Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Topic started by: Oldmansour on October 11, 2017, 10:30:51 AM
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>You are Byakuren Hijiri, 18 years old, resident of the city of Mayoiga, caretaker (owner) of Rin Kaenbyou, resident of the Moonside apartments, and third year student of Mayoiga High. A few days ago, you were the most popular girl in school, one of the most well-known and liked girls around town. And then you touched a strange doll, and saw a world not your own. That was the day that everything changed, and you became Magical Lotus, the Hero of the Heart.
>It's training day for you and your girls. Having recruited Minoriko Aki into your group of magical girls, the six of you have gathered today at the shrine of the Fire Bird to test your powers and practice working in a group. You expected to be working with the shrine maidens, knowing they have magical powers, but instead have found yourself working with a group of Blood. These individuals are Brightblood, however, rather than the Blackbloods you fought recently. Excatly how that works you're not certain about, but these Blood are certainly less overtly evil. A couple of them are kind of jerks, but you get those in all walks of life. The leader of the group, a local firefighter Oni, proved to be nearly as powerful as one the Champions, but you didn't have the chance to finish you duel with him before a five on five brawl erupted between most of your group and his. As he is an Oni, you're pretty sure you won't be leaving before finishing that duel.
>For now, though, you have a bit of downtime, talking with one of the shrine maidens and watching Reisen and Kiku spar with two of the Blood.
>Nod
>"It's rarely the rank-and-file of any war who bare the blame for it occurring."
>White Rose asks for clarification, "Rank and file?"
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>"The soldiers on the ground, not the ones giving the orders for them to be there."
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>"The soldiers on the ground, not the ones giving the orders for them to be there."
>"Is 'cannon fodder' another word for that?" she asks curiously.
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>"That's... that implies a much greater disregard for whether they live or die than I should hope most generals would have. Rank-and-file just means the lower-ranking personnel who comprise the bulk of the manpower but have little authority of their own."
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>"That's... that implies a much greater disregard for whether they live or die than I should hope most generals would have. Rank-and-file just means the lower-ranking personnel who comprise the bulk of the manpower but have little authority of their own."
>"Ah, now I understand."
>"Not that the Lunarian generals possessed a great deal of care for their rabbit troops." Miyo adds. "In this context, 'cannon fodder' may not be entirely inaccurate."
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>"You're probably right, sadly."
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>"You're probably right, sadly."
>White Rose nods. "That's how it seems to go. Abuse breeds abuse."
>Lily puts her arm around the kasha's shoulders. "Not all the time, girl." she says with a smile. "Look at Poppy. She didn't turn out too bad, did she?"
>Rin considers that, then smiles slowly. "No she didn't."
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>"I hope there are others who made it out from under that same yoke."
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>"I hope there are others who made it out from under that same yoke."
>"Would it be improper of me to ask how Poppy came to work with you?" Miyo asks.
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>"She has a good heart, and she refused to stand idle while people were endangered by these Champions and their creations. It's much the same story for all of us, I think."
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>"She has a good heart, and she refused to stand idle while people were endangered by these Champions and their creations. It's much the same story for all of us, I think."
>After a moment's silence, Miyo nods. "I understand. Forgive me, I didn't mean to pry."
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>"It's alright."
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>"It's alright."
>"But while we're on the subject of the Champions, some of my sisters and I were wondering. About what you and your comrades were going to do once the Champions are gone. If you don't mind me asking." she adds.
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>"If I'm fully honest, I haven't planned that far ahead. There's still too many dangerous unknowns at play."
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>"If I'm fully honest, I haven't planned that far ahead. There's still too many dangerous unknowns at play."
>"I can imagine. Then, you're not sure you'll be leaving town once this threat is dealt with?"
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>"Not immediately, at any rate - baring unforeseen circumstances."
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>"Not immediately, at any rate - baring unforeseen circumstances."
>Miyo smiles. "Glad to hear it. You probably know this by now, but the Champions aren't the only threat to have hit this city in the past few decades. I for one would feel better knowing you and your group were around to help combat them."
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>"Well, I certainly have no plan to stand idle while people are in danger."
>Smile
>"Although I would appreciate if the universe was kind enough to allow us all a vacation after this is said and done."
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>"Well, I certainly have no plan to stand idle while people are in danger."
>Smile
>"Although I would appreciate if the universe was kind enough to allow us all a vacation after this is said and done."
>"I'll second that!" Lily adds with a big smile.
>Miyo starts to say something else, but is interrupted by the sound of a woman nearby clearing her throat. It is Haruka. "Pardon the interruption. May I have a word, Lotus?"
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>Nod
>"Of course."
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>Nod
>"Of course."
>"You are rested from your previous bouts?"
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>Do we feel rested enough?
>If so: "Fairly well, yes."
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>Do we feel rested enough?
>If so: "Fairly well, yes."
>You do.
>"I have had an idea for an exercise, in order to foster cooperation and coordination between our two groups, should we ever find ourselves fighting alongside each other in the field."
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>"And what is it?"
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>"And what is it?"
>"Among the functions of this arena is the ability to generate a simulated environment. In limited form, at least. What I propose is that, in one of these environments, each of your group pairs with one of my shrine maidens, and works together to overcome opposition."
>"What sort of opposition?" White Rose asks her.
>"The Protectors would provide the opposition in this exercise. That's the name Kenyu and his Blood have given their Coven."
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>"Interesting. Did you have a particular environment in mind?"
>Also: weren't they called the Protectors?
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>"Interesting. Did you have a particular environment in mind?"
>Also: weren't they called the Protectors?
>"Kenyu and I both have, actually. I suggested that we simulate the environment where we know the Fire Champion to be, to familiarize ourselves with a location one of both of our groups will be fighting at at some point. Kenyu, however, suggested the terminal of the airport. It isn't common knowledge, but Blood conflicts are not uncommon there. As the Protectors are more familiar with that location, they would be provide more of a challenge for us, and thus prepare us better for enemies like the Champions."
>"We also wanted your opinion before we decided on anything." she adds with a polite inclination of the head.
>Shh.
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>"It's true that familiarity with the Fire Champion's domain could prove useful, but in this case I think I lean towards Kenyu's suggestion. We have to assume that when we engage a Champion, it may be on terrain they are more familiar with than we are; and that they may be even stronger than we expect."
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>"It's true that familiarity with the Fire Champion's domain could prove useful, but in this case I think I lean towards Kenyu's suggestion. We have to assume that when we engage a Champion, it may be on terrain they are more familiar with than we are; and that they may be even stronger than we expect."
>Haruka nods. "Very well. And there is no alternative terrain you would prefer yourself?"
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>"I don't believe so."
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>"I don't believe so."
>"How shall we distribute the teams?"
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>"Did you have anything in mind?"
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>"Did you have anything in mind?"
>"Again, Kenyu and I have had two different thoughts on the matter." She smiles quietly. "That's actually one of the reasons I enjoy working with him. He thinks differently than I do, but not so differently as to make us conflict. Anyway, he suggested the teams be decided by drawing lots. Random combinations, since one never knows for sure who, or what, they'll be working with in the field. I believe the teams should be composed of individuals whose personalities and skills compliment each other. Since this is our first cooperative exercise, I want us to start off on the right foot."
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>"In this case, I think I might defer to you. Our enemies may present us with many unknowns, it's true, but we can at least pick our friends."
>Smile
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>"In this case, I think I might defer to you. Our enemies may present us with many unknowns, it's true, but we can at least pick our friends."
>Smile
>"I like the way you phrased that."
>"If I may, Onee-sama?" Miyo interjects. "I realize this is training, but, we've already seen that the Protectors can be beaten by just five of Lotus' group. Facing all six of them, combined with facing six of our sisters, doesn't seem to be entirely fair, even if they have the advantage of terrain."
>"I agree. Kenyu and I discussed that as well, and one of our sisters will be making up the difference in numbers."
>"Linia?"
>Haruka shakes her head. "Not Linia. You know she can't work with the Protectors. No, it will be either Konpaku-sama or myself. Kenyu has no preference between the two of us, and you, Lotus, I was not sure which of us you'd prefer to have alongside you in this exercise."
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>"Whichever you feel is most equitable will be fine by me."
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>"Whichever you feel is most equitable will be fine by me."
>The big eagle strokes her jaw thoughtfully. "Equitable... Enlighten me a bit, Lotus, on the other members of your team. Your abilities and those of White Rose I have seen, but I am less familiar with the others of your group."
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>Let's give her the lowdown
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>Let's give her the lowdown
>Haruka digests the information you share with her, and nods. "Let me speak with Konpaku-sama, to see if she has a preference. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the shrine maidens that serve here and their skills and specialties, feel free to ask Miyo. She knows our sisters almost as well as I do in that area."
>"Thank you, Onee-sama." Miyo says.
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>"Very well."
>After Haruka's wandered off, to Miyo: "I don't mean to pry, but... what did Haruka mean when she said that Linia 'couldn't work with the Protectors'?"
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>"Very well."
>After Haruka's wandered off, to Miyo: "I don't mean to pry, but... what did Haruka mean when she said that Linia 'couldn't work with the Protectors'?"
>The smaller bird frowns thoughtfully, considering your question. "I can answer that, but I believe Linia would prefer it not discussed too freely beyond us, you understand?"
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>"Of course."
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>"Of course."
>"As Onee-sama told you, all of us here that train to combat the forces of evil and chaos have our own skills and talents. And Linia's special talent is that she is Blood. And a fairly powerful one, too; she wears an Opal Jewel, which is one level less than the Sapphire Jewel that Cynthia wears."
>"However, simply because she is Blood does not mean that she works well with other Blood." Miyo adds, giving her wings a light flap. "The Defenders are a Coven, and Covens historically have trouble working with Blood that are not part of their Coven. If you follow team sports in any way, you know that incorporating a new teammate into an existing group is frequently a challenge, but for Blood it is uniquely challenging. For a Coven, any Blood, no matter how powerful or skilled, that is not part of their Coven becomes almost like a third wheel when they try to work with them. A wheel that is square and made of stone. It seldom works. Linia did try once, but for those reasons, as well as some very pronounced personal conflicts with Cynthia and Wataru, she learned that she cannot cooperate with their group, not in any situation as intimate as this one."
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>"I understand. I just thought it might be important to know what the reason was if we plan to work together against them."
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>"I understand. I just thought it might be important to know what the reason was if we plan to work together against them."
>"You were worried that she might take the exercise too personally?"
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>"Well, I didn't know if there might be some deeper resentment or grudge at play here - something that might affect one's judgement."
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>"Well, I didn't know if there might be some deeper resentment or grudge at play here - something that might affect one's judgement."
>Miyo thinks about that for a moment. "I don't think so, no. She wouldn't go out of her way to go after Cynthia or Wataru. I think she'd actually prefer to avoid the both of them if given the option. If she ends up being one of the six you work with, I suspect she might favor going after one of the other three, even Kenyu, but I don't think you'll have anything to worry about."
>"Now that I think about, Lotus, she could probably do well in a team with you." she adds with a faint smile. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but it was your idea to transform the Stuntrons as you did, yes?"
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>"It was, yes."
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>"It was, yes."
>"Linia is a very forgiving woman. She doesn't believe in holding on to old grudges or harboring hate. That's the source of the conflict between her and Wataru, actually. Her parents, actually almost all of her extended family, were also prisoners at Garrus-9, and died there. But she doesn't share Wataru's resentment towards the Lunarians. The two of them disagreed once their histories came up, which would have been bad enough, but then Cynthia decided to involve herself. She's very good at that."
>"We noticed." White Rose remarks.
>Miyo continues, "I understand that what you did to the Stuntrons has caused a lot of fear among the Blood, and a lot of anger as well. But I suspect that Linia might be one of the Blood who approves of what you did to them."
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>"That's good to know."
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>"That's good to know."
>"Assuming you would wish to work with a Brightblood." she adds cautiously. "I know your experiences with the Blood have not been altogether good."
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>"I would never presume to judge someone's character by the actions of someone else."
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>"I would never presume to judge someone's character by the actions of someone else."
>Miyo tilts her head curiously. "At all? As in, you don't believe in generalities of species?"
>"Blood's their own speices?" White Rose asks.
>"Perhaps a poor choice of words for the current context." the miko admits.
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>"I do not mean to say they don't share things in common, of course, but I wouldn't hold anyone accountable for the actions of someone else they merely share a species with. Or Blood."
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>"I do not mean to say they don't share things in common, of course, but I wouldn't hold anyone accountable for the actions of someone else they merely share a species with. Or Blood."
>Miyo smiles and nods slowly. "I don't know why I had to ask. I should have realized that from the way you talked about Moon Rabbits. My apologies."
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>"Oh, don't worry about that."
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>"Oh, don't worry about that."
>"Thank you. It is quite rare, you must admit." says Miyo. "All people to have at least some presentiment towards species other than their own. Be they positive sentiments or otherwise. It seems to be human nature, if you'll forgive the expression. For good or for ill, an encounter with a member of a race other than their own seems to color experiences towards others of that race."
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>"Regrettably common, it's true. But I think there is just as much diversity among the hearts of any single race as there are between races."
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>"Regrettably common, it's true. But I think there is just as much diversity among the hearts of any single race as there are between races."
>"Is that including the Champions you've come up against?" she asks as Haruka starts to make her way back towards you. Between her wingspan and height, she's easy to see coming.
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>"It is. While some are haughty and aggressive, there are also those who would wish nothing more than to avoid conflict with us, if only they saw a way to do so."
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>"It is. While some are haughty and aggressive, there are also those who would wish nothing more than to avoid conflict with us, if only they saw a way to do so."
>"Fascinating. I've read about some species of demons that had that kind of internal conflict, but they are rare. At least, I assume 'demon' is an appropriate term for these Champions. Please correct me if I'm wrong."
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>"I'm not certain whether it is or not. At the very least, it evokes certain negative images that I'm not sure are wholly appropriate here."
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>"I'm not certain whether it is or not. At the very least, it evokes certain negative images that I'm not sure are wholly appropriate here."
>"Is there, then, another way to refer to them other than 'Champions'? They certainly can't be a race made up entirely of champions, can they?"
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>"No, they are not. And the Champions were made to be the champions and saviors of their race. They call themselves 'Children', for they were the beings created by 'Mother'. Which is... not terribly specific either, I realize, but it is the words they used. Whoever this 'Mother' is, she is their creator and the one from whom their orders originate."
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>"No, they are not. And the Champions were made to be the champions and saviors of their race. They call themselves 'Children', for they were the beings created by 'Mother'. Which is... not terribly specific either, I realize, but it is the words they used. Whoever this 'Mother' is, she is their creator and the one from whom their orders originate."
>"It may help more than you might think." Miyo says, leaning forward and sounding a bit excited. "The Mother-Child dynamic is not common amongst demons- Excuse me, amongst creatures of a darker nature. If these beings identify themselves as 'Children', that would be very rare. Such creatures may exist somewhere in our recorded history. In which case, I might be able to find some more information on them. I make no promises; as you say, it is a bit vague. But I can certainly try, if you think it might help."
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>"Any information on them has the potential to be helpful; I appreciate it."
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>"Any information on them has the potential to be helpful; I appreciate it."
>"Happy to help."
>"This Mother figure of theirs, have you ever heard her referred to by any other name?" she asks as Haruka comes back up to you and your group. She grins as Miyo finishes her question.
>"You must have said something to give her a new research topic." Haruka remarks lightly.
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>Smile a little
>"Perhaps."
>To Miyo: "And the answer to your question is no. At least, not in any context where I'd connect the two."
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>Smile a little
>"Perhaps."
>To Miyo: "And the answer to your question is no. At least, not in any context where I'd connect the two."
>"And the Champions never bore any title other than their elemental titles?"
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>"I believe they may have somehow been ordinary Children once, before they were granted the power they wield now and charged with this mission, but I'm not aware of any titles."
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>"I believe they may have somehow been ordinary Children once, before they were granted the power they wield now and charged with this mission, but I'm not aware of any titles."
>Miyo ponders that one. "Still, it's a start."
>"If I may, Miyo?" Haruka asks politely. At the smaller birds' nod, Haruka asks you, "Your companion, Pink Carnation. She has yet to see much, if any, real combat, has she?"
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>"That obvious, is it?"
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>"That obvious, is it?"
>"Not at first. Not when she was fighting the Protectors. But you can tell now, watching her spar with Konpaku-sama. There's something tentative in the way she handles herself. Her swings, her stance. Either she was inexperienced, or there was something about Konpaku-sama that was making her hesitant. I couldn't tell which."
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>"I can't speak to the latter, but you are otherwise correct."
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>"I can't speak to the latter, but you are otherwise correct."
>Haruka nods. "In which case, during our upcoming exercise, I would like to partner with Carnation."
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>"So you've decided that Konpaku-san will be the one to partner with the Protectors?"
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>"So you've decided that Konpaku-san will be the one to partner with the Protectors?"
>Haruka nods. "We feel that the combination of Carnation and myself would be more productive than if Konpaku-sama were paired with one of your group. In my time, I have worked alongside many such as Carnation. I can adjust my powers to match hers more easily than anyone else serving at this shrine, and I can help her get used to the sort of combat she will be facing beyond these walls."
>"Having said that, this is still a joint operation, and Carnation is your ally. If you had another preference, someone else you'd rather her work with, then by all means, tell me."
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>"No, not at all. What you suggest is fine by me."
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>"No, not at all. What you suggest is fine by me."
>"Very well. As for the rest our combat assignments, I have in mind the five other Sisters that will work alongside your group, and who I believe they would work best with. But I didn't want to set my mind in stone before consulting you on a few things. Is it fair to say that I know more about your group than you know about mine? After all, I don't know how much you know about the Fire Bird Sisters trained to combat supernatural forces."
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>"I imagine that's correct. I know only the generalities, really."
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>"I imagine that's correct. I know only the generalities, really."
>Haruka nods. "In which case, I can handle the partner assignments. Or if you wish, I can tell you about the Sisters I have in mind. Even introduce them to you before we begin, if you'd like."
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>"Sure, let's meet them."
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>"Sure, let's meet them."
>Haruka nods. "Follow me, please."
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>Follow her!
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>Follow her!
>Leaving Miyo behind, you and your entourage fall into step behind Haruka. The four of you head towards the southern end of the room, your group pausing slightly as a small red-headed youkai buzzes by, missing your head by a relatively narrow margin.
>"My apologies." Haruka says with a frown. "That's Paula. And I've told her repeatedly not to do that, but she likes surprising people."
>"Pretty quiet on her wings." Rin remarks, her tails swishing a bit sharply. "I never heard her coming."
>"She's a peregrine falcon. That makes her fast and, when she wants to be, quiet."
>"Handy in a fight, at least."
>Haruka nods. "Agreed, though Paula is not trained for that sort of combat. She isn't joining our exercise, that was just her way of saying 'hello.'" The short youkai pauses in midair, turns around, gives you a jaunty wave and then flits away, seemingly oblivious to the disapproving look Haruka was giving her. Haruka shakes her head and continues on, pointing towards a group of three women standing along the spectator's seating railing. "They are the women who will be joining us. At least three of them. Where's Cinnamon?" she calls down to the three.
>The tallest one of the bunch, a surly looking woman with dark black hair, messily braided, grunts. "Stuffing her face I'd bet." She turns her glower on you. "You Lotus?"
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>"I am."
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>"I am."
>"You'd have made our lives easier if you'd just killed those Blackbloods." the tall miko grumbles. "Now instead of seven dead demonbloods we six of 'em running around free with new faces and new powers. Do you even know what they can do now, what kind of powers they have now? What kind of threat they pose?"
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"If I believed they posed a threat, I wouldn't have just let them go."
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"If I believed they posed a threat, I wouldn't have just let them go."
>"Oh, that's real comforting." the miko says, not bothering to hide her sarcasm.
>"This is Sen." says Haruka, "one of our most proficient hand-to-hand fighters."
>The miko called Sen grins and flexes her bare arms. She's not as muscular as Lilian, the reptilian youkai from the Tortoise shrine, but she gives her a run for her money. Based on attitude alone, though, you'd prefer Lilian for company if given the choice.
>"Nobody in this shrine takes to combat better than Sen." Haruka goes on.
>"Damn straight."
>"It wasn't necessarily a compliment." Haruka retorts evenly. As Sen growls, the shorter white-haired miko standing next to her giggles shortly, then stifles it. "Sen is very proficient in melee and can also hold her own when at range with a foe. But as you can tell, she isn't always the easiest of individuals to work with. I was of two minds as to who she might partner best with, and wanted your opinion, Lotus."
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>"Go ahead."
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>"Go ahead."
>"I had thought that she would make the best team with either yourself, or with Magical Chrysanthemum."
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>To Sen: "Do you think you can work with me without chafing at my methods?"
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>To Sen: "Do you think you can work with me without chafing at my methods?"
>"Depends on the methods you've got in mind." she replies.
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>"I suppose that's a fair answer."
>To Haruka: "I have no objections to partnering with her."
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>"I suppose that's a fair answer."
>To Haruka: "I have no objections to partnering with her."
>"And you think that's the best idea?" Sen asks Haruka.
>"I believe that your powers and skills compliment well with those of Lotus and Chrysanthemum. And that neither of them would be adversely affected by your traditional manner on the battlefield."
>Rather than be offended by the implication present in Haruka's sentence, Sen nods. "Good enough for me. You didn't answer my question, though." Sen says to you. "What sorta methods you plan on using here?"
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>"Well, that depends upon exactly what we end up against once the fighting starts; I try to be flexible. And this is a friendly sparring match against allies, so at least the question of what to do with them isn't something we'll need to debate."
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>"Well, that depends upon exactly what we end up against once the fighting starts; I try to be flexible. And this is a friendly sparring match against allies, so at least the question of what to do with them isn't something we'll need to debate."
>"So no turning their Jewels inside out?"
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>"The Stuntrons were as much victims of their jewels are they were threats because of them. No one here is either of those things. I'm not in the habit of transforming people without their consent."
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>"The Stuntrons were as much victims of their jewels are they were threats because of them. No one here is either of those things. I'm not in the habit of transforming people without their consent."
>Sen nods. "Good enough for me. So long as you play to win, you and me'll get along just fine."
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>"I certainly have no intention of losing."
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>"I certainly have no intention of losing."
>A grin slowly appears on Sen's face.
>"I told you you would like her." the smaller youkai standing next to Sen remarks lightly. Compared to the tall, muscular and gruff Sen, this youkai is almost the exact opposite. She's only as tall as Lily, and her white and blue wings are smaller than Lily's, much smaller than Sen's. Her hair is white and worn in a ponytail than hangs over her shoulder. The look on her cute little face is a beneficent one, the smile you see looking so natural on her face you're not sure any other expression would look right on her. She also compliments her mikos' ensemble with light blue ribbons on her left wrist and around her waist, to contrast the blood-red ribbon Sen wears on her right wrist and waist.
>Haruka introduces you, "This is Hiyori, Sen's traditional partner. Sen is the offensive specialist, while Hiyori specializes in defensive magics. She is an expert at barriers and wards of all kinds, and uses her speed and evasion to elude and wear down foes, rather than to gain a new angle to attack from."
>"Like me!" Lily says.
>The big eagle smiles. "Indeed. She is the other individual I had thought of partnering with you, Lotus. Either you or Magical Poppy."
>The white haired Hiyori bows politely to you and your group. "I am happy to make your acquaintance." she greets you, the polite phrasing sounding not at all rehearsed as it so often does from other people.
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>Return the bow
>"Likewise."
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>Return the bow
>"Likewise."
>"You will notice," says Haruka, a smile in her voice, "that Hiyori is less forward than her sister. With her on defense, her partner can focus more of offense, which is why I think she would work well with Poppy. Or, for that matter, with you, White Rose." she says to Rin. "I did have someone else in mind for you to partner with, but of course the choice is ultimately yours."
>"Who else did ya have in mind?" the kasha asks.
>"One moment." Haruka traces brief pattern in the air and casts spell, the area around you illuminating with a brief flash of light. Standing behind Sen and Hiyori is another winged woman, this one wearing a dark blue blouse and black leather trousers. Her hair is a dark green, and her fluffy wings are a mixture of dark white, black and grey. Her wide eyes are golden, penetrating, the eyes of a predator in flight.
>Sen swears sharply. "Damn your eyes, Soob, I told you to knock that off!" she roars at the smaller miko, shaking her fist in the air.
>"Not my fault you don't listen sharply enough." the one called Soob replies, her voice whisper-like in tone even though she speaks at a normal volume.
>To your group, Haruka says, "Her. That is Subala, an owl youkai who has a habit of sneaking up on her sisters."
>"One has to keep her skills sharp." Subala replies evenly, walking past Sen as though the tall miko wasn't there. You notice now that she is the only one present armed. Two daggers hang from her belt, and two more dagger hilts can be seen protruding from the top of her leather boots. Rin sniffs the air as the bird approaches and hisses quietly.
>"Subala specializes in magics of stealth and misdirection." Haruka explains. "She is very talented with those daggers of hers and, more impressively, is one of only three shrine maidens serving at this temple to be able to use Water magic. Her Water magics and stealth, coupled with your powers of fire and flight, seem to me to make natural compliments."
>Subala bows to your group in greeting, though she does so shallowly, and never takes her eyes off the three of you.
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>Return the bow. And we can bear to be just a little less shallow
>"Pleased to meet you."
>To Rin: Does she make you feel uneasy?
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>Return the bow. And we can bear to be just a little less shallow
>"Pleased to meet you."
>To Rin: Does she make you feel uneasy?
>Owls always make me nervous; I was a wild cat. But I smell something from one of her boot-knives. Rin replies. I think it's poison.
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>Well, she is not our enemy, at least. Though does this mean you'd prefer to work with Hiyori?
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>Well, she is not our enemy, at least. Though does this mean you'd prefer to work with Hiyori?
>Unless you've got another idea, there are more mikos part of this test we have haven't met yet. But what I wanna know is why would a miko poison a knife? Ain't that kinda not-holy?
-
>Perhaps not when one is fighting things even worse.
-
>Perhaps not when one is fighting things even worse.
>Yeah, that could be. Rin replies, though she doesn't sound entirely convinced of that.
>Aloud, Rin asks, "Why's water magic so rare for you folks? Water douses fire too easily?"
>"In essence, yes." Haruka replies. "Our magic is based on the five elements; Water, Fire, Metal, Wood and Earth. We specialize in Fire magic, being devotees of the Fire Bird. And those of our discipline have difficulty learning magics of their patrons' enemy element. Water swallows Fire, and thus is difficult for us to learn. That is one of the reasons Subala has been so valuable to our cause."
>The owl youkai accepts the compliment with a quiet, almost imperceptible nod.
>"You sure you should have said that?" Sen asks Haruka. "I know these girls're on our side, but that doesn't mean you should just gab about our weaknesses so easily."
>"Even if I did not trust these girls, which I do, they would have been able to discern that weakness of theirs on their own after being around us enough. Or simply by using some logic and knowledge about the five elements."
>"That doesn't mean someone else couldn't take that info from them and use it against us."
>Haruka looks the red-winged youkai in the eye. "I understand that, Sen. Better than you do; I've been doing this for a lot longer than you have. But I do not see the need to operate on maximum paranoia, certainly not in this situation."
>Sen does not back down. "You've been wrong before."
>"Yes I have. And so have you, Sen."
>"If I may continue," Haruka says, giving Sen a look, "the fourth member who will be joining us. I suspect you will recall her name." She gestures towards the woman standing a bit away from the group. "This is Linia."
>The indicated woman turns her head to look over her shoulder at you. The is a stillness in her aura, her gaze imperceptible. Her hair is long, black and thin, her mikos robes made from subdued colors and accented with faint purple here and there. Her skin, too, is paler than her companions. She seems almost etheral in nature, save her vestments which seem to ground her to this reality. And unlike almost everyone else here, she has no wings. You know from Miyo that she wears an Opal Jewel, but the only Jewel in evidence is on her forehead, and it appears to be an emerald. It seems... almost adhered to her forehead. You're not sure how that could be. One thing you are sure of, once you look into her dark purple eyes. It is faint, very well hidden, but there is a glint of fear in her eyes when she looks at you.
-
>Bow politely
>"Pleased to meet you."
-
>Bow politely
>"Pleased to meet you."
>The waify miko gives you a faint, slow nod.
>"Thought you didn't like working with Kenyu's crew." Lily blurts out.
>"I do what is asked of me." Linia replies quietly.
>"And your info's wrong." Sen informs Lily bluntly. "It ain't that she don't like 'em. It's that she don't like Cynthia and Wataru."
>"And she is also a natural with both Fire and Metal magics. In fact she is one of the best Metal magic users we have here." says Haruka. She gives Linia a brief look, then continues, "And she is also Blood herself. Brightblood."
-
>Nod
>"So I heard."
-
>Nod
>"So I heard."
>"You heard? Ah, from Miyo, yes?"
-
>Nod
-
>Nod
>"Then it shouldn't surprise you to hear that Linia is among our most versatile and effective field agents. Between her Blood magic and elemental magic, she can handle most things thrown at her. She may not be quite in Kenyu's weight class, but she can give him a good fight." The eagle frowns slightly, thoughtfully. "I must admit, though, that although I knew I wanted her to join this exercise, I haven't been able to decide which of your group she would work best with."
-
>To Linia: "Do you have a preference?"
-
>To Linia: "Do you have a preference?"
>You are answered with a slow, faint shake of her head.
-
>"Perhaps Poppy?"
-
>"Perhaps Poppy?"
>Haruka nods. "Their versatile styles would compliment each other. I'd be hard-pressed to think of a situation the two of them would not be able to come up with an answer for." Then the big eagle pauses, looking a bit awkward for a moment, then continues, "However, as you might be able to tell, Linia is.... a very unique individual."
>"Translation: Oddball."
>"Sen!" Hiyori admonishes her. The taller miko starts protesting, but a glare from Haruka shuts her up.
>Haruka addresses you, "Would that cause any problems for Poppy?"
-
>"I think she's accustomed to all sorts of people."
-
>"I think she's accustomed to all sorts of people."
>"Very well. Assuming Cinnamon doesn't wish to work with your rabbit, we'll go with that arrangement."
>"If she ever shows up." Sen grumbles.
>"She will. I've already called her again. Cinnamon, Lotus, is a fairy. Cinnamon Lily is her full name. It may surprise you to hear, but she's actually one of our most powerful Fire casters. The other four elements are a challenge to her, but she takes to Fire more easily than ducks take to water. She's the partner I had in mind for your Magical Lily. One of our best offensive specialists, your defensive specialist. It seemed to me to be a fairly good fit."
-
>"It does."
>That much Lily in one place could be a dangerous thing.
-
>"It does."
>That much Lily in one place could be a dangerous thing.
>Just makes for a better orgy.
>"But since Cinnamon has a fondness for Lunar Rabbits, I can't say for sure who she'd prefer to work with. Remind me, are any of Poppy's forms more defensive in nature?"
-
>They sort of aren't... are they?
-
>They sort of aren't... are they?
>Bard probably comes the closest. It's one of her two 'support' Spectrums- the other being Dancer- and focuses on, to use the video game term, buffs for the party. It doesn't generate shields or walls, as least as far as you know, but Reisen can use it to augment your evasive abilities, your defensive properties, grant elemental resistances, that sort of thing. But it's more support than defense, as she herself does not have the same survivability as Bard that she does as her other Spectrums.
-
>"Not directly so. Certainly not like Lily's abilities."
-
>"Not directly so. Certainly not like Lily's abilities."
>Haruka nods. "All the same, Cinnamon might insist. Fairies can be hard to dissuade sometimes."
>"As her yourself, boss, here she comes now." Sen says, gesturing shortly towards the entrance to the training room. Looking over your shoulder, you spy a strawberry-blonde fairy flying your way with a big head of steam. She's actually trailing embers behind her as she goes, which isn't necessarily a sign of magical use. Some fairies are incarnations of the natural world, including fire. It's not unknown for fairies with an especially strong connection to the aspect that spawned them to give off some kind of sign of that connection, especially when they're excited about something. Which for fairies is more often than not.
>The blonde fairy skids to halt in the air above you, sending a showing of sparks forward. Instinctively you take half a step back, as does White Rose.
>"Watch it, midgit!" Sen roars at the fairly, using her wings to beat back the little motes of flame wafting her way. "How many times I have to tell you not to do that?!"
>Cinnamon either ignores the big bird's angry shout or just doesn't notice. Her smiling face is fixed on you. "You look like that billboard girl! You're pretty!" she gushes.
-
>"Why, um, thank you."
>Pause
>"Billboard girl?"
-
>"Why, um, thank you."
>Pause
>"Billboard girl?"
>"You know, the one with the hair!" Cinnamon replies.
>Haruka clears her throat softly. "I believe she may be referring to Byakuren Hijiri, a local model here in Mayoiga. You do bear some resemblance to her, Lotus."
-
>Quick: act natural!
>"Oh, do I?"
>We're on a billboard?
-
>Quick: act natural!
>"Oh, do I?"
>Following your cue, Lily giggles. "I think I said that myself, didn't I?"
>We're on a billboard?
>As a professional model, you've actually been on two. You might have been on more by now, but Aya's been missing you at the office.
-
>"I'm afraid I don't recall."
>That much is honest, at least
-
>"I'm afraid I don't recall."
>That much is honest, at least
>Lily laughs again. "Well, maybe not."
>"It is the sort of thing you'd say." White Rose adds helpfully.
>"It's what I say, too!" Cinnamon adds loudly. She falls straight down to earth and enthusiastically grabs your hand. "I'm Cinnamon!" she introduces herself, giving your hand an energetic shake.
-
>Return the handshake
>"I'm Lotus."
>Gesture to our companions
>"And this is Lily and White Rose."
-
>Return the handshake
>"I'm Lotus."
>Gesture to our companions
>"And this is Lily and White Rose."
>Cinnamon doesn't give you a great deal of choice, but you're sure she appreciates the sentiment. Mostly sure.
>"Lily?" Cinnamon gapes at your Lily. "I'm Lily!"
>Lily titles her head to the side. "I thought you were Cinnamon?"
>"I am!"
>"So you're not Lily?"
>"Yes I am! Cinnamon Lily!"
>"Oh! Why didn't you say so?"
>"I just did!"
>You note Rin slightly curl her ears down as the two blonde women communicate at very noticeable volumes. For a woman with sensitive hearing, you imagine the two blondes conversation could be painful to hear.
-
>Okay, one can't help but giggle a little at this. Our girlfriend's discomfort notwithstanding
-
>Okay, one can't help but giggle a little at this. Our girlfriend's discomfort notwithstanding
>This is certainly one of the more interesting introductions you've ever been party to.
>Haruka smiles. "It appears they make a more natural pair than I thought they would."
>"That's one way to put it." Sen grumbles, wincing at the noise.
-
>"I suppose that answers that question."
-
>"I suppose that answers that question."
>"Assuming, of course," Haruka says to Cinnamon, "you wouldn't rather work with Magical Poppy?"
>"Poppy? Who's that?" the loud little fairy asks. Actually 'little' isn't entirely right, she's tall for a fairy. A bit taller than Lily, even. "Another Lily?"
>Haruka shakes her head. "No, Poppy is the Moon Rabbit that-"
>"MOON RABBIT?!" Cinnamon bellows, and even the stoic Subala winces at the sound. "You have a Moon Rabbit?!" she asks you.
-
>"....that's correct."
-
>"....that's correct."
>"Why didn't you say so sooner?!"
-
>"You haven't even been here an entire minute."
-
>"You haven't even been here an entire minute."
>"Don't muddle things up with your fancy maths!"
-
>I know one shouldn't leap to conclusions about a person's character, but I must admit she doesn't inspire the greatest confidence in her combat judgement.
>"My apologies."
-
>I know one shouldn't leap to conclusions about a person's character, but I must admit she doesn't inspire the greatest confidence in her combat judgement.
>"My apologies."
>Think you're right. Rin agrees. I mean, Haruka seems the type to make good calls in this sort of thing, but...
>Cinnamon looks at you expectantly. "Well?" she demands.
-
>Where is Reisen, anyway?
>Assuming she doesn't seem to be in the middle of something, call her over
-
>Where is Reisen, anyway?
>Assuming she doesn't seem to be in the middle of something, call her over
>She's actually on her way over to you now. Having regenerated her uniform, you notice.
-
>To Reisen: You might want to brace yourself.
>"She's over there."
>Point
-
>To Reisen: You might want to brace yourself.
>"She's over there."
>Point
>Reisen quietly chuckles. I heard. Bit of a shame she's not on the cheerleading squad, hm? she asks half-jokingly.
>The effervescent Cinnamon's head snaps in the direction of your finger. Taking your own advice, you brace yourself for the inevitable eruption of noise from the fairy.
>Except that it never comes. In fact, Cinnamon becomes very quiet when she sees Poppy. The look on her face changes from hyperactive excitment to confusion, then, and you never could have imagined this, to almost sad.
>Poppy gives the fairy with the red streak in her hair a moment to collect herself, then when Cinnamon still doesn't say anything, the rabbit finally says, "Hello, Cinnamon. I'm Poppy." she introduces herself, extending her hand out to her.
>With surprising gentleness, Cinnamon takes the rabbit's hand, and gasps faintly. "You're so cold." she breathes.
>In that moment, Reisen's smile fades, and her face, for just a fleeting fraction of a second, shines through with pain, the pain of her life that's followed her perhaps since she can remember. Then it is gone, and she smiles at Cinnamon, though even this smile is tinged with sadness. "I have been for a long time."
>Cinnamon's eyes shimmer with unshed tears, and with no invitation, she wraps her arms around Reisen's waist and embraces her. "I'm so sorry."
>Reisen does not resist. "I know..."
>You are as stunned as the rest of the girls at this exchange. Even the crass Sen is gobsmacked. Haruka gives you a look of utter bafflement.
-
>Return Haruka's baffled look with one of our own
>I mean, what does one even say at that point?
-
>Return Haruka's baffled look with one of our own
>I mean, what does one even say at that point?
