pawnstorm | intro ♚ december

intro ♚ december

WELCOME TO POLGAR

We’ve all had those dreams: you wake up on a table, to blurry, ominous images and the certainty that you are absolutely buck-naked in a room full of strangers. This is not quite it.

Instead, you come awake to the sun on your face. The soft burble of water nearby. The hustle and bustle of a busy street and the faint, fortifying smell of bread. You open your eyes and there’s no one there at your bedside, but there is what appears to be the end of the world happening just beyond your window.

There’s a crack in the world across the sky, the “sun” is the totally unnatural light spilling from that crack straight into your eyes, and someone’s left a neatly pressed and folded uniform at the foot of the bed that isn’t yours. Somewhere in the room, there’s a strange clatter like beads, the click of claws on the floor.

Something’s in here with you.

Also, you are naked.

ONE ♟ My Anaconda Don’t

Brace yourselves, Heroes, for Prime Minister Teddy has a special announcement for you today. It’ll be delivered either via carrier or mechanical pigeon.

	Woman? Hello, Heroes! Hmm? Who am I? If I don’t tell you who you are, you’re calling the police? Ahaha, no need to be so hasty!
	Thierry Toussaint It’s me, Teddy! The prime minister. This might be overwhelming for the new arrivals, but we need everyone’s help for this mission. Have you heard of the Alfersa? They’re a proud warrior race that live in Polgar. They’re said to be blessed by the goddess Gladia since they’re naturally strong, sensitive to mana, and skilled in combat. I guess they’re pretty much like our Knights? Without the magical talent, of course. We’re hoping they’ll lend us a hand in protecting Blanc. The Alfersa are distrustful of men, so negotiations have been difficult… Now that the Gladia Games are underway, I’m hoping to meet some beautiful women—I mean, recruits! It’s a recruitment drive, after all! Right, Alex?
	Alexandre Verdoni Prime Minister, I don’t know what possessed you to think your ridiculous ideas will actually work, but please refrain from making a scene at the Games.
	Thierry Toussaint Ah, ah. [ waves a finger at ] It’s not Prime Minister. It’s Zeed Stun, an enigmatic beauty from the East! Alex, come with us!
	Alexandre Verdoni No. Please refrain from making transparent aliases undercover. Heroes, the Alfersans have an extremely matriarchal society. The Prime Minister recommends that you follow his example to fall in their leader’s good graces, but I personally find it unnecessary. Stand tall, be proud, and may Gladia bless you on your journey. Oh, and… dress light. Get some sunscreen.

You’ll be given time to prepare before heading out. This is when you decide if you’ll follow after PM Teddy’s example or not. He has provided a generous number of colorful dresses to choose from. Unsure of how to pull off a good look? Ask your fellow Heroes or the maids and butlers of Hall of Glory for assistance.

Once you’ve made it safely to Polgar, you’ll be greeted with a feast for the eyes. A procession appears to be underway with several nubile women dancing to the beat of drums. For every pause in the drumming, anklets fill the air with a sweet, chiming sound. Leading the parade are scantily-clad shrine maidens. Should you happen to stumble too close, you will be greeted with an icy stare. Waiting at the end of the road is the matriarch of the Alfersans…

	Thierry Toussaint O Gracious One, I am Zeed Stun. Today, I am here to show you the dance of my people—
	??? You have a snake.
	Thierry Toussaint I’m sorry?
	??? You have [ grabs between his legs ] a snake.
	Thierry Toussaint Guh!
	??? [ in one fluid motion, the woman smears Teddy’s makeup off and makes him her personal footrest. for the first time since the Heroes’ arrival, she smiles. ] … Oh, praise Gladia. So these are the Heroes She said I would meet. I am Diana Serpente, Queen of the Alfersa, Lady of the Serpents, and head priestess of Gladia’s temple. Gladia has been telling me all about you. Ever since you put the soul of my ancestor to rest, I’ve been thinking of a way to repay you. After receiving this [ digs her heels into Teddy’s back ] pitiful man’s request, I should have known it all along… Lending you our strength was the answer.
	Thierry Toussaint Thank y—ugh!!
	Diana Serpente [ steps off Teddy… ] However, we don’t help just anyone. What’s friendship… [ lifts the chin of the nearest female Hero ] without a little intimacy? The Gladia Games are underway. I invite you all to join us in the festivities! Before we fight, let us make merry in the name of Gladia!

