Dreams Of A Thousand Bandits: Part 2

    In a small town located near the Oasis, a bandit is being kept in a small prison, which one might contemplate if it was makeshift or just rarely gets used. It is here that the adventurers are able to question him, as he is brought out to a small room, with a single table and the bandits arms kept tied behind his back.

Xander is already here, staring at the bandit as he waits for others to arrive. The request already went out to those who may have some skills with people to help 'get information' out of landers. After all, if they can find the bandit HQ, they can end the terror they are causing for carvans trying to move their shipments across the already dangerous deserts.

Soujiro Seta is well suited for this one. Look at that stupid smiling face he has! It reads good cop all over it. Want some water? Sure thing ole buddy ole pal, just help me out with some information. You dont want Bad Cop(tm) in here, nossir. They will feed you sand. Bleh to that, I say.
Himf course the people that know Souji well know he has a hair trigger when it comes to slighting his friends. Its kindy spooksville. And the people that /really/ know him well would know his family was in law enforcement. Memories~ A hand raises in a simple, smiling wave to Xander as he shows up in his traditional kimono garb. "Do you remember how long someone can survive with a hand cut off? Asking for a friend." he asks the fellow Aincrad guildie with a cheerful tone. What happened to Good Cop?!

"Oh, that depends," Kauchemar replies in a sickingly sweet tone that has to be sarcasic. "You treat the wound so it doesn't kill them, buuuut you don't actually heal it, or give them any potions, so it's still painful suffering." She crosses her arms, staff resting in the crook of one elbow as she smiles, letting her viper fangs show. "Then you remind them of all the things they can no longer do now that they don't have a hand up." Really, is anyone surprised that a nightmare would know such things?

    Xander gives both Souji and Kauchemar a nod. Then takes them to where the prisoner is as they talk to one another about 'hand removal'. "I'll let you two handle him. I am just here to make sure he doesn't try to escape." The Salamander admits as he goes to cross his arms over his chest, leaning against the wall.

The Bandit gulps slightly before trying to put on his tough face. "I won't ever betray my brothers and sisters! Neither of you-- you scare me! They will come for me! You will see!" He then continues to act tough, gritting his teeth a little. "You-- you will have to do more than threaten my hands! Th-that includes you, monster!" He aims directly at Kauchemar. "I'll turn you into glue if I was free!"

Xander rubs the bridge of his nose. "Did I forget to mention he is feisty? He is feisty."

Miho is here she seems unthreathening but maybe that's why she's here, then again anyone who knows Miho? Knows the tiny lady can be a Oni when she has to be. she's here her tail is swishing as it looks over.

"I must ask why did you choose this life?"

Soujiro Seta puts a hand to his face. Oh dear. Such spice! "That is a good question, Miho!" He sizes up the bandit for a moment. Blue eyes seem to shine like a flashlight through the soul. Souji has always been good with people, which means being present and seeing them for who they are. Not what they should or could be. Reality on reality's terms. "If we are going to be here for a while, we might as well get to know you, Mister Bandit." Smile. He looks over towards Miho and says, "I've met a lot of people who turn to crime, but many of them would have given it up in a heartbeat to start over again somewhere peaceful where they don't have to sleep with one eye open." He looks back to the bandit, "There are a few that do it for the fraternity of it all, but," he looks around the room, "those sorts don't leave their friends behind. The ones out for their own gain do." A hand rests on the bandit, the samurai, an Edo period lawgiver, squeezes, "I'd feel betrayed if I ever found that out. That they were using my sense of fraternity against me. It would almost feel 'just' to give them the same treatment and take the opportunity to start over somewhere with a new name, some honest work, a roof over my head and a hot meal."

He looks back to Kau, "Sure beats letting a Nightmare use you as stress relief. You see, at that point, you'd say anything for the pain to stop, you know? It wouldnt be helpful. Unless a sadist is having their fun." Tap tap on the shoulder. Hand releases. "Tea anyone?"

Kauchemar continues to grin that unsettling grin as Souji points her out, after the bandit tries to act brave by making a glue threat. Something she's heard so many times that she barely even phases that it was said. Just keeps smiling, the unnatural glow of her oddly colored eyes continuing to shimmer eerily. "Oh, I'm not the one you have to worry about...."

She's still standing in front of the man, just behind Soujiro. Easy to see since she's tall... So why is there suddenly the feeling of hot breath ominously snorting against the back of Mr. Bandit's neck? That would be the normal Nightmare, not the Bardic Werefang one, looming behind the man and just breathing heavily. Because ETO's nightmares do stalk and eat people, after all. After slowing driving them to dispair.