>Evidently, Sen has an idea. "Your rabbit have that effect on every fairy she sees?" she asks, her voice still missing a lot of its normal edge.
-
>Not to the best of our knowledge, right?
>Assuming so: "Not typically."
-
>Not to the best of our knowledge, right?
>Assuming so: "Not typically."
>Correct.
>"In all my years, I don't think I've ever seen a fairy do something like that." Haruka says in a hushed tone. "If she was a moon fairy, then, maybe.... Poppy doesn't have any kind of special connection to the element of Fire, does she?"
-
>Not as far as we know, right?
>Assuming so: "Not to the best of my knowledge."
>To Reisen: Um... I don't suppose you can explain this sudden change of character?
-
>Not as far as we know, right?
>Assuming so: "Not to the best of my knowledge."
>To Reisen: Um... I don't suppose you can explain this sudden change of character?
>Correct.
>"If anything, that's me." White Rose says.
>Haruka makes a thoughtful noise. "I knew Cinnamon had a fondness for Lunar Rabbits, but, this, I didn't expect."
>Reisen takes a moment to reply. Long enough to make you wonder if she even heard you. But she says at last, I don't know. Maybe, but, I don't know.
>"The moon wasn't always the enemy of the Earth." Cinnamon says, turning to face Haruka but holding on to Poppy's hand. "It's not my enemy. I love the moon."
>Haruka snaps her fingers. "Of course. The night you were born was a full moon." She looks at your group. "Fairies are special beings, they have a magic all their own. Forge connections all their own. Cinnamon came into existance on the night of a full moon. She may have a spiritual connection to the moon, or the people of the moon, that we could never undertand."
>"You saying she's a Moonfire fairy?" Sen asks.
>"I don't know if that term's completely accurate... But I can't call it inaccurate, either." Haruka frowns. "But Cinnamon, you've met other Lunarians before, other Moon Rabbits before. What makes Magical Poppy so different?"
>The blonde fairy with the red streak in her hair squeezes Poppy's hand a little tighter. "They weren't so cold."
-
>Well then.
>As inexplicable as this, somehow it feels wrong to interrupt....
-
>Well then.
>As inexplicable as this, somehow it feels wrong to interrupt....
>Haruka gives Poppy a pained look. "Poppy, if my sister has made you feel uncomfortable..."
>The eagle trails off when Poppy raises her free hand. "It's fine." she says. "I don't feel uncomfortable. I feel... understood."
>Haruka takes a contemplative breath. "I see. Then I take you... You know of our exercise with the Protectors, yes?"
>Poppy nods. "Kenyu told me."
>"I had considered asking you to pair with Cinnamon. I suppose I don't need to ask Cinnamon what she wants now, but, is that all right with you?"
>"Absolutely. If you didn't want me with someone else, Lotus."
-
>"I wouldn't dream of it."
-
>"I wouldn't dream of it."
>Haruka says, "Then that leaves the rest of the pairings to be decided upon." Before she continues that topic, she looks at Cinnamon. "We will talk more of this later, all right? The last time I saw a fairy react to a connection that strongly was over a thousand years ago. I never had the chance to talk about it then. I would like to do so now."
>Cinnamon looks up at Poppy, who gives her a small nod. The fairy then answers Haruka, "Okay."
>"Thought you said you'd never seen nothing like that before." Sen points out.
>"I didn't remember at first. When you're as old as I am, Sen, it takes some time for some memories to surface." She gives you a bemused smile. "Is there no end to the surprises you and your friends have to offer?"
-
>"Well, this one was as much a surprise to me as it was to you."
-
>"Well, this one was as much a surprise to me as it was to you."
>"I'm sure." The big eagle looks again at her fairy sister and smiles, an old, wistful smile. "Though maybe more for me. 'The moon wasn't always our enemy'. I remember those days. They seem so very long ago..." She sighs, and her moment passes. "Well. I suppose that brings us back to the business at hand, yes?"
-
>Nod
>"Right. Did you have any thoughts for the final choices, or should I venture my own opinion?"
-
>Nod
>"Right. Did you have any thoughts for the final choices, or should I venture my own opinion?"
>She gives you an amused smile. "I did of course have some thoughts, but, you first. The only pairings I believe set in stone at this moment are myself and Pink Carnation, and Poppy and Cinnamon."
-
>"Assuming that I was indeed going to pair with Sen, I think Lily should pair with Linia, White Rose with Hiyori, and Chrysanthemum with Subala. Lily and Hiyori's defensive focus would seem to make them better-paired with someone other than each other, and of the remainder, I feel these are likely to be the most compatible."
-
>"Assuming that I was indeed going to pair with Sen, I think Lily should pair with Linia, White Rose with Hiyori, and Chrysanthemum with Subala. Lily and Hiyori's defensive focus would seem to make them better-paired with someone other than each other, and of the remainder, I feel these are likely to be the most compatible."
>"Interesting. Our thoughts coincide on one point. Myself, I had considered pairing Subala with White Rose, Chrysanthemum with Hiyori, and Lily with Linia. Subala's Water magics and stealth would match well with White Rose's Fire and straightforward tactics. Chrysanthemum's offense and Hiyori's defense would line up well, as would be true for Linia and Lily."
-
>To Rin: But you do feel less comfortable with Subala than Hiyori, yes?
-
>To Rin: But you do feel less comfortable with Subala than Hiyori, yes?
>Yeah, I do. I can't help it; owls make me nervous.
-
>Then that is a good enough reason not to partner with her here, I think. Though I'm not certain the best way to put this to Haruka.
-
>Then that is a good enough reason not to partner with her here, I think. Though I'm not certain the best way to put this to Haruka.
>What if you point out that my fire and water might not mix that well after all? Rin suggests. If they're enemy elements in their magics, her water might douse my flame, or my fire might boil her water.
-
>"Are you so certain that Subala and Rose's fire and water magics would complement each other, as opposed to working at cross-purposes?"
-
>"Are you so certain that Subala and Rose's fire and water magics would complement each other, as opposed to working at cross-purposes?"
>"All the better to know now, rather than find out suddenly in the field." Haruka explains. "Still, you do have a point, and one I considered myself."
>"If I may?" White Rose asks her.
>"Of course."
>"How her magics and mine work together or don't, we can find out anytime. But our group's tied with Kenyu's right now. We beat them five on five, but Cynthia and Wataru beat Chrys and Poppy." The kasha's tails flick behind her. "I wanna make sure we win this one."
>"Good on ya!" remarks Sen with a grin.
>Ever more moderate, Haruka asks, "And you believe that working with Hiyori in this exercise would give you the best chance?"
>"I think so. If my powers work with the elements the way you'd expect 'em to, my flame would melt Linias' Metal magic and and get put out by Subalas' Water."
>"And we don't need to test that on the battlefield, even a training one, if we don't have to." Haruka ponders. "What say you, Hiyori?"
>The white-haired bird smiles. "I want to give us all the best odds of winning. If you think that's by working with White Rose, Sawashiro-sama, then I'll do it."
>Haruka asks around, and the other girls of her squad voice no other objections to the arrangements. "Very well, then. In that case, Hiyori, you will work with White Rose. Linia, you will partner with Magical Lily, and Chrysanthemum will be your partner, Subala. And as previously agreed upon, the other three pairs shall be Pink Carnation and myself, Cinnamon and Poppy, and Sen and Lotus."
-
>Nod
>"It's settled, then."
-
>Nod
>"It's settled, then."
>Haruka nods. "I'll inform Kenyu. We can begin the exercise as soon as Carnation and Konpaku-sama are finished."
>"Maybe a little after that?" Hiyori suggests. "To give Carnation a chance to recuperate, catch her breath after working with Konpaku-sama."
>"Good suggestion, Hiyori. What do you think, Lotus, fifteen minutes?"
>"Couldn't we eat first?" Cinnamon asks, her voice recovering some of its previous verve. "I'm hungry."
>"When aren't you?" Sen grumbles.
>"All the same, it is a fair point. We could break for lunch before starting this exercise." Haruka suggests.
-
>"If it's all the same to everyone else, I prefer eating after exercise, rather than before."
-
>"If it's all the same to everyone else, I prefer eating after exercise, rather than before."
>"Yeah, better to work up an appetite." Sen agrees.
>Cinnamon whines a bit, but is the only dissenting voice among either your group or Harukas', leading to the big eagle to say, "All right, then. How soon should we begin? Ten, fifteen minutes?"
-
>"Fifteen sounds fine to me."
-
>"Fifteen sounds fine to me."
>"In the meantime, if any of you do wish to grab a quick snack, our meal hall is available to you. Just be sure to be back on time." she adds, mostly, you suspect, for Cinnamon's benefit.
-
>Nod
>Then assuming no one else here seems to want to talk to us right now, let's go check up on Minoriko
-
>Nod
>Then assuming no one else here seems to want to talk to us right now, let's go check up on Minoriko
>There is some general dispersion. Reisen and Cinnamon go off together, most likely to feed the fairy. Subala simply disappears, reploying her invisibility magic, Hiyori and Sen move to speak with White Rose and Lily, and Linia seems to withdraw into herself. You wonder about that. You don't doubt Lily's ability to befriend people, but something about that Brightblood is different. You hope Lily can get her to warm up a bit, and she probably has the best chance of anyone in your group, but you're just not sure. For her part, Haruka follows you away from the group, towards Youmu and Carnation. The big eagle is silent during the walk, her eyes slightly distant. She's obviously thinking about something, most likely Cinnamon and her reaction to Reisen. Forget about coming from right field, that one came out of the asteroid belt. You have the nagging feeling that this might not end when Reisen leaves the shrine.
>Youmu and Minoriko appear to have finished their spar. Well, Minoriko has, anyway. She is presently sitting on one of the arena seats drinking from a cup of water. She's obviously been sweating. Youmu meanwhile continues to work out, now dueling with another miko, this one armed with a glaive. Their session is much more intense than the workout Youmu was putting Minoriko through.
-
>Take a seat next to Minoriko
>How are you holding up?
-
>Take a seat next to Minoriko
>How are you holding up?
>Haruka seems to have come to speak to Minoriko as well, but she decides to hang back and let you have some time with your comrade first.
>A bit tired. Minoriko admits. I'm not out of shape or anything, but I've never done anything like this before.
-
>No, I imagine not. But you've been hanging in there and doing a good job of it, too.
>"Haruka wanted to hold a group exercise, with our team pairing off with members of theirs against Kenyu's group in a simulated combat environment. Once you've had some time to catch your breath, that is."
>Explain the details we've hammered out
-
>No, I imagine not. But you've been hanging in there and doing a good job of it, too.
>"Haruka wanted to hold a group exercise, with our team pairing off with members of theirs against Kenyu's group in a simulated combat environment. Once you've had some time to catch your breath, that is."
>Explain the details we've hammered out
>I've been trying.
>"Yes, I know. We talked about it earlier, while Chrysanthemum and Poppy were fighting those two Blood. She wanted to work with me in the simulation, and I agreed."
>Well that saves a bit of explanation. So you fill her in on the rest of it.
>Understandably, her reaction to the recounting of what happened between Cinnamon and Reisen is one of pronounced surprise. "Never covered anything like that in class, did we."
-
>"It's certainly new to me."
-
>"It's certainly new to me."
>"How did Re- Poppy take it?"
-
>"With grace enough that it seemed almost as though she were not surprised by it at all."
-
>"With grace enough that it seemed almost as though she were not surprised by it at all."
>"Do you think this might have happened to her before?"
-
>"I don't know. I'll have to ask her about it later."
-
>"I don't know. I'll have to ask her about it later."
>Carnation leans back a bit. "Well, as long as it doesn't bother Poppy, I think I'm happy to see it. From how you describe it, it sounded like Cinnamon was worried about her, cared about her."
-
>"It really did seem that way, yes."
-
>"It really did seem that way, yes."
>Carnation giggles. "It would be cute if Cinnamon wanted to follow her home." Then her smile droops. "Oohh. That would be a problem, wouldn't it?"
-
>"I'm sure Poppy can handle it, if comes to that."
-
>"I'm sure Poppy can handle it, if comes to that."
>"Yeah, she probably can. Though while we're talking of handling things, are you okay working with Sen? She sounds a bit... rough."
-
>"She may be more... aggressive than her sisters, but she took issue with me because she felt my actions may have endangered people, and I can respect that. Beyond which, her focus on melee combat may be a good match for my own preference for ranged."
-
>"She may be more... aggressive than her sisters, but she took issue with me because she felt my actions may have endangered people, and I can respect that. Beyond which, her focus on melee combat may be a good match for my own preference for ranged."
>"You could say the same was true for Subala, as well, from what Haruka said about her." Carnation points out.
-
>"Perhaps. I have no complaints, though."
-
>"Perhaps. I have no complaints, though."
>"Well I hope you and she can get along. I really want to win this fight."
-
>"Likewise. And so does she. I think that any differences we have can be set aside for the purposes of the exercise."
-
>"Likewise. And so does she. I think that any differences we have can be set aside for the purposes of the exercise."
>"And, I have to say, I'm happy to have a chance to practice this sort of thing before doing it for real. I'm only sorry the rest of you never got the chance."
-
>"Trite as it might sound, necessity can bring forth a surprising strength. Though yes, all things being equal, I might have rathered this myself."
-
>"Trite as it might sound, necessity can bring forth a surprising strength. Though yes, all things being equal, I might have rathered this myself."
>"I do wonder, though, if you and Haruka might make the better team." Carnation postulates. "You are the leaders of our two groups. Well, the most experienced, I suppose in her case. And I think the two of you seem compatable with each other."
-
>"I agree. But in this case, Haruka specifically requested that she partner with you."
-
>"I agree. But in this case, Haruka specifically requested that she partner with you."
>"I know. She saw that I was new to this sort of thing. She said that she's helped people like me for a long time." She glances at the big eagle, then asks quietly, "Is she really as old as I think she is?"
-
>"Possibly older. She was born before the Dark Ages."
-
>"Possibly older. She was born before the Dark Ages."
>Carnation's eyes widen as she looks again at Haruka. The big eagle gives your colleague a faint smile and a slight shrug. "I know that some youkai can live for a long time, but still, isn't that a bit extreme?"
-
>Assuming the following is actually factual: "It's rare, certainly, but not unheard of."
-
>Assuming the following is actually factual: "It's rare, certainly, but not unheard of."
>Carnation shakes her head slightly. "It's a lot to think about. Living that long. Seeing everything that happened."
-
>"I can scarcely imagine it, if I'm honest."
-
>"I can scarcely imagine it, if I'm honest."
>Carnation leans forward, looking at Haruka. "You've really been alive that long?"
>"Longer." Haruka admits candidly.
>"And... you've been doing this sort of thing all this time?"
>"Not all of it." she replies, walking forward. "But a lot of it, yes. I realized very shortly after I ascended that I had talents few other people have. And I've had a lot more time to become accustomed to them than I assume you girls have."
-
>"By several orders of magnitude."
-
>"By several orders of magnitude."
>Haruka chuckles. "Indeed."
>"But..." Carnation starts, looking at Haruka with empathy. "How did you... I mean..."
>"How do I handle it?" Carnation nods. "Because it's what I do. When one is born with the powers and abilities I was, one can either choose to use them for good, use them for ill, or try and repress them. The third option wasn't available to me, and I'm not the sort of person to take the second choice. Fighting the good fight, trite though it may sound, is what I do. And as you girls have taught me, there's always more powers to learn. And that things that are impossible don't necessarily have to stay that way."
-
>"From the very beginning, I have always wanted to create a better outcome than people told me was possible and I've been very blessed by the ability to actually accomplish this - even if there's still much more work to do."
-
>"From the very beginning, I have always wanted to create a better outcome than people told me was possible and I've been very blessed by the ability to actually accomplish this - even if there's still much more work to do."
>Haruka smiles her smile full of quiet strength. "There always is. And days like today help people like yourself, Carnation, should help you grow accustomed to the task at hand."
>"I know. And I'm grateful for the chance, Haruka. I'll try not-"
>She stops as Haruka holds up her hand. "I know you won't, Carnation. You may be inexperienced, but your heart is in the right place. As an old friend of mine liked to say, the raw material is all there, you just need a little time in the fire."
>Carnation giggles a bit at Haruka's turn of phrase, then she looks between you and her. "Are you sure that you wouldn't rather work with Lotus?"
>"Not for this exercise. I would very much enjoy the opportunity to work with Lotus in such an exercise, but not this time."
-
>"I'm certainly this is not the only time we'll be working together, after all."
-
>"I'm certainly this is not the only time we'll be working together, after all."
>"Knowing Kenyu, I'm certain he would be willing to provide the opposition as well, should the need arise."
>"Which brings to mind a note of strategy I should mention. If you wish to discuss strategy now; we could wait until the group's all together."
-
>"No, if you have something to say, please go ahead."
-
>"No, if you have something to say, please go ahead."
>"As you wish."
>"I believe our partners are balanced in power and effectiveness as well as we can make them. However, I don't believe that any one of our groups is capable of besting Kenyu in a straight fight. Even I would be hard pressed to match a Grey Jewel at full power. Correct me if I'm wrong, Lotus, but you seemed to be hard pressed when you fought him by yourself, yes?"
-
>"It's true. I certainly wasn't ready to throw in the towel when we stopped, but I can't be certain how much more power he might have been holding in reserve as well."
-
>"It's true. I certainly wasn't ready to throw in the towel when we stopped, but I can't be certain how much more power he might have been holding in reserve as well."
>"Sen is an effective ally, so I would lay the best odds on you and she against him. But I don't know if those odds would be all that good. If one of our groups encounters him by ourselves, I would recommend falling back and awaiting reinforcements."
-
>"Reasonable. Our goal is to win, not to show off, after all."
-
>"Reasonable. Our goal is to win, not to show off, after all."
>"So you expect our group to get separated during this exercise?" Carnation asks her.
>"Yes I do. We've done this sort of scenario before. When faced with a large area with hostiles inside, such as the airport, we will separate and cover more ground to find and neutralize them all. Moving around in one big group means our power is all in one place and we can handle any one threat, but there's no telling what the other hostiles might be doing in the meantime."
>Carnation nods. "So who'll be going where?"
>"I haven't yet made that decision. It isn't just up to me, after all. Lotus and I are joint field commanders. I may be more experienced, but it wouldn't be right to make unilateral decisions for both involved parties. Too, she knows your group far batter than I do, and knows what environments suit each of you the best."
-
>"Are you anticipating the locales in this exercise to be that varied?"
-
>"Are you anticipating the locales in this exercise to be that varied?"
>"Up to a point. I don't know if you're familiar with the Mayoiga airport terminal, but it has a lot of areas that are very open, and a lot that are more enclosed, places like the arcade or bar. There will also be part of the exterior landing strips simulated, and outdoor environments naturally favor some over others."
-
>"I was thinking more about magical obstructions, traps, and similar things. If we're treading into a prepared domain, it might present obstacles more diverse than the typical contents of an airport - you might be more familiar with what to expect in this regard than I."
-
>"I was thinking more about magical obstructions, traps, and similar things. If we're treading into a prepared domain, it might present obstacles more diverse than the typical contents of an airport - you might be more familiar with what to expect in this regard than I."
>"If you're asking if the Protectors are capable of laying out traps and obstacles for us to overcome, the answer is yes. All of them save Kenyu are willing and able to manipulate a battlefield to their advantage, both in mundane terms and magical terms. Even Camille. She specializes in traps that do not harm, rather disable or render unconsciouness, but she's nearly as effective as the others. Wataru, Cynthia and Ioana have all had professional training in that area, from their experiences in the armed forces and law enforcement."
>"But Kenyu won't do that?" Carnation asks.
>"He considers it dishonable. He may not be a full-blooded Oni, but his sense of honor is just as strong as a full-blood. He'll lay traps to save people's lives, but in this environment that's not necessary."
-
>"Win by direct contest or not at all, hmmm."
-
>"Win by direct contest or not at all, hmmm."
>"That's how he operates if he has any choice in the matter. In this environment, he would prefer to fight alone and, as you say, directly. But he won't stop the others from laying out tripwires, setting up pressure traps, that sort of thing. All of us will need to be on guard for environmental hazards. Have you or any of yours had experience in that field?"
-
>"Some, though not likely as threatening as traps the Protectors can muster; my Amber Lotus excels at disarming magical obstacles."
-
>"Some, though not likely as threatening as traps the Protectors can muster; my Amber Lotus excels at disarming magical obstacles."
>"Then you'll need to make Sen let you take point to sweep for traps from time to time. She's a powerful ally, but trapfinding is hardly her forte. And you will need to be firm. She is not stupid, but she can be stubborn."
-
>"I'll keep that in mind."
-
>"I'll keep that in mind."
>"And I assume that you, Carnation, have had little in the way of experience with this sort of thing." At your colleagues' nod, Haruka continues, "Then you'd better leave that up to me. I should also caution you, Lotus, that you can expect the Protectors to attempt to block our own detecting magics. Among the abilities of the Blood Jewels is the ability to generate jamming fields that interfere with communication and divination magics. I don't know if those fields will affect your powers, but do not be surprised if your own mystical means of sensing supernatural phenomenon is limited during the exercise."
-
>"I will keep that in mind as well."
-
>"I will keep that in mind as well."
>"Is there a way to break their jamming field?" Carnation asks.
>"Not with Kenyu here. His Dawn Jewel would make the field too powerful to break by any convenient magic. It would take a great of time and effort to break a jamming field he creates, and doing so would be like sending up a signal flare. Every one of the Protectors would know the location of the person trying it, and be able to ambush them."
>"Although again, I don't know if that would hold true for your unique brand of magic." she adds.
-
>Smile
>"I suppose we may find out today then, won't we?"
-
>Smile
>"I suppose we may find out today then, won't we?"
>"Well if you're going to try, make sure you have someone keeping lookout for you. Ioana is an expert at tracking down disruptions in a jamming field."
-
>"I don't know that it'll come to that, but neither of us knows how much it will mask my extrasensory abilities in the first place. We'll have to play this by ear."
-
>"I don't know that it'll come to that, but neither of us knows how much it will mask my extrasensory abilities in the first place. We'll have to play this by ear."
>"Very true. I'm simply advising caution if you're going to try."
-
>"Of course."
-
>"Of course."
>"If we do, it would probably be better if we did while we're still together." Carnation suggests. "Our powers work better that way."
>"That's true, but that also means you're all in the same spot." Haruka points out. "And thus an easier target."
>"Doesn't that also mean the six of you will be with us to keep lookout?"
>The eagle smiles faintly. "That is also true. Perhaps we should keep that option open."
-
>"It would help with the rest of your detection abilities, and if we can disable it quickly enough...."
-
>"It would help with the rest of your detection abilities, and if we can disable it quickly enough...."
>"We would need to find a way to ensure they couldn't simply reestablish the jamming once we separate." Haruka hums thoughtfully for a couple of seconds. "Hiyori might be able to help in that regard. And Subala. Both of them are not only skilled at defensive magic, they know how to find holes in defensive magics. If your power can scatter the Blood's jamming field, my Sisters might be able to keep it scattered. In the event you can't."
-
>Nod thoughtfully
-
>Nod thoughtfully
>"I hadn't put a great deal of thought into the possibility of countering the Blood's jamming field. I should discuss this with my Sisters. If you'll excuse me for a bit?"
-
>"Of course."
-
>"Of course."
>Haruka nods and departs.
-
>To Minoriko: "Is there anything else you'd like me to go over before we start this?"
-
>To Minoriko: "Is there anything else you'd like me to go over before we start this?"
>Carnation turns her head to look at Youmu. "Well, if we're going to be fighting Youmu, I should tell you that she's strong. I might not have the same sort of sense for that sort of thing that you or the others do, but even I could tell she's very powerful. The power she has feels different compared to that of the other mikos. The Protectors might be powerful as a group, but we can't afford to ignore Youmu. Not if we want to win."
-
>"Different how?"
>Did we notice a similar thing?
-
>"Different how?"
>Did we notice a similar thing?
>"I don't know. It just didn't feel like the sort of magic the other shrines maidens have been using."
>You did not. But you haven't had your senses trained on Youmu when she's using her magic either.
-
>"Hmmm.... I'll keep it in mind."
>Chuckle
>"It seems there's a great many things I'm keeping in mind for this upcoming exercise."
-
>"Hmmm.... I'll keep it in mind."
>Chuckle
>"It seems there's a great many things I'm keeping in mind for this upcoming exercise."
>Carnation's chuckle accentuates yours. Then she sobers, looking at the training Youmu. "Lotus... we CAN beat them, right?"
-
>"Of course we can. The stakes are lower than the battles that we usually fight and ultimately it may not 'matter' a great deal whether we win or lose, but I'm confident we can do it."
-
>"Of course we can. The stakes are lower than the battles that we usually fight and ultimately it may not 'matter' a great deal whether we win or lose, but I'm confident we can do it."
>Your comrade nods, seemingly reassured. "I don't mean to sound like I'm worrying, but... That first fight we had with the Protectors was so spur of the moment, it was easy to get caught up in what was happening. But knowing that there's a big fight coming, knowing we'll be basically walking into the enemies' territory... That's something else."
-
>"I know. But at least you can go into it with the knowledge that this time, at least, it's okay if we lose."
>Put a gentle hand on her shoulder
>"But I have faith in you."
-
>"I know. But at least you can go into it with the knowledge that this time, at least, it's okay if we lose."
>Put a gentle hand on her shoulder
>"But I have faith in you."
>She smiles, more certainly. "Thank you, Lotus."
-
>Let's while away the time until we're due to reassemble for this exercise
-
>Let's while away the time until we're due to reassemble for this exercise
>At first you turn your attention to Youmu, trying to glean some more information about the unusual sensation of her magic that Minoriko reported. And the feeling of her aura is different from other people, not the same as a human or youkai or anything else. But the half-ghost does not use her magic against her new sparring partner. What you do see leads you to hope that Reisen's Saber spectrum is the one that ends up challenging her. Youmu is amazingly skilled with the katana that she wields, a katana that has a magical aura all its own about it. In thinking about, it's a bit of surprise that of the six members of your group, only one of you has any kind of pronounced skill in melee. If Carnation does, she hasn't shown it yet. You wonder if some more recruitment might compensate for that shortcoming, but you set that aside for the moment. Aside from the fact that you don't seem able to control the power suite of your fellow magical girls, you're leery of bringing in altogether too many people into your circle.
>But plenty of time to ponder that later. You've got an exercise to win and a tie to break. You slowly assemble with the other members of your group, taking stock of all their conditions. Of course they're all healthy, this room makes sure of that, but you want to make sure that they're all rested enough to tackle a challenge like this. Every one of them assures you that they are. Especially Chrysanthemum. You know her well enough to know that she isn't taking her loss to Cynthia and Wataru entirely well. But you also know that she won't let her temper get the better of her, not in this circumstance. She'll perform well, of that you have no doubt.
>Cinnamon and Poppy are the last of the group to assemble, the blonde fairy busily finishing off the remnants of what you believe to be an oversized cinnamon roll. Her other hand is still holding Poppys'. You wonder if they've been like that since they left. But you have no concerns about the two of them functioning well together. The only pairing you have any pause about is your own, and even then, you don't think Sen will be entirely difficult to work with. You understand where she's coming from, and there's no doubting her commitment to winning.
>Haruka stands before the assembled dozen women and fans her wings, asking for attention. "I see we are all here. Are we all ready?"
>Your group and hers respond in the affirmative, Sen and Carnation with more verve than the others. Haruka looks over her shoulder towards Kenyu and his group. The tall firefighter holds up one fist in reply, and the other five members of his group do likewise. Haruka nods and pulls a silver-colored ofuda from her robes. It glows softly for a moment and you feel a powerful flow of magic fill the air around you. A magic not like that of the shrine. It feels familiar vaguely, but the memory escapes you at the moment.
>The air around you blurs briefly and the area around you changes. You find yourself standing in front of a large building with the signage "Mayoiga International Airport" in large letters over the door.
>"Impressive." Chrysanthemum remarks.
-
>To Kiku: Have you ever been involved in similar training exercises to this yourself?
>Are Kenyu's group still in evidence, or did this space creation magic already place them further inside the airport?
-
>To Kiku: Have you ever been involved in similar training exercises to this yourself?
>Are Kenyu's group still in evidence, or did this space creation magic already place them further inside the airport?
>Not personally. My temple does not have this sort of magic available to it. Lotus, did that magic sensation feel different to you?
>You cannot see them. Based on where they were standing, the building would have materialized around them, placing them inside the building already.
-
>It did not feel like shrine magic, if that's what you mean. There was something... strangely familiar about it, though, but I can't quite place it.
-
>It did not feel like shrine magic, if that's what you mean. There was something... strangely familiar about it, though, but I can't quite place it.
>It was unlike anything I could recognize. And it was too brief for me to gain a sense of where it came from. Not without using my own Prime magic, and I have been hesitant to do that here.
-
>You suspect that would give your identity away?
-
>You suspect that would give your identity away?
>Yes. A Prime shrine maiden with sufficient power and skill might recognize me using that power even through the glamor that conceals our identity.
-
>Here I should probably admit that Youmu did recognize me through this guise. Why me specifically, I don't know; we're classmates, but she didn't recognize Rin in the same manner.
-
>Here I should probably admit that Youmu did recognize me through this guise. Why me specifically, I don't know; we're classmates, but she didn't recognize Rin in the same manner.
>Chrysanthemum's eyes widen briefly but she gets them under control quickly. That is unexpected.
-
>Very. She confronted me about it shortly after I arrived. I think we can trust her, though. To be honest, I feel somewhat awkward concealing our identities from our allies here, now that the corruption amid the shrines has been excised.
-
>Very. She confronted me about it shortly after I arrived. I think we can trust her, though. To be honest, I feel somewhat awkward concealing our identities from our allies here, now that the corruption amid the shrines has been excised.
>The fewer people that know our true identities, the better the odds of our remaining enemies learning that information. Kiku points out.
-
>I can't argue with that. But I still feel a bit bad about it, though - as if we weren't willing to trust these people who are already placing their trust in us.
-
>I can't argue with that. But I still feel a bit bad about it, though - as if we weren't willing to trust these people who are already placing their trust in us.
>Are you contemplating revealing yourself?
-
>Well, not right now, at least. But I feel like I might owe it as a gesture of trust to Haruka, at least.
>The issue, of course, is that my own identity might give away the identities of several of our companions, and I'm not sure those are my secrets to tell.
-
>Well, not right now, at least. But I feel like I might owe it as a gesture of trust to Haruka, at least.
>The issue, of course, is that my own identity might give away the identities of several of our companions, and I'm not sure those are my secrets to tell.
>Speaking for myself, I would prefer to keep my identity concealed from my Sisters. There would be conveniences in revealing myself, but keeping my identity secret is still the preferable option for me. Not the least reason being there are members of my own temple I would not trust with this sort of secret.
>"Lotus?" Haruka asks, interrupting your reverie. "How should we proceed?"
-
>"I doubt they can have had time to established meaningful frontal defenses this quickly, so I say we just enter the front door and test out the effectiveness of this jamming field of theirs you mentioned. If I can ignore it or bypass it, that will give us better information on how to spread our forces."
-
>"I doubt they can have had time to established meaningful frontal defenses this quickly, so I say we just enter the front door and test out the effectiveness of this jamming field of theirs you mentioned. If I can ignore it or bypass it, that will give us better information on how to spread our forces."
>"I would recommend against all of us going through the front door. Too many of us in one place would make us too easy a target. And there are many entrances and exits to this place. I would prefer some more coverage in the event they try to flee."
-
>"Then whoever has the most confidence in moving without being detected should take a side entrance. If anything, the bulk of us approaching from the front might make it easier for them to be overlooked."
-
>"Then whoever has the most confidence in moving without being detected should take a side entrance. If anything, the bulk of us approaching from the front might make it easier for them to be overlooked."
>"Which entrance? This building has more than half a dozen ways into it. We can't cover every entrance, but we do have enough people to send at least one team to each side of the terminal and cover one entrance."
>"But don't forget." Carnation says to her partner. "We wanted to see if our power could break up the Defender's jamming. And we have a better chance of doing that together."
>Hiyori suggests, "And we could disperse once we're inside rather than out here. To get the coverage you wanted."
>Haruka considers that. "How many of your people do you think you'll need?" she asks.
-
>"More is always better, but I can't predict the difficulty of the task without first encountering it. I'll want at least White Rose and perhaps one other."
-
>"More is always better, but I can't predict the difficulty of the task without first encountering it. I'll want at least White Rose and perhaps one other."
>"I'll go with you." Lily volunteers. "Uh, we'll go with you." she corrects herself, looking at her partner Linia. "If you want to."
>Linia replies to Lily by looking at Haruka. The eagle shakes her head. "I don't want both defensive specialists in one group. With Hiyori accompanying White Rose, I'd rather have you two, Lily and Linia, take another area of the building."
>"Then I will accompany Lotus." says Chrysanthemum. "No doubt Subala will employ her invisibility magic before entering the building. If they see five of us rather than the sex they'd expect, they might underestimate us. And even if they know about Subala's tactic, they won't know her exact location, thus giving us the advantage."
>"A good plan. Does that satisfy you, Lotus?"
-
>Nod
>"Sounds good to me."
-
>Nod
>"Sounds good to me."
>"All right. Cinnamon, Magical Poppy, I want you two to enter from the rear. Linia, Magical Lily, take one of the entrances to the west. Carnation, you and I will remain here for the moment. If Lotus needs more help inside, we can enter to assist her. If not, we will enter from the roof and make our way towards the main thoroughfare."
>"Hang on a second, boss." Sen objects. "Kenyu's on their side. Won't he go to the roof? He likes fighting his own fights, and that's probably the best place for it."
>"I agree. Which is another reason why I want myself and Carnation up there. If Kenyu is up there, then Carnation and I can engage him or withdraw and force him to chase us. If we have to fight him, then we might not win, but we can give him a very good fight. Long enough for the rest of you to engage and defeat the other five members of his group. With their biggest threat occupied, the others should prove easier to handle."
>"Besides," she adds, placing a hand on Carnation's shoulder. "I have no intention of losing to Kenyu with a capable ally at my side. Perhaps I might not be able to defeat him, but we might just surprise him. Remember, people, Kenyu is very powerful and very talented, but he is not unbeatable. Lotus was able to stand up to him by herself, and Poppy was able to defeat him."
>"He underestimated the rabbit." Sen points out.
>"And if he does the same to Carnation, then he will regret it again." Haruka replies confidently.
-
>"I am in full agreement."
>To Minoriko; And while you may still be new at this, don't underestimate the power you have. Determination counts for a lot.
-
>"I am in full agreement."
>To Minoriko; And while you may still be new at this, don't underestimate the power you have. Determination counts for a lot.
>I won't let you down. Minoriko replies firmly.
-
>I wouldn't doubt it for a moment.
>Let's get going
-
>I wouldn't doubt it for a moment.
>Let's get going
>"Okay, ladies." Sen barks. "After me." The red-winged youkai smacks her fists together, causing an eruption of sparks from the impact as her arms start to glow red. She brooks no argument about being the first one through the door. Which she opens with her foot, despite it being a sliding door. About as subtle as a chainsaw, this one. She is, however, stopped before she can kick down the inner door, this building having an inner entryway. Chrysanthemum puts a firm hand on her shoulder.
>"Let's scan it first, Sen." she advises. "Unless you're in a hurry to trip a trap."
>"You sound like Haruka." Sen gripes. She does, however, stop.
-
>Let's see how our mystic senses function until this potential jamming field
-
>Let's see how our mystic senses function until this potential jamming field
>No sooner than when you start to push your mystic senses out are they assailed by a burst of static and white noise. The Protectors are indeed jamming; at least you assume that's what this power is. A moment's probing indicates Blood magic rather than anything else, confirming your theory.
>White Rose has a similar experience. "That's nasty." she remarks, wincing slightly.
>"But not perfect." Chrysanthemum remarks. "I am still able to scan out to a short range effectively. 12... 15 feet. Anything beyond that is obscured by a sensation of static."
>You have a bit more luck yourself. Despite the interference, your own mystic senses appear to be accurate out to a range of around 20 feet before they are rendered ineffective.
-
>"My senses can reach about 20 feet away, but it's a distinctly unpleasant sensation."
>The immediate vicinity does not appear trapped though, right?
>Assuming not, let's cautiously enter the premises and look around for any other obvious threats
-
>"My senses can reach about 20 feet away, but it's a distinctly unpleasant sensation."
>The immediate vicinity does not appear trapped though, right?
>Assuming not, let's cautiously enter the premises and look around for any other obvious threats
>"I can't even scan that far." says White Rose.
>The door itself is not, as far as you can determine. You do sense a localized spot of Blood magic about five feet in front of the door at ground level. You can't determine its purpose, but you can't imagine it's anything good for you or your people.
-
>Point at it
>"There's Blood magic right there. I can't tell what it does, but it's probably best not to just saunter over it."
>Is there a wide enough path that we could move around the magic without potentially triggering it? Or actively disarming it.
-
>Point at it
>"There's Blood magic right there. I can't tell what it does, but it's probably best not to just saunter over it."
>Is there a wide enough path that we could move around the magic without potentially triggering it? Or actively disarming it.
>"No kiddin'." grunts Sen.
>Yes. There is enough open ground around the magic to accommodate your group.
-
>"I could try disarming it, but it might alert them less if we simply move around it. There should be room."
>"I'll go first. Follow close behind me."
>Assuming there are no objections, let's give the magic a wide berth and ensure that the others do likewise
-
>"I could try disarming it, but it might alert them less if we simply move around it. There should be room."
>"I'll go first. Follow close behind me."
>Assuming there are no objections, let's give the magic a wide berth and ensure that the others do likewise
>As a matter of fact, Sen objects. "Whoa there, girl. When I said 'after me', I meant all the time."
>"You would prefer to go ahead of the woman who knows where the trap is?" Chrysanthemum asks.
>"She already told us where it's at." Sen counters.
>"Then you know exactly where the trap is?"
