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Sylanwood, Diremaw: The Town Square, Time: 10:20 AM
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"Ahahaha, welcome, young ones!" A resonant voice rang out as the figure in royal attire approached The Lucky Inquisitor.
The group was taken aback by the warm reception from the town's ruler.
"It's a pleasure to see young adventurers in our quiet town. These days, we don't receive many visitors," the man continued, his well-groomed beard and mustache adding to his dignified presence.
James observed the regal figure and noticed the glint of a golden crown atop his head. With a genial smile, he introduced himself, "I am King Everbright 'Leo' Amadon, the ruler of Diremaw."
King Everbright, or "Leo" as he was affectionately known to the townsfolk, embodied the spirit of a benevolent and charismatic leader.
In his late 60s, he possessed a warm and fatherly demeanor that endeared him to his people.
His regal attire harmoniously blended autumnal colors - rich golds, deep maroons, and earthy browns - symbolizing his profound connection to the land and its ever-changing seasons.
Leo's auburn hair, reminiscent of the vibrant autumn leaves of Diremaw, was neatly kept at a medium length, cascading gracefully just above his shoulders.
To add a touch of elegance, he often tied it back with a simple, golden silk ribbon. The distinguished ruler boasted a well-groomed beard and mustache, the salt-and-pepper mix of his facial hair complementing the regal air that surrounded him.
Streaks of silver gracefully adorned his beard, further emphasizing his distinguished presence.
"Ah, it's a pleasure to meet you, King Leo," Ace said warmly as he shook the king's hand.
Leo responded with a joyful laugh. "Ah, just keep it informal. You can call me Leo," he suggested, clearly delighted by the presence of the guardians in his town.
Leo extended a gracious offer, "Would you allow me to give you a tour of our humble abode?"
Ezra began to decline politely, but before he could finish, James and Mianne chimed in eagerly. "YES!" they exclaimed in unison, their enthusiasm contagious.
Leo laughed heartily again. "It seems the two of you are in high spirits! Shall we make our way to the tavern then?" he proposed, already leading the way.
Mianne and James happily followed him, leaving Ezra to facepalm in resignation. "Ah, fucking christ..."
Ace placed a reassuring hand on Ezra's shoulder and reminded him, "Remember, the captain's orders take precedence." Ezra sighed and then followed the group towards the tavern.
Meanwhile with The Golden Captain leaning over behind a pole, "Alright, let's ease them into it and start with introductions," Sugar suggested, keen on making Sinnodal's arrival smooth for everyone.
He gestured to Sinnodal, who stood ready to meet the group. "This is Sinnodal, The goat demon. He's going to be an ally and part of our team from now on," Sugar announced, introducing Sinnodal to the rest of Sugar's Enterprise.
"Greetings. I hope we can work together well," Sinnodal said politely, extending a hand of camaraderie.
Dy'va, ever the enthusiastic one, couldn't resist joining in. He grinned and poked at Sinnodal's robust arms, finding an immediate point of connection.
"Oh, we're gonna get along just fine, mate. Look at those muscles! We're like kindred spirits," Dy'va said with a hearty laugh.
Sinnodal chuckled in response to Dy'va's enthusiasm, appreciating the warm welcome. "Indeed!" he replied with a friendly grin.
Meanwhile, Rosco observed Sinnodal with a discerning eye. He had a knack for analyzing new additions to the team.
"Welcome aboard, Sinnodal. Your strength will be a valuable asset," he noted, his tone carrying a hint of intrigue.
Rosco always looked for the potential advantages each new member brought to the group.
Toodies, ever the practical thinker and the most curious out of the group nodded in agreement. "Great to have you with us. We'll need all the help we can get on our journey," he said, his tone carrying a hint of the challenges they faced.
Sugar realized that November had been missing. "Oh yeah, where's November?" Sugar said as he didn't see her this morning.
"She said she was gonna..." Before Rosco could finish,
an old wooden chair was thrown onto his head, and it fell apart instantly upon impact.
Rosco didn't feel the pain as he sighed in disappointment and turned around to see the portal with November walking in with a cheeky smile on her face.
"I'm right here, professors. With a friend," November said as Cefie followed behind her. Cefie's body was stiff as metal, not budging at all.
"November, Is this...?" Sugar said before November proudly presented her creation.
"This is Combat Emit Fumes Intelligence Entity! The ultimate machine that will wreak havoc on the world! The creature that gets stronger with every rune, and recording stored in it! The agility, the strength, and the intelligence! This is the ultimate assassin!" November said as she showered in her pride, envisioning herself staying in her position as the greatest above all, with Sugar praising her with all the compliments and luxury.
"Oh, that's nice, I guess..." Sugar said, not overly impressed by Cefie, as he knew that November could create such beings with her genius.
"N-Nice..." November said slowly, disheartened that she hadn't managed to impress him.
Her dream of earning his admiration had failed, and she needed to try again. In frustration, she grabbed a nearby wooden chair and slammed it onto Cefie, causing the chair to shatter.
"You hit like a bitch," Cefie remarked, their insult system activated.
