Loch and Load! A twisted tangling in the thicket!

[Kami-Gaz]

Gabz had gone into a mental loop, replaying the scene that was before her over and over again in different permutations and ways to find out the logic of the woman that stood before the pair. It seemed impossible and utterly stupid to the young cat assassin. So much so in fact that she did not even notice when her body was hoisted over her companions shoulder as he left at a brisk pace. She did not even hear as the witch waved her hand in the air, and cackled away.

“I’m always here if you want another fortune cutie!” The witch called out between cackles and bursts of laughter. Her tones by default grating and annoying to most as she lost all sense of the refined personality, she was using earlier to trick Yi. Her form quickly disappeared as the pair vanished into the undergrowth of the forest.

“She… Kiss… She… Kiss.” Gabz was still chattering for a few moments before a low hanging branch swung back into her face with a quick *Thwack* sound. This caused the young turquoise haired girl to splutter as she used her hands to wipe her face and get the leaves out of her mouth. A further moment passed as the pair ran along, she was contemplating what was going on. She was on the shoulder of their betrothed, running from a place… Did that witch marry them whilst she was dazed? ‘WHAT KIND OF SPEEL DID THAT PERRA CAST ON ME?!’

The leaps in logic made Gabz’s face burn red with boiling blood, this was not how she imagined anything going. “WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH?! HUSBAND PUT BE DOWN!” She exclaimed as she was now struggling to wiggle free from Yi’s grasp. He must have saved her from what ever that vile witch was going to do to her. He must have fought valiantly to protect her honour, only as a husband could.

The neko woman hit the floor with all the grace that a sack of spuds has and in a quick motion she rolled to the side and hopped up to her feet. Looking to Yi with a face redder than the best of tomatoes. “i-… I-….” She sputtered out.

‘Why can’t I talk? Did she do something to me? Did she make me go further than holding his hand?!’ She thought, as her body trembled slightly in the embarrassment, the mind racing with ideas of what could have happened. This wasn’t good. She must have atleast recited the spell that paired the two as a married couple. Did she make her a mute? Take her ability to reason?

“I… Are we going to save your friend?” She asked meekly, averting her eyes from the swordmans gaze.

[Fennec]

Yi gave the Witch a side-eye and audible groan of annoyance as he left. Her comment about fortunes and calling him cutie... bah... who did she think she was? Letting out a deep-seated sigh the swordsman couldn't lie that at least he was glad this whole endeavor was over and with no bloodshed! That was a win-win in his book... even if they did suffer a minor casualty. Who knew that Gabz was so pious!

"Let's go Gabz!"

The swordsman said nonchalantly as he marched on toward loch marrow. There wasn't much talking for a little while as Gabz was still in her little trance and all Yi could think of at the moment was save Wolfric. He would have thought that traveling to the loch was an easy quest. Alas, it was not an easy task... traversing the tangled up marshland leading up to the loch was less than easy. It was muddy and full of twisted thickets that got in your way. Yi found himself constantly dodging left and right to avoid being hit. But of course, he miscalculated one of the flying branches which in turn ended up smacking Gabz right in the face.

"Oh no... no-no-no."

Yi whispered under his breath, he didn't mean to hurt Gabz like that, especially in her delicate state. The swordsman stopped and just before he was about to put her down the woman yelled out demanding to be put down. But not by Yi, but rather by her husband? This didn't make much sense to Yi? Perhaps she was still under the Witch's spell? Or perhaps she had a lost lover who she was thinking about. Whatever the case the swordsman obliged.

However, he had intended to put her on a nearby mossy rock... but Gabz was wiggling and moving around so much that Yi found it difficult to put her down soundly. Instead by the woman's doing she fell to the muddy ground like a sack of cabbages. Yi bit his lip awkwardly... 'Wow, I'm a bad friend huh?' He thought to himself feeling bad for hurting Gabz not once but twice.

"Gabz? Are you ok? I- I'm so sorry for hitting you with the branch and then dropping you like a sack of cabbages."