>"Enough not to strut across it. Now shut up and leave me alone, we've got work to do." the winged miko says with finality, moving towards the closed sliding door.
-
>Let's give her the lead if she wants it that much, but stick close behind and be prepared to yell a course correction or even outright grab her if she's actually NOT giving it a wide enough birth
-
>Let's give her the lead if she wants it that much, but stick close behind and be prepared to yell a course correction or even outright grab her if she's actually NOT giving it a wide enough birth
>Giving Sen her leave to lead the way, as you expect she does frequently, you allow her to open the door, giving you a less obstructed view of the inside of the airport terminal, a building you yourself have never been inside before. For want of a better word, it's really frigging big in there, but you don't have to register too many details before you hear something from the left side of the door click, and a cloud of thick smoke explodes out from a small canister that you had appeared to be just a normal part of the door. Sen reels backwards, falling into you, coughing and choking, her eyes watering.
>Crediting her reflexes, Hiyori produces an ofuda and casts a spell, bringing forth a gust of wind to blow the smoke away from the door.
-
>Any sign of a threat more dangerous than smoke?
-
>Any sign of a threat more dangerous than smoke?
>Not yet.
-
>Then wait for the smoke to clear (while keeping an eye out for any further danger) and if nothing else seems to happen, carefully proceed inside
-
>Then wait for the smoke to clear (while keeping an eye out for any further danger) and if nothing else seems to happen, carefully proceed inside
>The others not caught in that smoke are not idle. Chrysanthemum helps disentangle Sen from you, tears streaming from the taller miko's eyes. She obviously won't be of much use to anyone for a while. "Tear gas."
>"Wataru's doing." Hiyori says. "Be ready to shield if you can, they're probably going to shoot soon."
>As though beckoned by her words, you hear the sound of at least one weapon discharging, and a red blaster bolt flies through the dissipating cloud. But Subala and White Rose are ready, the miko raising a talisman and conjuring a wall of liquid into being, the liquid diffusing the energy of the blaster shot and rendering it harmless. White Rose adds to your defenses by conjuring forth one of her Guarding Rings, but, demonstrating a new ability, she doesn't launch it automatically. The disc floats above her shoulder, ready to launch at her command should Subala's wall fail.
>A second shooter joins their shots to the first's fire as the rest of the smoke fades. The first shooter you see is crouching behind a long row of seats to the northeast, discharging a blaster rifle into Subala's wall. The second shooter is located on a high walkway to the northwest, employing a smaller weapon, a pistol of some make, in a great position to create a crossfire. Had your group decided to charge through that smoke or all enter at the same time, the two of them, Wataru and Cynthia, would have been able to pick you off like sitting ducks.
>"Why are they using guns?" White Rose asks over the sound of blasters.
>"Saving their Jewels for clear targets." Subala replies.
-
>Could we snake a Sapphire Lotus along the ground and use it to knock aside the seats Wataru is using for cover?
-
>Could we snake a Sapphire Lotus along the ground and use it to knock aside the seats Wataru is using for cover?
>You'd have to either go around Subala's wall or get her to drop it, but yes you can.
-
>Then let's go around the wall and take down his cover. And try to make it quick.
-
>Then let's go around the wall and take down his cover. And try to make it quick.
>"Hiyori." Subala orders her sister as you employ your Sapphire light, sending the beam of energy along the ground. Cynthia produces a second pistol and starts to shoot at your beam, but her shots cannot accurately track the rapid movement of your blue light.
>The rest of your group are not idle. White Rose sends a burst of flame at the left side of the door, breaking out the glass on that side. Moving up beside her, Chrysanthemum, her hands glowing with power, employs her own magic, sending her Metal Nails attack at the tengu. At the same time, Hiyori takes a step back and starts to cast a new spell.
>Before she can finish, another blaster bolt, this one far larger and far more powerful than even those of Wataru's rifle, screams down the length of the building, penetrating Subala's barrier and striking the owl youkai on her right hip. The force of the impact spins her around and into Hiyori, but the smaller shrine maiden manages to complete her spell. Another protective barrier appears in front of your group, this one a brilliant rainbow pattern, and far more powerful than the one cast by Subala. This wall doesn't even ripple under the impact of Cynthia and Wataru's shots.
>"What the hell was that?!" White Rose exclaims as she sees what happened to Subala.
>"Laser rifle." Hiyori explains. "They're high powered sniper rifles." As she turns and crouches to tend to Sen, she adds, "You can shoot through that wall. It only stops hostile fire."
>With you under cover, your efforts strip away Wataru's. A burst of Sapphire light strikes at the bottom of the seating row, tearing it out of its moorings and flinging it into the air. Rather than be stunned, Wataru immediately drops down to the ground, his body concealed by the rows of seats around him, and a small cylindrical object comes flying out into the open.
-
>Use our Sapphire light to bat the cylindrical object aside - somewhere not between either of our groups
-
>Use our Sapphire light to bat the cylindrical object aside - somewhere not between either of our groups
>The three Protectors have some good spread between them, so you judge the best direction to send that canister is back over Wataru's head, assuming he's where you think he is, and to his left. The canister opens when your light strikes it, sending out another plume of gas. But this cloud is more white than the yellow-ish of the choking gas that affected Sen. It's also thicker. If you had to guess, you would say that this gas was meant to act like a smokescreen. But with you sending the canister flying away, Wataru won't be getting any benefits from this one.
>But the officer has more that just technology on his side. Despite you dealing with his smoke canister, another cloud of obfuscating gas emerges from his approximate location, this one a thick, deep purple. A glance up at Cynthia's location reveals a similar smokescreen, this one more mundane.
>"Now what are they doing?" White Rose asks.
>"Running." Hiyori replies. "We survived their ambush, so they'll be repositioning themselves."
>"That smoke wont stop us from tracking them." Chrysanthemum says.
>"The smoke is more a distraction. Blood have invisibility magic. They call it sight-shielding, but it's the same thing."
-
>"Then let's get some cover ourselves and try to dispel their jamming field."
>Identify someplace nearby that's not out in the open and gather together
-
>"Then let's get some cover ourselves and try to dispel their jamming field."
>Identify someplace nearby that's not out in the open and gather together
>Your current position is defensible, but not entirely secure. Hiyori's shield is strong, but you're not sure it could survive for long if the Blood decided to turn and use their Jewels against it. So you decide to fall back to outside the building, where the Blood won't be able to see you. With Hiyori and White Rose keeping watch, you and Chrysanthemum help Sen and Subala outside. Your partner is still feeling the effects of that first cloud of gas, while Subala's uniform has taken some severe damage. She's still in it, hasn't been eliminated yet, but you don't think she can take much more damage.
>Outside, Pink Carnation and Haruka are still on standby, and the big eagle gives you a hand getting Sen outside. "I gather things didn't go entirely well?"
-
>"We drove back an ambush attempt by Wataru and Cynthia and forced them to retreat, but there's no defensible positions near our side of the entrance and I want better cover to try disrupting their jamming field. If we're chasing people intent on hit and run tactics, I'd rather have all our senses available."
-
>"We drove back an ambush attempt by Wataru and Cynthia and forced them to retreat, but there's no defensible positions near our side of the entrance and I want better cover to try disrupting their jamming field. If we're chasing people intent on hit and run tactics, I'd rather have all our senses available."
>Looking between the coughing Sen and the battle damaged Subala, Haruka asks, "No offense, Lotus, but are you sure they didn't drive you back?"
-
>"Point taken. Still, I want to at least attempt this before reentering."
-
>"Point taken. Still, I want to at least attempt this before reentering."
>"Of course. I'll watch the door."
-
>Let's get our people together and give this a try
-
>Let's get our people together and give this a try
>Leaving the wounded mikos to Hiyori, you form your own little circle with White Rose, Chrysanthemum and Pink Carnation. You all join hands to start the operation. This promises to be a tricky one. Setting aside the power level of the people involved, you've never tried to do anything like this before. The closest thing you've ever experienced like the Blood's jamming field was Satori's psychic power, and you came out second best on that exchange. Of course that time you'd been ambushed, poisoned and only had half as many friends with you.
>Being outside the airport doesn't make the sensation of the jamming field any more pleasant, but it is necessary to pull this off. It lies over the building, and slightly beyond it, like a blanket made of thorns and sawgrass, smothering psychic energies not belonging to the Blood. There's only so much you can glean about the power itself; without proximity to a Jewel, you don't have the same insight into their power that you gained against the Stuntrons.
>Still, that doesn't mean you have no ideas. Every blanket has corners, and no blanket, no matter how heavy, can't be lifted off. This trick with this blanket will be finding an edge you can use. Unfortunately, you cannot detect any discernible weak points, edges, within the range of your scanning. The presence of your friends augments your scanning range, but not enough to locate the sort of weak point you'd need to exploit. You think it's possible that you could make one, giving you the opportunity to break the jamming field, but that comes with complications. You're not sure how much energy it would take, and you can't guarantee the Protectors wouldn't just put the jamming back into place. You don't have enough knowledge about the Blood to know how easy or difficult it is for them to erect such a field.
-
>If Kenyu is the one projecting this, do we think knowing his location specifically could help with unraveling it? If we knew the 'center' of it, so to speak?
>Rather than removing the field entirely, do we think we could maybe create a bubble around ourselves that could push it back some distance from us and effectively extend the sensory range of us and our allies?
>"Are any of you familiar with approximately how difficult or time-consuming it might be for them to reconstruct the jamming field once we removed it?"
-
>"Are any of you familiar with approximately how difficult or time-consuming it might be for them to reconstruct the jamming field once we removed it?"
>"It depends on the people involved." Haruka replies. "Some Blood have an easier time than others. The Protectors are skilled at it, so normally I would assume that it wouldn't take them very long after they recover from the shock. But this case might be different. Your power may interact with theirs in unexpected ways."
>"Just a moment." Chrysanthemum interrupts. "What 'shock'?"
>"The Blood's jamming field is a psychic field. It's tied to the minds of the people creating and maintaining it. In this case, the Protectors. Shattering the field creates a psychic backlash among them. If your power was the one to disrupt the field, the backlash might be less severe than normal. Then again it might be twice as severe. I don't know. But whatever the case, it would take them time to recover from the shock and reestablish the field, especially now that they've separated."
>"How long?" the tiger asks.
>"Hard to say. But considering it's the Protectors, no more than five minutes. Unless we track down and eliminate some of them before they get the chance."
>If Kenyu is the one projecting this, do we think knowing his location specifically could help with unraveling it? If we knew the 'center' of it, so to speak?
>Rather than removing the field entirely, do we think we could maybe create a bubble around ourselves that could push it back some distance from us and effectively extend the sensory range of us and our allies?
>It's not just Kenyu, you can sense that much. They're all involved, all five of them. He's almost certainly the strongest involved, depending on which Jewel he's using for this, but you can sense enough to know that all five Protectors are involved in maintaining this field.
>Potentially. The act of pushing the field away would be unpleasant and not entirely easy, but you feel you could do it.
-
>"If this might incapacitate them, even for a little while, then I think we need to be ready to exploit this. I think we can disrupt their jamming field, but I won't know for certain how much energy it will take until we try. I think everyone not involved should be positioned to sweep in the very instant the field drops - find and eliminate at least some of them before they can recover."
-
>"If this might incapacitate them, even for a little while, then I think we need to be ready to exploit this. I think we can disrupt their jamming field, but I won't know for certain how much energy it will take until we try. I think everyone not involved should be positioned to sweep in the very instant the field drops - find and eliminate at least some of them before they can recover."
>"Wait, you said you drove them back. Were they sight shielded?"
>"Yes, Onee-sama." Hitori replies. "Two of them were. And we never even saw the third one."
>"Then we have no way of knowing where to look for them. And this is a big building. There's a lot of ground to cover, and hundreds of places to hide."
-
>"Would the backlash from disrupting their field not leave them exposed in that regard as well?"
>"And if not, would you not be able to detect them magically, once the jamming field was gone?"
-
>"Would the backlash from disrupting their field not leave them exposed in that regard as well?"
>"And if not, would you not be able to detect them magically, once the jamming field was gone?"
>"We lack the ability to track a Blood Jewel when it's not active."
>"No, but we could at least find Konpaku-sama that way." says Hiyori. "She's special."
>"True. And yes, Lotus, you're right, the backlash would most likely disrupt their sight shields. But that doesn't mean they'll be completely disabled. They could still be able to hide themselves."
>"Then I can track them." Chrysanthemum says confidantly. "I am a tiger. I can follow the scent of a human and a tengu. Especially the tengu, their scents are unique."
>Haruka nods. "Can you do the same, White Rose?"
>"Maybe." your girlfriend says after some thought. "I'm not used to tracking scents. My nose is better than a humans', but that doesn't mean I'm good at it."
>"Still, it is an advantage the rest of us don't have." She then looks down at Sen, who seems to be breathing a bit easier but is still plainly disabled. "We do have another problem, though. We can't wait for Sen to recover, we'd be leaving the other four members of our group alone against the enemy. Are you comfortable working without a partner, Lotus?"
-
>Do we think we might actually be able to help her recover? The impurities in her lungs are not exactly corruptive in origin, but do we think our power might still be able to 'purify' it enough for her to get back on her feet?
-
>Do we think we might actually be able to help her recover? The impurities in her lungs are not exactly corruptive in origin, but do we think our power might still be able to 'purify' it enough for her to get back on her feet?
>If the gas was in any way supernatural in either origin or content, then you probably could. But as far as you sensed, what Sen got a lungful of was run of the mill tear gas, or whatever the local law enforcement use for their tear gas. Your power wasn't designed to cure that sort of ailment.
-
>Do we think Lily's power could? She did clean up some air, the other day.
-
>Do we think Lily's power could? She did clean up some air, the other day.
>There's a chance at least. You wouldn't hold your breath, but it's worth asking.
-
>Lily, do you think your power could help clear tear gas out of someone's lungs?
-
>Lily, do you think your power could help clear tear gas out of someone's lungs?
>Uhhhh..... Hmm.....
>Excuse me. Carnation interrupts Lily's pondering, But I'm pretty sure I can help here.
-
>Oh?
-
>Oh?
>If you think we have the time before trying to break their jamming.
>How long would you need? Chrysanthemum asks her.
>Not very long. Just long enough to make the fruit.
-
>Make the fruit?
-
>Make the fruit?
>I can do more with my staff than just fight. I can use it to create fruits- or rather edible things in general- that have beneficial properties, including healing.
>Beneficial means 'good', right? Rin asks on a private channel.
-
>To Rin: Yes.
>Go ahead, Minoriko. We can afford to wait a moment.
>To Haruka: "I think we may be able speed that up a little, actually."
-
>To Rin: Yes.
>Go ahead, Minoriko. We can afford to wait a moment.
>To Haruka: "I think we may be able speed that up a little, actually."
>"Howso?"
>Carnation replies to Haruka, "I should be able to make something to help her breathe easier. Harvest Staff." she intones, striking her staff on the ground. The quarterstaff glows with a golden-brown light and changes shape, transforming into something resembling a crook. "That gas was just regular tear gas, right?" she asks.
>Hiyori replies, "Mostly. The Mayoiga police use a slightly different formula than the standard."
>"Still, I can handle that. Carnation Refreshing Strawberry." A large, ripe strawberry grows from the end of her crook. The sensation of Carnation's magic itself is actually refreshing. It feels like a warm autumn breeze, thick with the scent of crops in the field ready for harvesting. Carnation pulls the fruit from her staff and kneels, offering it to Sen. "Take this, Sen. Trust me, you'll feel better."
>The teary-eyed miko fumbles a moment with the fruit, then manages to pop it in her mouth. After only a few seconds her eyes pop wide open, now clear and bright, and she inhales deeply and audibly. "Whoo!" she explains, fanning her wings suddenly, almost knocking you and White Rose over in the act. "What was in that thing?"
>"Just a little helpful magic." Carnation replies humbly.
>"Damn effective stuff." Sen says appreciately, popping back to her feet. "Hey wait, we're outside, why are we outside?"
-
>"The Protectors fell back after our initial entrance and sight-shielded themselves. I wanted to try taking down their jamming field rather than pursue them while they were concealed, and there was no suitable cover near the entrance to attempt this."
>"The current plan is to disrupt it, and then have everyone else on standby to rush in the very moment we succeed - attempt to capitalize on them being stunned by the backlash."
-
>"The Protectors fell back after our initial entrance and sight-shielded themselves. I wanted to try taking down their jamming field rather than pursue them while they were concealed, and there was no suitable cover near the entrance to attempt this."
>"The current plan is to disrupt it, and then have everyone else on standby to rush in the very moment we succeed - attempt to capitalize on them being stunned by the backlash."
>Sen cracks her fists together again, making her hands glow once more. "Then get cracking. Nobody gasses me and gets away with it."
-
>"Let's see that they don't."
>Convey the situation to the teams posted elsewhere around the airport, then gather our allies here and let's take down the jamming field
-
>"Let's see that they don't."
>Convey the situation to the teams posted elsewhere around the airport, then gather our allies here and let's take down the jamming field
>You are unable to contact Poppy. She must already be within the influence of the jamming field.
-
>Then tell Lily and we'll have to send Poppy the message after we bring the field down
>Let's get to work
-
>Then tell Lily and we'll have to send Poppy the message after we bring the field down
>Let's get to work
>Lily replies with a mote of hope and her best of luck, since it seems she doesn't like the sensation of the jamming field anymore than you do.
>And with that done, you and your three nearby colleagues set to work. And there's no easy way to do it, given that this blanket of needles has no seem nor edge that you can grab onto. The only way to try and make a seem is to pick a location and thrust your power at it. There's no way to do that without causing yourself some pain, but if that's what's called for, then best to do it fast and get it over with. And do it fast and in one burst. Otherwise the more powerful members of their group might sense what you're up to and be able to counter you. This is gonna be hard enough as it is.
>Even forcing your way through that field is difficult enough to the point where it actually pains you, and not a small amount either. You do succeed, however. You and your three allies force your magic through that barrier in an experience akin to what it must be like running through a field of broken glass. And now you're about to leap into a heaping big pile of salt, you have no doubt. But, as Kiku says at nearly the same time you do as Minoriko flinches, you've come this far, you can't stop now. If you're going to succeed, it has to be now, before they can reinforce the field. You hear the mikos talking as well, Hiyori asking if there's anything she can do for you. The pain you and your group is in is plain to see. Haruka appears sympathetic, but there's nothing their magic can do help in this situation.
>The trick is going to be, now that you've used your power to wedge yourself into that psychic field, expanding your power outward in such a way to break it up. Simply expanding it out like a balloon won't work, it would be too energy consuming and too painful to leave you useful afterwards. You'd be out of action at least as long if not longer than your enemy. Simply cutting it would leave wounds too easy for the Blood to repair. Letting the four of you simply do your own thing would diffuse your power too much. Kiku eventually makes the suggestion that seems to be the best plan of action: using the approach of an animal. Tigers tear at their prey, or shake them about in their mouths sometimes. That's what she suggests you do, and she may be right. A psychic savaging would damage the field in a way that would be all but impossible to heal and would actually be easier to pull off than trying the balloon approach. You've never employed your power in that manner before, but in this case you have the animal instincts of two felines to draw upon.
>This is among the more challenging things you've ever tasked yourself with doing since you came into your power. Psionically rending that blanket of needles is not at all easy, nor is it without a severe amount of pain. If there's any upside to this, it's that your clothes aren't shredding in the process, so you'll still be functional once you're finished. Sort of functional, anyway. Minoriko actually screams once from the pain, but to her credit, she sticks with it, keeping her power joined to yours, and the jamming field eventually withers and snaps under your assault.
>The field has been dispelled, and you sense the wave of disruptive force blast through the minds that generated it. What you didn't expect, however, was that your group would also be caught in the backlash. Not as severely, you can sense, but it's still enough to send you reeling.
-
>Then let's try to reel ourselves back in, on the double
-
>Then let's try to reel ourselves back in, on the double
>Easier said than done. Between the pain of the act and the mental whiplash you suffered at the end, all four of you bodily stagger. Only Kiku manages to stay on her feet unaided, and only just. Subala and Hiyori help stabilize White Rose and Pink Carnation, while Haruka takes hold of you. At least you're pretty sure it's Haruka. The colors look right, but you can't quite see straight right now. "Steady, Lotus, steady." the big eagle says to you, her words echoing through your shaking skull.
-
>C'mon, pull it together....
-
>C'mon, pull it together....
>Pressing your head to your hand... No wait, the other way around, you try to get your senses back in order. No easy task. Your mind feels almost as bad now as when you were under attack by Satori. It's impressive that you managed to stay on your feet. Feet? Yes, feet.
>"Did you succeed?" Haruka asks you twice. No, just the once, that's just the echo in your mind's ears.
-
>Are we confident we did?
>If so, tell her as much. Or at least nod
-
>Are we confident we did?
>If so, tell her as much. Or at least nod
>You are quite certain.
>You can manage a nod. Yes, that's a good head.
>"Well done." the eagle congratulates you. "At this point I should not be surprised. I only hope that the experience was as jarring for them as it seemed to be for you."
>"How did it hurt them like that?" a worried Hiyori asks Haruka. "Isn't this room supposed to stop that from happening?"
>"I can only assume it was a consequence of their power mixing with the Blood. The power that Lotus and her group have is unique. It may not interact with our training field of Blood magic in the normal way."
>You really wish these two wouldn't talk so loudly. The ringing in your skull isn't as loud as it was a minute ago, but you've still got a headache the size of the San Andreas.
>"Ohhh.... I don't wanna do that again..." White Rose mutters aloud.
>"At least it worked." says Pink Carnation. Bless her heart, she's actually smiling. Weakly, but, she's tough.
>Kiku nods. "And we know we can do it again if we ever need to."
>"Don't make us need to..." White Rose whines.
-
>To Lily and Reisen: The jamming field is down and the Protectors should be stunned briefly. Move quickly!
>"That was.... much worse than anticipated."
>To Minoriko: "I don't suppose you have a fruit for headaches?"
-
>To Lily and Reisen: The jamming field is down and the Protectors should be stunned briefly. Move quickly!
>"That was.... much worse than anticipated."
>To Minoriko: "I don't suppose you have a fruit for headaches?"
>The transmission you send to your friends is garbled. Your own psychic sense is still affected by both the effort and the backlash you suffered at the end. Lily sends a reply, but your receptors are as messed up as your transmitters. You think she said, Are you okay? From Reisen, there is no reply at all.
>"The knowledge did come at a price." Chrysanthemum agrees, looking around. She seems to have recovered from the experience more quickly than the rest of you. Outwardly at least. "Where is Sen?"
>"She ran in after it appeared you had been successful." Haruka replies sourly. "Without even checking if you had first."
>"Patience is not her strong point." Hiyori adds with a frown.
>"Well she's on her own for the moment." Chrysanthemum says. "My friends and I need a moment to recuperate."
>"How are you holding up so good?" White Rose asks her as Carnation, per your request, hands you a created banana.
>The tiger youkai hesitates for a moment before replying. "Perhaps my brain chemistry grants me greater resiliency in this area."
-
>Eat the banana
-
>Eat the banana
>Magic banana. Didn't think Minoriko would have that for a power. Or strawberries, for that matter, but if Sen's reaction is anything to go by, they're very effective.
>A moment later you have confirmation of that. After just the first bite your head starts to feel better. The fruit tastes... rather unlike anything you've ever had before, and the texture isn't normal for a banana either. But whatever use you wish to use, it's bloody effective. You feel a rush of refreshing energy flow through your body and mind, and the haze that was clouding your thoughts, the disruptions you felt in your senses, fades away like a wisp of smoke in the wind.
>"Do you still plan to enter through the roof?" Chrysanthemum asks Haruka.
>The miko commander nods. "If Kenyu is up there, I want to secure him before he recovers. Once my partner is ready, of course."
-
>Did we not even need to eat the whole banana? Is there enough to split with the rest of our damaged crew?
-
>Did we not even need to eat the whole banana? Is there enough to split with the rest of our damaged crew?
>No, you finished it. The others, even Kiku, had their own, Carnation made enough for everyone. The parser wasn't clear enough.
-
>Well, that saves the trouble of requesting that she help the others
>"Very well. The rest of us will take the front entrance, then. If we can find Sen, so much the better, but our top priority is tracking down the remaining Protectors before they rally."
>Move out!
-
>Well, that saves the trouble of requesting that she help the others
>"Very well. The rest of us will take the front entrance, then. If we can find Sen, so much the better, but our top priority is tracking down the remaining Protectors before they rally."
>Move out!
>"Agreed." says Haruka. "And we should also keep an eye or ear open for our other two groups. They may require assistance. You are sure you're all right now?" she asks.
>"Right as rain!" White Rose assures her.
>"Remarkable. True healing magic...." Haruka gives her head a quick shake. "No, we can discuss that later. Do you have the ability to fly?" she asks Carnation.
>"No, I don't think so."
>Haruka bows slightly. "In that case, the lady shall ride an eagle." The tall miko shimmers and transforms into her beast mode.
>Carnation smiles. "Why, thank you."
>"Lucky girl." says Hiyori with just a hint of envy. "Not everyone gets to ride Onee-sama like that."
>Carnation giggles. "Then let's go quickly, Haruka-san, before we make someone jealous."
>"Good luck, all of you." Haruka says before taking off. As she and Carnation ascend, you hear the eagle say, "I told you, Haruka is just fine."
>Once more, you and your colleagues descend upon the airport terminal. With Sen away, Chrysanthemum takes the point, using her keen tiger senses to examine the door, to make sure none of the Protectors came back to set another trap after your retreat. She reports nothing new has been added, but the trap you detected is still in effect. Whatever effect that psychic backlash had on the Blood, it doesn't seem to have dispelled the traps they already had in effect, at least this one.
>"I recommend we split up to cover more ground." Chrysanthemum says as you head through the second set of doors into the terminal proper.
-
>"Right. I'll stay with Rose at least until we can find Sen. You and Subala go <one obvious direction to fan out> and we'll take <the other> - one scent tracker per group."
>Barring any objections, let's fan out. And keep our mystic senses peeled for traps or Blood magic
-
>"Right. I'll stay with Rose at least until we can find Sen. You and Subala go <one obvious direction to fan out> and we'll take <the other> - one scent tracker per group."
>Barring any objections, let's fan out. And keep our mystic senses peeled for traps or Blood magic
>"Good plan." Chrysanthemum agrees. "Since there were two of them down here on the floor, I'll stay down here. White Rose, I suggest you and your group go up to that walkway. You should have an easier time tracking Cynthia than the other two." Then she looks at the two mikos. "Does their invisibility spell blocks scent as well?"
>"Not as far as I know." Hiyori replies. "They call them Sight Shields, but I suppose they could block other sensory output."
>"Well, we'll find out." Kiku blurs and transforms into her tiger form as you, Hiyori and White Rose step back a bit to give her some room. You and your girlfriend conjure your flying discs while Hiyori takes to wing, heading up to Cynthia's former location. You wrinkle your nose as the lingering scent of the gas Cynthia deployed strikes your sinuses.
>"Is that going to be a problem, White Rose?" Hiyori asks her.
>The kasha replies, "I hope not." before hopping down off her wheel, transforming to her feline form before she lands on the ground.
>From below, Kiku declares, "I have the scent. Two of them. A feline and a canine youkai."
>"The canine is Camille. She must have been the sniper." Hiyori calls down to her as Rin tries to find her own target scent trail. "That's probably why you didn't get hit dead center, Subala. Ioana would have been more accurate."
>As the tiger and the owl move off towards the northeast, Rin's tail stands on end. "I have something here." she announces. "It's definately a tengu. She's heading that way." She is pointed towards the north, where the walkway extends quite a ways ahead.
>You sweep the area indicated with your mystic senses, relieved to not have that jamming field to worry about this time. Your senses are a sharp as ever, and reveal that a very large patch of the walkway registers a Blood magic signal. You'll have to either fly over it or disable it, it stretches across the length of the walkway, too long to jump over.
-
>Point out the extent of the magic field on the walkway and let's fly past it in pursuit of Cynthia.
>(And if Rin needs a ride, while in cat form, she can ride with us)
>Keep a cautious eye on that magic, though, in case it still triggers by proximity and we need to shield ourselves
-
>Point out the extent of the magic field on the walkway and let's fly past it in pursuit of Cynthia.
>(And if Rin needs a ride, while in cat form, she can ride with us)
>Keep a cautious eye on that magic, though, in case it still triggers by proximity and we need to shield ourselves
>Rose does indeed hop aboard your disc, opting to remain in her feline form. Her nose is better but you believe she's also more vulnerable, so you keep senses on high alert, in case Cynthia's recovered enough to try to sneak attack you.
>The magic laid out on the ground does not appear to react to any of your group as you pass above it, the sensation remaining consistant through your flight. Once you're safely on the other side, White Rose hops back down the ground- after you confirm it's safe, of course- and picks up the trail, scampering off in the same direction. You detect no further traps ahead of your path. Perhaps Cynthia was unable to create more than the one. Hiyori, with her avian eyes, is on the watch for more mundane traps like that gas canister, but she reports nothing either.
>White Rose stops as the walkway narrows, branching off to the north and the east. She casts about with eyes and ears before hissing softly. "I've lost the trail." she admits, returning to her humanoid form. "She might have gone either way, or in there." she says, pointing to the doors on the western wall, mens and womens washrooms.
-
>Cast our own mystic senses out. Can we detect any sign of Cynthia's (or anyone else's, for that matter) presence?
-
>Cast our own mystic senses out. Can we detect any sign of Cynthia's (or anyone else's, for that matter) presence?
>You detect supernatural activity from five different locations.
>From somewhere above you, you detect the activity of a Grey Jewel, a miko's magic and the power of your own group.
>Some distance from you, to the north and west of your location, you sense Lily's power in action along with another Jewel.
>A third member of your group is active to your north and east, along with two sources of miko's magic.
>You detect activity of two Jewels very near your location. Each is coming from one of the two washrooms to your left. Neither is very strong and neither is very distinct. It is impossible to determine who belongs to which one.
-
>Guess the Protectors weren't quite as disabled as we'd hoped, by the sounds of it
>Quietly: "There's one in each. You two take right, I'll take left."
>Let's go. And prepare to open with a Crimson Lotus the moment we catch sight of our anticipated quarry, whoever they are
-
>Guess the Protectors weren't quite as disabled as we'd hoped, by the sounds of it
>Quietly: "There's one in each. You two take right, I'll take left."
>Let's go. And prepare to open with a Crimson Lotus the moment we catch sight of our anticipated quarry, whoever they are
>Some of them, at least, appear to still be able to defend themselves.
>In unison, White Rose and Hiyori say, "Wait." The share a slightly surprised look before White Rose gives the bird a slight nod. Hiyori says, "Remember what happened we opened a door? We have to be careful."
>"We shouldn't just charge in." White Rose adds as she heads towards the men's room door. Very cautiously she pushes at the door, pausing when it is open just the barest crack. Examining the crack, she points to something that appears to be a wire at knee-high length.
>After White Rose lets the door close, carefully, Hiyori nods you towards the women's room, liking asking you to follow White Rose's example.
-
>Let's do so then
>We're fairly confident there are no magical traps, at least, right?
-
>Let's do so then
>We're fairly confident there are no magical traps, at least, right?
>Aping White Rose's movements, you open the women's room door ever so slightly and scan the crack with both your eyes and your extra senses. Neither sense reveals anything. There are no wires attached to the women's room door, and although you do sense an active Jewel, there are no areas of magic like the ones you've associated with traps. The men's side may contain at least one trap, but the women's appears to be clear of both magical and mundane defenses.
-
>Give them an 'all-clear' signal
>The wire across the men's room is positioned such that they could easily get over it, if they wanted to, right?
-
>Give them an 'all-clear' signal
>The wire across the men's room is positioned such that they could easily get over it, if they wanted to, right?
>The two girls nod and back up a bit.
>Rin might be able to squeeze through the door and either over or under the wire without opening it too much, but Hiyori would need to open the door fully to get through. Depending on the size of her bird form, if she can even assume animal form. Not every youkai can after all.
-
>To Rin: Slip under the wire of yours in cat form. If we can catch them off-guard, you mightn't need might of a fight at all. I'll take mine at the same time.
>Feels bad to exclude Hiyori, but it's best not to risk being overheard, if we can help it
>We can make a gesture or two to go along with Rin shifting, and see if we can get the point across
>Then, short of any further objection, let's dash into each of our respective restrooms together and let them have it
-
>To Rin: Slip under the wire of yours in cat form. If we can catch them off-guard, you mightn't need might of a fight at all. I'll take mine at the same time.
>Feels bad to exclude Hiyori, but it's best not to risk being overheard, if we can help it
>We can make a gesture or two to go along with Rin shifting, and see if we can get the point across
>Then, short of any further objection, let's dash into each of our respective restrooms together and let them have it
>Good idea, but I'd better tell Hiyori the plan. We are working together here.
>After you express your concern about being overheard, Rin frowns very briefly, then gives you an affirmative. She turns to Hiyori and points her towards the door, her hands making a sort of small opening gesture.
>"You want me to open the door?" Hiyori asks quietly.
>Grimacing, White Rose nods. "My cat body can get under that wire without hitting it. I'll hit the target or disarm the wire."
>Hiyori nods, then moves to enact the plan. Again, very slowly, she pushes the men's washroom door open just a crack as White Rose returns to her kasha form. Giving your girlfriend a count of three, the two of you burst forward with speed, her squeaking through the crack of the men's doorway, you barreling your way though the women's room door, scepter at the ready, attack spell on your lips. But the sight that awaits you on the other side gives you pause. What you see is not any of the Protectors, nor is it Youmu, nor is it anything that seems to belong here. What you see, sitting towards the end of the room, resting comfortably on its haunches, is a very large male lion.
-
>This is... not the animal form of Wataru or anyone else among the Protectors?
-
>This is... not the animal form of Wataru or anyone else among the Protectors?
>No. Wataru is a tiger youkai, and the only other male, Kenyu, isn't a feline of any sort.
-
>But they are a Blood?
-
>But they are a Blood?
>Yes. You can't tell how strong their Jewel is, but they definitely have an active Jewel on them somewhere.
-
>"Um... hello there?"
>Keep our weapon at the ready, though, until we can figure out what's going on
-
>"Um... hello there?"
>Keep our weapon at the ready, though, until we can figure out what's going on
>The lion sniffs the air, then, in a very human gesture, lifts his left paw to his lips and makes a shushing sound. Which sounds very odd coming from a lion.
>And he's a gorgeous lion, too. His coat is a glorious golden color, accented here and there with black, and his mane is a mix of red, orange and yellow. His yellow eyes gleam with predatory intelligence. Even though he sits still, you can see the muscles beneath his taut skin. It should be unnerving to see a big lion, pretty though he is, in this environment, but you sense only curiosity from the huge cat.
-
>Then let's try to keep our voice down, if that's what he seems to be requesting.
>"Might I ask who you are? And what you're doing here."
-
>Then let's try to keep our voice down, if that's what he seems to be requesting.
>"Might I ask who you are? And what you're doing here."
>"I only came to speak with Konpaku-san, or Sawashiro-san. I was caught in this illusion before I had the opportunity." the lion replies. For such a powerful beast, he has a surprisingly soft voice, almost gentle. Friendly, even. "As for my name, I am known as Razorclaw. And you of course need no introduction, Magical Lotus."
-
>Bow
>"Pleased to make your acquaintance."
>"Would you... like me to show you the way out of said illusion? I'm afraid you've caught us in the middle of a sparring exercise."
-
>Bow
>"Pleased to make your acquaintance."
>"Would you... like me to show you the way out of said illusion? I'm afraid you've caught us in the middle of a sparring exercise."
>"That is not necessary. I am patient. I can wait. Besides, Sawashiro-san is dueling with Kenyu, and I would hate to interrupt that. I know how the Protector leader enjoys his duels with strong opponents."
>"If you were looking for the Protector tengu, by the way, she is next door. Although I believe your kasha has that problem well in hand."
>As the lion finishes his thought, you hear the booming of an energy discharge from the direction of the men's room door.
>"Well, perhaps not well in hand." Razorclaw amends his sentiment. "Cynthia always was resilient."
-
>Nod politely, then let's dash back out of the washroom
>To Rin: Are you alright?
-
>Nod politely, then let's dash back out of the washroom
>To Rin: Are you alright?
>Yes. Rin answers. She missed.
>You think Cynthia used her weaker Jewel, from what you sensed, but you see the doorframe of the men's washroom charred and smoking, and a section of the wall next to the door bowed out.
-
>Does this mean that whatever trap was wired has been demolished? Or is the wire still intact?
>And does Cynthia seem to be down for the count?
-
>Does this mean that whatever trap was wired has been demolished? Or is the wire still intact?
>And does Cynthia seem to be down for the count?
>There is no sign of the wire.
>You can't see her from where you are, but you can hear the sounds of flames crackling and Cynthia's complaining. At least you think she's complaining, she's speaking Basic.
-
>Did you get her, then?
-
>Did you get her, then?
>We got her.
-
>"Good work."
>To the rest of our allies: We've taken out Cynthia. What's the rest of your statuses?
-
>"Good work."
>To the rest of our allies: We've taken out Cynthia. What's the rest of your statuses?
>"Lotus?" Hiyori calls to you from inside.
>Three of the four extant members of your group try to contact you all at once, yielding a jumble of words. After that noise dies down, you hear Poppy say, quite clearly, Busy.
-
>"Yes?"
>Could we make out anything of what the others said, at all?
>Can we tell what direction Poppy is in from our current location?
-
>"Yes?"
>Could we make out anything of what the others said, at all?
>Can we tell what direction Poppy is in from our current location?
>"Are you all right?" Hiyori asks, coming out of the bathroom. "Oh, I guess so. Who was in there?"
>You could guess at their emotions - Kiku was calm, Minoriko was a bit harried and Lily energetic but faint- but nothing distinct.
>North and slightly east. Slightly below you, putting her on the ground floor of the building.
-
>"A bystander who accidentally got caught up in this illusion and not one of the Protectors at all. Though he says he's content to wait here until we're finished, so I think we should hurry onto our next target."
