1767/A Royal Kidnapping

A Royal Kidnapping
Date of Scene:	09 March 2015
Location:	Bernhard Castle <BC>
Synopsis:	Princess Sarracenia is kidnapped to the Forest of Eternal Night! The hero is Lute!?
Cast of Characters:	188, Sarracenia, 726

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Walter Bernhard (726) has posed:
    Whisked away on wings of midnight, carried forth to parts unknown.

    The princess is placed in the care of a black knight, in a dark forest.

    No light, no warmth, but also no cruelties.

    There is no need to cage her or bind her, because all around her, in the pitch-black forest, there is movement.

    The step heard, and the following ones not.

    The rustle of brush, sudden, violent, and yet betraying nothing of what caused the commotion.

    The squelching and dripping of something with a coppery scent, warring with the damp and decay.

    The distant sound of a rabbit's scream, going on and on, until it is suddenly cut short.

    This is not a place to be alone, because even when there are no people around, one is definitely NOT alone.

    ----------------------

    If Sarracenia has any light-providing abilities or tools of her own, they might reveal some of her surroundings. But the only things to see are tall, grasping-branched trees with utter blackness beyond them, and a knight in dark armor standing at attention with a heavy axe held in both hands. He does not answer any questions, respond to any taunts, or similar. He might be a statue if not for the way that he turns, shifting his weight, if there is any indication that his captive is trying to move from her spot.

    No eyes are visible within the dark visor, but still, the knight sees.

    The one who kidnapped Sarracenia, who left her here, was not this knight. It was an elegant figure, dashing and graceful, bearing bat wings and a smoke-obscured countenance. The kidnapper might have made a good rescuer under other circumstances. But flying in, and then flying out - with Sarracenia in arms - the abductor had told her that she would come to no harm if she cooperated, and that there was sure to be a hero who would come for her eventually.

    It was that rescuer whom this villain wished to fight, in 'noble and honorable battle', to 'prove himself' to the 'fair princess'.

    All that sounds lovely, but even so, this forest is unpleasant and full of Bad Things. At the very least, she has been kept fed and hydrated, but her stay in the Forest of Eternal Night is not expected to be a long one, so no other accomodations have been made.

    For that 'rescuer' who is due to come, he would have received a letter at the site of the kidnapping instructing him on where to go to save the princess. And if he follows those directions, he would find himself in the Great Mountains, in the same zone of the Multiverse as Dracula's own castle, though geographically far removed, approaching a forest that seems to practically throb with darkness.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Cooperate?! As if! But then...if she -did- cooperate...some hero might come to save her! Still, being a proud princess, she couldn't just let herself be captured!

     So, after waking from her poison induced sleep, the princess finds herself in...decidedly unfriendly surroundings. No walls, but she can tell that there are many unnatural creatures nearby, and that her guard is doubling as her protector for the time being.

     With him answering no questions and practically ignoring her, Sarracenia has been pacing around. So, this is what it is like to be actually kidnapped! It is so frightening! And thrilling! She wonders for just a moment if thinking such a thing is strange, then decides that no, it is not. But...she looks a bit worried and more than a bit sad as she realizes that there is probably no hero who will come for her. If anyone even knows she is gone.

Lute (188) has posed:
     Lute, of course, was ready to recieve the note. And, upon finding it, he heads out immediately. This, though, this? He feels it must be the absolutely /best/ idea he has ever had. Sarracenia is unsure about him as her hero, due to the whole 'he is polyamorous' thing. But, if he can convince her he is a total hero, he might be able to convince her to go for him /anyways/.

     Now, he walks through the forest. He's at least trying to take on the knightly look a bit. As in, he actually has a sword on him at the moment. He's still wearing his normal, casual clothes though. Because he isn't sure if a kidnapping rescue is something you should dress dramatically for.

     He walks through the forest, not scared of what may lie in wait. Because he made sure to pay the person in advance, and offered a bonus after. If Lute gets killed in the forest, it'd be a /real/ shame. But, it still doesn't take him too long to travel through it, and arrives at the clearing. He lifts his sword, with a florish.