He crouched down to be at eye-level with the cat-girl. There was a frown of genuine pain on his face. But just as she had fallen! Gabz shot up like a rocket! Leaving Yi crouching on the ground. The swordsman stood up once more dusting himself a little as he did. Looking at Gabz's face it was redder than the Yukaejang (육개장) his mother would prepare specifically for the Master and his household. With this turn of events, it seemed like Gabz had finally returned to her senses and was back to her shy apologetic old self.

“I… Are we going to save your friend?” 

The woman sputtered, she avoided eye contact with Yi. The swordsman rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand a bit awkwardly... he slightly tilted his head confused. 'Was she angry? By the sky dragons!? Why are women so hard to read!?' Yi thought slightly annoyed with himself. Letting out a sigh and standing up straight the swordsman decided to answer her question.

"Well, yeah... that's where we are headed. Loch Merrow! She is near there... hopefully not in it though... that..."

Yi paused for a moment, his eyes staring off into space and his mouth slightly opened up. He then closed his eyes and shook his head quickly as if to erase the thought from his mind.

"Let's not think about that... come on, let's get moving. Knowing Wolfric she'll stir up trouble in the blink of an eye if left unsupervised."

The swordsman continued to march through the marsh. It didn't hit him until now but if Wolfric was really at Loch Merrow she could very well be dead... he didn't want to think about it but the possibility was there. Whatever he was to find at the loch he had to be mentally prepared for it.

Author's Notes:

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler} Yukaejang (육개장) is a thick red-colored soup made from shredded beef. This type of soup was usually served at the royal house. In other words, it's not a peasant dish nor something Yi would normally eat.

[Kami-Gaz]

Loch Merrow? That rung a bell… why did that ring a bell? Gabz was confused, though more in her own senses and not stuck looping through the same thoughts. Her stance had shifted from defensive and scared to one more inquisitive and skittish. Her sniper was not far from her hands, a sign that her instinct off fight or flight was well tuned.

“Who is she too you?” The cat girl asked quietly, walking behind Yi through the swamp and not enjoying it. Her body was light so she had no real issue with the mud it was branches and obvious bugs that were freaking her out and giving her issue. The entire trek was just a nuisance.

“I mean is she like a really good friend or just an acquaintance… or more?” Wait… was she another hussy that wanted all of Yi to herself? Like that puta of a witch?! This was driving Gabz mad, why was she so flustered?

"Why am I getting jealous? It’s not like I like him like that. He just held my hand and now I’m stuck with him… though if I help him, he can help me find master…" she quietly stated to herself as Yi went on. Gabz had let her mind wander again, back to the good ol’ days when her master would take her down the shooting range. Back to when there were no worries in life, just her and a gun sharpening their skills.

It was not long into this small trip down memory lane did the pair come across a clearing near the loch itself. A clearing where they were not alone. The change in light due to the lack of heavy tree canopy had snapped Gabz out of her daze. It brought her cat like senses to bare on the hidden group of men that were in the brush by the water’s edge. This was not going to end in a nice and clean fashion…

---

“So, the boss asked up to snag any swimmers that come this way. Anyone that sees it we shoot them.“ A brown robed man noted, his sleeves and torso littered with small bones and claws from animals. His two cronies that were crouched down overlooking the water with him were in a similar state of dress with just less animal carcass adorning their clothes.

“So, we net any mermaids… what about the fish people?” A larger guy said, he looked to be mostly muscle beneath his robes, but his question highlighted there are a few cogs turning in that ol’ head of his.

“Kill them, they aren’t needed for the plan.” The boss simply replied with a dismissive handwave.

“Yes sir.” The third figure replied, their voice decidedly more feminine than the other two. Their form seemed to be smaller and had the least animal bones and claws adorning the robes they wore. She must have been the newest to be given the duty.

---

Druid Mooks: Boos: Vibrant Leaf Green: 14ca4e
Big Smart Mook: Fall Yellow: 86810a
New Recruit Druid: Autumn Red: ce5a3d

[Fennec]

The swordsman walked silently, Wolfric being in potential danger was muddling his mind. He felt he couldn't protect people when they needed him most. It was... hard. Hard to accept that he couldn't always be there for others. Even now he wasn't there for his father, mother, brother, and sister. For the people of his island. Yi closed his fist tightly causing the white of his knuckles to be more pronounced. His family and the people of his island were far. He couldn't help them now. But that's exactly why he'd left, so he could help them in the future. How long had it been? Three years already... but was it time to return already? Perhaps, not...