As you walk around Polgar, you’ll lay eyes on the various shops, with those specialized in weapons and armor the most renowned and high quality of them all. Female Heroes are in luck as they will receive discounts. Male Heroes will have to pay the regular price regardless of what they look like. However, those who didn’t decide to look pretty for the occasion will find a much increased price tag. If you’re in desperate need of colle, these shops will let you polish and arrange their merchandise for a decent wage.

TWO ♟ It’s a Jungle Out There

As per tradition, everyone participating in the Gladia Games must hunt down the monsters near the city. It is believed that Gladia herself sends them a different beast each year. This year, giant spiders crawl dangerously close to Polgar’s outskirts. Bring parts of the spider back to the city as proof of your skill and valor. Those who kill fifteen or more spiders win ONE of these fabulous prizes: one high quality weapon or armor, their very own pet anaconda or a night with Teddy!

In the Polgarian jungles, the humid air is thick with blood. Ferns and heavy branches covered in thick moss make the area difficult to navigate. Reedy sunlight filters in through the trees. You have a feeling that you are being watched… In fact, venomous snakes might jump out of the underbrush! Should you get bitten, have another Hero heal or help you suck out the venom. But don’t get distracted; danger looms from above as well. Like in the forests between Caissa and Petrosian, leafy vines are prone to descending and embracing Heroes rather intimately.

Heroes who have paid a visit to Salamanca Temple back in the day might recognize the spider nests once they’ve found them. These arachnids the size of a car will leap very high into the air and scuttle between branches to camouflage themselves during the battle. Some might even spin a cocoon for you until they come back to snack on you later. Avoid getting bitten—their venom can render you numb and unintelligible.

Kill the spiders and take down the nests, but remember: no one wants a forest fire. Safety first!

THREE ♟ Light and Sweet, Hot and Heavy

The Alfersans will welcome you back once you return to Polgar and are happy to take the spider parts off your hands. You didn’t forget to bring them with you, did you?

The festivities are now in full swing! Heroes, hit the streets for the citywide party! Large trays with food are being passed around as Alfersans view the close sharing of food as an act of camaraderie. It is customary for men to feed the women by hand. Yes, with their fingers. Alfersans will also encourage Heroes to join their dances, and some will keep dancing in front of you until you agree. As it turns out, dancing together actually only means holding hands and taking a jovial stroll around the shrines. You should be light on your feet and stay in rhythm, but the ritual isn’t too difficult.

Dancing may be good for the soul but your feet can only carry you so long until you are tired. Why not check into one of the many resorts? Or check out the far more numerous high-class brothels? Or perhaps you’d rather spend a relaxing day at the hot springs, spas or restaurants? The hot springs in particular are quite special here, as they are heated by the kiss of molten hot magma, blessed by Gladia herself. They possess healing properties, yes, but more curiously, if you happen to soak in the warmth for too long, you may start to feel a bit… virile.

INFO ♟ Welcome!

Welcome to Crosscheck's Month intro log! Please remember to read the Arrival Info! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!

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[oh he got petted...his hand got petted?

naki blinks once in response to the fox eye comment, then....turns his foxhand to stare at it.

......putting it away. he looks around at the shops instead! yes, shops make sense. shops and the things on sale in them. like...he doesn't know what that thing there is...oh look, dolls, he knows what dolls are! and swords, and axes, and--after a while, he points at a place selling kerchiefs.

yes.]

They liked to see men in colorful dresses? Maybe they'd like the men who wore dresses who had given him the yummy food. Well, they still did whenever he visited. They were called...drag queens? That was what they'd explained to him once.

But it made them happy and it would make the ladies happy. And really it was just clothes.

"...I like...blue..."