     "Are you the foul one who kidnapped Sarracenia?! Because I'm here to save her! Let her go now, or you shall taste my blade!"

     He looks at Sarracenia, smiling, "Don't worry! I'm here to help you! I'll save you!"

     Lute looks ridiculously calm. But, really, there are few situations that cause him to look stressed out, so this shouldn't look out of place at all.

Walter Bernhard (726) has posed:
    The journey through the blackness is somewhat aided by Lute's light source he brought with him. The letter itself serves as a charm that guides the way as well, producing an odd resonating energy that also keeps the beasts and more vicious creatures at bay. Because Lute didn't hire the things with gleaming eyes, the things with rending claws, the things with rotting flesh, nor the things with maws dripping from recent kills. And while they obey their Master, their Master has no interest in keeping them from killing fools who wander into the Forest without the intent to challenge the Castle itself.

    This is an exception however, as it serves a greater plan.

    The Vampire Lord has no need of money, so the minion he is operating through accepted the job on orders for another reason. And when Lute arrives and challenges the knight, the armored figure does not pay any attention to him. Sarracenia surmised correctly. He is both guarding her and protecting her.

    A voice calls down from above, in response to Lute, however. "No. It was I." That same elegant figure in a mix of rich fabrics and ornate metal decorations, with large, black bat wings protruding from his back, descends from the darkness overhead. An ivory mask adorns his face, but he clearly has very pale skin, and long black hair. He alights upon the the forest floor like he weighs almost nothing, with Sarracenia and the knight behind him, and Lute before him. He raises his hand, and the forest itself seems to reach out to him, weaving into a blade of thorns in his grasp.

    "If you wish to save her, you must fight for her. After you came all this way, it would be truly unfortunate to not have a proper conclusion to this drama." Then the midnight-haired man springs forward on his feet without further warning, trying to stab Lute with the thorny blade. It's the kind of blade where just a glancing blow will tear someone's skin off, but it's also not super sharp or super lethal otherwise. It is a weapon that would be hard to actually kill with, even if a direct hit occurred.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia can hardly believe it when she sees just who her potential rescuer is. She cannot believe it for two reasons. One, that someone came to rescue her. And two, that the rescuer is Lute. When Lute appears and announces that he shall rescue her, Sarracenia just...stares, deadpan. "...Lute..." she mutters to herself. "...he's the only hero who would come rescue me..."

     She sighs heavily and leans against a tree, gently banging her forehead against it.

     Then, the dark creature that kidnapped her descends and proclaims that they shall fight for her. And, being the princess that she is, it actually excites her a little despite herself. She can't help the slight smile that appears on her face. And they are two not bad looking men!

Lute (188) has posed:
     As the blade comes in, Lute lifts his own to parry. But, he doesn't do a great job of it. Instead, it scrapes off of his blade, and hits him along his right arm a bit. His flesh is torn, but he looks fine, for now.

     He is surprised by the man he is fighting, and his poise and figure. He realy wasn't sure /who/ would take this job, and he barely knows anything about the person involved. But, at the least, this masked man is certainly a fitting person for the kidnapping job. Yeah, this is the sort of heroic rescue Lute was hoping for.

     But, as he looks over and sees Sarracenia's reaction, of her hitting her head against a tree in dissapointment and embarrasement? This is the first time the thought corssed his head: Maybe this wasn't the best idea.

     He moves on from this thought quickly.

     He speaks to Sarracenia, trying to remain happy and carefree, "Don't worry, Sarracenia! I don't know who this guy is, but I'll beat him for you! Then I'll get you out of this dark forest safely, alright?" He's trying to reassure her. He'd start calling himself 'heroic' and stuff like this, and point out he is being a knight in shining armor figure, but he doesn't want to make it /too/ obvious. Or she might realize.

     With his own counter attack with his sword? He steps back, and then spins, holding the blade in one hand. It's a very flashy and inefficient technique, but at the least, the spinning adds power to it. He tries to do another good heroic smile, as he shouts out, "HAVE AT THEE!"

     Worst come to worst, he has tools he can use that aren't swords. Because, as is becoming increasingly obvious? Lute is not an actual sword fighter. He uses /Pokemon/, after all.