Letting his hand loosen out Yi stopped when the cat woman asked her question. It was a good question, what was Wolfric to him? Yi exhaled, allowing vapor to form in the cool air of the bog. He looked over at Gabz momentarily. Was it Wolfric though? That was who they just talked about... but perhaps it was the vision? Had she seen the same woman as he did? Or perhaps was it about someone else? But how would Gabz know of anyone else? It didn't matter, without thinking it Yi blurted out the one-word question.

"Who?"

Locking eyes with the skittish lady he wondered who could she mean. It depended on that, if Gabz was more specific Yi would have an answer to her inquiry. Turning his eyes away from her he continued to walk seeing as an immediate answer wasn't given. They had a destination, an urgent one... they could walk and talk. If it weren't for the sudden epiphany... the sudden shock of that question at the moment he wouldn't have stopped. Locking his snake-like eyes onto the horizon, Yi marched forward. Determined more than before getting to Wolfric. Perhaps someday the moon would smile on him again... and on that faithful day, he could return home.

[Kami-Gaz]

"Who?" Yi asked Gabz, he seemed to want a clarification on what she had asked him earlier. That was something that she thought was clear at the time. Did he think she meant someone other than the girl he was literally just talking about? Is there more than one girl in his life? This thought started to fuel an annoyance in Gabz as her ears picked up the less than hushed tones coming from across the clearing.

She quickly held her rifle up and signed for Yi to stop. “Shhhh!” She hissed out quietly as her ears flickered more. They were in a danger zone and her hunting instincts had kicked in. There were predators around that were out for blood, it issued a buzz in the air that she had been trained to recognise and was something she could never give off.

“Over there, bad people wanting to kidnap mermaids and shoot anything else they see.” The cat said, not a hesitation or stutter in her words as she pointed out those in question. She was showing her skills and the pride that she had in them gave her confidence to face anything. She looked over to Yi and smiled in a different manner as to how she was earlier, this was one of confidence.

“I’ll climb this tree and cover you. I can maybe knock two out before they get close to you. Be quiet and let me announce our arrival.” The cat whispered to him before darting off to the side and clambering up the tree with a haste that only a true cat had. She had kicked off of the ground and grabbed the tree, letting her rifle swing around to her back as she pulled her self up and grabbed a branch before kicking the tree hard enough to push her up. Using what upper body strength she had the girl would push up and quickly wrap her arms around a higher branch that let her have a clearer shot over the entire clearing.

She spent a quick moment adjusting her position but she grabbed the rifle and braced it against her outstretched leg that was resting on the branch. She was ready and the rifle was already scanning the environment for anything she could use. “Is Yi ready?” She asked as she looked up from the scope and watched him for a moment. “He better be.” She said playfully before taking the first shot.

*CRACK!*

The first shot rang out and impacted a large branch that shattered at the base and fell directly onto the big one, knocking him down to the floor with a heavy thud, the echoes of the shot had barely started to calm down as Gabz shifted her aim and waited for the next shot. Allowing Yi to get ready for any that managed to run at him.

[Fennec]

There was a sudden shift, where once both parties were stuck in an awkward exchange there was suddenly an air of danger. Yi quitely looked over Gabz's expression. There was a subtle change, the meek girl from before was gone now as she some sort of latent hunting instinct kicked in. Like an actual cat, her ears flickered around as her attention was shifted around.

Yi remained silent, he looked around himself but didn't seem to find anything off. Then again he wasn't the one with feline-like features so perhaps Gabz was catching onto something he wasn't. Before he could comment on the matter Gabz was already kicking into action explaining how she would climb a tree and keep a lookout for him. Perfect?

The swordsman decided to go on with this plan, he didn't have much of his own... yet... aside from beating the enemy senseless. Yi was very confident in his own ability to fight. He had many years of practice... starting with nothing to now. Even a shinai a simple weapon of training was a lethal weapon under his guise. If anything Yi was much more deadly with a real sword... he wasn't going to use a real sword until he was ready for it and he didn't see himself all too fit to use one. That is unless he had no other choice.

