The hustle and bustle about the starlit beach was a constant flow - deckhands transporting heavy crates of indeterminable goods into the warehouse, members of the militia mulling about, and overseers barking orders at those who moved too slow. The energy in the air was electric, almost frantic. They had good reason to be.
Winter’s Crown was fast approaching, and tonight, a legend was coming alive.
Kou Miyami had been raised on stories of the Red Rogue, some told with awe, and others, disdain. Being a working class woman, a position she’d held her entire life, the stories had come as somewhat of a comfort. It gave her the hope that there were people out there who cared so much about goodness and justice that they would dedicate their lives to taking from those blessed with wasteful abundance and giving to those who needed it the most. Some winters, she’d even snuck out of the kitchens of her family’s restaurant to watch the sky for flying sleds or the vaguest streak of red… ah, of course, those were simpler times. Being older, she knew that real life was not so simple. People’s motivations were complex and varied as the stars in the sky. Oh, but it was nice to dream!
Wishes and hopes and childhood tall tales aside, Kou had grown, lived a full life, raised a child, and retired. Thoughts of the Red Rogue and their gifts that had never reached a poor fellblood child faded into the kind, foggy obscurity of old age… until now.
A shipping charter from Moonglade transporting goods for a winter party held by the Starlight Council had caught word of a possible attack from the Red Rogues. An anonymous tip, left in a note snuck into the captain’s ship, written in an ominous scrawl:
TONIGHT, WE FEAST ON THE RICH.
TONIGHT, WE STAIN THE STARS RED.
It could have been a prank, or some idle threat, but the dockmaster wasn’t willing to take chances with his goods. This food needed to reach its destination, else it was his head on a platter instead. It had made him desperate enough to arrange extra protection in the form of city guards… desperate enough to hire extra adventurers to ensure the smoothness of his operation. It was here that Mama Kou found her first big job! What an exciting one it was! Protecting the common folk from ne’er-do-wells… why, she was so excited that she could barely feel the cold permeating her bones. Even the light smattering of snow felt trivial!
She gripped her cane with gnarled hands, watching the young, energetic folk come and go with heavy boxes. Such weight she could never hope to bear anymore… though that wouldn’t stop her from cheering them on as she worked! As they passed, she offered words of encouragement and offered them home baked sweets and sugars she’d made herself this morning. Even with the tension, Mama Kou was light and happy. A little candle golem perched on her shoulder, flickering softly in the pale evening, providing some semblance of natural light. Nothing, though, was brighter than her smile.
She turned to her fellow bodyguard, a youth she’d not yet had the pleasure of speaking with. The both of them had little time to acquaint themselves with one another, but now that things had seemed to calm, they had time to talk. She readjusted her moon moth kimono, turning to the young’un next to her. “Exciting, isn’t it? Oh, of course, I hope nothing bad happens, but we just have to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best! Don’t worry about those thieves, either. If you get hurt, Mama Kou is here to support you.”
She leaned over and patted their arm encouragingly, her hands shaky but gentle and warm.bringing pets Candle Golem
Quest Name: Recover Stolen Goods Chapter: One Description: You have caught wind that a local warehouse has been targeted by the fakes, and they plan to steal a large amount of goods, from food to clothing. This will cost the owner a fortune, so you are being asked to help watch and defend the warehouse. You are being asked to guard the building, keeping a look out and warding off people who would be trying to steal, using force if needed. How you go about this is up to you, finding fun, unique and creative ways to write the scene.
Requirements: - Requires exactly two people (you and one other, can be doing opposing quest) ) - You must make at least 5 post to complete the mission with each post being at least 200 words - Once you complete this mission you gain access to chapter two. (which needs to be a separate topic)
Last Edit: Feb 4, 2024 9:29:58 GMT -5 by Kou Miyami
The night air was filled with a crisp chill, and the subtle scent of sea salt lingered as the stars shimmered above the bustling winter preparations on the beach. Amidst the crates and commotion stood Katsandra, her lavender cloak billowing slightly in the ocean breeze. The vibrant adventurer's emerald-green eyes sparkled with a mixture of curiosity and determination.
Approaching the gathering of guards and adventurers, Katsandra spotted Mama Kou, the elderly woman radiated kindness, and the flickering light of the little candle golem on her shoulder added to the enchanting atmosphere.
With a friendly grin, Katsandra stepped forward, her fluffy feline tail swaying behind her as she sat close to the old lady.
She turned to her fellow bodyguard, a youth she’d not yet had the pleasure of speaking with. The both of them had little time to acquaint themselves with one another, but now that things had seemed to calm, they had time to talk. She readjusted her moon moth kimono, turning to the young’un next to her. “Exciting, isn’t it? Oh, of course, I hope nothing bad happens, but we just have to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best! Don’t worry about those thieves, either. If you get hurt, Mama Kou is here to support you.”
