The Circle of Salt in the City of Steel!

[Sam]

*Pant, Pant*

*Wheeze*

*Pant, Pant*

Lucien sat down, his legs shaking... that trek through the sea had taken a toll on him... and it didn't help that his encounter in Cinna Island had left him wounded. Sitting on his galley fit for a giant he removed his breastplate revealing a simple white-tunic underneath. Grimacing and clenching his teeth he removed the shirt, it didn't help that the shirt was sticking to him as he removed it, underneath it all he found bandages sputtered with dry blood.

Well, at least the bleeding had stopped for now. But the pain remained, peaking underneath the bandages he saw the makeshift stitching of the massive wound on his chest. It was gaping, a slash from the axe of another of his kin that had cleaved right into him when he least expected it. Purple bruising around the edges of the wound made Lucien's head spin. He'd seen plenty of wounds on the battlefield.

But there was something odd, about seeing the same kind of near-mortal wound on yourself that changed things. He just hoped it wasn't infected, a wound of this size infected would spell almost certain death for him. The little people didn't have the right equipment to dispose of an infection on someone of his size. Whatever the case may be one thing was certain, he was at less than half his power right now and would likely be so until the wound finally healed.

Where he was could shatter buildings like glass, rend steel like a ferocious beast, or crumble stone into sand... he simply couldn't do that in his state. That level of exertion would be enough to open the wounds. He couldn't as much as crumble stone without accidentally hurting himself.

"Hopefully this island has a physician willing to tend my wounds.

Looking up the blue-haired Titan looked at the island ahead, he had noticed that the sun was no longer beating on his neck. No, this place was dark. But it wasn't the darkness of night that shrouded this land. Nor was it the darkness of some sort of black magic. Nay, this was the work of something else. He knew that smog, it was the smog of a smith's forge but tenfold that. Could there be a giant smith in this land? Certainly, it was hard to believe that the little folk, the demi-giants as Lucy often called them... could produce this much smog or operate a massive smithy. He had heard rumors of the giantess he was following, the red-headed woman with emerald eyes.

That one yes, apparently she was a smith of sorts. A lady of the forge. It was more than what Lucien could say for work, he was a combatant and a strategist. A genius commander of legions and heir to the Laurent House's Fortune! One day he'd be crowned Grand Duke of the Laurent Estate. Or he once was at least. Lucien had long left that life behind. To him, there was nothing left for him back home, not after those savages took it all. The large man let out a sigh and looked at his bandaged hand. Get up now... or rest for a few seconds? He had some decisions to make. 

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Sir Lucien |French Blue #0072BB | (Post Count: 1)

[Mai Kobayashi]

Onee-sama, remind me again of why we are on this island? I feel tired just looking at this gloomy sky...

The golden-haired half of a most peculiar duo was staring up at the smog blotting out the sun over the island with a dejected look on her face. Neither the hand above her eyes nor the sun visor covering them was strictly necessary to get a good look at it with those mechanical eyes but... even if she did not remember them, the habits she had as a human were tenacious and it just felt right that when you were peering at something far away you covered the top of your eyes.

That is just your imagination, Kiki. The fact it is still light down here and not as dark as nighttime means plenty of sunlight is still making it to your eyes to allow you to see. And as long as we can see there is enough sunlight here to recharge

Her silver counterpart seemed far more pleased to have arrived on the island,, her voice sounded almost as chipper as it ever got. She was busying herself tying up the improvised mooring lines that would keep the small craft they had used to sail here firmly in place.

I know that... But I don't think that is actually an answer to the question I was asking... It's just that you like dark gloomy places like this, isn't it?

With a final tug their little ship wasn't going to go anywhere unless a big storm hit the island, and if it did... well. They would have other concerns to deal with. The ashen cyborg joined her sister on the beach wading to the knee-high water to join her at her side before explaining the reason they had come here in the first place.

No, our target is on the other side of the island. Beneath all this smog and industrialization, this was originally a fall island with a large diversity of trees.

Ahh... right that. She might have said something about that... once.. or twice or more on the way here. The details were a little boring so she had tuned out with a particularly thrilling issue of her favorite comic book. Smiling and nodding seemed like a good idea at the time but now she got robed into another one of Haiki's boring 'study' things. It was absolutely just an excuse to wander around in a dark, gloomy, spooky forest.

Were here to look at trees...?

The sarcasm and disbelief dripped from the sunlight twin's voice. She wasn't buying it. This was absolutely some kind of thinly veiled ploy. Obviously!

Well you said it yourself right? This smog is not very attractive to trees. I'm not surprised a stubborn shrubling like you would be so quick to pick up on that. But if that population of trees persists even in those harsh conditions perhaps we might find some special trees. The kind that likes you perseveres against all odds.