"Right, you do that and I'll stay on the ground."

Yi said as he watched Gabz climb up the tree. He then grabbed onto his hat and pulled it down, he then untied the knot top letting his copper-colored hair flow loose and long. Removing his glasses and putting them away... Yi seemed like a different man now. He slowly pulled out the shinai and got into a combat stance. The man was ready for a throw down! He smiled broadly, now he just had to wait.

"They won't expect a thing... a lone man in the ground armed with a training tool? Hehehehe."

He chuckled to himself, this was going to be fun. As those words left his lips a blast went off.

*CRACK*

Gabz had hit something, Yi's eyes looked around trying to see something among the trees. His tongue started to feel dry and his heart began to pump at the anticipation of combat. Adrenaline, that's what it was... even his pupils began to dilate turning his eyes into snake-like slits. His instincts were on now... he was going to lunge at the first enemy he saw. With the speed of a viper and ferocity of a cobra.

[Kami-Gaz]

“That’s the big one.” Gabz noted as she already lined up her next shot. Her smile was wide enough to show her cat like fangs that only were ever present when she was in the zone. The prey in her sights had noticed their friend go down to a tree branch and in the confusion had noticed the swordsman, Yi, standing there now emitting his own killing intent. It was palpable.

In fact, noticing this atmosphere around Yi distracted the cat momentarily. it was thick and sharp, with purpose, a perfect mastery of ones own will. The feeling of it almost made her drunk on the bloodlust, something that only one person other than her master had done before. It filled her chest with complex feelings that muddled her up for just a moment before she heard the screams of the bone riddled leader of the druid group scream his charge at Yi.

This snapped the young woman back into reality as she adjusted her aim to a fist sized rock that was between herself and the charging man. There was a subtle exhale before-

*CRACK*

Another suppressed shot rang and a large rifled bullet flew at her target. Impacting on its lower side and shattering the lower portion whilst catapulting the rock at the charging man’s head. There was a *Thwack* as the stone cracked him on the head, knocking him down like a sack of potatoes.

This left one more who had silently rushed forward and was aiming to go past Yi to the main thread the sniper. This female druid deftly stepped over the unconscious forms of her comrades and took a direction that was towards the edge of the wooden swordsman’s reach. It was calculated and the best course of action…

Meanwhile Gabz panted out with her face red and hot, if it were any colder, she would be emitting steam from her body due to the heat coming from her. The intent being given off by Yi had driven her wild and got the primal hunting instincts in this sniper going. “Do it, I know you can.” Gabz whispered out as she shifted, holding the rifle in one arm and the tree branch in the other she swung down and dropped down to the floor. Landing on her feet with a beautiful roll forward to let her stand up straight as if this sort of thing was nothing. She trusted that her compatriot could handle the last one that was rushing her down. He had without doing much, convinced her that he was more than just a capable fighter.

[Fennec]

Yi closed his eyes, the cracks of gunshots going off around him, and yet he stood still waiting for what was left to come his way. Steady, calm, let it breathe he thought as his chest moved steadily. His breathing was serene, calm, docile... yet the fury of combat that raged within was strong. He was a carpenter at heart yes... his father had trained him to build ships... yes. But his heart truly lied with the blade. Like the masters of old, he would master his blade. Like the first to wield the star sword, he would one day finished what they had started.

*WHOOSH*

The first figure to make it through, a woman Yi judged by the weight of her footsteps. Quickly Yi stuck out his blade with a speed unmatched by many! Like a striking viper, a crack was heard in the air as he flung his wooden shinai out and effectively clotheslined the rushing woman. With a powerful sweep, he pushed her back with delicate enough force to leave her on her feet. He didn't want to finish her off while she was on the ground... that would be very dishonorable.

Opening his eyes now the swordsman sheathed his shinai, hand still on the wooden blade's handle. Slowly he paced toward the woman who started to throw attacks at him, with swift sways like a dancing snake, Yi simply evaded them. In less than a few seconds the swordsman was face to face with the female Druid who at this point stood still in shock.