Walter Bernhard (726) has posed:
    Lute is a TERRIBLE sword fighter who looks like he's mimicking something he saw in a movie. But then the masked swordsman doesn't usually fight with swords either, so he's not much better. His style is also one meant for theatrics rather than real combat. It just has a certain killer's edge to it that only comes with people who make a habit of killing other people in real battles. Fortunately, the thorn sword is magic and made of plant-matter, and thus it bends in its wielder's grasp to move into the path of Lute's strike, so that it looks like Lute MEANT to strike there. The swordsman even allows himself to stagger dramatically to the side from the blow (there was significant force to it, so acting isn't needed too much in that department. Say what one will of Lute, he is physically stronger than his opponent).

    "You are not unskilled," the masked man offers as he paces around Lute in a half-circle, changing his position, blade ready. "But you shall have to demonstrate more cunning to succeed against me!" Then he lashes out twice, two quick blows aimed at the sides of Lute's neck, but telegraphed enough that even an amateur should be able to block them. But that's still a pretty unhealthy place to be aiming. Those thorns are sharp, and the sides of the neck are not good places to have slashed.

    ...Maybe they should have written a script or something for this fight, because it seems like, even though this rogue is doing his job and making Lute look convincingly heroic, he is still aiming to cause pain and injury.

    For the swordsman's part, his wrist is kind of sore from blocking that spinning blow, but that's relatively minor as pain and injuries go. "Fear not, princess!" the swordsman calls out. "Whether he or I am the victor, you shall be returned to your home by the one who proved himself the TRUE hero!"

    Neither of these people are anywhere near heroes.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia is curious about her kidnapper. Why did he kidnap her? As far as she knows, he is not an enemy of the Sundew Kingdom. She is just starting to scrutonize her kidnapper when Lute speaks up again. She listens to Lute's reassurances and her disappointment fades a bit.

     Lute isn't a -complete- screw-up after all. He is a capable fighter. Just...not a sword fighter. "Then get serious and get rid of that sword! I bet you've never picked up a sword in your life and just got that one because you heard I was kidnapped and wanted to look all heroic!"

     She watches the two fight a bit more, then blinks at the kidnapper's words. Wait...he wants to be her hero, too? But he kidnapped her! "You kidnapped me...just so you could prove you are more heroic than Lute?" she asks, seeming a bit confused.

Lute (188) has posed:
     As the quick blows come in, Lute lifts his sword to block them. And, he does so rather convincingly! Yeah, though he isn't a sword user, he at least knows how to parry a bit. But, then, Sarracenia speaks up. Lute holds back a sigh of dissapointment. He's basically trying to act out a fantasy for her. But, still, he shrugs, and tosses the sword aside.

     "...Alright. I figured if I was going to be the one rescuing you, I should make it impressive for you. But. Alright, here I go."

     He reaches into a pocket, pulling out a Pokeball. Opening it, a Pokemon appears. He, at least, picked one of his more regal looking Pokemon: Arcanine. Upon release, it opens its mouth. A burst of flamethrower flies out, towards the swordsman.

     And Lute starts moving to position himself between Sarracenia, and the swordsman. He's trying to look like he is ready to protect her. But, he speaks a bit, offering an idea for an explanation for what the swordsman is after.

     "...Obviously he kidnapped you to take you as a bride or something. But, I'm here to save you. Don't worry! Just stay behind me, I won't let him marry you."

Walter Bernhard (726) has posed:
    OH SHI-FIRE. The masked swordsman can not answer either to confirm or deny Lute's theory (he did have a complicated narrative to provide, but that's out the window now), as he is engulfed in unexpected flames from the summoned dog monster. He yells out in pain, and it's not just theatrics. Fire is, infact, one of his weaknesses. He flies up into the air to escape further burning, but he's covered in smoke now, and has some burns. He hisses out in pain between his teeth, "Your noble flame has shown me that I can not best you in battle when you fight to protect another, and that a true hero does not resort to kidnapping to achieve his ends. Perhaps one day we shall battle again on different terms. And perhaps when I have learned more of what it is to be a hero, I shall seek the hand of the princess through fair, honorable, and romantic means rather than a show of strength. For now, I yield to you!"

