Unfoxing

The past day and a half has been exceedingly suspicious indeed.

First it was the trickle of out-of-place individuals through the gates of Eas--at least some of which had thick cloaks, mud-caked boots, and a distinct, heightened tension to their gait. True, those arrivals may have been barely noticeable in isolation, but together they represent a markedly unusual spike in activity.

Second was the suspicious wagon, suspiciously covered with a thick black cloth and suspiciously lumpy, suspiciously and excessively escorted, which left the mercifully unsuspicious city of Eas in the most-suspicious dead of night. Merchants, these clearly are not.

Even the day itself seems to lend itself well to their efforts. The cool air easily facilitates the use of hooded cloaks, though there is none of the telltale dampness or frost that would have made the trip outright unpleasant. And so the day passed. Now it is night, and the caravan has pulled off the road into a clearing to set up camp. Tents steadily rise from the ground. Fires flare (suspiciously, aren't they trying to avoid detection?), cookware clatters. The sentries are posted, tastefully dotting the treeline, and the scents of dinner waft through the air. Most notably is the crackle of fat coupled with a savory odor.

Is that fried cluck-cluck?

Worse still, strolling out the gates at the side of this most suspicious wagon is a most suspicious individual. How can you get more suspicious than the Doctor of Tolbana himself, you might ask? Well, what if it were the Doctor of Tolbana...

Munching on a fried cluck-cluck bucket!?

"Mmm," he says around a thick, juicy, herbs-and-spices-fried cluck-cluck drumstick, "Finger-lickin' good!"

Terribly, unfathomably suspicious...!

Is the magic of this world real? Is this world real? Is this world magic? Is magical realism real? Is it magical? The answer to all these question is a solid 'maybe', except the last one which is a resounding 'yes', because the word 'magical' is in the name itself. If you're one of those people who paid attention, pat yourself on the back, or ask a colleague with sufficient limb reach to perform the action on your behalf.

Why do we ask these questions? The answer will come soon: there is a man with a particularly dark cloak, with particularly caked boots, who still refuses to utter a word or show his features. And yet, as soon as bits of fried cluck-cluck come in his vicinity, they just... disappear. With a speed and a voracity that straddles the line between the mundane and the supernatural.

Which is a fancy way to say 'Man, does this dude eat a lot!'.

Over the past few years, Tian has become practiced in being inconspicuous and blending in to their surroundings, only giving themselves away whenever the need calls for it. So, playing part in this caravan seems counter to so many years on the run, hiding and surviving.

Yet, most would have trouble recognizing the Cait Sith in these circumstances. They are without facial makeup to disguise their features, their hair is pulled up out of their face and their ears and tail are covered by a thick cloak, leaving them simply a golden-eyed, androgynous individual.

The Adventurer seems to be quiet, hunched forward over the meal which they seem to be enjoying with some fervor. After months of being half-starved on the roads of the Palace Lands, Tian is never one to turn down good food, especially cluck-cluck. They don't seem to be making conversation, either because their hands are full with food or there is nothing to say.

Haru had business with Wake herself. It wasn't the Breaker of Crowns business nor was it the Craft Commander of the Silver Sword business. It was personal business. The sort of business that comes through his shop in Shibuya. Accessory Forging business. He is out with his large dusky brown Earth Peko, Karen, that is going alongside the caravan. Or it is parked along the caravan if the caravan has finished its movement for the day.

The silver haired Artificer emerges from Wake's quarters, shuffling offer design papers for a circular object. Sus? Sure. His normal blue-and-white gear is replaced with darker tone. And even more sus being that the chicken doesn't interest him as he takes a snack on a baked good from his inventory as he heads back to his mount and her saddlebags.

While fried cluck-cluck may have been the contribution of his fevered, depraved, and indubitably twisted brain, Sprites is -not- eating at the moment. Instead he is grumbling mutinously to himself as he struggles to single-handedly erect an oversized tent that...let's face it, probably requires two to set up properly. For all that he's giving it a reasonably enthusiastic whack. Who'd have thought he has closet contortionist inclinations?

But the tent is at least half-up, and Robert has one hand locked around a pole and one foot hooked through a loop of rope. He pauses, long enough to give Prophylaxis a bit of a stinkeye.

"Sir," he suggests. "Please don't dribble finger-lickin' goodness on the tent. The spots won't come out."

This has been one of the arguably most obnoxious missions. Not because it was hard or boring. But Daiyu had grown quite fond of the lifestyle experience and statis gained her, so having to 'rough it' for several days to continue observing on the Yamatoans. Yamatoese? Whatever. It's not important, just another annoyance having to deal with. What's important is a certain someone had been fortunate enough to encounter the Hulijing and confirm she was snooping around the Dukedom still.

As such, the strange gathering of dark clad figures and dark clad wagons had not gone unnoticed from a distance, since there really was only one way in and out of Eas, making it easy to monitor. Suspicious, or braizen? Maybe the Adventurers did not care about being more subtle since they believed their enemy gone. They were likely moving supplies to Mac Anu for it's restoration... which could possibly be their 'experimental' weapons like the mines to defend it. It's enough to be tempting, suspicious or not. If she could learn more about what they did, if it was alchemy or enchanting based, she could... is it still reverse engineering when it's arcanum?.. but she could.

Daiyu had slinked out of where she had concealed herself, in an almost literal foxhole, along the one route out of Eas, to follow after the convoy. Keeping a low profile, almost to where she was on all fours, which wouldn't be -that- weird for a Were Fang. But now was her chance to actually get a peek under the dark tarps to see what was actually in the wago--

--Is that fried cluck-cluck she smells? Which reminds her she hasn't eaten thoroughly since her stealthy visit to Eas, but that's besides the point. Daiyu shoves it aside, as tempting as it is, and tries to focus on her playing of stealth minigames....