Katsandra returned Mama Kou's warm smile, appreciating the genuine kindness emanating from the older woman. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore created a soothing backdrop to their conversation.
"I'm grateful for your reassuring words," Katsandra replied, her voice gentle like a lullaby. "It's comforting to know that I have someone as experienced and caring as you by my side. I'm sure with your guidance, everything will go smoothly. But you're right, it's best to keep our guard up, I'll make sure to protect you too, My Name is Katsandra Infini, it's an honor to meet you Kou Miyami, I've heard a lot about you when I was a teen! I also came from Crescent Isles after all. I'm not sure if you heard of me but I was the feline child who lost her parents at the age of 4, the only family of felines in the entirety of Starlight City!"
Last Edit: Jan 4, 2024 7:07:40 GMT -5 by Katsandra
The young adventurer took a seat next to Kou, her cloak swaying in the wind. She returned Kou’s smile with one of her own, which Kou found herself grateful for. She was not unaware of the limitations of her own age… and the perception that might create for other people. It would not be the first time someone had expressed disinterest in working with someone they considered a liability. But the young lady seemed to hold no such reservations, even going so far as to express gratitude for Kou’s experience.
She certainly hoped her life experience would be of use here.
An era of cooking and restaurant management offered little against thieves, but since retiring and taking up the mantle of adventurer, her strength had grown leaps and bounds, much to even her surprise. It had given her access to a font of magic even she was not aware she possessed. She was no fighter, but she hoped that she might be able to offer support however she could.
The young lady then offered her name, which did not ring a bell… but her story did. Kou’s eyes widened behind round-rimmed spectacles. The community of commonfolk amongst Starlight City was a tight-knit one, where stories spread like wildfire; as did tales of tragedy. “Oh, goodness, I do recall hearing something about that. I’m so sorry to hear what happened to your folks. They were good people.”
She reached out and patted Katsandra’s hand.
“Though I must say I’m surprised to learn you’ve heard of me!” She admitted, shocked and a bit flattered. Her restaurant had not been one of repute but one of consistency. “Did you ever get the chance to try our food? Oh, no matter if you haven’t. Once we’re done with the mission, I’ll pull out the supplies and cook us up a nice, warm meal as a job well done. There’s nothing like good food and a sense of community to bring warmth in such cold times, wouldn’t you agree, dearie?”
A gust of wind blew through the air, sharp, cold, and stinging. Kou pulled her robes closer over her shoulders; even Kyan shivered, the little candle golem hunching over against its owner to protect from the wind. Kou tasted the brine of the sea on her tongue. The dock workers doubled down in response, as if the sudden change in the air made them nervous. Kou reached for her cane and pulled herself to her feet, the movements agonizing as her knees popped. “But for now, we’d best bring these workers some cheer and security while we can!”
Katsandra listened attentively to Mama Kou's kind words and felt a genuine connection forming between them. The elderly woman's pat on her hand brought a sense of warmth, and Katsandra couldn't help but smile in response. The offer of a post-mission meal was particularly enticing, and Katsandra nodded enthusiastically.
"Well, I haven't tried your restaurant's meals yet, but I would love to share a meal with you after this, Mama Kou. I've heard so much about your cooking, and it would be an honor to finally taste it," Katsandra replied, her eyes reflecting gratitude."
As the wind intensified, Katsandra tightened her lavender cloak around herself, shivering slightly. The call to bring cheer and security to the workers resonated with her, and she rose to her feet alongside Mama Kou.
"Absolutely, let's show them they're not alone in this. A bit of warmth and camaraderie can make all the difference," Katsandra said with determination.
As Katsandra and Mama Kou prepared to defend the warehouse, the feline noticed movement in the shadows. A group of suspicious figures emerged from the darkness; their intentions clear. Katsandra's heart raced with adrenaline as she assessed the situation, her eyes narrowing into focused determination.
Without hesitating for a second, Katsandra unleashed her powers, sending a brilliant beam of light towards the unidentified intruders. The beam flawlessly sliced through the air, striking several of the intruders and sending them sprawling to the ground. However, some managed to evade her attack, swiftly dodging the beam and maneuvering around the warehouse with calculated precision.
"It seems we have visitors, Mama Kou," Katsandra declared, her voice laced with an undercurrent of excitement. She couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, the thrill of protectiveness rising within her.
As the intruders closed in, Katsandra's smirk widened, her body fluidly transitioning into a battle-ready stance. She was determined to defend the warehouse and those inside it. With each calculated move, she displayed the agility and grace of a seasoned warrior.
