sranks | general murdergame catch-all!!

[Ugh. Well, that was some of the worst sleep Griss has ever gotten and he wasn't even allowed a proper bed for years as a kid. Oh well, might as well see what's going... on... here...?

Huh. Well, this is new.

The castle's interior looks kinda familiar even though he never stayed in a room this nice, but why would he have stayed in Elusia Castle? That doesn't make any sense and the more he thinks about it, the more agitated Griss becomes. Where's Zephia? The other Hounds? Lord Sombron?

So he ventures toward the door pausing and listening for a second. No sounds of a clash, no voices calling for his blood. The Divine Dragon's army could still be out there, so he pulls open the door and summons his tome.

Only one of those works, and the latter leaves him staring at his hand in confusion. It feels like a Silence spell, but when was it cast on him? Who the hell did that?

Regardless of his confusion, there are plenty of other equally confused individuals opening doors in the hallway and questioning each other. It sounds like none of them have any idea what happened, and none of them really look familiar. No Zephia, Marni, or Mauvier, anyway, and it's not like Griss cares about anyone else.

He makes his way through the confused shouting, looking for some familiar corridors that should lead to an exit... but nothing here looks familiar. It's not like he ever spent much time in the living quarters of the castle, he supposes...

There are guards blocking several other passageways, and several more doors are locked. Griss slams his shoulder into one and draws back with a half-annoyed, half-pleased wince.]

That's a no-go too, huh...

[Well. That's certainly not the most uncomfortable sleep Alear has had in her life, but when Alear awakens in a room she doesn't recognize, and she's immediately on edge. This isn't the Somniel, and Alear is certainly not here to be waking up in random places. But she's unarmed and she feels none of her power--none of the rings are on her, either. What on earth gives?

Alear is immediately out and about, being stopped by some of the people along the way--she recognizes these corridors, at least slightly. Elusia Castle? If this is some sort of trick by Hortensia, needless to say, Alear is far from happy--she knows well enough that Ivy wouldn't pull something like this. But as she tries to assure people, tries to help them calm down because she's nothing if not someone attempting to take the reins here, but a familiar shade of green catches her eyes, and...

Oh, absolutely not. Alear feels herself tense as soon as she lays eyes on Griss, and she's quick to make her way out of the crowd as they start shouting amongst themselves for a moment--she catches him just as he slams his way into that door, and a part of her reconsiders. She was perfectly ready to accuse him, to demand that everyone here be let go...but...]

Griss. [There's a tenseness to her tone, and an uncertainty to it as well.] What exactly are you doing?

[Ah. There's the voice he was halfway expecting, but he'd dismissed the possibility when he didn't see her stupid two-toned hair among the others. Maybe he missed her. Somehow. Kinda hard to do that with hair like that.]

Just takin' a look around, Divine One.

[He doesn't think before he says it... and it sort of implies that he has no damn idea what's going on here. Is that something he should reveal? Eh, this is the sorta thing Zephia would consider and she'd be careful with her words, but that's not Griss's style. Never has been, never will be. So may as well embrace it.]

I don't see any of your loyal followers - they weren't with you?

[That... really doesn't seem right. The Divine Dragon can't go anywhere without at least three people hanging on her every word, can she?]

[That is...

...Not a promising answer. Okay, that's wonderful. Alear's gaze hardens a bit further at that, before she glances away, not sure of how to engage this further...]

...No. They weren't. I haven't seen any allies here, and you're the first person outside of the guards that I've been able to recognize.

[And somehow, that's more terrifying than Alear could have thought. She's always thought she had it pretty lucky, having people constantly at her side willing to explain everything, and being without any sort of support...

Well, it certainly puts the Divine Dragon on edge.]

If this is some sort of trick by Hortensia... [That much is quietly said, before she shakes her head.] Never mind that.

[She pauses, awkward. Like she really has to consider she's asking Griss this.]

...Have you found anything of interest?

[Look, just let her swallow her pride for a second and ask her sworn enemy for help--]

[Huh. So the Divine Dragon is without allies, trapped in Elusia Castle, her enemies' stronghold.

...If Zephia was here, this would be perfect, but since she isn't and Griss has no damn idea what's going on, the only thing to really do is play nice. Not like he'd stand a chance against her if he were to try to pick a fight, what with this Silence spell strangling his magic. If only he hadn't minmaxed so hard smh...]

Nah. Well...

[He inclines his head a bit, considering. Then he decides why the hell not and tells her what he's noticed.]