>Can we tell the quickest way to get to the ground floor from here, ideally without doubling back away from Reisen's direction?
-
>"A bystander who accidentally got caught up in this illusion and not one of the Protectors at all. Though he says he's content to wait here until we're finished, so I think we should hurry onto our next target."
>Can we tell the quickest way to get to the ground floor from here, ideally without doubling back away from Reisen's direction?
>"A bystander? In the training room?" Hiyori frowns deeply. "What sort of bystander?"
>The corridor you are in extends to the north and to the east, but neither way presents a clear path to Reisen's location, and you're not familiar enough with this building to know which route is faster.
-
>Is there a map we can see on any of the nearby walls? Places like these do tend to post such things.
>"He said his name was Razorclaw and he had been on his way to speak with Youmu or Haruka."
-
>Is there a map we can see on any of the nearby walls? Places like these do tend to post such things.
>"He said his name was Razorclaw and he had been on his way to speak with Youmu or Haruka."
>A glance around reveals something that could be a map on the wall to the north.
>Hiyori's face pales. "Razorclaw?" she breathes.
>"Something wrong?" White Rose asks her as she emerges from the bathroom.
>"You're sure it was Razorclaw?" Hiyori asks you.
-
>"That's... what he said, yes. Is there a problem?"
-
>"That's... what he said, yes. Is there a problem?"
>Hiyori's face grows even paler. "Was he a lion youkai with red hair?"
-
>Nod
-
>Nod
>Hiyori swallows loudly. "Okay, calm down." she says to herself. "He can't hurt you in this room. He can't want to hurt you, he would have done it already."
>"Hiyori, who is this Razorclaw?" White Rose asks, now visibly on guard.
>It takes the white winged youkai a moment to collect herself and reply, "Razorclaw is a Red Jeweled Warlord Prince. He's the leader of coven called the Animatrons. They're among the most dangerous Blackblood covens on Earth, and Razorclaw is the most dangerous of them all."
>"Thank you, Hiyori." the man's voice says as the big lion casually pads his way out of the ladies' room. Instantly Hiyori jumps back, using her wings to propel herself, and White Rose assumes a fighting stance. "You can relax. You were right, Hiyori, I can't hurt you here. Any more than you could hurt me, Magical White Rose." he says to the kasha. "Stand at ease, kasha. I mean you no harm."
-
>But Red jewels are several steps away from the top of the Blackblood hierarchy, aren't they?
>Did we really not sense anything about his jewel that was different from a Brightblood?
>To Razorclaw: "I feel like your presence here may require additional explanation now."
-
>But Red jewels are several steps away from the top of the Blackblood hierarchy, aren't they?
>Did we really not sense anything about his jewel that was different from a Brightblood?
>To Razorclaw: "I feel like your presence here may require additional explanation now."
>Actually Red is the third most powerful Blackblood Jewel. Black is the strongest, then Grey, then Red.
>No. In fact, you can't sense his Jewel at all now.
>"Like I told you, I came to speak with one of the two leaders of this shrine, Konpaku-san or Sawashiro-san." Razorclaw replies casually. "It was not my intention to interrupt this exercise, but that appears to be what I'm doing. I didn't expect to be found."
-
>"Well, we are tracking Jewel magic."
-
>"Well, we are tracking Jewel magic."
>"No doubt. The Protectors are all around us."
-
>"Well, now that you have been found, I'm not so certain our allies here would be comfortable with leaving you unescorted - regardless of how peaceable your intentions."
-
>"Well, now that you have been found, I'm not so certain our allies here would be comfortable with leaving you unescorted - regardless of how peaceable your intentions."
>"You'll never finish your exercise with me along with you. Every one of the Protectors would abandon the exercise to try and kill me."
>"Even if they can't?" White Rose asks.
>"That won't matter. I'm Blackblood, they're Bright. Even Camille would rather see me dead, and she's a healer."
-
>"You don't feel likewise?"
-
>"You don't feel likewise?"
>"I have a broader view of the conflict. But are you sure you'd like to discuss that right now?" Razorclaw asks curiously. "You sent the Protectors reeling when your broke their psychic dampening, but they'll recover completely soon. In fact, Kenyu probably has already."
-
>To Rin: Go check that map on the wall. Find the nearest path downstairs to the northeast.
>To Hiyori: "Thoughts?"
-
>To Rin: Go check that map on the wall. Find the nearest path downstairs to the northeast.
>To Hiyori: "Thoughts?"
>Understood. As Rin moves to comply with your order, seemingly comfortable with the idea of leaving you that close to a powerful Blackblood youkai, she asks, Am I looking for a particular destination?
>"Thoughts?" Hiyori repeats dumbly. You're not sure she's blinked since Razorclaw emerged.
-
>Reisen's fighting nearby, in that direction. I think we should meet up and lend a hand.
>"By your own words, he cannot harm anyone while in this field, correct?"
-
>Reisen's fighting nearby, in that direction. I think we should meet up and lend a hand.
>"By your own words, he cannot harm anyone while in this field, correct?"
>Right.
>"Harm... Yes. That's right, he can't." Hiyori confirms.
>The beautiful lion nods. "I may be able to slip around and through a number of barriers and energy fields, but I do not have the ability to overcome this one. If I wore the Black, perhaps, but I do not. And nor do I wish to disrupt your exercise."
>"But why?" Hiyori asks. "You're an enemy of the shrine, and I can't imagine you're a friend to Lotus."
>"And I'm certainly no friend of the Protectors." Razorclaw agrees. "But you're all working together to better yourselves in order to overcome another threat. One that threatens us all. I have no need or desire to hinder you."
-
>"And is that threat what brings you here today, then?"
-
>"And is that threat what brings you here today, then?"
>"No. I have information pertaining to another common threat to the city. One the Fire shrine mikos have tangled with before." He looks at you speculatively with his golden eyes. "I don't know if she's the kind of threat your people deal with, Magical Lotus, but I suppose you might be able to help them if they choose to go after her."
-
>"I suppose this would be best-discussed after we're all together, wouldn't it?"
-
>"I suppose this would be best-discussed after we're all together, wouldn't it?"
>"It would be more efficient. I don't enjoy repeating myself if I don't have to."
>"You're sure Onee-sama or Konpaku-sama will listen to you?" Hiyori asks him.
>"I know, my kind is not welcome here. But Haruka will hear me out. She and I have some history. She knows I would not have come here if it wasn't important."
>"You have history with Onee-sama?" Hiyori seems more than a little surprised at the idea.
>"Your Onee-sama has some history with a lot of people. She and I are far older than we look." says Razorclaw.
>I have a way mapped to the back door. Rin informs you. At least I hope it's the right back door. There's a lot of 'em.
>Lotus? Kiku's voice comes over the line as Rin finishes.
-
>To Rin: Good.
>To Kiku: Yes?
-
>To Rin: Good.
>To Kiku: Yes?
>The tiger youkai replies, Both Sen and Wataru have been eliminated. The two eliminated each other before we found them.
-
>Well, we outnumber our adversaries, so I'll consider an even trade a win for us. Though I do wish she'd been less reckless.
>"Under the circumstances, I'm prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt. Please do not give me cause to regret this."
-
>Well, we outnumber our adversaries, so I'll consider an even trade a win for us. Though I do wish she'd been less reckless.
>"Under the circumstances, I'm prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt. Please do not give me cause to regret this."
>As do I. Still, it hurts their chances more than ours. We are now pursuing Camille, albeit with difficulty.
>"Was that a threat?" Razorclaw asks you. There is no malice or insult in his friendly voice, just simple curiousity.
-
>"It is a request. That we stand opposed to any attempt to harm the people here should go without saying."
-
>"It is a request. That we stand opposed to any attempt to harm the people here should go without saying."
>Did you find Cynthia? Kiku asks you.
>"Then you have nothing to fear from me. And if I might make my own request, I would ask you keep an eye on the more aggressive people around us. I have no desire to leave this place naked should I assume my humanoid form, and one of them tries to stab me in the back."
>"We're shrine maidens, not assassins." Hiyori says sharply, Razorclaw seeming to bring the bird's temper.
>"Tell that to Sen." the lion remarks casually. "Or Subala. Or Arashi."
>"You know Arashi?"
>"I know all of you mikos." Razorclaw replies. Though his tone does not change, something in that remark sends a bit of a chill down your spine.
-
>Found and eliminated.
>"Then I'd suggest you go back to keeping a low profile until this is over; we have other Protectors to hunt down."
-
>Found and eliminated.
>"Then I'd suggest you go back to keeping a low profile until this is over; we have other Protectors to hunt down."
>Excellent.
>"Good hunting." the big lion bids you, and pads into the still-intact women's washroom.
>"Well he was sure different than the last Blackbloods we met." White Rose remarks as she walks back over to you.
-
>"Indeed. But the inevitable discussion of that point can wait until we've settle this; if you'd be so kind to lead the way?"
>And let's make sure Hiyori isn't too shaken up to follow us after Reisen
-
>"Indeed. But the inevitable discussion of that point can wait until we've settle this; if you'd be so kind to lead the way?"
>And let's make sure Hiyori isn't too shaken up to follow us after Reisen
>"Understood." Obviously thinking like you, Rin first turns to Hiyori, who outwardly at least seems to be more collected. "You okay?"
>"I'd like to think it takes a lot to rattle my cage." the avian replies. "I'd be lying if I said that didn't do it. I have met Blood before, Blackbloods I mean, but none as powerful as Razorclaw. Or with the kind of reputation he has. How'd he even get in here? This temple is warded against people with powers like his, layered with wards. No Blackblood should be able to get this far in undetected. Did he tell you, Lotus?"
-
>"Tell me how he got here? No - just that he had not anticipated being detected at all. But Jewel power is extremely hard to detect while inactive, no?"
-
>"Tell me how he got here? No - just that he had not anticipated being detected at all. But Jewel power is extremely hard to detect while inactive, no?"
>"Practically impossible. Even for the other Blood. I think one has to be a great deal stronger than the inactive Jewel to sense it."
-
>"Would that not also apply to the wards here?"
>"Also, I suggest we move as we talk: Poppy seemed to have her hands full and we ought to assist."
>Move out!
-
>"Would that not also apply to the wards here?"
>"Also, I suggest we move as we talk: Poppy seemed to have her hands full and we ought to assist."
>Move out!
>"It's not supposed to." Hiyori says as the three of you set off, White Rose setting a decent pace. "I can't tell you exactly how our wards work, I don't have the authority to talk about that information. But I can tell you that our wards are capable of detecting inactive Blood Jewels. I've been here when that has happened. One of the Stuntrons tried to get in, three, once with her Jewel, twice without using it. We were alerted to her all three times."
-
>"I see... Another matter to discuss with Haruka afterward, I suppose."
>Let's keep our senses peeled for other traps or nearby Jewel activity
-
>"I see... Another matter to discuss with Haruka afterward, I suppose."
>Let's keep our senses peeled for other traps or nearby Jewel activity
>That puts a smile back on Hiyori's face. "Everyone always has lots to talk with Onee-sama about."
>"Which one of the Stunts was it?" White Rose asks her.
>"She called herself Drag Strip. I gather she's a bit of a competition junkie."
>"You ain't kidding." White Rose says with a chuckle.
>"That's actually how we convinced her to stop coming back. Well when I say 'we' I mean Onee-sama. Onee-sama challenged Drag Strip to a duel and made her promise not to come back if she lost. So far she's kept her word. Is she still the same way now that you've transformed her?"
-
>"She, um... she challenged me to a race, with the stakes being that I take over as their leader if she wins."
-
>"She, um... she challenged me to a race, with the stakes being that I take over as their leader if she wins."
>Hiyori laughs. "Did you win?"
-
>"It hasn't happened yet, actually. I've never even driven a motorcycle, for that matter."
-
>"It hasn't happened yet, actually. I've never even driven a motorcycle, for that matter."
>"That would be a bit of a problem if you plan to beat her."
-
>"Poppy's going to be racing in my stead; she actually knows her way around one."
-
>"Poppy's going to be racing in my stead; she actually knows her way around one."
>Hiyori chuckles again."That'll work better. Still, I have to ask. You become the leader of the Stuntrons if you lose? Does that mean you don't want to be their leader?"
-
>"I... frankly, I don't have the first clue about how to lead a biker gang. Though, if I'm being honest, I'm not sure they know what they're about anymore, either. I'm certainly not adverse to giving them help or advice, but I already have leadership responsibilities of my own."
-
>"I... frankly, I don't have the first clue about how to lead a biker gang. Though, if I'm being honest, I'm not sure they know what they're about anymore, either. I'm certainly not adverse to giving them help or advice, but I already have leadership responsibilities of my own."
>"I can understand why they might want a new leader." Hiyori remarks. "They served under Motormaster for a long time. Now being free from him, they may not have any idea what to do with themselves, as you say. It's natural they'd want a strong leader to guide them now. And natural that the first person they'd look to is the person that freed them. At least, I assume they all feel that way, or was Drag Strip speaking for the whole group?"
-
>"She was most brusque about it, but I don't think any of them disagreed."
-
>"She was most brusque about it, but I don't think any of them disagreed."
>"Even Vice? From what I've been told, he was possibly the worst of the bunch other than Motormaster himself."
-
>"In all honesty, I haven't yet gotten to know most of them very well at all. We were absolutely spent after the fight with Motormaster and then transmuting their gems. But any arguments among them sounded like ones between old friends, not adversaries."
-
>"In all honesty, I haven't yet gotten to know most of them very well at all. We were absolutely spent after the fight with Motormaster and then transmuting their gems. But any arguments among them sounded like ones between old friends, not adversaries."
>"That's quite the change from how I've heard the Stuntrons treat each other. Our reports indicat-"
>"Hold up." White Rose interrupts her, her ears twitching."I hear something. Sounds like blaster fire."
-
>Hold up and see what we can pick up with our mystic senses. Are we close to Reisen?
-
>Hold up and see what we can pick up with our mystic senses. Are we close to Reisen?
>Relatively close now. You can't hear what Rin is hearing, but you do sense an active Jewel to the west as well as Lily's power and the magic of a miko. Reisen is still to the north and east.
-
>Does Lily seem closer to us than Reisen?
>And in a direction that offers an obvious route to probably reach her?
>Can we sense any combat activity from Reisen's direction?
-
>Does Lily seem closer to us than Reisen?
>And in a direction that offers an obvious route to probably reach her?
>Can we sense any combat activity from Reisen's direction?
>Slightly, but the distance is fairly close between the two of them.
>The corridor you are currently in branches to the west just ahead of you.
>You do sense Reisen's active aura as well as that of a miko in that area as well. There doesn't appear to be any Blood from that direction. If Reisen is fighting someone, it's either a Blood that isn't using their Jewel, or it's Youmu.
-
>To Lily: How're you holding up?
-
>To Lily: How're you holding up?
>Got a bit of a standoff goin' here, boss. Ioana's too well situated. We can't get a clear shot at her, she's got good shots at us but she can't get past our shields.
-
>Think you can keep hunkering down for a little bit longer, then?
>Assuming an affirmative: "Keep moving forward."
>Continue doing so
>"Lily's team is in a standoff with Ioana, but I don't think they're in immediate danger. Poppy, on the other hand, may be fighting Youmu. We'll return for Lily afterward."
-
>Think you can keep hunkering down for a little bit longer, then?
>Assuming an affirmative: "Keep moving forward."
>Continue doing so
>"Lily's team is in a standoff with Ioana, but I don't think they're in immediate danger. Poppy, on the other hand, may be fighting Youmu. We'll return for Lily afterward."
>I think so. There is a brief pause, then Lily adds, We think so. But if Ioana starts using her better Jewel again things might get tough.
>"How do you know?" Hiyori asks as you resume your course.
-
>"We can communicate with each other telepathically, but Poppy seemed too preoccupied to respond, despite the fact that I don't sense Jewel magic in her vicinity.That would seem to leave few other likely scenarios."
-
>"We can communicate with each other telepathically, but Poppy seemed too preoccupied to respond, despite the fact that I don't sense Jewel magic in her vicinity.That would seem to leave few other likely scenarios."
>"Let me try Cinnamon." Hiyori produces an ofuda and you sense the whispered activation of a spell. Must be how they communicate without cell phones. After a moment, Hiyori frowns. "I think you're right. I can't reach Cinnamon at all. Either she's too busy to answer, or she's unconscious."
>"You can get knocked out in here?" White Rose asks.
>"Yes. You can't get hurt in this room, but if you take the full brunt of a big attack it can KO you briefly." She grins. "One can also faint in the training room as well."
-
>"Either way, we should hurry."
-
>"Either way, we should hurry."
>"Right. Should I run ahead?" White Rose asks.
>"Probably better than we stay together." Hiyori replies. "Konpaku-sama could pick us off one by one if we spread out."
>"She's that good?"
>Hiyori nods. "She doesn't have the experience that Onee-sama does, but she's very powerful and very talented. She can do things with her magic no one else can, and she's extremely talented with her swords."
>As she explains, you sense a change in the mystic auras you're homing in on. Reisen's is still active, but the two magical auras, the ones you've attributed to Youmu and Cinnamon, begin to fade in intensity. You wonder if that means Reisen is the last one standing.
>As the three combatants come within view, you find them in one of the large receptions areas for people embarking and disembarking from smaller aircraft. The signs of combat are present, with a number of seats and benches overturned or showing slash marks, a number of small patches of wall and floor smoldering, and all three women are in fact still standing. In fact two of them, the two in miko's outfits, are standing still. The third one appears to be... dancing.
-
>...dancing?
-
>...dancing?
>Dancing.
-
>Okay, what the heck is going on here?
-
>Okay, what the heck is going on here?
>It appears that one of the three figures, Poppy, judging from the ears, is dancing, and the other two women are looking on. You're a ways away yet, so you can't tell more than that from looking.
-
>And everyone still appears to have their clothes on?
>Let's get closer
-
>And everyone still appears to have their clothes on?
>Let's get closer
>As near as you can tell.
>Understandably confused, you and White Rose continue down a stationary escalator towards the trio. Hiyori starts to follow, but does so slowly, her eyes fixed on the sight of the dancing girl. When you get to the bottom, Hiyori actually stops dead in her tracks. Try as she might, neither you nor White Rose can attract her attention. She is completely transfixed by the sight of Reisen's dance.
-
>But we ourselves don't feel any sense of transfixion?
-
>But we ourselves don't feel any sense of transfixion?
>You do not. But you may know why. Hiyori's avian vision is superior to yours or White Roses'. And Reisen's Dancer Spectrum, if that's the one she's using now, does possess mesmeric properties, you know that from the aftermath of the fight with Motormaster. Since Hiyori can see Poppy more clearly than you, she may be affected by something you're not.
>Or Poppy could only be targeting mikos with whatever magic she's using, you're not sure.
-
>Well, surely it's possible that we're immune by virtue of it stemming from 'our' power in the first place?
>Does that mean we're still too far away to get a good shot on Youmu, though?
-
>Well, surely it's possible that we're immune by virtue of it stemming from 'our' power in the first place?
>Does that mean we're still too far away to get a good shot on Youmu, though?
>That could also be the case.
>You are close enough to draw a bead on her, yes. At this range she'd have plenty of time to react and dodge or block until normal circumstances, but judging from the glazed look in Hiyori's eyes, Youmu, who's even closer to Poppy than the bird, is probably incapable of dodging right now.
-
>Then let's not take any chances that getting closer will affect us just yet
>Take the time needed to line up a direct shot and fire a Vermillion Lotus straight at Youmu, full power
-
>Then let's not take any chances that getting closer will affect us just yet
>Take the time needed to line up a direct shot and fire a Vermillion Lotus straight at Youmu, full power
>Caution is good.
>With Hiyori disabled, you and White Rose decide to hold up here and strike while the iron is hot. Taking your time to level out your scepter and take careful aim, you fire a max level Vermillion Lotus at the transfixed shrine maiden. As you suspected, Youmu does not seem to react at all until your blast hits her, and then it is only to get bowled over by the powerful blast.
>"Hey!" a familiar voice bellows, Cinnamon taking to the air. "What'd you do that for?!"
-
>Does Cinnamon seem annoyed with us or Reisen?
>Is the latter still dancing?
-
>Does Cinnamon seem annoyed with us or Reisen?
>Is the latter still dancing?
>At you.
>She seems to be winding down.
-
>"Is not eliminating her part of the point of this exercise?"
>Does Hiyori seem to be snapping out of it too?
-
>"Is not eliminating her part of the point of this exercise?"
>Does Hiyori seem to be snapping out of it too?
>"What'd you think we were doing?!" Cinnamon shouts.
>Affirmative. She looks like one snapped awake after just falling asleep.
-
>"I apologize if I overstepped, but I thought she was merely being held in place so that she could be eliminated."
-
>"I apologize if I overstepped, but I thought she was merely being held in place so that she could be eliminated."
>"Don't you think I would-"
>"Calm down, Cinnamon. Spectrum Shift: Saber." The lunar rabbit reverts to her melee form. "Lotus had no way of knowing what I was doing. Lotus, I wasn't mesmerizing Youmu so Cinnamon could defeat her, I was winning her over to our side."
>"You were... You can do that?" White Rose gapes.
>Poppy gives a slight nod. "None of my other Spectrums were working against her, so I switched to Dancer to try and give Cinnamon an edge. I noticed that Youmu seemed especially susceptible to Dancer's power, so I tried something a bit bolder. I was in the middle of it when Lotus shot her."
-
>Frown
>"My apologies. When I was unable to contact you, I'd assumed it was taking all your concentration to keep her in the one place."
>Bow apologetically
-
>Frown
>"My apologies. When I was unable to contact you, I'd assumed it was taking all your concentration to keep her in the one place."
>Bow apologetically
>"It's all right. I was actually fighting as Saber at the time. It was taking everything I had to hold her off."
>Please... don't do that. Reisen says on a private channel.
-
>Does... it make you uncomfortable?
-
>Does... it make you uncomfortable?
>You're my owner now. It's not right that you should ever lower your head to me. It's fine like this, when we're in character, I can live with it between Lotus and Poppy. But between Byakuren and Reisen it isn't right.
-
>It isn't right that I should treat you with even as much respect as I would a stranger?
-
>It isn't right that I should treat you with even as much respect as I would a stranger?
>It puts you on the same level as me. Lower, really. And we're not on the same level.
-
>We're both people and I am just as capable of being the one at fault as you are. But we can discuss this another time.
>Youmu does seem well and truly eliminated, right?
>Assuming so: "Well she's down now, at any rate, and I suggest we hurry back to Lily. She and Linia were locked in a standoff with Ioana; let's go break it. This way!"
>Hurry back to Lily's position
-
>We're both people and I am just as capable of being the one at fault as you are. But we can discuss this another time.
>Youmu does seem well and truly eliminated, right?
>Assuming so: "Well she's down now, at any rate, and I suggest we hurry back to Lily. She and Linia were locked in a standoff with Ioana; let's go break it. This way!"
>Hurry back to Lily's position
>Very well.
>In fact, she's only now starting to come back to her feet. Her clothing has been well and truly eliminated, thus eliminating her from the fight. She seems very woozy. Reisen walks over to her to check on her, but you can't make out what they're saying to each other.
>"Hey, who put you in charge?!" Cinnamon demands. You seem to have annoyed the little fairy by messing up her Poppy's plan.
>"In a way, I did." says Poppy. "She's my leader, after all."
>"Oh. Well I guess that's okay. Okay, Lotus, we'll go that way."
>White Rose has managed to fully rouse Hiyori as well, and so, reinforced by Poppy and Cinnamon Lily, the five you turn around and start to head back up the escalator.
>And then the ceiling of the room explodes inwards, precipitated by a thunderous blast of Dawn energy, and both Haruka and Pink Carnation come flying through the sizable hole.
-
>"Okay, change of plans."
>Let's try to use Sapphire Lotus to provide them a soft landing, should they appear to need one
>Then assess them for battle damage and see if we can spot Kenyu
-
>"Okay, change of plans."
>Let's try to use Sapphire Lotus to provide them a soft landing, should they appear to need one
>Then assess them for battle damage and see if we can spot Kenyu
>"No kidding." Hiyori mutters as she draws a talisman. You're the only one that employs your magic, however, sending forth your Sapphire light to catch Haruka and Minoriko. The two women are together, Carnation seemingly shielding Haruka with her body, making it easy to tag the both of them with the one beam. The impact of two women, growing and grown, is much easier to absorb than it used to be.
>"I guess Kenyu won." White Rose remarks as you guide the two women safely to the ground. Both women are unharmed in terms of scratches, bruises or cuts, but both women are also entirely devoid of clothing.
>The big firefighter in question levitates himself down through the smoking hole in the ceiling, rosy colored waves of power radiating from him. His shirt is torn in more than one place, his trousers are ripped and one of his shoes is missing, but he is still functional. Obviously he was the victor of their duel. Despite his aura of power, you can see his grin broaden. "From two to one to FIVE to one. That's the kind of odds I like!"
-
>Can we tell if he has that same defensive shield active that he did during our duel with him?
>How close are we to Rose and Poppy?
-
>Can we tell if he has that same defensive shield active that he did during our duel with him?
>How close are we to Rose and Poppy?
>He appears to have a layered defensive aura around him.
>Rose is standing directly behind you and to your left. Poppy is standing around fourty to forty-five feet to your northwest.
-
>To our allies here: Let's give him more than he's expecting - together. On my mark...
>Given them the moment they need to acknowledge or get ready or whatever, then give the signal and let's open with an Amber Lotus-themed team attack.
-
>To our allies here: Let's give him more than he's expecting - together. On my mark...
>Given them the moment they need to acknowledge or get ready or whatever, then give the signal and let's open with an Amber Lotus-themed team attack.
>"I'll odds you!" Cinnamon cries as you inform your colleagues of the plan. The little fairy charges at Kenyu and throws something at him, something that explodes into a sizable fireball.
>The oni laughs heartily. "Come on, girl, I pick my teeth with that kind of fire!" He raises his left hand and a thin beam of blue energy flies from the tip of his finger. The beam penetrates the fireball, causing it to explode harmlessly in midair, continuing on towards Cinnamon. Until Poppy leaps into the air, interposing herself between Cinnamon and the beam. Catching the beam on the flat of her sword, the beam erupts in a blast of Sapphire energy, knocking Poppy backwards, into Cinnamon, sending the two of them down to the ground in a heap.
>With his attention diverted, you and White Rose take the offensive, Rin joining her White Fire to your Amber Lotus. The incendiary lance of light blasts upwards, but Kenyu is not caught unaware. He doesn't try to stop your attack directly, but punches the ceiling above him, sending a burst of Dawn energy into the damaged ceiling. A large hunk of the roof falls down, intercepting your blast. But the firefighter has underestimated the power of your dual tech, and your empowered Lotus simply makes the obstacle in its way vanish, continuing on towards Kenyu, diminished in power but still very much effective. Your light strikes Kenyu in his upraised arm, driving him back slightly. Weakened by the hunk of debris, your empowered Lotus damaged the defensive auras around him but did not demolish them.
>"Nice shot, Lotus!" Kenyu yells, sounding very pleased. "You and Rose make a damn good combination!"
-
>Out of curiosity, if we fired an Amber Lotus at Reisen, could she catch it on her blade as an enchantment, like she did with Violet Lotus against Motormaster, or would it actually disarm her instead?
>"There's plenty more where that came from."
>Let's give him another dual-tech Amber Lotus and then as soon as the shot is away, let's quickly make our way over to Reisen and Cinnimon
-
>Out of curiosity, if we fired an Amber Lotus at Reisen, could she catch it on her blade as an enchantment, like she did with Violet Lotus against Motormaster, or would it actually disarm her instead?
>"There's plenty more where that came from."
>Let's give him another dual-tech Amber Lotus and then as soon as the shot is away, let's quickly make our way over to Reisen and Cinnimon
>When you designed Amber Lotus, it was with the primary function of disarming enemies and hostile forces. It shouldn't work on one of your allies. But then again, you never imagined shooting it at one of your allies. At a guess you would say she would be able to channel the energy through her sword, but you wouldn't guarantee it.
>"That's what I like to hear!"
>As you and White Rose ready your powers again, Hiyori moves around to the front of you, preparing a spell of her own. She does not, however, get in your line of fire, and you and Rin have a clear shot at the hovering Blood, which you take. This time, however, Kenyu does not try to block your powerful spell. He simply flies up through the hole in the ceiling he blew, disappearing from view.
>"Didn't think he'd do that." White Rose remarks.
>"He'll be back." says Hiyori.
>With an unexpected reprieve, you start to make your way quickly to where Reisen and Cinnamon are. But you only manage to cover about eight feet before you hear a massive thudding sound on the roof and sense a wave of Dawn energy. Great chunks of the roof break away and fall towards the ground as Kenyu's power starts to bring the house down around your ears.
-
>Our Amber Lotus effectively removed a chunk of debris via dispelling the illusion itself, right?
>Assuming so, do we think it would take less of our energy to zap away any debris that's liable to fall on our group versus using Sapphire Lotus to simply block it?
>Does it seem like whatever Kenyu's doing is aimed specifically at collapsing the place, or is that just a side-effect of some other attack he's performing/preparing?
-
>Our Amber Lotus effectively removed a chunk of debris via dispelling the illusion itself, right?
>Assuming so, do we think it would take less of our energy to zap away any debris that's liable to fall on our group versus using Sapphire Lotus to simply block it?
>Does it seem like whatever Kenyu's doing is aimed specifically at collapsing the place, or is that just a side-effect of some other attack he's performing/preparing?
>In essence.
>It would be more energy efficient, yes. It would require you to have quicker reflexes to target individual chunks of debris rather than throwing up a broad Sapphire shield, but it requires much less energy exertion than using Sapphire.
>This seems to be his primary course of action. If he's preparing anything else at this time, you can't detect it.
-
>Try to get as close to the others as we can reasonably manage before the debris gets dangerously close (so as to minimize the area we need to keep safe), then take out the falling junk headed towards us with wide-angle Amber Lotuses, starting with the biggest threats
>"Hiyori! Shield us from anything I miss!"
>We're not the only one here with barrier powers, after all....
-
>Try to get as close to the others as we can reasonably manage before the debris gets dangerously close (so as to minimize the area we need to keep safe), then take out the falling junk headed towards us with wide-angle Amber Lotuses, starting with the biggest threats
>"Hiyori! Shield us from anything I miss!"
>We're not the only one here with barrier powers, after all....
>Right off the bat you have to use your Amber light to make a hunk of falling debris vanish that would have fallen directly into your path. But it's not a big piece, so you fire on the fly. White Rose, flanking you, sends one of her Warding Wheels upwards, blocking a chunk of rubble and sending it toward and unoccupied section of the room.
>As you pick your way closer to Cinnamon and Poppy, Hiyori complies with your command with two different spells. She enacts a bubble of energy around the three of you first, then sends a trio of ofuda upwards. The paper talismans stick to the ceiling, their magic activating. At a guess, you suspect Hiyori was trying to use that spell to keep the rest of the roof together. But either due to the power Kenyu used, or the level of damage caused, Hiyori's spell is not entirely effective. You see a few smaller sections pause in mid-collapse, help to the roof by strings of magic, but the larger chunks continue to fall, a cave-in of man-made materials.
>The one upside to Kenyu's attack is that, while impressive, it is by nature inaccurate. More than half the debris falling drops down in areas that threaten no one, and between your Amber light, White Rose's Wheels and Hiyori's magic, no debris really menaces you as you make your way across the room towards the fairy and the rabbit. Only once do you need to use an Amber Lotus with more than normal energy, to destroy a rather large chunk of the roof that had been falling towards the pair. The two of them are still down and tangled together when you reach their side.
-
>"Are you alright?"
>Assess signs of battle damage
>Is the roof still collapsing around us?
>Can we see Kenyu?
-
>"Are you alright?"
>Assess signs of battle damage
>Is the roof still collapsing around us?
>Can we see Kenyu?
>Reisen's armor is chipped and dinged in a number of places, and most of Cinnamon's top has been destroyed. She of course doesn't seem entirely self-conscious about this as she says, "Yeah."
>"Mostly." says Reisen, more soberly, as White Rose helps her and Cinnamon get untangled.
>It is still collapsing in places, but the worst is over. There's only one falling piece that is close enough to threaten you.
>Not directly, but you can see the glow from his aura.
-
>Then let's zap that falling piece before it causes a problem
>Is there more as-yet-uncollapsed roof above us that could cause a problem if Kenyu tries that again?
>To Kiku: Minoriko and Haruka are down. We're currently engaging Kenyu; what's your status?
-
>Then let's zap that falling piece before it causes a problem
>Is there more as-yet-uncollapsed roof above us that could cause a problem if Kenyu tries that again?
>To Kiku: Minoriko and Haruka are down. We're currently engaging Kenyu; what's your status?
>Easily done.
>"That guy doesn't play fair." Cinnamon gripes.
>"That guy probably realizes he can take liberties in here." Poppy replies, glaring up at the damaged roof. "Dancer's not going to work on him."
>Directly above you, no. But the whole of the roof hasn't caved in yet, only in places. The roof has a very swiss cheese look to it right now.
>Camille is proving to be an elusive foe. Kiku growls. I can track her scent, but neither Subala nor I can keep her in one place for long. And the damage she is dealing to us is adding up. Is it possible you could intercept her?
-
>Can we tell how close they are to us at the moment?
>Does Kenyu seem to be doing anything or just waiting somewhere above the roof, near as we can tell?
-
>Can we tell how close they are to us at the moment?
>Does Kenyu seem to be doing anything or just waiting somewhere above the roof, near as we can tell?
>You can sense Kiku's presence, but not Camile's. Her Jewel must either be inactive or she is shielding its presence. Kiku is actually some distance away, to your east and traveling in that direction, away from you.
>The sensation of power from him is starting to rise again. You suspect he's about to try something new.
-
>Does that put her anywhere near Lily's position?
>Can we sense Kenyu's position well enough to aim an Amber Lotus at him through the roof?
-
>Does that put her anywhere near Lily's position?
>Can we sense Kenyu's position well enough to aim an Amber Lotus at him through the roof?
>Negative, they are even farther away from Lily than they are from you.
>You believe so. But you're not sure what effect removing more material from the roof might have on its stability.
-
>To Kiku: You're heading away from us and I dare not split us any further against Kenyu. If you don't think you can pin her down quickly, then leave her be and come join us.
>To the mikos: "Do either of you have a way to get our incapacitated out of here in a hurry? Our next shot might take even more of the roof down."
-
>To Kiku: You're heading away from us and I dare not split us any further against Kenyu. If you don't think you can pin her down quickly, then leave her be and come join us.
>To the mikos: "Do either of you have a way to get our incapacitated out of here in a hurry? Our next shot might take even more of the roof down."
>I cannot. To do so would leave myself too vulnerable to her attack. And I do not believe Subala wishes to leave our prey active.
>"I think I can." Hiyori says.
>"I can get Haruka and Carnation out on one of my discs." White Rose suggests. "Let me handle that."
>Hiyori nods, then her head snaps up. "Hey wait, where's Konpaku-sama?"
>"I am all right." a voice says from the other side of a pile of rubble. Youmu walks around the debris, covering her more salient parts. She starts to say something else, but Kenyu's next attack comes before she gets the chance. From more than half the holes in the ceiling, energized streams of water come pouring down, a cascade of aquatic energy.
>Cinnamon and Hiyori act quickly, Cinnamon sending a stream of fire directly up, intercepting the water cascading down above you, setting some of it to boil but not strong enough to completely stop the Dawn-fueled waterfall. Hiyori casts another defensive screen, employing Earth magic rather than fire, invoking a fine mist of gravel and dirt overhead that seems to be absorbing the water, though you can sense it strain already.
-
>Do we still have a potentially clear shot at wherever Kenyu is located or is Hiyori's barrier effectively blocking that?
>If we do, then:
>Send a quick message to our companions: Follow my lead.
>And fire an Amber Lotus directly at wherever we think Kenyu is. Try to keep it focused so it doesn't tear through more of the roof than necessary, without also risking missing him
>Then, rather than wait to assess how effective this shot was, be ready to get everyone else out of the way if the rest of the roof gives
-
>Do we still have a potentially clear shot at wherever Kenyu is located or is Hiyori's barrier effectively blocking that?
>If we do, then:
>Send a quick message to our companions: Follow my lead.
>And fire an Amber Lotus directly at wherever we think Kenyu is. Try to keep it focused so it doesn't tear through more of the roof than necessary, without also risking missing him
>Then, rather than wait to assess how effective this shot was, be ready to get everyone else out of the way if the rest of the roof gives
>Clear enough.
>As the charged water flows into the room, you send your power up and out of it, a beam of Amber light targeted at the firefighter's location. His aura is putting off a big power signal, but your aim proves to be accurate. Your Amber light punches through the ceiling, exposing Kenyu before striking him.
>Of your two colleagues, only Poppy joins your attack, sending a blast from her sword up at the firefighter. Unwilling to be struck twice in rapid succession, Kenyu's Sapphire Jewel flashes and a shield of light appears before him, intercepting Poppy's attack.
>White Rose has other actions to occupy her. "Cinnamon, help me out here!" she asks, and the little fairy, after a quick glance at Poppy, flits over to float next to White Rose. Your girlfriend takes a breath, then extends her arms out away from her body. "Use your fire to boost mine, okay?"
>"Okay, but, what're you doing?"
>"This. White Retainer's Ring of Fire!" Waves of flame flow from Rin's hands, spreading out in a circular pattern around, creating a barrier of fire. As she invokes her power, Cinnamon's hands flash with obscure gestures and her magic surges. The fire flowing from Rin's hands intensifies, and the charged water of Kenyu's attack that had been flowing towards you is repulsed, boiling away as it touches White Rose's fire ring. There's so much water with so much power in it, you don't know if Rin can keep in at bay forever, but for the moment, you are safe from the water on the ground.
>"A little help?!" Hiyori gasps, the strain of maintaining her spell showing on her face. You might safe from the water on the ground, but the water over your head is another matter.