Last Edit: Jan 16, 2024 2:01:06 GMT -5 by Katsandra
Post by Kou Miyami on Jan 25, 2024 18:44:28 GMT -5
“Of course, of course.” Kou didn’t seem put out in the slightest that young miss Katsandra had never tried her culinary delights before. In fact, she seemed excited. There was no greater warmth than that of people coming together to share a meal for the first time - of a full stomach after a long day’s work, and the embrace of community. What better way to celebrate all that than with a group meal?
Mama Kou had learned long ago in her extensive life, that there was no such thing as a small deed. Every little act or favor or kindness meant something to someone - and therefore, it was worth doing. Even if she couldn’t provide much to the dock workers now, even just letting them know that they had someone who cared to be here on this cold night to ensure their safety was important.
Unfortunately, she wouldn’t get the chance to do so.
At once the black-clad assassins with red masks tied to their waists leapt from the shadows, surrounding the encampment from the land side of the shore. Kou didn’t have time to question why they’d chosen to show themselves now, rather than strike before anyone noticed them - the important thing was that they were here, and Kou had people she needed to protect.
From her bag, where her various tools and trappings were saved, Mama Kou grabbed a broom secured to the side; by all accounts, one that looked like an ordinary cleaning broom. But as she sat herself upon it, it began to hover in the air, allowing her greater in the sky than she would ever be able to achieve on her own two feet.[1] Though she was hardly a combatant, her power had grown immensely in the past few months… both through the collection of arcane trinkets, and
“My… didn’t their parents ever teach them it’s rude to make a visit without a housewarming gift?” Kou replied. It was not adrenaline in her voice, but rather, determination to do good. No one would be harmed on her watch.
While Katsandra leapt into battle, Kou hovered in the air, keeping an eye on the rogues from above. Their movements were coordinated, precise; this was no coalition of simple thieves or brigands. Katsandra cut through some of them, but they moved like a hydra. As many were cut down, more rose to take their place. Kou raised her hand in the air, drawing upon the warm font of love and affection and care from which she regularly drew her power.
the ground below her trembled, thick plants sprouting from the sand, providing natural foliage that spread across the beach, between the workers and their attackers.[2] “Hurry, hide amongst the grass!” She cried, gesturing towards the stalks of wheat and plentiful grass and vines. The dockhands didn’t wait to abscond into the cover; the assassins could clearly see what was going on, a few even diving past Katsandra and running straight towards their target. A moment of misaligned priorities that would prove to be their downfall - as it gave Katsandra ample opportunity to strike as they passed. 1. Flying Broom 2. Harvest of Plenty
Katsandra was amazed by the display of power the old lady has shown, now it was her turn, she charged towards the raiders, however, much to her surprise, they swiftly ran past her, completely disregarding her presence. This blatant act of disrespect caused an explosion of frustration in her mind, as if her very sanity was being tested. The force of her anger caused the bangs that were covering her eyes to blow to the side, momentarily revealing a peculiar tattoo etched on her forehead that resembled a scar. As if responding to her heightened emotions, the tattoo began to emit a pulsating red glow, while an intense heat radiated from her body.
In an instant, Katsandra let out a fierce battle cry, the word "KAIOKEN!" escaping from her lips with an astonishing power behind it. As those three syllables reverberated through the air, her immense power skyrocketed, causing an awe-inspiring red aura to envelop her entire being. In the presence of this extraordinary transformation, her overall strength and swiftness doubled, surpassing any previous limits. With newfound energy coursing through her veins, she propelled herself forward with lightning speed, closing the distance between herself and the audacious individuals who dared to ignore her.
Without skipping a beat, Katsandra swiftly grabbed hold of two of her opponents and launched them forcefully into the sky. Their bodies soared effortlessly, as if caught in the grasp of an invisible force. As the two figures rose higher and higher, Katsandra's hands taking on the shape of finger guns with small spheres of crackling electricity materializing at the tips of her sharpened nails. With a quick flick of her fingers "Bang.", she unleashed two beams of electrifying lightning, aimed directly at the airborne adversaries. The bolts of electricity surged through the air, seeking out their targets with unrelenting precision.
The impact of the lightning was precise yet controlled, delivering just enough volts to render her opponents unconscious but still alive as they fall back to the ground. Katsandra knew that keeping them alive for interrogation purposes was the most strategic move she could make. As their bodies tumbled through the air, helplessly at the mercy of gravity, she felt a sense of satisfaction wash over her. With her lethal display of power, she had made it abundantly clear that crossing her path was not a choice to be made lightly.
With a fierce determination burning in her eyes, she surveyed the scene before her, her breathing heavy yet controlled. "Who's next?" she exclaimed, as she looks glares at the group of raiders with the eyes of a predator.
1. Space Domain: Quicken 2. Space Domain: Chromatic Blast 3. Tattoo: Bull's Strength
Last Edit: Jan 26, 2024 6:52:50 GMT -5 by Katsandra
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