Somethin's off. I'm not sure what it is, but this ain't like the castle.

[The guards should recognize him, for one. He did stay there sometimes, with the Hounds, always with Zephia nearby, but they were always perfectly respectful of King Hyacinth's weird allies. But these guards? They've been treating him like every other person here.]

No point pretendin' otherwise, so I'll just be honest - I've got no damn idea what's goin' on or why we're the only two here.

[He should be more careful. Zephia would make a face at him if she knew what he was saying. But right now if it becomes her verses him, there's literally no way he's going to make it out. So. Might as well play nice. Offer up what he knows, and hope that's enough to keep him in her good graces for just long enough until he can figure out where the hell Zephia is.]

[Huh. Alear listens closely to Griss when he talks, and it's...really then that she realizes that they're both utterly screwed, aren't they? Left alone, without any allies...

...She can't feel pity for this man. She cannot, she will not. But Alear hates to say it--she believes him. She believes this isn't a trap, and that is deeply concerning.]

...Alright. I certainly don't see any reason not to believe you right now, at least. Nothing about this feels right at all.

[do you know! how much!! it pains her to say it!!!]

I don't know what could be the reason for this. If Elusia is really attempting to betray all of us... [...Hm.] ...How much would you say you know about this place?

[please. we're both trapped here, please be at least a little cooperative--]

[Spared the Divine Dragon's wrath today... Would Zephia be proud of him or would she give him that one really displeased look of hers? Eh, he can deal with that later, for now it's better to play nice until he knows what's going on.]

Dunno if it'd be Elusia on their own. While I can see 'em turnin' against the Hounds, I don't know why they'd leave me alive.

[King Hyacinth doesn't seem the sort to mash betray now, but there's no accounting for his daughters. Neither of them seemed particularly interested in the Fell Dragon or particularly fond of the Hounds. So while it could be their doing, it'd be weird for Griss to be here without the Hounds... unless they're already dead, but then why leave him alive?]

I know a decent amount. We stayed here for awhile when we first met up with Hyacinth. Didn't see every part of it, but I've got a decent idea of the layout, at least.

[This is probably too much honesty, but if Griss tries to figure out the right balancing act for how much to give the Divine Dragon, this is just going to be a massive headache. May as well be open about what he knows and maybe their temporary truce can last until they're outside - or at least until that Silence spell is removed.]

[...True as it is, Alear at least has the basic decency not to say anything about that. But while she knows trusting Griss might be the stupidest thing she could ever do...]

Do you think there's anything they could've overlooked, or anything worth looking around to see if we can exploit?

[Which sounds dumb, she knows, but--]

Even if it is Elusia, there's always a possibility they could've overlooked something. Something that we could use to our advantage. And if it isn't Elusia, and they've been taken hostage...well, that just seems like there's more of a possibility for them to be stupid and miss something, right?

[It's a long shot, she knows, but if they're gonna cooperate for now, maybe Griss's knowledge could be used for something good for once.]

Yeah, exactly. If this ain't Elusia, then they've definitely overlooked somethin'.

[That's a good place to start, and Griss motions for Alear to follow him. Their first stop is a little further back in one of the rooms - a massive dining hall, connected to a rather robust kitchen.]

Can't say I know all the passages in this place, but whoever designed this castle made sure there were a lot of 'em. Plenty of places where the royals could get out in case somethin' went wrong, that sorta thing.

[He's scanning one of the far walls, looking for a stone that's out of place - the exact location isn't something he remembers, but he knows it's somewhere around here...]

Marni found this one and was so damn pleased she was practically yellin' about it.

[It feels sort of surreal to think about, in all honesty. How are the other Hounds doing right now? Are they even still alive?]

[Oh, that's at least promising. ...Or Griss is just gonna find a path and stab her in the dark. That's always a possibility.

But it's a risk Alear is willing to take at this point. Alear follows closely, keeping an eye out on the others and the guards--they at least seem distracted for a moment.]

Was she? Huh. I wouldn't have taken her to be so enthusiastic about something so small...

[...At any rate, whatever you're looking for, Griss--you will absolutely find it, somehow. Alear pauses for a moment, and she swears that she...]

Is that...

[She's quiet when she says that much, looking to Griss. Is this what you're talking about??]

She's a kid at heart.

[It's sort of fond, but it's also distracted given what he's just found. Alear notices and Griss simply nods in response - he glances back over his shoulder briefly to make sure they're alone before pressing down on the stone.

