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Cotton Shorts Kid Captain
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 Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:50 pm
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Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:07 am
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Ambiance~
Aura of Peace
Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
With the caravan, Ambiance entered the city. She hadn't been able to sleep much at all. With all that had happened and with all the new things she had to think about, she couldn't calm her mind long enough to fall asleep... she closed her eyes, stared at the back of her eyelids, and still jumped at every twig snap or hiss from the fire.
She rubbed her eyes for the umpteenth time that morning. Her sword rested in the from the scabbard that hung at her side, weakly striking her leg with each step she took. She never thought she would miss sleep quite as she did in that moment. Maybe one day she would be able to rest, logic suggested. Still, her emotions weren't sure of that.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
OoC: |
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Cotton Shorts Kid Captain
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 6:28 pm
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✺The Southern quadrant of Clock Town had been clicking along with the pounding staccato of a locomotive ever since the mayor had moved the Deku Bizarre from the central block. That much noise around the clock tower, he reasoned to anyone who would listen, was undesirable. Along the way from the Southern Swamp, the Deku would often stay a night or long enough for a drink at the Romani Ranch, which now sported a sprawling resort and a vineyard that would make any connoisseur re-evaluate the family as more than just producers of a famous batch of milk. The riffraff in the north had a new playground in the pockets and distracted eyes of those that hadn't come in armed--in the conventional sense or simply with wit--which was to the liking of the authorities, who saw it as a decent way to spread out the criminals from the East side; tourists were robbed blind of the money they were going to spend anyway, and their quick apprehension--whenever the police could and best believe you me the press had been heavily persuaded to play up the heroic pursuit--left more than not walking away feeling safe, vindicated even, in having placed their trust in the multicultural city.
There were terms to this stage upon which the grand profusion of costumes processed--playfully and ploddingly--that should be understood in the instant a dancer from the Guru Guru studio traipsed (to the untrained eye)--trampled--through the throngs; toward the bank where money had washed up from the river of large eyes--with empty stomachs and hearts full of wonderful expectations--she tore and displaced Deku and Goron alike until she was no longer visible…
The teller at the bank, banging on the mat, his banana yellow bangles clanging and the vibrations teasing a softly sonorous song, a humming that buzzed the ears of Hylian types--tell you this: that he knew this was convenient after years of watching how his and his predecessors’ predecessors’ predecessors’ banging had led the money to float into shouting range--and the lad with green tights and pointed ears didn’t seem to mind at all the particulars. It was within this hour, he could judge with certainty, hearing faintly before the chorus had struck up the clock in heart of the growing town, that all things were to be decided. He kept his eyes fixed on the feet of those who passed, known with the most subtle intuition who was going to stop and who would coast on through the current of fine silk--though some fish had on a rougher scaling of cotton put through too much hard water (whether that was rain or… whatever seems to call on innumerable stories, all of which nearly as interesting and curious as the air about this section of time)--and knew enough, most importantly, that it would ruin everything to make either the impression that he was too eager for the sale or that he was too aloof; this was the hour to catalog shoes…
Out in the field the breakers were shortening their amplitude--and indeed there seemed to be more energy all about--with the brokers and farmers and who knows who else to come and scam the house--it was always so fun to gamble around; the idea of it was exhilarating and perhaps... --ah, but he was ashamed and knew better at once! To go on thinking he was too cowardly to play the game--...because, you see, it had been the habit of a short brand of independent-minded, like-minded, less-than-loyal young women and men who had grown bored or otherwise dissatisfied with conventional ways of making money that they, well…
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“Almost ready, sir!” In the dust-soaked appendiray room of the mayor’s office there is an air of tangible frustration. Today is the most important day to come along for Clock Town--hell, Termina at large seemed to be tossing in her sleep, feeling that palpitation that was the marker flight over the precipice of stagnation…--and yet Titus could feel nothing but annoyance, not apprehension; it was as trivial as another stamp to him, to visit these goons in the craggy valley of the dead. Luckily, others around him were at least affecting a semblance of patience and mature grace--God, how he’d need all that!--and, in the case of the help in front of him, the courage to button up the lion-esque man’s jacket. He scowled in return for all that service and loyalty.
“Fine.”