    The masked man flaps his wings and throws his blade at the armored knight that is about to bring its axe down on Lute from behind - because Lute did try to get inbetween the swordsman and Sarracenia, and that dude was still standing there. The blade of thorns hits the knight, splits into numerous thorny vines, and wraps around him, before constricting with such force and steady pressure that the plants actually CUT THROUGH the steel. The knight falls to the ground in pieces, apparently just an animated suit of armor, and dissolves into motes of darkness.

    "Take your leave of this place with my blessing for now! But if you ever return, you will have more challenges to face than myself!" Then the bat-winged swordsman takes off into the darkness. Whether he's REALLY gone or not is unknown, since it's so dark here. But at least the fight seems to be over.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Wait..it's over? Lute won? And...that guy was just armor?! Sarracenia runs to Lute after the bat-winged swordsman takes to the air and darkness. "Lute! You actually did it! I was kidnapped, and that guy was going to force me to marry him, and you saved me!" She seems so excited!

     If she ever finds out this was a trick, Lute will probably die.

     But, right now, Sarracenia is completely convinced. That guy was actually engulfed in flames, and everyone knows creatures like that are vulnerable to flames. So, it is completely believable that Lute won, and did so intelligently! "Using a fire pokemon! What quick thinking! I'm pleasantly surprised!" the elated princess exclaims happily, quickly wrapping her arms around one of Lute's and squeezing it against her. "How did you know where to find me?"

Lute (188) has posed:
     Lute smiles. He mouths 'thank you' to the swordsman as he flies off. He does not say this aloud, because really, Lute owes this guy one. Lute is glad for his own quick thinking as well, and the pure luck that the guy was weak to flames. Or was that just part of the act? But, it doesn't matter, for as the man flies into the darkness, Lute just turns to Sarracenia. "Well, I am a Pokemon Trainer. Knowing weaknesses and being clever in battle is part of what we do! ...And I was heading over to your place to pay a surprise visit, and there was this note."

     He pulls out the note, showing it to Sarracenia. It's fairly simple, just the whole 'challenge for a hero to come save this princess' thing going on. Looks pretty realistic for a kidnapping letter a villain would put out.

     But, Lute puts forward his hand, smiling, "Well... Sarracenia, we're not out of the woods yet. We need to get going. Come on, take my hand. I'll grab the lantern again, and we'll have my Arcanine around, just in case. I'll get you back home."

     A pause. "...It's a long walk, though. Would you like it if I carried you?"

     Yes, this is going surprisingly well. Might as well try and go for the 'hero valiantly carries the princess off' thing.

     A pause, though.

     "...Also, doesn't the hero get a kiss in these situations usually?"

     He might be trying to push his luck /too/ far.

Walter Bernhard (726) has posed:
    And hanging out in the darkness overhead, at a safe distance, the masked swordsman scowls at his injuries. It was nice to get to perform, but the ending left a sour taste in his mouth. Not nearly enough blood and suffering on the part of the other two. If not for orders, he would have liked to break Lute's body, tear him apart slowly, to instill despair into the princess, and then kill her in front of Lute when he couldn't move anymore, before doing the same to him. The masked swordsman is not a nice person.

    He also not a swordsman, or, indeed, even a man.

    The disguise vanishes from 'his' body, revealing a blonde demoness in rather less clothing than her illusion wore. The burns remain, but they'll heal. Succubus sighs, watching the two for as long as they remain in the Forest, and then flapping off to report to her Master.

    Hopefully she's get to seek vengeance some day though. She can't stand being burned and not getting to soothe her wounds in the blood of her transgressor.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Princess Sarracenia reads over the note, then seems even more happy. It seems so real! She got kidnapped, and saved! It is still Lute that saved her, but...that is still something! She continues hugging Lute's arm as he turns toward her. "Carry me? Can't we ride your valiant steed? ...you do have a valiant steed, don't you?" she asks during the pause. Then, Lute asks that question.

