Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

[cross_grave]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

'Well, that was convenient...' Razzie blinked, clearly not expecting Venice to be standing in front of her ranch in the morning. "Yeah, the sooner we start, the better, I guess." She replied. Altough it probably wasn't wise to wisecrack about the situation, seeing as Venice's aid was very much welcome and alienating her would be a bad idea, Darkstar had to admit this was absurdly convenient. "Out of curiosity, does every new rancher find you waiting on her doorstep on their first day?" 'I mean, seriously. You'd think someone as important as her would have more pressing issues to attend to.'

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

Venice chuckled. "Yes, they do. I know everything that must be known, and most things that can be known, all within my happy little territory." she replied. "I'm here because I must be here, because you need a friend to help you get started with being a successful Rancher, and as the leader of this city, no matter how busy I may be, the Ranchers of our society are the biggest contributors, and thus my biggest concern. In the event you rise to the top and become someone great, it would be nice for you to see me as a friend and ally, would it not?"

 

[cross_grave]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

'Apparently not.' Razzie mulled over what Venice told her. It would appear she may have underestimated the importance of a rancher. And she certainly needed help. The reasoning behind Venice's actions helped accept it - the woman was honest and intelligent, and seeing as she was the local leader, it was a good thing she acted in way way that was both benevolent and practical. "That's both really nice and ruthlessly pragmatic at the same time, I think." Darkstar replied, deadpan. "I'm starting to like you." She added, with a smirk and a hint of humor in her voice. "So, can we proceed?"

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

Venice chuckled at Razzie's deadpan response to Venice's explanation. "If you're starting to like me, then let's do our best to keep that disposition heading in a positive direction." Venice announced, before handing Razzie a slip. "This contains brief but important information. First, it shows a grocery list of food with which you may feed your mamono. I'd suggest the 'milk' for Akitsu here," she directed towards the skeleton. "Unless you don't mind using your own soul... Oh, and by the way, by milk, I don't mean actual milk... It's just called that to be appropriate. Just don't drink it yourself." Venice informed Razzie.

Then, she handed the slip with all the training locations (on the first post), and the food choices.

Spoiler

Potato 10
Some monsters like it, but it's not very popular.
Milk 50
It tastes very good, but is not very filling.
Fish 100
Main source of food for most monsters.
Cup Jelly 150
High in nutrition, and taste. Great for busy monsters to keep them happy, and comes in a variety of flavors for all tastes.
Meat 300
High quality, delicious meat. Monsters higher up in the food chain prefer this on frequent intervals.
Golden Apple 500
Food provided by the most powerful tree of magic, said to have grown near the earth spirit gnome herself. Ancient and powerful mamono races often dine on this rare treat.

 

[cross_grave]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

"Riiight. Not gonna ask what it really is, then..." Razzie muttered as she perused the list, taking note of the kinds of food available and prices. Fortunately, it seemed she had a rather low-cost partner. "Well, I guess we will be taking that milk, whatever the Hell it really is... Out of curiosity, has anyone ever opted for the soul diet for her partner?" The girl asked. "Because that doesn't sound like something that can be kept up for long."

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

Venice nodded. "A Rancher who recently joined us, her name Ashley, sometimes feeds her succubus mamono using her own soul. Most mamono do not actually eat souls whole, as it's rather wasteful." Venice announced. "If that skeleton is too disturbing for you, I can keep her inside my facility and provide you with a mamono you may enjoy better."

 

[cross_grave]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

Razzie raised her head, looking suprised. She didn't expect Venice to come up with such an offer. She gave the woman a long, puzzled look, before turning for a moment to glance at Akitsu. With a sigh, she shook her head. "Well... I admit, there are a few things that creep me out a little." She stared Venice in the eyes. "But she is my creepy skeleton and that is not changing. Though speaking of creepy." Darkstar paused, reminded of something. "You wouldn't know something about a girl, about this high, acting kinda weird, that walks around and rounds up undead? She actually tried to catch Akitsu in a net, believe it or not." That was freaky.

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

"You must mean Valdis." Venice seemed to immediately know her. "Yes, she is the Rank A Undead Specialist of IMA. She must have thought your skeleton was a wild one. Forgive her, as it is quite difficult to find a necromancer who is tame enough to live in a peaceful society." Venice requested of Razzie.

 

[cross_grave]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

"Necromancer, huh..." Razzie muttered. Someone who speaks with dead, raises them from their graves, and does all kinds of weird stuff... Yeah, that'd explain why she's like that. "No offense taken, I guess... All things consider, she was a lot better than our second guest anyway." She growled under her breath, irritation rising at the very memory.

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

"Second guest?" Venice inquired, seeming interested, before her question seemed to be answered a split second later. "Ah, the little vampire." she nodded. "She is considered wild now, but we are going to worry about her later. First, I want you and Akitsu to get to know each other. What I want you to do is to fill out what food you wish, and the training areas you desire so that your requests can be met on our schedule. Training your partners all week will make them strong, but will not breed unity... Though, I needn't say this when your mamono is Akitsu. It's still important to remember that your mamono will fight harder the more they are loyal to you, so take the time to often spend time with your mamono during the week, and not just during the weekend when they're resting. Take some days off, reward them for their hard work, and they will trust you." she lectured.