"The oil will only protect the cloth, Robert," Prophylaxis protests, wiping his greasy, well-seasoned fingertips on the hem of his sleeves. Somewhere, whoever is in charge of making sure that the leader of the Scale Emblem Alliance isn't walking around in filthy clothes is screaming bloody murder. Those stains aren't easy to dislodge, doctor!

And he doesn't even have summoning magic to help Robert with the tent. How terrible. What an awful situation to be in. Munch munch munch.

Somewhere out there, there is a fox. Prophylaxis, being rather rabbit-like, is quite vulnerable to such creatures, and is presently woefully unawares. Why, some kind of predator could leap out of the bush and take him by the throat right now if it had the inkling to do so! But nope, there is cluck-cluck to munch.

...

Carnivorous rabbits, how terrifying.

(But then, the doctor is part bun-bun, so...)

Tian's gold eyes flick over in the direction of Haru, their head tilting slightly with a measure of curiosity at the fact that the other crafter isn't joining in the meat-feast. There si a slight sound of breath through their nose before the Cait Sith returns to the meal, gnawing the last of the meat from a leg before tossing it into a pile of bones and then wiping off their fingers.

Though they may be good at keeping themselves out of notice, Tian isn't exactly trained as a scout. So, with the scent of meat in their nose, the dark of night, and the fact that the deaf Adventurer cannot hear much of anything going on around them, they simply are at a disadvantage when it comes to actually noticing much that isn't obvious at the moment.

Their hands come to rest against their legs, posture relaxed, not joining in the conversation, but certainly watching the others.

If there were any doubts still ingering about whether the chicken bits that came in the vicinity of the Mysterious Man of Mysterious Mystery merely disappeared in thin air, or were in fact consumed, a rather obvious hint is dropped in favor of the latter hypothesis: a splotch of finger lickin' goodness drips on the caked boots, adding fresh gunk over seasoned gunk. Or, depending on how one looks at it, seasoning the gunk. Kauchemar's rock moles might appreciate.

Discussions on whether the thick getup is merely a disguise or also doubles as a glorified bib aside, the man stops. He waits, with silent focus, for a few more glops of grease to sink into the mud, at which point his barely visible eyes squint.

He just stares at... no, -into- the patterns of condiment on dirt, and then, stops.

He slowly raises his head again, still holding it at an angle from the ground, for maximum shadowy concealment. He raises one hand, keeping his finger in a limp configuration, as if for silently demanding audience, permission to speak.

But without saying anything. He knows permission to speak will not be granted. It's an agreed signal. The fox is here.

The message has been delivered. Time to go back and practice the deep secrets of of divination.

Haruspicy has never been so delicious.

The suspicious wagon is even more suspicious on the inside. There's a suspiciously ominous collection of camouflaged, blackened rods, carefully bound and glowing with enchantments. There's crates of spheres of various sizes, cushioned with straw, and glowing with enchantments. And to top it all off, there's what appears to be a long-barreled artillery piece (this last being responsible for the lumpiness of the tarp), that...you guessed it...is blindingly slathered in enchantments.

Speaking of blind, Robert may as well be. Possibly because there's a high chance that he's somehow linked to getting those stains out. One eye twitches, feebly. Then there is another twitch. Maybe this wasn't the best plan ever. "It isn't raining. Sir," is his classy contribution, even as his gaze locks on that bucket of cluck-cluck and the scent of herbs becomes too much too bear. Shenmi's uplifted finger distracts him just long enough that his self-control fails. He dribbles, possibly on the tent. Quickly sucks the remaining dribble back as best he can, but it's definitely a case of too little too late. "Shit," he opines, doing his best to look as though it Wasn't His Fault. He's not great at it.

There is a coincidence of a black cat following around Daiyu during the Metal Gear Solid Grey Fox Mission. Red eyes. Two tails. It doesnt appear malicious in nature and is intent on always being on the corner of Daiyu's eyes like some feline Weeping Angel. Sitting in the fox hole. Army crawling further near the brush. Laying on the table when a tarp is uncovered. It is a red eyed curse.

Or Eve, Haru's Dark Sprite, is just incredibly bored. A reflection of the will imposed on it from the Monster Handler and the orders to keep watch or, barring that, keep entertained. It found both.

Being detached, disconnected, and disassociated with the group at large may be why Haru came across the Palace Lander. It is a lot easier to observe things when you are not caught up in them yourself. He finishes putting sheafs of paper into his saddle bag and paces unhurriedly to where Eve is.

And where Daiyu is. Dumb luck, really. A cat sitting there with two red eyes and two red tails flicking as it looks at something around the bend. And then there is Haru, stepping around the corner and just /staring/ at person. Daiyu. Eve. Daiyu. Eve. The general expression on Haru's muted face is 'My buckit of cluckit is empty' as he lowers to pick up his cat and walks backwards behind the corner like he just had an unfortunate encounter with an ex and nope'd right out.

"I dunno Rob," Prophylaxis smirks as Robert's ravenous cluck-cluck hunger drools out all over the tent, "Looks like we've got at least /some/ precipitation, don't we?" He shakes the bucket meaningfully, "Plenty to go around. You sure you don't want to take a lunch break? We can get back to the tenting once all the food's gone."

Which means any interlopers would be on a time limit. After all, if they want to steal the food, there would have to be food around to steal...!