-
>Let's try zapping the water directly above us with a wide-angle Vermillion Lotus
-
>Let's try zapping the water directly above us with a wide-angle Vermillion Lotus
>Abandoning your attack on Kenyu for the moment, you switch to defense, firing your fire-type beam up at the cascading water over your head. Your attack has a much more significant effect on the water than Cinnamon's did, evaporating the energized water and leaving only a little steam in its wake.
>"Can you hold that for a moment?" Hiyori asks you.
-
>"I can."
>Do so
-
>"I can."
>Do so
>"I'll see if I can stop that flood."
>"You can't stop it everywhere." Cinnamon protests.
>"I just need to give us some breathing room."
>As Hiyori starts to chant, Poppy glances up, and starts to dash forward, through White Rose's protective ring of flames. Her reason for doing this becomes clear as she uses her sword to cut at a large pile of debris, sending chunks of rubble up into the air between you and Kenyu, intercepting the blast of Sapphire energy he had been sending your way.
>This gives Hiyori time to complete her spell, and a seemingly solid wall of energy, shaped like a triangle, materializes over your head, blocking off the charged water of Kenyu's spell, sending it pouring down on either side of your group, on the other side of White Roses' Ring of Fire. She sends the barrier upwards, but seems to be struggling, so you swap your Vermilion light for Sapphire, giving Hiyori's barrier spell a boost. With some effort, the two of you shove her barrier into the hole in the ceiling over your heads, blocking off the water from that hole at least.
>"That should hold for now." Hiyori says confidently.
-
>The flow is still show no signs of stopping, though, right?
>Assuming nothing changes, how long do we estimate that barrier holding up? Particularly if we want to do something else with our power in the meantime?
>Do we have a path out to simply leave? Or does Kenyu have actual line of sight to us now?
-
>The flow is still show no signs of stopping, though, right?
>Assuming nothing changes, how long do we estimate that barrier holding up? Particularly if we want to do something else with our power in the meantime?
>Do we have a path out to simply leave? Or does Kenyu have actual line of sight to us now?
>Correct.
>Hard to say. You can sense it's a pretty strong barrier, and it seems to be holding up very well. Near as you can tell, Hiyori created this one with the purpose of dealing with water-type attacks, such as the one Kenyu is employing. Having said that, it's only a matter of time before it fails against the might of a Dawn Jewel.
>There are a number of exits present in this room, but using any one of them would require going over or through at least one pile of debris. You don't have a clear path from where you are to any of them, even discounting Rin's fire ring.
>Kenyu does have line of sight on you. Of course that also means you have line of sight on him.
-
>Then if we're moderately stuck here, perhaps the best option really is just 'shoot him again'
>And if Rin and Reisen are both not otherwise immediately engaged, let's try and make sure all 3 of us combine our strength at once this time. If a double Amber Lotus left a mark last time, how about a triple?
-
>Then if we're moderately stuck here, perhaps the best option really is just 'shoot him again'
>And if Rin and Reisen are both not otherwise immediately engaged, let's try and make sure all 3 of us combine our strength at once this time. If a double Amber Lotus left a mark last time, how about a triple?
>It's certainly AN option. Between the five of you, you're certain you could cut a way out of this room, even if doing so while handling whatever Kenyu might throw at you might be a challenge.
>White Rose is presently engaged in holding back the charged water on the floor. You'll have to either make do with just Poppy, or deal with Kenyu's technique first before the three of you can link up.
-
>Between Rin and ourselves, would we be able to lift all of the non-fliers out of here onto the roof?
>And are there even any holes in the roof that don't presently have water pouring through them or barriers preventing water pouring through them?
-
>Between Rin and ourselves, would we be able to lift all of the non-fliers out of here onto the roof?
>And are there even any holes in the roof that don't presently have water pouring through them or barriers preventing water pouring through them?
>You believe so. The only people present that do not have any flying capability that you know of are Youmu and Minoriko. Assuming Haruka is still conscious. The two of you would easily be able to carry them on your respective means of flight.
>A quick glance around reveals five holes that presently do not have water flowing through them. Of them, two are large enough to accommodate people comfortably, two more can be widened fairly easily without risk of structural collapse, and the last is too small to be of use to you in terms of flying through it.
-
>Let's hit Kenyu with another dual tech with Poppy and assuming that doesn't attain especially effective results:
>"I think we should go up. We're too split keeping the water at bay down here."
-
>Let's hit Kenyu with another dual tech with Poppy and assuming that doesn't attain especially effective results:
>"I think we should go up. We're too split keeping the water at bay down here."
>Poppy dashes back to your side, through the ring of fire, and joins you in employing your Amber light, sending a double strength blast upwards at the hovering Blood. Once again, Kenyu deploys his Sapphire shield to intercept the attack, but his weaker Jewel proves insufficient to stop a dual tech completely. Your Amber light again takes a chunk out of his defensive aura, but again, fails to demolish it completely. You can sense it growing weaker, however. You suspect he may not be able to reinforce his defensive strength while channeling power into his water spell, not enough to keep pace with the damage you're capable of dealing it.
>"Up on the roof? You crazy, it's falling apart!" Cinnamon cries.
>"No, she's right." Poppy counters. "We're sitting ducks down here. He can rain fire down on us from up there."
>"And all of us can fly as well or better than he can." Hiyori agrees. "I agree, Lotus, but how do we get out?"
>Uh, good news and bad news, boss. Lily's voice says.
-
>"There's several water-free holes in the roof big enough to slip through. Rose and I can split the non-fliers between us."
>What is it?
-
>"There's several water-free holes in the roof big enough to slip through. Rose and I can split the non-fliers between us."
>What is it?
>Well, the good news is we beat Ioana, and Linia's headed inside.
-
>That's very good news. ...what's the bad news?
-
>That's very good news. ...what's the bad news?
>Well... Ioana got me first.
-
>Oh. I'm sorry I couldn't get there in time.
>Let's start getting the non-fliers positioned so that we can make our break for the roof
-
>Oh. I'm sorry I couldn't get there in time.
>Let's start getting the non-fliers positioned so that we can make our break for the roof
>Guess I should've figured she was leading us on. Either she held us off long enough to fix her Topaz, or she was bluffing us. Nailed me with it when we went to charge her.
>As you call up one of your flying discs, Poppy returns to your side. "Hiyori, Cinnamon, you'll have to cover us. Lotus, let me go up first. Glider doesn't have much offense, but I can distract him until the rest of you get up on the roof. Spectrum Shift: Glider."
>"Heads up!" Cinnamon yells as Poppy transforms, Hiyori casting a quick barrier spell that blocks the three Sapphire blasts Kenyu sends your way.
>"Come on!" the Oni yells down at you. "You're making this too easy!" He almost sounds disappointed as he fires again, a five-way spread of Sapphire projectiles. Hiyori's breath comes out as a hiss as she casts again, more fervently, the spell cast managing to handle Kenyu's attack, though only just. Obviously she can't keep that up for much longer either.
>And then Cinnamon launches herself up at Kenyu, trailing sparks and embers behind her. "Follow me, Poppy!" she cries, discharging a stream of small fireballs at the firefighter. Poppy in her Glider form follows the little fairy up as you and Hiyori take to the sky. No longer needed on the ground, White Rose abandons her spell and conjures her own flying wheel, taking off just in time.
>You hear Kenyu laugh as you reach Haruka and Pink Carnation, the two having taken refuge atop a large piece of debris to escape the water. Both appear to be conscious, Haruka looking dour, Carnation's expression one of disappointment.
-
>Extend a hand to Minoriko
>"Let's get you out of here before the whole place floods."
>Let's get them out of here before the whole place floods
-
>Extend a hand to Minoriko
>"Let's get you out of here before the whole place floods."
>Let's get them out of here before the whole place floods
>Haruka nods behind Minoriko. "A good plan, Lotus, to take this fight up." she says as Minoriko climbs aboard your disc, though she does so a bit laconically, covering herself. "I'd hoped it wouldn't be necessary, but Kenyu, I'm ashamed to say, took advantage of our nature."
>"Haruka protected me, Lotus." Minoriko says quietly.
>"And Carnation protected me." Haruka says quickly as White Rose picks her up. "She displayed admirable courage and enviable skill, but Kenyu's Dawn Jewel was too much for her. And too much for me as well. He gave me no room to prepare spells powerful enough to counter his."
>You, Rin and Hiyori experience no problems with escaping the flooding reception room, thanks to the cover given to you by Poppy and Cinnamon. The two are buzzing around the glowing firefighter like a pair of TIE fighters, peppering him with blasts of energy and fire. This also gives you the change to have a look at the roof itself, and it too is covered by the charged water generated by Kenyu's Dawn Jewel. The only part of the roof that are unaffected are some distance away, save the pile of rubble that you think might have been a structure of some kind that's been destroyed in the fight.
-
>Does that pile seem a safe enough place to deposit our non-combatants?
-
>Does that pile seem a safe enough place to deposit our non-combatants?
>Safer than most places up here. It's big enough for them to duck down behind should they need cover.
-
>To Rin:Let's let them down atop that rubble over there.
>Fly over to deposit our cargo
>And toss a Scarlet Lotus in Kenyu's direction while we're moving. Don't let him get too complacent.
>How thick was the steam created when our Vermillion Lotus zapped Kenyu's water attack? If we did a wide-angle one towards the water pooled below Kenyu, might it be enough to briefly break line of sight?
-
>To Rin:Let's let them down atop that rubble over there.
>Fly over to deposit our cargo
>And toss a Crimson Lotus in Kenyu's direction while we're moving. Don't let him get too complacent.
>Understood.
>As you travel, you twist your body around to fire off a Scarlet Lotus in the general direction of Kenyu. The shotgun blast of red and white energy balls spreads out a bit before it reaches the hovering firefighter, but either he doesn't notice your attack in between Poppy's and Cinnamon's, or he chooses to ignore it. Your shot takes the big man in the stomach, and the force is actually sufficient enough to knock him from the air, sending him sprawling to the ground.
>As you deposit your cargo, however, you sense his Dawn Jewel stop feeding energy into his water spell. That's good news, but it has two bits of bad news accompanying it. For one, the water does not immediately dissipate when he withdraws his Jewel's energy, the water persisting at least for the moment. Too, this means he is now free to use his Dawn Jewel to reinforce his defensive spells, and to use it against you and your group.
>And he does so almost immediately. As Cinnamon begins to crow about the fact that Kenyu has fallen, a massive surge of golden-white light erupts from his body, a blast wave of Dawn energy. Poppy is quick enough to go evasive, just, breaking off her attack run and heading up and away from Kenyu, but Cinnamon is caught off-guard and too close to the blast, her body consumed by the wave of light. When Kenyu's attack fades, Cinnamon is still aloft, but her clothing has been reduced to dust. The fairy has been eliminated.
>How thick was the steam created when our Vermillion Lotus zapped Kenyu's water attack? If we did a wide-angle one towards the water pooled below Kenyu, might it be enough to briefly break line of sight?
>You actually didn't create a great deal of steam at all. Your attack seemed to evaporate the water rather than simply boil it away like Cinnamon's attack did. However, the temperature and power of your Vermillion light is variable. If you wished to use it to generate more steam than you did before, that can easily be accomplished.
-
>Let's fire another Scarlet Lotus at him, as we bank towards Reisen's position
>To Rin: Stay close to me.
>To Reisen: Which spectrum do you think could contribute most to a combined attack that might actually punch a hole in those barriers of his?
-
>Let's fire another Scarlet Lotus at him, as we bank towards Reisen's position
>To Rin: Stay close to me.
>To Reisen: Which spectrum do you think could contribute most to a combined attack that might actually punch a hole in those barriers of his?
>Understood.
>Saber or Caster. But neither one of them can fly.
>You resume your attack as you and Rin leave the two eliminated members of your group behind. Getting a better look at Kenyu, you see that your attack actually did punch a hole in his barriers. There's damage to his shirt and trousers that wasn't there before. You hurt him, but not enough to knock him out. Another Scarlet Lotus might have hurt him even more, but this time he intercepts your strike with a burst of Sapphire Energy. As he used his weaker Jewel against what's probably your best shot in terms of offense, however, he doesn't quite manage to stop your attack completely. A few pellets of energy penetrate his Sapphire shield, but not enough to penetrate his body armor.
>The Oni grins as he kips up back to his feet, sending a spray of water in all directions. Too convenient for him to be damaged by his own spell of course. He doesn't stay upright for long as he drives his left fist into the roof, sending a wave of energy through the water. The surface ripples and spikes of hardened water start to shoot up to stab at you and your colleagues.
-
>To Reisen: Then hop aboard when I get close. I want all three of us together for this.
>Let's hit the water spikes with a Vermillion Lotus as we continue to close on Reisen. Prioritize clearing away spikes for defensive purposes, but if we can make a nice sight-obscuring steam cloud between us and Kenyu at the same time, so much the better
>And make sure Rin stays within combo range also
-
>To Reisen: Then hop aboard when I get close. I want all three of us together for this.
>Let's hit the water spikes with a Vermillion Lotus as we continue to close on Reisen. Prioritize clearing away spikes for defensive purposes, but if we can make a nice sight-obscuring steam cloud between us and Kenyu at the same time, so much the better
>And make sure Rin stays within combo range also
>I'll try. she replies as she dodges a burst of Sapphire energy from Kenyu.
>The problem with defending yourself against this attack of Kenyu's is that the spikes are rising very quickly, and your flying disc is mostly opaque. This makes it difficult to see through it to see if any of the spikes are erupting immediately beneath you. You do a good job intercepting and avoiding the spikes that appear before you, but as you and Poppy draw close one of the spikes stabs upwards and penetrates your disc, missing you almost completely, only nicking your ankle, but your disc shatters. White Rose automatically moves to try and catch you, but her path is interrupted by another spike. Only a tremendous evasive effort enables her to avoid plowing right into the thing. You start to summon forth another disc, but the wet ground is approaching at a great rate.
>And then you sense a powerful surge of magic and the water changes again. A rolling mass of Metal magic washes over the charged water, leaving behind a sheet of solid lead. Hiyori must have cast the same spell that Kiku used against the Tar, transmuting Kenyu's water magic into a harmless metal, in this case, lead. When you hit the ground, it is solid, harmless ground that you land on, although your landing is not the most graceful.
-
>Scramble back to our feet
>"Thanks."
>How close are Rin and Reisen? Close enough?
-
>Scramble back to our feet
>"Thanks."
>How close are Rin and Reisen? Close enough?
>"Look out!" Hiyori replies as you regain your footing. Relentless in his assault, Kenyu unleashes another barrage from his Sapphire Jewel, a rain of projectiles flying up over his head and raining down towards you and your allies.
>Unfortunately, neither. Between your fall and the evasive maneuvers of your airborne colleagues, the distance between you three has increased.
-
>Throw a Sapphire Lotus up to intercept the barrage and dash for the nearest our two partners
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>Throw a Sapphire Lotus up to intercept the barrage and dash for the nearest our two partners
>Seeking to stop Kenyu's attack before it has a chance to do any damage to you or your allies- and by the sound of Hiyori's heavy breathing she could use a brief respite, you employ your Sapphire light, generating a barrier of light over Kenyu's head. Apart from a couple of projectiles, neither of which are really moving fast enough to threaten Poppy or White Rose on their own, the rest of his assault crashes into your forcefield. Not the easiest assault you've ever blocked. Even his Sapphire Jewel packs a wallop.
>The firefighter shoots you a grin as you charge towards White Rose. "Smart move! But how long can ya keep it up!" The energy of his Sapphire Jewel surges as he sends a concentrated stream of his own blue energy towards your Sapphire shield.
-
>Rin! Help me block it!
>And keep moving towards her, as best we can
-
>Rin! Help me block it!
>And keep moving towards her, as best we can
>Understood! the kasha cries, making a beeline for you. Her speed is better then your for more than just the normal reason; the lead Hiyori transformed the water into is fairly smooth, and you find it difficult to run at your best speed upon it. White Rose is not so impeded, and makes it to your side in good time, adding her power to your Sapphire shield. The difference is as dramatic as you expect, your newly empowered shield easily able to handle Kenyu's Sapphire assault.
>Somewhat unexpectedly, though, he stops his attack on your shield, only to renew it again a heartbeat later, this time employing his Dawn Jewel. Even when combined with Rin's power, your shield is no match for that surge of awesome energy, and your Sapphire Lotus shatters.
>"Spectrum Shift: Caster!" Poppy yells as you keep Kenyu occupied, transforming back to her ranged damage dealing form as she hits the ground. "Caster: Lightning Beam!" A lance of electric energy bursts from Poppy's hands at the firefighter, striking him in his shoulder blade. He staggers under the attack but manages to hold his ground.
>His Jewels flaring, two columns of twisting flame erupt from the ground, coalescing into humanoid amalgams of flame. One of these flaming constructs charges at Poppy while the second heads in the direction of you and White Rose, leaving half-melted lead in their wake.
-
>Hit it with a Cerulean Lotus!
>And if that seems to work effectively, sweep it over to the one going for Reisen, too
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>Hit it with a Cerulean Lotus!
>And if that seems to work effectively, sweep it over to the one going for Reisen, too
>Best way to fight fire? Cold water, which thanks to your Cerulean light, you have in abundance. Even though Kenyu's elemental is a construct of his Dawn Jewel, you have the elemental advantage. The fire construct resists your blue light only for a couple of seconds before it freezes and shatters.
>"Caster: Frost Diver." Reisen casts again as you line up your own shot. Spikes of ice erupt from the ground, eerily echoing Kenyu's earlier attack. Poppy's spikes of ice surround the flaming construct, turning the thing's outline blue. She draws her hand back to cast again as the construct struggles to free itself, but you act before either of the two of them, blasting the now stationary target with a blast of Cerulean light, shattering it to pieces.
>"Shouldn't a firefighter not be using fire?" White Rose says to Kenyu.
>The big oni grins. "My line of work, if I didn't know how to use fire, I'd be out of a job. Besides, it takes people by surprise. Most of the time." he adds in a complimentary tone.
-
>"One can rarely afford to be too surprised on the battlefield."
>Let's continue to try to get in position for a triple attack. If that means hitching a ride with Rin or conjuring our own disc again, so be it
>And rather than spray distracting fire this time, let's keep an eye for Kenyu to charge anything long enough for us to hit him with an Indigo Lotus in the middle of it. Maybe that will count as a surprise.
-
>"One can rarely afford to be too surprised on the battlefield."
>Let's continue to try to get in position for a triple attack. If that means hitching a ride with Rin or conjuring our own disc again, so be it
>And rather than spray distracting fire this time, let's keep an eye for Kenyu to charge anything long enough for us to hit him with an Indigo Lotus in the middle of it. Maybe that will count as a surprise.
>"Got that right. Like how you surprised me when you two teamed up." The firefighter stomps his foot and sends another wave of Dawn energy through the roof. Rather than collapsing more material, this time a massive wall of fire erupts between you and Poppy. "Like I'll make it easy for the three of you to gang up." Kenyu says as he switches to his weaker Jewel, firing off a cone-shaped blast of Sapphire energy.
-
>Use a Cerulean Lotus to cut a path through the wall of fire for Reisen and rely on Rin to shield against the other attack. Well, unless it looks like she won't be able to, in which case prioritize defending against them instead
>If we can open a hole in the wall, beckon Reisen through. Rhere's already two of us on this side, better for her to come to us than vice versa
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>Use a Cerulean Lotus to cut a path through the wall of fire for Reisen and rely on Rin to shield against the other attack. Well, unless it looks like she won't be able to, in which case prioritize defending against them instead
>If we can open a hole in the wall, beckon Reisen through. Rhere's already two of us on this side, better for her to come to us than vice versa
>If Kenyu was using his Dawn Jewel to attack, you doubt Rin would be able to handle that on her own. But his direct attack is drawn from his Sapphire Jewel, and that is something White Rose can handle. "White Retainer's Guarding Ring." she casts, hurling up one of her white wheels to intercept the conal energy coming directly at you. The wheel blocks a portion of the cone, generating a safe zone for you to operate and stand in.
>It is you that has the difficulty in dealing with Kenyu's power. Although your Cerulean Lotus was effective against his fire constructs, this wall of his resists your cold blasts with ferocious tenacity. You suspect you would be able to cut through it eventually, but it would take some time.
>"Caster: Cold Bolt!" you hear Poppy cast through the flames, and something strikes Kenyu's wall on the opposite side that you were shooting. The two-pronged assault is successful at punching a hole in Kenyu's firewall, though you have to use your Cerulean Lotus to keep the hole from closing as Poppy runs towards you.
>"No you don't." you hear Kenyu hiss. The big firefighter waves his arm, and the towering wall of fire folds down and collapses towards you as though it were a tidal wave.
-
>How far did Reisen get before this happened? Is the firewall collapsing on top of her, too?
>How close together are we?
>How tall is the fire wall? Do we think we could take to the air and get over it before it crashed on top of us?
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>How far did Reisen get before this happened? Is the firewall collapsing on top of her, too?
>How close together are we?
>How tall is the fire wall? Do we think we could take to the air and get over it before it crashed on top of us?
>In the neighbourhood of ten feet away from the wall.
>Not that you can tell.
>You and White Rose are standing next to each other. You two are standing around fifteen feet away from Poppy, give or take a couple of feet.
>Between thirty and fourty feet.
>You have insufficient time to conjure a flying disc and escape the firefall.
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>Is Rin still actively blocking that sapphire barrage from Kenyu or is that already over?
>If not, take hold of her hand: Together!
>Deploy a Sapphire Lotus to shield us from the onrushing fire, together with Rin's own defensive arts
-
>Is Rin still actively blocking that sapphire barrage from Kenyu or is that already over?
>If not, take hold of her hand: Together!
>Deploy a Sapphire Lotus to shield us from the onrushing fire, together with Rin's own defensive arts
>She is free.
>Gripping your hand tightly, you and White Rose cast simultaneously, you your Sapphire Lotus, she employing her Guarding Ring once again. The combined spell takes the form of a dome of brilliant blue-white energy, surrounding you on all sides.
>The sound the fire makes when it strikes your shield is scarily similar to the sound the Death Titan made when it struck your shield with its fist. And the roaring sound of the flames is even worse, screaming and howling as they they were alive. The fire feels as though it has real weight pressing down upon your protective dome. And yet despite all this, your defenses hold, weathering the tidal wave of flame without flickering or wavering. The combined strength of you and your girlfriend is something you have great faith in, but all the same, this experience is an unnerving one, and you are grateful to be having it in a safe environment.
>When the sound of the flames abates a bit, you hear the sounds of combat continuing around you, and from more sources than just Kenyu and Reisen. Hiyori must have rejoined the battle.
-
>Has the flame passed enough to actually see what's happening?
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>Has the flame passed enough to actually see what's happening?
>You think so, but the dome you generated is pretty opaque.
-
>Well, if we're confident we're out of immediate harm's way, let's drop the barrier and get back into the fight
>Or if not, at least relax the front of it enough to see for sure
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>Well, if we're confident we're out of immediate harm's way, let's drop the barrier and get back into the fight
>Or if not, at least relax the front of it enough to see for sure
>You do indeed appear to be safe. Kenyu's attack was impressive, but you have bested him this time.
>Dismissing your dual tech dome, your vision of the battlefield reveals Kenyu on the attack again. Drawing upon both of his Jewels he is discharging staggered blasts of energy of various shapes. Emanating out from him in a radial pattern are stars, circles, fireballs and triangular bursts of energy. It's actually quite pretty, though you wish it wasn't employed against you and your allies.
-
>Well, if his focus isn't directly on us for the moment, let's hit him with another double-Scarlet Lotus
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>Well, if his focus isn't directly on us for the moment, let's hit him with another double-Scarlet Lotus
>It doesn't appear to be, so you and White Rose pool your power again, matching his firing pattern with one of your own. Spheres and stars of red, white and orange energy spray from your scepter at the stationary firefighter. The fact that he is using both of his Jewels means his projectiles are extremely powerful and are able to absorb or deflect even your dual tech shots. However, he has to diffuse his efforts among three distinct target zones, while you and White Rose are able to focus your attack on a single stationary target. Each one of Kenyu's shots your attack penetrates drains some its energy away, but enough of it remains to slam into Kenyu's body, ceasing his production of energy projectiles and knocking him backwards.
>The channel you cut through his attack allows you to see the effect of your blast. His shirt is in tatters, and his pants are little more than a few slim rags attached to a tattered waistband. Kenyu looks around the roof, then turns to his side and fires a blast into the roof, diving through the hole he creates.
-
>That wasn't quite enough damage for him to be outright eliminated, right?
>Let's gather up our allies and assess any battle-damage they might have
-
>That wasn't quite enough damage for him to be outright eliminated, right?
>Let's gather up our allies and assess any battle-damage they might have
>Close. You don't think he can weather even one more of your normal shots, let alone a dual tech.
>You and White Rose have thus far escaped the battle with very little damage at all. There's a tear in your stocking, but that's it between the two of you. Poppy and Hiyori, however, are both more damaged, and still threatened. The remainder of Kenyu's spread of fire is still active, still threatening the two of them
-
>Then let's toss out a Sapphire Lotus to guard them. We can catch Kenyu afterward.
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>Then let's toss out a Sapphire Lotus to guard them. We can catch Kenyu afterward.
>There is too much distance between the two women to use one Sapphire Lotus to shield them both. Your light would be too spread out to handle an attack of that magnitude.
-
>Shield whichever woman is more threatened and instruct Rin to shield the other
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>Shield whichever woman is more threatened and instruct Rin to shield the other
>The threat level is fairly even, but a quick assessment of the situation shows Poppy sporting more damage than Hiyori, and thus more in need of defense. So you turn your Sapphire Lotus in her direction while White Rose goes to the defense of her partner in this exercise. But while you are forced to divide your powers, Kenyu's attack remains undiluted, and neither you nor Rin are quite able to handle that much power on your own. Your Sapphire barriers are enough to absorb some of the energy of Kenyu's projectiles but not all of it. But this is enough to allow Poppy enough breathing room to cast safely, which she does with a cry of "Caster: Flame Wall!" The combined effort of her barrier and yours is enough to defeat the remnants of Kenyu's barrage. Though only just, by the state of her clothes. She's wearing less than Kenyu was.
-
>
Well, Caster was never wearing very much to begin with.
>If she's out of danger and Hiyori still isn't, turn our defensive efforts towards her.
>Otherwise, let's gather up our allies and pursue Kenyu - but cautiously
-
>Well, Caster was never wearing very much to begin with.
>If she's out of danger and Hiyori still isn't, turn our defensive efforts towards her.
>Otherwise, let's gather up our allies and pursue Kenyu - but cautiously
>You say that like it's a bad thing.
>She is out of danger, and Hiyori is as well. White Rose took enough pressure off her to enable her to cast defensively as well, just as you did for Poppy. Her clothing's in bad shape, but not as bad as Poppy's.
>The four of you take a moment to lick your wounds, metaphorically speaking, then examine the hole Kenyu blasted in the roof to escape. He's left an energy barrier behind filling in the hole. You'll either have to blast through it or use another hole. Or blast your own, whichever you're in the mood for.
-
>Can we tell which way Kenyu's gone? And more particularly - where he is now?
>Kiku is presumably still nowhere near us?
-
>Can we tell which way Kenyu's gone? And more particularly - where he is now?
>Kiku is presumably still nowhere near us?
>The sensation of his Jewel indicates that he is headed the way you came to reach the arrival room.
>Not 'near', exactly, but she does appear to be headed back in your direction.
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>Will Kenyu cross Kiku's general direction, the way they're currently travelling?
>Let's go pick some hole he didn't barricade and go down that way. There ought to still be plenty of them, right?
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>Will Kenyu cross Kiku's general direction, the way they're currently travelling?
>Let's go pick some hole he didn't barricade and go down that way. There ought to still be plenty of them, right?
>Assuming both stay on the same course, no. Kenyu is currently traveling southwest while Kiku is traveling west and slightly north. Assuming they maintain ballistic trajectories, they won't cross paths.
>By mutual consent, Poppy and Hiyori agree to let you and White Rose take the vanguard positions. It's a bit strange that of the 18 people involved in this exercise, Rin's the only one that's escape damage of any sort. Ordinarily she's putting herself in the line of fire far more than you like to see. And her eyes are the first to first the nearest open hole, which she is the first one through.
>Lotus, are you still active? Kiku asks as you follow White Rose back inside.
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>I am. We inflicted significant damage on Kenyu and forced him to retreat. The remaining four of us here are pursuing.
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>I am. We inflicted significant damage on Kenyu and forced him to retreat. The remaining four of us here are pursuing.
>We have had success as well. Subala and I have been reinforced by Linia, who forced a confrontation with Camille. Camille was able to eliminate Subala and inflicted damage upon Linia and myself, but Camille has been eliminated. Kenyu is the last Protector remaining.
-
>Glad to hear it; he's been a difficult enough opponent on his own. Rendezvous with us if you can - we're headed [insert directions here] - but I don't want to give Kenyu a chance to recover, if I can help it.
>Keep pressing forward, though don't disregard the possibility he still has something up his sleeve.
-
>Glad to hear it; he's been a difficult enough opponent on his own. Rendezvous with us if you can - we're headed [insert directions here] - but I don't want to give Kenyu a chance to recover, if I can help it.
>Keep pressing forward, though don't disregard the possibility he still has something up his sleeve.
>Do you know where he was going?
>As you start to answer, Kenyu changes his course. He now appears to be heading in Kiku's direction, information which to relay to the tiger. You resist the urge to ignore caution and speed up to catch him, since Kiku and Linia alone would be no match for Kenyu, even though he is damaged. Even though he is an Oni, he's still more than capable of laying down the kind of traps Cynthia and Wataru employed, and his traps would be more potent than any of theirs.
>Sure enough, as White Rose, still in the lead, rounds the corner of a corridor, she stops abruptly. Kenyu has left a deterrent behind, though nothing as treacherous as a trap. Three more humanoind constructs block the hallway, each forged from a different element. Water, Fire and Cold, from left to right. Each one, after seeing White Rose, start to charge the kasha.
-
>Let's hit the fire one with a Cerulean Lotus. Rin can presumably handle the Cold one herself and Reisen's surely got enough tricks up those very skimpy Caster sleeves for the third. Hopefully.
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>Let's hit the fire one with a Cerulean Lotus. Rin can presumably handle the Cold one herself and Reisen's surely got enough tricks up those very skimpy Caster sleeves for the third. Hopefully.
>Almost simultaneously, you and White Rose employ your own elemental attacks, White Rose striking the cold construct with her white flame, you blasting the fire construct with your freezing attack. Both elementals explode with an extreme amount of force, going off like bombs. Blast waves of hot and cold energy strike you and Rin, blowing the both of you clear off your feet. It's sheer luck that Poppy and Hiyori hadn't come around the corner yet, else one or both of them would have been eliminated from the competition.
>The two women move past you after the explosions subside, to deal with the still oncoming watery construct, which has been unaffected by the detonation of the other two constructs. Hiyori holds a talisman before her and deploys a barrier shield, while Poppy discharges one of her Lightning Beams through it. The electric laser makes the construct detonate just like the other two, but Hiyori's shield proves equal to the task of deflecting the damage away from your group.
-
>"Well, that's good to know for the next time."
>Let's pull ourselves back up. How bad's the damage?
-
>"Well, that's good to know for the next time."
>Let's pull ourselves back up. How bad's the damage?
>"Kinda sneaky for an Oni, wasn't it?" White Rose asks as Hiyori helps her back to her feet.
>"He doesn't usually do that sort of thing, but I suppose since he's playing the villain this time, he bent his tactics." Hiyori speculates. "Especially since he's alone now."
>"Thought he liked being outnumbered."
>"He does, but he also knows how bad we hurt him. He doesn't have a chance against the six of us left."
>"Then we'd better hurry before he gets to Chrys."
>"There's a problem with that." Poppy says to White Rose, pointing down to where the constructs were. The roof of the corridor has collapsed, blocking the hallway almost completely.
>The damage is noticable, for sure. You and White Rose have both lost somewhere between 25-30% of your clothing. It was fortunate that you and she shot the constructs before they got any closer.
-
>Is there no obvious alternate way around?
>If not, is there a point we can tunnel through with Amber Lotus without collapsing the whole thing even further?
>If not to that too, then let's try getting Hiyori to reinforce the air above the space we tunnel through with some kind of barrier, and make a little 'tunnel' we can hurry through
-
>Is there no obvious alternate way around?
>If not, is there a point we can tunnel through with Amber Lotus without collapsing the whole thing even further?
>If not to that too, then let's try getting Hiyori to reinforce the air above the space we tunnel through with some kind of barrier, and make a little 'tunnel' we can hurry through
>The hallway does branch to the south, but you aren't familiar enough with this building to know how much of a delay taking that route would necessitate, or even if it would get you to the right place.
>Possibly, but you're not entirely sure.
>That, Hiyori says, can be done. Using the ceiling as a base, Hiyori sends a platform of magic along the ceiling, separating debris from roof, leaving you free to employ your Amber Light. But as you start to cut your way through the fallen rubble, Kenyu's energy signature stops moving. No longer moving towards Kiku and Linia, he instead starts to move straight up, his aura growing in intensity.
-
>Straight up as in 'through the roof' and not 'up some stairs, probably'?
>About how far away from him are we?
-
>Straight up as in 'through the roof' and not 'up some stairs, probably'?
>About how far away from him are we?
>Straight up, most likely through whatever roof is above him.
>Between 45 and 50 feet and increasing.
-
>Are there any accessible stairs up nearby?
>If not, let's keep going as we have been. Just because he's going through the roof doesn't mean we ought to.
>Though it is a little odd....
-
>Are there any accessible stairs up nearby?
>If not, let's keep going as we have been. Just because he's going through the roof doesn't mean we ought to.
>Though it is a little odd....
>None within visual range.
>Curious as to what exactly Kenyu is up to, you finish cutting your way through the debris and lead the way through it, Hiyori bringing up the rear to maintain her spell.
>We have a problem. Kiku announces. According to Linia, Kenyu's building up energy for a large spell. Our guess is that he's preparing to blast the entire building.
-
>The entire building?! Would he still have power enough left for that?
>Let's try to hurry this up, though. Borrow a little power from our allies if we need it. Certainly that would be a great target for Indigo Lotus, if we can catch him in the middle of it.
-
>The entire building?! Would he still have power enough left for that?
>Let's try to hurry this up, though. Borrow a little power from our allies if we need it. Certainly that would be a great target for Indigo Lotus, if we can catch him in the middle of it.
>Linia believes so. She can sense his power level more accurately than I can.
>Now more anxious than ever, you and your three colleagues accelerate, three of you taking to the air and Reisen switching to her Glider Spectrum. The damage to her clothing persists between her costume changes but she still flies as fast as ever. As you speed up, Hiyori relays the same information you received from Chrysanthemum. "Lotus, can you use that Amber light of yours to cut us a path to Kenyu?"
-
>"I can. Do you believe that better than attempting to follow the hole he presumably left in the roof himself?"
-
>"I can. Do you believe that better than attempting to follow the hole he presumably left in the roof himself?"
>"Maybe. I suppose it depends on how fast your beam is, and how- Oh, never mind." she cuts herself off. As you turn around a corner, you can see the ragged hole in the roof Kenyu left behind him. There doesn't seem to be any form of barrier barring your way this time, but the hole isn't big enough to accommodate more than one of you at a time.
>Above, Kenyu's power stabilizes.
-
>Stabilizes? Are we too late to interrupt him while he's channeling... whatever he's chanelling, then?
>Can we actually see Kenyu through this hole? Or at least, would we if we were underneath it?
-
>Stabilizes? Are we too late to interrupt him while he's channeling... whatever he's chanelling, then?
>Can we actually see Kenyu through this hole? Or at least, would we if we were underneath it?
>Perhaps not. You can sense him using his Jewels, though not at you. Chrysanthemum and Linia have reached the Dawn Blood more quickly than you. They appear to be preventing him from building up more power.
>As you are not underneath it, it's hard to say. But you can see the glow of his aura shining down through the hole.
-
>Oh, are Kiku and Linia already on the roof or something? Can we detect fighting?
>If so, let's make a break for the hole and see what we can see
-
>Oh, are Kiku and Linia already on the roof or something? Can we detect fighting?
>If so, let's make a break for the hole and see what we can see
>Yes and yes.
>In the time it takes you to cover the distance between your starting point and the point directly below the hole, you detect a number of bursts of Jeweled power, but nothing of Kiku's. As you turn your head up to look up the hole, you see nothing but open sky and the ominous glow of Kenyu's Dawn Jewel's light.
-
>Kiku seems down for the count, most likely?
>How much would it dilute the power of anything we'd shoot at him to go straight through the roof instead of flying up for an open shot?
-
>Kiku seems down for the count, most likely?
>How much would it dilute the power of anything we'd shoot at him to go straight through the roof instead of flying up for an open shot?
>You assume so. If she was active, there's no doubt you'd sense her fighting.
>It depends on what you fire. Most of your spells would treat the roof as a solid object and be impeded by it. Your Amber Light however would cut through it while losing the least amount of energy, as it is the most effective at dispelling illusions, which for better or worse this building is. You'd still lose some effectiveness before it reached Kenyu, assuming you hit him, but not as much as with the other spells you have.
-
>To Rin and Reisen: I think we go for the surprise shot over the clear shot. Are you with me?
>Assuming we're all in position and there is no disagreement, let's take aim at Kenyu's position and let loose with a combined Amber Lotus through the ceiling
-
>To Rin and Reisen: I think we go for the surprise shot over the clear shot. Are you with me?
>Assuming we're all in position and there is no disagreement, let's take aim at Kenyu's position and let loose with a combined Amber Lotus through the ceiling
>Sounds good. Rin agrees.
>Best not to give him a clear shot at us. says Reisen.
>With the two youkai on board, you narrow your focus to give you the best shot. Sensing Kenyu is no trouble at all, but pinpointing his position isn't so easy. His power signature is so strong and broad, localizing it isn't simple. But your senses are sharp and your hand is steady. You might not even need to hit him dead on. He's badly damaged. Even a glancing blow from one of your triple techs might be enough to put him down.