"With the beauty of a rose... blossoming in the spring. With the agility of a snake striking at its prey... I will show you quick mercy."

Yi whispers as he prepares for his attack.

"Yeowang Baem Kkoch!!"

Quickly unsheathing his shinai he strikes the druid's gut with the butt of his sword knocking all the wind out of her. The druid groaned in pain as they felt themself slowly falling. But before they could crash on the muddy ground Yi went for another strike this time right over the skull in almost an instance after the first strike.

Blackout. The druid was knocked out cold. In his time challenging many enemies across the North Blue to advance his skill, the swordsman had picked up a lot. His skill was tenfold that of when he left Dojo Island and there was no stopping his growth. Yet, he felt as if he were not ready to return. Not yet, it was too early. Letting out a sigh the swordsman sheathed his blade again and waited once more. More would come. He was certain of that fact.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler} Yi used "Yeowang Baem Kkoch" which is: a rapid strike done with the butt of the sword usually when unseathing. This blow is done to the person's gut in an intent to knock the wind out of them and is meant to catch them mostly off guard.

[Kami-Gaz]

Gabz had started to leisurely stroll forward, rifle pressed against her back and her ears flickering in the breeze. She could hear the small sounds of battle. The charging druid, the calm breath of Yi as he took steps forward. This was a fight she had no place in interrupting.

"With the beauty of a rose... blossoming in the spring. With the agility of a snake striking at its prey... I will show you quick mercy."

He had dodged the initial strikes and moved into an optimal position close. Gabz watched and bit her lip in anticipation of the next move. The finishing blow in this battle that all of her senses were locked on. She could see the surprise on the opponent’s face, the calm ferocity of the swordsman. The whisper of his technique before the quick and sudden using of it.

Gabz’s stroll had come to a standstill mere feet from the now fallen druid with Yi standing on the other side. He was perfect! He had such control over his killing intent and the ability to back it up, he was like her able to fight without killing! This was something she had been wanting to see since she learned the trade of an assassin! She was not alone anymore!

Here crystalline sea blue eyes examined the man to take in every detail before leaping forward over the fallen opponent and wrapping her arms around him. She was giggling away like a happy school girl, throwing all of her weight into a hug. “Yi~!” She called out happily, getting her face an inch from his so she could look into his eyes, potentially looking past them. “That was amazing! Really awesome!” The cat woman chirped happily, not realising the position she was in what so ever.

[Fennec]

The swordsman smiled proudly, he'd come a long way... remembering his time back in his homeland. Remembering his first battle... he couldn't control his instinct... he couldn't control his rage. But he'd come so far, able to control his emotions and become a much gentler sword fighter. Yi sheathed his shinai and fixed up his ginger hair, eyes closed as he tied it back up in a neat knot with a snake pin crossing through it.

"Job well done. Although I didn't do much of the work haha."

Yi said in a playful tone, as he turned around he was amazed to see the cat-girl running at him at full speed. Standing still somewhat in shock Yi was glomped by the excited Gabz, standing straight it was somewhat of a comical sight to behold. Gabz grabbing onto the slightly confused swordsman.

"H-hey Gabz, you're squeezing me a little hard haha."

Gabz's own blue eyes looked into his bronze-colored ones... and that's when it hit. A memory, her eyes... the happiness masking pain. Biting his lip Yi tried to remove the thoughts of his homeland from his mind. He'd thought enough about it today and besides Wolfric was still missing.

"Well this is fun and all but... we should tie up these fools and get to finding my Captain. I would not forgive myself if something happened to her."

Once Gabz let him go the swordsman would put his hat and glasses back on. Swiftly turning to look at the beat-up Druids Yi raised a brow, they should probably tie up these goons... looking for vines in the local area Yi began to pile the unconscious druids together and tie them up finely. With some help, he'd make them dangle from the tree to make sure they had a hard time escaping their binds. As he finished they started to come back to life.

"Oh, look who's waking up... I can finally ask you important questions! Have you seen this young lady?"

Yi asked pulling out a bounty poster he'd gotten from the Marine base with Wolfric's smiling face on it. Anyone who saw it would likely be confused why such a sweet smile even had a bounty on their head. Yi himself wondered the same thing. However, perhaps unsurprisingly Yi got no real answer from the large Druid.