"Train Akitsu and prepare her for battle. Next week, I am going to teach you how to fight with your mamono, and help her to succeed. You're going to use that training to defeat the vampire whom you've met, and prevent her from causing trouble in the future."

 

[cross_grave]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

Razzie listened to the lecture, carefully internalizing everything Venice said. If she really had a lot of experience with Ranchers, then she should be able to provide some good advice. Granted, what she said so far was something anyone with a bit of common sense could come up, but Darkstar had to admit that common sense was not that common at all. Sometimes, people just tended to forget about things in the middle of their troubles. She'd have to be careful to keep all these pointers in mind and adapt them well. "Alright, I'll do my best to keep all that in mind. All of this is a little unexpected, but I guess that's no reason not to do your best." She glanced at the skeleton. "Come on, Akitsu. Let's get prepared for this." She added with a smile that was perhaps a bit too predatory. The possibility of getting back at that vampire so soon was an idea she was beginning to like.

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

Venice stretches out her arm further, encouraging Razzie to take the slip and use it. "Every week starts with this, never forget that." Venice announced.

 

[cross_grave]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

"Yeah, yeah." Razzie took the slip and quickly filled in her choice. Honestly, she could swear she did that already right after declaring what she wanted... Oh well. She probably was still a little sleepy. "So the delivery is made on a weekly basis, huh? Good to know."

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

Venice looked happy once she filled it out. "Once you fill that out, put the slip in the blue box in front of your ranch. After that, just make sure you show up with Akitsu on any dates you've scheduled for. Not showing up for any important space we've cleared for you is considered an offense, as you're making hard working mamono do something for nothing, so don't do it." Venice said firmly. "That's all for now. Do you have any questions?"

 

[cross_grave]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

"Harsh." Razzie commented on Venice's policy against skipping appointments. She had to admit, it was a perfectly understandable one, and the expression on her face showed that much. Once she was done with the slip, she put it into the box. "Any questions... Nah, I don't think so." She shook her head. "Is there anything else I need to take care of right now? I'd rather get working on something fast..." Darkstar pointed a thumb over her shoulder towards her house. "We kinda managed to patch that mess up a bit, but the sooner I get the business rolling the sooner I can get some serious rebuilding done."

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

"I would suggest taking leave of your Ranch and getting to know your fellow Ranchers. We are all kindred spirits, and as such, we shouldn't be shy to one another." she offered. "IMA Ranchers have access to many important facilities they only allow those they trust access them. Valdis, who you met before, has facilities that can help your skeleton learn how to fight better, or learn new techniques that fit her. Try to make lots of friends in high places!" Venice encouraged Razzie.

"Don't worry about your house either. This run down house is merely what we had lying around. We have dwarves on duty to make proper living adjustments to any Rancher's living quarters to reflect their status. So long as you are successful, and graduate in Grade, I'll send out dwarves to improve your home. If you want, you can even send me requests to add a certain personality to your home, even a blueprint. Your Ranch should be what identifies you, so that people look at your Ranch and think, 'This is where Razzie Darkstar lives, what a great gal!'" Venice giggled.

 

[cross_grave]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

"Personality, huh..." Razzie glanced at her house. Perhaps she could consider giving it a particular style later. Maybe something that would reflect her personality?

Yeah, no.

Perhaps it was best not to reveal what kind of person Darkstar could be when properly agitated. The one time she declared her intent to live her life in a way that would make Hell shudder with each of her steps as a new year resolution (on a drunken dare, no less) would be a good reason why, among others. A house that reflected her personality would inevitably end up drawing heroes on a quest to vanquish evil with appearance alone - or scare them away. Altough that could be amusing... Shaking herself out of the reverie, the girl nodded to Venice, indicating she caught on to everything she was told. "Alright then, I'll go and take a look around. Not sure if I should bother Valdis now - kinda tried to hit her, and I get the feeling I didn't make a favorable first impression - but I suppose getting to know people wouldn't hurt."

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

Venice giggled as if she knew what Razzie was thinking. "Don't worry about appearances. Valdis' Ranch is truly renowned as the most dark and gloomy around here. Express yourself." Venice encouraged her. "And on the topic of Valdis, she doesn't hold grudges. Grudges are for the recently dead, as she'd say." Venice chuckled. "Go to the town if you aren't sure, visit the park, hot springs, or any of our other attractions. You'll surely find a friend."

 

[cross_grave]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

"Why am I not suprised?' Razzie muttered at the mention of Valdis's taste in architecture. Still, if she was used to handling undead, then she'd make a good ally, should Darkstar manage to befriend her. "Well, I might go see her another time. I haven't really been in the town proper long enough to take in the sights or even get a good look at what is where. Gotta see what the place has to offer." The girl did a quick stretch. "Thanks for the help - again. I guess we'll be seeing you next week." Until then, they'd have a week full of training in front of them... And a day full of opportunities for potential mayhem, if it was going to be anything like yesterday.

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Darkstar's Ranch (Cross Grave)

"Caio!" Venice said, before lifting up her arm for no apparent reason, and suddenly vanishing from Razzie's direct line of sight as a mamono with green wings swoops by at breakneck speeds, stealing Venice away, towards the town.

After that, Razzie was left to her own devices for that sunday. She could go to the park, the theme park, the hotsprings, the... what seemed to be a brothel, or to the arena. It seemed some Ranchers go to the arena even when there are no matches in order to spar and train together.