The silver-haired twin paid it no mind, her sister was always like this whenever she was faced with something she considered boring. If she just left her alone eventually that short attention span would find something to turn into an adventure. She always did. She had prepared a set of backpacks for each of them with supplies and things she needed for after they had made the trip and handed one of them over to the golden twin who took it surprisingly meekly.

You are looking for Adam? here?

Her voice sounded at least a little bit interested now, well their very bodies were made from the treasured wood after all. outside of being able to use it for repairs, it was also needed for upgrades. She had a whole sketchbook full of fantastical ideas for power-up units, and armor modules, and other half-baked ideas after all. Not that anything in it looked remotely feasible to Haiki's eyes when she looked through it but... trying to convince her sister of logic and reason when it came to those sorts of things was... well. Not worth the effort. She would have used impossible but even just thinking that around the queen of positivity was dangerous...

No, to be precise... I'm looking for saplings with the right characteristics that might lead it through a 1 in-a-million cascade of unlikely events to become a treasure tree. If I can figure out what it is that sets that sapling apart, maybe I can figure out a way to cultivate it. My working theory is that I need a blockhead like you that doesn't know how to give up.

It was a soft, well-meant jab. A little sisterly teasing was after all just part of how that dynamic worked. Kiki did not seem to notice at first, simply nodding along, her thoughts probably still buried in more ideas to put in her sketchbook though at some point she would eventually catch on to what she had said, frown, and lightly bonk her wooden fist again her sister's shoulder.

I see, I see... we are looking for a blockheaded sapl... HEY

An ever so slight chuckle passed through Haiki's lips as turned away her shoulder from the punch aimed at it. It wouldn't hurt so much as it was just instinct to avoid such pats of violent affection. But in turning away her eyes caught sight of another ship approaching on the horizon. At first, she thought it was a massive ship bound to carry a large crew but on second glance it was a little different...

Well save your enthusiasm until you see what is coming this way on that Galleon ship...

The silver twin pointed her finger towards the horizon, as she followed that finger with her eyes Kiki removed her sun visor in stunned disbelief. She rubbed her eyes with her free hand even if it would have absolutely no effect and blinked rapidly as she stared at the ship slowly approaching. You could see her back arch ever so slightly. Even if she didn't draw in air like a normal person with lungs wood, they still expelled it to speak and her body still told you exactly when she was about to raise her voice.

Is that... A GIANT ROBO! ONEE-SAMA. IT'S A MECHA! IT'S A KNIGHT THEMED MECHA!

The pupils of her mechanical eyes literally contracted into the shapes of stars and the intensity of the glow from her blue eyes increased as she stared at the horizon.

No.. it think it's a giant gentleman's suit of armor...

It was no sense trying to stop her now. A soft sigh escaped the more level-headed sister as she rubbed her forehead.

NO! It's clearly a mecha! I WONDER IF IT HAS A KNIGHT BEAM!?

Such was her enthusiasm that rather than just wait for the ship to arrive she ran directly into the ocean wading knee-deep into the water while holding up trembling fists just to get a better look.

Well... I assume we will have to... ah... she already left. Well, I guess we have no choice then.

[Kami-Gaz]

This was a really strange island… It was always dark and the air here tasted just awful! It smelled disgusting and like poison, it simply was no place for anyone or anything to live. Yet! Some how people still lived in these great tall big tall houses made of glass and metal and some stone. There were also these big stone houses that had tall spires that breathed out this big black smoke that hovered in the air. That had to be part of the reason why this island was just always had that really bad poison smell.

The nose of the snow-white furred Shepard dog crinkled as it smelled the air again, her tongue doing its utmost to stay inside of her mouth as she travelled about the streets looking for snacks, clues and more snacks. This dog was Mika, she had been here for a couple of days now and had been here for a specific reason. She was told by someone that she could find someone that could help her in her mission. Her mission? Well, that was to find the treasure that was stolen when her family was killed. Something called the Horn of Nav’Salis.

There was a reason that this dog was walking around this way, she could take the form of an angel baring her doggy features or that of a full fledge Seraph… the issue with that was the fire, the holy white flames that burned away the toxins in the air that touched the salt that was secreted by her wings and glowing halo. Normally people wouldn’t notice her… but these flames burned so bright and when people touched them it made them feel better. That was good! But sooooo many people wanted to touch her wings and she was soooo hungry.

*Grumble*

Her stomach rumbled, loud enough to rattle the boards of the docks beneath her toe beans. “So hungry…” She spoke as she padded on down the jetties, looking for maybe a fisherman who could spare a fish for a talking puppy. That was to no avail… until she spotted a pair of people tying a boat to the jetty. With wide eyes she trotted down.

