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[noholdsbard]

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: The forest!
WHEN: Backdated to the 20^th–21^st
WHAT: Some knights lead an expedition into the forest to find a chicken
WARNINGS: Probably nothing…for now

[ Upon the 20^th, a new message pops up on the network feed, from a certain #6363F9. ]

This is Archer. Due to the efforts of Sir Berkut and I, we have uncovered yet another clue as to the history of this realm.

Many of you might remember the sorry tale spoken of by #FFFFFF himself. We learned a great deal about that young man of Blue and the path he had taken into the forest. A few days ago, the locations of certain landmarks have been made known to us. We propose to conduct an expedition into the forest in search of the hen of legend, that we may yet find some way of learning this world’s history and perhaps prevent the forest from encroaching into town.

Needless to say, the journey will be difficult. We have need of fighters as well as healers, cooks, navigators, and others of the sort. If you wish to join, you will find us assembled at the edge of the forest north of Flavo at dawn. You may address your queries to me. Thank you.

[ And sure enough, there will be a small party already gathered at the appointed place at the dawn of the 21^st. Tristan will be happy to welcome you into the group since Berkut’s going to be a sourpuss about this no matter what. :’( ]

Preparations
[ This is where everyone’s getting briefed before heading out into the forest. You’ll be given the necessary infodump as well as a few instructions.

Using the remainder of his ink, Berkut has drafted a serviceable map noting the various landmarks and overall direction, which others are free to peruse and from which they can take notes of their own. Pry the map from his cold, dead hands though (unless you're Tristan). In addition, you will be instructed to gather supplies here before heading out. Characters should bring their own food and the like, or be prepared to forage/hunt in the forest. Expecting freebies from others is poor form!

Once the preliminaries are done, you’re free to spend the remainder of this time however you wish. Offer to team up with someone, question the party leaders, find a meat shield to hide behind, draw up your own maps, or simply give the intrepid adventurers a hearty sendoff! ]

The Forest
[ The adventure begins! Though it won’t be too strictly enforced (at least where Tristan is concerned), you will be instructed to please walk in something that even halfway resembles a formation. Healers and support to the center; those with combat experience to the vanguard, rear, and flank; the works. Or don't. Berkut will only judge and not be responsible if Keigo loses his head (thus spoke Tristan, "How sad"). Maimed limbs and lost teeth are not covered by the field trip's healing insurance.

Unfortunately, the forest seen in their visions is different from the present-day location, so finding the right path won’t be easy! You might want to break up into teams to search out specific landmarks and other useful stuff as you make the trek, or help set up camp when the group takes a rest stop, or fight off whatever forest creatures happen to stumble your way! Or maybe try to liven up the trip with a little game of Eye-Spy or even outright sneak off on your own adventures! No one’s going to judge—okay, Berkut might judge a little.

Whatever the case, it’s going to take a long time and a lot of trial and error to find the clues the forest has hidden away. ]

The Destination
[ The strength of your bonds will eventually prevail, however, as you finally locate a large stone covered in strange mossy patterns. You will be informed that the site of the hen must be very near. You’ll have to suffer through a thorny, overgrown path like in the story, but hey, nothing like a trial to strengthen your bonds, right?

Of course, once you reach the fabled site of the chicken, you’ll find…nothing! Wow, that was a waste of time. Feel free to search around just in case though, or set up camp and rest for the night. It’ll be a long and grueling journey back to town. ]

---

OOC: As part of the ongoing event, Berkut and Tristan have combined their inks to recreate a vision based on #FFFFFF’s forum post. Further details here and here!

TL;DR version:

• There is a way to find the location of the chicken from the story, but it definitely won't be easy.
• Strong bonds with people of a lot of colors will make the search easier.
• The journey itself will probably last only a day or two, but that’s not set in stone, so feel free to fudge timelines if you want.
• The chicken won’t actually be there, though, since the conditions aren’t right for its reappearance. However, those who enter the chicken area will, according to the mods, “have a very strong sense that there WILL be something there at some point… just not yet.”
• Basically, consider this an open mingle that’s available to everyone whether or not they have CR with Tristan or Berkut. Have fun, get lost, take pictures—you do you!

Comments

[troubadamsel]

More and more curious.

"Actually, I was wondering if it was my turn to offer you any. You look rather unraveled."

[noholdsbard]

“‘U—Unraveled’? Oh…” It’s that obvious? He can still hear Mordred reading his poetry aloud, and tries in vain to fight down that flush to his cheeks.

“It must have been…the journey, my lady. I feel sorely taxed as of late.” Both happen to be the truthiest of truths, even if they actually have nothing to do with one another.