Blue was pretty and he was the Blue Dragon. So really he was just used to wearing that color a lot.

"I had it made just for me! Isn't it pretty?"

Of course he had to do a turn for him to show it all off before giggling a bit then coming over to take a look at the dress selection that was there for him. That would determine the makeup after all!

"I love to put on makeup. I always wear it when I go into battle for I am the pretty sword Jiroutachi." Another giggle and then he looked at him. "Which one are you wearing?"

[He likes to apologize a lot, that's why! But it seems to be working, since he got something that can certainly be considered an answer.]

If I only knew what swords like...apart from booze, that is.

[This Gilbert knows from, well, experience.]

[Rory, language. Goodness. He is very thankful for the barrier; it seems Rory possesses the trap kind. Sorey's is a bit more straightforward.]

I stepped into a spider nest, and then I freaked out and set a bunch of the little baby spiders on fire...

[He laughs a little awkwardly, even as they run.]

I'm Sorey, by the way! I didn't catch your name before! [Might as well ask while they put some distance between themselves and the angry spiders.]

[Sorey is certainly fretting. He's wearing a white and gold dress vaguely reminiscent of something from home, but it's really tight in some places and he just isn't used to dressing... quite like this. Mikleo would look so much better. Then again, Mikleo looks good in everything. His hair is woefully short and brown, and he thinks it can't be anything but boyish.

Having muscles kinda sucks, though he's lean compared to Keiji here.]

Should I... I don't know, get a wig or something? Or is wearing a dress enough? My hair's just-- really short... [All the girls he knows have at least shoulder-length hair.] I feel like I'm going to stick out.

[He has blue feathered ear cuffs, but more feathers in his hair can't hurt anything, right?]

If I'm being honest, I don't know anything about fashion. Or... girls... really. So whatever you think, it's probably better than what I can come up with.

[Awful trusting of strangers, but he's grown to really appreciate other Heroes like himself.]

[That earns him a surprisingly modest smile, and a nod of genuine thanks.

And, for just a moment, hers looks like the face of the Saber he knows and once loved.]

You have my gratitude for it.

It is as you say. We must deal with the cards we have been so dealt.

[Boldly once again, Nero takes Nobunaga by the hand and gestures to the breastplate in the window.]

This piece here! Isn't it marvelous? It suits a brilliant personality like mine quite well, don't you think?

That depends; would you consider yourself a forgery as well?

[It's not asked to insult, but rather with honest curiosity. She thinks on that last bit, humming aloud.]

Well, regardless of whether or not I wear a crown, I must uphold myself appropriately. At least it leaves me freedom to pursue my career in the arts.

[Nero may have started the war, but it escalates quickly beyond her control: loyalties are lost in the chaos and the women that turned on Robin soon start turning on each other, too, picking up whatever's within reach and making a weapon of it. Nero winds up seeking shelter behind a table, not so heroically, and peeking out over it at her nemesis.

Naturally, she's glaring, but it's all become a bit too ridiculous to take seriously.]

Well? Do you surrender yet, you knave?!

[She declares, as she herself gets hit in the face with a pie. Oops.]

By all means, elaborate.

[Who cloned her husband and put him in this adorable body?! Gods have mercy.]

[oh...so it was a friend? a good companion snake. he stares at it, all curled up cozy, then looks back up at the fox(??) carrying it.

...pay back?]

.....Food?

[HOW IS THIS LIKE WITNESSING HER HUSBAND ALL OVER AGAIN. Did she ever think it possible?

Now she did.]

The two countries who had a special relationship, one of them used to be a privateer and a punk rocker. I wouldn't be surprised if he made it saucy, even if he is a gentleman.

[ He sighs lightly, almost pleasurably, as Alice gathers his hair, shifting the silvered tresses aside so that they might tumble down, over his shoulder, and remain well out of the way for the small ordeal that his shoulder harness proves to be with its many fastenings and buckles. And as his Lady's fingertips dance delicate and deft over a clasp, Sion leans in, closer to her side, as though to aid her as she tends to the matter of the first buckle (her touch more diligent and gentle than he might ever deserve). ]

Mm? But where is the freedom in that? [ —he teases, voice lilting as he closes his eyes, allowing himself to relax (just this once, and only in Alice's company) as the leather loosens, comes undone. ] If I should want for the wind to catch in my hair, then it should be worn loose, free of the plait my Lord father wore, and his father before him.