“Oh, sir, is there anything else I can do?” Being the son of timid innkeepers, this ordinary human, knowing nothing of the things called confidence, aptitude, virility, was the type to groom the mayor just as he was to run from women and sweat at the sight of alcoholic revelry. He was busy patting down the mayor; Titus was preoccupied with not looking down.
About this time, the machine was ticking along as expected. The one shadow hadn’t been expected to follow the ones who shine like the sun directly over the soft, pick town; the police knew there were gaps in the gears; the thieves knew there was only so much to be down before the teeth caught them, that they lived and died in the hitched breath of the slippage… --it was here that the dancer, chased, bumping a few poor sots, was the beginning of the slip. As soon as there was collision, one of three were there to pick the pocket of the one so expertly, organically distracted. Quick hands, full pockets; the deal was that the money went to the banker and the items found themselves at the curiosity shop. Learning from popular urban history, this troupe of thieves found it handy to rough up, to switch parts, to change in some way the look or feel of an object for sale to avoid suspicion. Still, there always the few…
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Today had also been a big day for the gorons and engineers as well. In preparation for Midspring, the Bomber had been collaborating with the recently regrouped Blackpowder Guild to get all the fireworks ready for the big display. Out on the way to town, fortune would have it, with the tests, there was nothing doing regarding a certain buzzard’s flight. Sporadic would be the milder word for it. Lorant and some of those who could look at something other than the road or their depressed shoes noticed a black silhouette dipping and flopping this way and that. Moblins darted for it, disappointed but not discouraged, and howled and whooped as each explosion overhead brought the beast more tentatively toward the brutal earth.
It was here that the once-dubbed ‘chameleon of Castle Town’ bowed behind the curtain. He hadn’t the patience! He could just sense the opportunities in a town like this. It felt completely different than Castle Town, and yet there seemed to be twice the life per square foot in this small city. He could taste that light coat of adrenaline at the back of his throat; it was his venom, his license to be totally ruthless, his speed, his ferocity, his promise of weakness when it suited him. He slipped in past the gate and made quick to see who he had to scam. In the throng, he noted a familiar face. He smirked to the shadow washed over the wall and stagnating on the cobbles there before him. Crowds with sparkling eyes waited there for him, and he would pluck those diamonds with the hands that knew no concept of speed.
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 8:10 pm
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Ambiance~
Aura of Peace
Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
She was mindful of all the movement, and her eyes flit across the faces that she passed. She saw none among the hostile army here, but that did not alleviate her worry or concern that any of these new faces wouldn't suddenly turn hostile. Deku were generally peaceful, and in general, she didn't feel the need to fear them. Unfortunately, logic and one's emotions didn't always find themselves on the same side.
She hovered close to Link as they entered the town and kept hold of her sword's handle with her left hand, to remind herself that she still had it, and that she was still there. It was much too easy to become lost in one's mind, especially if they found themselves suddenly pulled back into the emotional panic of an earlier event over something as simple as being startled by rushed movement or loud noise in the middle distance.
It was alright, she tried to remind herself. It was daylight, and here, everyone is happy. See the smiles? See how easily the performers are able to enjoy their dancing? It must have been alright. Even Link seemed decently at ease here... but then, he was the hero and always destined for great things. Were that she had his courage, then maybe she wouldn't feel so eerily timid in what looked to be a friendly crowd.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
OoC:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you believe there is sense in it
Is it truth or myth?
Would you believe in a tale like this?
A certain guardian of knowledge and one who was keenly aware of all that went on in the town was minding the strangers, aware that they were coming from the devastation not terribly far away. How tired and skittish some of them still seemed to be, even in the crowd. He delivered his report in writing this time, as he had every intention of making use of this beautiful day.
With the carnival, or the appearance of it, in full swing, there were certainly going to be criminals about. Now, he had spent most of the morning preparing such a trap and using some willing members of his team as bait.....
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, who approached and went for the glittering diamonds that seemed quite unprotected was not the one he expected to reach for them. Unfortunately, it had been one of the new strangers.
He heard and watched the trap engage and the various pieces snap together so that they could lift the stranger up. Lady Titus would not be happy to hear that the refugees also harbored criminals.
The white-haired man exhaled heavily and waited for the trap to finish its routine and the entrapped one to realize the condition he was in before he approached.
