M11: Meanwhile... Slippery Conditions

Inside the Gāng Tiě fortress, the Pikachu claps his hands, giving them a little rub to warm them before speaking:
: Well, you heard the good captain, Ugalik-butt. If you’d be kind enough as to point out our destination, we’ll clear a safe path for Xú Tāo and his soldiers.
: I’d be happy to~. We don’t have much in the way of maps, but, if you’ll step aside with me for a second, I can give you a general idea of where to go, Matteo.
: Thank you kindly, my lady.
Ugalik pulls Matteo away from Gawain, Xú Tāo, and Taliriktug, careful to keep a smile on her face.
The second they are far enough away, however, Ugalik drops the façade and whirls on Matteo with a sharp twitch of her claws.
: Listen here, guild stooge, I don’t know why you were called here, and frankly I don’t care, but if you insist on butting your noses into every little dispute that happens across Avalon, then you better be prepared to work, understand?
: … I take it “Matteo-butt” is through.
: You’d be right.
: Well, can’t say I’ll miss it… Alright then, daughter of the chief, tell me what’s really going on here.
: Taro claims that the spirit of Snowbird’s Peak is sending the storm down to the fortress in retribution against the Gāng Tiě’s actions… well, he’s not completely wrong. There is a spirit on that mountain -- a REAL one -- and she will not hesitate to freeze anyone who would approach her.
: “She”?
: (hesitating) I… can’t tell you everything. Because I don’t know the truth, no one does. There are rumors, suspicions, about who that spirit is and how she got there -- but they’re just that, unconfirmed stories, so I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of a deadly spirit on that mountain.
: … but I would urge caution nonetheless.
: And you have no problem sending innocents to their potential demise in your stead?
: Innocents? I know nothing about any of you, but I do know Xú Tāo. As hard as it might be to believe, but Xú Tāo and I are friends; I’ve known him since I was a Sandshrew and he a Piplup. We know better than to send any of our own up the mountain, not when there is so much danger and uncertainty, and while I regret dragging complete strangers into our problems, I would volunteer you all again in a heartbeat.
: And if the general would disagree?
: I’d send you anyway. What’s there to lose?
: …
: It’s nothing personal. As the future leader of the Netsilik, I have a duty to protect my people from potential threats, including do-gooders who might only be here to build political ties rather than legitimately help the people.
: Fair enough, I can understand your concern… So, what should the “do-gooders” look out for on their way to the mountain?
: Traps -- and lots of them. (lifts up a claw) First, any bridge you might come across has most likely been tampered with, so I’d stay clear. (lifts a second claw) Second, patches of ice that appear stable have in fact been thinned and you should either avoid them or send lighter ‘mons across. (lifts her third claw) And third, lumps of snow, big ones that are obviously out of the way, there will be traps hidden inside them.
: (from a distance) MATTEO, GET BACK HERE! WE NEED TO LEAVE! 
: (raising his voice) GIVE ME JUST A SECOND! (back to his normal tone) Bridges, ice, and lumps of snow. Got it. Anything else?
: The cave at the base of the mountain. Do not go inside.
: … The spirit?
: Suffice it to say that you will not want to see what’s in there, and make sure to not listen to any creepy voices telling you to go inside.
: That being said, there just so happens to be a second entrance, off to the north a ways, that you could use to get inside. You’ll encounter some… things... but if you have a source of fire with you, you’ll be protected. Use it, but use it wisely, and without damaging too much.
: … Understood.
: I’m wise enough to know that you telling me all of this out of kindness rather than out of necessity, so I’ll keep this between us, though I hope you don’t mind whatever rumours come out of that little act of ours. Plenty of the Aetherians that came with me have creative imaginations, the captain being one of them.
: Oh, I’ve no doubt that the lizard is more than stupid enough to believe that little performance. And don’t you worry, I don’t mind whatever short-lived gossip comes out of this, after all, we both know the truth, and the truth is you’re as unappealing as a gassy whale carcass.
: Charming, but I think you’ll find everyone is waiting for us to make our reappearance, so I’d advise putting on that faux smile of yours again.
: (quickly fixing a smile back on her lips as she ushers Matteo back towards Gawain and Taliriktug) Hey don’t worry: just head for that big ol’ mountain over there, and you’ll be sure to stop the storm~!
: (narrowing his gaze then inclining his head stiffly) Thank you again, Ugalik, you are incredibly helpful.
: It’s my pleasure, Matteo.
Head back
Category:Missions
Category:Arc 2
Category:Meanwhiles
Category:Naklin