For the most part Daiyu had just ignored the feeling of being watched. She was alone in enemy territory, it was feeling that just comes with the matter. And now, she had something much more interesting holding her attention. And her personal curiousity as an enchanter. The foxwoman puts her escape artist skills to good use, barely displacing the tarp to reach up and leans inside. There is a lot of things in here, she can sense the enchantment arcane energies just in the sheer volume... but it's the barrel at the back that catchs her immeadiate attention. She tries to slip farther in to get better look... but then there is movement outside. With a grunt she pulls herself back out, stands and turns... just to come face to face with Haru collecting his nekomata (or is a baneko, being dark and ghostly? Either way...). There's that moment where the two just lock gazes.

Then a clawed digit raises to nudge her spectacles into position. "Slightly awkward, yes?" Sigh. "I did not want to do this immeadiately but..."

She steps back from the wagon, but at the same time slight-of-hands one of her vials out and flings it atop the wagon tarp to set it aflame. Her chance at study ruined, so now it's on to the militarian tactics: sabotage.

Of course. Haru's half glasses gets a shine off of it from the vials and the fire. "Just a bit." Crash. Burn. "There is option three: Not at all." The Enchanter is fond of that option. It is a nice, nonviolent option. Four small enchanted spheres roll out from behind him. There is a hypnotic roll to the pattern against the quicksilver surface. A pulse. A lull. Sleep. Relax. No one needs to get all agro. Have some cluck cluck. Almost like Haru built this device just for situations like this one.

The Mysterious Man of Mystery stands up. Slow, deliberate. He lets the loose fabric waft in the wind of devastation, basking in the glow like a madman.

But not the gloating, cackling kind. The quiet kind. The kind that goes, 'my, isn't this a great morning for burning down a cart of experimental weapons brimming with possibly unstable enchantments'.

As for reinforcing the previous image, he takes out his hands and rubs them together, then extends them towards the fire. He turns his concealed face towards Tian, and flashes the Cait Sith a grin, only his teeth barely visible for a moment, as for saying, "Come and enjoy the warmth of this Fireplace of Destruction, friend".

Because, let's face it, it's as close as one is going to get to turning your back to the exploding car and walking away in this world.

Whatever obsession Robert may have had for chicken is rather abruptly interrupted, for Daiyu's gone and torched the wagonload of enchantments. What follows is surreal. And technically nonviolent. Technically.

It starts subtly enough, as Daiyu's flames hit a relatively unstocked corner of the wagon. Lights glow a warm, yellow-gold, glittering in the night. A trio of doves, sleek of feather and cooing softly, take to the air. A bouquet of roses neatly drops into Daiyu's arms.

It is peaceful (ish) aside from Daiyu's wanton acts of violence. For now. But the fire is spreading, and the enchantments have only begun to fire.

There is little in this world that can overcome the deliciousness of finger lickingly good chicken. Or cluck-cluck, as they call it around here. Has anyone tried to batter and fry a Peko, he briefly wonders. Ah, it'd probably be pretty tough meat, considering how hard-working those birds are. But then, people eat Grunty, and those are beasts of burden! And on the outside, did people not consume cows and buffalo and horses? Hm, what a conundrum.

Shenmi delivers the sign. There is a fox in the (deep fried, deliciously battered) henhouse. Prophylaxis makes no sign of being aware... At least, until the wagon is ablaze. Something snakes down out of his gauntlet-- a thin, barely perceptible tendril of quicksilver tipped in a delicate needle. It winds its way into the caravan and delicately slithers close to prick the fox's heel. It feels like she might have caught an ember, or stepped too close to a splinter. But the effects of what coats that needle are... fairly immediate.

It's curses. A LOT of curses. And dizziness, like severe inebriation. What horrible things could result from someone suffering from a combination of incredibly bad luck AND ruined coordination?

It'll all probably get along like a wagon on fire.

It's Shenmi's slight motion that Tian catches on to before anything else. They are well aware of being watchful for subtle signals, as the two had plenty that they used during their time in the Palace Lands. There is an ever-so-slight shift of the Cait Sith's body language as they move their feet into a position that would allow for quick bursts of movement if needed.

And it seems that, soon enough, such movement is needed. Though Tian cannot hear the spells and artes going off around them, they can feel the heat from flames and the see the flash of magical energies. On their feet, the Cait Sith looks briefly at the fire, then towards the source of the trouble. Even if the cart is a distraction, it still goes against much of their ways to let it burn.

Still, the Cait Sith turns away and attempts some measure of assistance in slowing down the saboteur. The spell isn't particularly powerful, simply a charge of dark magic that might increase the cooldown on various abilities.

"Prepare to be amazed, astonished, astounded!"

Daiyu might recognize not only the catchprhase, but also the powerful voice that projects it all around.

The cloak is cast away with a dramatic flair, to reval-

Nobody. As the discarded vestment is tossed aside, it merely flutters in the wind, as if nobody had ever been under there.

"For tonight we are going to witness marvels beyond your imagination, wonders beyond your understanding, incredible feats of illusion that shall leave you doubting your grasp on reality!"

Where does that voice come from? The wind, the echoes,

"Welcome to our show, esteemed audience! My name is Shenmi Jinreng, and tonight I will be your entertainer..."

And there he is, right outside the cart, peeking in with a sly smile. His voice is not so loud and declamatory to address a whole audience anymore, but more fit for a one-on-one conversation. "...along with my lovely assistant Daiyu, for this special one-time only involuntary reunion show!"

He is back in his usual getup: top-hat, unbuttoned shirt, dress pants; he spreads one arm, as if for drawing the audience's attention to Daiyu.