Kauchemar is as much summoner as she is bard. This is how summoners negotiate. Monster psychological warefare.

    The bandit sneers at Miho as she asks her question, "Think about it and maybe you'll figure it out!" Then comes Souji, trying the soft hand approach; as it were. The bandit listens and his brows furrowed a little. The man looks maybe in his early twenties, human by race. A few scars here and there, but looked like from beasts.

He gives Souji an up and down, before he looks over to Kauchemar, then back to Souji. His eyes glancing over to Miho, before back to Souji once more. "We have good meals in our camp. I don't need your offerings of food. They take care of us, brought us together, we are /family/." He gruffs out.

Then he feels the huff of air on the back of his neck and his body tenses up, his eyes close for a moment as he mutters something, almost sounds like a prayer, before he opens his eyes up slowly. "E-Even if I did tell you, they would never let you find it. You could never gain access! .. and they would find me too... betrayer I would become..."

Miho says "And in the end most bandits die in the mud, you ahve skills are compants why not seek employment as profession guards. You know how bandits operate no? Could not your family open up an actual business? There is a need for it in the wake of the Palace Lands invasion no? I'm just making a point here. Wouldn't it be better for your family to move into a line of work where they were not outlaws and could make use of their skills? Or perhaps one of the nobles could be seeking a military unit with need of your skills. I would presume your field craft and stealth skills were quite good to have gotton so large?"

"Of course they do," Souji sympathises with the bandit's situation. Betraying friends is bad. "Like they are taking care of you right now, right?" he asks with that cheerful smile. No, they are leaving the bandit here to be tortured. The samurai pours himself three cups of tea. One for myself, Kau, and Miho. It has a nice aroma. The kind that could hide poison in it. He takes his own cup but leaves the other two on the table nearby. "It sounds like you have nothing to lose by telling us if we would never find it. Never gain access." He sips on his tea and notes, "Oh I get it, you like the pain. Its okay, Mister Bandit. No shame in that." Souji ain't gunna judge ya. Sip of the tea. "You are so right Miho! Why a really good brother or sister would use this as an opportunity to start a viable business! Needing to resort to theft is not because there are no options. Its because there is a choice. And harming others is the choice." Another sip. "We are learning so much about each other right now! So much." Sip. But those bright eyes of Soujis look a bit darker now. Putting a Saint and a Nightmare in the same room is not a good idea for any prisoner.

"Oh, so you do know where it is then..." Kauchemar replies slowly, still smiling as she lets what he just said sink in to the man. "Won't let us? Oh, my poor poor delusional boy." This time she leans forward just a bit, getting closer with than fanged smile. "You do realize that is more of a challenge than a warning threat to a bunch of determined Adventurers, yes?" Her nightmare steed inhales sharply and makes a deep snorting sound. Like heavy sniffing. Like it was trying to determine how the man would taste. Especially now with the fear seasoning it. He can be all bluster and gusto he wants, it's harder to hide fright from a monster that preys on it.

    The Bandit chuffs a little. "They are not my biological family, but family all but in blood. We stand together, fight together. Take care of one another." He then tries to peer over his shoulder, but easy to see fear is keeping him from doing it.

Then there is the tea and oh boy, does it smell good!

"And besides.. Even if /I/ wanted to-- They don't care for traitors and they have many lives. They are immortal. Or so it is believed and so it is said." The Bandit then looks at the group, "So none of you would have any chance anyways! We will strip down the kingdoms and we will make all in equality by strength, not by coin!"

Then he can feel the air again and he shudders a little, his arms moving a little, as he closes his eyes. "We will make all those suffer, just as they made us suffer. We will teach those who mistreated us and uproot their flaws for all to see!"

    Xander slowly raises a brow at all of this, looking at the group, "... Fanatic bandits? ... A bandit cult?"

Soujiro Seta raises his cup to his lips. Sip. Savor that flavor. The aroma. Its so close. "Seems to be," Soujiro says with that happy smile on his face to Xander, "it almost an admirable amount of will. What with being so far away from any help. Being in a room with us super powered Adventurers that can read minds and break bones with our fingert tips. Im not even kidding, look at this." He gets on a table and balances the cup in one hand, slowly turning to a hand stand. Which is silly athleticism. Then ONE FINGER. A little finger pushup. Then he settles back down. "I almost want to give him a last good meal before the Nightmare melts his brain and we take out what we need from it. I was really hoping he would save us that trouble, since we will find out anyway, but he wants his brain to be a Slime." Sip of the tea. "Maybe he isnt as brave then. If his brain is melted he wont have to think about the betrayal. Thats pretty smart." He looks at the Bandit, "You smart fella, you." Sure, no one HERE can Data Drain. He thinks.

