After sending word about where the Inn to meet was, Sect 1 of our group then heads to Nion shop to see what they could acquire for the race. While Sect 2 finished up their training and began heading towards the town.
"Yo, what's up, welcome to my shop. What can I do for you little homies today?"
[Store Owner]
"Uhm well we aren't sure we are looking for someone named Nion? A friend of ours told us he could be of some help getting some familiars for the race."
[Twilight]
"Y'all aren't part of the Light Brigade are you?"
[Store Owner]
"The Light what?"
[Obitiga]
"I'll take that as a no. Tell me what this friend of yours name is?"
[Store Owner]
"Crystal."
[Gixoh]
"Oh, that's what's up, you should have just led with that. I'm Nion, sorry about that, just had to make sure y'all weren't feds and all..He kinda looks like one so you can't really blame me. Anyway, follow me."
[Nion, as he points to Liam]
"You know I'm kinda offended that he thought I was a fed...What's a fed?"
[Gixoh]
[Obitiga shrugs in response]
"Where are we going?"
[Twilight, as he follows Nion]
"To my personal stash man, you're friends with Crystal right? That girl is practically family to me, so any friend of hers is a friend of mine."
[Nion, as he leads the team into a back room]
"So feel free to look around. If you find anything you like let me know. You said this was for the race right?"
[Nion]
"Yeah, we decided to participate since we're in town and all."
[Sirisa]
"Then if you're going to need at least 3 types of familiars, something fast, something strong, and something with some special abilities."
[Nion]
Stepping into the back room Nion leads the others towards what seemed to be a small animal enclosure. Passing a see through door you came to glimpse a few dozen Riding Animals. A few were familiar but we saw some unique ones. There was this tropical bird from Hydrigah Cove, called a Jahin, a huge black bird with a beak bigger than most of us. Even a Qiwive, a creature with six legs longer than most of us.
Each animal was saddled and seemed to be well trained. Nion allowed us to explore within and decided ourselves which we would keep. After each grabbing one we liked we began asking Nion about them and what they were like.
With all the information we learned. Especially the ones about the riding animals we had the more prepared we felt about the race.
L.Y. 651 Inu 14 12:16 L.Q. - Outside Nion shop
"Thanks for shopping. Say what's up whenever you want. If I've got any more special deals I'll hit y'all up."
[Nion, as he sees the party off]
"Well he was a character."
[Gixoh]
"Yeah, but not a bad one."
[Obitiga]
"We should start heading to the Inn, the others know to meet us there."
[Twilight]
"Hopefully they haven't been waiting too long."
[Sirisa]
As the team heads back towards the Inn they discuss the type of animals they choose and why. Being they had to choose 1 from each type, Sirisa chose a Bariba, a small creature that walked on just two of its paws, or legs I guess, with the strength surpassing most people. While Obitiga chose a Tirma, it was this huge shelled like creature, said to be slow moving but making up with the lack of speed in the moves it makes. As for Twilight he was attracted to one of the Jahins, an all Jet black one with a Green beak, Nion said the beak had special properties as the combination of coloring for a Jahin is rare and special. Though no one really knows what makes it so special. As Sect 1 arrived at the Inn they saw Crystal outside discussing stuff with what looked like Sect 2. It seems they ran into each other and began asking questions on where to find the Inn.
L.Y. 651 Inu 14 12:36 L.Q. - Outside The Inn
"Hey. I was hoping I would find you here. Where you able to meet with Nion?"
[Crystal]
"Yeah, he really helped us out. Thank you for that."
[Twilight]
"No problem. So what are your plans for the day?"
[Crystal]
"We haven't really decided, we kinda came for a reason but so far we haven't found anything to help."
[Twilight]
"A reason? What kind of reason?"
[Crystal]
"We I guess since you helped us out maybe you can help with this. We are in search of the Zenshu Cult we.."
[Twilight]
"SHHH, don't use that name here, at least not that loud. Follow me."
[Crystal, interrupting and leading the time to a quiet ally]
"So I guess we can take it, you've heard of them?"
[Liam]
"I haven't heard much about them, but lately there's been more and more whispers about them in the slums."
[Crystal]
"So why are you scared to talk about them?"
[Gixoh]
"Well that's the thing, everyone who talked about them has disappeared after a few days."
[Crystal]
"How?"
[Twilight, in confusion]
"No one knows, they've just kind of vanished...why are you looking for them anyway?"
[Crystal]
Twilight begins to explain to Crystal everything that has been going on between the party. From the beginning where it was just Temti and himself, all the way to today.
"Whoa, that's a lot to take in, but what would the Cult have to gain from us?"
[Crystal, shocked by the information]
"We think they want to win the race, and be awarded an ascended familiar by the Luminous Grande."
[Twilight]
"It's the only reason we can think of."
[Liam]
"Well that would make sense, but it's probably not the only reason."
[Crystal]
"Wait, what do you mean?"
[Twilight]
"Well as you know the winner of the race also has the opportunity to become the Exo Luminous."
[Crystal]
"Yeah, what exactly is that?"
[Obitiga]
"Well basically it's the step to becoming the next Luminous Grande. It's not often a part of the race but apparently the current Luminous Grande is getting old and has to find a new successor."
[Crystal]
"So you mean whoever wins could potentially learn how to ascend familiars themselves?"
[Gixoh]
"Yeah, if you ask me that's probably the real reason the Cult is trying to win the race."
[Crystal]
"That definitely sounds more like them."
[Twilight]
"We can't let that happen then."
[Temti, in a worried tone]
"How can we stop them? We barely even know how to race familiars let alone win this race."
[Liam]
"We have to do something though."
[Obitiga]
"Well I could teach you, if you wanted though."
[Crystal, says nervously]
"Wait really, but we're technically your competition too are we not."
[Aka]
"Yeah, but I grew up here, this is my home. I can't just sit back and let the Cult come and destroy everything I love."
[Crystal]