Legend:
Description/action.
Name of the character: "Normal talk".
'Thought'.
Player: player writing.
[roll 2d6+3]= dice rolls.
Roxas: The GM
The Tangerine Cat: Ishmael, The Sarkaz guard (murderhobo)
CleverPervertedPriest: Hazuki, The Aegir medic (murderhobo)
Tungstencat: "Ebony" Kaja, the Reproba sniper (murderhobo)
Frich: Kou, the Vulpo guard (murderhobo)
Manram: Giovanni il Redentore, the Sankta specialist (murderhobo)
The system used is derived from City of Mist.
It's not my fault, it's Roxas's
April 2nd, year 1097 / 4:12 PM, Clear Skies / Central Kazimierz, Kawalerielki Alliance, "Grand Knight Territory" Kawalerielki
Kawalerielki.
The capital of the Kazimierz, once a nation priding itself over its knights and honorable chivalry, had changed its image throughout the years.
Within the bustling and prosperous moving cluster of four nomadic cities, one can only admire the great economic machine grinding on and on as publicity shone everywhere as far as the eye can see. At every turn, one would be treated to the great sights and expansive services the various business were eager to serve, all too gleeful with the substantial number of tourists funneling in everyday, ready to spend their hard earned income at the altar of corporate benefits.
In equal measure, one could be treated to the latest promotional videos and pictures about the ongoing Major, with many speculating on the victors and losers. So many are anticipating the grand battles the esteemed MVPs and potential mavericks would showcase this time, each excited to see their champion climb the ranks and push through the odds.
However, such grandeur was not the sole peculiarity a person might come across while exploring the illustrious marvels at the heart of Kazimierz's booming economy. One such case might be of the sight of a certain unsightly accident...
Standing next to the busted down car were two old fellows of impressive build, a Kuranta and an Ursus. Despite their intimidating frames and sharp gazes, any respect they would have inspired was overshadowed by the way the Ursus was grumbling indignantly while his comrade looked particularly uninterested in the plight, casually watching the young duo tinkering with the motor in an effort to get it working again.
The four people weren't able to see, in the same road, a black old car parked, the driver observing them.
"Sooo...We still gonna make it to the party tonight?" Vogelweide curiously asked, throwing a curious glance at the machinery over the Sarkaz boy's shoulder, his long black hair kept at bay by two braids in the style of his family.
"It'll be your fault if we don't, V." Koval stated through gritted fangs, the big white bear's ears twitching irritably as his friend remained remarkably stoic despite his mistake.
V's brow twitched, narrowing his eyes at the bigger fellow. "My fault? My damned fault?" He pointed at his comrade, lips quirking upwards just a smidge. "Sure. It's not you and your goddamn box, right? all thirty kilos of it! It's not as if you're heavy enough, right?" He questioned, sarcasm bleeding through the his frustrated tone.
Manram and Roxas all the while are trying to not make The Tangerine Cat (Ishmael) become a diamond seller, then drug lord, all because Tungstencat questioned about why they would need the box. Fun time.
"Mael, can you check the wheels again? Just to be sure." Maria asked her peer, giving a small chuckle as their teacher grumbled, while she continued to tug and circle her blonde hair, a habit she took to avoid her aun-her older sister habit of biting her nails.
"Sure." Replied Ishmael as he circled the vehicle. "Right. This should be a simple fix. By the way, what's in that box, Koval?"
"You two aren't siding with him, right? That's just for the tools to fix Marcin's things!" Koval hurriedly explained, looking rather aggrieved by the insinuation of checking the wheels. "I'm not the one who crashed into a tree!" The Ursus added with a growl, rolling his aching shoulder and pointing to his friend.
Note by the transcriber: this is a serious event in Arknights. I will need to remind this...several times. A lot of times it will be due to my own actions, to be honest. I take like, 30% of the blame.
Note by the Game Master: 30%? Are you sure about that? Are you?
"Do you question my sense of direction?" Vogelweide demanded, eyes narrowing as he crossed his arms.
Maria notably remained silent, averting her gaze when Vogeweide's eyes shifted to her. Even she couldn't find it in herself to defend the retired knight...he did drive into a tree after all.
