"We are well," the one in the middle answers with a distinctly female voice. She then looks up at Toni. "You must be the Szef."
"I am," Toni replies, taking a seat. She takes the time to introduce everyone before getting to the heart of the matter.
Jin takes a seat next to Toni, and listens as their leader lays everything on the line.
Toska files in with the others, remaining standing if there isn’t room to sit comfortably.
There are enough seats at the table for everyone to sit comfortably. The one who spoke looks at Toni again after glancing at the rest of the group. "What is it that you are after, Szef? Our goals directly conflict with each others', so peace is...unlikely."
"Be that as it may, we'd still like to make the attempt at peace," Toni responds. "Our goal can be met without killing our enemy."
"Our master's goal cannot," the Kuroikaze says bluntly. "If you were to meet with him, he would most likely try to kill you and your fellow Summoners immediately."
"We don't plan to lose," Toni says. "If we must fight, then so be it."
"And what of us?" one of the other Kuroikaze asks.
"If you stay out of the way, then you're free to do whatever you want," Toni answers. "So, shall we get going?"
Jin simply stands and smiles, gesturing towards the door where Gyo waits outside, "After you."
I had no expectations and I was still let down. Should have killed them all, Toska thinks to himself as Toni and the woman finish their brisk talk.
"I'd better head out and catch up. Hopefully, it won't be too long," Drago responded before standing up. "I'll be back as soon as I can my Sweet." Gently kissing her on the forehead, the Dhampir headed out.
The female Kuroikaze nods and leads the way. "I hope you have better transportation than a couple of rowboats."
"I hope so too," Auric says, following behind the masked trio. "We have someone looking into a bigger boat."
As they step outside, Jin and Gyo flank the three Kuroikaze, one on each side of the trio. This way, if there was even a hint at betrayal, they could dispatch them quickly.
After some asking about a bit, Drago made his way to where Toni and the others are.
Drago catches sight of them as they are leaving the Common House. The three Kuroikazi being flanked by Jin and her very large Eidolon Gyo.
Seeing Drago, Jin gives him a smile and waves.
Toni gives Drago a slight nod in greeting. "Decided to come along?"
"I said I wanted to help. Sorry for being a little slow, bit of an emotional night."
"You caught up just in time," Toni replies. "No worries."
Auric looks up at Toska. "Something on your mind?"
”What’s coming next. Trying to prepare... but we don’t have enough info other than when we dealt with these three.” he tells Auric.
Looking over at Auric and Toska she says, "I don't need a whole bunch of info to know that what they're doing is not okay and it needs to be stopped. It's very simple as far as I'm concerned. Either they will listen to reason, or we're totally going to kick their collective butts, and show them the same kind of mercy that they extend to others." Jin gives a firm resolute nod of her head, as if saying that's just the way it is.
Looking around at the others and finally to Toni she says, "Right? We're not gonna let them keep hurting innocent people right? They are an evil and blight on this land that has spread far enough, and it's time something was done about it right? I...I'm sorry, but I just can't help how I feel about it. I know this isn't my decision alone though, so I'll hush up about it now." Jin looks away, and while it might be difficult to read the look on her face, the pain in her voice is plain as day. She knew she couldn't speak for all of them, but she couldn't help how she felt about it. Jin looks down at the ground as they continue on to the docks.
Hearing that tone in Jin's voice pained her greatly, because she knew where it came from. The part of Jin that still mourned for the love that she lost to the ones who viciously attacked the village that he was from. Even though it was over a year ago, Gyo knew that that particular event still haunted Jin's dreams, especially since they were never able to uncover who was behind the attack.
Looking over at the girl that she practically helped raise, the over eleven foot impressive Vulpine Eidolon says, "It's alright Jin, I don't think anyone here is going to blame you for wanting to protect the innocent."
Jin nods, but refuses to look up from the ground.
"Not at all! If they choose to prey on the innocent, then they have also chosen their fates. If it falls to us to deliver that fate, so be it." Hitome says resolutely.
"Okay." She says a bit more softly, while still unable to lift her gaze from the ground. Jin thought she was over what happened in the past, so she didn't understand why she was having all these feelings now. She hated it, and she didn't want to appear weak in front of their enemy.
Listening to all of this, Drago was a little confused, "Does someone want to catch me up on things, please?"
Jin takes a deep breath to steady herself before finally looking up. Indicating the three Kuroikazi that she and Gyo flank she says, "These three were saying in our meeting that peace would likely be impossible, and that if we try to meet with their master that he'll most likely try to have all of us killed. So, our trip might be less diplomatic, and more bloodbath. You still want to come?" She asks, her tone and expression most serious.
"Sounds like you'll need all the help you can get."
She nods, "Thank you, we appreciate your assistance. I just thought you should know that things might get a bit ugly." She didn't know how close he was to thed woman in the cafe, but she wanted to give him a chance to back out if he wanted to. Afterall, he wasn't a summoner and this wasn't his fight. She was sure no one would look down on him for choosing his life here, over danger and uncertainty with them.
Drago couldn't help but smirk slightly, "Such is the life we are a part of. I've given my word to help reclaim Blackcrown, and I intend to honor it."
"As you wish." Jin simply replies as they continue on to the docks.
Toni turns to Laenid. "Do you want to go collect your Midwife?"
Laenid shakes her head. "If things go poorly, we should at least have one person back here, so not all of Blackcrown's hope is dimmed."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Toni says as they arrive at the docks, though she thinks upon those words for a moment.
Gyrthr stands by a fishing vessel with Svanna and waves the group over. "Ready to sail when you are, Szef."
Toni shakes her head. "You're staying here with Svanna, Gyrthr. No offense, but...it's going to be dangerous and I want to leave a Summoner behind, just in case. You too, Malyoxa...we can't put all our eggs in one basket."
She then composes herself. "How'd you get the boat?"
Svanna looks like she is about to protest, but then solemnly nods at Toni.
Gyrthr sighs and grimaces before answering. "A fisherman is letting us rent it for the day."
He then looks at the Szef. "It's going to be a bit of coin if you don't bring it back."
Malyoxa looks to Hitome, the confusion very plain on her face.
Looking a bit confused herself, Jin hesitantly places a hand on Toni's arm, "Excuse me Ms. Toni, I know it is not my place to second guess you, especially since you are our leader....but, wouldn't it be better to exhibit a United front, and with our numbers strong and unwavering? We can't begin to doubt ourselves now. Failure is not an option, and if we are to fight....then I think it would be better not to dilute our numbers. I know it's a bit stressful to be going into such an uncertain situation, but if we all work together....like we did on the plane if fire, then I believe that there is nothing we can't do. Believe in us Toni, the way we believe in you. Please?"
"I do believe in you and the others, Jin, but I am going with the expectation that we can talk this out," Toni says. "I'm not going with the intention to do battle. We have our eidolons and each other. I believe we will be okay with fewer people...plus, if we have to retreat, it's easier to do that with less people. I won't leave anyone behind."