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Post by Javal Zarrias on Jul 4, 2023 18:33:14 GMT -5
Everything was going well, the two deliverymen made most of their deliveries stopping at nearby street merchants to deliver inventory, stopping at some general stores, and dropping off some inventory, generally nothing out of the ordinary. It wasn’t until after the delivery arrived at a library to deliver some books that trouble started to emerge.
Five ruffians began following the group once they were close to the library, one of them yelled, “Ay whatcha doin' there delivery boys? This is a newly expanded Brunnigan territory you better leave otherwise me and my associates here will have to protect our newly gotten ground".
The associates then started to show their weapons and charge at the group.
Javal unsheathed his katana and yelled out, “Deliverymen run into the library for safety, me and my friends here will take these guys out”.
Javal then charges at the nearest two goons while Nadia grabs her Bow and brings it down on another nearby one while another goon armed with lance charges at Del.
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jul 9, 2023 18:13:56 GMT -5
Minding the group as a body-guard of a sort was far from the worst gig that Del had ever had, but she was tired, unsettled and feeling much to exposed for her own comfort. Still, as soon as they were through and the threat was taken care of, then the city would be that much safer.
Its as they round the corner that she notices, while checking her six, that they are being followed. Too fast for her to alert the others, they call out their warning, claiming the territory as theirs and to get out while they could. Before anyone could respond, though, the group starts to flash their weapons, approaching with intent and purpose. So they didn't want them to leave, then.
So be it.
She furrows her brow as the one armed with a lance charges her, almost confused, as those were meant for... well, never mind. Del was not armed with a lance nor sitting astride a horse, but she would lay him out as though they were jousting regardless.
When the man steps into thrusting range, Del simply slips to the side and with the back of her hand, nudges the tip of the lance upward, the continuing momentum forcing it high into the air. With her hands bending and flowing like water, striking the bundle of nerves in the musculature of his arm. With a cry of alarm and pain, the man drops the weapon, sending it sprawling and rolling over the ground.
There isn't much time for the man to think about it, though, as Del quickly pivots on her heel to back-kick him right in the chest, and sending him flying back into others of his gang.
[1] Viper dance
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Jul 10, 2023 2:18:29 GMT -5
Javal takes on two swordsmen with Scimitars as they charge him; he can hold them off and push back thanks to his incredible strength (1).
He grabs one and smashes him into the other knocking them into the wall, One gets knocked out on impact while the other one bolts from the ground and tries to charge at Javal again not learning his lesson.
He sidesteps the incoming sword slash and instead slashes horizontally across the would-be attacker’s chest knocking them to the ground reeling in pain.
Javal then chuckles, “Crime does not pay fellows it is not good to beat down on the poor and helpless because you shall find yourself getting beat down by justice”.
He then looks over to the battle to see Nadia finishing knocking out a dagger using her bow. He then counts the number of assailants before questioning his memory, “I could have sworn that there were five of you guys”.
Suddenly a roar is heard as a minotaur fellow that was with them earlier comes crashing into Javal from the wall. He is quite huge and quite angry armed with a war ax on his hip. He hopes Nadia and Del can at least help him get this guy off of him before things get dangerous.
1. Bull's Strength (Tattoo)
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jul 16, 2023 13:00:36 GMT -5
Del's head whips around at the sudden roar, witnessing the minotaur busting down the wall and bull-rushing Javal before he has time to react. Del clicks her tongue, looking to Nadia. "I'll get him, keep up the pressure!"[/color] she calls out to the young woman as she bolts for Javal.[1]
With all that forward momentum from the minotaur slamming into Javal, Del knows there isn't much time before they collide with another wall. Javal was a tough young man, but it would doubtless hurt, and it was her job to keep these younger folk as safe as possible.
If that meant to resorting to ugly tactics, then so be it.
Taking someone out mid-run wasn't hard; in fact, during movement, when they were committed to it, was the easiest time to take someone off balance. The trick was getting the timing just so, and Del had a good idea of the minotaur's gait as she swerves, curving along the left side of the minotaur during his charge to launch a kick with her battering ram of a shin directly at his digitigrade knee. It bends backward with a snap, followed by Del whipping her elbow back mid-turn, to crash into the back of the minotaur's head.[2]
Striking his skull, even with the strongest point of her body, jarred her whole arm up her shoulder. The minotaur reels, his knee deeply hurt, his head pounding. Del touches down and deftly hops out of reach on the balls of her foot, leaving the taking wide open for Javal to recover his bearings and for Nadia to deliver the final blow.
