Group 1: The Search for Monty Python and the Eleventh Pillar

[secondcity_mods]

Characters: (1) Sora, Kaldur, Ninja-Style Dancer, Granny Weatherwax, Franky; (2) Eraqus, Fred Weasley, Agent Derek, Galahad, Linkara, Clare Edwards
Time: After the Bean meeting
Location: The forests of the Nevernever
Content: It’s time to find the eleventh pillar.
Format: Poster’s choice
Warnings: No tag order.

Comments

[becauseimboring]

Things that she really wished she was told sooner. She's had a marker with the wyldfae for about four months. She really wished someone explained how that worked about three and a half months ago. Just might have been a little useful, maybe could have netted them the eleventh pillar before the Arthurian Lady did all her damage. Of course Clare was well aware by now wizards were terrible at communication, paranoid wizards doubly so. They would just have to deal with the plan as it was right now.

Clare looked to see what was brought with them, a good dozen people and... the bags of weapons were back in Chicago. Hopefully everyone else was already stocked up on what they wanted from her and Fred's shopping trip, they will just have to manage without now. Clare closed her kevlar and her coat, the mail lining didn't do nearly as much if it was open The map and the Grail Token safely stored under the layered armor. She chuckled, nervous, "So... everyone ready to visit the ominous cottage in the middle of scenic scary magical forest? Cause I this plan looked a lot better back in Chicago." She belted her sword on the outside of her coat so she could access it, her knuckle knives, and chalk if need came up.

This was going to be fun... She mentally groaned at the thought.

[barefootbadass]

Kaldur studied their new surroundings carefully before turning his attention back to Clare. He was not sure what the outcome of this would be but they didn't really have an option for failure here. He had spent a great deal of his time in the other Chicago doing reconnaissance and even that had not prepared him for what they were about to do.

Still, it would be against his character to back out now. He nodded to Clare, "I am ready and I think it best if we stayed positive."

[hiptobe_eraqus]

There was barely time for Eraqus to get his bearings in this real Chicago before they were taken off to someplace else...to find the last pillar that they could use against the darkness that was overtaking the city. While he wanted to check in with his students, he knew that his duty came first, and he had to trust them to their own. It didn't stop him from worrying, however.

But now, there was more to worry about...such as that unsettling cottage up ahead, and the large owl that appeared to be guarding it. He tightened his grip on the Keyblade, mentally steeling himself for whatever would undoubtedly jump out to try and stop them.

"If it is the only plan we have, then we must go through with it," he stated simply.

[skylit_torch]

It didn't take long for Sora to adjust to his new surroundings - he quickly looked around at the trees, the mist, and the cottage before frowning in determination. Somewhere around here was the object that could save the city and everything else - they just had to find it.

He only hoped it wasn't somewhere in the woods - it didn't look like those even ended.

"I wonder if anyone's home," he mused aloud, moving without caution towards the door. "The lights are on, at least."

[bailarinja]

The Ninja-Style Dancer stayed close to the others, warily watching the trees around them. He already didn't like this place, and sincerely hoped his naturally light travel wasn't going to be too little a defense. At least he had Harvey Finevoice's gun tucked alongside a knife and his traditional ninja weaponry, though he hoped even more that he wouldn't have to use it.

I'm ready. he declared in a cue card. As ready as he'd ever be, anyway.

[itsasecretmecha]

It certainly was a weird switch, but Franky was just glad that these sudden changes weren't completely messing with his body again. He didn't know what to expect from the old bags they were supposed to find here, but odds were it wouldn't be so easy as knocking the door. While the others were looking to the cabin, Franky watched the rear.

He just gave a small grunt and a nod at the mutterings of others. He didn't have anything to add that would really add much to the conversation. The sooner they got this over with, well... the sooner it would be over with.

[sonof3lions]

"As am I."

Galahad didn't notice the way that he clinked. His armor was a comfort after so long in a very odd world. While he wasn't convinced that there would be a battle, there was always a chance and he wanted to be able to defend the others if necessary. He shifted his shoulders, letting the armor settle again.

[keeps_in_step]

"Same," Derek said, looking around before stopping his gaze at the sleeping bird. He kept his grip on the nightstick firm and mentally noted the two things on him that he needed to make sure didn't get lost in any way.

"Does someone knock on the door? Or do we talk to the owl?"