"Whatever. How much time do we have until the event?" Ishmael interrupted the two, unwilling to humor their regular childlike bickering.
"We have some time to go still." Maria checked the time, frowning as she noted how much time passed by. She needed to finish this fast to meet with mister Hazuki on time, otherwise he'll be upset.
"I'm saying that your vision isn't as good as it used to be. It was a tree, V." Koval explained, suppressing the smug grin threatening to appear on his face.
Vogelweide scoffed at Koval's words, his eyes brimming with indignation. "Need I remind you I won that darts competition at Marcin's last week? My eyes are sharper than ever! You the one who needs a dietery check." He countered, openly butting heads with Koval in front of passersby and scaring them into crossing the street.
"I'm not blind, which is why I clearly told you earlier 'watch out for that tree!'." The old Ursus reminded him, tone growing lower as his sharp fangs glinted with every snarl.
"He's right, you know. I've been landing more hits on you lately, Vogel." Ishmael nodded, eyes closed with one hand pressed against the car's damaged hood. 'Good thing the engine isn't damaged.' He concluded as his arts gave him a clear feedback of the metallic structure within. "Alright. Maria, give me a hand here, please."
"Just a sec..." Maria carefully checked the circuits, sighing in relief when she saw there was no damage. "The circuit's OK, but the engine's unresponsive. It looks like an old model." She approached Ishmael, sighing as she began thinking of a way to start the ancient engine again.
"What do you need?" She asked the young Sarkaz.
"I don't remember that." Vogelweide denied Ishmael's claim vehemently, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes at the young apprentice. Looks like the brat was getting cocky after spending too much time without a genuine training regiment. Turning back to Koval, the old knight snorted. "You said that, did you? Who put Monster Siren's new disc in and tuned the volume to the max? huh?" Vogel replied, raising his brow.
Koval did not answer the question, grunting and withdrawing from the confrontation. "...Just shut up and let the youngsters focus."
"Well, the car is totally wrecked." Maria noted, finding it fortunate that the two made it out of the accident in such high spirits. "Were you two drifting with this or something?" She gingerly asked, curious as to how a tree did so much damage.
Ishmael ignored the bickering in the background-he's grown used to it after the past couple of years. Instead, he turned to Maria. "You're right that it's a wreck. But-" He tapped at some structures within the hood. "Here. Here. And here. If we just fixed these parts, the car should still be able to run. Although, it would certainly just be a running piece of junk..." Technically Ishmael could probably just fix everything with his arts. However, the fact stands that his friend, Maria, loves tinkering with junk like these, so he thought he'd give her a chance at trying her hands. "...regardless, it would be a piece of junk that could get us to the party."
"It's V's fault."
"No, it is not! Maria, Mael, don't listen to his bullshit!"
"Alright, Alright! Just let me work, sheesh~~!" Maria got down and started tinkering with the parts Ishmael mentioned, eyes brimming with enthusiasm as she busied herself.
"Here, pry this part open. You see this? Good, we'll be fixing this first."
"See? You're disturbing them, ya little shit. Keep quiet."
"YOU!"
"-Keep it going, you're doing great." Ishmael nodded at Maria's focused form, the two of them tuning out the temper tantrum happening in the background.
Whilst the two men who aren't gentle kept sorting out their differences, Maria and Ishmael were quick to finish most of the repair work. Once they were done, all that was left was to get the engine starting again.
Maria tried to start it with conventional means, but the model's old age showed as the usual methods failed her. "Any ideas?" Maria turned to Ishmael.
"There," pointed the young man towards a specific item. "The spark plug. Connect that and this piece of trash should be good to go."
NoT: Naturally one could question "how did it go unseen for so long?" Those people haven't seen the Polish FIAT.
Maria hummed, before she followed his advice. The engine roared to life momentarily before it died again. "Still not enough, huh? Wait, I think I have an idea." Maria placed her hand on the engine, before she focused. A golden light shone, her Arts growing in intensity for a brief moment and eliciting a reaction from the engine.
Ishmael retreated half a step just to be safe.
NoT: Clever man.
Seeing the golden light, Koval grew silent as nostalgia shone under his goggles "Seeing the young lass use Arts like this always reminds me of her grandfather." He noted with a sigh, his smile gentle as he straightened his jacket.