Miho pauses for a moment "Immortal? Are they Adventurers like us?" She asks curious about this fact if some other Adventurer had turnefd ot this well now they'd have to deal with them.

"Or we have Adventurers going bandit kings and queens."

Maybe no one does. But the Bandit doesn't know that. Still, these guys seem to be pretty.. zealot like. Maybe bandit cult isn't far off.

Threnody opens his mouth wide, with that snake-like unhinging this world's nightmares have, position just above the man's head. A few dribbles of what hopes is saliva and not venom trailing down those long fangs... though this doesn't seem to be as effective as Kauchemar had hoped. But even without certain Power Paths, if they want brains melting, maybe she can still do something.

Instead she relaxes her stance, using it to shift her staff from under her arm. Taps a fingertip against the skull like she was testing a mic, it giving a little crackle as she does so. Then holds it up just as one would a mic and does the thing she does best.

"o/~ This song is just six words long
This song is just six words long
This song is just six words long
This song is just six words long

Couldn't think of any lyrics.
No I never worth the lyrics.
So I'll just sing any ol' lyrics... that come to mind, child.

You really needs words.
A whole lotta rhymin' words.
You gotta write so many words... To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it right, child.

This song is just six words long
This song is just six words long
This song is just six words long
This song is just six words long! o/~"

It's not the WORST song she could sing, but she's not trying to wreck her friends as well, so she just went for mindnumbingly repeatative and nonsensicle instead of downright earbleedingly horrible.

    The bandit stares at that tea, he really /wants/ that tea. It's in his eyes, after all, how long has it been since he has /had/ tea, if ever! The young man gulps a little, his hands wiggle with the rope a bit. He watches as Souji does incredible things and the man closes his eyes once more. "We all know what you adventurers can do. Gifted by the gods.. Taking advantage of so many of us because so many /need/ your kinds help." He opens his eyes. "That is why most of you are the problem. Why the kingdoms do what they do to those less fortunate."

Then the singing torture starts with the nightmare wanting to possibly /eat him/. He wiggles a little and just barks out, "That is the worst song ever! Even Clyde could do better!" Wait, who is clyde? Well, that is something!

    It is about then there is a knock on the door and Xander goes to answer it, there are some whispering exchanges, before Xander closes the door. He looks at the group. ".... Seems we-- have some guests."

This guy almost sounds more like what you'd expect a Palace Lander Crowned to say, with all that Anti-Adventurer sentiment.

When he complains it's the worst song ever, Kauchemar stops singing a moment. Looks at him. That sinister smile slowly returns... and this time it's apparently creepy enough that her steed backs off from the man. That or Threnody just knows what that response means. "Oh, no no no, that is not the worst song ever. The worst song ever is..." She pauses, taking a breath, to start again.

"o/~ Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads.
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up, yum! o/~"

To the bandit's luck the knocking interrupts before she can go entirely into another musical number. ".. The good kind or bad kind of guests?" Maybe his 'family' finally showed up to play.

Clyde? Well that /is/ something. They now know that the members of the Bandit group are bound by tight fraternity. It either borders zealousy or similar levels. Morale is high. They know Clyde is part of the group and that they see Adventurers as the enemy as well as the kingdoms. Souji isn't book smart or strategy smart. He is people smart. People dont often work in absolutes. They are nuanced. Information is nuanced. He rests his tea cup just out of reach of the Bandit so he can see the green liquid. Smell it. Want it. Casually he goes over to Xander and checks the door. "Looks like the bait worked," he says as his blue eyes look over. "Its like Shiroe-sama says, its a math game. Now you'll have plenty of friends to talk to." 'Talk' sounds more like he is saying 'break'.

"We are going to need a bigger cell," he says as the Tank steps out. The Samurai of the Debauchery Tea Party. Survivor of Ezzo. He can't wait to see what these guys have to bear.

Miho pauses for a moment.

"Clyde? Is there a Bonnie as well?"

How does she know that referance who knows she stops at the mention of guests and sighs. She also thinks over what the man says to them.

"We never asked to come here some force brought us here be it the Gods or something else. As for that ... "

She thinks a bit on it humm she's been given something to think on.

    Xander doesn't say if they are good or bad. Just he points at the bandit, "No smart ideas or I will let Kauchemar's steed have you for a snack." That caused the bandit to wince a little. He then opens the doors for the others to exit, before he steps out as well.

