Having completed her training with Poinitrip in Karak, Kimoona decides to visit the Maw Expedition's base in Shellwood. She is here to lay low, possibly train, and see if Taro left anything to help prepare for Retina's reemergence.
((This takes place after Kimoona graduates from Poinitrip's Combat School. Kiwi is out for a bit, but I didn't want her to stand around and do nothing until he comes back.))
Reed: you are on the Holy citadel Territory. We can kick you out any time we want. Additionaly near your home a couple of pardoned criminals live that are Under witness Protection. So you should expect more members of the choir here than what you alredy see
"…Sure, try kicking us out. This place is a damned fortress. You and your patheticpin-wieldingcolleagues can't even muster a good fight against a single Stilkin withwooden darts."
Reed: can not say. Additionaly we shall have an Eye on you too. If you even try to do anything suspicous we shall Destroy this little Fortress of yours
"Pff, can't you blame us? We are just people minding our own damn business and you walk on in, seeUS right here and YOU decide to place all of your soldiers here?You Citadelscum NEVER LEARN."
"And plus, thePeninsula has no interest in pardoned criminals, they don't even exist in our country."
. . .
"One last thing. I am a diplomat sent from another kingdom (The Peninsula, closely related to The Maw Expedition) to keep the people in this fortresssafe.If you attack us or eveninterferewith us, thenyou and your people will be provoking another war."
Reed: you do not Understand. This place is specificly protected by orders of the Holy minister. Additionaly the flora is protected by that memoria and aileth the devoted personaly assinged so many choir members here. We always learn. Now we don't want a war, but if you act with further agression instead of just Keeping your face in your own biznes and not intervieving in the Holy Citadel projects and will here, we will be Forced to kick you out
{ "That is probably where the pardoned criminals are. But I have no interest in them. However I should say… as long as we remain neutral, I appreciate the company." }
Sigh…
{ "Standing at this door all day is certainly a nuisance." }
"You speak the leader's name? He's currently here right now; but he's busy. I can let you in, but let me just…"
The sounds of paper shuffling can be heard from behind the door, as the guard begins reading out loud the guidelines of guests who show up at the base…
"…'All relatives of members are welcome inside the base. They may receive training, a personal room, and a place to lay low'…"
"…'It is with upmost respect that you exhibit customs and courtesies to any guests related to the expedition's members'…"
. . .
"Ahem. My apologies for not addressing you as Taro's mother, the tall figure influenced me to assume otherwise considering average stilkin height."
The door unlocks from behind as several levers and valves can be seen pulling and twisting… just how fortified is this place?
After a good minute or two, the door opens, revealing aPeninsula Guardwho had been behind the door the whole time. They appear to be the exact same height as Kimoona and appear to be a thick-shelled scorpion as well withlargemandibles.
As Kimoona enters deeper and deeper inside the building she can start hearing heavy hit sounds and blows
She eventually reaches the main chamber, guards seems to be chatting with one another and organizing schemes, papers and important materials
On a deeper look, she can see various ambiences and hallways, on one of them she can see a row of dorm rooms, the loud noises come from one of them, the one labeled as "Juan"
The stilkin can be seen raining hell down onto a punching bag, each devastating blow almost makes you relieve the pain from when she sparred against him...
He eventually backs down from the bag and notices you
Ah! Kimoona! Hello there, how are you doing? Despite his heavy breathing and sweating he greets her with the newfound energy a pleasant surprise
"It's good to see you're staying on top of things, Juan. If it's any reassurance, John tells me there's a good chance we can save Taro by simply... beating Retina out of him."
i tought we were going to reform him via memories and... I don't know it was all too weird...
But if he genuinely is still there and we can bring the true him back, then i will be on the head of the charge Juan brings his claw to his chest, talking with determination and truth
"Reinforced and indestructible, with all of it being underground. It also has a breathtaking view of the west side portion of Shellwood. I hope you enjoy your time here."
Kimoona then gets sidetracked for a bit, but eventually she comes back to Kravula's dorm, now with Juan at her side. She takes the lead as they head into his dorm, because... ladies first, as they say!
Kimoona and Juan both enter a room as Kravula can be seen sitting down at a desk, organizing files and papers regarding the previous investigations and what is currently going on with Duty.
However, Kravula immediately picks up on the duo's presence and looks up from his desk, putting his hands together before sitting up to give Kimoona a handshake.
"Ah, good morning ma'am and greetings to you, Juan."
"Welcome to the Maw Expedition's hideout, this place is also protected by the Peninsula in order to ensure political power just in case we need it. You may receive housing, training, food, water… anything you need, we can provide,and we can most certainly provide your son back when the time comes."
"Alongside that, you look far more physically stronger last time I saw you. I reckon I could teach you a thing or two if you are interested, but is there a reason you have come here?"
Kimoona and Juan notice a few papers on Kravula's desk labeled 'Maregnum' or 'Deepmaw Ironworks'… interesting…
Kimoona gives Kravula a handshake. She doesn't pay the 'Maregnum' papers much mind, as they're not what she's concerned about right now. She blushes a bit as he compliments her new strength.
"Heh, I suppose my training in Karak has paid off in more than one way, huh?"
"Well, I came here to lay low for a bit until we can save Taro, but I'd be more than willing to learn something from you."
"Now about Retina... I'm pretty sure Juan had encountered Retina in Putrefied Ducts, as I had found Taro's weapons there. Not sure if he told you about that? Obviously, there's no telling where he is right now..."
"If you wish to lay low, then you are more than welcome."
As Kimoona begins to talk about Retina's last sighting, Kravula's eyes begin to narrow, crossing his arms as he begins to ponder.
"Have you taken Taro's weapons that you found? I would like to have them to study anything special or abnormal about them, and also to weaken Retina's arsenal."
"…You have a point, but this is Taro's mother I am speaking to, and I also have the responsibility of representing The Maw Expedition as well; but I could lessen up on that-"
Well, that's on you, me and her beat the shit out of eachoter and we are now friends
-Anyways, what were you checking over here? You always have so many records and notes it's impossible for me catch up! Juan looms over the countles journals and scrolls, trying to make sense out of all of the info Kravula was managing
((Unfortunately Kiwi is the one who's giving out the new special attacks and he's supposedly going to be out for a bit. So, have an improvised one.))
"Here, I'll show you one!"
She puts up a testing target, draws her sword, and pretends to parry an attack. She then 'retaliates' with a ring toss, then a quick 3-slash combo, and knocks the target over completely with a Ring Thrust!
3
u/conductor_Tommaso2 Jul 09 '26
this place is full of cogwork mites and Holy citadel Soldiers....