[troubadamsel]

Hmmmm.

"If that's right, maybe you should get some rest. We have been traveling a while."

[noholdsbard]

“That is true, but…” Who can relax when somebody’s out there actively humiliating you? Not that he wants to let on as much; not when Artoria herself is watching.

“I have troubled you to come this far already. Surely you need the rest more than I.”

[troubadamsel]

"I've handled worse conditions than this. And the longer you delay it for yourself, the more worried I'll become. And you don't want me worried, do you?"

If he's going to keep playing the "women deserve than I" card, she's going to take advantage of it.

[noholdsbard]

…Curse her impeccable logic. He really can’t refuse her, in the end.

“No, I certainly would not.” But how can he relax knowing that It is out there?! “I suppose…I could sit down for a moment.”

A moment, you hear him!!

[troubadamsel]

"Wonderful. And I shall stay here to make sure it's quite a long moment."

She knows your type by now, if only because sometimes she is also that type.

[noholdsbard]

“But I…”

He stops right there, knowing that he’ll never win an argument with her. Ever. And all right, the prospect of spending time with her does outweigh having to wrestle Mordred for a notebook. He sighs and finds a nice comfy log to sit down on, before draping his cape over the rougher edges in consideration of her own clothing.

“Then I should like to take full advantage of this moment.”

[troubadamsel]

If it's invitation, she'll take it, moving to sit by his side, and a nod of thanks for his cape.

"There now, isn't it much better when we're all in agreement?"

[noholdsbard]

“Your company is certainly far more agreeable than…” He’s trying not to let Mordred get to him. Really, he’s trying!

“Well, I do not believe that I have had the chance to thank you for joining us on this expedition.”

[troubadamsel]

Than...? Eyebrow raise, but distracted by compliment.

"But of course. Healers are a rarity among us, it seems, so whenever such a risky venture is taken, it's only nature to come along."

[noholdsbard]

One of these days he’ll learn not to end his sentences on a cliffhanger around her.

“And yet these woods pose an especial risk to us all, so it is doubly brave of you to come this far.”

[troubadamsel]

She's a nosy Nellie.

"Always full of compliments..." Oh well, just something she'd have to live with. "But nothing's happened as of yet. I'll take my medals of honor when we actually do face something in these woods."

[noholdsbard]

“Duly noted, my lady.” He knows when to dial it back sometimes.

“Though I believe the greatest risk to our expedition might lie within our party.” Can you hear Mordred making a racket not far from them? Because he sure can. And that’s more worrisome than any monster out there.

[troubadamsel]

Maribelle leans back a bit, frowning. Oh yes, she's met Mordred. Several times. Never a pleasant experience.

"Ah... that one. I can't say I was excited to see her come along."

[noholdsbard]

He can’t decide whether or not it’s a good thing that she’s already met Mordred. That one suggests that her experience hadn’t been pleasant…

“She is useful in a fight. But when there is no such excitement, well…”

[troubadamsel]

"Yes, I'm afraid she tries to make some herself." Just thinking about it was enough to give Maribelle a headache. "I'm hoping the number of people here will... eventually... make her behave herself."

But she knows not to expect miracles.

[noholdsbard]

How optimistic…he wishes he held even a fraction of that sentiment. But he doubts that even Mordred could respond favorably to any of Maribelle’s attempts to civilize her. At this rate she’ll have more luck with the barbarians after Lissa.

But he politely keeps those thoughts to himself. “So long as she does not cause too much trouble, I can…tolerate her, to an extent. But you must let me know if she is being a nuisance toward you.”

[troubadamsel]

With that, she turned toward him, curious if not a bit hopeful. "You know how to get her to calm down?"

[noholdsbard]

He gives her a pained look. He’d been hoping not to talk about that…

“She…often takes out her frustrations on me. I am used to it.”

[troubadamsel]

"What!" Oh, hell no. "We can't have that! Absolutely not!"

[noholdsbard]

“I merely consider it a form of training—”

Will she buy that excuse? Please buy that excuse!

[troubadamsel]

Absolutely not.

"Training for what? How to handle unruly brats? We can't let you do this alone!"

[noholdsbard]

“We are both knights of the same order. Combat training is not unheard of.”

And if he’s bristling a little it’s mostly out of embarrassment. He’s not sure he wants one of his lady friends to defend him from Mordred. That’s…not very knightly at all…!

[troubadamsel]

"Wait, are you serious?" This is brand new information! "You two are from the same realm - and you have the unfortunate burden of being in the same order?"