“Hey!” She called out as one jumped into the water and began to wade. “Heeeeeeey!” Mika called again as she skidded to a halt by the remaining silver haired one. She did not smell like people… she smelled like tree. Trees could be people too? Well, who was she to question, she was a dog that could be a person. “Excuse me! Do you have any snacks I could have? I am very hungry and people are being mean to me.” She spoke, her eyes eventually shifting to spot the gargantuan vessel and the armour that was removed from the man… so big.

[Sam]

It didn't take much time before the little people started to congregate around Lucien's boat. They looked up in awe and fear. At first, Lucy had been surprised at their reactions when he first arrived at the blues. But eventually, he got used to the fearful looks of the small ones. It was understandable, the average human couldn't do anything to a giant. That wasn't to say the little ones were weak, however.

No... Lucien knew better than that. Humans were dangerous, perhaps more dangerous than giants... they dominated the planet after all. Their ability to reproduce at a rapid rate and construct things at high speeds because of their meager lifespans made them act in a rush. They developed so fast and with such coordination. It was like watching ants at work. Yes, humans were like ants. To a degree. But despite their strengths, they had shortcomings. Humanity's biggest enemy was themself. Quick to build as they were to dismantle.

Their destructive nature knew no bounds and Lucy knew this well. So he was careful with them. You never knew when an exceptional warrior would find his way to the top and challenge even a giant's might. That said, it was for that very reason that humans were to be subjugated and dominated. To put it lightly, humanity was incapable of caring for itself. They were children. Barbaric little children, who were amusing to Lucy in the same vane that a puppy is amusing to a man.

It was for that reason that Lucien had set out to sea, he wanted to be a protector. If even his land could suffer attacks such as those of the giants of Elbaf. Raids that left land untouchable for generations... where only ash permeated? Then, the same could happen to humanity. Ruffians! They were about in the lands of man and Lucy was here to weed them out because clearly, the World Government couldn't. He would be the savior of mankind! A saint herald for many generations. That's how he'd go down in history. 'Shining' Lucien Laurent! Bringer of the Dawn! Vanquisher of Darkness! He who would bring judgment to the heathens that's plagued the earth like maggots clinging to an apple.

"Eh?"

There was someone in the crowd that stood out, a golden woman made of wood. It was odd, truly strange... how a little person could be made of such materials. Or perhaps was it something else? A nature spirit of sorts... a dryad or nymph? No but this island, it was an antithesis to nature. How could it be? Maybe that was a question reserved for later, however... it seemed said woman was rushing his way. There was a sheen of light in her eyes as well. Although why she seemed to be in such awe was beyond the giant's understanding.

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Lucien | French Blue #0072BB | (Post Count: 2)

[Mai Kobayashi]

Ahh, It's a adorable doggy. Let me think... I have some salted beef but salt wouldn't be too good for a doggy, right? I don't think chocolate is any better and I don't think you'd enjoy Hardtack much either.

The Silver-haired woman made entirely of wood pulled the backpack from her back and started rummaging through it, looking for anything she might have that might be a little safer to feed to a dog than salted and dried meat or chocolate. The two of them did not need quite as much food as regular humans, to begin with, other than a few pieces of fruit to keep scurvy at bay their supplies were starting to run low too. They might have to head into town for a bit to restock after this as well.

Hmm... Sembei might be alright? Do you mind seaweed any little doggy?

She finally pulled a bag from the backpack containing several prepackaged rice biscuits and pulled open one of the wrappers between her wooden fingers, holding it out towards the beautiful white dog.

What, it's just a giant after all. Tsch, Onee-sama was right. And here I thought it was a giant Mecha...

The golden twin meanwhile, saw Lucien get ever closer to shore and her shoulders visibly drooped when he came close enough to get a good look at the giant. It looked like her sister was right after all. It was just a giant man with a very fancy set of gleaming armor. Why a giant man in a full set of plate armor would be a letdown was another question entirely but... well... it was pretty obvious that if he wasn't a giant robot he wouldn't have a beam right?!

It's fine right? A giant is amusing in its own ways. And look, I found a cute talking doggy too.

The other wooden doll rested her mechanical hand on the dog's head, despite the hardness of her finger, she was surprisingly delicate in the way she petted Mika across the head. Well considering her entire arm was made from wood she probably was not all that afraid of getting bitten and decided it would be an acceptable risk to simply pet a strange dog and offer it a rice cracker. Compared to her sister she seemed to find the talking dog a much more fun diversion than the giant coming to shore and was quick to let her sister know so she could take a look too.

Onee-sama... are dogs supossed to talk...?

