The Heights of Londo [IC 2: Bolted]

[Comissar]

Leah hesitates, then nods in agreement with Alyssa as the knights look to confirm their names. The older girl had managed to put it far more eloquently than she could have done. Fidgeting with her bag, she returned the fossil to its resting place given the guard's apparent lack of interest in it. She glanced uncertainly between Genevieve and Linne, hoping that Alyssa's words were enough to allow them all in, before returning her gaze forward.

[Hazuki]

Knight Sorbe looks over the group as a whole, then nods his head. "Lady Thundercrag welcomes to you to her town." He rolls up the scroll and puts it in his belt. "Behave yourselves, and don't wander near the pylons. Or the walkways, if you can help it. Or the pier. If it seems perilous, it likely is."

[tgva8889]

Alyssa gives Sorbe a smile. "Thanks for the warning, sir. We'll try to keep out of trouble." She then heads through the presumably now open checkpoint towards the center of town, looking for someplace that might be reasonable to stay the night before they start looking around.

[Merilan]

Linne nodded to the knights as well and says, "We will!" while looking around town as she followed Alyssa. "Linne wonders if mother is still around... perhaps a courier would be able to send her a message..."

[Hazuki]

"Hold on, hold on!" Ser Ramisu urges the group once they've walked through the gate, and marches through them to Bibi's side. "I'd like to question you about your burnings."

Bibi stares at the Knight, then looks to the group. "I got you here. Do you want me to stay with you?" She asks, levelly.

[tgva8889]

Alyssa thinks a moment, then says "Well, you've been a really big help. If we have to leave we might want to hire you for the way out. I'm certain we won't find anyone better than you."

[Comissar]

Leah grins with relief as the group is allowed through in its entirety, offering a quick "Thanks." as they pass through the gate. The warnings of the dangers around town were mildly concerning, but she didn't intend to go putting herself in dangerous positions just for the sake of it. She frowned at Linne's question, rubbing at her arm, "... Do you know her name? Or, uh, or what she might look like? It'll, uh, it'll help if you do."

She turned with surprise as Ser Ramisu follows them through, glancing between him and the guide in confusion. Looking over to Alyssa, she nods her agreement. "Yeah, umm, we're not going to be here forever. Umm, though, uh, if you want to go home then, uh, then that's understandable too..."

[Merilan]

Linne halted to a stop herself, and said, "Eschalinde Herschell... that's what Mrs. Weber told me, and it seemed to be the right one, judging from the reply that the courier in Bastille!"

She blinked a few times, then turned around at Bibi. She didn't like the idea of Bibi being questioned just about her scars... but, it's true that she'd gotten them here and that was their contract, so to speak. The woman was very professional... she wanted to speak up, but she knew Bibi probably would dissuade her from doing so, and she didn't want to get in trouble in this new town.

[Ceralune]

Genevieve follows along in silence, though inwardly she's wondering why these people are being... for lack of a better word, kind of pushy. She refrains from bristling at being called an "escort," though files this away to a growing pile of proof that she should be unsure of her being here and suspicious of these knights. In addition to this, also being added to the pile are the rather extensive - perhaps overly extensive? - list of areas not to go to, and the questioning of Bibi. "Okay... if you're sure, Bibi," she replies, though she frowns at the knights uncertainly as she does so, something that is done out of her dislike of them as much as it is from the fledgling trust that Bibi has earned. Bibi's a weird one, but she still got us this far, so... they better not do anything to her.

At the mention of Linne's mother, Genevieve once again raises an eyebrow at the knights who seem very intent on scanning them over. "Uhh, excuse me, Ser... Ramisu," she pipes up. If they're going to hang around us like this, we might as well make use of that. "You wouldn't happen to know where an Esch-- I mean, Miss Herschell might be staying, would you?" she asks, reluctantly shoving away her own discontent to treat the people they want something from with respect.

Spoiler: OOC

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Charm: (2d6)[11]

[Hazuki]

Bibi nods at the group's consensus, then looks to Ser Ramisu. "Let's go." The group feels the now-familiar intrusion of Ibib's telepathy for a forlorn farewell.

But, before she can leave with the Knight, Ceralune asks Ser Ramisu a question. She peers down at the young girl, then nods. "I've been watching everyone. There are some Hirschells who've been negotiating with Lady Thundercrag, I think they're staying at The Health Hole."

[tgva8889]

Alyssa looks a bit down as Bibi and Ibib go off, but she doesn't let it bother her too much. "Hopefully Bibi won't be hard to find."

As discussion turns to Linne's mother, Alyssa seems to perk up. "We need a place to stay anyways, so we may as well go there and check things out." Turning to Ser Ramisu, she asks, "Pardon me, Ser, but would you know the best way to get to the Health Hole?"