This only frustrated November further, and she began punching the robot in her fury.
Cefie tumbled onto the wagon floor, a large dent on their head from the assault.
"Oh great, the robot has a loud beep every time they talk..." Toodies grumbled quietly, clearly irritated by the noise Cefie made.
"And you should keep your mouth shut, shorty," Cefie retorted, sparking an event where Toodies retreated to a corner of the wagon, gazing at the wall with a depressed expression.
"When I said you should make a robot insult people, I didn't mean it literally," Rosco commented, recalling their previous conversation about Cefie.
"Too fucking bad, Rosco," November replied, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Okay, okay, no fighting. We need to unite for the greater cause. We must obtain The Sacred Frontier for our enterprise and Hell's Express," Sugar declared, attempting to calm everyone down. He then turned his attention to Sinnodal and Cefie.
"You two are welcomed into the team," he said, shaking both of their hands. "Now, all we need to do is keep an eye out and strike The Lucky Inquisitor when they least expect it!" Sugar continued, resting his elbows on the table.
"And you two," Sugar added, looking at both Cefie and Sinnodal.
"I have a couple of toys for you to try out," he said with a sly grin, placing the cartridges for Thunderbird and Trio of Crystal on the table.
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Sylanwood, Diremaw: The Golden Leaf Inn & Tavern, Time: 10:20 AM
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The Golden Leaf Inn & Tavern, nestled in Diremaw's charming streets, is a cozy hub for locals and travelers.
Its exterior boasts hanging flower baskets and a swinging emblem-adorned sign. Inside, the warm wooden interior houses a bar stocked with a variety of drinks, including local brews.
Plush nooks with candles provide intimate seating, while a stone fireplace offers warmth. The heart of the tavern is its bar, serving an array of spirits, ales, and wines.
Various tables, adorned with fresh flowers, offer comfortable seating, and autumnal décor fills the space.
The menu features hearty local dishes like the "Diremaw Delight." Live music and festive celebrations make it a lively gathering place for a diverse crowd.
"This is The Golden Leaf Inn and Tavern, where we prepare delectable dishes and offer weary travelers a place to rest," Leo proudly announced, opening the door to the bustling establishment.
As they entered, the patrons greeted Leo warmly, sharing tales of his day with evident affection. Mianne, in particular, was taken aback by the depth of their love for him.
"You're incredibly cherished here," she remarked in amazement, to which Leo simply nodded.
"I've cared for these folks, and in return, they've embraced me like family," Leo explained, his smile radiating genuine warmth.
It was clear that he had devoted much of himself to his people, and their reciprocated affection was a testament to his leadership.
"How about trying our specialty dish?" Leo suggested, piquing the curiosity of James and Mianne.
With a nod from both James and Mianne, Leo promptly placed an order for the tavern's specialty dishes.
As they patiently awaited their meals, Leo initiated some casual conversation. "So, what brings you to our neck of the woods?" he inquired.
Mianne decided to respond, saying, "We journeyed here from Ulvala, and I'm particularly excited to visit the grand library."
"I'm the captain, so I go wherever my crew wanna goes," James chimed in, supporting her explanation. Mianne couldn't help but smile at his straightforwardness.
"Ah, Ulvala. Are any of you former Ulvala guards?" Leo asked, his curiosity evident.
Ace raised his hand, indicating his previous role. "Ex-Guard, but I can answer a few questions," he replied.
Leo seized the opportunity to ask, "How's Valarian doing? He's a friend of mine." Concern tinged his voice as he inquired about Valarian's well-being.
Ace sighed deeply before answering, "He's hanging in there, but his son is taking care of him. The heart disease hasn't relented." Leo's expression shifted to one of deep concern upon hearing the news. Their conversation paused as their dishes arrived.
Leo presented the "Diremaw Delight," a piping-hot pie brimming with a delightful mixture of locally sourced meats and vegetables. He spoke of it with enthusiasm, eager for James and Mianne to enjoy the meal.
As James and Mianne took their first bites of the "Diremaw Delight," they couldn't help but savor the rich and savory flavors. The pie's flaky crust was perfectly complemented by the hearty blend of vegetables and meats within.
Leo watched with satisfaction as they enjoyed their meal. "I'm delighted you're enjoying it," he remarked, content to see the smiles on their faces. "Our tavern is known for its traditional dishes, and this is one of our favorites."
Mianne, savoring a particularly succulent bite, nodded in agreement. "It's delicious. Your town has been a pleasant surprise."
James, mouth partially full but still speaking with enthusiasm, added, "Yeah, everyone's been so welcoming."
Leo smiled warmly at their praise. "I'm glad to hear that. We're a small town, but we take pride in our hospitality. If you ever need anything during your stay here, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Shall we head to the grand library then? It's located in my castle," Leo proposed after they had finished their pie. Both James and Mianne nodded in agreement.
"Very well then, let's make our way," Leo declared, waving goodbye to the tavern as they headed for the door.
The Lucky Inquisitor followed him eagerly, ready to explore the grand library in Leo's castle.
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