A frown spread across the face of her twin, she was standing knee-deep in the sea by now and lowered the hand above her eyes to turn around and look at the dog her sister was so carefree in engaging with a look of slight apprehension. It seemed that rather than be taken in by its cute appearance she was at least a little more sensible in questioning a talking dog. Though when Kiki was the more sensible of the pair usually that... well actually that rarely happened at all.

Well.. how often don't people ask that about us Kiki? This world has many strange things in it. If you stop to doubt everything your eyes and ears tell you you waste an awful lot of your life being surprised.

It sounded sensible, well most things Haiki said were presented with such calm reassuring conviction that she could probably convince a bear that it could fly if she tried. But just because she sounded convincing didn't always make her actually right...

I... see. I didn't think of it like that. are you sure that's how it works?

Of course, Kiki was no stranger to this persuasive might and still harbored a little bit of skepticism as she questioned the validity of that statement, though it seemed she was now torn between coming to check out the adorable dog and waiting for the approaching giant. She bit the back of her thumb as she looked between her two options, having a hard time deciding...

Yes~ You are just a smart girl aren't you, yes you are. Here you go. Good girl.

Haiki on the other hand was absolutely certain she was right and was now fully absorbed in petting the big fluffy white dog and offering it the remainder of their rice crackers as a tribute for letting her pet it~

[Kami-Gaz]

Salted beef? That sounded nice! The chocolate would do as well! Anything at this point would help her! A rumble of her stomach rocked the area, it was loud enough to give the impression that the earth itself had shaken and the air shimmered around the dog that was watching the silvery tree person rummage. “Call me Mika!” The fluffy dog replied as she sat on her haunches to watch what was going on, her tail wagging hard enough to stir the smoggy air.

“Seaweed?” She asked, cocking her head to the side in a display of confusion. Before she could reply further though a golden coloured tree person appeared talking about a giant and the disappointment about there not being a mech… what was a mech? No matter. Maybe he had food too? Her form rose as they talked about talking dogs and surprises… stuff she was not really paying attention too as her senses were focused out to sea where the giant was approaching from. There was an off smell coming from that direction.

Absently the dog accepted the snack that was provided and without letting a second go by consumed it without it touching her gullet. It was enough to appease the rumbling tummy, stop it from causing a fuss… for now at least. She had stopped hearing words from the tree twins for a while now… the off smell coming from the giant was garnering her attention now. With a quiet tip tap of the claws on her feet patting the wood as she shifted to the edge of the dock was the only sound, she made.

“I’ll be right back!” The dog said before being enveloped in a radiant white fire and transforming into a twelve-foot-tall woman, adorned in a fine sundress with 3 pairs of wings sprouting from her back, each covered in the white fires of her purifying salts touching the toxic air. Above her head was a pronounced halo dripping the same flaming salt as it formed a mask on each side of her face. In an instant she was airborne and flying towards the off smell.

“Excuse me! Excuse me! Do you need any help!? Mister Big Person?!” Mika called as she flew in close, her fired a beacon in the thick and obscuring fog. People were now watching it and paying all the attention they could towards this giant and the angel making it’s approach.

[Sam]

Lucien watched the wooden women and the dog from his ship narrowing his eyes. There was a talking beast? Canis lupus, white fur... it spoke though. Dogs didn't usually speak did they. Lucy lifted a brow perplexed. That was new... or so he thought as his musings were cut short by an incredible sight as the dog changed her shape to that of an angelic figure. A divine beast! Of course! That explained everything. This had to be the work of the divine.

"Hmhm! Hail, heavenly beast.

The blue-haired giant replied, he squinted his purple eyes at Mika. Her radiance proving strong.

"I seek medical attention. I have been badly wounded by an Elbaf Barbarian-"

"GRWAAAAAAAAAA!"

A roar from the sea interrupted Lucien's words. The sea began to rock and the people at the docks began to flee as something push itself from the waves. A large, snake like creature green in color with horns like a deer. Its reptilian eyes stared down at the people of the island with hunger in them. Lucien, immediately reacted to the situation at hand.

"Yield! Foul beast! Leave the people of this island in piece!"

He reaching out for his lance be smashed it against the head of the sea king causing a massive gusts of air to blow over the island from the raw force of his attack. A loud crash was heard short after! As the sea king's body crushed into self and the beast sunk beneath the waves again coloring the dark waves a tiny of red.

"Good..."

Lucien panted heavily, feeling a sharp pain in his chest. Blood sprouted from his mouth... as he started to lose conscience and collapsed on the ground with a very loud thud that sent light tremors around the general area.

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Lucien | French Blue #0072BB | (Post Count: 3)