"No, and if I have I wouldn't tell ye anyway! Feck ye bastard!"

*huff*

The swordsman huffed out, his stubbornness knew no bounds. Now that was a challenge he'd have to take on. Getting closer to the druid's face the swordsman began to speak in a hushed voice.

"Listen here... big guy! If you don't tell me anything useful I'll hurt you in ways you don't even know exist. Capiche?"

A combination of Yi's hissing hushed voice and his intense snake-like eyes were enough to start making the man think twice. But still, he shook his head. Yi smiled and chuckled evilly.

"Ok well, I guess I'll have fun with you... back where I come from they have a form of torture... they tie people up and slowly pull on the rope tightening it out every five seconds."

Yi paused for suspension, adjusting his glasses a glint of sunlight was captured in them giving off an intense vibe.

"They increase the time that it lasts as needed... but the idea is to increase the tightness as soon as the person gets used to that level of pain. It increases until bones start to snap... and the person is crushed under ropes. Mmmm and the eyes... I love the popping sound they make when they're squeezed out, ugh just... it's a chef's kiss."

Putting up an act Yi gave a pleasured sigh, acting like a total sadist. Of course, the very thought of doing such a thing was repugnant to the young man he had to hold back from throwing up. Turning his eyes back to the leading Druid he finished.

"They call it the constricting snake and if you don't talk well... let's just say friends.. that'll be you.

At this point, the druids were shaking in fear, funny enough Yi was bluffing. In fact, he'd made up the whole thing! There was no way he would torture this bunch... that was dishonorable. But tricking them did get the job done. The druids were sweating and nervous they looked among themselves wondering what to do.

"So... will you talk? Or will I get to hear the sweet crunching of femurs today?"

Finally, the dumb small one in the crew spoke up, tears streaming from his eyes.

"I'LL TELL YOU! I'LL TELL YOU! JUST DON'T HURT US WAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Yi smiled, the other druids shook their heads.

"No, you fool!"

But it was already too late...

"If you're a good boy... I won't hurt you, friend. Ok?"

The dumb druid nodded.

"We're here abducting young mermaids for their tears and killing any trespassers... as for your friend the pirates! Yes, the pirates helping us they gave us a heads up about a silvery-haired girl causing a ruckus!"

A silvery-haired girl causing a ruckus? That sounded like Wolfric alright. If she was causing chaos then well, that meant she was alright. At least that was a weight lifted from his shoulders... he wanted to let out a sigh of relief but that would be breaking character. Turning his head to the side, that was almost all the information he thought he needed. Perhaps Gabz had more to offer? Perhaps she would inquire about a map or something?

"So want to ask anything yourself Gabz? Before we leave them hanging from here like bear bait?"

---

Yi | Ginger #be5500

[Kami-Gaz]

‘What am I doing?!’ The sniper thought as she dangled from the mans neck, staring into his eyes with her own. Squeezing her little but powerful arms around his neck as if she never wanted to let go. ‘I’m too close! He’ll think I’m weird. Master never told me what to do in this situation!’ Thoughts raced through her head as Yi acknowledged her presence and stared back into her eyes. His reflective bronze eyes sharp like knives. They reminded her of her masters… sharp but hiding a lot under the surface.

“Tie them up?” She asked not totally out of her daze of staring into his eyes, that only lasted for a few more micro seconds before her cheeks went a bright crimson red. She let go of his neck and fell to the floor, stumbling back and falling on her rear with a small “eep” and an “oof”. This was embarrassing, far more embarrassing than her earlier moments and delusions.

Gabz went quiet and kept her red face as she moved to help Yi in his endeavour of tying up these goons before they woke up. It was as she did this, she noted her own handiwork regarding the tree branch and the rock that were used to knock the big two out swiftly. It must have hurt to be hit by them things… but that was going to be nothing compared to one of these bullets. It was better in pain with a cracked skull than dead in all regards.

Once they were all hoisted the change in blood flow quickly work the three up. They looked battered and bruised but they would survive a few hours dangling in the wilderness. Yi started his interrogations and they were amicable enough… the reactions not so much. This was when Gabz’s little heart fluttered. Yi switched to bad cop and was so, damned, persuasive.