[Comissar]

Leah offers Bibi and Ibib a small wave as they head off, nodding at Alyssa's comment. "If they're hanging around for a bit, it shouldn't be too hard..."

As Ser Ramisu is addressed, she adds, "Umm, and could you point us to, uh, to the person who told you we were coming..?" Leah rubs at her arm as she continue, "I think, uh, I think they might have some tools I need..."

[Hazuki]

"Oh - they're with Lady Thundercrag." Ser Ramisu answers Leah first, then gives directions to Alyssa. They're very good instructions.

[Merilan]

"The Health Hole...? What sort of place is that, hmm..." Linne had to muse. She glanced towards the others to say, "Should we visit Lady Thundercrag first, or...?"

[Comissar]

Leah feels a twist in her stomach as she's told who the tools went to. While Lord Bastille himself had been mostly pleasant to deal with, she had still very much felt out of place speaking with him, as though she had to constantly be on best behaviour. Combined with the difficulties the group had faced while in Bastille, she wasn't sure how eager she was to meet with another member of the ruling aristocracy. Linne's questions kept her from expressing her doubts, however, as she frowned in thought.

"Umm... Maybe it's some kind of spa..?" She shrugged uncertainly, "But, uh, if Lady Thundercrag's been speaking with your mum, and she's got the tools I need, I guess it makes sense to go see her first..?"

[tgva8889]

Alyssa shrugs in response to both Linne and Leah. "I think seeing Lady Thundercrag first might be good, if only to say hello. It's polite to say hello to the town Lord if you've been given some importance, right?" She doesn't seem super certain, though.

[Ceralune]

Genevieve nods thoughtfully at the suggestion. "Seems like that's how things work around here. Might as well," she admits. "You sure you're alright with that Linne?" she asks the older girl. "It would mean putting off meeting your mother again for a little while after all..."

[Merilan]

Linne paused for a moment... but then nodded in turn. Lady Thundercrag probably could give some insight into what her mother has been speaking with, anyway. "It's all right," Linne reassured.

[tgva8889]

Alyssa gives Linne a smile. "I promise we'll find your mom if she's here, and if not we'll try to head after her."

Presuming the group is agreed, Alyssa will follow the directions to Lady Thundercrag (or ask for them if she didn't get any helpful ones) and try to navigate the city there.

[Hazuki]

Alyssa finds it easy to get directions ot Lady Thundercrag, who a smiling merchant informs her is in The Eastern Bulwark, before offering her a freshly-woven wool coat. They pass by the rest of the market upon following his directions, where they're afforded a great view of the pier and its crashing waves. Although their days of long travel are over, they still have to deal with the sloping terrain of Thundercrag Town itself, and their legs may never forgive them for it.

Their first view of Town Hall is impressive, if only for the fact that it reaches higher than any of the other buildings in Thundercrag Town - the walls are at least twice as tall as a person! The dark stone is also curved outwards, and a trio of Knights stand on them, armed with bows and their Pokemon (A pink creature perched front and center, a blue-and-white blur darting along the edges of the walls, and a glimpse of blue hidden below the battlement.

There are two figures standing at the gate - one clad in full Knight's gear, while the other wears clothing that mimics the style and a single spear on her back. Once the group has approached, the Knight on the left taps her polearm on the floor.

"Welcome to Town Hall. Please recall your Pokemon before going through, Leah, Alyssa, and company." The Knight instructs, with a voice that already sounds like they're being rebuked. "Initiate Panke will accompany you." The blonde on the other side of the door blinks, but continues looking ahead.

The gate is open, and beyond it the group can see...a pair of doors, as well as two halls that stretch out either way, from which can be heard the scratching of quills.

[Comissar]

Leah nods her agreement with Alyssa's statement, before following after her friend as she leads them toward Lady Thundercrag's home. She finds her steps slowing several times through the journey. First as they pass through the market, her eyes caught by the myriad of wares available, then by the sight of the ocean crashing against the shore, and finally by the imposing facade of the town hall itself. Glancing down at Saura, she looked back up and strode forward as purposefully as her aching legs would allow. Once again, the sight of the heavily armed guards gave her pause, though fortunately this time they opened proceedings.

Leah felt her heart sink a little at the instructions they received, glancing down to see Saura looking similarly wounded at the request. Giving her Bulbasaur what she hoped was a supportive smile, she pulled her pokéball out. "Sorry... I'll let you out again as soon as I can, ok..?"

Saura sagged a little before nodding, giving a sullen "Saur..."

Pressing the button on her pokéball, Leah watched as Saura was engulfed in a red light, being recalled into the device. Straightening up, she turned her attention to Initiate Panke ready to follow her lead deeper inside, offering her a nod in greeting. "Umm, hi..."