>As the impression of the other Jewel disappears, you unleash your Amber light, augmented by Poppy and White Rose. The resulting blast is enormous in size and even stronger in intensity. When it passes, the relatively small hole above you has expanded to several tens of feet in diameter, the roof evaporated by your spell. Above you in the sky, you see a floating humanoid figure, but what catches your eye first is the sight of Chrysanthemum falling through the hole you just blasted.
-
>Quickly throw out a Sapphire Lotus to catch her!
>And then space a glance at Kenyu. Did we... we didn't miss him with that, did we?
-
>Quickly throw out a Sapphire Lotus to catch her!
>And then space a glance at Kenyu. Did we... we didn't miss him with that, did we?
>The falling youkai starts to right herself as you deploy your Sapphire light, neatly fielding the naked woman. She glances down at you. "Impressive shot."
>He's pretty high up there, and you can't discern if his clothes remain. Given the size of your blast, there's no way you could have missed him, not unless he has super speed. His power reading is still high, but from above, you hear him yell out, "Damn!" before his power begins to drop.
-
>"Thanks."
>Does it seem that he's 'standing down' then, as it were? Be ready in case that's not the case.
-
>"Thanks."
>Does it seem that he's 'standing down' then, as it were? Be ready in case that's not the case.
>You guess so. He's dropping down from the air as well, at a rather leisurely rate. "You got me, girls!" he hollers down at you. "Couldn't block that!"
-
>Holler back: "Well fought! To you and all your compatriots!"
-
>Holler back: "Well fought! To you and all your compatriots!"
>"Hey Haruka!" Kenyu yells, his amplified voice ringing out through the building. "Don't turn this thing off yet! Give my crew a minute to put our pants back on!"
>"And the rest of us, too." Chrysanthemum mutters.
>"Hear, hear." adds Hiyori.
-
>Well, we at least can patch our own magical clothing up magically. So let's do that.
-
>Well, we at least can patch our own magical clothing up magically. So let's do that.
>After bringing Kiku safely to ground, the four of you gathered together regenerate your outfits. "That's a very convenient ability." Hiyori remarks.
>"Bit strange, too." White Rose says, looking at Poppy as she changes back to her Saber Spectrum. "Shouldn't you clothes've been fixed when you changed?"
>"I suspect that's a function of this room." the rabbit replies. "Whatever magic it uses to simulate damage kept the damage to my clothing persistant."
-
>"I'd deliberately refrained from patching minor damage during downtime in the exercise. It felt like it violated the spirit of the activity if the other team can't do likewise; real wounds are far less easy to dispel, after all."
-
>"I'd deliberately refrained from patching minor damage during downtime in the exercise. It felt like it violated the spirit of the activity if the other team can't do likewise; real wounds are far less easy to dispel, after all."
>"Yeah, it does. I don't think there's a rule against that, but, I don't think we've ever had anyone here who could repair their clothes the way you can."
>"Not that you needed patching up as much as the rest of us, it appears." Kiku remarks.
-
>"We were fortunate to be able to gather so many of us together in the same battle. Many of you didn't have that luxury."
-
>"We were fortunate to be able to gather so many of us together in the same battle. Many of you didn't have that luxury."
>"Although that was probably necessary against Kenyu." says Poppy. "I had heard that the Dawn Jewel was on the same level as the Grey for the Blackbloods, and having fought the Dawn now, that reputation isn't exaggerated."
>Makes me really glad we caught the Stunts by surprise. Rin says to the four of you.
>May we be so fortunate the next time we meet a Blood Coven. Kiku says solemnly.
>"If you'll excuse me, ladies," Hiyori says after a moment, "I should probably get changed myself."
-
>Nod
>"Of course."
>Likewise. Though I'd be just as happy if we could get through the next few months, at least, without doing so.
-
>Nod
>"Of course."
>Likewise. Though I'd be just as happy if we could get through the next few months, at least, without doing so.
>I doubt we'll be that lucky. says Poppy as Hiyori departs. After what we did to the Stuntrons, some Blackblood is going to come after us to try and stop us from doing it again.
>You don't think they might be scared off instead? Rin asks.
>They'll come after us BECAUSE they're scared. I'd bet my bike on it.
-
>You're probably right. One crisis at a time, though.
-
>You're probably right. One crisis at a time, though.
>And we did win this time. Kiku points out. We've now beaten a Grey and a Dawn. Any Jewel might be able to threaten us, but it may take a White or Black Jewel to defeat us all.
-
>Even as strong as they may be, I have faith in the six of us working together.
-
>Even as strong as they may be, I have faith in the six of us working together.
>"Speaking of which, we should collect Lily and Carnation." Chrysanthemum suggests. "We should compare notes, discuss how we might improve our performance if we have to do this again."
-
>"Yes."
>Let's go gather up our allies
-
>"Yes."
>Let's go gather up our allies
>"How'd you do against Camille?" White Rose asks her fellow feline as you head back up to the roof to collect Carnation. "You could track her good?"
>"Not as well as I could others. Apparently Camille's Jewel enabled her to shield her presence, including masking her scent. But she could never do it perfectly, which I suspect is due to the psychic disruption we inflicted upon them. And we were able to maintain pressure enough on her to prevent her from concealing herself entirely. But I believe I should practice my hunting techniques. I haven't really had to use them since I was a normal tiger. Had I been a true hunter as I once was, I would have been able to corner her without Linia's aid."
>"What happened at the end?" Poppy asks her. "Did you fight Kenyu when he was charging that spell of his?"
>Chrys nods. "I had to buy time. I knew you three and Hiyori had a better chance against Kenyu then Linia and I did. So I tried to distract him. But Linia lasted longer than I did."
>Popping up to the roof, you find the rest of your team together. Lily and Carnation are sitting with Haruka and Cinnamon, the latter of which makes a beeline for Reisen as soon as her ears are visible to the little fairy.
-
>Oh boy, better brace our eardrums....
-
>Oh boy, better brace our eardrums....
>"How'd you get changed so fast?" Cinnamon asks as she approaches, at a fairly reasonable volume for her.
>"That's part of our magic." Poppy replies.
>"Neat!" As quickly as the smile appeared on her face, it is replaced with a look of sadness. "I'm sorry I got myself shot like that. I should have covered you better."
>Poppy shakes her head. "It only made sense for Kenyu to go after you first. You're better at aerial combat than I am. If anything I should have been covering you."
>"Well we can get you better!" Cinnamon says confidently, happy again. Then, as if remembering something, she turns to you and White Rose. "Oh yeah, I need to thank you, you kept Poppy safe. So thanks!"
-
>"All of us kept each other safe."
-
>"All of us kept each other safe."
>"Yeah, that's what we do for each other." says White Rose.
>"Well, thanks!" Cinnamon's hair whips around as he head twists rapidly. "Where's Hiyo, I need to thank her too."
>"She went to get changed." Chrysanthemum tells her. "Which I suggest you do, too."
>"I should?" Cinnamon looks at herself, as though only now realizing she was naked. "Oh yeah, Haruka told me that too. But then Lily showed up and we said hi and I got distracted so I didn't get changed. I should get changed, but I'll be back!" she declares, bolting for the hole in the ceiling behind you.
-
>After she's gone: "No lack of enthusiasm, that one."
>Continue onward
-
>After she's gone: "No lack of enthusiasm, that one."
>Continue onward
>"Comes with the fairy territory." Chrys remarks flatly.
>With one energetic blonde absenting herself, you resume your walk towards your own energetic blonde, who is chatting happily with Haruka and Carnation. The latter of which, you note, no longer appears disappointed, and is actually smiling.
>"Congratulations, girls." Haruka greets you. "A hard fought victory."
-
>"It was that. Kenyu is even stronger than I realized."
-
>"It was that. Kenyu is even stronger than I realized."
>The miko, covered by a plain robe, nods. "The power of the high level Blood Jewels is immense. And unlike Breakdown, Kenyu knows what he can do with his Jewel and has the faculties to use them. By himself he is a formidable foe. With his coven, they are extremely difficult to beat. I admit, I think that even I underestimated him a little. I myself possesses no small amount of power or skill, and supported by Carnation, I thought we could take him. I was wrong."
>"Maybe, but not by a lot." says Carnation. "He only beat us as quickly as he did because he used the terrain against us and US against us. We'll beat him next time."
>Haruka chuckles a quiet, warm laugh. "Your newest ally does not lack for spirit or resilience, Lotus."
-
>Smile
>"I never doubted it."
-
>Smile
>"I never doubted it."
>"I knew she'd fight right in!" Lily says happily, giving Carnation a sudden hug.
>Haruka leans forward. "So, Lotus. As the leader of your group, what was your opinion on this exercise?"
-
>"Interesting. And educational. Although I feel that spreading our forces as we did at the start may have been responsible for some of our casualties. I understand the purpose here as a cooperative exercise, but the powers we wield combine together such that any two of us are far stronger than the sum of us alone. Smaller groups may have given the Protectors greater chance to engage on equal ground."
-
>"Interesting. And educational. Although I feel that spreading our forces as we did at the start may have been responsible for some of our casualties. I understand the purpose here as a cooperative exercise, but the powers we wield combine together such that any two of us are far stronger than the sum of us alone. Smaller groups may have given the Protectors greater chance to engage on equal ground."
>"My conclusion as well. I knew that your group were more effective when you were together, but I didn't realize just how true that was until this exercise. Your group is greater than the sum of its parts; it only took three of you to overwhelm Kenyu's Jewels. I can only imagine what all six of you together might do on the battlefield."
-
>"I have no doubt we'll find out before all this is over."
-
>"I have no doubt we'll find out before all this is over."
>"I hope you never need to find out, but I suspect you are correct. Still, you've already demonstrated what you can do when your group works together as one. One need not look further than the effect you had on the Stuntrons."
>"Yeah, that was pretty cool." Lily says with a big smile.
>"All the same, I'm sure you've already encountered some situations where you group were forced to separate. And undoubtedly you will do so again. Exercises such as this will help prepare you for those times."
-
>"I don't disagree. And better to practice in an environment where the stakes are lower, after all."
-
>"I don't disagree. And better to practice in an environment where the stakes are lower, after all."
>"And we're pleased to be able to offer you the opportunity."
>"Leaving that aside for the moment, how would your judge the cooperative efforts between our two groups? I understand things didn't work out very well between you and Sen."
-
>"Well, given that she charged in while I was incapacitated and then I never saw her again, I wouldn't say there was much opportunity for things to work out at all. Though from what I heard, the other groups seem to have made out rather better, and Hiyori's aid against Kenyu was certainly appreciated."
-
>"Well, given that she charged in while I was incapacitated and then I never saw her again, I wouldn't say there was much opportunity for things to work out at all. Though from what I heard, the other groups seem to have made out rather better, and Hiyori's aid against Kenyu was certainly appreciated."
>"She does work well with others. And I was slightly surprised to hear that Lily and Linia worked together as well as Lily says."
>The little blonde nods. "She was quiet but we got on good!"
>Mostly good. Lily adds. I know I don't read people as well as you do, Lotus, but... Well, I kinda got the sense that Linia was a little afraid of us.
-
>Perhaps because of what we did to the Stunrons. Which is unfortunate; it hurts a little to think that any ally might fear us.
-
>Perhaps because of what we did to the Stunrons. Which is unfortunate; it hurts a little to think that any ally might fear us.
>It's not that big a surprise, though. remarks Reisen. We're a new, unknown power in the world that can do the impossible. And we're a unique threat to the Blood, Bright and Black alike.
-
>You're quite right, of course. Still, it makes me feel a little sad.
-
>You're quite right, of course. Still, it makes me feel a little sad.
>Did you get that same sense from any of the Protectors? Kiku asks.
-
>Not Kenyu, that's for certain - not anymore, at least. I didn't really interact with most of them very much, though.
-
>Not Kenyu, that's for certain - not anymore, at least. I didn't really interact with most of them very much, though.
>Anymore? Lily asks.
-
>Well, he did express some wariness about the issue when we first met, but I feel he was reassured by our interactions that we aren't a threat to them.
-
>Well, he did express some wariness about the issue when we first met, but I feel he was reassured by our interactions that we aren't a threat to them.
>That's good. says Reisen. Convincing the leader of a Coven should go a very long way towards convincing the rest of them.
>"What about you, Chrysanthemum?" Haruka asks the tiger. "Did you and Subala cooperate well?"
>"I would say so. We both are committed to victory, and our powers complimented each other rather well. Had we been chasing a lesser foe, I have no doubt we would have triumphed without assistance."
>"Another benefit to this exercise, for me at least, is the highlight the lack of aerial combat experts among our group. No offense, Lily."
>"None taken!"
>"While many of us are capable of flight, only Lily is a natural flyer, and she is a defensive specialist. If we had an offensive specialist that was a natural flyer, that gap would be filled."
>Haruka leans forward. "I would say you've done fairly well for yourselves even without. Still, your point is well made. Natural flight is quite a boon, not the least reason being that the Champions are all capable of natural flight. In that sense they have the edge over your group. If you can take that edge away from them, your chances of victory would be all the greater."
>Your ring pulses as she finishes that thought.
-
>How strongly?
-
>How strongly?
>About the same as it's always done. Haruka isn't making her own ring jump out of yours like what happened with Kiku or even Rin, but she definitely has the potential to wield your light.
-
>So we think all we would need to do is present her the offer?
>There's no other mikos around at this point, right?
-
>So we think all we would need to do is present her the offer?
>There's no other mikos around at this point, right?
>Yes. She has the potential, but she needs to accept it.
>None within visual range.
-
>To Kiku: Haruka has the potential within her to wield the power we do - I can feel it. But making her that offer would of course reveal our 'deception' here today and you've have professional history with her that none of us do. How would you feel about that?
-
>To Kiku: Haruka has the potential within her to wield the power we do - I can feel it. But making her that offer would of course reveal our 'deception' here today and you've have professional history with her that none of us do. How would you feel about that?
>You can sense the tiger's surprise, but it doesn't show on her face. You are sure? Yes, of course you are, you've done this often enough. If she has the ability to wield the power that we do, then any feelings I may have are irrelevant. Haruka's experience dwarfs all of ours, her skills are second to none, and her power would eclipse mine. I'd say it already does; with your power she may well be unstoppable, or near to it. She could be the best of us.
-
>I felt it only polite to at least ask. After all, our power rests in the bonds of trust that we share and I would not wish to violate them carelessly.
>Assuming there are no further objections or reservations, respond to Haruka: "Perhaps we may."
>Pause
>I have the ability to grant the power we wield onto others - only very specific others whose hearts resonate with it properly, but... you are one of them, Hakura. You have the potential within you to wield the same kind of power we do; I can feel it clearly."
-
>I felt it only polite to at least ask. After all, our power rests in the bonds of trust that we share and I would not wish to violate them carelessly.
>Assuming there are no further objections or reservations, respond to Haruka: "Perhaps we may."
>Pause
>I have the ability to grant the power we wield onto others - only very specific others whose hearts resonate with it properly, but... you are one of them, Hakura. You have the potential within you to wield the same kind of power we do; I can feel it clearly."
>Kiku smiles. Thank you. Haruka will understand the necessity of the deception. She works in secret as all the shrines do. Did. she corrects herself.
>While the other four members of your group react with varying degrees of surprise- none happier than Lily, of course- The big eagle takes that in stride. "You're asking me to join your organization? To wield the power that you do?"
-
>"If you are willing. The choice is yours, of course - and abdicating your position here is no requirement, I should stress. Our interests already overlap, after all."
-
>"If you are willing. The choice is yours, of course - and abdicating your position here is no requirement, I should stress. Our interests already overlap, after all."
>Haruka temples her fingers and rests her chin on her hands for a moment, taking a moment for silent thought. Her old eyes half-shut for a time, casually wandering over you and your group now and then. When she speaks at last, she meets your gaze and slowly shakes her head. "No. I'm sorry, but... No."
-
>"You do not have to answer if you prefer not to, but... might I ask why?"
-
>"You do not have to answer if you prefer not to, but... might I ask why?"
>It takes you a moment to get that remark in. Rin, Kiku, Minoriko and Lily all speak at once before you, each expression dismay and surprise at Haruka's choice. Haruka looks around at your group and smiles, the expression more sad than amused. "I didn't realize you all felt that way." she remarks.
>"It'd be awesome to have you with us!" Lily cries.
>Rin nods fervently as Kiku adds, "From what I've seen, you could be the best of us, Haruka-sama."
>"I'd love to have you working with us outside of here, as one of us." says Minoriko.
>"And I'd like the chance to get to know you better, too." Rin says at last. "Not just when it comes to fighting."
>Haruka takes a slow breath and nods before looking at Reisen. "And you, Poppy?"
>"I think I understand why you won't." the rabbit says. "I'm only guessing, I don't know."
>"Part of it is of course my position here." Haruka starts. "For right now, the shrine maidens here need me. My time here hasn't ended yet. But beyond that... Let me ask YOU something, Lotus. Do you know the full extent of your power, and what you can do with it?"
-
>"If you are asking whether we have yet reached the ultimate limits of what our powers are capable of, then... I would say no. Every one of us has room yet to grow. But could that not be said for almost all adherents of any school of magic?"
-
>"If you are asking whether we have yet reached the ultimate limits of what our powers are capable of, then... I would say no. Every one of us has room yet to grow. But could that not be said for almost all adherents of any school of magic?"
>"Realistically, no. I've lived a long time, Lotus. I've studied virtually every school of magic there's ever been on this planet, and some that aren't native to Earth. I've dabbled in many, become proficient with some, mastered a few. And every one of them has their limits. Some limits are tied to the magic itself, some to its user, some both. But your power is new. Unknown, unstudied. You're still learning yourself what you're all capable of. Do you even know what your limits might be?"
-
>"...not yet, no."
-
>"...not yet, no."
>"Or what you're capable of in a moment of rage?" Haruka asks.
>"Lotus isn't like!"/"That's not what she's like!" Lily and Rin say almost in unison.
>"Every human is." Haruka argues, sadly. "Every person is. Lotus, you, me. The difference is I know exactly what I'm capable of in those moments. I know what I can do with the powers I already have. To augment that with a power that has thus far unknown limits or potential, is something I cannot do."
-
>"But the power you now wield is already far more than enough to do harm, were that truly your impulse. I do not see that merely adding some more on top of that could change anything fundamental about yourself or how you conduct yourself; after all, you have far more experience than any of us at battling supernatural threats."
-
>"But the power you now wield is already far more than enough to do harm, were that truly your impulse. I do not see that merely adding some more on top of that could change anything fundamental about yourself or how you conduct yourself; after all, you have far more experience than any of us at battling supernatural threats."
>"It's not just 'some more'. It is the fact that I don't know how much more. How will your power interact with the magic of the Four Primes? Or the Dragon sorcery I learned on Seifeed, or the magics I learned from the people of Flonyard? Will your power interact badly with the black magic within me? And how will it affect me to gain all this new power at once?" Haruka stands. "Lotus, all the power I have is power I feel that I earned. Never have I accepted the kind of sudden power that others seek. I study, I learn. I am not saying I would never want to use the power you have. I've seen first hand the good you can do with it. But I don't know enough about it yet. YOU don't know enough about it yet."
>"Just look at what you did to the Stuntrons." she says as an example. "You transformed them completely, physically, spiritually, mentally. Do you have any idea what you could do with that kind of power? Who's to say it's limited just to the Blackbloods?"
-
>"Are you... concerned that the power itself could change you?"
-
>"Are you... concerned that the power itself could change you?"
>"I've seen it happen far too many times. Someone takes in a lot of power they don't understand, that they're not prepared to control. It never ends well." The slight inflection she puts on 'never' speaks to the horrors she's seen throughout her long life. "Even the most purehearted of people can be tempted, corrupted. That you made your offer to me tells me you don't believe this will happen. I can't be so sure." Then she smiles slightly. "Not yet."
-
>"I cannot speak to all the unfortunate events you may have witnessed in your life, but our power is fundamentally grounded in love - the bonds of positive emotions we share with the people we care for and our determination to protect them. It is not an external power we have bent to our will, but a manifestation of the desire for good already within us."
>"But... I will not pressure you further if this is not something you feel truly comfortable about. Acquiescence not given wholeheartedly would have no meaning here."
-
>"I cannot speak to all the unfortunate events you may have witnessed in your life, but our power is fundamentally grounded in love - the bonds of positive emotions we share with the people we care for and our determination to protect them. It is not an external power we have bent to our will, but a manifestation of the desire for good already within us."
>"But... I will not pressure you further if this is not something you feel truly comfortable about. Acquiescence not given wholeheartedly would have no meaning here."
>Haruka nods again. "You haven't given me much cause to doubt you. And I have seen what love can do. The man who found the cure for the Malamus plague was driven by love. But I've also seen wars started for love. The Second Lunarian War, for one. White Rose?" she says to Rin. "Tell me, what would you have done to Motormaster if he had killed Lotus?"
>"I'd have torn his head off!" the kasha replies without the slightest pause, only to realize a moment later what she just said. "I, I mean, I-"
>She is stopped by Chrysanthemum laying a hand on her shoulder. "It's all right, Rose. If you hadn't, I would have. And with fewer regrets."
>"Forgive me if I put you on the spot." Haruka says to the kasha, lowering her head. "I simply wanted to make a point. I suppose I should have asked if that is something you can even do. Is it possible for you girls to wield your power in hate? Or any other emotion, for that matter?"
-
>We don't think we can, do we?
-
>We don't think we can, do we?
>The possibity had never crossed your mind. You don't believe you can.
>On the other hand, you're not completely certain that you can't, either.
-
>"...if I'm being perfectly honest, while I don't believe we can, it's... never actually been tested; I do my best never to hate anyone at all, even those who've wronged me."
-
>"...if I'm being perfectly honest, while I don't believe we can, it's... never actually been tested; I do my best never to hate anyone at all, even those who've wronged me."
>"I can." It is Kiku who speaks. "I do not draw my power entirely from love. Not even the majority of it from love."
>"What, then?" Haruka asks her.
>The tiger looks her in the eye. "Fear."
>"Another powerful emotion."
>"One that's followed me all my life since I became a youkai. But one that I've recently learned to use for the good. To harness. I act to keep my fears from coming true. No longer am I bound by my fears or consumed by them. I use them to fuel me in ways I never have before. Lotus' power has enabled me to come to grips with my own fears and harness them. Creatures like the Champions, the Blackbloods, the Demons that dwell in the shadows. I'm afraid of what they might do if I don't fight them, and the power I have now lets me weaponize that fear."
-
>"Perhaps all power can do harm if its wielder truly wishes it to do so; as you say, harm to one person has surely been done out of love for another. But one thing I do feel confident of is that this power is an extension of own hearts and wills and could never be manifested without that will being in concord with what we are doing. It is not a force from without, to be tamed and keep harnessed, but an extension of our conscious will. And I trust both my own heart and those of my companions. And you."
-
>"Perhaps all power can do harm if its wielder truly wishes it to do so; as you say, harm to one person has surely been done out of love for another. But one thing I do feel confident of is that this power is an extension of own hearts and wills and could never be manifested without that will being in concord with what we are doing. It is not a force from without, to be tamed and keep harnessed, but an extension of our conscious will. And I trust both my own heart and those of my companions. And you."
>"Except you shouldn't trust me, Lotus." Haruka says, startling you. "Not so easily. You barely know me. You have no idea what might lurk in my heart. Despite all my power, there are things I can't do. If what you're saying is true, I would be released from those restraints."
-
>"...it is a strange thing for someone to say that they shouldn't be trusted, least of all someone like yourself who is so clearly trusted by the people around them."
-
>"...it is a strange thing for someone to say that they shouldn't be trusted, least of all someone like yourself who is so clearly trusted by the people around them."
>"And I value that trust immensely. But there are levels of trust, Lotus, in all things. The power you offer is not only unusual and unresearched, it is profound in its scope. Beings of power like us should always be wary about who we offer power to. I don't mean to sound ungrateful; you obviously feel that you can trust me with this power, and for that, I thank you. But I feel that you don't me well enough to fully understand what I might do with that power. And I don't believe that you understand your power enough to fully grasp the extent of what I might do with it, or COULD do with it. Would it combine with my own summoning magic to enable me to create literally anything I can imagine? Would it enhance my summoning to be able to call the Gods back to this world?"
-
>Do we feel that it would be possible for anyone to use their power if we disapproved of it? Like, if this is all in some way coming from us, can we 'cut someone off', as it were?
>"And you don't feel certain yourself what you would do with it, if you were given the opportunity?"
-
>Do we feel that it would be possible for anyone to use their power if we disapproved of it? Like, if this is all in some way coming from us, can we 'cut someone off', as it were?
>It's... hard to say. But you don't think so. At least not easily. All the other rings did come from yours, but they're fueled by the emotions of the ones that wield them. Following that, the rings may have been generated by the emotional connection you shared with these people, at least in part. If that's the case, severing your own emotional connection to that person might cause their ring to shut down, perhaps even vanish entirely. But you're not certain. If they still have an emotional connection to you, their ring might keep functioning. Assuming their own emotions don't keep the ring going on their own.
>On another hand, outright destroying their ring would work, you think. There's no easy way to replace them, and they seem to be necessary to generate this power. If you were to destroy a ring and then refuse to recreate it, there would be little they could do about it.
>"And you don't feel certain yourself what you would do with it, if you were given the opportunity?"
>"It's a chance I don't want to take. I would be too dangerous if I were to give in to the temptations of power."
>"Just how strong ARE you, Haruka?" White Rose asks quietly.
>The big eagle turns her old eyes to the kasha. "Powerful enough to make a difference. To fight the evils that would prey upon ordinary men and women. And wise enough to understand that with that power comes risk and responsibility. I have accepted the responsibility that comes with the power I have acquired. But I do not know enough about the power you have to know if I can accept the responsibility for it." She turns her head back to you. "However, I know that your power is the one force in this world that is sure to affect the Champions. I do not know if any of the magics that I have can do the same. The time may come when I need the power you offer to make a difference in this fight. If and when that time comes, I shall remember this talk, and the trust you have shown me. But until that time comes, I will keep faith in you girls."
-
>Nod
>"I understand. And... thank you for being so frank with us. I appreciate it and I will keep what you've said in mind."
>How difficult would it actually be to break one of these rings, though? Clearly they shrug off regular battle damage pretty well or we'd have been in trouble long before now. Are we somehow better-equipped to do this than most people would be?
>...not that we really anticipate ever having to do this, mind, but it can be useful to know these things
-
>How difficult would it actually be to break one of these rings, though? Clearly they shrug off regular battle damage pretty well or we'd have been in trouble long before now. Are we somehow better-equipped to do this than most people would be?
>...not that we really anticipate ever having to do this, mind, but it can be useful to know these things
>You are better equipped to do such a thing without damaging the person the ring is attached to. Your Amber Lotus would be able to remove a ring from someone's finger if you could hit it directly. A powerful enough blast of Amber Light would probably be enough to destroy it. And if you need to incapacitate the person first, you know that your spells don't inflict harm on people that you don't mean to. Even your offensive Lights like Scarlet and Cerulean are inherantly non-lethal to most forms of life, including the five people you have thus far gifted rings to.
>Assuming you choose to keep them way.
>Nod
>"I understand. And... thank you for being so frank with us. I appreciate it and I will keep what you've said in mind."
>"And in the meantime, while we wait for the Protectors and my girls to finish dressing, perhaps you'd be willing to tell me more about your power? I hardly need to know all your secrets, but the more I know about what you can do, the better."
-
>"Is there anywhere you'd like me to start?"
-
>"Is there anywhere you'd like me to start?"
>"Let's go back to the Stuntrons." she says, sitting back down on a piece of debris. She chuckles. "Not the most comfortable place to hold a conversation, but, I've known worse. Anyway. The way you transformed that Coven. Is that power limited to the Blackbloods, or can you use it on other lifeforms?"
-
>What do we think about the answer to that question?
-
>What do we think about the answer to that question?
>That particular spell was designed specifically to work on the Blackblood peoples. But taking what you've learned from that spell, it might not be hard to adapt it to affect Brightbloods in a similar manner, assuming their Jewels operate in a similar manner to the Blacks. To try such a thing on non-Jeweled person would require a different kind of spell, but you don't think such a thing would be beyond you if the situation demanded it.
-
>"The technique we used was tailored specifically to work on Blackbloods, though it might be adapted to work on Brightbloods as well, with some effort - not that I would anticipate us doing so, I should point out! But beyond that... hmmm.... It would require a different kind of spell altogether - we tapped specifically into the power behind their jewel and replaced it with another, which is not something that would apply to most people - but.... I do not know that such a thing would be impossible, if there was need of it."
>"...dangerous-sounding words, I know."
-
>"The technique we used was tailored specifically to work on Blackbloods, though it might be adapted to work on Brightbloods as well, with some effort - not that I would anticipate us doing so, I should point out! But beyond that... hmmm.... It would require a different kind of spell altogether - we tapped specifically into the power behind their jewel and replaced it with another, which is not something that would apply to most people - but.... I do not know that such a thing would be impossible, if there was need of it."
>"...dangerous-sounding words, I know."
>"Possibly. But it's important to know what you can do, so you can learn how not to do it by accident. Not that I imagine this is the sort of thing one can do by accident, but the principal stands all the same. But what effect would it have on Brightbloods, do you think, if you were to try this on one of them? You said the Stuntrons were changed for the better. Would a Brightblood be changed for the worse?"
-
>"I don't... I wouldn't think so, if I were to trust my intuition here. No offense intended to our allies here today, but Brightbloods are clearly, um... not inherently sweetness and light, as it were - Celestial power or no. And nothing I've seen of them says they're innately any kinder-hearted than anyone else - some, I'm sure, but not of necessity of their nature. At least, it seems much less true than the inverse is for Blackbloods, at any rate. Am I mistaken?"
-
>"I don't... I wouldn't think so, if I were to trust my intuition here. No offense intended to our allies here today, but Brightbloods are clearly, um... not inherently sweetness and light, as it were - Celestial power or no. And nothing I've seen of them says they're innately any kinder-hearted than anyone else - some, I'm sure, but not of necessity of their nature. At least, it seems much less true than the inverse is for Blackbloods, at any rate. Am I mistaken?"
>"Not in the least." Haruka confirms. "The Abyss calls to those bound to it with a stronger voice than the Light calls.The Lightsworn- the Brightbloods- are more free, for want of a better word, than the Blackbloods to be their own people. There are still some general truths; a truly evil Brightblood is all but unheard of, though it does happen once every few centuries. A truly good Blackblood is even rarer than that. These aberrations are made even more rare by the fact that both sides tend to hunt down and kill those rare few. In all my long life, I've only ever met two Blackbloods that weren't tainted of heart. And those two were no saints, either."
>"Things aren't the same across all worlds, though." Haruka adds, leaning back and looking up at the false sky. "Living on Earth isn't easy for Blood. It does something to them, something I don't quite understand. Changes them in subtle ways. I've been to the Twilight Realm where the Blood dwell in earnest. Brights there tend to be more benificent in general, more in tune with the Light within them. And the converse is true for the Blackbloods as well. The territories they own in that world are truly disturbing places."
-
>"I get the impression this isn't a place all that many non-Blood have visited, is it?"
-
>"I get the impression this isn't a place all that many non-Blood have visited, is it?"
>"More than you might think, but for the reason you'd like to hear." Haruka replies. "Brightbloods do occasionally invite people to their realm, trusted friends or people that have proved valuable to them. A fairly small number, you can imagine. Blackbloods, on the other hand, used to have a habit of taking people to their world whether they wanted to go or not. Usually in the form of slaves, often when they'd run out of disposiable people in their own world."
>"Used to?" Kiku asks.
>"The practice has mostly fallen into disuse over the past thousand years or so. Largely thanks to a rise in power among the Brightbloods. Under the leadership of the White Jeweled King Orion Pax, the Brights have taken the edge the their Forever War. They've made it difficult for the Blackbloods to sneak out of their realm to make fodder runs. And their allies on this side aren't as numerous or as influential as they used to be."
>"I guess you went as a friend?" Lily asks her.
>"Actually I've gone there three different ways. As a friend, on my own power, and as a slave."
>"You were taken?" Lily gapes.
>"I let myself be taken. They didn't realize what I could do to them. It took some time for me to get the opportunity I wanted, but I got out." She smiles faintly. "That was a good day. I actually managed to save everyone around me. A few scars were a small price to pay for the lives I managed to save."
-
>"That sounds like an incredibly daring approach to take."
-
>"That sounds like an incredibly daring approach to take."
>"It was either that or fight my way through the front door, as it were. My options at the time were limited. I had to find a way to stop their raids in the area and save as many lives as I could. " She gives you a sage look. "I have a hunch that you might have done the same."
-
>Smile somewhat sheepishly
>"I don't suppose someone intent on opening dialogue with someone in Makai can fairly argue otherwise, no."
-
>Smile somewhat sheepishly
>"I don't suppose someone intent on opening dialogue with someone in Makai can fairly argue otherwise, no."
>"I hope that the person you want to talk to is more reasonable than the Black Jeweled Queen I had to deal with."
>"Haruka!" Kenyu's voice bellows out. "You can turn this thing off now!"
>"I don't like when he does that." Rin remarks, her ears flattened against her head.
>"It's a common trick for the Blood. Kenyu's just a little louder than most. I suggest we head back to ground level." Haruka recommends. "No need to fall if we can help it."
-
>"Agreed."
>Let's go back to ground level
-
>"Agreed."
>Let's go back to ground level
>"How many of these other worlds have you visited?" Rin asks as your group makes its way off the roof and back towards flat ground.
>"Many. Some more idyllic than others. And almost always on a mission of some kind." she says with a faint hint of regret. "There's only one world I've ever gone to where I could really relax, the planet Flonyard. Once this crisis is over, that's a planet I'd be pleased to offer you girls transport to. It's a very nice world, and I think your unique brand of power would go over well there. You could put on an amazing show."
>"Show?" the kasha asks, baffled.
>Haruka chuckles quietly. "I'll explain later." she says as she touches ground a bit ahead of you. She waits until the five of you are back on the ground, Lily opting to remain afloat as she often does, then holds her hand out before her perpendicular to her body. She speaks a few words aloud and the room shimmers and ripples, returning to the flat surface of the arena a moment later. Four of the six Protectors are grouped together some distance to your northwest, Ioana and Camille missing in action. Of the mikos, Cinnamon is, as usual, flitting her way back towards Poppy, while Sen and Hiyori are conversing with each other. Linia is standing some distance away from anyone else in the room, and of Subala there is no sign.
-
>...any sign of Razorclaw?
-
>...any sign of Razorclaw?
>None. He's either left or he's hiding himself. You can't sense his Jewel anymore either.
-
>That... could be either good or bad. If he doesn't make his presence known soon, we'll need to let Haruka know
>Though in the meantime, just mill
-
>That... could be either good or bad. If he doesn't make his presence known soon, we'll need to let Haruka know
>Though in the meantime, just mill
>Keeping a wary eye out for the pretty lion with the bad rep, you, well, mill. Most of your crew stick near Haruka, wanting to hear more of her stories. Cinnamon links up with Poppy but also stays near the golden eagle, Reisen wanting to talk to Haruka a while yet. Kiku is the standout, walking apace with you away from Haruka. I must confess that I am disappointed, Lotus. she says privately. Even though it would have meant revealing my... our, deception to Haruka-sama, I would have loved for her to have joined us.
-
>Likewise. She has a wealth of experience that I can barely fathom and this is a conflict we cannot afford to be underprepared for. Still, I... can understand the point she was making, even if I may not share all of her concerns; though perhaps I would feel differently if I had lived through as much as she had.
-
>Likewise. She has a wealth of experience that I can barely fathom and this is a conflict we cannot afford to be underprepared for. Still, I... can understand the point she was making, even if I may not share all of her concerns; though perhaps I would feel differently if I had lived through as much as she had.
>Her leadership skill alone would have been invaluable. No disrespect intended. she adds as Kenyu waves you over to him.
-
>None taken whatsoever.
>Come as beckoned
-
>None taken whatsoever.
>Come as beckoned
>I'll try to convince her myself if I have the opportunity. Kiku says. Her value to our cause it too great to simply give up.
>"I had to shake your hand, Lotus." Kenyu says as you approach, sticking his hand out to you. "You gave us one hell of a scrap."
-
>Accept the handshake
>"To you as well."
>At least she sounds willing to take up this power should the need become dire. I take some comfort in that.
-
>Accept the handshake
>"To you as well."
>At least she sounds willing to take up this power should the need become dire. I take some comfort in that.
>"How'd you pull off that last shot? You Braid your powers?"
>True, that is something. Maybe I should leave the issue alone. I would hate dissuade her entirely by pressing too hard.
-
>"That was all 3 of us working in concord, yes. When we are able to join our powers together, the result is much greater than the sum of its parts."
-
>"That was all 3 of us working in concord, yes. When we are able to join our powers together, the result is much greater than the sum of its parts."
>"Is that something Blood can do as well?" Chrysamthemum asks him.
>"Yup. But the effect's a bit more linear when we do it. More like addition than multiplication." Kenyu grins. "Throw a few of those shots at those Champions of yours, and they won't know what him 'em."
-
>"That was, in fact, what happened last time - when we drove Fire and Ice away from Mayoiga High. And we should be able to do even better now. Though, of course, so can they - with at least 3 of their Avatars now in play."
-
>"That was, in fact, what happened last time - when we drove Fire and Ice away from Mayoiga High. And we should be able to do even better now. Though, of course, so can they - with at least 3 of their Avatars now in play."
>"They can braid their powers, too?" Wataru asks you.
-
>"I... don't actually know. It's very possible they may be able to, now that you mention it, though at the very least they're significantly powerful and not liable to stand idly by while their Champion fights."
-
>"I... don't actually know. It's very possible they may be able to, now that you mention it, though at the very least they're significantly powerful and not liable to stand idly by while their Champion fights."