‘Oh… wow he is perfect. He can weave threats to make people wet themselves so easily.’ She thought as the druids cracked under this false weight. It was like a bird singing in spring, a beaver gnawing on wood. Just so natural for them to spill secrets to him that Gabz thought Yi was a professional at this.

“So want to ask anything yourself Gabz?” Yi asked.

“Uhm…” The meek sniper had said from her far back position, hugging her rifle as if it were some kind of cuddly toy. She did want to ask questions… but would they know? Would they know who she was talking about and would they sing for her like they did for Yi?

“Y-yes!” She replied finally as she moved forward, moving one hand to fish out a wanted poster of her own. This poster was of a man dressed in black clothes with a red trim. A head of short and spikey black hair with red tips. A face with a sharp grin a slightly crooked nose, obviously broken in the past and crimson red eyes staring down the scope of a rifle similar to Gabz’s. Under it the text read. “Wanted Dead Or Alive Death Dealer Diego Armarda El-Morte. 76,000,000” Gabz’s adoptive father.

“H-ha-have you s-seen this man?” She managed to speak out to the strangers as the poster was presented to them each individually. She was making sure they each had time to inspect it before standing back and looking at each of them. The silence was deafening.

“I don’t know that man, and I would never tell a runt like you about that loser of an assassin.” The leader of this small band of druids spat out before literally spitting bloody chunks of teeth that the rock had shattered earlier out at the girl. Spraying both her and the poster in small splatters of blood.

This was an insult… to her pride and her masters. The sniper saw red and, in a flash, she clicked the mag release, slid the bolt back and emptied the chamber. As they hit the floor a new magazine was loaded and the slider shoved back into place loading a new round. Without hesitation she lowered the rifle at his stomach “Trueno Hueco!” She screamed out; eyes narrowed like a predator and her ears standing straight in anger.

“Hijo de puta! Que te folle un pez!” She barked out, the trigger to snapping her having been thoroughly pulled the young sniper watched as the concussive blast of air and sound impacted into the man’s stomach and sent him back and up over the tree branch before he fell back. “Tell me what I want to know!” Her accent being thick and hard to hear through the anger she felt.

The youngest druid piped up next, not liking the look of this frenzied young woman. “The high druid spoke with him! They can help! Please don’t shoot us!” She cried, her hardass persona fading with the amount of threats that were being used.

[Fennec]

Yi nodded backing off, he gave way for Gabz to do her thing she was back to her meek self it seems. The swordsman watched her go about it with a smile on her face, at first Gabz was ok? She pulled out a picture and showed the tied-up Druids... was she looking for someone just like Yi? Maybe he could convince his Captain to help her! She was sure to help right? Wolfric was always up for an adventure and this seemed like an Adventure! Besides Gabz seemed like a capable crew member! Look at him go recruiting for his Captain.

“I don’t know that man, and I would never tell a runt like you about that loser of an assassin.” 

Those words changed it all, the meek girl blew up as blood was splattered on the picture and her face. Yi rushed over to Gabz a handkerchief in his hands read to offer up.

"G-gabz! Are you ok?"

Yi asked, but just as he did the woman became belligerent yelling and cursing in a foreign language. The sword's man blinked, he was confused... that was one heck of an explosion. Without even thinking it twice the young woman beat the already bloodied Druid. He rushed over to Gabz and held her back, his eyes wide.

"Gabz! No, we aren't going to kill them! Calm down... calm down..."

The man held onto her looking at the druids... one of them finally spilled the beans. They knew about her friend. They would have to speak to the High Druid then. Perhaps he was at the loch along with Wolfric.

---

Yi | Ginger #BE5500 [Post 14]

[Kami-Gaz]

With vision red Gabrielle snapped her gaze from the now swinging druid who had taken a gut full of pressurised air and concussive force to the other two, fangs born as if she would rip their throats out. Though her eyes had tears in them, she was angry because hers and her master’s pride was insulted in such a way and feeling that had her fuming in a sad rage. She went to move after hearing the female druid talk, however there was a resistance stopping her. She hadn’t noticed until this point but Yi had wrapped his arms around her to calm her down.