[1] Cat's Grace [2] Backstab
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Jul 17, 2023 11:25:15 GMT -5
Nadia nods at Del, understanding that she doesn’t need to worry about her boss and just worries about the stirring ruffians awakening from their knockouts.
She jumps back into action dodging and avoiding the awakened ruffian's barrage of blows returning fire by smacking them back into unconsciousness with the brunt of her bow.
Javal panics, his eyes going wide. He was so mad… at himself, he had no time to dodge or block these ruffians and got him good fair and square. He was about to fully take the hit head respecting the minotaur’s strategy and honoring his technique; he just hoped he could still stand after taking the blow.
As Javal stood there ready to take on the attack with his eyes open and a smile on his face, he saw that he didn’t get pummeled. Del just saved him from a brutal beatdown with her cool and skillful techniques, he was excited he had to ask her to teach him that someday.
Nadia watches intently, keeping up and being impressed by Del’s power, she quickly jumps up and smashes her bow into the minotaur’s aching head, knocking him out and finishing the battle.
Javal stands up and says, “Woah sorry about that guys I got too excited and didn't see the minotaur coming. It won't happen again, and hey Del those were some amazing moves! Do you think you could teach me someday?”
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jul 24, 2023 15:05:45 GMT -5
Seeing Nadia come in with a quickness to deliver the devastating final blow with her weapon, Del lets a little bit of relief wash over her, relaxing flat onto her feet. She "No need to apologise, Javal. We've all been there; no one expects perfection in battle. Or, at least they shouldn't. Ah..." Del blinks at Javal's request, surprised."Really? Me?"[/color] People did not often make such requests; in fact, Fish the Kenku was the only one who had made such a request in the time she had known them. This was partly due to the fact that Del did not often use her abilities in front of others who might appreciate them-- she typically, tactically, worked alone.
That had changed of late, though, hand't it?
Del lifts her gaze to the hovering clouds of ash that cover Darkveil, before dropping her eyes back to Javal with a small smile. She inclines her head. "You are already quite well trained but... I would be honoured to do so. Though, perhaps after we have finished our escort. Do we anticipate another attack during our run here?"
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Jul 25, 2023 2:43:33 GMT -5
Javal bows shortly and says“Thank you for your forgiveness friend Del I shall make sure that it never happens again and to stay ever so vigilant. After all, we are defending not just ourselves against enemies in this mission but innocents so I cannot lose”.
Java smiles at Del excitedly at her response, “Yes you Del your speed and combat skill are nothing short of amazing. It’s something I would very much like to learn. Indeed I have to become stronger yet if that minotaur attack is anything to go by”.
As Javal says this the two couriers appear again hiding behind a corner and Rockstin yells, “Hey there people are the Brunnigan guys dealt with already we’ve already made the delivery to the library. We can head back to the boss’s estate and call in what happened for the day. I think this is proof enough that these guys are out to get us. I mean first, they beat me half to death and now they almost did it again if it wasn’t for you here. What else will these guys do? It’s always the little guys like us getting the brunt of the consequences”.
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Aug 2, 2023 23:45:55 GMT -5
She gives Javal an easy smile. "I can promise you thre's nothing to forgive. But you're quite welcome. And... if you're certain you'd like to learn from someone like me," the sylvan elf cannot help but be a little sheepish; she was a dust covered traveller, by all accounts, after all, "I will be happy to introduce you to a thing or two."
Her gaze switches over to the two couriers that had been hiding, both appearing somewhat relieved, but anxious. Trouble had been avoided today, but what of the future? Del furrows her brow, silent in a moment of thought. What else would they do?
"I think it is a good idea to go and speak to your employers, I agree." She tilts her head in the direction of Javal and Nadia. "Having guards with you is a bandaid solution; they will either retaliate by sending more combatants, or they will escalate into more sure methods of violence. You need a more permanent solution. Shall we?" She looks to Javal and Nadia, gesturing for them to lead on back towards the estate.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Aug 3, 2023 2:52:01 GMT -5
Nadia nods at Del’s remarks hoping her liege can move on already his insistence on being honorable had left the two in some troublesome situations and irritated her two to great lengths sometimes however she respected him for it.