It seems he notices the actions of the Doctor of Tolbana only now. "Hey, doc! No breaking the assitant? Do you have any idea of how hard it is to find a good one these days?"

He spins his hat as he removes it, making it roll across his arm, shoulders, and other arm, before flipping it, catching it, and pulling out a rabbit in a pyjama. Pastel carrot pattern, little floppy hat with fluffy pom-pon. "Now I have to wake the spare assistant. At night. He charges me extra for after hours service, you know?"

Bao, as if on cue, opens his mouth wide, as if yawning.

Doves take fleeing flight from the wagon, fortunately clearing the flames. A boquet lands neatly in her tails almost as if that had been the intent. Enough for Daiyu to grab it, stare at the flowers, and then do a Slow Head Turn(tm) to glare towards the cloaked figures in a very 'Et Tu?' annoyed look... just in time for the cloaks to fly away empty as a certain someone pulls his disappearing misdirection act.

So her attention snaps back to the more immeadiate presence. And unfortunately she was distracted just long enough to look into Haru's ponderous orbs (around his head) instead of look away. That gets an annoyed hiss out of her, slinking back to try and avoid it... only for something to jab her foot. And someone else throwing cooldown debuffs so she can't start more alchemical fires... and...

And there's Shenmi, being the bombastic showboat. See the two together, and one gets the impression Daiyu was the 'serious' one of the pair. Except right now, where she's discordinated and dizzy, wobbly on her feet. Unusually undignified and ungraceful. "I taught you.. too well..." The boquet is awkwardly swatted at him in what was probably meant to be a slap.

But Bao pops up and, being a bun-bun, just starts eating it.

There is a barrel. A rather well-made barrel, bound with wrought iron, the staves good, thick oak. It tumbles out of the cart, smoldering, and rolls to a stop just in time for the lid to blow clear. A trio of dapper tuxedo'd monkeys, with canes, monacles, and top-hats, spring free from their erstwhile prison. One has a dainty, floral cup of tea. And for the briefest of moments it is an element of measured civilization in the rapidly unfolding chaos. But then they take a page from Daiyu.

Screeches rend the air. The canes are dropped and, falling to all fours, the monkeys scuttle off into the forest and relative safety. Something explodes. Daisies spring to life, unfolding their dewed leaves and petals.

As for Robert, he has finally gotten loose of the tangle of fabric, ropes, drool, and chicken-stains that is his tent, and is now bolting towards the flaming cart. "Grab and go!" he suggests, with more than an element of hysteria.

There is the raw chaos that Haru considered would come out of the encounter. One does not pick the RNG Encounter. RNG Encounter picks YOU. The Enchanter notices that the camp is mobilizing and takes his cat with him around the corner as originally planned before alchemical fires started breaking out. He has things to do, things to get back to. Eve looks up at him as she is carried with her lower legs dangling and upper paws holding onto the human's forearm. "Don't give me that," he says to the Dark Sprite, which is not an animal. Its about the same as having a conversation with yourself. Which. Still. Happens. "She made her own choice." Of course there is the crown issue. "Probably."

The Artificer makes his way back to Karen, his Peko, having secured the updated plans for the accessory project with Wake.

Thankfully, Tian is deaf and cannot hear the screeching of the dying circus toys. It's hard to tell if their ears even react at all, especially with the thick cloak covering most of the Cait Sith's features.

Instead, it is Shenmi who has most of the messenger's attention. Their own time in Kallamore has given them an appreciation of just how good a performer Shenmi actually is. So, it is hard to draw their eyes away from any kind of spectacle.

For the time being, Tian does not reach for their weapons. Instead, the crafter reaches for some tools on their belt, keeping them at the ready just incase they are needed. Still remaining silent throughout this strange operation, they seem to be waiting to see exactly what the others have up their sleeves.  

Ah, there's the fox! Prophylaxis smiles as she stumbles out from the wagon. Honestly, he didn't think this plan would work nearly as well as it has. Is there a shoe he's waiting on? One that hasn't dropped yet, perhaps? Well, whatever the case, he seems to be all smiles now. "Welcome and well met! I do believe this is the first time we've had the opportunity to meet? You likely already know me as Doctor Prophylaxis. Hello! Please, take a seat. Ah, it's all somewhat on fire now..."

He taps his cheek. Then taps his staff against the ground.

A wave of bittermost cold washes out from the good doctor. It robs the conflagration of its warmth, smothering so much of the flames in an instant. But he leaves a small cluster of flammables ablaze, acting like it were a makeshift bonfire amidst the suddenly freezing world.

"Feel free to rest for a while. Have some fried cluck-cluck! Don't worry, I guarantee you won't come to harm."

"Though, ah, I cannot guarantee the safety of your belongings."

"Flowers? Pour moi?", Shenmi jests fluttering his eyelashes. "Why, I will have to think about this." One would expect a beat here, but Shenmi is quick to interrupt himself, breaking the audience's expectations. "I thought about it. You buy me dinner and I might accept your gift. You know I like dinner. Abundant dinner. Possibly multiple in a row. With good win-Bao, no!", Shenmi looks down, and mock-scolds his rabbit, who keeps chewing on the bouquet. "-Of course- you get my bouquet -and- the dinner."

Shenmi's sly smile melts into a more melancholic smirk. "You taught me too well," he confirms, as the hat is placed back on his head, and the bun-bun patted on his arm. "I wish we could have celebrated this under more normal circumstances, not this whole backward situation. But hey, backward times call for backward solutions." He snaps his fingers, melancholy giving way to excitement. "Let's have a reverse graduation ceremony, one where we celebrate the teacher, as opposed to the student." He looks around. "Anyone in the audience can remove graduation hats?", he asks, as if he was searching the crowd for a volunteer for his next number.