The wall shudders a bit as a part of it folds back inwards - it's a small passageway that theoretically should lead deeper into the castle. If he remembers right, this one connects to one of the unused rooms in the royals' chambers...]

Not sure how this'll go. Still wanna take that risk?

[He's just as quiet, for once, and though Griss is smirking, it isn't in the usually threatening way. It's more like he's just really damn amused at this whole situation - probably because he is.]

[Alear looks around, warily; it seems that the others are distracted for now, or simply are seeking passage elsewhere around the building. Nobody seems to have noticed...

And it seems like someone's already picking a fight with the guards, and that's proving as good a distraction as any.]

...Lead the way. I don't think we'll get another shot.

[Alear isn't sure just what they're gonna find, but she's here to see what they could possibly uncover. She can certainly tell the others when they all come back, hopefully unscathed.]

[lbr it's probably shigure throwing down with the guards...

Anyway, with that confirmed, Griss nods and slips into the passageway. It's a winding, narrow path that while carefully constructed, was clearly not meant to be used for your every day walks through the castle. It leads upward - like Griss thought, this one connects to a room in the upper wings of the castle, an unused royal's bedroom near the end of the hall.

So how's the passage looking? Same as it did back in his version of Elusia, or has the mastermind of this game taken care of this passageway?]

[Geeta isn't unused to waking up stiff; when one braves the wilds like she does on a near constant basis, they get used to comfort being a luxury. One that Geeta rarely affords anyone but her Pokemon, nowadays, but when she wakes, she positively aches. And yet...

Geeta doesn't recognize anything about this place. As she reaches for her Poke Balls, she realizes they aren't there, and she forces herself to close her eyes. Fidgets with the sleeve on her right hand--at least they had the basic decency to not rob her of everything, she notes inwardly, as if anything about this situation is a semblance of normal. She was once a Champion hopeful, she should at least act like it.

As the woman exits her room, her steps are careful and measured--she's used to these kind of walks, but there isn't any authority in it. No, if anything it's almost menacing, despite the calm look that Geeta keeps on her face as she looks everyone over. Talks to a few of them, as they try to find their bearings in this unusual place. But gathering around like that isn't for Geeta, not nowadays, and she elects to sneak away to properly size up the security of the building that they're in. As she walks around, one might be able to hear her talk...]

Guards stationed all about, practically no ground uncovered...well. Whoever has done this is thorough, indeed.

[It's through one of the doors that the guards actually let her through, that she enters what seems to be a large foyer--there doesn't seem to be too many people here, but what is interesting, is the large wall of information that seems to be plastered all over the wall--something Geeta is quick to waltz her way over to, like she owns the establishment, carefully eying the information on display.]

Name: "Lobera". | Illimitable.
Age: 34. | Species: Human. | Occupation: Traveling Pokemon Trainer.
Likes: Strength, battle, winning, competent trainers, her partners, her godson's cooking.
Dislikes: Losing, emptiness, being without purpose, Clavell, Professor Sada, Area Zero, keeping secrets.
Trivia: Lobera was once a Science Teacher for the Naranja Academy, but disappeared one day and took a new name.

...Well. Isn't this interesting? Now I wonder where they could have gotten this information.

[Geeta--or Lobera, as she calls herself, finds her gaze flicking over to the first person she spies nearby, and she walks with that collected yet calculating energy that she wants to exude, and she'll get his attention--]

Pardon me. Hello. What do you make of what they have written about us on these walls?

[Needless to say, Shigure's not exactly happy to be waking up here, when he was getting ready for a really important battle. He's even less happy about finding a certain malakhim is mysteriously missing, and it seems like their bond is strained - not outright severed, but like she isn't anywhere around here, as though such a thing could be possible.

Morgrim should be nearby, because she's always nearby. That's more irritating than the fact that Stormhowl is missing, and that's what gets him to leave the room in search of her.

Unfortunately, his attempts to locate either his sword or his malakhim have turned up nothing whatsoever, and the guards stationed around aren't much help. There's something off with them, but he can't place exactly what it is - but whatever it is, it'd be best not to pick a fight until he has a weapon.

For now, he's found his way to the foyer, where he's frowning at the information listed.]

Name: Shigure Rangetsu | Relentless
Age: 31 | Species: Human | Occupation: Legate Exorcist
Likes: Fighting, tenacity, strength, Morgrim, his family, cats
Dislikes: Convoluted plans, being lonely, boredom, magic
Trivia: Shigure has defeated his younger brother in battle 1,012 times.

