[Rina]

Schezo nodded, agreeing with her. A screw-up could be the one mistake that can make the battle tip against them.

"Agreed. We may likely find a powerful foe that would not want us to escape for unknown reason. Shall we scout the area, then?"

{Perception rolls are needed to find an escape route to the castle entrance. Rolls with at least 10 or more will aid in escape routes, while 14 or more will allow you to see enemies ahead without engaging them or getting attacked by surprise.}

Schezo looked ahead into the Great Hall... MRWhtSPCp_1d20+4

...but couldn't find anything resembling an escape route. No enemies, no other doors. Schezo...feels a bit uneasy that he can't spot a thing. Now what...?

"Strange. I don't find any exits."1d20+4

[TartoonHand94]

A young but muscular hand wearing regal cuffs tapped Schezo's padded shoulder. It belonged to an angel dressed in a white chiton ornate with warrior gear.

“I think I have.”
The angel whispered to him.

"Hi there, the name's Pit, servant of the Goddess of Light--Lady Palutena, ” 
Pit turned his attention to his mistress, briefly but reverently genuflecting to her before continuing
“I rushed over here as soon as I got Secretarius's forwarded message for help!” He panted.

“It wasn't easy getting in though; It's like sneaking through a fortress full of Reapers.
But we could use my way in as a way back out..."

"...Now if I could just remember it...”

(jE67etfop_1d20+1 Pit's crit perception roll)


Pit
0%
Status: Normal

1d20+1

[Deleted]

From behind the duo, the faint sound of gasps for breath could be heard.  If they turned around to check the source, they would quickly realize that there was yet another person behind them.  It was a rather bishonen-looking guy, around 15, wearing a black-and-red outfit with a strange white hat.  Ruby would silently gasp for air - loud enough that it was clearly obvious to Schezo and Pit, but quiet enough that it probably wouldn't manage to give away their position.

"Hey, you two... glad I finally managed to catch up." His statements were interrupted by his occasional deep breath.  After a moment, he'd stop panting for breath, clearly having regain most of his stamina from the run here.  "I'm Ruby - contest extraordinaire!  Pleasure to meet you."  Ruby introduced himself.  "Running straight here really is a complete hassle, but I just couldn't bring myself to do anything that could damage my Pokemon's fur or get them dirty.  Honestly, battling does that enough.  I don't need travel damage." Ruby explained, before analyzing the passage ahead.  The result was a pretty big ball of 'nope' from him.

"Yeah, this kind of thing really isn't my forte.  Ruru would be a much better pick for this.  As such - The very culmination of Cleverness, Ruru!" Ruby quietly celebrated his typical Contest introduction as he sent out Ruru.  "Ruru, do me a favor and scout out the area ahead, please?" Ruby rather politely asked, earning a quick nod and Ruru's psychic efforts looking ahead - even if her efforts are rendered useless by Pit's suddenly godly perception abilities.


Euj_4ytkp_1d20+3

---

Ruby - Currently using Ruru
Ruru: 0%
Zuzu: 0%
Nana: 0%
Status: Normal

1d20+3

[Rina]

"Wha-!?"

Schezo turned around, noticing the two companions that appeared behind him, considering he ended up getting separated somehow. The two startled him, but he had to calm himself, as the sudden noises could catch the attention of monsters, or even that golem. It may have been forgotten, but since it wanders around the perimeter, it might be in the way of the escape route.

"You may call me Schezo. And...could you not sneak up on me? Any sudden noises could alert the monsters around."

And Schezo couldn't help but give Pit a dirty look, considering even he didn't remember where he came from.

"...you came and and found me, yet you paid little attention to the route you took? And don't consider flying straight up and out; I lack the ability to fly."

...even if Pit is flightless himself.

---

Upon Ruru's foresight, she'd notice that there isn't any immediate threat within the vicinity. They could proceed with little chance of provoking a surprise attack.

If Pit were to look ahead, the hall split into three ways. Continuing down the straight way is more open, ans straighter to the exit, but there is more threats to be had. The other two split paths are off the beaten path, but it's likely there aren't as many things to watch out for, and have rooms connecting to those side paths, in case they needed cover. The left led to something of a dining hall and kitchen, while the right led to a great library. Obviously, flying out of the castle isn't something Schezo could do.

[TartoonHand94]

“They sent another replacement? Huh.
Welp, pleased to meet you Ruby, I'm Pit, servant of the Godess of Light-"
Pit turned around to notice a light missing.
"...Just what is going on up in the office today?” 

“Oh right sorry.”
Pit whispered, lowering his voice when Schezo reminded him of the monsters around. He signaled Ruby and Shezo to join him in a huddle.

