Dillyweed | Öte / Söl

Öte had joined in on the quest because Stroheimer had asked him. He was surprised at first. He was very rarely invited to quests that Solas weren’t either in charge of or at the very least a big part of. But Solas had been very supportive of him as he said yes to it. And it would be something they could talk about when they were finally by each other's side again. Öte had said yes due to Solas leaving for an adventure Öte wasn’t really qualified, and a tiny bit of him thought that perhaps Stroheimer had heard about Solas mission before and decided to have Öte join them. That he took the opportunity to get only Öte onto the party because he didn’t really like the rumors of Solas recklessness. However, Solas' spontaneous side was a big part of what Öte loved about him. It wasn’t the entire reason but he loved how no moment was ever stagnant in his company.
Öte looked over the party around him. He had met all of them at least once except for Senbonzakura. He was the only one he had never before met, at least not in a capacity where they hung out in close spaces like these tunnels.

It hadn’t been a good start to the adventure. They had forgotten stuff back at camp and while they could’ve gone on for a bit it was like they agreed. If they got into trouble they would need to have some stuff like rations and bandages. Who knew what they could arrive at? Monsters and traps were everywhere. It was easiest, while they were still close to their makeshift camp, to just return to it and grab the stuff. Maybe have an early lunch. Öte walked at the very back of the group. It was normally Söls place but he didn’t mind. He was quite happy to return to the makeshift camp. He was quite worried that he had accidentally left some of the cages with bugs uncovered. There weren’t many bugs with him. There were a few that he was hoping to release if they came upon their specific caves. One was a rare bug and it, in its maggot form, could be used for medicinal purposes which made it a vital part of the cave ecosystem but over the years it had been overused and their numbers were now very few. Söl, and a small group of other bug enthusiasts, had taken it upon themselves to try and reintroduce by breeding it in a controlled environment and then having it released if they found others to try and improve their numbers and diversity. It was still in the early stages. 

Söl was walking beside Senbonzakura. But they weren’t really talking. Söl was trying to figure out what he could say to start a conversation. They had met many times now but they barely knew each other. Everything he could think of didn’t seem quite like a conversation that the other one would be interested in. Bugs? Well, Söl rarely met anyone interested in that conversation. Stroheimer asks from time to time about it but not in a way where they could talk for hours about it. But rather as a courtesy.
As they turned the corner it became clear that they were not alone. There were two other voices. All of them stopped and listened carefully. Söl turned his head quickly to Senbonzakura. He had met those voices multiple times before. He knew them by heart now and by the look of Senbonzakura he didn’t really need to tell him who it was. Söl looked back at Stroheimer who had been walking in the middle. His eyes told him he too remembered who those voices belonged to. Söl grabbed his own curved knife from the holster on his upper leg. He was a supporting role, he knew. But this time they would attack without speaking and he would be prepared. The Vampire bat Bart, sensing trouble, decided to fly into the cave ceiling. Making sure to be as quiet as possible as he landed with a full view of the party. Pete the Destroyer, the pet companion of Öte that had been tagging along in a very aloof and calm manner had suddenly raised its shackles and was quietly growling with as many teeth bared as seemed possible. Ready to defend Öte against anything and anyone.

736 words

AberrantKapro | Strohmeier / Senbonzakura

Strohmeier was always looking for new recruits or adventurers to take under his wing and get to know, a solid social network was very beneficial for both his exploration and his studies. This time, he had approached a tobiano who his old acquaintance Gerard had spoken well about to see what he had to offer to the group. He had also heard that his partner, Solas, was someone you would not want to be around. Luckily, he was not available so Strohmeier thankfully did not need to come up with an excuse to only bring Öte. 

Senbonzakura had entrusted Strohmeier with finding someone capable, since he himself had family business to attend to before they could start their journey, and Strohmeier felt confident in his choice of courser. He had also considered asking Röl to join them once more, but the snowcap woad unfortunately was not available this time, which was a shame considering how much time they had previously spent together. 

Strohmeier, as usual, took the back of the middle spot in the lead, to keep an eye on party members both ahead and behind. This time was no different, except that this time Söl was in front with Senbonzakura. It struck Strohmeier as odd, but he didn't mind, Söl was usually more held back so it was good that he seemed to integrate more with the group. 

Senbonzakura was a self appointed leader, so he refused any role other than that, out of both pride and stubbornness. He didn't mind sharing the role per say, but he refused to give it up completely.

He did wish that he himself could have recruited the last group member, not that he was minding Öte, he seemed capable enough, but rather because he enjoyed the control of the situation. Öte was new. An unknown factor. He kind of missed his new little tail, Röl. The attention he gave him was very good for boosting his already inflated ego. 

In the middle of his thoughts of glory and attention, some familiar voices disrupted his blissful headspace. His yellow eyes quickly locked with Söl’s and Kinka immediately noticed Senbonzakura tensing up, so she did as well. Next to the shiba, Strohmeier's fox Micke also stood guard. They were all too familiar with these bastards. 

Senbonzakura looked back at Strohmeier, who gave him a nod to assure him he was prepared to fight as well, and Senbonzakura quickly charged out to ambush the two hostile coursers. 

“So you didn't get enough of us last time, huh!?” he snarled and immediately landed a hit on one of them, moving as carefully and gracefully as he could to make sure Söl’s bugs were all out of harm's way.

Strohmeier drew his sword and quickly showed up beside Senbonzakura to hack him up and challenge the second intruder. 

“As if one weapon wasn't enough!” one of them complained, referring to the last time where they had met Söl and three other coursers, and by then Söl was already equipped with his blade. 

“You two sure don't look prepared enough for this fight.” Senbonzakura scuffed condescendingly. “We are not planning to share our spoils with scum such as you, beat it.”

One of the ruffians scoffed before grabbing a board and breaking it off to use as a makeshift weapon. “Come at us then.”

Strohmeier swiftly swung his sword at the courser with the board to initiate a proper fight, seeing as they refused to back down once again, despite being both outnumbered and out matched. What an annoying bunch. 

592 words