     Sarracenia blinks. A...a kiss? A real one? She hesitates, then smirks lightly. "Well...I suppose it -is- only fair." she says. She leans in slowly, and it looks like she is really going to kiss Lute!

     Until he gets a peck on the cheek. "There." the princess says.

Lute (188) has posed:
     Lute ponders. Damnit, he forgot the valiant steed! HOW COULD HE FORGET THE VALIANT STEED? He doesn't even /have/ a ponyta or a rapidash. But, he's trying to remain cool. He is also trying to hide the dissapointment that he only got a kiss on the cheek. ...Maybe he'll need to have her kidnapped again?

     He smiles, pretending not to be worried, "Well, I don't have a steed... We could ride Arcanine back. Or, well. I could take you on a ride on Giratina. He's more of a giant flying dragon, but."

     Oh, and he forgot to mention. he pauses a bit, realizing, "--Oh! And thank you for the kiss. I'm honored to have it. ...I know I'm not your ideal hero, but. I'm still glad I can help you, anyways."

     And with that, he actually leans in a bit himself, to kiss her, also on the cheek. He would try to kiss her on the lips, but... Last time? That went poorly.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia hmms. "Riding Arcanine would be acceptable." she says, then smiles as he thanks her for the kiss. "You were very heroic today." she says, then giggles a bit as she is kissed on the cheek as well. "If you weren't married, it would be perfect." she says as she waits for Lute to either hoist her onto Arcanine, or mount the beast himself and pull her up.

     Once up on Arcanine's back, Sarracenia giggles again before wrapping her arms around Lute's waist. She has almost a contented look on her face as she snuggles in against Lute's back. Even if he is not the hero she really wants, he has been heroic and has shown her care that none others have. So, it is nice to let herself sink into the fantasy. For now, at least.

Lute (188) has posed:
     Lute, of course, lifts Sarracenia up onto Arcanine, before climbing on himself. As he feels her against him, he smiles. But, still, a thought is in his head: This won't work. She still doesn't want him, because he is married. Even this scheme didn't add to her love for him enough, that she could be with him even while he is already married.

     But, as Arcanine starts walking along, and eventually running along, through the forest? Lute speaks. Rather calmly and happily. He's hiding some of the feelings of sadness he is having right now. For, he feels his happiness crumbling all around him. None of the girls he is courting will stay wtih him for long, he is beginning to feel.

     "...Sarracenia, I know we've been through this before. But... I still think you should give me more of a chance. Give a relationship with me a chance."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia's smile fades as Lute speaks up, and her grip on him loosens a bit. "I gave you my terms. If you wish me to entertain the idea of you as a suitor, you must accept me as more important than Harp. I will not accept being second or equal to another in my own marriage. There can be only one queen of Sundew." She squeezes around Lute's middle again for just a moment. "And, you have made it clear that I would not be first in your life. I would be one among many, and you would always be attempting to increase your 'harem' as I have heard it called. I am a princess. A proud princess of noble birth and proper upbringing. I cannot accept such a life." she says, though it sounds more rehearsed this time than before. Like she is saying it as much because she is expected to as because she adheres to it.

     "Not to mention, everytime I -do- give you a chance, you screw it up." she adds as Arcanine runs along.

Lute (188) has posed:
     Lute frowns. At least, she still is hugging him from behind a bit. He was /certain/ this would do it. But, alas, the reasons for not being wiht him remain the same. He tries to smile and remain calm. But, later, he is going to take some of Samar's advice. Channel his feelings into rage, and use it against the Union.

     "...Well. I still think we could make it work. Somehow. But.... Well. I guess there isn't much else to say."

     He's trying to ponder. Is there a way he could marry her, but convince her it is more than marriage? ...Like just call it 'Super Marriage', and convince her its a different thing when it's really the same?

     ...He pushes this idea out of his head for now.

     "...Also I don't screw up /every/ time. I mean, seriously. I did fine tonight, right?"

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia smiles softly again when Lute asks that. "Yes. You did fine tonight." she agrees, snugging in against him again and resting her head against his back. "But, I didn't give you a chance today. You just took it." she adds, not really thinking much of it.