“Well I didn't exactly Fly here either.
On my way in here I noticed there were 3 halls leading to this spot."
Pit started off, as if strategizing with a team of Centurions.
"If we go This way, we'll get out faster, but there's a whole mess of monsters in that direction.
It's got shmuck bait written all over it.

There aren't as many obstacles That way and head right, there's a library."
Pit gestured back the way he came and then to the right.
"Plenty of places to hide, but it kind of gets mazey and we could get lost.
Buuut~, if we go back the way I came..."

Pit's tone of voice changed to one of enthusiasm.
"Not only is there a way out, but it goes past the Dining Hall~."

Pit
0%
Status: Normal

[Deleted]

Ruby initial response was a raised eyebrow.  "Must admit, never seen a guy with wings before... That said, there's plenty of things here I haven't seen.  Those monsters that you say are ahead?  No idea what in the hell they are." Ruby pointed out.  He was derailing the topic rather drastically - a fact that the realized and attempted to rectify.  Ruru had turned to him and, as soon as they made eye contact, Ruby would give a quick nod.  Evidently, some for of telepathy.  "Ruru says that there's nothing nearby.  We should be able to advance at our leisure." Ruby helpfully contributed, before turning his attention to the dilemma at hand.

"Well, you said that you went through the dining hall and made it here alright.  Because the middle is obviously a trap, that leaves the right and left.  Personally, I'd vouch for the kitchen because angel man over here made it just fine." Ruby reasoned, before huffing and looking at Schezo, awaiting his final vote.  Not that it matters, Ruby mused to himself, Given that we would outvote him anyway.

---

Ruby - Currently using Ruru
Ruru: 0%
Zuzu: 0%
Nana: 0%
Status: Normal

[Rina]

Schezo gave both of them an incredulous look that just says "...seriously?" without having to say it. Out voted before he gave his input? With a facepalm and a sigh, Schezo might as well follow them, considering his vote is totally pointless.

"...Fine. We'll follow the path down the dining hall. My say in it would have little impact on your majority decision."

Following down the path, there is indeed a dining hall with a kitchen not too far by. The tables and chairs look aged, but they're still standing even through the passage of time. Sitting on one would likely make it collapse on the person's weight, so it's not recommended to try and do so. The're also shelves of all various run-down belongings, all gone yellow and fragile.

For the kitchen nearby, the appliances are all worn down, the cooking tools are are rusted up, and there's a fridge that's in disrepair. Shelves are lined with toppled over spice jars and assorted cooking ingredients, and it's evidently gone and rotted away. It's quite rustic now, but it could have been in good repair all those years ago. Perhaps in both rooms, there could still be something worth of use if searched carefully.

Schezo took a quick peek into the rooms, noticing that they're still standing, despite being all time-worn. He doubts it, but he might be able to find something random. There aren't any enemies nearby, making it an ideal time to search.

"Hm. Do you think there could be something of use in here? I suppose we can look if we're not in immediate danger."

{If you wish, you can search the dining room or the kitchen for some items. A perception roll of 10+ will yield some small items, while 15+ will yield something better. The kitchen will provide more food-based items, while the dining hall has more miscellaneous things.}

Schezo entered the dining hall to search for something... 0HnhY7bop_1d20+4

"Huh. This is surprisingly in good condition."

In Schezo's search around the table, he noticed there was something fluffy and small. It was brown and had a little capelet on, held together with a big round button. Schezo picked it up and took a closer look at it. Despite the dust, it was perfectly fine, as if something magical protected it.

"And it's actually quite cute, too."

...Oh dear, Schezo seems to have crossed into the cuteness proximity.

In possession: Guardian Teddy Bear

1d20+4

[TartoonHand94]

“And I've never seen a Gardevoir this close before. She sure is pretty."

Pit commented back at Ruby, equally derailing the topic. 

The look of attention on his face was brought back to the discussion at hand by an incredulous look from Schezo.

“Glad you see it my way."

Pit chuckled with a beat of sweat at the look Schezo gave him. 

Pit lead the way through the hall to the dining hall. In any other situation he’d have felt guilty about outvoting Schezo without letting him cast his vote. 

But this time, it didn’t do much to dampen Pit’s enthusiasm of getting a free snack on this mission.

However, seeing the dining hall and the kitchen again, did.

"I didn't get a good look at this room on my way in."
Pit swiped some dust in the dining hall with his finger and examined it.
"It must’ve been ages since anyone’s sat down here for a nice family meal.."
He shook his head in pity.