Her feral growls subsided and the tears finally left the eyes as they softened and she leaned her face into his shoulder. “I-i-I’m Sor-or-orry-e! H-he i-insulted master an-and I lost it.” She cried into Yi’s shoulder, melting into his arms and wrapping her free one around his back as the one holding her rifle fell loose and flopped to the side as the gun was between them.

It took a few moments but the girl let her tears dry, she opened her eyes to see where she was after the burst of anger. “Yi?” She asked with a face growing red, stained with tears and slightly runny makeup. “Y-you can let g-go now.” She stuttered out, the blush on her face reaching tomato levels of red.

Today has been a day, started by seeing a witch in the wild and getting a fotune. Seeing a falling star man who she became friends with… Being married to said man by another witch. Then a fight with druids where she ran through all of her emotions… To Gabrielle Armarda El-Morte, this man, Yi is a true friend that she could rely on and after such a short time.

[Fennec]

The orange-haired young man frowned, great... now his hands were full with Gabz and Wolfric. This was getting a bit out of hand... Yi was starting to feel doubt about his ability to cope with so many people. He wasn't exactly the most emotionally stable person either. Letting out a deep-seated sigh the young man held onto the crying cat-girl.

"It's ok. Look, I'm in a hurry to find Wolfric... but."

Yi paused, he was very unsure about this. But he felt deep down it was the right thing to do given the circumstances. Besides, Wolfric could take care of herself, right? Right. Yi felt a pang in his chest like a flutter of anxiety forming up slightly. It was a rare feeling for him, his face started to feel hot and his head felt full of steam. Everything was crashing down in a bad way. In a way, he didn't like it. It was pure chaos. Bad chaos.

"If you want to talk about it we can. I'm here to listen."

He said forcing a smile on his face, it was hard but he decided the least he could do was be kind to Gabz. Normally he wouldn't go this length but this woman had agreed to help him and he felt the least he could do was return the favor in some sort of way. Despite his best tries, his mind was still on his Captain. That crazy wolf lady... she was going to be the end of him.

"Now let's go out and sit somewhere."

Yi let out, he gave Gabz some space and began to walk out toward the loch. They could have a chat on one of the rocks. Exchange stories and such... they really hadn't had time to talk ever since they met it had all been action after action. Sometimes it was good to speak especially when you had bottled-up feelings like that. Yi frowned, he was a little too familiar with that sentiment.

---

Yi | Ginger # (Post Count: 15)

[Kami-Gaz]

The tears flowed from the cat-girl; it must have been years since she had really cried. When her master had not come back, she bottled it up. When she got his emergency note for when he was gone more than a month, she bottled it up. All of the worry and panic that she had for her father figure all bottled up. Just like she did anything else, her anxiety, her insecurities and self-loathing over the fact that the last thing she said to him wasn’t ‘I love you.’ He had told her not to call him dad, because he thought a monster like him couldn’t be a good dad.

After a short while the hold was released and Y had moved away, allowing for the cat girls arms to fall free and down to her side. She nodded with a sniffle before brining one of the now free hands up to wipe the tears away from her eyes. “Th-thanks…” She murmured softly. She knew that this was not productive, that this was selfish and that Yi had a mission, but he was putting that aside for her for now. That is something no one had done for her other than her master.

The young sniper followed her current operations partner to the loch side pebble beach. It looked picturesque, a true scene of nature’s beauty. There were some big boulders dashed around and two of them just happened to be a short walk away. When the pair got there the sniper laid her rife on the rock before climbing up and sitting with her knees held to her chest and face slightly buried into them.

“W-we don’t h-have to Yi… I’m a sniper… I’m meant to k-kill people and not feel or act like this.” Gabz started, talking like he wanted her too. “We can go and f-find your friend first?” She protested, wanting to put the cork back on her bottled-up feelings. A totally healthy thing to do that had no detrimental effects at all.

“I-I’ll tell you about my Master soon. I- I Promise.” Gabz eeked out between sniffles and wiping her own eyes, leaving the tell tale red marks of tears and run make up, not that she used much of the stuff.