     Her smile fades again when she ponder's Lute's other statement. "Yes, we could -make- it work. But, I see no reason to demean myself in such a relationship." she says.

     The princess sighs despite herself. "Lute...you are a good man, from what I can tell. Why do you insist on trying to make it work between us, and even worse insist on trying to claim every beautiful woman for your own? It is not really your being married or your womanizing. It is knowing that I would not be more important than any other beautiful woman to you. My status, my kingdom, all of that means nothing to you except when it comes to how you treat me. Whoever I marry, I must know that he regards me above all others. If we did engage in courtship, I would surely eliminate any other woman you showed interest in beyond your usual flirtatious exchanges..."

Lute (188) has posed:
     Lute ponders. She at least is willing to talk this out a bit. And yes, he /did/ take the chance today, he wasn't given it. Oh boy did he take the chance, more than she even knows.

     "...It's... It's complicated, why I keep insisting. It's not that I want every beautiful women out there. It's... Well. How to put this."

     He sighs. It really is a lot more complicated than he thinks he can adequately put into words, but he'll try anyways.

     "...I feel for you. I really, really, do. I feel for a lot of women. But, I can't really compare you to, say, my wife. Every single one of you I feel for in different ways. A unique place in my heart, for each of you."

     And, a pause. It takes him some time to speak again.

     "...And... and, as the women keep leaving my life, despite their feelings for me... ...It feels like it's cutting into my soul. Deeply."

     He doesn't give any specifics. But, obviously, /something/ is happening.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia listens to all of this, then sighs again. It makes sense, sort of. Very few women are exactly the same, so feeling the same way for different women would be strange, she supposes. "I have not left your life, Lute." she says, then squeezes him. "But...it is truly touching that you feel so deeply for me. If you really want to be my hero...I suppose it is alright. I would not mind putting my life in your hands. You have proven yourself, as surely as that stupid plumber who Princess Peach fell for."

     The princess is quiet for a long moment after that. "...I don't know what else to say. I like you, Lute. But, I cannot marry someone who is so infamous for his womanizing and his lecherous ways..."

     She can't. She just can't...no matter how wonderful he is, or how caring he is toward her, or how sensitive he seems to be, or how nice his wife seems to be. She really should meet Harp at some point...

     Sarracenia blinks at her thoughts, then shakes her head quickly to try and clear it before she huffs. "It really pains you that much that I will not marry you?"

Lute (188) has posed:
     Lute smiles. What's more, it's an honest smile. She at least is understanding. She's at least trying to be easy on him. And, she likes him as a hero.

     He speaks, considering his words carefully still, "...Well. I'm not even sure we know eachother well enough to marry, yet. But. Whenever someone I love feels they can't be with me... Of course it hurts. I'm not even seeing marriage as something immediate that I'd want, but as something for the future."

     A pause. And a bit of a smile. He needs to stay calm, and, well. It's nice to hear, at least, that she views him as a hero.

     "...But yes, it hurts a bit, knowing if you find a man who you fall for, who isn't attached, you'd go for him instead of me, simply because of his lack of bonds to others."

     He smiles a bit. This is probably too soon after something else just happened for him to think clearly. But, at the least, if the two can't be together, he'll just take his anger out on the Union. ...But, he somewhat is afraid right now, as well. Miko is likely to have this conversation with him eventually, too. A desire for someone else, simply because he is not bound.

     But, Lute lets out a chuckle, "...Sorry for making things so depressing. Let's get you home, okay? And if I'm not fit for you because of my marriage, well... Maybe I can at least make sure you stay happy."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia's smile is gone as Lute speaks. Stupid marriage and rules about lineage and pride as a princess, she thinks to herself. Her rational mind is starting to try and think of ways around it. Then, her irrational mind offers up a bit of insight. She already defies her parents wishes and does things they consider unbefitting a princess, such as leaving the kingdom to seek her own hero, fighting people, and dressing up in costumes.

     Would it really be that much of a stretch to marry a married man who has proven very well that he is both willing and able to care for her? To protect her and attend to her?

     It is really her pride that keeps her from just accepting Lute as a suitor. "...how...how can you be so certain that you can show equal devotion to more than one woman?"