A lay of bliss, a praise in the old lore
Come to the blazing fire and
See me in the shadows. |
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Cotton Shorts Kid Captain
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 10:13 am
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✺There was a hidden language among the grifters. It was full of subtle gestures and facial moves that went unnoticed by most. After a while of walking, taking inventory of those who turned their attention to the excitement zipping down the way--because those were the ones who hadn't seen this type of operation before, yeah?--the Eyes had seen a visage (or was it two?) they hadn't before; more importantly, these two looked promising. After a moment, Link slowing to flank Ambiance as they passed, they crept in.
They were from every race, choking in around the two adventurers like nightfall on a streetlamp. Craggy chuckles and hands like clubs moved to steal on the displaced newcomers, but Link had other ideas. As soon as they swung in his direction, the Hero brandished his sword in one smooth motion and reamed the thug's wrist. There were four of them, and Link was making sport of his two.
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Elsewhere, Mr. Lorant was camouflaged to the slithering wall of passersby with his head tucked slightly and palms aching for that supple clutch. He spied as he moved, keep fixed past the individual to see what lay beneath. Who hunts the hunter? When they were locked in combat, the chameleon spat his lightning tongue and stuck the fly; a nice watch, perhaps? Oh, how he loved a new town!
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 9:38 pm
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Ambiance~
Aura of Peace
Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
Perhaps the timidity was exacerbated by the motion and how the situation had changed. Especially when the strangers appeared and the change was boldly announced by the hero's drawn sword.
Ambiance felt her heart catch, and her eyes widened. She didn't even think when she felt the weight of her sword in her hands. Humanoid targets. Two. Not heavily armored. Not much taller than herself. She gripped the blade in both of her hands and slid into the stance that the commander had taught her, ready to apply the tactics that would have preserved her life and those of those she would have led.
People died the last time she held this blade. Their screams were in her head again as she swung.
"BACK!" She barked and drew the blade back, glaring with some frantic semblance of anger. It was merely a skewed projection of internal conflict. "You WILL stay back!"
She looked from one to the other, as ready to strike as anything that imagined itself desperately cornered.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
OoC:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you believe there is sense in it
Is it truth or myth?
Would you believe in a tale like this?
The trap itself was simple in its design. The one holding the trinket of worth held it lazily, like someone who expected to spend a good deal of money and was just careless enough not to pocket or to hide the newly acquired wealth to protect it from thieves.
On contact, the simple charm would come alive and stick violently to the one who took without permission of the carrier. This gold would change its color immediately, of course, and one would see it begin to stretch across the skin at a surprising rate. Somewhere in the midst of this process, its next task was to scream.
The white haired man inclined his head to an associate, who replied, and then vanished into a nich behind the buildings, melting into the shadow as effectively as any he had the pleasure of working with.
Of course, as soon as he heard the alarm, he knew that his colleagues would react accordingly.
A lay of bliss, a praise in the old lore
Come to the blazing fire and
See me in the shadows. |
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Cotton Shorts Kid Captain
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 5:21 pm
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 5:39 pm
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Ambiance~
Aura of Peace
Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
Some desperation did not translate well, regardless of how deeply it was felt, now how real and close experiences were. The blade, noticed to be glowing, arched through the air and at the strangers, who seemed very ill-equipped for a battle if their clothes were anything to consider.
While through her mind flashed other dangers and other carnage, her muscles reacted with all strength and with the intent to rend muscle and tendon. The blade made a viscious arc in front of her, at first aimed for chests. Evem if it missed, the sword would soon come back around to hack brutally at arms and closer limbs.
Some might have toyed with the attackers, but this was not her mindset.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
OoC:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you believe there is sense in it
Is it truth or myth?
Would you believe in a tale like this?
The clothed men seemed almost like silent assassins that swept in at the distressed call of the token. Blades at the ready, they blocked the front way, fell in behind, and there was yet two more on the roof. They studied this stranger. Much like the others, they felt, for they had been warned about thieves by their captain, who was soon to arrive.
Was he with the caravan? The performers? Did this detail matter in the long run? Perhaps not.
When he did arrive, he stepped in behind his men, so as not to get in the way.
"Strange..."
"Sir?"
"This is a new face to me. Who are you, thief?"
