Speed Dating

This post summarizes the fourth scenario of our Anima RPG campaign. This one is based on "Just Dance" by Loukae. A single session, on January 5, 2009, was necessary to solve the terrible dilemma that presented itself to the group that day. Episode narrated by Giselle.

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[Excerpt from Giselle Mermidion's journal]

[…] March 10, 988: It will soon be a month that we have been traveling. Immediately after Ichigo settled the score with the other rotten egg, we decided to plan the rest of the journey. Our goal is to reach La Roche. We will therefore have to pass through the town of Dupoids, a little less than a week from here. To my great joy, we were told we would have to stop in Vieillemont, a small local village serving as a stopover. Between the nasty little conceited ones and the stopovers, this journey has decidedly not finished wasting our time!

March 10, 988: After deliberation, the group decided to rent a stagecoach for the journey. Better that than buying horses, since none of us masters riding. I suggested buying the stagecoach outright and renting the services of a lackey to drive us, but the others prefer to wait for a later occasion. It will take us 4 days to reach Vieillemont.

March 11, 988, in the evening: The trip is no worse than usual, apart from Bragor who grows more and more nervous. It looks like he misses the action. On that subject: once in the village, our coachman warned us he would be ready to leave in the evening. Bragor took the opportunity to look for a little brawl. He questioned the village chief about a possible brigand who might have caused them trouble, or a hypothetical evil creature that might have gone after them. Joy and bliss, Christ smiled upon him: apparently, a "thing" had been attacking Vieillemont's harvests for some time. Nothing more was needed for Bragor to head for the fields, which we promptly imitated. On location, we were able to note that the carrots had been savagely... devoured. Looking more closely, we saw the marks of large rabbit teeth. Yet another fascinating mystery to solve: who ate the carrots of Vieillemont's field*? This reminds me of our young years on the World-Coin. Our unutterable deductive capacity led us to believe the source of the problem was located in the small forest bordering the fields. After hours wasted in this vain search, Ichigo and Sushi detected the presence of a creature between the trees. Without warning, a gigantic pink rodent with long ears threw itself at Bragor and glued itself to him. Judging by the expression on its face, which overflowded with a sickening, awfully silly joy, one would have said it wanted cuddles. Bragor, true to himself, landed it a straight that sent this horrible creature back where it came from. This demonstration of misplaced tenderness found its end in a magisterial punch. I note, however, that our mobile canned food is still discreetly holding his wrist following his display of heroism... As I write these lines, we have just returned to the village, where our coachman is ready to leave. No more time-wasting, boredom awaits us.

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March 13, 998: We reached Dupoids today. Yet another bustling big city, with people, noise, life at every street corner. Despite the city's dumbening hubbub, something interesting happened: Sushi decided to buy himself a new katana while we looked for an inn. No sooner had he left than sounds of combat could be heard coming from his direction. Behind his gentle Lannet airs, he hides his game well... well, he hides it better than Bragor at any rate. We hurried (Bragor in the lead), but only arrived at the end of the skirmish. Sushi - true to his habits - had once again achieved a fantastic feat: he had just saved the daughter of a marquis, attacked by a band of good-for-nothing bystanders. According to his account, he clobbered one of them and the others quickly cleared off once it was done. The girl in question is called Éloïse and leers at Sushi in a vulgar, barely concealed manner. One good point by way of consolation: she invited us to dine alongside her father this very evening.

March 13, 998, in the evening: Let us talk about Éloïse's father. After gathering some information, we could deduce that Sushi had hit the jackpot. The man bears the sweet name of "Marquis Ferdaine". He owns a gigantic mansion in the city. His family would have grown rich over the years, preferring to specialize in trade rather than follow the example of a good part of the nobility and also invest in combat. When Sushi suggested looking for a blacksmith, Éloïse instead proposed to make use of the family forge. All things considered, that is probably where our reluctant lady-killer will have the best odds of finding what he is looking for. Mixing business with pleasure is very Lannet...

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March 14, 998: During the day, Sushi thus ordered his katana. Of excellent Lannet quality, whose guard he intends to have reforged to personalize it once the weapon is in his possession. This operation will cost him the tidy sum of 1,500 gold coins. That is the price to pay to show one's good taste. Ichigo took the opportunity to have two tantos of excellent quality made to order, once again Lannet. Aiming for efficiency above all, she saw no point in decorating them in any particular way. One clearly feels the difference in temperaments. I told myself that the Fleuret Sushi had paid me also deserved to be improved. I thus entrusted it to the blacksmith so he would reforge it into a weapon worthy of my family... well, of my father at least. In the evening, we will go to the Marquis's.