He leaves Prophylaxis some time to speak in the meantime, while his gaze does linger on Tian (the attention hog he is, he does like to reward his audience for paying attention) and Haru, but as the expert on Misdirection (not to mention big goof) he is, he also lingers on the others, finally gesturing towards Robert. "You. You, good sir. Do you want to give this a try?"

It is obvious he's joking. At least to the people from Yamato.

Daiyu stares heavy eyed at the stumps of stem remaining in her hand. The mental gears are turning a lot more slowly than normal thanks to the sleepy slog the hypnotic spell and the cursed injection. The rest of the chaotic cacophony going on until the Doctor dowses the alchemical blaze with absolute cold is a din in the background, she can't focus on so many things at once. "Hfff." It's discarded. She holds up a clawed figure towards Shenmi awkwardly, but the way her ears have flopped and her tails are drooping instead of swaying make the stupor clear. Whatever she might of snarked doesn't actually get said.

Until she finally just sort of slouths to the ground in her spot. Though the one finger is still raises, wobbling between Shenmi and her 'replacement', because that's all she can really focus on through the haze. "You.. faking it... even fooled me..."

Flames. Ice. A pretty little field of wildflowers. Mercifully, the vast majority of the fire is extinguished, leaving only a lone, high-pitched whistling sound as something streaks towards the heavens. It detonates with a forlorn little pop, rather than a boom. Sparkles disperse everywhere, rendering the night....shiny.

Robert ignores it, aside from a flapping of his arm to clear the space in front of him, his hysteria now duly tempered as he charges towards Daiyu. Tian gets a crisp nod coupled with a jerk of the head Daiyuwards. A silent 'let's go'. Aside from that headjerk, though, Robert is not subtle. "HAAAARUUU," he bellows. "Target's down."

"I am proud of you," says the voice of Haru from waaaaaay over there. By his Peko. Is Haru proud though, really? Really really?

    After spending a wonderful time chatting with Haru, Tae and Elly were just bedding down for the night. At first, the noise outside was easy to ignore. Then it became distracting. And then outright annoying. Enough to totally ruin a wonderful mood that had been building.

    When the priestess' tent opens, it is as if a star were emerging. Or the sun itself. In fact, it would be very wise not to look directly at it, lest one lose their sight completely for a time. This being the case, it's pretty hard to directly note who is coming out, though anyone who pays attention to what the priestess has been training on for the past several months will recognize her work immediately.

    She says nothing, but walks towards the epicenter of the madness. The campfire now is barely even noticable, as her coming brings daylight conditions to the entire area.

Much of the time, Tian's disability puts them at a distinct disadvantage, especially within a game that has only limited accessibility features. However, with all the chaos going on, the ability to tune out one entire set of sensory input might just be a good thing. The translation system still allows them to understand all the dialogue, but everything else fades to the background for the most part.

With Daiyu seemingly contained, Tian meets Robert's gaze for a moment and then returns the nod, approaching carefully. The Uncrowned is never one to fully trust any of the Crowned, even when seemingly incapacitated.

With one hand occupied, Tian signs something that resembles making a fist and moving it slightly to the right and left, followed by extending, the hand, folding the middle two fingers down before closing the full hand to the thumb and moving it back and forth again. "<Hold still.>" The translation system picks this up and conveys to the others. It is hard to tell if the words are aimed to Daiyu, or to the others to perform upon the enemy combatant, but it seems difficult for Tian to elaborate beyond that with the other hand occupied.

Twirled within their opposite hand, Tian uses what appears to be a delicate paint brush to draw something onto their own skin. Nothing appears at first, but as the brush is put away and some fine tools are brought out, an enchantment seems to form around Tian, creating an elemental halo that is only enhanced by the bright light that Wake seems to be giving off.

There is a feeling of power that would be familiar to those who have already seen a Moonlight Enchanter work with these Crowns. The small crafting tool is held up, as if measuring the weak point of the tiara that is donned on the Were Fang's forehead. It stops over the black crystal at the center of the Crown, and then a small hammer is brought down, neatly cracking the stone.

It begins to shatter, with cracks radiating up through the stone, and then outward across the Crown. Light seems to pour from the cracks, momentarily blinding, before the pieces begin to fall away, scattering into pixels.

Tian squints, then lifts the back of one hand to rub at their eyes.

Prophylaxis actually has relatively little to say at this point! He was always ever just an accessory to this whole thing, after all. Also the financial sponsor for it. But that's how things are, sometimes. Someone had to pay for all of those enchanted items, after all. And it all had to look very, very convincing.

And that kind of backing can buy a front row seat to the show.

"You shouldn't have come alone, o' fluffy one," Prophylaxis says, scooting a bucket full of deliciously scented, deep-fried cluck-cluck riiight under Daiyu's nose. "But I won't look a gift fox in the mouth. So feel free to eat as sloppily as you like without fear! Nobody will look too closely."

"Oh, well, it wasn't that hard to fake being engrossed in hedonism to the detriment of everything else. Told you, I do like me multiple good lunches, drinks, gamblings, and a good show or two."

First, it's Wake, making her appearance with her dazzling aura. It's her turn to shine. Literally.

In showbiz, and especially in improvisational situations like these, one has to know when it's time to concede the stage. Shenmi might not -like- to be upstaged, but he knows when it's time to.