A lay of bliss, a praise in the old lore
Come to the blazing fire and
See me in the shadows. |
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Cotton Shorts Kid Captain
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 6:53 pm
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 8:27 pm
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Ambiance~
Aura of Peace
Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
Perhaps it was fortunate that the momentum clocked her as squarely as it did. The force sparked a few stars behind her eyes and momentarily stopped her violent swings, which of course gave the men time to escape from the danger of those whose memories of battle were still close enough to leap to the forefront of her attention.
Her right hand still had firm hold of her sword. She moved it at an angle before her, ready to swing again, but her left hand moved to her nose and face. She was still and steadily recovered. She listened. She opened her eyes when she could. The strangers were running.... running.
Like they had been running.....
The sword's glow faded. She dropped the weapon and heard it clatter on the stones under their feet. She hid her face in her hands and shuddered.
This was wrong. All of this was wrong! Why did she do that? None of them were armed!
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
OoC:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you believe there is sense in it
Is it truth or myth?
Would you believe in a tale like this?
The leader among them chuckled. His men held steady. "And yet you are the one who sprung the alarm I designed to entrap someone else."
The man in his robes seemed very comfortable even as he studied this stranger who seemed rather tense. Did he think that he was beneath notice and attention? Was he accustomed to getting away? If a stranger, what was the motivation behind his thievery? His voice suggested that he was well-spoken, or at least learned enough to persuade others of high status. Did this one come in with the refugees? How many among them were thieves also?
"No, I think you are indeed someone of consequence. Or else a victim of consequence. " The man adjusted his robes and then turned his attention to the blade at his side. "I'm uncertain of where you hail, but we have laws that I am honorbound to uphold. Rest assured. It is nothing personal."
He drew his blade, a thin and bright thing even in the shadows, and he stepped past his men to approach the thief. "Shall I know your name before I introduce you to our dungeons?"
A lay of bliss, a praise in the old lore
Come to the blazing fire and
See me in the shadows. |
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Cotton Shorts Kid Captain
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 5:51 pm
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✺Link didn't seem to be too bothered by what had happened. In fact, he seemed almost more at ease now! He clapped the dirt off his hands and looked to Ambiance with a dopey grin, finding it hard to keep for long having met her distraught countenance. However, not even that lasted very long. He knew what she was likely feeling, and that she had done nothing to deserve feeling anything but good about herself--the stress they were feeling by being displaced notwithstanding...
The Hero walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder, clapping down and collapsing a fair amount of tension there with his surprisingly strong grip, pairing this with an optimistic thumbs-up and a smile to match. He motioned for them to keep moving, for them to find someplace to be, for her to follow him.
Soon they were near the center of town, feeling the rushing bodies creating a series of currents around them. Though, in a way, there was quiet in the noise. He took a seat on a crate and looked over the square. There was a tavern, a games place--many of those, a place to do laundry--so many places to be! Link looked quite thrilled to be there, sighing out a deep breath and looking over to Ambiance.
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"You say I am of consequence, but it must only be that of a fly to a spider. Please, toy with me not. I have seen justice become a competition, and I won't have thuggish means forced on me--you won't catch me enjoying whatever sadism lies behind that half-smile of yours..." While he spoke, the chameleon thought of how he might escape, taking his time to consider his inventory, whether or not he should let them handle him, etc. He stared softly through the leader, trying to feel out his presence. Was his confidence justified?
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 6:56 pm
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Ambiance~
Aura of Peace
Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
Her hands moved and she looked back to Link. He seemed so calm. How was he able to keep himself so collected?
Perhaps that would never have an answer, she would later decide. She knelt and picked up her sword. After a few mindless wipes to clean the blade of debris, she took note of the small nick that came to be when she dropped it. After promising never to be so reckless again, she returned her blade to the sheath.
Fortunately, she didn't need to think too much, which gave her some time to relax as she followed Link. Walking helped. Surprisingly enough, it helped.
Once in the center of town, and after a cursory perimeter check, she sat down next to Link. Clock Town seemed smaller than Castle Town. Of this there was no doubt. Yet it was so very different. It seemed.... almost peaceful. She might have believed it, if there hadn't been thugs.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
OoC:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you believe there is sense in it
Is it truth or myth?
Would you believe in a tale like this?
"Perhaps it is fortunate that I am not in charge of justice here." He held up his free hand. "I will be taking back the token you stole and we'll proceed to the dungeon."