[It's setting him on edge - whoever the hell's responsible for this knows way too much about him. The woman beside him speaks up and Shigure glances her over before locating her information. What the hell's a Pokemon...]

Seems like they went to a lotta trouble to get this info, but I'm not sure what the point is.

[He lifts his shoulders a bit in a shrug; while this information isn't exactly pleasant, it certainly could be worse. It's not like Shigure's ever been one to keep secrets in the first place, after all.]

You got any idea what all of this is for?

[At that, Lobera's eyes flick over and study Shigure's profile; that certainly is quite a bit of personal information, and her brow briefly furrows at it. It's one thing to know about a new name, but the amount of battles won down to the exact number...]

...Nor am I, all be told. [Her arms cross, briefly for a moment, while she seems to contemplate.] If I had to make an educated guess, it's likely a matter of intimidation; whoever brought us in must have learned much about us, in some manner or another. They must intend to make us fearful of them, or perhaps of ourselves.

[Still, Lobera straightens, arms falling back to her sides easily.]

Though for what reason, I cannot ascertain. [Lobera tips her head.] Have you found anything else of interest, out of curiosity...?

Hah, they're gonna have to try harder than that.

[Though given Shigure has never once been afraid a day in his life, they certainly have their work cut out for them...]

Not yet. Seems no one else knows what the hell any of this is either...

[He trails off when he notices the plaque next to the profiles and inclines his head as he indicates it. Let's see what this says, maybe this is important—

Oh, it's your typical murdergame rules. Shigure reads in silence for a moment before reaching a certain rule, where he stops and just laughs.]

Really. That's cute.

[...Okay, Lobera finds herself chuckling despite everything--he's really a confident one, isn't he? She can't say she doesn't approve at least slightly. She'll follow easily when Shigure inclines his head, hand going up underneath her chin in contemplation as she looks at...

...Well.]

...They simply cannot hope to be serious.

[What the actual fuck is this "only way to earn freedom is to kill someone" bullshit. The fuck. Lobera sounds more amused than anything.]

They cannot even come down here and do the deed themselves? Really. Whoever is running this must be a pathetic specimen.

They probably know I'd kick their ass, Stormhowl or not.

[It's stated like a fact, like there's not even a doubt in his mind that he could take the person responsible for keeping them here. Because really, who actually can stand a chance against him, aside from Artorius on a good day?]

But I'm guessin' they've got some reason for all this setup. Probably a stupid reason, but some reason they can't just kill us themselves and be done with it.

[Exactly what that reason could be is a bit beyond him. Sadism probably??]

Hmm. [Lobera pauses for a moment, considering.] I could propose several theories, indeed. Perhaps they simply cannot. Perhaps they are bound to some similar rules that we, too, are.

...Or, our captor has a sadistic sense of humor. Neither of these would surprise me.

[Still, Lobera looks to Shigure, considering for a moment. But she finds herself smiling, just a bit.]

If you will permit me some curiousity...is this Stormhowl a partner of yours, then? Someone you seek strength alongside?

[Shigure inclines his head a bit, listening and considering those possibilities. They're certainly good things to consider, but without much info right now, it seems they won't find an answer to that immediately.

The question earns a shrug, though.]

I wouldn't go that far, but Stormhowl is my blade. I earned the right to use it and it never leaves my side - but obviously it ain't here, since I guess that'd just make this too easy.

[He doesn't sound all that bothered by it, all things considered.]

Kind of a specific thing to ask, though? You got a partner like that or somethin'?

[Lobera chuckles a bit; what an astute man. She can't help but like that, but she fixes him with a smile.]

I do, indeed. My partner is known as a Kingambit; a rather impressive and daunting looking creature who stands above all others of his kind. He and I fight alongside one another, and watch each other's backs.

I suspect that I have lost him and my other partners for a similar reason.

[The smile doesn't leave her, even for a brief moment.]

You simply seem like you would be an interesting opponent for us, in better circumstances.

Hah! Well, I like the sound of that! Tell you what, once we get outta here, I'll give you all that fight you're lookin' for.

[Shigure grins at that, clearly pleased with the idea - and likewise confident that they will get out of here.]

Though I guess I've got someone kinda similar - Morgrim, a cat-like bein' that's usually with me. She's missing though, first time that's ever happened.

[He folds his arms behind his head, glancing back over the profiles as he continues speaking.]

She doesn't fight, though; that's all me. She's just there to help me get stronger.

[Like everything else he's said, it's pretty dismissive and even, like he isn't bothered at all... but things are a little different when it comes to Morgrim.]

general murdergame catch-all!!

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