March 14, 998, in the evening: Boring discussion, boring meal, boring characters. I left the table with the urge to vomit. At most, we made the acquaintance of Éloïse's governess, a bitter old woman called "Madame Sardon". During the meal, the latter whispered in Éloïse's ear that it would be well to invite Sushi, the new "local hero", to the ball that would take place in three days. Which Éloïse did, like a sheep. After a moment of feigned surprise, we asked for explanations about the nature of this ball. A priori, it is an evening organized by the Marquis to allow his daughter to choose a husband for herself among a crowd of suitors. No more playing the heartbreaker! This time, Sushi is caught in his own trap: in three days, he will either be humiliated, or married. On that subject, we learned that the suitors are many. Incidentally, one of them was recently found dead. Once again, we will have to stay on our guard, even though we are sleeping in an inn. As a precaution, Sushi and Ichigo swapped their rooms so that the probable future groom would be surrounded by two of ours. I hope I will not have to wake up!

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March 15, 998: Do I really need to write it? This night was trying. No sooner had it fallen than we were awakened by a scream from Sushi. Ichigo rushed first into the room. She came upon an assailant dressed all in black, whom she attacked without success. As for me, I tried to smash through the inn's wall, but the killjoys who built this "hotel" visibly did it in stone, making the task impossible. I in turn rushed over, in time to see the assassin flee through the window. Bragor could not find his trail. More worryingly at the moment, Sushi was in a bad way: gravely wounded in the leg, he had lost a lot of blood. Fortunately, the local physician is competent and managed to stabilize the wound. Following this assassination attempt, the Marquis assigned a guard to watch over Sushi. The latter explained to us that his attacker was probably a "ninja", a member of an organization of supposedly renowned Lannet assassins. As if we did not have enough enemies...

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March 16, 998: Waste of time. A genuine WASTE OF TIME. Nothing notable to report.

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March 17, 998: Not to remain passive, we decided to gather information about the suitors. Our aim was to get our hands on this famous "ninja" and his employer. Unfortunately, the Marquis taught us nothing of interest, except that nobody comes from Lannet among the men chasing after his daughter. With the exception of Sushi, of course, even though I gather that Éloïse chases after him more than the other way around. As for Éloïse's maids, they revealed to us, besides the fact that Sushi is the favorite, that a cousin of Derreck Shezzard is among the suitors. While we were investigating, Sushi found nothing better to do than undergo a new assassination attempt. Old habits die hard. This time, it was a library shelf that mysteriously collapsed on him while he was trying to learn about alchemy. After the leg, he now has a dislocated shoulder. That will teach him to court Marquises' daughters! In the evening, the Marquis will hold a banquet to which the suitors are invited. It is the first time we will see them all. Obviously, we fear Sushi may get poisoned, but what can we do about it? Sushi wants to attend the meal despite everything. We will improvise...

March 17, 998, in the evening: The meal itself was terribly sleep-inducing. Sushi ate greedily and this, without any nasty surprise - at most he found the soup contained a bit too many spices - all the stranger given that it had not been spiced at all. Taking advantage of the evening, I intensely observed all the suitors to try to guess which ones were guilty of our international Lannet's misfortunes, but to no avail. One would think they are white as doves. Strange note: no doubt in an attempt to break the boredom, Shezzard's cousin ordered some Rab in the middle of our noble meal. His peasant origins are probably to blame. After all, why not? The outraged reactions of some of his rivals put a bit of interest into an otherwise tedious evening. The meal concluded as painlessly as possible, and right now, we have all returned to our rooms for one last thrilling night during which nothing seems to be happening. Yet another occasion to keep this journal up to date.

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March 18, 998: D-Day has arrived, the time of the ball is here. Ichigo and I decided to prepare ourselves with dignity. After all, Sushi is the first of us to put his head in the noose. I bought a few accessories, while Ichigo decked herself out in an evening dress in garish colors, after which we endured the customary manicures and blow-drys. It is moreover highly impractical to hold a quill with fake nails. The ball will begin as soon as night falls.

March 18, 998, in the evening: the ball is over. It took place in a large hall with balconies, more than a hundred people were present. Sushi was immediately invited by Éloïse, and the couple danced in the middle of everyone. We could then note how much the one who was once a vulgar Lannet brat... had not changed all that much: his hesitant steps forced the Marquis's daughter to slow down the pace somewhat. Always on the lookout, Bragor went upstairs to get a better view over the whole room, while Ichigo was invited to dance. Her bohemian life no doubt taught her the meaning of rhythm, for she quickly stole the show from the star couple. A little later, it was my turn to be courted and invited for a few dance steps. The individual at the origin of this request having had the good taste to look after his appearance, I ended up accepting, although dancing is not my cup of tea. Shortly after, without warning, all the lights went out. We first thought of an ill-omened incident, but in truth, it was the moment Éloïse chose to ask her favorite to take her in marriage. And the favorite was - of course - our Sushi. After a few minutes of indecision, Sushi whispered a few suspicious words in Éloïse's ear, before getting down on one knee and asking for the Marquis's daughter's hand. The latter had manifestly planned everything, for without delay, a priest burst into the room and made the union official. Whereupon the two newlyweds were invited to retire to their chamber to consummate the joys of married life. So it is official, Sushi will leave Dupois married. If he ever leaves. As dowry, Sushi will henceforth receive 10 gold coins per day to accompany him on his travels. And he had better share...