would trust me with this operation, Commander?" It's certainly the first time Pearl has been asked to do something like this.
Ordered to take on important tasks, sure, but being given the opportunity to choose? That's a new one.
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
"I don't see why not," Leo says.
Yes. The rumors were true. He seriously is that trusting.
<Pose Tracker> Pearl has posed.
Sometimes, life hands you an opportunity too good to pass up.
Pearl bows deeply. "I am honoured, commander. I will carry out this task to the best of my abilities." She then rises from her bow. "And I will personally ensure our recruits are up to the task. By your leave, I will acquire equipment and begin immediately."