To Battle!: Strange

Arrival in Wouagi seemed rocky. Some sort of beast of garbage was running amuck in a cacophony of distressing cries with similar upset coming from the townsfolk. While he brought Kai along for a short time, Dee decided to break off to ask others in the bar for any sort of clue of what or where the massive rotting trash thing came from. Or perhaps who it is, have it a sliver of sapience.

 

A colourful duo caught his eye. Mechanical automaton of a clown and an elven man with a cape draped around him. Blonde, designer sort of fashion. The robot four-armed and dressed to the nines in a rainbow outfit with suspenders. Despite his disdain for circuses, Dee approached them with his wallet in-hand.

"Dee Harclay, detective from Innsmouth. I'd like to ask a few questions-"

 

Hi Mr. Kitty! The clown used hand signs to speak.

 

"Uh... hello. Regardless, I have questions to ask of you two." Dee flashed a badge of dubious nature. The elf squinted at it with a quizzical look taking place on his expression.

"Wait, is that just a piece of foil-"

"N-no." Dee closed the wallet hastily. "I’ll cut to the chase, I request you aid in my investigation… we’re going to find out what that thing is and what’s upsetting it."

 

The big guy seems really sad- oh! Are we finding out how to make them smile? The machine signed inquisitively, seeming keen on the idea of cheering up the beast.

 

“Yeah I’ll tag along. Could always use a little adventure.” The elven man smiled back at the monochrome man. Dee nodded to the both of them and gestured for them to follow along, but stopped at the bar entrance.

“Dear me, I forgot to ask your names. What do you two go by?” He looked back with a glint of greenish light reflecting in his eyes. Eerie, like a big cat.

I’m Marvo the Magnificent! I thought we met before, Mr. Kitty? Aridin? Avangard? Needless to say, the clown was just as puzzled as the old man. But Dee’s memory had more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese. Or rather a shooting range target with how many close calls he’d forgotten in his escapades.

 

“I apologize, Marvo sir. My memory fails me in my age.” The older man stated solemnly. The other signed back an “It’s okay” in reply.

 

“I am Antal, nice to meet you.” Seemed to be of a more tired sort in comparison to the mechanical marvel, much like Dee. For different reasons, sure, but exhausted nonetheless.

 

Dee turned back around with a tip of a hat and pressed on, the other two following close behind. Down the trees and into the murky, but colourful, swamp below on a boat vessel. Marvo was uneasy with how water could damage his structure but good thing Antal was there to give reassurance. Not to mention the spells that could be cast to prevent such a tragedy.

“Be my eyes, the noise level is affecting my field of vision.” 

 

Aye aye, captain! Marvo did a sailor salute and used his hands as binoculars. Whether or not he had actual zoom in functions was a mystery to Dee.

 

The old man was stopping at places to pick up the garbage to study under a microscope later. It was getting more difficult to ignore the distress calls as they pulled closer, to the point where ears were ringing.

“I don’t know if you needed me to point it out but… it’s right in front of us.” Antal pointed to the great trash-ridden monster that was looming over the small boat. A hulking mass of junk and branches, eyeless sockets looking down at the strange crew.

Loud, upset, aggravated, three things that Dee was not taking well. He covered his ear openings as he looked around the beast. Antal did similar, but it was less awkward as he did have external ears.
What Dee did see was that its face appeared to be melting, revealing a skeletal structure beneath. The skull hanging on with vines and moss, slowly revealed with what was peeled away. It dawned on him. Was this… a sort of forest spirit? Sick by the garbage plaguing it? Actually… where did all this trash come from?

Dee gestured back to the other two. Turn back. I got what I needed.