[ Here, he gives pause, a slow-blooming smile crossing his lips. ]

What's more... you are quite overdressed yourself, my Lady, though I cannot say that I mind.

[ And then, his eyes open with a mischievous gleam: ] You are radiant, and I am full of regret that I took to the jungle instead of touring the city with you at my side.

Edited 2016-12-17 02:10 (UTC)

[ Keiji goes over to that stall, examining the kerchiefs. They're really colorful! Soft, too. Maybe there's something at a discount for the uchigatana here. ]

You're not very talkative, are you, kiddo. It seems like someone else would usually speak and you didn't need to.

[ Is he far off the mark? Who knows. But he doesn't say or mean that as an insult, some people just have that life. ]

But your eyes say that you're very curious, at least? Have you even been outside like this before?

[ Now Keiji's the curious one. ]

[ Ugh, the worst thing is that he's not above begging. But those have been for the lives of his friends and family! Bigger than dumplings. That is to say he's surprisingly effective at it, thanks to the experience. He's not going as far as those times though, that's disrespectful. Dignity what? He doesn't care too much about it. ]

I, Maeda Keiji, humbly ask for your lordship's generosity and kindness. May I please have one?

[ He's on his knees, and that is definitely the puppy dog look she was talking about. Good thing in the is matriarchal society, it's not unusual. Lord may be overkill but she gives off that vibe somehow, it kind of slipped. ]

[ Alice finds herself pausing as he leans in before she continues. She takes in a breath, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. ]

If you can't undo these, then how can you do your hair?

[ She has an odd way of teasing, teasing him with a straight face and a neutral voice. She understands the sentiment, having her hair down most times, with the occasional exception of the Ghostflower comb tucked into her hair. Alice has to stop and marvel at the fact he manages to keep his hair fairly neat and free of tangles. Once she's finally undone the last buckles (even with more hesitation going past his shoulders) she takes a moment to pause once again.

If only to almost sputter. Never has she been told she's overdressed in any way. Quite the contrary -- most women would say Alice is underdressed in London, if only because of the fact she wears clothing sometimes deemed more childish for women her age, sitting above her knees and wearing shorter sleeves. Was he flirting...? That alone earns a light shove from Alice. ]

Well, that's rather unfortunate, isn't it? If others would like to wear lighter clothing, then that is their business. But I would prefer to keep modest, thank you.

[ Even after shoving and refusing to even dipping her feet into the water, Alice settles herself, leaning back into Sion. ]

I wish you wouldn't go anywhere without me, if only for a little while.

[ It's hard to know that he could be anywhere without her after the palace. She won't admit to him outright how much she disapproves. It dies in the back of her mind before Alice can say anything, buried along with lingering grief. ]

I only want to keep you safe.

[whyyyy is he being shaken all of a sudden...and yet despite the surprise managing to get his mouth open, he doesn't actually make any noise until he's still again.]

I have...a name.

[ Yeah no Lux is 1000% not about this. Food is one thing, but being fed, especially by someone of the opposite sex? Hahahaha yeah no. Nope. Uh uh. Not happening. Keiji might have even seen this slight blond make something of a scene about the whole thing ("proper lady of noble upbringing" etc., etc.).

Regardless, it seems the little Queen has taken a moment to get her head back and to catch some fresh air. Expecting him to be someone else offering to let her eat from his hand (////!), she whirls, ready to lay into him—

Only to stop suddenly, blinking a few times. Oh. ]

Ah, sure?

[ Looking him up and down, the lady looks more than a little stunned. Relieved, but stunned. ]

Of course. What did you have in mind?

[ While Teddy was extremely vague about the details surrounding Polgar, other than their severe distaste for men and their overall prowess, there seemed something very off about the general air around the Hall of Glory. And while the choice of dress was not her favorite (did it have to be so short?!), there was something about being able to dress up that still brightened her spirits. And it wasn't too low cut in the front or back, so win/win.