Lute (188) has posed:
     Lute ponders. How can he be certain? This thought lingers in his head a bit. But, finally, a thought comes to his head. "...I don't think there is any way to prove that I can, but. ...Well. I just know I can. ...Not a lot of women have ever felt for me on a serious level, aside my wife. Recently, more women have begun to feel for me in... that way, let's say? And so far, it feels as if I've been able to keep up with it all, able to tend to all of their needs."

     And, he speaks again, a determined look on his face.

     "...Plus. I can feel it within me. The special place in my heart for each women I've loved. Even if they leave me, the place is still there for them. ...Trust me. I can do this."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia is quiet again for a while. They are probably nearing her home castle thanks to warp gates. "...alright, I will give you a chance. But, before I can even accept you as a possible suitor, I must know your heritage. And, I should meet Harp. Because if we cannot get along, there is no way I would accept a three-sided marriage."

Lute (188) has posed:
     Lute's face is overcome with a look of joy. He smiles, quite widely, his teeth even showing. This? This went a lot better than he expected. He is beyond thrilled that, at the least, she will give him a chance.

     "That's... Yes! You can totally meet my wife. And I'll talk to you about my heritage. I'll have to look things up, but. I know at least, that my family is one that comes from money. Somewhat old money, as well. ...And you'll get along /great/ with Harp, I'm sure."

     He's actually serious on that. Harp is very similar to Sarracenia, at least in the whole 'snooty upper class' thing. Not that Lute even thinks that is a downside in either of them, he finds it charming.

     And yes, soon, they'll be reaching Sarracenia's castle. Lute is going to be cheered up, even despite some other sadness he had to deal with.

Sarracenia has posed:
     They reach Sarracenia's castle finally, and she hops down from the Arcanine. She smiles to Lute. "Harp did seem like she and I would get along famously, but without meeting I cannot be certain." she says, then blinks. "Oh! My purse and hammer! Did you find them while you were looking for me?" she asks. She almost forgot about them, what with being saved and talking about complicated stuff.

Lute (188) has posed:
     Lute smiles, reaching forward. The purse was put around Arcanine's neck when she wasn't looking, and the hammer was being carried in its mouth (luckily, with minimal doggy germs due to the heat of Arcanine's mouth, if anything the hammer is sterilized from its time sitting in the dirt.)

     Mostly because Lute wouldn't of forgotten to grab that, even if the player himself did.

     Still, though, Lute hands the purse to her, smiling, "I made sure to find this, it was laying just outside the clearing, near my path in. I would have gotten it to you earlier, but, he would of attacked me while I was handing it to you, I expected."

     But, Lute doesn't leave. Not quite yet. Instead, he thinks he has a better idea. So, he hops off of his Arcanine, and walks up to Sarracenia.

     "...Sarracenia? ...I... I just have to say... Thanks for giving me the chance."

     And then he moves to embrace her in a mouth to mouth kiss. He really never learns. He was even dumb enough to give her back her purse, and hammer, before doing this.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia is quite happy to get her things back. She felt almost naked without them! "It is alright. I would not ask my...my hero..." She blushes quite brightly at actually saying it. "...to risk himself in the midst of battle only to return my belongings." she says.

     Then, Lute thanks her, and she smiles. "Just don't make m-" She blinks as she is embraced, and her eyes widen as she is kissed. She starts to swing her hammer, but...instead lets the kiss last a few moments. Only a second or two, though. Then, she pulls back firmly and huffs, though she doesn't seem -that- angry. "Idiot." she says, almost affectionately.

     Just before she swings her hammer like a golf club and sends Lute flying away. She trusts a pokemon can keep him from crashing horribly. She giggles, then rests her hammer over her shoulder and walks into her castle, smiling happily.

Lute (188) has posed:
     Lute was about to say something, in response to the idiot line.

     And then he is sent flying into the sky. He is but a twinkle in the sky, now. Yes, it seems that even though he is not a real member of Team Rocket now (even though his wife is), he still somehow has that twinkle in the sky as he is sent blasting off again.

     Of course he uses his Pokemon to land safely. The Arcanine finds its way home on its own, though.