"Aww Maaan! Everything’s expired! Even the fridge itself is expired!"
Pit groaned in disappointment at the desolate state of the kitchen and utter lack of anything edible within.
"This place really Is lost to the shadows!"
It was rather foolish of Pit to ever think there could be something found in here.
“Monsters have to eat too, don’t they?” was Pit’s rationalization at the time.
"I don’t think there’s any point in looking Schezo, anything you could find must already be long rotten way-"

"-Hey is that a Teddy Bear?”
Pit’s disposition changed from disappointed to curious as soon as Schezo found something.
"Aw how cute! Maybe there is more to these rooms after all!”
Pit decided to double check the kitchen, this time keeping his eyes peeled for something other than food.
(JU0e8ujfp_1d20+1 Pit's perception roll)


Pit
0%
Status: Normal

1d20+1

[Deleted]

Ruby gave a confident smile at Pit's praise of his Gardevoir's beauty. "But of course! From the start, Ruru's been raised to be absolutely beautiful. It's only natural that her efforts would be paying off." Ruby postured, giving a bit of praise to Ruru. While Ruru appreciated the compliment, she would merely respond with a nod, as if to say 'Of course.' This would earn a little disappointed look from Ruby. 'Wow. Is Ruru actually full of herself? That's something I've never noticed.' Ruby mused, making sure to break eye contact with Ruru so that Ruru couldn't hear his witty comments.

Unfortunately, as they made their way to the dining room, it would very quickly become obvious that there was nothing edible here. Ruby felt himself shoot a short glare at Pit. "Come on, Pit. I thought there was enough for a 'nice family meal' here." Ruby commented, before a question occurred. "By the way, do you think the monsters out there need to eat? I bet they're pretty hungry at this point." Ruby pointed, with a pang of sympathy that was all buy cast aside by the fact that the monsters mentioned were out to kill him.

Ruby absentmindedly searched the area, until he heard an outburst of '-Hey, is that a Teddy Bear?' from Pit. Ruby would quickly turn around and stare in Pit and Schezo's direction, where Schezo was, in fact, holding onto a teddy bear that wasn't either a monster or breaking apart. It would almost be funny to onlookers how quickly Ruby and Ruru would redouble their efforts to look through the room.
RHaVfm3bp_1d20+3(Wisdom Roll)

---

OOC: I'm so sorry that I'm so late with this!  I tried to spend time with my Dad since he'll be gone for about a year.  I'll be a lot more punctual with replies now.

Ruru: 0%
Zuzu: 0%
Nana: 0%
Status: Normal

1d20+3

[Rina]

"You agree too, huh~!? The button eyes, the little capelet, and it's even incredibly soft! Its plush feel can be described as soft as the clouds in the sky!"

As Schezo continued his little cuteness-induced stupor, Schezo eventually realized the inane weirdness he just sputtered as he got entranced by the teddy bear. Well, that's kinda embarrassing. Schezo cleared his throat, returning to his usual seriousness. He may have a soft spot for cuteness that may slip under the unflappable facade, but he's got to have some dignity!

"A-Ahem. Please disregard any nonsensical babbling I may have said."

---

For Pit's side of the search, there's a little toy weapon that kinda blends in with the dreary background due to how gray it is. It's surprisingly in good repair, even if it is a bit yellowed in places. Maybe it's from the material it's constructed with. Some say it's a legendary material, but it looks like just a toy rifle. Nonetheless, finders keepers!

Found: Super Scope

As for Ruby, there's a conspicuously gold-colored shield at the corner. It's not as shiny as it once was, but it's still holding up. Looks like it'll still do its intended purpose, but who knows when it'll give way? There's something mystical about it, too. What will happen if you held it up...?

Found: Back Shield

---

After Schezo snapped out of his episode, Schezo turned to Pit and Ruby, seeing as they're both in the same room.

"Did you two procure anything of interest? We must keep going, even if you did not find anything."

[TartoonHand94]

“As long as the meal isn’t me…”
Pit shuddered in memory of the Tempura Wizard. as he kept looking for loot.
“One time, I fought this monster called a Guttler that ate all it’s friends and-”

”oOOOoo!~”
Pit Ooo’ed when he discovered the little grey toy weapon.
“In fact I Did find something!”
He picked the toy up and examined it.

“Neat! It’s like a little toy Flintlock Staff!”
He exclaimed, looking down the sights in the way we would a staff instead of a rifle.

“Now I can hunt your bear if I wanted too.”
Pit joked with a predatory look on his face.

“Alright alright just kidding. I'm coming."
He relented civilly.
"So what did you find, Ruby?”


Pit
0%
Status: Normal
Oh come on man, there’s no need to apologize for That. I’m happy for you. You should have spent that time with your dad by all means! Glad to have you back too!

[Deleted]

"Consider it forgotten, Schezo. Although, I do think you should try to get into the contest business. With a mind like your's, I'll bet you could compete pretty well." Ruby pointed out, before listening to Pit's descriptions. Of course, his train of thought would be completely thrown off by Pit's discovery. Ruby stared at he gun he held for about five seconds before asking Pit "Isn't that a toy gun, though? Good luck shooting the bear with that.'