There were several salamanders and a few humans that called this place home. Up on the ridge though was some hooded, caped figure up on a horse. The few guards here had their spears at ready. It was just one person, but no one was taking any chances.

The hooded figure looked toward the group as they stepped out and pointed his sword toward them. "You have something that belongs to us, Adventurers. I request you to hand him over in a peaceful way.. Or things will escalate."

The hooded figure lowers his blade ever so slightly. "Set him free, as this is our only warning we will give." The face and figure is hidden, but it is obvious this individual is female. Inspection shows she is no low level lander either, but still a lander either way.

"Some*thing*? Well now, that's no way to refer to family", Kauchemar murmurs, looking back towards the Bandit prisoner out of the corner of her eye. Then to her steed, who gets the idea and backs away from the man's chair, disappearing into the shadows. She may need the summoner bindings for something else. So the poor guy finally gets a reprive. Maybe even a sliver of hope if he actually heard the voice calling them out. A little sliver. That they can snap later.

Then returns her attention to matter taking shape outside the cell. It's only her making demands... but she says 'we' rather than 'I' so right off the bat that's suspicious. "I don't think she's as alone as she appears," she utters under her breath, tail thatching behind her.

Miho was not expecing this and she looks concerned and will then listen to what the figure leading the group says. SO they want thei own back the fact they came for the captured bandit suprises her. Well this lets more credit to what he said. Still how they saw the man left her forwning. She's going to leave this up to Souji he's far better with words than she and Miho knows it.

Soujiro Seta steps on out. The samurai is built for punishment. He is fast, durable. At the vanguard of raid battles. Walking out into a desert town for a showdown with a Bandit Leader? In the back of his head he is totally going 'Soooo coooool!' while looking as assbad as possible. Billowing kimono? Check. Bandit Ultimatum. Check. Kau, Miho, and Xander having his back? Check.

"Counter offer," Soujiro says as he continues to walk forward, "you lay down your weapons, turn yourself in, and we all talk about mutual reparations for who has taken what from whom." They have a bandit. Bandits have stolen way more than that. Now he has the distance needed to close in. Hand on his katana. "We leave as friends," smiley Souji. "Or continue as enemies, Delilah," narrow eyed 'he is about to cut my head off' Souji.

    "You adventures never cease to disappoint. Our leader said you would not hand over what is ours. That you are even willing to risk the lives of these landers." Delilah says calmly. "So, no, adventurer. We will not lay down our arms."

She then sheaths her sword and takes hold of the reins of her horse, giving a gentle tap of her boot as it starts to move away. "And we will return as I have told." The horse then rears, "Their blood will be on your hands!" Then she starts to leave back over the ridge out of sight.

Xander looks over to Soujiro. "I think she wants to be enemies. If we can't get that bandit to talk in there, we will need to prepare this town for a possible bandit invasion."

The Samurai gave an option for peace, but he does not hesitate to step into war. While the Lander begins to prattle, Souji seems to disappear. Don't blink. You will miss it. The word 'You' is as far as he waits.

Then he is on the other side of the Lander and the horse she rode in on. Both katnaas fully extended. Its the blood marks next, rending the horse and rider. A blade going to literally disarm Delilah. They should have done their homework. Souji, like Yuuki and Asuna, are just so /fast/. "You won't be heading back to relay the message," he says, flicking the blood off of one of his blades to grab what is left of Delilah to drag back into the cell. Let see if that loosens up Mister Bandit's lips.

"I don't think it's only 'possible', Xander," Kauchemar replies. Soujiro is doing his thing. No need for her to steal the stage, he can get the message he made across plenty on his own. "But her mistake was making the intent known. Give me some time. If the intent is there, knowing they would have to make that move, I--" Soujiro makes a grab for the woman to add her to the cell. Which will probably have the same effect as her message, but they're at least down a figurehead if it succeeds in detaining her. "--Can probably pinpoint when."

Instead of saying anything outloud that might tip off their guest(s) she just taps a finger at her temple. Oracle, remember.

    Soujiro goes for the woman and he not only disarms her, but knocks her off the horse. She cries out in pain, as her arm is taken off. Sadly Xander couldn't stop him either and the Salamander catches a glimpse of something in the distance. "Soujiro!" Maybe it was enough of a warning, maybe the Samurai was already on it, but an arrow comes out for him.

Then it was obvious there were at least four others rising from the sands outside of the Oasis with their bows trained on Soujiro.