[tgva8889]

Alyssa finds herself regretting her decisions as they trek towards their destination, her legs burning as she walks through Thundercrag. She tries desperately to keep up the pace, and manages to do so for most of the way. Once they catch sight of the town hall, though, Alyssa slows down considerably. The moments of rest give her a bit of time to compose herself as they approach the guards and their Pokemon.

It seems their presence was well announced. At the Knight's comment, Alyssa only nods, waiting for all the others to return their Pokemon. Once they are ready, she gives Initiate Panke, or at least the blonde who blinks in response to that name being said, a smile. She doesn't offer much in the way of words for now, taking the time to observe her surroundings and try to gauge how she should carry herself to meet Lady Thundercrag.

[Merilan]

Linne is not someone who misses leg day ever, and this is reflected at how she seems to just be super-eager to go up all the hills... though by the time they reach the knights, her expression looks just a bit confused. "Um-- recall?"

Oh yeah, she never went through the process of putting Zeta in a pokeball...

[Ceralune]

The market captures some of Genevieve's attention as they pass by, for if there's one thing about traveling to a new land that's almost always appealing, it's shopping. Still, on a limited budget, all she can do is look and sigh wistfully.

She looks up at the Town Hall with indifference, glancing at the pokemon with a bit more curiosity. At Linne's questioning, Genevieve frowns a bit before remembering the girl's inexperience with even the most rudimentary technology. "You can push the button on one of those things we were talking about earlier to put your pokemon in. Like the one she has," she mumbles, motioning towards Leah. Not needing to return Damien to his pokeball since he's already there, she follows behind the group at the back, as it's clear that the two who were named are the important ones here... something that Genevieve tells herself not to fret over.

[Hazuki]

The blonde to the side looks at Leah and nods her head. "Hello. I can't take you through until they're all away."

[Merilan]

Linne peers towards the basic ball she has and Zeta, who puffs with a rather grumpy pout. "It's, it's for your own good... Zeta?" she doesn't sound very convinced herself, and then closed her eyes as she held the ball out. The Fennekin flailed about as she started to get absorbed, and let out a little whine as she disappeared into the ball. "W-wah! She really disappeared here... ohh, Zeta, Linne hopes you're going to be okay in there..."

[Comissar]

Leah hesitantly reaches out and gives Linne what she hopes is a reassuring pat on the shoulder, "She'll be ok, it's just, uh, it's just a temporary thing. When you let her out again she'll still be the same."

[Hazuki]

"Follow me, and don't make any sudden movements." Panke warns the group, as she leads them into the next room with the tap of her spear leading every step. "I've been training for Knighthood for years, my reflexes are honed like a Parmez blade, and you make a sudden movement - bam, spear to the face!" She places a hand on the door and pulls it open slowly. "So, don't poke the Pangoro, or you might get burned!"

The first thing the group sees beyond is...a set of stairs! The floor seems to be separated into several very large steps, big enough for people to gather on, and presumably affording everyone a view of the throne when anyone's in it. But all the doors are closed, and their footsteps echo as they're led up the floors and towards the throne where Lady Thundercrag sits with a large, blue creature coiled around her seat. A large desk sits to the side of the throne, covered in papers, and her eyes flick up to the group as they approach. Her weathered face watches, waiting for them to get closer, as she sets down her quill.

[Comissar]

Leah nods at Panke's instructions, flinching at her unexpected warning of what would happen if they were to step out of line. Suitably off-balanced by the threat of violence, the sight of the stairs fails to elicit the sense of despair it might otherwise have brought forth. She felt her nerves building as the group drew closer to Lady Thundercrag's throne room, their echoing footsteps simply serving to drive home how the full weight of the Lady's scrutiny would be on them. Memories of her first, painfully uncomfortable interactions with Lord Bastille came flooding back, causing her ears to burn from remembered embarrassment. After an eternity of walking, and yet somehow all too soon, she found herself looking up at Lady Thundercrag. Not trusting her voice, she offered the noble a bow, hands at her side as she did.

[Ceralune]

Genevieve resists the urge to scoff skeptically at the woman, some part of her sarcasm that comes with adolescence not being able to take the Knight's words completely seriously, even though the weapons she wields are no joke. Looking up at the person in charge of the area with ambivalent eyes, she bows just as Leah does, not wanting to initiate any conversation with Lady Thundercrag. After all, if her experiences with Lord Bastille could be an indicator, the rulers of this region tend to be somewhat archaic and work in ways that aren't very straightforward. Or easy to work with.

Genevieve's grateful that most of the rest of the world has prioritized efficiency more highly, she thinks.