As Ruby searched through the kitchen, browsing through various cabinets in hopes of finding something, or anything at all, he felt Ruru, promptly poke him in the shoulder. Turning in the direction to Ruru's finger - Does Ruru even really have fingers? It's something I've never really thought about. - Ruby would quickly identify a hunk of metal in the corner. Ruby strolled over and promptly picked up the hunk of metal and analyzing it for its potential uses. It would be a moment before Ruby could identify it as a shield.

Ruby grinned as he held up the shield. "I did find something! I guess I could defend the bear from your gun now." Ruby pointed out with a grin, with would earn a sigh from Ruru. "...Ah. Rather, Ruru found it. I'm sorry, Ruru." Ruby apologized quickly, earning nothing but a nod of approval from Ruru.

"Anywho, I think me and Ruru and ready to move out." Ruby would finally state, before moving towards the exit to the kitchen. "By the way, Pit, are there any more turns or such ahead? Anywhere an ambush could be?" Ruby questioned Pit.

---

Ruru: 0%
Zuzu: 0%
Nana: 0%
Status: Normal

[Rina]

"Contests of what? Style? Grace? Skill? I'm afraid I don't follow."

Schezo honestly has no idea what Ruby is talking about, being from obviously another world. Is he even capable of participating? As for mention of the toy gun, Schezo couldn't help but doubt the plausibility of a toy gun actually shooting things.

"Hunting with a toy gun? Hah. Just try and even shoot something from a mere plaything."

Enough small talk, the guys have to get going. Schezo peered from out of the dining room to investigate anything out of the ordinary. He was right at the doorway, so might as well.

Schezo looked down the hallway... Yoz0Zn9op_1d20+4

But couldn't find anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. Schezo felt uneasy that it was empty, and refrained from leaving so that the others can look further. Better safe than sorry.

"I caught no sight of any entity. I'm quite concerned that something is hiding."1d20+4

[TartoonHand94]

“Well it Is a Toy bear...” Pit shrugged innocently, still thinking his joke was funny.

“Hey I recognize that! It’s a Back Shield! Way Cool!”

“You’re only safe if you keep your back turned at all times.”
He returned to his comically stoic face.
“Don’t y’all be turning around now, y’hear?~”

Pit’s childish mind went back to business when the subject changed back to moving to the next room.
His inner Captain of the Guard took the wheel again.

“Good question Rube, wait here.”
Pit nodded before propping himself up against the wall next to the door.
He leaned in and turned his head if anything was inside.

(bx6ZoUjvp_1d20+1 Pit’s perception.)

Pit didn’t see much of anything, but his instincts and experience with ambush told him that’s when to be the most suspicious.

“Okay we’re going in. Together. Let’s form a line and travel in it. 
Chances are we won't see any action just yet, but if it sneaks up on us, we'll be ready this way.”
Pit began to instruct on what formation they should travel in.
“I’ll take the front,”
He gestured with his Superscope. Likely meaning he was going to use his bow or one of his other projectile weapons anyway.
“Ruby you take the back, Back Shield and all,”
Pit gestured to Ruby’s new Back Shield, more confident in it's protective capacity. 
“And Schezo, you and Teddy take the sides; left and right of us.”

Pit stood in the doorway, expecting the other two to get in line.

 
“Ready boys?”
He cocked his superscope.
“Let’s move out.”


Pit
0%
Status: Normal

1d20+1

[Deleted]

"Well, there are plenty of different categories for you to participate in. But more on that later~" Ruby would explain. "And, a Back Shield? That's pretty neat. It covers your back, then, right?" Ruby asked with a slight smirk, fully aware that he was asking the blatantly obvious. He couldn't really help but chuckle at Pit's tone while remaining a completely stoic face. Sure, it wasn't really the time for it, but what's life without a little bit humor?

Soon after that, Schezo would begin analyzing the area ahead and find nothing. Pit, who seemed to have quite decent perception abilities, confirmed his report, and before Ruby knew it, Pit would assigning positions for the trio to take in case of an ambush. Ruby couldn't help but grin at this. "Wow! Look at you, Pit. I didn't know you were good at commanding things. I'll have to take a few lessons at some point." Ruby complimented, only half joking as he strode over to Ruru and attached the Back Shield to her. Ruby stepped back for a moment and stared at the now-floating shield curiously. "Interesting. I don't know how it manages to float like that. Of course, it's slightly rusted, so it wouldn't be any good to use as an appeal for a contest, I'm afraid. I suppose, for now, it'll just have to serve its regular purpose as a shield." Ruby commented dismissively, before falling in behind the team, keeping behind Ruru but in front of the shield.

---

Ruru: 0%
Zuzu: 0%
Nana: 0%
Status: Back Shielded