And then it's Tian's turn to shine. Metaphorically. This one he seems to be more favorably inclined towards, probably due to the long story between the two.

Point is, he retreats backstage (metaphorically), off to a corner, to let people carry on the show.

Time for the one-time involuntary reunion to end.

By virtue of becoming voluntary.

Somewhere in this mess, Robert appears to have gotten ahold of a leg. Daiyu's leg, to be precise. It's not exactly optimal leverage, but it does at least mean there's -something- that is somewhat holding the fox still as Tian executes his work. It -also- means that Robert is ideally placed to get blinded by the sun that is Daiyu. In short, there's a muffled string of curses, coupled with a tightening grip. Possibly a mouthful of tail. He's happy to play a supporting role. Maybe a bit less happy now that Wake's flaring up and he may, or may not, be spitting out hairs.

Even in her stupored state Daiyu can't miss the bright light emerging on the scene. But her already hazy vision makes it hard to tell just who or what it is. It is a good diversion from Tian approaching, doing his little ritual to prepare, though.

Accessory or not, Prophylaxis has the right idea. Keep her distracted. Keep her from focusing. The moment she recovers her wits, she's dangerous. The means of dealing with this? Shove the cluck-cluck meal in her field of awareness. She ignored the tempting aroma before, but now with her head already muddled, the sensation stands out. Reminds her that the last proper meal she had was the one the night she'd snuck into Eas... Oh. Oh. It clicks even in the haze. She'd let her guard down, let too much of her own curiousity show. "If only," she mutters back at the Doctor about coming alone. She didn't have much of an option with their forces having retreated.

Something was off about all this. Something about how they hadn't directly attacted her... the hulijing shifts, trying to get a footing so she can get up, but she fumbles with the lack of coordination. Then Robert grabs one of her legs, enduring getting a face full of tail or two to do so. It's not much, but it's enough. When Tian reachs Daiyu tries to lean back out of reflex, but her movements are still sluggish. The tool connects, a tap to the black jade stone of the Black Jade Fox's crown. A hammer, a light ping of a tap. At first, it seems some miniscul in it's precision....

But then it cracks. The cracks glow and grow, spreading to the crown itself. Like it's very power had been shattered with it's hold.. until it crumbles away, derezzing into pixels like motes of dust.

And Daiyu slumps, most likely against Robert awkwardly next to and behind her, between the debuffs and the loss of the power the Crown gave her she's really got no resistance left to give other than a stifled, sluggish groan.

Haru has had this time removing Crowns. Two notable ones, in fact. He isn't the only one capable of it. Tian is here. When the translation system comes back with the 'Hold Still' Haru goes back to his original path of making something beautiful for people who deserve to have something like that in their life. Maybe it is the Dark training tugging on his psyche, but he is thoroughly disenchanted with the whole affair. He had already broken off ambitions to reclaim a place dear to him, Shibuya, in order to engage Shirin in single combat. Endanger himself. Remove his Crown. To what end? A footnote, at best, not even well communicated to the point where it led Daiyu here so ill prepared to be lost to the two people in Yamato that could remove the control the Palace Land had over her. So Shirin was a waste as both a message and as an opportunity to live as the crown undoubtedly found its way back on his head.

What of the Kunie of Mac Anu, then? The clawing against superpowers that second-class Adventurers that lack access to these System Artes had to overcome? Another footnote. A surgical procedure to be performed and nothing more. So why should Daiyu be any different? Or any of the others he has cracked open during their capture and release. People don't even ask or send thanks. Negotiate. They require and demand. Entitled to the fruits of effort into diverting his Enchanting Research to his Accessory Forging Research to give people the /chance/ of freedom. Betting that the pridely desire to show off or adhere to grander morality is motivation enough.

His empathy has burned out. Someone else can handle it this time. He is grateful for Tian being here as Haru did not want the crossroad of civic duty and personal agency to be clawing at his conscience later. "Come on, Eve," he says as he puts his cat on the back of his Peko, "lets get going." He mounts up. It is dark out, but that doesn't bother him much.

What does one do with an armful of fox? If anyone knows, it certainly isn't Robert. Still attempting to blink Wake's radiance out of his eyes, he neatly deposits Daiyu on that field of once-blooming, now depressingly wilting daisies. The bucket of cluck-cluck is nudged closer, and then he too retreats. "Well," he begins.

He pauses with a grimace, plucking bits of fur off his tongue, then continues. "Well," he states, once he's able, remaining at a cautious distance. "I...guess that's that?" Uncertainty reigns. "Don't suppose anyone's got a place we can stash her?" Beat. "Maybe a bath?"

    As soon as the crown is destroyed, the priestess begins to heal Daiyu. Wave artes flick from her fingertips in a blurring barrage, granting Lady Daiyu freedom from the muddling influence of the debuffs.

    The light dims from Elly at this point, and she moves closer. She has never shown fear in the past, even when Daiyu was crowned and at her back. She shows no fear now as she moves closer to settle the fox's head in her lap.

    "My dear friend, are you okay?"

    That is who Daiyu is, after all. Even the diabolical power of the crown couldn't prevent that friendship from forming. Elly leans closer, whispering something softly to Daiyu.

With the ritual performed, the glow around Tian seems to subside, likely costing quite a bit of mana to channel such an unusual ability. The glowing mark they had painted onto their hand also fades, disappearing into their skin once more. Slowly, cautiously, Tian steps back and then slips their tools into their belt.