[secondcity_npc]

[As if aware of the sudden interest in it, the owl bristled in its sleep before slowly opening its eyes, rustling its wings slightly. If owls could give scathing looks for disturbing their sleep, this one most certainly had it down as it glared at each of them in turn. It gave a disapproving hoot before shuffling a few inches away from them, looking greatly offended that they had dared approach the cottage.

It gave another hoot, twisting its neck to look at the door and then turned to give them another flat look as if to say, "hurry up with your business already"]

[skylit_torch]

Sora looked a little surprised by the suddenly awake owl, taking a step back. He wasn't too put off by the disgruntled look, especially when it seemed to give attention to the door as if it wanted them to go in. He looked over his shoulder and then shrugged, knocking on the door.

"Hey! Um... is anyone home? We're looking for- er, some help."

[iamaman_punch]

Not knowing where the hell he was and following a seemingly half-baked plan to get an unknown powerful artifact from a very powerful being was, oddly enough, par for the course at this point. The difference here was at least they'd been told where they were going and who they were talking to. Linkara wasn't sure if that was a step up or not.

"Judging by the hooting, I don't think the owl's going to help," he remarked. The owl's glare went by all but unnoticed - he'd received worse glares from more powerful beings, even if it was a fae owl. Instead, he followed Sora up to the door. "We're here to talk about the pillars." Might as well get right to the point.

[secondcity_npc]

[The owl gives Linkara another disapproving hoot before turning its back on all of them and going back to sleep. As if on cue, the door quietly creaks open, revealing an old woman with bright green eyes and rosy cheeks peering out at all of them]

Ah, yes, yes. I thought he would send you. [Over her shoulder:] They've arrived at last.

[Turns back to the group and smiles mysteriously, opening the door a little further to admit entrance] Come in, come in.

[The inside of the cabin looks like something out of a fairy tale with a roaring fire burning and crackling just opposite the door, throwing shadows on the wooden tables, the rugs, and the two old women in the room.]

[becauseimboring]

Clare stares at the owl for a long hard moment before stepping through the door. She took point because if anyone knew any answers the fae queens would want, it was her and her research. Clare figures since they were invited in, that would make them guests. Which, hopefully, will afford them the protections guests receive in Faerie. Provided none of them do something of monumental idiocy like attack the eldest Queens and get them all killed.

Remember, optimistic thoughts, no need to worry too much.

"So... if you were expecting us, you know why we need your help?" Clare asked, the old lady was far from what Clare expected to see in the old cottage. However the understanding of who they were was a much milder shock. They were two of the oldest and wisest creatures in existence, of course they knew what was going on. Which explained what Clare's brain instantly jumped to alarm bells over, making it a bit easier to handle.

Everyone else seemed to be collected and understanding of the situation, still... a few members of the group were not the most courteous and refined. Provided everything stays on topic and they know not to eat, drink, or make bargains this should work.

This had to work.

[keeps_in_step]

"... Thank you." Derek wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but he couldn't help but be a little surprised at the invitation.

However, it was after they had stepped into the cottage did Derek wonder if there was some ceremony they needed to follow. His caution had a little to do with the status of the two elderly women but perhaps more with the feeling of being a child in grandma's house (which had long since stopped being child proof) and told not to touch anything. Derek found it almost strange that his mind went to that more than anything else.

He stood a bit stiffly (or at least stiffer than normal) by one of the wooden tables and listened to the melodies of everyone. He'd follow their lead.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

Eraqus himself had been expecting some form of assault or test, considering everything else that had happened to them thusfar. So meeting no resistance and even being invited in struck him as both welcome and a little suspicious. Still, there was no need to make things worse by being aggressive off the bat, when so much hung in the balance. He didn't dismiss the Keyblade yet, but kept it at ease.

He followed the others indoors, but also kept up a look of formal attention. While he didn't know who these people were, he certainly knew well enough to keep up respect to elders. He remained silent for the moment, waiting to see what help they could offer.

[thisoneis]

Up until this point, Granny had been content to remain in the background*. It wasn't her place to make things any easier for people, although she could have just as well told people that owls weren't the kind to talk. Anyone who thought animals could manage that had another thought coming to them right quick. The best anyone could do was understand what wasn't being said.

Now that they'd passed inside, however, she let herself once again fade into the foreground, as what had seemed to be bits of shadow and light resolved themselves into the form of an old woman with a white cat lazing across her shoulders. She said nothing, however. There wasn't any reason to, just yet.

*Almost literally, actually. She had a gift for passing by unseen.