Yes.... very fortunate that he was not in charge of justice. He was captain of the guards and the proud keeper of secrets in Clock Town.
"Sire... I have news..."
The man hummed and didn't remove his eyes from the thief. The member of the cloaked guard that arrived stepped just behind him and whispered into her captain's ear. He processed the words and his expression fell.
"And you're certain?"
"Yes, sir."
He exhaled slowly and sheathed his blade. "Pik, Zin, Miki, please settle things here and prepare the trap again."
He moved to excuse himself. The newest sheika inclined her head and stepped toward the thief. "If you would hand the token to me, I can persuade it to stop screaming."
The leader of this group slid between his men and began to leave the space. He felt as though his skills were needed elsewhere and he doubted that there was much time to get there. He could speak with this stranger later and then later let the Mayor decide how to treat this discovery. Granted, if his rush to the dig site possessed good timing.
A lay of bliss, a praise in the old lore
Come to the blazing fire and
See me in the shadows. |
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Cotton Shorts Kid Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 2:04 pm
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▲═════════════════════════════════════▲ ▲═════════════════════════════════════
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This wasn't good. Lorant was finding that he was out of options... That was, options were not simply being given him. However, he knew better, being the wild beast with a charming strut that he was, the true dichotomy of choice: where there were no options, one was to simply create options; this was simply unavoidable. His capture might have been so as well, but this didn't change the resolve he had.
"--That would be lovely," said the thief as the Sheikah approached. He straightened his back, softening his face a little. He waited until they were nice and close, inches away from the prize, and quickly as he could, slapped a handful of deku nuts against the ground. If he was at all successful in stunning them, even if not, he would make a break for it.
Elsewhere, Ambiance and Link would be treated to a little respite. A taste of late spring was theirs as they took the sun and the breeze took their worries. From spaces with cool, fungal shadows, a concerto of laughing children rose on wings of pollen and homemade detergent. Most people tried to move here, but they often found something to complain about--the adult way. Fat mothers and skinny fathers running after things they didn't care to run for--the latter may run until he slept, running back over scenarios that he yet to be run, running out of hair...
There were soldiers at odd corners of the square. Seemed as though nothing every happened, though, as even the delinquents were sent away with freshly inflated balls and invigorating banter bouncing 'round in their heads.
One of the little ones seemed to sneak up on the Hero, who was busy taking in the scene as though some falcon god would beam the heart of this beauty into his brow. He couldn't have been more than four or five, with a green cap and a wooden sword. He giggled and cooed as he slashed a few meters in front of Link, looking over every once in a while to see if he was paying attention. After a bit of pretending that he wasn't, the Hero sprung into action and attacked the lad like a marauder--like the lot before--and there was much giggling and chuckling and "Hiyah~!"-ing...
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Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:41 am
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Ambiance~
Aura of Peace
Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
Perhaps it was the simpleness of the scene, or perhaps it was her own desperate need to escape the memories that were burning the back of her skull, that when the child appeared, her attention was able to focus on him and the hero's interaction with him.
Link just played. The child played. And this place, that welcomed spring, was safe. For a while, Ambiance let herself watch the children at play, and the scene at large, and as she watched, she was able to breathe and relax. Her nerves steadily faded. She returned to herself and her grip on the hilt of her sword relaxed.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
OoC:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As for the warriors that the white-haired man left behind, it was part of their training to be ready for any change in a situation, be it from demeanor, diction, or when someone was going for their pocket in a hurry. Loose fabric and robes helped to stave off some of the shock, but unfortunately, the one who was closest to the man did find herself surprised, and in the stunned field she felt encase her, she began to struggle against it, eager to break free.
However, those who were behind Lorant, and those who were on the roofs overhead, were free and clear of the blast, and in seeing the action, moved into position. Their tactics altered slightly, wary of more deku nuts that could be used against them, and they moved to intercept the stranger.
Rope was brandished and with a few deft movements, it was clear that this rope was a net in the hands of the one behind the lady who tried to apprehend Lorant. Behind Lortant, the other two on the ground drew ropes with rocks on the ends of them, heavy stones that they began to spin as they readied to throw them.
The two on the roofs drew weapons of clockwork, crossbows of a kind that readied themselves and that fired as needed. Tipped with paralyzing poisons, the archers above fired their accurate and powerful bolts down on the the one they had been ordered to apprehend. |
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