Javal smiles widely hearing Del confirm her acceptance of teaching him so moves he bows slightly and says, “Thank you once more Del I shall look forward to it whenever it happens”.
Nadia nods at Del’s remarks about the situation that they have been dragged into with Javal thinking hard and saying, “You’re right Del we need to do something about this, although I’d be fine to stand guard in this town forever I don’t believe that would do anything just raise the stakes more and more”.
As the group made their way through town Javal was shadowing boxing trying to imitate Del’s techniques as he remembered them.
The group arrives at the estate and the guards let them through and point them to Antoine being in his study going over some business documents once the couriers explain what happened.
The group walks up the stairs and walks into a worried Antoine rummaging through some papers he turns to face the group and says, “Hello there friends, what has happened? Have you been hurt or attacked like I told you was happening?”.
Javal then recaps their encounter with the Brunnigan-backed gang with some help from Del while Antoine sits at his desk getting angrier and angrier as they go on.
Antoine says, “I cannot allow this any longer. I will not have my people bullied and hurt for simply selling our products. We must do something but what. What can I do to make this ugly and deadly thing stop adventurers? I'll do anything just to get back to the way things were before”.
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Aug 10, 2023 0:47:27 GMT -5
Del nods with a small smile, and a look of determination, and walks with Javal and Nadia back to the Estate.
The walk feels strange. This whole past couple of days had been strange, frankly, but this especially. The assessment of the city's situation had emerged in her mind like a night-blooming jasmine, unfurling its petals as though they had been there all along, the words were as obvious as the existence of nature. And now, as they walked, she felt her stride was not her usual careful gait while travelling, taking her time on long roads that would lead her on to yet more-- but one of purpose. A stride that knew where it was going, what it was doing.
An odd sensation, indeed, for someone who could not remember having much of a purpose at all.
Finding themselves once more in the chambers of Antoine, Del patiently listens as Javal gives the debrief of what occured on the road. As Antoine speaks up, Del steps forward, clearing her throat. "That's precisely the issue; at some point, it will escalate bleed over into civilians day-to-day lives, and there will be casualties on that front, as well as your own people. For the sake of the city and the people here, it has to stop. Near as I can see it, there are three options. Run Brunnigan out of town entirely, by force, blackmail or through business practices, cutting off his funds; Parley with him and come to some sort of mutual accord; or, cutting the head off the snake. So to speak." Del grimaces a little. "With him gone, the structure of the gang will be scattered, and will be easier to either take over the operation yourselves, or find common ground with one of his second-in-commands."
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Aug 11, 2023 10:26:30 GMT -5
Antoine looks directly at Del and is listening intently when she speaks entirely focused on her suggestions.
After she finishes he responds, “You are completely right Del, if I don’t do something quick my people will not just get hurt but at the rate this is going innocent people may die”.
He then silences mulling over Del’s three presented options tapping his finger on his desk as he thinks then he speaks up, “I am okay with running the Brunnigan’s out of the city as you may guess more business for me and leaves them out of my hair. I am also open to working this whole thing out and setting up a meeting between us but I am not down to go by myself. If we continue with this second scenario then I would need both of you to go with me to act as my guards in case anything happens. And as for cutting off the head I’ll say to not go with that one I’m not okay with having someone killed for my benefit”.
He finishes and gives the adventurers time to think, then Javal speaks up, “The way I see it, it seems like the second option would be the most honorable and fair. I am okay with acting as your guard to protect you from anything bad going on”.
Antoine nods agreeing with Javal’s statement; he then looks at Del awaiting her response.
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Aug 29, 2023 1:18:48 GMT -5
Standing before Antoine once again, Del stands at loose attention while Javal adds his opinion to the situation, watching the way he speaks with conviction about the problem. With frustration. Antoine seemed to have a decent head on his shoulders, but this whole situation was becoming a spark much to close to kindling. She had no doubt, if pushed far enough, that the results would be bloody regardess of who struck first.
To have Javal's support on the matter is certainly heartening; she gives him a small smile as he states his preference to not go in and kill the man responsible. It was very optimistic, though even pragmatic Del could appreciate the idealism behind it. At the very least, should it come down to it, they had a fall back.
