The Hand Of Lightning [Artifact]

[Dabi 1093]

Night soon came, dragging away the light of day which had illuminated the region thus far. Ariana, had found her prisoners. They were a perfect match to the descriptions she'd received. And most importantly, they wanted out of that hellhole. After making final arrangements with them under the cover of dark, Ariana went to sleep, ending her long day.

---

Morning dawned on the town, and Dauner was the first to welcome it. He enthusiastically hurried to Layla's room to wake her, after which he made easy to Celestia's.

"Rise and shine. It's time to get moving" he said jumpily. This was his first time breaking into a prison so he was bound to be excited. Whether the others shared his enthusiasm or not wasn't really something that was going to dampen his joyous mood. "Hey Celestia, how bout I help you change into your clothes for today's job?"

[Aliara Mizuki Blackrose 293]

"..u-uh..no-no..I can get dressed!"¥She hastily replied,yawning between stretches,as celestia sat up.Running both hands through her mane,of golden-white curls.Till his words,made celestia's visage turn a faint shade of red.quickly shooing Dauner out.Before dressing in black trouser,Dark red blouse,ebony boots,brown gloves of leather,An ebony cloak.And braiding her mass of hair,into a large,messy braid of white and gold.¥"see...I'm  dressed,I needn't any assistance."

[Dabi 1093]

"My my. There's no need to be so shy now" Dauner said as he was shooed of Celestia's room. He then the rest of the time waiting outside expectantly. A few minutes later, Celestia walked out all dressed and ready to go. Dauner's expectant look however slowly changed to a disappointed look as he shook his head. "Uh uhn. That won't do" he said folding his arms before blatantly pointing out, "That dress doesn't reveal much skin at all"

[Aliara Mizuki Blackrose 293]

"Your point,Dauner?"¥Celestia asked.raising a golden eyebrow toward him,He might be attractive.but celestia was stubborn when needed.Lips of dark pink twitched.As ears flickered rapidly.¥"I think ,this is quite fine.there is no need t'a dress scandalous,unless actually needed....and not for your eyes...ye'r  highness."¥She coyed,While chuckling.Folding both arms,across her chest,tilting her cranium slightly.While huffing,Celestia decided to rest against the door.¥"Y'er just bei'n a perve... M'lord"

[Dabi 1093]

"On the contrary dear Celestia" Dauner replied raising his finger. "On a mission like this, is always good to have a femme-fatale. Think of it this way. there's a guard in our way and we need to get past him quick. But he's hellbent on not letting us pass. If you're dressed sexily enough, you can easily seduce hoon while I sneak up on him and knock him out" he continued before bringing down his finger. "And plus, it's a good sight to look at" he added grinning lecherously.

"You're really acting like a perve again" a voice said from the other side of the corridor. It was Layla, dressed a perfect blend of black, from blouse, to pants, to shoes, and ready to participate in the operation. "And plus, if you're gonna knock out the guard anyway, then I don't see a need to seduce him"

Dauner immediately turned to Layla with expectant eyes but then donned a disappointed look. "Not you too, Layla!" he sighed as his head dropped. "This is going to be a gloomy day" he continued in a depressed tone. Layla was beginning to feel sorry for him, and just at that moment, his head bounced back up with a wide grin on his face. "Well guess I'm gonna have to do with the girls in Reyer. I wonder what kind of clothes they make them wear" he wondered out loud letting our a chuckle afterwards as he walk towards the stairs.

Layla let out a sigh shaking her head. "He's hopeless". She then turned to Celestia. "Let's get going then" she said leading the way behind Dauner.

[Aliara Mizuki Blackrose 293]

¥Chuckling,A grin would form across.Her dark pink lips,Making celestia gently roll her eyes,Not believing what she's about to speak of.Walking more briskly,Celestia lightly tapped dauner's shoulder.leaning forward to whisper,toward his facade.Aa he was much taller then her.¥"...I shall make you a deal,if...we succeed...And...you do not act pervy..i-i shall...dress more femininently,afterwards...in a actual dress.."¥She murmured,Before quickly turning away,speaking toward layla.¥"I love ye'r clothing,Layla.I bet many men wish to court you!"¥Celestia had begun speaking,in a kind,gentle manner.smiling brightly toward the female as they walked.¥

[Dabi 1093]

Strike!!! Dauner froze in his steps right after Celestia murmured into his ear. She had just asked for the impossible, but had put as reward something Dauner would get anxious just thinking about. Dauner stood like a statue, his mouth hanging wide open and several sweat drops streaming down his face. How was he supposed to do that? He had finally awoken to the beauties of the world and he was already being asked to forgo them? Even if it was just temporarily, it was still going to be a huge blow.

"Oh no! Not that many guys seem to notice. On our way from Reno, it was pretty much only Dauner who complemented my dressing. But thanks for the complimen-" Layla paused as she noticed Dauner frozen. "-t. Huh?!?"