Even with the Crown removed, there is a measure of wariness around any of the formerly Crowned. Some had chosen it for themselves, or had lost themselves so deeply in their fake world that there is no coming back. It is impossible to tell, at face value, if Daiyu is one of these individuals or not. There is a look cast towrds Haru, only to see their fellow crafter seemingly retreating from the situation. Tian's brows furrow slightly, perhaps not quite having all the information to understand what is going on with their friend and ally.

Then, the Cait Sith's golden eyes look back towards Daiyu. Having been quiet much of this time, Tian finally seems to speak up. "<We should be careful.>" Both hands have fingers extended in 'v's and held atop one another. "<Even without the Crown, they may not be a friend.>" The familiar sign that looks like someone placing a crown upon their head is followed by one where each index finger is clasped with the other.

Even if others may be open to accepting Daiyu, Tian is, as always, more concerned with protecting themselves and their friends from the Crowned. Afterall, many have fallen to their hands? How many fell at Daiyu's claws? It is hard to tell, but Tian pulls their cloak forward a bit, keeping their features in shadows.

"I agree with Tian, there," Shenmi states, calmly pacing back to join the gathered group, while stroking Bao, the vibe he gives off a confusing mixture of caring friend and and Bond Villain. "Never let your guard down one moment. Keep acting as if she's still Crowned, or worse. One slip can be fatal."

He gets as close to Daiyu as it is safe, and takes a good, long look, with something undefinable passing over his features.

His debonair demeanour is quickly restored, as he removes his hat and moves to place Bao back in. "But if I may speak off the record... I have a good feeling about this."

SpritesHero almost, almost smirks. "I notice you moved Bao to safety first, off the record," Robert counters with a light quip. His hands drift to his waist and he nods towards Tian in agreement, but makes no move to interfere with Wake's actions. Or Shenmi's examination. He is content to remain at a comfortable distance, wary. He'll leave the rest to those better suited to it.

The healing energy caresses through the foxwoman's form. Daiyu blinks. Blinks again. Then squints as the glow has subsided a bit. "Baroness." She remains polite, though whatever the whisper was makes her smirk a little a bit, if tiredly. "They... aren't wrong. You don't know... what kind of person, was beneath that device." Well maybe not entirely true in this case seeing as Shenmi is here, and apparently knows her better than one had thought. But it's besides the point.

That said, she's not really going anywhere quickly. Even with the debuffs purged, she feels exhausted. She's lived with the Crown's presence for so long now it feels... off without it. It will take time adjusting to. That and she's still trying to process it all. She's almost reluctant to even believe it happened until one hand makes a tired rub at her brow, and finds the accessory no long there. Confirmation. A glance across those gathered, even Haru's back and the Doctor having retreated to the side lines. "Thank you... but even I would not trust myself so readily, so soon. There..."

A pause. Then a deep exhale and long sigh to follow. "I will need time to recover. To... sort things out." Which isn't the entirety of what she's got to consider, but it keeps the conversation simple and on point for now.

Tian falls quiet once again, their hands still beneath the cloak. The Cait Sith has done their job and given their warnings, now it is up to those with more power to make sure the right steps are taken.

However, without their makeup on, Tian's expressions are far too easy to read. There is a mixture of uncertainty and sympathy there, which suggests that the crafter knows all too well what it is like to come out of the haze of a Crown. Yet, Tian does not offer this bit of information up to the others.

For now, they back away from the light, seeming more comfortable in the darkness. It's for certain that they will continue to keep a watch on things, but it seems like the silent Adventurer has little more to offer. Only time would tell if this is a rescue, or a setup...

    "You were my friend before, you are my friend now," replies the priestess. She laughs joyfully, "And you are your own once more! I am so happy for you."

    She turns to look at Tian, bowing her head, "Thank you. I... there is no reward that can match my gratitude for this, but you will always be welcome in Eas." Then she looks to Robert and Shenmi, "Thank you all, truly. You have done something wonderful today."

    She centers her attention on her freed friend again. "And there's truly no hope of me making me afraid of you. Are you hungry? It seems there is no shortage of food here."

Daiyu slowly sits up... and realizes the bucket of cluck-cluck the Doctor left is still sitting next to her. She lets out a soft sigh and scoops it up. No point in trying to ignore it at this point. "Shouldn't linger here. There aren't many of the Palace Land forces still in your region," and now one less supposedly "But my absense will eventually be noticed. I.. do not know what the reaction will be." Since she's not going to just run back into the fold like the zealot did.

Good enough for Robert. He tosses a bucket at the residual flaming bits of enchantments--water, mind, not cluck-cluck, to the tune of a sad trombone culminating in a distinctly slapstick...toot. Of the nether variety. It is loud, and long, while mercifully not tree-flattening. Clearly the gags have gone downhill ever since Daiyu left.

But Robert remains unruffled. Best to pretend that never happened. "We've got a bit left before morning," he observes. "I'd suggest not leaving until first light. Too many risks with low visibility to leave now, in my estimation."

"Safety first, always," Shenmi smirks back at Robert.

"Mention it not, my good Lady," Shenmi smiles with a tip of his hat, the annoyance of being upstaged already forgotten. "It was a thing I did because I believed it was the proper thing to do."

His hat is put back into place, tapped at the top, and a quiet hmmmm comes form him. "See, Baroness, that is my secret. I'm always hungry," he comments. Yes, the question was actually meant for Daiyu. But you miss all the shots you do not take.

    "I think it would end well for them, indeed, to come this way," suggests Wake. There might be a few more crowns destroyed, with the blessing of the Goddess. Regardless, she will leave the decisions in this matter to others. Around her, night offers little challenges with visibility, but shining like a beacon could attract annoying attention.