"True enough. Just look at her! Why don't you know even a lick of Originium Arts?" Vogelweide quipped, grinning the moment the bear's ears twitched.
"You wanna have a go, asshole? Who says I don't know how to repair Originium devices?!"
"I'm talking about A-" V attempted to explain, but he was pushed aside as the big mechanic approached the totaled vehicle confidently.
"Okay, kids! Move aside! I'm going to make this senile punk eat his words!" A fire shone in Koval's eyes, his big frame pushing through and occupying the entire front of the old car.
Ishmael glanced at Maria, brow twitching at Koval's behavior. "Great job. Although I have to ask, is it really okay for you attend the party in this... garbage? We could find another more appropriate ride."
"You want a beatdown, kid? Don't you dare insult my vintage possession." V frowned, standing protectively beside his precious car with a defiant gaze.
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of insulting your car. It's clearly a classic—takes one back to a time when style trumped speed, beauty overshadowed reliability, and breaking down was considered a charming quirk, not a mechanical failure." Ishmael gave the door a little kick. "How does it feel to be a rolling museum exhibit?"
"Feels just great. It managed to carry you and your huge ego just fine." V answered, lovingly caressing the old car.
Maria chuckled nervously, eyes still on the engine as she used her Arts to get a stronger reaction. "Don't argue, you two. Let me finish this..." Her eyes lit up as the engine finally stabilized, its roar more normal. "There! Thank goodness." Maria smiled gently, glad to have reanimated the ancient machine.
"Anyways, what's this party supposed to be?" Ishmael asked, while keeping a look on the car with his own Arts.
"We're meeting up with some old comrades. It's been a few years since we had a get together for retired campaign knights like this."
Vogelweide seemed excited, his impatience showing as he tapped his finger on the hood of the car.
"Huh, well, good for you. Maria, are you going?" Ishmael continued, knowing that she would have to go early.
V nodded, looking rather proud of her. "Little Maria's really getting better day by day. I suppose it's just about time for a certain old fogey to retire too, eh?" The old Kuranta smirked shamelessly despite the withering glare he got from Koval. "You'd make a decent assistant too, brat." He added, patting Ishmael's head and ruffling his hair.
The young Sarkaz tilted his horns so that they ended up poking Vogelweide's palm.
Demonstrating his lingering experience and impressive instincts, the old Kuranta evaded the horn and grabbed it teasingly before he ruffled the young Sarkaz's hair. "You're still a decade or two too young to pull a fast one on me, little punk."
"It's not like that, mister Vogelweide. It's all thanks to master Koval and Mael's help." Maria smiled, scratching her cheek as she nervously checked the time again.
Ishmael clicked his tongue as his hair endured the continued violation. "Maria, you should probably get a better looking ride if you're going. This won't do for a Knights Major participant."
NoT: and here, readers, is when Tangerine fucked up.
"Hear that? Hear that? DID~ YOU~ HEAR ~ THAT~~?" Emphasizing ever word with an insufferably smug grin before he froze suddenly.
Turning to Ishmael, the big bear crouched down and stared deep into the sarkaz's eyes with the a serious glare. "What did you just say?"
He asked, slowly and concisely, his eyes watching Ishmael unblinkingly.
NoT: here is the litteral chat passages done by Roxas and Tangerine in that moment:
The tangerine Cat (next known as TGC): since maria is participating in knights major, i would assume her "image" is very important correct?
Roxas: Yep, oh no, sorry, can you edit that last message? Dumb and Dumber don't know she's going to a match
TgC: wait wdym
Roxas: Oh It's ok
Roxas: well, cat's out of the bag
Roxas: I am so proud of you.
TgC: wait so
TgC: they didn't know maria was participating in knights major?
TgC: bruh
Vogelweide was equally surprised, his attention shifting to Maria as the girl's smile froze.
"What." The Sarkaz replied, unimpressed.
"That last part, can you repeat that? What did you mean by that?" Koval asked again.
Roxas: Remind me never to trust Ishmael with a secret again.
Roxas: He didn't even shift the subject, just said "what."
Roxas: Tangerine is either about to unload the most convincing tale to ever exist or just sell out his only friend's only secret
Manram: Sell out.