"I think it is worth a try."[/color] Del confirms, nodding with the both of them. If their combined presence would reassure them, it was worth it to Del to at least make the attempt. If not for the sake of the people in this room, than at least the people of Darkveil. The idea of the kids at Shades Valley getting caught up in this... that would not stand.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Aug 30, 2023 2:59:52 GMT -5
Antione nods in agreement as he hears Javal and Del say their opinion on the matter, “I couldn’t be happier. I appreciate it, my friends. I shall send one of my couriers to their estate to deliver an official address for an urgent meeting. I’ll have both of you as well as four other guards standing outside in case we get ambushed and it's set up. I’m going to choose the city’s town hall as a meeting ground so neither of us get home field advantage".
I shall wait for his response and until then you are to be given free housing at my manor as well as funds to receive food and drink as necessary. He bids them farewell as he takes out a quill pen to write his address to them declaring a meeting at once. Javal is then accompanied to the room he was staying at by one of the house’s servants.
About two days go by with no response from the Brunnigans, Javal has taken to training in the courtyard with some of the guards in preparation for the meeting.
On the third day Antoine calls Javal and Del into his office and as soon as they sit down he says, “Alright we have gotten a response and they said they’d be open to meeting tomorrow. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. We can end all of this bloodshed and chaos at once if we just discuss what is going on here”.
Javal nods then Antoine motions for them to leave, “Get some rest you’ll both need it for tomorrow”.
Javal chuckles and leaves to go to his room, not able to sleep for a bit before passing out and getting woken up by Bootsamon.
“My liege awake you’re the last one to the final meeting please come with me", he then grabs Javal by the hand and runs into Antoine’s office to start their final meeting before heading over to city hall.
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Sept 22, 2023 16:59:22 GMT -5
It takes some time to get the ball rolling, such as it is, but then again, Darkveil wasn't built in a day. It still gives Del time to return to Shades Valley, touch base, provide the flowers she collected to the kids, but also gives her time to anxiously worry. If things didn't go well, how likely would it be that there would be an outright war in the streets? At the very least
Once she is again summoned, she meets Javal and his retinue at the town centre, to discuss the matter. She approaches with an abundance of caution, meeting Javal at the entrance. "What do you think the situation is about to be," She asks without much preamble, brow furrowed as she looks over the square with trepidation.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Sept 26, 2023 1:42:31 GMT -5
Javal quickly woke up already in full garb as he simply jumped onto his bed whenever he needed to sleep and followed Nadia up to Antoine’s office getting the order to meet him and his entourage in the town center.
He nodded in agreement before quickly setting off towards the city center followed by Nadia behind him. Eventually after only a couple of minutes of travel they arrived first it seemed as if they waited for the rest of Antoine’s side to get there.
He stood around pondering more about what was going on, “Hm, it seems that this is truly a tragic tale of a kind business fellow getting run out of business by a greedy and treacherous business rival. Seems to me it’s pretty clear that this situation is completely unjust and needs Del’s help. I hope that when we go to the meeting we’re able to at least help out if the Brunnigan guys pull anything sneaky at the last minute like an ambush", He turns to face Nadia before looking down at his blade and then thinking of Del and her fighting capabilities, “Nay, that shouldn’t be a problem we can handle anything that arises”.
Soon enough Antoine, his daughter, and a handful of strong-looking guards appear followed quickly by an appearance of his friend Del. As Antoine explains to the guards their formations during the meeting before they enter a large neutral party warehouse, Javal manages to speak a little to Del.
“Well, to me it seems pretty clear we just have to go in there and protect whichever side is on the right which seems to be Antoine currently but I must ask Del that you keep a good eye on what’s going on. I, myself, am not good at seeing trickery so I trust your judgment and what call to make”.
After hearing her response Antoine quickly walks to the adventurers and says, “Here we go before we go in there let me tell you who we’re dealing with, the new head of the Brunnigans. Titus O. Brunnigan the grandson of the original who simply inherited the company due to being the next in the family to inherit it, is a brash and greedy young fellow who does not respect the previous unspoken division between our company’s territories. Otis C. Brunnigan was the former old patriarch who had kept the family in business for three generations, he was a sly old man but this new fellow is just the opposite. I trust you two to step in if Titus decides to use this as an opportunity to get rid of me”.
Then Antoine enters the warehouse as Del and Javal follow behind him, soon Antoine is sitting across the young Brunnigan head on a long white table.
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