    "For now, let's make sure we are ready for the journey. A good meal, and at least a few hours of sleep." She asks curiously, "What is the destination, though? Back to Eas? Or off to Tolbana?"

    Shenmi's comment draws a comment from behind. Tae has emerged. She has no shiny glowy business or anything of that nature. She is a cook, though, and that power is more broadly appreciated. "Did someone say they are hungry?"

As her brain is getting back into gear Daiyu is acutely aware that she really doesn't have a place in such matters. Yet, there is advice to be given. "It would be most logical to return to Eas first." A pause as she considers her wording. More of the normal Daiyu is showing through again. Though it's noticable that her demeanor isn't -quite- as restrained. Is this more of the original Daiyu, the one writing and telling her own story rather than waging an unexpected and unorthadox war?

Only time will tell.

"If you do not intend to abandon me to the wilds," a pause as Tae finally emerges on the scene. "... I could use some tea to wash down this cluck-cluck," she murmurs softly, before taking a few more bites. Eating seems to be helping with restoring some of her energy at least.

"Eas," Robert decides, as though this were the plan all along. Perhaps it was. Though it would appear that his plans tend to have an unfortunate degree of chaos built into them. "They will not, I think, be expecting us to return, and I'd prefer it if Daiyu recovers before we take any riskier trips."

While he does not tip his hat, there's a polite little bow that may as well be a tip of the hat. "Daiyu, I'll be by to chat once you've refreshed yourself. Tae." A nod. "Wake." A second nod. And then he is heading off to the tangled mess that is his tent for a few hours of shuteye.

    "Well, if that is the way of it, then I'll make sure quarters are prepared before we arrive. For tonight, I have little to offer but our tent." Which Wake offers without a second thought.

    Tae glides easily into motion. Tea is easy enough. To best allow people to sleep if they want, she uses oolong tea that she'd cold brewed previously. Inventory is wonderful. "I can prepare something stronger in the morning," she explains calmly. A cup is offered to Daiyu. "I am delighted to see you again, Lady Daiyu."

    As this is done, Wake is sending chim messages. It's unclear what lucky person is set in motion by them, but miles away, the castle staff is in motion, getting a room ready, though specifics cocnerning the honored guest are not provided.

"We are one day away from Eas. It's night," Shenmi comments. "I think the most sensible course of action is to camp here and travel with the light."

"I did!", Shenmi exclaims, in Tae's direction, the movement of his hand being raised matching the twist of his ankle to face Tae and begin to walk towards her. "Shenmi Jinreng, Conjurer, International Man of Mystery, Weaver of Wonders, Master of Magic, Initiator of Illusion, and Holder of Many Titles He Made Up Himself!"

He bows as he reaches Tae; when he has straighened again, he swirls his right hand in a flourish, and presto! A bouquet materializes in his hand. "Please accept this token of my appreciating your offer to provide me with a meal."

    Tae directs her attention to Shenmi, grinning. "Well, you certainly have many titles, anyway, though I think some of them may be more plagiarized than made up."

    She looks thoughtful, "I am Tae, mostly-retired singer/songwriter, Lady of the Kitchen, and Patron Saint of Those With Empty Stomachs - Whether They Like it or Not. I love breakfast in bed. Provided there are no crumbs. Oh, and soon to be married to a very difficult and stubborn woman who can't seem to decide if she's a priestess or a baroness."

Daiyu just rolls her eyes a bit at Shenmi... and yet there's a hint of amusement under the tone of her voice as well. "You haven't changed..." If they can patch things up between them will be one of the many things to see though. Still not sure how she feels about bun-bun. Much of her spite at being replaced... was mostly because she couldn't bring herself, even under the Crown's influence, to specifically spite Shenmi. So she projected... but all that is supposedly going to be behind them.

"I am grateful you are here, Lady Tae." Daiyu accepts the tea. "And yes.. I should rest..." Then quickly shakes her head. "You two already share a tent I presume. I would not wish to intrude... Nor do I deserve such pleasantries after what I've put your people through."

She is still rather surprised they're not just going to ditch her in the wild once free.

    "As we are in the Dukedom, my word as Baroness is not a suggestion." Elly laughs softly, then, "As my beloved has pointed out, I am stubborn. Please indulge me in this. Our tent has plenty of room. Not to mention great pains were taken to free you. You will be safer sleeping with someone who awakens at every night noise than with others."

    While her role is accurate, it's highly unlikely that her wishes carry much weight. Unles she relies upon her legendary prestige, anyway. What does work is the simple fact that she expects to have this matter settled as she wishes and her skill makes it hard to disagree with her without seeming unreasonable. Her willpower is something of a force in itself.

Daiyu is, however, not really in any shape to object. "I will shift forms so my tails do not intrude at least, if you refuse to have it any other way.... but it is best we rest while we can. While wise to wait until morning, there is no telling how much time we have overall." Absently she rubs her brow, still getting use to that physical and metaphorical weight not being present. Oh, right, the fried cluck-cluck. "I will at least finish eating so no crumbs."

    When the meal is done, the fire is carefully extinguished and everyone is tucked comfortably into their tents. Well, almost everyone. Elly and Tae pause at the entrance of their tent to do.. rock paper scissors? Tae sighs as Wake wins, then looks grateful when the tent is held open for both her and Daiyu.

    Wake remains outside, and the gentle priestess vanishes into the shadows. The highly attentive might notice a wicked blade flashing into her grip before she vanishes. It seems that she will be serving as the guard, and considering how well she knows the lands of her home kingdom, enemies would be far, far better off staying away.