~~Let's not talk about the bejeweled breast piece or whatever that was in the front.~~ ]

Excuse me, miss, could you help me with my zip—

[ Wait, long white hair? Slim figure, regal presence, why does this person feel so familiar—

Leaning slightly to one side, her head canting severely as she takes a look at the MYSTERIOUS STRANGER, Lux freezes suddenly, that pleasant smile etched firmly on her face, stuck there as she stands transfixed in both surprise and abject horror.

That isn't a miss. That isn't a miss at all!!! ]

S-Sion?!

[ ...........a man of his social stature shouldn't look that good in a dress. It wasn't fair. ]

[Hey, this was a perfectly legitimate time to cuss. These spiders were about to dine on them, or rather, devour Sorey and use Rory as a toothpick. He was looking better than the last time they met, but the man was still a rail.]

You're doing this now?!

[They could exchange names later, if they survived, which looked increasingly less likely by the second. One of the spiders shot webbing at Rory's foot, anchoring him to the ground. If his language was bad before, it was terrible now. He swore up a storm as he tried to pull his foot free. His hand went to his belt as he seriously considered removing his shoes and trousers if he could not break free.]

[ He doesn't react externally, of course, but again, part of him can't help but wonder at the resemblance.

He offers her another bite of food. ]

You can thank me if you have a good time.

[ There had to be someone with a Y chromosome who took the Teddy Scheme seriously, and it happened to be Sorey. Whether Keiji does is... up in the air? Maybe the better answer is that he takes everything seriously in Keiji sort of way. This fretting fellow on his hands does make him feel sympathetic though. It reminds of someone he knows, even...

Also yes, guys with delicate features and silvery hair tend to be really attractive, aren't they? Not that he'll ever admit that out loud. The decidedly-not-pretty-in-the-slightest silver-haired man he knows would probably make his life more miserable for it with an awful smile. Do not want. ]

Hey, hey, you don't have to worry so much! If you have fun with this, then it looks natural... It's not like you'd be an unattractive girl, but I don't think a lot of us are going to do as well as the Prime Minister guy at any rate.

[ The problem with being manly brunettes. lease be happy he's not imparting his fashion advice, it's... very colorful. Out of curiosity though, Keiji tries gently smoothing down one of Sorey's spikes. That works as well as you think with JRPG hair. His hair does it too, so he smiles followed by a small laugh. ]

If it helps you though, let's go find a wig. I saw some when I was grabbing some hairpins.

Ah, crud!

[That's Sorey's contribution to the swearing when he sees Rory go down. Enough fooling around. Time to deal with these jerks, then.

He reaches toward his own belt, but this time it's for the hilt of his sword. The gilded blade looks like something out of a legend, and maybe it is. He deftly hacks through the webbing, freeing Rory without hurting him in the process.

Another spider flings some webbing at Sorey but he's quick to block it with a well-placed barrier. A slight flick of his right hand, the one holding the sword, and white flames burst along the blade.]

I guess there's no escaping this time. Let's see what you've got, hellions!

[Sorey is the kind of guy who is basically Always On, so it's probably no surprise he took the Prime Minister seriously. He's kind of a fan of Teddy after getting a little goblin cart for a present. Teddy's a good guy.

Then again, Sorey's kinda biased towards idealistic blonde royals.]

Ah, you're right! He has short hair, too.

[He blinks as Keiji smooths down his hair, or tries. They'd need some serious hair gel to slick that mess down. It's not impossible, but usually Mikleo's the one who does it... Speaking of which, where is he? Ah, well, they'll catch up outside.]

I've never worn a wig before. I mean, I made a beard out of dandelions once, but that's different.

If we can't find one, I guess I can wear more hair pins? Or maybe a... [He remembers a bunch of girls accusing him of being raised in a barn.] ... barrette?

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Page 14 of 21

intro ♚ december

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1A

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3

wildcard! (she's a little bitter about this tbh.............)

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