>"Even if they can't, two of them together would probably be dangerous enough." Wataru says. "Answer me this, Lotus, you've seen us and our Jewels, you've got a taste of how strong we are. How do we stack up against one of these Champions?"
-
>"I have not seen the full extent of what all of them can do, but judging from the last time we fought, I would say that Air is significantly stronger than Kenyu and I have no reason to suspect Fire and Ice are much, if any, weaker."
-
>"I have not seen the full extent of what all of them can do, but judging from the last time we fought, I would say that Air is significantly stronger than Kenyu and I have no reason to suspect Fire and Ice are much, if any, weaker."
>"No problem, we'll just gang up 'em." says Cynthia nonchalantly.
>"If we can hurt them in the first place." Kenyu points out. "Which we don't know yet."
>"Yeah, but come on, how many things you know are immune to Blood magic?"
>"How many things you know from Makai?" the firefighter counters. "And don't forget, we did just lose to the flower girls here."
>"THIS time." the tengu retorts hotly before jabbing a finger in your direction. "And don't think we don't want a rematch. We'll be ready for that sledgehammer you took to our heads next time!"
-
>How convenient, given that I'd greatly prefer not to have to do that again myself, if we can help it.
>"I have no objections to a rematch. After all, we both benefit from the others' skills being sharper, lest you forget."
-
>How convenient, given that I'd greatly prefer not to have to do that again myself, if we can help it.
>"I have no objections to a rematch. After all, we both benefit from the others' skills being sharper, lest you forget."
>We'd be ready for the consequences this time, too. Kiku points out. And the overall result was more beneficial to us than harmful.
>"Oh I'll be sharper all right." Cynthia assures you. "That cat of yours isn't gonna catch me in the can next time." There is a moment's silence after Cynthia makes that declaration, and then Kenyu and Wataru both start to laugh at their tengu companion. Cynthia's cry of "Shut it!" just makes the two men laugh harder. Even the normally stoic Kiku cracks a smile.
>And then there is a stirring from somewhere behind you, from the direction of Haruka's group. A turn of the head shows you two things; that Hiyori has joined the group, and that the large lion youkai Razorclaw has made his presence known. "Razorclaw!" Kenyu exclaims, and you sense Cynthia and Wataru's gems snap into an active state. The two weaker Protectors are firing their Jewels at the lion, just as Razorclaw predicted they might.
-
>Let's at least be on our guard, in case we need to help break up a fight
-
>Let's at least be on our guard, in case we need to help break up a fight
>The two beams of Sapphire and Amethyst energy rocket past you on either side as Kiku draws in a hissed breath. "Razorclaw. How can he be here?"
>To your extreme surprise, White Rose steps around Razorclaw and casts her Guarding Ring, intercepting Cynthia's shot as Razorclaw uses his Red Jewel to handle Wataru's Amethyst blast.
>"What the hell are you doing?!" Cynthia screams at Rin while Wataru swears and calls in a blaster carbine.
>Razorclaw's quiet voice drifts across the floor to your ears, "I warned you, Lotus."
-
>As commandingly as we can muster: "Stand down! Everyone! Fighting here is pointless."
-
>As commandingly as we can muster: "Stand down! Everyone! Fighting here is pointless."
>"You don't give me orders!" Cynthia snarls.
>"But I do." Kenyu rumbles. "Now put your Jewels away."
>"Kenyu!" "You gotta be kidding me!" the other two Protectors exclaim.
>"Do I look like I'm kidding? Blasters down, Jewels down, now." the firefighter commands. "Or do you want him to start killing people?"
>"He'd never get the chance!" Cynthia protests.
>"Ignoring where we are, he'd have two or three kills before we could put him down. Accounting for where we are, we shoot him up, he walks out, and anyone outside this room is a potential victim."
>As the Protectors argue, Kiku's attention is focused on you. "You knew he was here."
-
>Only coincidentally. He said he was here to deliver a message to Haruka about business that concerns all of us. Given that the present environment should render him relatively harmless, I felt it worth hearing him out.
-
>Only coincidentally. He said he was here to deliver a message to Haruka about business that concerns all of us. Given that the present environment should render him relatively harmless, I felt it worth hearing him out.
>Do you have any who he is? WHAT he is?
-
>If you mean, 'a blackblood', then yes. And I was left with the distinct impression that he has done some awful things, but if he truly has information that's relevant to our own interests, then I think we should hear him out.
-
>If you mean, 'a blackblood', then yes. And I was left with the distinct impression that he has done some awful things, but if he truly has information that's relevant to our own interests, then I think we should hear him out.
>What kind of 'information'?
-
>I don't know; something important that concerns us. He wanted to wait until we were all assembled.
-
>I don't know; something important that concerns us. He wanted to wait until we were all assembled.
>Didn't it occur to you that that just makes it easier to hit everyone here in one shot? That he might be gathering his prey together?
>"I'm happy to see you can still keep a cool head, Hot Spot." Razorclaw calls out to Kenyu. "I was half expecting you to shoot me, too."
>"If I'm going to shoot you, Razorclaw, it's not going to be here." the big firefighter shoots back. "And how in Trion's name did you get in here?"
>"That's hardly relevant right now."
>"I think it is." Haruka disagrees. "I demand to know how you circumvented our security."
>The lion gives Haruka a look with little mirth. "You demand?"
>A frosty silence hangs in the air for a long moment. At last, Haruka is the one to back down. "Your reputation for bypassing defenses is known to me. But it still surprised me to see you here."
>The lion inclines his head. "If it is any comfort, it was not easy. But I felt it was important."
>"You must have, or you never would have come here in person."
>Razorclaw nods. "Very true. Kenyu, Lotus, come here, please, I dislike raising my voice if I don't have to."
-
>His offensive potential should be just as nullified by this environment as anyone else's, no? I certainly am not prepared to allow him to harm anyone here.
>Approach, but cautiously
-
>His offensive potential should be just as nullified by this environment as anyone else's, no? I certainly am not prepared to allow him to harm anyone here.
>Approach, but cautiously
>I would not have given him the chance to even be here. Kiku protests. He's too dangerous, even in this place.
>"Stay here, you two." Kenyu says to his comrades.
>"Has your brain shorted out?" Cynthia blurts.
>"If he's here then he's here for something important. If he wanted to kill us, Ioana and Camille would already be dead, he'd be stalking me, and we wouldn't know it. Now stay here." Neither of the two Protectors are at all happy about it, but they do obey their leader's command as Kenyu strides towards Razorclaw, you and Kiku following behind him.
>"How did you know he was here?" Kenyu asks en route. "He's one of the best in the world at hiding himself."
-
>"I sensed his jewel while looking for you. Though it was subtle enough that I assumed he was a Brightblood at first - a fact that does not sit well with me either."
-
>"I sensed his jewel while looking for you. Though it was subtle enough that I assumed he was a Brightblood at first - a fact that does not sit well with me either."
>Kenyu seems perplexed. "How could you sense his Jewel at all? He's one of the best at... Wait a second, was this after you broke up our jamming field?"
>"It was indeed." Razorclaw confirms. "That disruption affected me, too. Otherwise she would never have seen me or sensed me."
>That returns a grin to the firefighter's face. "Well, I am impressed."
-
>Politely, yet firmly: "In any event, what did you want to tell us?"
-
>Politely, yet firmly: "In any event, what did you want to tell us?"
>The lion chuckles, a friendly chuckle. "Straight down to business, Haruka?" he asks.
>"It would probably be for the best." says Haruka. "Neither the Protectors nor my girls want you here for longer than you have to be. Speak your peace, Artiglio."
>He growls. "I've told you not to use that name."
>"I'm sorry, I thought we were being casual with each other." she replies tartly.
>Razorclaw growls again, but seems to back down from the point. "In just over two hours, a plane carrying the pop star Flandre Scarlet will land at Mayoiga Airport."
>Kenyu snorts. "Flandre Scarlet is hardly a threat to all four of our groups. Or anyone else."
>The lion nods patiently. "No she isn't. But her fellow passenger Semitur is."
>That makes Kenyu blanch. "Semitur. The succubus?"
>"The very same."
>"Succubi are real?" White Rose asks. "I thought they were just stories."
>"Or believed to be extinct." Razorclaw replies. "Those stories have been somewhat exaggerated with time. Succubi are still very real, and one of them is coming to Mayoiga. And she is among the last of the Succubi any of us want in this city."
-
>Look to our allies: "I take it you are more familiar with this name than I am?"
-
>Look to our allies: "I take it you are more familiar with this name than I am?"
>"So it would appear." says Haruka. "For that matter, how familiar are you with Succubi in general?"
-
>Do we know much of anything on the subject?
>If not, ask for more details
-
>Do we know much of anything on the subject?
>If not, ask for more details
>Only what you've seen in manga and other fictional media. You know they are female demons associated with sex and corruption, that they come to men in their sleep and drain their life force. You know that black mages sometimes summon them, often for the obvious purpose, and that this rarely ends well for the magician. They're depicted as comely, beautiful figures capable of disguising their appearance so as to better seduce their victims. They're also commonly shown to have mind controlling and altering abilities in addition to other black sorceries. They're fairly popular in pop culture. They occupy broadly the same niche as vampires, in that they are creatures thought to be extinct, if they existed at all.
>"All of those things are true." says Haruka. "And there are still Succubi in this world. Not very many, but some. Most of them actually live in secrecy, not using their powers much if ever. There's actually two Succubi living here in Mayoiga."
>"There are?" Poppy asks.
>"Yes. And both of them have asked me to maintain their secrecy, which I have done as neither of them have done anything to harm the city or the people that live here."
>"Semitur is not one of these Succubi." says Razorclaw. "She's a corrupter, a rapist and a killer. With an emphasis on the corrupter part. She's been plaguing this world for over eight hundred years now."
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>"I assume she is not travelling openly, then?"
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>"I assume she is not travelling openly, then?"
>"We believe she is." says Razorclaw. "But she probably won't be when she lands. We anticipate her blending in with the crowd, possibly while someone she has corrupted on the plane distracts the local mystic law enforcement, like Sawashiro-san here."
>"And how did you come by this information, exactly?" Kenyu asks him.
>"One of Divebombs' sisters is on the same flight. She contacted Divebomb once she recognized Semitur, Divebomb contacted me, and I came here."
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>"It seems safe to assume that if you were willing to go to all the trouble of coming here, then this succubus must be dangerous indeed."
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>"It seems safe to assume that if you were willing to go to all the trouble of coming here, then this succubus must be dangerous indeed."
>"But not more dangerous than your Coven." says Kenyu, folding his arms and looking at Razorclaw. "If you had that kind of warning, why aren't you and your group going after her yourselves?"
>"Ordinarily we would." replies Razorclaw. "With great pleasure. She's escaped me once before. But the situation in this town has changed now. I don't have the liberty to simply act on this like I might otherwise have been able to do, thanks to Lotus and her people. And neither do you, Kenyu, am I right?"
>The firefighter mutters something indistinguishable but doesn't say anything.
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>"So you're bringing it to the attention of people who do?"
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>"So you're bringing it to the attention of people who do?"
>"In simple terms, yes. I know the four shrines handle this sort of thing with effectiveness and discretion. And I chose to come to the Fire shrine because I knew Sawashiro-san would be willing to listen to me, I knew they were one of the two most effective shrines overall, and I knew they had a score to settle with Semitur. You've lost people to her too, haven't you?" he asks her.
>Haruka nods. "Yes. More than we lost to you, even."
>"You still blame me for Nagano?" he asks. "They came after me. I had no quarrel with your two shrine maidens, we simply stalked the same prey that day. They chose to try and destroy me once they saw my Jewels. And they paid for their mistake."
>"You didn't have to kill them."
>"I repaid them for what they came at me with. Besides, they would have suffered worse at the hands of Reiiru. But this is not the time to chew old bones, Haruka, we have a more immediate threat. None of us want Semitur walking through this town, and I can't kill her this time. Not without risking setting off the powder keg this city has become thanks to Lotus. Neither can Kenyu here. Somebody has to deal with her before she makes things in Mayoiga worse than they already are."
>"Why should we believe you care about this city?" Chrysanthemum asks Razorclaw bluntly. "Maybe this is just your way of getting someone else to risk their lives."
>The hair of Razorclaw's neck goes flat. "Do not insult me, tiger. I am a predator, the best on three worlds. Nobody hunts for me. If you're afraid to handle this demon, fine. You and your master can content yourselves with your own prey."
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>"It matters little what his motivation is, so long as the information is accurate and the threat real."
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>"It matters little what his motivation is, so long as the information is accurate and the threat real."
>"And we have no way of confirming this." says Chrys.
>"That's not completely true." Haruka disagrees. "My people are trained to detect creatures such as Succubi. And the presence of a powerful black magic user like Semitur. When that plane gets closer, we'll know if Semitur is on board."
>"And the threat is very real." Razorclaw assures you both. "Semitur has destroyed people from all walks of life. Landen, Brightbloods, Blackbloods. We've all lost people to her. And beyond that, the chaos she brings is something I personally dislike, Chrysanthemum." he says to your tiger ally. "People like her are wanton destroyers, bringing havoc and disruption everywhere they go. She's a plague of chaos, and I despise chaos."
>"Aren't you a killer, too?" Chrys asks pointedly.
>"I am a predator." he repeats. "She is a destroyer. I don't really need to explain the difference, do I? Surely you can't have forgotten everything from when you were a true tiger."
>Kiku bares her fangs at the lion. "I can arrange a demonstration of how much I've forgotten."
>Razorclaw shakes his head. "Spare your energy, it would be wasted on me. But I respect your spirit." he compliments her. "You have little fear when you look me in the eye, and yet you are a tiger. I respect that." he says, inclining his head. "If you choose to challenge Semitur yourself, Lotus, keep an eye on Chrysanthemum here. She's the sort of woman Semitur loves to corrupt."
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>"What sort of power does this Semitur possess?"
-
>"What sort of power does this Semitur possess?"
>Razorclaw sits back on his haunches as he explains, "She is a magician, one of great talent. She doesn't seem to have a specialty school of magic, just very talented in a number of areas. But most of her strongest magic cannot be cast quickly. That is a weakness that you can exploit. She also possesses the ability to shapeshift, both naturally and with magic. Your mystical senses will be more reliable in tracking her than your normal senses if she tries to evade you. Except for you, White Rose." he adds, turning his head to look at Rin. "You have extremely keen hearing, don't you?"
>"Aye, I do."
>"She wears a gold chain with a fetish attached to it on her hip. The fetish is made of feather, bone and a preserved heart. It makes a distinctive noise when she walks. Listen for the sound of bone clattering against soft metal, and you can follow her."
>White Rose nods. "I'll remember. What does it smell like?"
>"The strongest scent would be the feathers. They're a mixture of bird youkai, alien feathers and tengu feathers. But it's not a strong smell. Trust your ears before your nose, Rose."
>She nods. "I understand." It startles you slightly how comfortable she seems around him.
>Lily pulls a face. "How can someone walk around with a heart on her hip and not get noticed?"
>"It is not a humanoid heart, it is a dragon's heart. Preserved as it is, it resembles nothing more than an unrefined hunk of amethyst crystal. But she can't draw power from it, fortunately for us. She doesn't know how."
>"Unless she's learned since the last time you saw her." Kenyu points out.
>"A fair point." Razorclaw admits. "Have you ever experienced dragon magic before, Lotus?"
-
>"Nothing I knew of as such."
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>"Nothing I knew of as such."
>"It's a very potent kind of magic. Dragons from any world are incredibly powerful creatures. The heart of a dragon is a nexus of magical potential, but not everyone can unlock that potential. It takes a certain kind of skill, knowledge and daring. Fortunately for us, Semitur doesn't have the knowledge she needs."
>Haruka smiles her old smile. "Now I really know how badly you want Semitur dealt with. You're willing to let a dragon's heart fall into my hands."
>"I am." Razorclaw confirms. "And I know what you can do with one. But that's a price worth paying to see Semitur dead."
>"You're sure I'll kill her?"
>"I'm sure she won't leave you a choice. I know her, Haruka. I've studied her. She won't be taken alive. And I offer you the same warning, Lotus, if you choose to go after her yourself. Don't show her the same kind of mercy you showed the Stuntrons. She will make you regret it."
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>"I suppose she is practiced at taking advantage of others' mercies."
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>"I suppose she is practiced at taking advantage of others' mercies."
>"She is." Haruka confirms. "Our own people have confirmed this behavior."
>"She is a master of psychology." adds Razorclaw. "She has great skill at finding weak points in peoples' psyche and exploiting them. But," he adds, coming to his feet. You can't help but notice Kenyu and Kiku tense around you. "There may be someone you can show mercy to without giving Semitur a chance to exploit it. I know that you possess the ability to destroy a Youma without destroying the animal that was corrupted to make it. Do you have the ability to do the same thing to people corrupted by other forces?"
-
>We do believe we could do this, right?
>Assuming so: "I would expect so, yes."
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>We do believe we could do this, right?
>Assuming so: "I would expect so, yes."
>It depends on the nature of the corruption, but, mostly, yes.
>"One of Semitur's other powers is the ability to corrupt other people. I don't mean to get them to do bad things, I mean corrupt them physically and spiritually. She enjoys playing with souls almost as much as she does consuming them. I can guarantee that at least one person on that plane will have been corrupted by her into some kind of demonic form, possibly even into another Succubus like her. I know that Sawashiro-san and her people are capable of exorcising that kind of demonic taint, but I also know that it isn't easy to do, and is even harder to do in the heat of battle. You, on the other hand, seem to have powers geared to do just that sort of thing in the heat of battle. You might be able to save her victims if Haruka can't."
>"Is that true?" Poppy asks Haruka.
>The eagle frowns as she nods. "In essence. I can sometimes reverse that kind of corruption, as can others here. But it isn't easy, and its never guaranteed. The power of you girls would probably be more effective than ours. Your power is a bane to evil, and evil is all Semitur's power is."
-
>"But you don't believe that she herself could be redeemed in a similar fashion?"
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>"But you don't believe that she herself could be redeemed in a similar fashion?"
>"I don't believe so, no."
>"Normally I would agree." says Razorclaw. "But after what you did to the Stuntrons, I don't know if that's true anymore. You may well be able to corrupt her like you did them. But I don't believe you'll get the chance. I can't see her giving you the chance. She may even find a way to corrupt you or one of your group in the process."
>"You say that like you don't want to see it happen." Kenyu remarks.
>"I'd prefer to have Lotus and her group walking the streets rather than Semitur. Despite what they've done and the threat they represent. And I've seen what Semitur does to people." His eyes dart over Rin as he says, "That's not something I want to see more of."
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>"I will bear your warning in mind. And certainly this threat sounds like something that should not be ignored."
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>"I will bear your warning in mind. And certainly this threat sounds like something that should not be ignored."
>"So you do deal with matters beyond the Champions and my kind?" Razorclaw asks. "There was some debate among my Coven whether or not you'd get involved."
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>"The Champions are our foremost priority, it's true, but I will not turn a blind eye to any supernatural threat which endangers the people of this city. And it does sound like our powers may be better-suited for dealing with this one than many people's."
>Kiku, have you ever dealt with a succubus before, in your other line of work?
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>"The Champions are our foremost priority, it's true, but I will not turn a blind eye to any supernatural threat which endangers the people of this city. And it does sound like our powers may be better-suited for dealing with this one than many people's."
>Kiku, have you ever dealt with a succubus before, in your other line of work?
>Once, about four years ago.
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>How did it go?
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>How did it go?
>The assignment was difficult but not overly so. The Succubus in question had infiltrated a local strip club. She was working her way towards cornering her own corner of the vice in the city when she was discovered by one of the Brightbloods living in Mayoiga. When she went missing, we stepped in to handle the problem.
>Missing? Minoriko asks. Did you find her?
>Yes. She was still alive, she'd just been brainwashed by the Succubus. We managed to free her. But that Succubus wasn't as powerful as Semitur is. It won't be as easy to free the people she's corrupted. I would ask Razorclaw if he knows more about Semitur's powers. There may be more he hasn't spoken of yet, not the least being her corruptive powers.
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>Agreed.
>"Do you know anything else about her capabilities than what you've already said?"
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>Agreed.
>"Do you know anything else about her capabilities than what you've already said?"
>"Well, like all Succubi, she can fly. But she's not a very good flyer, so I don't think you can expect much in the way of aerial combat. Another reason I came to Sawashiro-san, that. Her servants may be another matter."
>"Can she summon servants in addition to corrupting people?" Poppy asks him.
>"Not that I know of. She has a broad range of magical talent, but Conjuration isn't among them."
>"Her most dangerous weapon is her corruptive nature. Every Succubus possesses a magical kiss, but Semitur can use her power with her voice, her eyes, a simple touch. Whatever you do, don't let her touch you. If she can lay hands on you, you're hers. And her kiss is even more potent."
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>"Noted."
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>"Noted."
>"You mentioned her eyes." Poppy says. "Does that mean she can hypnotize just by looking at someone?"
>"Yes, but the effect is more limited if someone is aware of her nature. She works better with victims that don't know what she is. And the effect is more pronounced when you meet her gaze. Don't look in her eyes if you can help it."
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>"You said she's a natural shape-shifter, but does she favor a particular form that you know of? I mean, from the way you describe her, I suspect I could sense her malevolence directly, but it doesn't hurt to be thorough."
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>"You said she's a natural shape-shifter, but does she favor a particular form that you know of? I mean, from the way you describe her, I suspect I could sense her malevolence directly, but it doesn't hurt to be thorough."
>"In combat or just for going about town?"
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>"The latter, I suppose. If she's already fighting us, I doubt there's much room for ambiguity."
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>"The latter, I suppose. If she's already fighting us, I doubt there's much room for ambiguity."
>"Her natural form is that of a physically attractive female in her mid to late 20s, by human standards. Her skin is a powder grey color, like silver dust, and she has black wings, bat-like in form, and a tail that ends in a shape similar to that of a diamond. She has slightly longer than shoulder length black hair, though it may have grown since the last time I saw her. Normally her height is 5'10, but this not constant. She will be wearing expensive clothing, no matter what form she is currently in, but she tends not to wear jewelery. She is too vain for jewelery, believing her natural beauty is near perfection."
>"Is that something we can use?" White Rose asks him. "Like, distract her with compliments?"
>"Possibly, but it is dangerous to do so. She is too vain not to be distracted by obvious flattery, but intelligent enough to see through the most obvious kinds. And she only accepts flattery from opponents after she already has the advantage, and never enough to distract her enough to make any difference. I would say to try it only if you are desperate."
>White Rose nods. "Got it."
>Razorclaw continues answering your question, "When she wants to blend into human society, the form she uses is that of a mixed race youkai. That way she does not disguise her wings or tail, only her skin color. Her hair color is usually blonde but she uses white hair as well sometimes, and never longer than her natural form's length. Her wings and tail will also be a different color than they are naturally. Usually they're the same color as her current hair, or at least close to it. She tends to be shorter in human form, if only by a few inches. Her pride prevents her from shrinking herself too much."
>"What does pride have to do with height?" White Rose asks.
>The corners of the lion's lips pull back into an expression approximating a human grin. You've seen Rin do that often enough to be used to it, but on a lion, even one as pretty as Razorclaw is, the effect is scary. "She can't stand not to be shorter than the people around her for long. She is better than them, you see, and enjoys looking down on people. The only time she shrinks herself for any length of time is when she's abusing someone very tall, if she thinks it will hurt them more." Rin clenches her teeth and lets out a quiet hiss. "You've known people like that?" Razorclaw asks, the gentleness of his voice belying the power of his form.
>"Yeah, I have." Rin answers flatly. "Too many."
>"Be pleased that there will be one less of them by the end of the day. You survived the Stuntrons and the Champions. Do not underestimate Semitur, and you will survive her, too."
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>"We will. When is this plane due to arrive?"
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>"We will. When is this plane due to arrive?"
>"Less than two hours. I can't be more precise; it depends on what she's done to the pilots."
>"That's not much time." says Haruka.
>"It is all the time I could give you. The training exercise you were in the middle of when I arrived was one worth letting you finish. And it took more time than I would have liked to get here. My Coven were extremely resistant to the idea. And I had to talk a lot of Blood out of the idea of killing Semitur themselves. I'm not the only Blood in this city that doesn't want her here."
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>"I guess she's used to dealing with that kind of a response?'
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>"I guess she's used to dealing with that kind of a response?'
>Haruka says, "She's had several centuries of experience. It's lucky we have as much warning as we do."
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>Do any of you have any objections to taking on this task now?
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>Do any of you have any objections to taking on this task now?
>I would take on this task as Kiku or Magical Chrysanthemum. says Kiku.
>None at all. says Reisen.
>Not me, I don't want this succubus here in town. Rin adds. And Razorclaw's right, our powers can handle this better than most. I say we go for it.
>Lily and Minoriko, however, are silent for a moment. Minoriko is the first one to speak, Well...
>Does it bother anyone else that this is a seek and destroy mission? Lily asks, interrupting her. That's not what we do, is it?
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>Not if we have another option. But the others may... be correct in assuming that we don't. Still, we have saved other people that were thought to be beyond saving before; maybe we'll surprise them again."
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>Not if we have another option. But the others may... be correct in assuming that we don't. Still, we have saved other people that were thought to be beyond saving before; maybe we'll surprise them again."
>Don't think of it as a 'seek and destroy' mission, Lily. Reisen adds. Think of it this way. Someone has to help Semitur's victims, if there are any, and that IS something we do.
>Yeah, that's true... The blonde still sounds uncomfortable. Still... I don't think I like this.
>I don't think I do, either. says Minoriko. I joined this group to defend people, and to defend this city. But I don't like the thought that my first real mission with you turns out to be killing someone.
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>No. And I don't blame you for that at all. I don't want to kill anyone, either. And if there is a way our power can redeem her from this malevolence, then I intend to use it.
>But... if there isn't, what would you have us do instead?
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>No. And I don't blame you for that at all. I don't want to kill anyone, either. And if there is a way our power can redeem her from this malevolence, then I intend to use it.
>But... if there isn't, what would you have us do instead?
>Maybe this is a bit naive, but, wouldn't it be possible to arrest her and send her to the magic users' jail? Minoriko asks.
>She's not a wizard, she's a demon. Kiku counters. We're not dealing with a spellcaster that lost their way, or cast the wrong spell and was corrupted by it. This is the kind of demon who DOES the corrupting.
>Minoriko protests, Well it wouldn't hurt to ask, would it?
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>Someone as skilled as her at enthralling people sounds very dangerous to keep prisoner, except by very specialized means.
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>Someone as skilled as her at enthralling people sounds very dangerous to keep prisoner, except by very specialized means.
>She's right. Kiku says. It's one thing to be able to contain someone who has enchantment magic, that can be done. I could do that by myself, depending on the skill of the enchanter. But Succubi require a handling unique to them, and Semitur is far beyond the norm for a Succubus. She can charm people with a look, with a word, just by touching them. I don't know of any place on Earth that could hold her.
>What about NOT on Earth? Lily asks. All of you look at the little blonde in surprise for a moment. Think about it! Haruka's been to other worlds, she can go to other worlds. So can Alisaie. Why couldn't we take Semitur to one of them?
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>Is there anywhere you think would be safer to hold her?
>What do we think are the odds that if we tried to hold her in an Oubliette, she'd be able to affect us through it?
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>Is there anywhere you think would be safer to hold her?
>What do we think are the odds that if we tried to hold her in an Oubliette, she'd be able to affect us through it?
>I don't know. I'm not the expert on different planets.
>It depends on the strength of the Oubliette. The stronger the prison, the less likely the odds of someone sneaking enchantment magic out of it.
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>If we were all on-board with it, do we think it might be enough, given what we've been told?
>Either way, this all relies upon being able to successfully incapacitate her without killing her. If we can do that much, I am certainly in favor of exploring non-lethal options. And if we can't, then all of this is moot; surely you understand why leaving her alone is not really an option here, right?
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>If we were all on-board with it, do we think it might be enough, given what we've been told?
>Either way, this all relies upon being able to successfully incapacitate her without killing her. If we can do that much, I am certainly in favor of exploring non-lethal options. And if we can't, then all of this is moot; surely you understand why leaving her alone is not really an option here, right?
>Three of you were able to hold one of the Champions for a long time. If the six of you made an Oubliette, you'd probably be able to hold Semitur in there and a lot more Succubi safely.
>But don't try it, we don't have the rating clearing for that.
>Yes, I understand that. says Minoriko.
>Yeah, I read you, boss. Lily replies. And you're right, Reisen, if we can help people that Semitur's turned bad, then we need to make 'em good again.
>Hang on a second. Minoriko says suddenly. Aren't Succubi supposed to come from some other realm? I mean, they're demons that people summon to this world, aren't they?
>That is true. Kiku replies. But they are also a native species to Earth. I don't know what their origins are, but not all of them that are found on Earth are summoned here.
>What if Semitur is? Couldn't we UNsummon her?
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>Could we?
>If we're not sure the answer to that question: Could we?
>And would she be any less of a threat to the inhabitants of wherever world that was?
-
>Could we?
>If we're not sure the answer to that question: Could we?
>And would she be any less of a threat to the inhabitants of wherever world that was?
>You think you might. In a sense you already have, when you blasted those fiendish creatures Madame Knowledge sent at you. But Semitur is a far more compex creature than those summoned beasts were. Still, the odds are not 0.
>That probably depends on the world. says Poppy. What if she was from a world that's as bad as, say, Makai?
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>Then I might wonder who was the bigger victim by such an unsummoning.
>"Do you know if Semitur is native to Earth or was she summoned from another at some point?"
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>Then I might wonder who was the bigger victim by such an unsummoning.
>"Do you know if Semitur is native to Earth or was she summoned from another at some point?"
>"I am fairly confidant she was born on Earth." says Razorclaw. "I couldn't say for certain, I don't know her history. But she smells like a native of this planet."
>"That seems a bit thin." Carnation objects.
>White Rose shakes her head. "Not for a feline. Especially when that feline has a magic nose."
>Razorclaw chuckles warmly at Rin's description. "Not the way I would describe it, but not inaccurate."
-
>Nod
>Well, there goes that plan. Probably.
>But we could probably hold her in a Rainbow Oubliette and if all of us worked together, it might even be safe. ...although, unlike previous people we've held, I don't know what hope there is of her 'reforming', short of our power itself affecting her.
-
>Nod
>Well, there goes that plan. Probably.
>But we could probably hold her in a Rainbow Oubliette and if all of us worked together, it might even be safe. ...although, unlike previous people we've held, I don't know what hope there is of her 'reforming', short of our power itself affecting her.
>"Why do you ask?" Razorclaw asks you.
-
>"Pondering her susceptibility to being unsummoned."
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>"Pondering her susceptibility to being unsummoned."
>"Ah yes. That would work with some Succubi, but not with this one."
>"Although, by the same token, if you wanted to banish her, that might work." the lion suggests. "I don't believe she has the ability to travel between worlds or dimensions. If you banished her, she wouldn't be able to return on her own."
>"I didn't think I'd hear that coming from you." Kenyu remarks. "Mr. King of the Jungle."
>"In this case, Hot Spot, I want her gone from Earth. Whether that takes the form of her death or her banishment, in this case, the results are the same."
>"You're not worried that some twit with a spellbook will call her back?"
>"No amateur wizard could conjure a demon that powerful. And the odds of a skilled summoner conjuring that particular Succubus to Earth are low enough for even me to dismiss."
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>"Well, we shall we what opportunities the confrontation affords us."
>To Haruka: "Do you have the leverage to get us inside security on the gate they're scheduled to arrive at before the plane disembarks? Without causing a fuss on that end as well."
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>"Well, we shall we what opportunities the confrontation affords us."
>To Haruka: "Do you have the leverage to get us inside security on the gate they're scheduled to arrive at before the plane disembarks? Without causing a fuss on that end as well."
>"It would be better if we had more time to work with, but, yes. We've done this sort of thing at the airport before, just never with a Succubus involved. Well, never with a Succubus as the target, anyway."
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>"Then we probably shouldn't waste any time. I'm in - absolutely."
>Though if either of you still feel uncomfortable about this, I won't force you to come with us.
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>"Then we probably shouldn't waste any time. I'm in - absolutely."
>Though if either of you still feel uncomfortable about this, I won't force you to come with us.
>No, I'm with you. Lily says. We save people. Doesn't matter if its from demons or giants different demons, we help people.
>I'm in, too. says Minoriko. If I can help cure people that have been infected with evil, then that's what I want to do.
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>Glad to hear it.
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>Glad to hear it.
>"Then if you will excuse me, I should leave you to your preparations." Razorclaw says, coming to his feet.
>"Um, just a second." White Rose says, stopping the big. "How do we know which plan she's on? I mean-"
>"I know what you mean." Razorclaw says gently. "The Flight is a Euroair 747. I don't know the flight number, but planes like that don't arrive here all that often. There should be only one within the next two hours."
>"I can find out anyway." says Haruka. "There are members of the staff at the airport we can contact in matters such as this."
>"Take care of yourself, White Rose." Razorclaw says to your kasha. "Your opponent is treacherous and will test you in ways unlike the Champions."
>White Rose gives the lion a confidant look. "We'll win. I don't care how dangerous this Succubus is, nobody can turn me against Lotus and my friends."
>Again. she adds apologetically on a private channel.
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>You know that wasn't your fault.
>To Razorclaw: "And thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will see that her trail of victims ends here."
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>You know that wasn't your fault.
>To Razorclaw: "And thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will see that her trail of victims ends here."
>Doesn't mean I still don't feel bad about it.
>The handsome lion nods to you. "Good hunting, Flower Warrior."
>Only once does Kenyu take his eyes from Razorclaw as the lion pads his way towards the exit, and he does so only long enough to glare at Cynthia and Wataru. You believe he silently warning them not to bother Razorclaw on his way out. "You believe him, Haruka?" he asks quietly.
>"Even if I didn't, Semitur is too great a threat not to react to."
>"Gonna have one of your birds keep an eye on him?"
>Haruka shakes her head. "No. That would just invite trouble. He didn't come here for trouble. In fact, he might be one of the reasons this town hasn't had more Blood trouble in the past couple of days. He wasn't lying when he said he hated chaos, I know him that well. He wants to avoid a Blood war just as much as you and me, Kenyu."
-
>Assuming he is actually gone: "He is... not what I would have expected from a Blackblood."
-
>Assuming he is actually gone: "He is... not what I would have expected from a Blackblood."
>"Don't let him fool ya." Kenyu remarks sourly. "Knowing what you can do, he'd be happy to gut all of you if he had the chance. He just needed you alive for right now."
-
>"I don't mean to suggest I think he's benevolent, but he was able to put enmity aside for a greater purpose - one that stands to save actual lives. And no matter how much of that is motivated by self-interest, innocent people are still benefiting."
-
>"I don't mean to suggest I think he's benevolent, but he was able to put enmity aside for a greater purpose - one that stands to save actual lives. And no matter how much of that is motivated by self-interest, innocent people are still benefiting."
>"I don't think it was all self-interest." says Rin. "He seemed to mean it when he talked about how much he hated the kind of thing Semitur does."
>"It's possible he was looking out for the well-being of his Coven as well." Chrysanthemum suggests. "If he's in tune with his animal nature as much as he claims to be, then the safety of his pack, or his Coven, is important to him."
>"We all have common ground." Minoriko says. "Mikos, Blood, Flower Warriors. Maybe that's how it starts."
>"How what starts?" Lily asks her.
>"Peace."
-
>"That is what we're fighting for, after all - not just to keep people safe, but also to help create the kind of world that doesn't need bloodshed to defend it. A world where even a Champion can learn co-exist with us in peace."
-
>"That is what we're fighting for, after all - not just to keep people safe, but also to help create the kind of world that doesn't need bloodshed to defend it. A world where even a Champion can learn co-exist with us in peace."
>"That's one hell of a dream you've got there." Kenyu remarks. There is no mocking or any hint of derision in his voice, but something in his tone leaves you to believe he doesn't believe such a thing is possible.
-
>"It may be a distant or even impossible goal, but every step we take in that direction makes the world a better place."
-
>"It may be a distant or even impossible goal, but every step we take in that direction makes the world a better place."
>"Well I'm all for it if you can figure out a way to let these Champions live here without hurting anyone. Best way to put out a fire is to keep it from igniting in the first place. Trouble is some hot spots take constant supervision to keep from going up." He nods quickly. "Not to state the obvious, but, none of you girls're gonna live forever."
-
>"Perhaps not, but neither were our ancestors who first laid a path towards peace between humans and youkai, and yet here we are today, friends and family under the same roof."
-
>"Perhaps not, but neither were our ancestors who first laid a path towards peace between humans and youkai, and yet here we are today, friends and family under the same roof."
>"Okay, ya got me there." Kenyu replies with a laugh. "Hell, I'm livin' proof! Son of a human and oni. Few thousand years ago, I'da never made it outta diapers."
-
>"And yet, because people were willing to take those steps towards peace, even in the face of distrust and old bad blood, we're able to have the world we have today. So no, we won't be around to police the world forever, but if we set the right things in motion, we won't have to."
-
>"And yet, because people were willing to take those steps towards peace, even in the face of distrust and old bad blood, we're able to have the world we have today. So no, we won't be around to police the world forever, but if we set the right things in motion, we won't have to."
>"And as a bonus," Haruka says, a wry smile on her face, "that is the sort of task I try to help with from time to time. And I have all the time in the world."
>Kenyu laughs again. "Well then, flower girl, your job's in good hands." he says with a grin.
-
>Return the smile
>"But for the time being, I think we'd best waste no more time. We have a job to do."
>Let's get underway. Have Haruka contact the airport, get ourselves there and set up, etc.
-
>Return the smile
>"But for the time being, I think we'd best waste no more time. We have a job to do."
>Let's get underway. Have Haruka contact the airport, get ourselves there and set up, etc.