Manram: He is gonna sellout.
The corner of Ishmael's lips twitched as he sneaked a glance at Maria's paling face. 'Ah. She didn't tell them, did she?' "...I just remembered that I have to meet up with this customer. One of the biggest orders I've received yet. I'll be seeing you guys later." The young man turned around and began walking away. 'Welp, guess I'll make it up to her later.'
Manram: See? He is clever.
TgC: lmao
TgC: remember
TgC: I have the power tag: Poker Face
TgC: ofc i would walk away like nothing happened
Roxas: oh yeah? time to roll then
TgC: Lmao
NoT I think Roxas asked for a convince. I think.
[Roll: 2d6+Poker Face= 5+5+1= 11]
Success
Roxas: fucker
Roxas: ok
Roxas: you get away with it….:)
Before Ishmael could get anywhere, two hands grab his shoulder, pinning him in place. Turning around, he finds himself met with the fearsome glares of both Vogelweide and Koval, their stares putting the fear of God in him for the first time in a while. Quickly looking for Maria, he notices that Maria disappeared.
"Let's drop you off, then! We're on our way to your place anyways." Koval didn't sound supicious much, instead he helpfully ushered the helpless boy in the car.
"Yeah, we'll get you there real quick. Count on my impeccable driving." Vogelweide shamelessly boasted, grinning menacingly as he let the engine roar.
"Oi. Let me out of this junk."
Listening to the engine sounds, the old mechanic frowned. "Nonsense, lad! this is us thanking you for your help...but doesn't the engine sound weird, V?" He asked, only to be cut off by the abrupt acceleration as his friend stepped on the gaz.
"Off we gooo!"
TgC: Wait i thought i got away
Roxas: check moves-city-of-mist (Note of the transcriver, channel in the discord)
TgC: what't going on
TgC: icic
Roxas: you'll find it in the top
Roxas: a success in convince means they're not pissed at you
Roxas: but will update their agenda to take into account what you said
Roxas: Mission failed successfully
"WHY ARE YOU DRIVING SO FAST?!" Koval screamed, clutching to the door and the roof for dear life as the car kept speeding up.
"Shit! You crazy old man. Slow down!" Ishmael gripped the seats in front. "Whoah! Watch out! Watch out! The fucking pedestrian-"
V let out a hearty laugh, eyes blazing with mischief as he swirled and drifted across the road. "I would've gone even faster in my youth, you know! Also, I haven't hit the accelerator yet!" He divulged, taking a few moments to realize the anomaly here.
"Huh? Wait, we're at 79mph now, slow - SLOW DOWN! Hey, it's 80mph now!" Koval's eyes kept widening as the speed meter kept going up and their surroundings kept flashing by at a faster pace.
"We're over the speed limit, dumbass! We're OVER IT!"
Ishmael pressed himself back into the seat, watching the streets outside the window begin to blur into streaks of muddled colors. Then his mind clicked as he realized something. 'Just how did Vogel crash earlier?' Despite the young man's reactions, deep down, he trusted the old veteran was, at the very least, capable of handling a speeding vehicle. 'Ah, right. It couldn't have been his lack of skills. Therefore, it could only be-' "-The brakes." Ishmael muttered despondently. "Shit. Vogel, the brakes! The fucking brakes! We didn't fix the fucking brakes!"
"I told you! I can't slow down, I'm not accelerating!" Vogelweide visibly lifted both legs to prove he wasn't speeding up, his excitement now turned to horror as the speeding camera flashed his car. The vehicle sped past a few lights, narrowly managing to evade a few passing cars and an unassuming truck almost nailed them perfectly.
The three screamed to the high heavens, even as they sped through the streets until they drove inside a park and into another tree. Koval maneuvered his body, catching Ishmael before his body was sent through the windshield with a grunt while the airbag saved V from experiencing flight for the first time.
TgC:…
TgC: :Horror:
Roxas: Should've come up with a better excuse, buddy
Roxas: Welcome to Poland
Roxas: I'm your tormentor
AN
I left this as a "smaller" chapter. Roxas wanted for the whole first day to be used. I pointed out that just a quarter of it was 3k.
I won.
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