Dauner's head then slowly tiled towards Celestia with a nervous smile beneath the stream of sweat. "W-wait a minute... Celestia. Y-you're just pulling my leg right? You're just joking aren't you? Ha ha ha" Dauner chuckled nervously. "That's a pretty good joke, ha ha ha" he continued grabbing Celestia's hands with his and raising them to his head as he bowed it at a level just beneath her chin. "Please tell me you're joking"

[Aliara Mizuki Blackrose 293]

"..."¥Tilting her cranium,celestia gave a sweet,yet teasing smile toward Dauner.¥"Hehe~.....oh....Dauner....No,No I am not joking."¥She chuckled out,though cheeks reddened at his closeness.Her own perfume of rosehip,And vanilla.Wafted across his nose while she replied to him.¥"I'm actually very serious...i-i ...will even toss in...1 date....though be forewarned..I've never gone out with a man...i might be a boring partner."¥She replied,Though secretly a part of celestia,Enjoyed seeing him nervous...nervous as she was.Because celestia knew it'd be hard for a flirt like him to concede on that,Glancing toward layla.She gave a bright smile.¥"Well i find you very lovely.i'm quite suprised,No Ladd'ie has courted y'e.."

[Dabi 1093]

That was it. The apex. Dauner's fuses blew the moment he heard the word "date". One could throw a glance back at Dauner's history and would realize he's always been surrounded by pretty ladies, but he's never once gone on a date. Yes, he'd gone on adventures with them. Had lots of fun in the process. He'd fought some of them, though always making sure to hurt them as little as possible. He'd even received kisses from more than one of them. But never before had he actually had a date. Back in the days, he'd cared little about these kinds of things, but now he cared way too much to ignore.

Without thinking, he immediately answered, "Deal!" A response he'd come to regret with time. But for now. He walked on ahead bouncing as he lead the group to the ambush point.

[Aliara Mizuki Blackrose 293]

".....w-wait...what?..r-really..?"¥Celestia queried,very suprised at his immediate response.Cheeks becoming a faint red hue,while following his lead,her jaw slightly dropped,And shock crossed her visage.Before speaking with layla once more.¥"h-he took the deal...holy mother earth..."€She murmured,Eyes of purple-Turquoise widened as they traveled.¥"Do you think our plan..shall go smoothly layla?,though i think between me,you,and the other's we should be able to easily pull it off."

[Dabi 1093]

"Sure it will" Layla answered Celestia with a gentle smile. "I haven't been with them for a long time, but I know for sure that when Dauner sets his eyes on something, he doesn't stop till he gets it. So I'm sure both he and Ariana will pull through to the end. Also, I don't really think it's a good idea teasing Dauner so much. You'll end up making him overexcited, which in my experience, doesn't end well"

---

A few minutes walk outside the town, and the group had gotten to the ambush point. Dauner's face had been beaming through the entire walk, and it didn't seem like it'll be stopping soon.

"Here, take these" he said handing needles to both Layla and Celestia. "These have very strong anesthetics on them. Enough to knock em out 2 whole days. Use these on the men in the caravan. Once they're out cold, we'll scan their faces and take the supplies to Reyer ourselves". With that, he jumped into a tree and began to wait for the caravan.

Edited August 23, 2020 by Dabi

[Aliara Mizuki Blackrose 293]

£Nodding,Celestia quietly awaited,jumping onto the nearest tree-limb.Effortlessly balancing onto such a thin branch,She awaited the next instructions.While keeping her gaze for the caravan.Before glancing toward layla.¥

"Heh~ y'e are probably right layla...though i honestly didn't think,he'd except the offer.Considering there are far..more beautiful women out there..so,why settle fe'r m'eh?"

[Dabi 1093]

As they waited on the trees, Layla thought I'd get real boring if they just sat around so she was more than happy to spend that time conversing with Celestia. 

"Dauner'd day yes to literally any pretty lady, and not meaning to overstate it, but you're really pretty. And your feminine side is so charming that I doubt there's anyone who wouldn't fall for it"

[Aliara Mizuki Blackrose 293]

"pfft~...hehe thank you layla...complimenting me'h this way..I appreciate,though me...charming?"¥She queried,Laughing gently. While sitting atop the heavy tree-branch.¥"Heh if that was true.perhaps I'd know what a kiss...or date is.But most....tend to steer clear of me,afraid of my..."black Magic" they call it.or that I'm bad luck....rumors,can be rather annoying."¥Celestia murmured,Tucking strands of hair.behind both ears as they conversed.¥

[Dabi 1093]

"Well if you ask me if I'd say they don't know what they're missing out on" Layla answered as she saying her legs forward and backwards as she sat on the branch. "Magic is magic. Discriminating against the class it falls under is only done by the ignorant. Black magic can still be used for good just as white magic can be used for evil, so pay no heed to their words. There's no need to feel sad about being you, right?" Layla finished giving Celestia a warm smile.