Delilah rises to her feet, holding her now missing arm. The wind blows between the two of them, bits of sand moving through the wind. Her steel blue eyes can now be seen by Soujiro, bangs of blonde hanging just slightly in front of her face. "... Kill me, adventurer. You will only gain our majesty's personal wrath." She steps toward him. "Do it!" She raised her hand toward the others, pain was on her face, but she was not afraid.

"Told you she wasn't alone," Kauchemar states, unphased by the arrow wizzing right past Soujiro. But we can't let them have an unfair advantage like that, now can we?

Kauchemar raises her staff, giving it a dramatic swirl as darkness ripples off of it. But it's not the mindbending rave effect. Not this time. She's just using it as a conduit, to take advantage of what she had been keeping in reserve.

Hoofbeats echo across the desert. Banshee like whinnies follow. Growing closer, seeming to hone towards the archers in the distance. Darkness warps across the sands.

The Nightmare manifests once more, this time charging over the dunes. But he's not alone, as a stampede of skeletal equines follow behind him, tearing towards the archers like an equestrian pain train!

To pummel and trample, or at the very least, disrupt them from trying to shoot the Samurai while he's already engaged in 'negotiating' with Delilah.

Miho watches as things go full Samurai between Soujiro and Delilah she does not move for a wapoin this isn't her duel she does however have her own bow ready and she'll line up a shot on at least one of the ones targeting her friend.

"You all don't value your lives much do you? What did your leader do to you?" She'lll then fire a volley at them more attempting to keep enemy archers busy on avoiding shots than well? Shooting her friend.

"Why would I grant you that request," dark eyed Souji says, dragging the disarmed woman with one hand. It is little more than dragging around a piece of cloth to him. The arrows miss their mark with dodge after dodge, but he does not dishonor the art of combat by using her as a shield. He would sooner take an arrow than permit friendly fire to happen. "You have done nothing deserving of a swift death, so you'll bleed out slowly due to your own choices here today," he says as he takes the woman back to the cell. Fear? Its easy to be brave in a /moment/. Try it when anticipation claws at your heart. When dread seeps in your soul. Souji may be a Sword Saint, but it is foolish to mistake kindness for weakness. In the cell she goes, right next to the zealous bandit. These Landers, strong wills! Lets see what impending doom and blood loss will do to it.

Souji smiles and nods to Kau, losing some of those dark eyes in the process! "You were right, Kau, I'll have to train my senses more after this!" Always training!

    The group of archers manage to avoid Miho, but it lines them up for the undead stampede, so great team work! As for Soujiro who goes to grab the woman, she draws out her sword with her remaining arm and goes to strike him with him, "Rrah!!" She yells, seeming to refuse to be taken without a fight.

Sadly, it seems this does not work in her favor and with no archers left, none can free her from being dragged by the Samurai. She then starts to laugh, before she smiles softly. Kauchemar may sense it because of her Oracle powers.

Delilah was not going to go down like this...

The woman closes her eyes. "... their blood will be on your hands..." she repeats, with a smile on her face, seeming to stop fighting for the moment.

    Xander meanwhile has gone back inside to make sure their one captive hasn't gotten any bright ideas.

The stampede charges past, and once clear the Nightmare Steed demanifests back into the shadows while the skeletal horses simple fall apart, returning their supernatural energies to the land around them.

And not a moment too soon as Kauchemar is taken aback by a sudden mental flash. While she had gotten familiar with her powers they still got her when they kicked in on their own. Sort of karmatic. But what she sees is the action to come, and more...

"She is going to do the most zealot thing possible to refuse capture," she remarks, just as the woman spits mockery and falls still. "Some of them follow 'never take me alive' literally." She gives a shake of her head. "Her bandit king boyfriend isn't going to like this... but he already apparently didn't like us, so no big shock there!"

Miho says "The blood will be on your hands and those of the rest of your ilk. Don't even try that sort of mind game. "He doesn't care enough to send her more support she's just a dispoable pawn lets be honest."

Well if Souji has her well in hand they have two people to question now and play off against eachother.

"That is the difference between you and me," Soujiro says as he finishes (?) dragging Delilah to the cage and puts her in it. "You harm other people and think that 'because we didnt do what you said' that the outcome is on our heads." He looks to Mister Bandit, "But the outcome is on yours. You are the ones terrorizing others and when you don't get your way you hurt or kill them. It makes it clear what you are: Murderers." He washes his hands of the blood, "And you won't get your way. And you won't harm them, not a single one of them, while I protect the innocents you threaten." Biths Blessing Goooooo.