The Arrival

[lord_wizard]

[They appear as the sun is setting. Giraffes, of all things. A great procession of them approach the castle, long necks silhouetted by the darkening sky. Incredibly, mounted on saddles on their backs, or pulled in carts behind them, is the expedition team, and every single bit of their gear. And whatever else they've drug back with them.

They stop just outside of the courtyard and help their passengers disembark. It's been a long trip, travelers, but you're finally home.

Perhaps you'd like to come welcome the team home. Or just ogle. That's good too.]

Comments

[schrodingersghost]

[Danny is one of the first to disembark from the giraffes, possibly because his method of disembarking involves a lot of jumping and sliding.

He might be taking a little too much glee in being back in an area where he could float and fly if he needed to.]

I'd just like to say that giraffe-back is totally the best way to travel.

[Not counting flying, of course.]

[waterproofed]

[Percy can now add "giraffe" to his list of transportations. He starts gathering up the horses to take them back to the stables. And starts talking to them like it's no big deal]

Yeah, guys, I know. But we're back safely. That's the important part.

[deductiongeek]

[Conan gladly escapes from Onceler's wagon and starts quietly moving toward the castle. He would be more than okay with escaping notice right now, especially since he was almost certain that several people were likely to lecture him for stowing along on an expedition that had become so dangerous.

All he wanted to do was sleep for a few days. No matter what he had told everyone, he was hurting more than a bit. His injuries from before hadn't healed in a week, and he hadn't allowed himself to rest much these last few days.]

[peacockherald]

_{[ Vanyel was helping with that, Yfandes already heading back that way on her own, eager for a warm stall and the chance for a proper grooming and a bath. Vanyel smiled at Percy, leading a few of the animals. ]}

Are they as tried as the rest of us? Or shaky from the giraffe ride?

_{[ He has to admit, sometimes he is envious of Percy's ability to talk to the horses. ]}

[wolf_of_war]

[There is a very large, rather intimidating-looking robo-wolf nearby, looking on with what appears to be bemusement, though it's difficult to tell, as his expression is largely unreadable.]

Are such occurrences common?

[luxe_can_kill]

[Mitsuru sighs and yawns quietly when she got down from the giraffe's back. She's just glad to be back and get some rest.]

[waterproofed]

It was a little surreal for them, getting a ride from another creature for a change. But they're glad to be back at the castle.

[youfallback]

[Once she's off the giraffes, she begins to quickly pull the plated armor back over her basesuit and breathes a sigh of relief that it works again now that they're back in the powered zone. Her helmet is still missing, but that's something much more easily replaced than an entire suit. Once she's suited up again, she'll be promptly heading inside, not bothering to really stop and chat.]

[bronwe]

[ One of the giraffes look unoccupied though, or perhaps its load is only too small to see, at least until the hobbit tries to climb down gently only to end up falling on his back with a thud. Classic.

He is relatively unscathed and even perky, with only small scratches and dirt stains on his face and hands. A nice long walk indeed. ]

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Wait, you rode on a giraffe? That's pretty awesome! I feel like I should have went with you guys now, but with what I heard about big bug monsters, I'm glad I didn't. Gah, I'm so confused!

[findatree]

[having snuck out quite a few times himself, Ted certainly isn't going to say anything about Conan sneaking away. He may even provide a distraction should someone try to stop the other boy]

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Yo, welcome back!

[waterproofed]

Hey. [friendly wave] Looks like the castle's still in one piece.

[ensorceler]

[ She's just about ready to fall off the giraffe and puke when they finally come to a stop, Vereesa's arms the only thing keeping her from toppling over. It was not like riding a horse, not at all, and it has been a long trip.

When she's finally helped down to the grass, Anne just wants to collapse and sleep there for a day. Instead she smiles at Vereesa and offers her a kiss on the cheek in gratitude before heading towards the castle. She doesn't expect a welcome party, but she'll look as regal and content as she can despite. ]

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[While Chie may not be the best at detecting people, she got lucky this time and saw Conan trying to not attract attention. But she assumed everyone knew he went to the expedition]

Oh hey, welcome back. Do you happen to be Conan-kun by any chance?

[peacockherald]

Heh, I suppose it must have been. Well, we'll see them rewarded for their good behavior - a good grooming, some sweet hay and oats, fresh water. How does that sound?

_{[ He smiled, rubbing at the jaw of one of the animals he led. ]}

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Yeah! Nothing happened while you guys are gone. We just helped with the repairs in town. It's been quiet without you guys, did you guys take the loud ones with you? [She said the last sentence as a joke]

[waterproofed]

[the horses snort, nudging Percy and Vanyel]

They say they want sugar. But they can settle for oats and hay.

[waterproofed]

Of course. That's how we always have such a peaceful, uneventful time.

[peacockherald]

_{[ A laugh left him, nudging the horses gently back. ]}

Oh, I suppose we could slip them a cube or two.

[waterproofed]

Yeah. They definitely deserve it.

[peacockherald]

They certainly do at that. We all do, really, though I prefer my sugar not in cube form.

[waterproofed]

I don't know, I could go for a sugar cube right about now.

[originalcopy]

[Church isn't going to go down to greet anyone, but he has been watching through his scope as they arrive.

Just checking that a few people made it back alive.
Once he's satisfied he'll head back to Stark Tower. Making sure to avoid a certain new arrival as he does.]

[storiestotell]

[ Katherine managed to hop down from the back of the giraffe without stumbling. Glancing over her shoulder to make sure her pack had not opened and items fall out as a result of it during the trip back, she turned her attention back to the animal and smiled. She patted it on the neck gently and, with a warm smile, thanked the giraffe for giving her a ride back. ]