>"Yeah, I'd better leave you girls to it. And I got some contacts to make myself." says Kenyu. "There's a few Blood on my side of the fence that need to know to stay away from that plane. Just a word of warning to you all first. Razorclaw said that his source was the sister of one of his Coven. That means she's Blood, too, and if she's been corrupted by Semitur, she'll even more dangerous than she already is. Stay on your toes. And good luck." He gives your group and Haruka a salute, which you and the big eagle return, before turning and heading for the door, gathering up his party as he goes.
>Haruka lets out a breath as he leaves. Then she puts her game face on. "Right. Let's get busy." Springing in to action, Haruka flies up into the air and calls out to a group of mikos, issuing orders from her airborne position. She delegates the responsibility of contacting the airport officials to a miko with dark hair, ordering Linia to organize what she calls a 'containment group', asking Youmu to contact the other shrines and inform them of the ongoing operation.
>As she does this, you wonder if the wisest thing might be to just do this without the mikos. You've already proven that you can handle threats to the world other than the Champions, and you do have the best odds at saving the lives of Semitur's victims without seriously injuring them in the process. But the shrine maidens do have a great deal of expertise in this area. Too, you know that you're still largely an unknown factor to the people of this town. More than just the Blood will be wondering exactly where you stand. If this makes the news, seeing you work alongside a team of Fire Bird shrine maidens should leave little doubt that you're on the side of good. This won't make you any more popular with the Blackbloods, but that's almost unavoidable, and if you're honest, something you can life with very easily. That, and it's not like you really have the authority to stop them.
>Reisen and Minoriko decide to take Haruka up on her earlier offer and head off to get a bite to eat, Lily quickly following suit behind them, while Kiku seems to withdraw a bit to meditate. Then Haruka lands in front of you again. "How would you handle this situation, Lotus, if your group was handling it by yourselves?"
-
>"We lack the official connections you to do to deal with airport security and we'd obviously prefer to avoid causing a scene with so many civilians around. I might in fact have considered contacting you for the purpose regardless, or perhaps the police - Sergent Komachi Onozuka has been sympathetic to us in past, after all. But barring that, I think I would have us take up concealed positions outside the arrival gate to observe the passengers as they disembarked. I suspect I could detect Semitur's power, even if she were disguised, and discretely track her as she made her way out of the airport and to somewhere less crowded, with less chance for our confrontation to cause collateral damage or put civilians in harm's way, as I very much doubt she will restrain herself for their sake."
>"And then, either when circumstances seemed as good as they were likely to get or a forthcoming threat to someone forced our hand, I would have as many of us as possible strike her at once. As much as I prefer peaceful solutions, Semitur has long-established her pattern of malicious behavior; this is not an encounter to open with an attempt to negotiate and the fewer opportunities she is given to sway any of us with her powers, the better. That can wait until after she's incapacitated."
-
>"We lack the official connections you to do to deal with airport security and we'd obviously prefer to avoid causing a scene with so many civilians around. I might in fact have considered contacting you for the purpose regardless, or perhaps the police - Sergent Komachi Onozuka has been sympathetic to us in past, after all. But barring that, I think I would have us take up concealed positions outside the arrival gate to observe the passengers as they disembarked. I suspect I could detect Semitur's power, even if she were disguised, and discretely track her as she made her way out of the airport and to somewhere less crowded, with less chance for our confrontation to cause collateral damage or put civilians in harm's way, as I very much doubt she will restrain herself for their sake."
>"And then, either when circumstances seemed as good as they were likely to get or a forthcoming threat to someone forced our hand, I would have as many of us as possible strike her at once. As much as I prefer peaceful solutions, Semitur has long-established her pattern of malicious behavior; this is not an encounter to open with an attempt to negotiate and the fewer opportunities she is given to sway any of us with her powers, the better. That can wait until after she's incapacitated."
>The old eagle smiles. "We obviously think alike. Our approach in situations like this is virtually identical. I would consider using a sniper solution, but against someone like Semitur, that wouldn't be a guaranteed victory. Semitur has proven very hard to kill in the past."
>"Sniper, like, shoot her in the head for a long way away?" White Rose asks.
>Haruka nods. "Some of us have that kind of magic. But she's resilient even against head shots. She calls for a more hand's on approach."
-
>Nod
>"We will have power enough. I'll make sure of it."
-
>Nod
>"We will have power enough. I'll make sure of it."
>"It's also possible that Semitur could employ a diversionary tactic. She's been known to send one of her corrupted victims out to cause a disturbance, enabling her to blend in with the crowd coming off a plane or a boat. I've no doubt that either one of our forces could handle that situation, but I don't know if you'd rather let Semitur blend in and deal with her later, or deal with while her diversion is ongoing. Presuming you've marked her, of course."
-
>"It is my hope that my Violet Lotus will be able to free anyone held in Semitur's thrall directly, which should minimize her ability to use them to buy time. But assuming that's not the case and this corruption is more resiliant, will you be able to detain these corrupted victims without seriously injuring them? Because if so, I think we should prefer to pursue Semitur herself. I think the nature of our power and the link we share with each other may make us the more corruption-resistant of our two groups. ...er, no offense intended."
-
>"It is my hope that my Violet Lotus will be able to free anyone held in Semitur's thrall directly, which should minimize her ability to use them to buy time. But assuming that's not the case and this corruption is more resiliant, will you be able to detain these corrupted victims without seriously injuring them? Because if so, I think we should prefer to pursue Semitur herself. I think the nature of our power and the link we share with each other may make us the more corruption-resistant of our two groups. ...er, no offense intended."
>"None taken. But I should point out that such a link could also be used as a point of attack for someone like Semitur. Afflicting just one of you would then have repercussions for the whole group beyond simply having a member disabled."
>"But to answer your question, yes, that can be done. I myself have such a power, as will the other two shrine maidens that will be accompanying us."
-
>Nod
>"Good. And, while what you say may be true, I have faith in our collective resolve to be more an asset than a liability here - at least as much as one can be about a situation they've yet to experience."
-
>Nod
>"Good. And, while what you say may be true, I have faith in our collective resolve to be more an asset than a liability here - at least as much as one can be about a situation they've yet to experience."
>A dry smile drifts across Haruka's face. "Yes, the temptations of a succubus can be a difficult thing to train for."
-
>"I have faith in my convictions and in my friends."
>"Who of the shrine will be accompanying us, if I might ask?"
-
>"I have faith in my convictions and in my friends."
>"Who of the shrine will be accompanying us, if I might ask?"
>"On missions such as this, I would like to have Linia as part of the team. But Razorclaw and Kenyu's concerns are justified, so we'll have to make do without her. Instead, I'll be taking Subala with me. And we'll be joined by a shrine maiden from the Black Tortoise shrine, Yuna Sekino. Her expertise is in conjuration magics."
>"Conjuration as in summoning creatures?" Kiku asks her.
>"That's right."
>"Doesn't that just give Semitur more creatures to bend to her will?"
>"Potentially, yes. But that means she won't be bending us to her will. The few seconds her attention is diverted by one of Yuna's creatures is a few seconds Subala or I, or one of you, have to set up an attack against her."
-
>Nod
>"Understood."
-
>Nod
>"Understood."
>"Have you met Yuna during your time here in Mayoiga?" Haruka asks
-
>Have we?
-
>Have we?
>Not as Magical Lotus. But you met her when you and Rin visited the Tortoise shrine a few days ago. She was the heterochromatic miko whose calender you and Rin autographed. She seemed to be a fan of Rin as much or nearly as she was of Byakuren Hijiri, from what you recall.
-
>Shake our head
-
>Shake our head
>"I think your group will get along well with her. She possesses a natural affinity for animal youkai. I believe that's one of the things that drew her to service in these shrines."
>"Does that include Lunar Rabbits?" Chrys asks her.
>"To my knowledge, she's never met one. Knowing her, I believe she would welcome the opportunity."
>"Haruka!" Sen bellows out to the eagle.
>"Excuse me, ladies." Haruka says with a hint of resignation in her voice. "This is the part of the operation where I explain to Sen that she can't come."
-
>Sympathetic-yet knowing smile
>"Ah."
>Not that I'd disagree.
-
>Sympathetic-yet knowing smile
>"Ah."
>Not that I'd disagree.
>Nor I. Kiku adds as Haruka turns from you. Sen is talented, but her specialty is hand to hand to combat. That won't work against Semitur. The one I think we may need to tell she can't come is Cinnamon.
-
>Is she still clinging onto Reisen as we speak?
>You don't think Haruka's word will be enough?
-
>Is she still clinging onto Reisen as we speak?
>You don't think Haruka's word will be enough?
>Neither one is in sight, but you would assume so.
>I'm not certain. With most mikos it would be. Normally it would be enough for Cinnamon, too, but the way she seems to have attached herself to Poppy, I don't know.
-
>Well, hopefully she'll listen to Reisen herself, at least.
-
>Well, hopefully she'll listen to Reisen herself, at least.
>You don't think she'd help? Rin asks. I mean, you don't think Cinnamon would be a help against Semitur?
-
>I worry that her impulsiveness could make her a liability against a foe so skilled at ensnaring people.
-
>I worry that her impulsiveness could make her a liability against a foe so skilled at ensnaring people.
>You mean you think she might get herself caught by the succubus?
-
>Yes. Or get one of us caught in trying to prevent it. Perhaps I'm not giving her enough credit, but that is my concern.
-
>Yes. Or get one of us caught in trying to prevent it. Perhaps I'm not giving her enough credit, but that is my concern.
>I share your concern. says Kiku. Not only because she is a fairy, but I can envision her getting herself in trouble trying to help Poppy with great ease.
>She seemed to do okay working with Reisen against Kenyu. Rin points out.
>True, but Semitur is a very different enemy to Kenyu. Kenyu fights fairly and with honor. Semitur does not, and she is dangerous in ways Kenyu is not.
-
>And Haruka has far more familiarity with Cinnamon than we do and still elected not to include her on this mission, so I will defer to her judgement in this matter unless given strong cause to think otherwise.
-
>And Haruka has far more familiarity with Cinnamon than we do and still elected not to include her on this mission, so I will defer to her judgement in this matter unless given strong cause to think otherwise.
>As though beckoned by your current topic of conversation, Reisen pages you. Lotus? I'm right in thinking Cinnamon probably isn't right for this, and that Haruka doesn't want her to come, yes?
-
>Was she not included in our previous conversation?
>Assuming not, append to the below: We were just discussing that, as a matter of fact. And yes,
>I fear her impulsiveness may put her in harm's way and I presume Haruka feels likewise. She wasn't on the list of mikos she plans to include on the mission, at any rate.
-
>Was she not included in our previous conversation?
>Assuming not, append to the below: We were just discussing that, as a matter of fact. And yes,
>I fear her impulsiveness may put her in harm's way and I presume Haruka feels likewise. She wasn't on the list of mikos she plans to include on the mission, at any rate.
>No. You had been speaking with Rin and Kiku.
>There's a list? I half-thought you'd try to convince Haruka to come with us alone, and keep her people out of danger.
-
>Well, only two besides her - Subala and a conjurer from the Tortoise Shrine named Yuna Sekino. I suspect Haruka understands the danger well enough to take only those she feels are suitable to handle it.
-
>Well, only two besides her - Subala and a conjurer from the Tortoise Shrine named Yuna Sekino. I suspect Haruka understands the danger well enough to take only those she feels are suitable to handle it.
>And she knows us well enough to adjust her team accordingly. There's no point in bringing the team she normally would to handle a case like this, it'd be overkill with us around.
>Agreed. says Kiku. We could end up interfering with each other if there were too many of us involved.
>Anyway, Reisen says, I'm not sure Cinnamon really would be a liability to us. I think she can contain herself if she has to. She did when we fought Youmu.
-
>Are you... requesting that she accompany us?
-
>Are you... requesting that she accompany us?
>Reisen pauses. I'm not sure.
>How clear a request. Kiku remarks.
>She wants to come. And I... am conflicted.
>Then she should stay here. says Kiku. We do not need extra conflict on the battlefield.
-
>Is there any reason you want her to come beyond the fact that she wants to come?
-
>Is there any reason you want her to come beyond the fact that she wants to come?
>Because I... want to work with her. she admits.
-
>You do?
-
>You do?
>I just don't know if this is the right time and place for it.
-
>Do you think she has the composure to ensure she avoids direct eye contact with Semitur? Or anything else that might put her under the sway of her enthrallment?
-
>Do you think she has the composure to ensure she avoids direct eye contact with Semitur? Or anything else that might put her under the sway of her enthrallment?
>Reisen thinks about that for a moment. Maybe. But not if she wants to fight at her best.
-
>Then I'm inclined to think this isn't the best circumstances for her to accompany us, as much as I respect your request. I hope you understand.
-
>Then I'm inclined to think this isn't the best circumstances for her to accompany us, as much as I respect your request. I hope you understand.
>There's something else to consider, too. Kiku says, more gently than you might have expected. I'm familiar with Semitur myself, from my position as a shrine maiden. I have an idea what kinds of things we might see in this conflict to come. I know what she's done to people in the past. And if she's on form, you don't want someone like Cinnamon to see what she's done to those people on that plane. In truth, Byakuren, I don't know if even you really want to see that. She is a depraved creature, a sort of evil you've never encountered. That goes for Lily and Carnation as well.
>Not me? Rin asks.
>You were a slave. Kiku replies. I know the kind of terrible things you've borne witness to before you were saved by Byakuren. I imagine Semitur is worse than anything you might have seen before, but I also believe you've had more expeirence in that area than Byakuren has.
-
>I will witness any horror if that is what it takes to save people. Remember, we are going there because we can undo the harm she's done - or some of it, at least.
-
>I will witness any horror if that is what it takes to save people. Remember, we are going there because we can undo the harm she's done - or some of it, at least.
>I have no doubt we can do just that. And I know you've already seen some truly horrible things. But I also know there's horrors you haven't, and you haven't had the kind of training or experience to help prepare you for them.
>How do you train for someone like an evil succubus? Rin asks her.
>By studying their history and their past crimes. Knowing what they've done is one of the only ways to prepare yourself for something like that. And not everyone can handle that.
-
>We don't have the liberty of a lot of time to study such things right now, unfortunately. But if there's anything you feel would be useful to impart, I'm listening.
-
>We don't have the liberty of a lot of time to study such things right now, unfortunately. But if there's anything you feel would be useful to impart, I'm listening.
>A suggestion. If it becomes necessary for us to board that plane, let Poppy or I go first.
-
>But won't it be my power that stands the best chance of removing whatever corruption may have been inflicted upon the passengers?
-
>But won't it be my power that stands the best chance of removing whatever corruption may have been inflicted upon the passengers?
>Of course. But I would be able to... screen the scene, as it were.
>"Excuse me." a voice speaks up rather suddenly behind you, causing Rin to yell in surprise.
-
>Turn around
>"Yes?"
-
>Turn around
>"Yes?"
>It is Subala the owl standing behind you. That explains why Rin couldn't hear her coming. "I need to speak to the intrusion expert of your group." she says in her quiet voice.
-
...do we have an 'intrusion expert'?
>Does it look like Subala is intending someone specific or asking us who that someone would be?
-
...do we have an 'intrusion expert'?
>Does it look like Subala is intending someone specific or asking us who that someone would be?
>Not really, no.
>The latter.
-
>"I'm afraid I'm not sure we really have such a thing."
-
>"I'm afraid I'm not sure we really have such a thing."
>The owl youkai quirks one of her eyebrows in polite surprise.
-
>"We've only rarely had cause to infiltrate a location covertly and have never attempted to keep our actions hidden from public view, like the shrines; few of our confrontations in Mayoiga would have afforded us the opportunity, in any event."
>"But if you had something you wished to discuss, I'd be happy to hear it nonetheless. We are not incapable of subtlety, certainly."
-
>"We've only rarely had cause to infiltrate a location covertly and have never attempted to keep our actions hidden from public view, like the shrines; few of our confrontations in Mayoiga would have afforded us the opportunity, in any event."
>"But if you had something you wished to discuss, I'd be happy to hear it nonetheless. We are not incapable of subtlety, certainly."
>"Actually it's better this way." Subala replies. "I am an intrusion expert. I did not want to conflict with yours on this mission. If you don't have one, I can act freely."
-
>Nod
>"Very well, then. And I'm sure I don't need to tell you to be careful."
-
>Nod
>"Very well, then. And I'm sure I don't need to tell you to be careful."
>"No. You don't." the quiet-voiced owl says confidently before turning from you.
-
>And regarding what you were saying earlier, while I appreciate your concern for me, as leader of our group, I do not think it right to to ask others to face things I would not face myself.
-
>And regarding what you were saying earlier, while I appreciate your concern for me, as leader of our group, I do not think it right to to ask others to face things I would not face myself.
>Not if those things traumatize you. Kiku counters. As our leader, Lotus, we cannot afford to have you mentally damaged by horrors you do not need to witness.
-
>You have spent a long time leading others. What would you say if someone said that to you?
-
>You have spent a long time leading others. What would you say if someone said that to you?
>Kiku's ears twitch. I don't believe anyone I've served with would have cause to say that to me.
>I am not trying to insult you, Byakuren, or coddle you. You've proven that you're made of stern stuff. I am simply being pragmatic.
-
>To Rin, privately: Do you... do you agree with her? I know she is more experienced than me in these matters, but....
-
>To Rin, privately: Do you... do you agree with her? I know she is more experienced than me in these matters, but....
>It sounds to me like she's trying to keep you safe from something. the kasha replies. I don't think I can argue with that.
-
>...no, I suppose you wouldn't, would you?
>To Kiku, openly again: I... what you say does not really sit well with me, but I suspect it might be worse to be stubborn in the face of your experience; we are, after all, here to save people, not to posture.
-
>...no, I suppose you wouldn't, would you?
>To Kiku, openly again: I... what you say does not really sit well with me, but I suspect it might be worse to be stubborn in the face of your experience; we are, after all, here to save people, not to posture.
>It may not even come to that. says Kiku. With some luck, it won't.
>But part of being a leader is knowing where to use the right person for the right job. Kiku adds on a private channel. I've done a lot of unpleasant things so my people wouldn't have to, but I also know there are times when one of them could handle situations better than me. I mean on an emotional level in this context.
-
>I just don't feel right asking anyone to endure pain in my stead.... Especially when they're only here in the first place because of me.
-
>I just don't feel right asking anyone to endure pain in my stead.... Especially when they're only here in the first place because of me.
>We are here because of the Champions. Kiku argues. You as much as the rest of us. Still, I understand what you mean. Your compassion and kindness are remarkable. And one of my goals is to try and keep it that way when this war is over. This kind of conflict, the kind of horrors people like Semitur inflict upon people. They can change people, break people, the trained and untrained alike. I won't let that happen to you.
-
>I appreciate the sentiment. Truly, I do. But let's see if we can make it to the end of the day without any of us gaining new scars, shall we?
>Smile
-
>I appreciate the sentiment. Truly, I do. But let's see if we can make it to the end of the day without any of us gaining new scars, shall we?
>Smile
>The tiger chuckles quietly. Agreed.
-
>Let's wait for Haruka and co. to be done their preparations and be on our way
>Assuming nothing else notable comes up in the meantime
-
>Let's wait for Haruka and co. to be done their preparations and be on our way
>Assuming nothing else notable comes up in the meantime
>It doesn't take Haruka and Subala very long to be ready, the women travel very light. The thing that takes the longest, Haruka reports, is explaining to the airport staff that you'll be working with the mikos this. Though Haruka seems a bit hesitant to admit it, airport security seemed to be a bit resistant to the idea. She explains that they're nervous about letting relative strangers into otherwise secure areas. The mikos are known, but your group is still largely an unknown one to the people of Mayoiga. If this ends up in the news, perhaps that might change for the better.
>Haruka's plan was to head straight to the airport to await the arrival of the target plane. She gives your group the option to head directly there with her or make your own way there in your own time. Given the apparent suspicion the airport staff have with your group, you decide to travel with Haruka and Subala. Or rather, with Haruka alone. Subala, by her choice and Haruka's decision, opts to travel on her own route by herself. The fewer people that know about her, the better chance she has of surprising Semitur if the need arises.
>Since you have the capacity to fly to the airport, you elect to take that route. Either you or Rin could carry Minoriko do the airport, she elects to fly with Haruka across the city. The flight is not an entirely pleasant one. The wind has risen since you were outside last, and you're flying right into it. The biting wind cuts into your skin as you fly through the sky, and it smells like snow is on the way. As you fly across town, you spy the plows out on the roads, the shoveling and snow-blowing people, dealing with the snow that's fallen before today. This has been one of the snowiest winters Mayoiga's seen in quite some time, and it doesn't show signs of abating yet.
>The sight of the airport from the air is an impressive one, but Haruka proposes that you land and walk the final few blocks, so as not to interfere with potential landings and takeoffs. Apparently the air around the airport is a restricted airspace to natural and magical flyers as much as it is technological flyers. So the seven of you revert to legged transportation to take you to the front door of Mayoiga International airport. The simulation of the building was remarkably accurate to the real thing, save for the large numbers of people you find on the inside of the place. Shutting down the airport, even for a threat like Semitur, wasn't an option, so you may find yourself confronting the villain in a crowd. There's a complication, but therein lies one of the advantages of your power and its inherent non-lethality.
-
>Let's follow Haruka's lead and proceed to where we're supposed to be waiting
-
>Let's follow Haruka's lead and proceed to where we're supposed to be waiting
>Haruka leads you to one of the lesser-populated areas of the main room, trying, but not obviously, to avoid drawing too much attention. It occurs to you that things might be a bit awkward for her, too, out in public now. Between the incident at the Tiger shrine and the one at the Knowledge manor, knowing of the mikos magical adventures has reached the public just as it has about you. You've been able to hide behind your civilian identity, but the shrine maidens don't have that luxury. To your knowledge, none of the shrines have many any official statement to the public about the matter. In essence the shrines have been lying to the people of Mayoiga for decades now, and explaining that might be a bit awkward.
>But for whatever reason, neither she nor any of your group are stopped as you make your way towards the security offices of the airport. Despite Haruka's reports of suspicion harbored by the security staff towards you, the guard that greets you, a bright-eyed canine youkai who doesn't seem to be much older than you are, seems quite happy to see the lot of you. Apparently he sees the lot of you as heroes. The senior officer he leads you to, on the other hand, has a different opinion. The aging, craggy faced human, has little trouble stating his belief that you and your friends are one more band of troublemakers that Maoyiga doesn't need. He also admits that Haruka's vouching for you is the only reason you're allowed in this area, or that you have anything to do with this operation. Which he also doesn't like. The idea of letting a known killer and worse to simply deplane and enter the city with the rest of the folks isn't a pleasant one at all. You and Haruka both assure him that it's the safer of the options available. Closing off that section of the airport to the public would put Semitur on her guard, and attacking her as she's getting off the plane would put the lives of everyone on the plane and in the airport at risk. The officer grumbles but, after some cajoling from Haruka, eventually quiets his objections. He knows enough about Haruka's exploits to trust her judgement in matters such as this.
>Yuna joins you about five minutes after you're finished talking to the senior officer, making your party complete. Or at least as complete as it's going to be, since Subala seems to be doing her own thing. Once she's there, Haruka asks you, "From what I've observed, Lotus, I assume you would prefer to keep your team as together as possible for this operation?"
-
>"I would, yes. Unless you have some specific reason you think we should be otherwise?"
-
>"I would, yes. Unless you have some specific reason you think we should be otherwise?"
>"Usually I like a little coverage on missions like this. In a case like this, my plan would normally be to put one miko outside, nearer to the plane, to detect and observe the passengers as they disembark, and one miko inside near the baggage claim and check-in."
>"In order to respond quickly to threats in multiple locations." Poppy says.
>"And to keep more area and people under observation, yes."
-
>"Well, this all depends on how peaceably she plans to leave the airport in the first place. Though I suppose that positioning ourselves at intervals stands less chance of attracting her attention than following her the whole way out. And if she starts trouble, if shouldn't take us too long to reassemble. But I, at least, should still take point; I have the best detection abilities of any of us."
>Is there anywhere convenient to observe the passengers as they're disembarking without ourselves being obviously visible from their position?
-
>"Well, this all depends on how peaceably she plans to leave the airport in the first place. Though I suppose that positioning ourselves at intervals stands less chance of attracting her attention than following her the whole way out. And if she starts trouble, if shouldn't take us too long to reassemble. But I, at least, should still take point; I have the best detection abilities of any of us."
>Is there anywhere convenient to observe the passengers as they're disembarking without ourselves being obviously visible from their position?
>"When it comes to magic and spiritual matters." says Kiku. "White Rose and I have superior natural senses."
>You cannot see the target runway from where you are.
-
>"True. In which case, I think Chrysanthemum and I should position ourselves close enough to observe the plane's disembarkation and get a first warning if anything worse than anticipated is in store. The rest of you can position yourself inside. We can use a sort of 'relay' system to make sure someone is always in a position to observe her movements without actually visibly following her; send messages ahead to where the next person should wait to anticipate her arrival."
-
>"True. In which case, I think Chrysanthemum and I should position ourselves close enough to observe the plane's disembarkation and get a first warning if anything worse than anticipated is in store. The rest of you can position yourself inside. We can use a sort of 'relay' system to make sure someone is always in a position to observe her movements without actually visibly following her; send messages ahead to where the next person should wait to anticipate her arrival."
>"A sound plan." Haruka concurs. "And you make a good point, we should not be seen as a group if we can help it. None of us are entirely good at blending in with a crowd."
>"Aren't shrine maidens considered a common site around town?" Poppy asks.
>Haruka nods. "That's true. But my stature and position in the public eye tends to make me stand out."
>"And not many mikos carry their goheis in public." says Yuna, gesturing with the sacred object she carries in her hands.
>"I meant to ask why you had that." White Rose says to her. "Isn't that something mikos use in prayers and things?"
>"Normally yes, but I use this one to boost my magic in situations like this."
-
>Nod
>"How much longer until the plane is due to arrive?"
-
>Nod
>"How much longer until the plane is due to arrive?"
>Haruka checks her watch. "Half an hour."
>"Give or take a little." Yuna adds. "Even Yamato planes never land exactly on time."
-
>"Very well, then."
>Assuming nothing further is raised, let's bide our time and make sure we're all in our given positions with sufficient time to spare.
-
>"Very well, then."
>Assuming nothing further is raised, let's bide our time and make sure we're all in our given positions with sufficient time to spare.
>There is only one more question, and it comes from Yuna. "Summoned creatures don't interfere with your magic, does it?" she asks you. "Or conjuration magic in general?"
-
>"Interfere how?"
-
>"Interfere how?"
>"Some kinds of magic can be interfered with by conjuration magic. Either blocked completely, or having its effects turned a bit random. It has to do with the nature of conjuration magics." the odd-eyed woman explains. "I didn't know if your magic was among those affected that way."
-
>"I don't believe so, no."
-
>"I don't believe so, no."
>"Excellent. Then you wouldn't mind if I had a summoned beast operating near where you and Chrysanthemum plan to set up?"
>"That depends on how conspicuous it would be." says the tiger youkai.
>"That won't be a problem." Yuna assures her. "I've done this sort of thing before."
-
>"I don't see why not."
-
>"I don't see why not."
>"Excellent."
>"In the meantime, Lotus, I suggest you and I find ourselves a place to stake out this plane." Kiku recommends.
-
>Nod
>"Let's."
>Do so
-
>Nod
>"Let's."
>Do so
>The craggy faced senior officer assigns the chatty canine to guide you, Kiku and Yuna out to the landing strips. Along the way, though, he changes course and heads for the entry ways to the arrived planes. The plane Semitur is set to arrive on is a large model airplane, the passengers will leave it and enter directly into the airport terminal rather than cross the tarmac. The area doesn't offer you much in the way of out of the way hiding places, at least not in the entrance ramp itself. It wouldn't be hard to get lost in a crowd of people, but in the outfits you're now wearing, that's all but impossible.
>And then Kiku has an idea. "Taka," she asks the young canine officer, "do you have spare uniforms available to use?"
>"Of course! But why?"
>"Because if we could disguise ourselves as members of your security team, we could operate in secret more easily than we can now."
>The canine youkai frowns. "Uh... I think I'd have to clear that with one of my bosses."
>"As should I, actually." Kiku turns to you. "Is this course of action one you wish to take, Lotus?"
-
>"The less conspicuous we are, the better. This place doesn't seem to offer a good vantage without being equally visible ourselves."
>Would we actually be able to magick up a uniform change on our own? Or do we get just the one suit of clothes with this and that's what we have to deal with?
-
>"The less conspicuous we are, the better. This place doesn't seem to offer a good vantage without being equally visible ourselves."
>"Agreed."
>Would we actually be able to magick up a uniform change on our own? Or do we get just the one suit of clothes with this and that's what we have to deal with?
>You've never thought about applying your magic in that way before. But in thinking about it, it could be done. The clothes you now wear are an expression of your desire to battle the forces of chaos and protect this world and all who dwell here. They are forged of the same light you wield. That light could be bent in other ways, altering your clothing to another purpose. But you would need to keep that purpose firmly in your mind. You would be projecting an image over yourself of yourself in another role. You'd need to keep that role in your mind, that purpose, or the glamor would fail.
-
>Then it sounds like actual uniforms would be safer, if they're available
>"So I think that's a yes, if it's possible."
-
>Then it sounds like actual uniforms would be safer, if they're available
>"So I think that's a yes, if it's possible."
>True, you wouldn't have to worry about regular clothes disappearing on you. But it's a matter of concentration, of mental discipline. Maintaining a disguise while you're in combat with a Champion or a Blood might be a challenge, but in this situation it wouldn't be so bad. It depends on the nature of the image you want to project, and how easily you can see yourself in that role. In a sense it would be like acting, and as a model, you have experience putting yourself in the headspace of different roles already.
>"Okay, gimme a minute." the canine says to you before reaching for the radio on his vest.
>It is almost a pity we cannot lack Poppy's ability to alter our costumes. Kiku remarks privately as Taka speaks with one of his coworkers. Although I doubt any of her costumes stand out any less than ours.
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>Probably not, no. Although I suppose neither of us have seen all of them, yet.
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>Probably not, no. Although I suppose neither of us have seen all of them, yet.
>I know I have not. She hasn't shown them to you?
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>I've seen nothing she hasn't used in combat.
-
>I've seen nothing she hasn't used in combat.
>But you do know what skills and abilities she has in those forms.
-
>...only somewhat. I suppose you're right that I should have asked in more detail.
-
>...only somewhat. I suppose you're right that I should have asked in more detail.
>I certainly would have in your position.
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>I'll make a point of it when we next have downtime.
-
>I'll make a point of it when we next have downtime.
>Keeping each other up to date with our abilities is important. At least, as much as we can, given that our abilities seem to be ever changing, ever growing.
>"You sure?" you hear Taka say into his radio. "But- Yes. Yes, sir. Yes, sir, I'll tell them. It's a no on those unies." Taka says to you. "Only authorized personnel allowed."
-
>"Well, that's unfortunate. One might think that present circumstances ranked serious enough to warrant some flexibility."
>Are there any other people around the area? Like, would the security uniform be the only thing that would likely blend in?
-
>"Well, that's unfortunate. One might think that present circumstances ranked serious enough to warrant some flexibility."
>Are there any other people around the area? Like, would the security uniform be the only thing that would likely blend in?
>"Rules are rules to the top brass." Taka says. "They say that 'with the uniform comes the responsibility', and not just anyone gets to wear one."
>The area you are in is a very large chamber connected to a number of entrance ramps for large airplanes. There are presently two queues packed with people, one embarking a plane, the other disembarking. Those crowds, and more people besides, are going in all directions. It is a large crowd, and the plane you're expecting is going to have over a hundred people to add to it. The issue you have is finding one 'look' that won't change or shuffle out with part of the crowd. Plain clothes would obviously work, but that would probably make it easier for people to recognize you as Byakuren Hijiri. Or for people to recognize Kiku, for that matter, you imagine she's fairly well known, being a long term miko in this city. Your best best would be the uniform belonging to an occupation that has a place here in the airport. If security won't work, you could disguise yourself as a pilot, or a stewardess, they wouldn't look out of place in an airport. The airport staff also appears to have its own uniform which you could emulate, but there's no guarnatee they don't frown upon that like security agents do. This particular airport also holds a restaurant, and a number of fast food joints. You could disguise yourself as an employee of one of those establishments and mill about as though you were on break, or on your way to work. There's also the ground crew that works here, refuelers, mechanics and the like.
-
>Do we think that maintaining a glamor would make us any more magically obvious to someone attuned to that sort of thing? Like, would we buzz someone's detection abilities in a way that we don't already?
-
>Do we think that maintaining a glamor would make us any more magically obvious to someone attuned to that sort of thing? Like, would we buzz someone's detection abilities in a way that we don't already?
>Not once you activate it. The casting may briefly register on someone's magical radar, for want of a better word, but once it's active, you don't believe it would be any more detectable than the outfit you wear by default.
-
>"Well, in that case..."
>Let's try disguising ourselves as maintenance staff, then
-
>"Well, in that case..."
>Let's try disguising ourselves as maintenance staff, then
>"Maybe Sawashiro-sama could hey, what's that?" Taka's suggestion is interrupted by a glow from your ring. Your desire to go incognito has manifested itself in a new form of energy, gathering in your ring. A moment later, a new object emerges from your ring. Not a ring like it's produced before but a bracelet, a hoop of violet and white material, tangible emotion to wear on your arm. It seems that your new magic requires a different object through which to operate.
>"Speaking of new abilities." Kiku mutters as your bracelet places itself on your arm. A perfect fit, naturally. The bracelet generates a properly shoujo-style glow around you, leaving a none-too flattering pale green shirt and brown pants covering your body instead of your natural attire.
>The normally humorless Kiku grins faintly. "Your new power is not a glamorous one, Lotus."
-
>"The less intriguing our quarry finds me, the better, I should think."
-
>"The less intriguing our quarry finds me, the better, I should think."
>"Then I suggest you change your hair, as well." Kiku recommends.
-
>"Oh, right."
>Assuming we can do this, let's pick something fairly plain and utilitarian, too
-
>"Oh, right."
>Assuming we can do this, let's pick something fairly plain and utilitarian, too
>Gradient hair such as yours being as uncommon as it is, you decide Kiku has a point. So you key in your bracelet again and focus its power on your head. The result is a change in style and color, yielding a simple but effective bun, appropriate for someone who wants to keep their hair out of the products they're working with, and a duller, single-tone brown.
-
>"How's this?"
-
>"How's this?"
>Kiku nods. "Effective."
-
>I don't suppose you suddenly feel able to do likewise, do you?
-
>I don't suppose you suddenly feel able to do likewise, do you?
>I don't believe so. Kiku says after a brief pause. I never was very good at illusions. Does that bracelet only affect your own appearance?
-
>Does it? Or could we use it to similarly disguise our companions?
-
>Does it? Or could we use it to similarly disguise our companions?
>You believe you can, though only if the subject is willing. That could have some interesting uses.
-
>I believe I can use it to affect others, assuming they are a willing recipient. Would you like me to try?
-
>I believe I can use it to affect others, assuming they are a willing recipient. Would you like me to try?
>Yes.
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>Let's give it a go. Something comparable to our own get-up.
-
>Let's give it a go. Something comparable to our own get-up.
>Disguising Kiku's more distinctive appearance takes a bit more work than yours. The stripes in her hair and on her skin are quite rare so you feel it best to disguise them as well. So you bleach her skin and her hair, leaving her stripe-free and blonde, wearing a set of utilitarian black coveralls.
>"Do you have a mirror?" Kiku asks once you're finished.
-
>Do we? Or can we make one? If either of those are true, present it to her.
>Otherwise: "I'm afraid not."
-
>Do we? Or can we make one? If either of those are true, present it to her.
>Otherwise: "I'm afraid not."
>You think you can dragoon a reflective surface out of your Sapphire light, though the resulting reflection would be blue-tinted. You inform Kiku of this, and she replies with "Good enough." So you draw upon your increasingly-versatile blue light and craft it into a hovering hand mirror, which the tiger youkai glances into. Her lip curls back in a feline snarl and a very short hiss of air escapes her lips before she visually collects herself. "Again, very effective." she says, though her voice does sound a touch strained.
-
>I apologize if it's not to your liking.
-
>I apologize if it's not to your liking.
>It is not that. It is... My stripes. she admits. I am not a vain person, but I am proud of what I am. My stripes are a sign that I am a tiger, a sign of my pride. I understand the aim of hiding them, but it is disconcerting.
-
>Ah. Understandable. Though with any luck, this will be a short-lived affair.
>Assuming there's nothing else that needs straightening out right now, let's go and try to blend and wait for the plane's arrival
-
>Ah. Understandable. Though with any luck, this will be a short-lived affair.
>Assuming there's nothing else that needs straightening out right now, let's go and try to blend and wait for the plane's arrival
>I will bear it. Kiku replies, her confidance returning. I've borne worse.
>Finished with your changes, and taking a moment to be releived no one walked past to catch you doing it, you and Kiku continue on deeper into the humoungous room at a casual pace. As being seen with a member of security might be a bit suspicious, Taka takes his leave of you. Yuna, having already gone off to set up something of her own, is out of your sight, leaving you alone with Kiku. After the two of you got off on the wrong foot, it is remarkable that you've become not only colleagues, but even friends. That's not to say that you're as at ease in her company as you are in that of Rin's or Marissa's, but you're also in no hurry to leave. You know her well enough to be able to tell, after a few minutes of talking to her, that something else is bothering her about her disguise beyond just the issue of pride that she'd mentioned. You don't press her on it, of course, that's not how you roll. You do mention your concern, on a private channel of course, which she appreciates, but she declines to speak further on it at this time.
>Despite your nondescript clothing, you are not completely undisturbed during your stakeout. A handsome young man in expensive looking clothes disembarking a plane goes out of his way to approach you. His Yamato is not very good, but you can tell from his accent that he is a native Francais speaker, which you are fluent in, so communication becomes easier. He is no wizard or any threat, just a tourist who happened to see two pretty girls without another male around, so he thought he'd make his move. Not even on Yamato soil for ten minutes. The boy works fast. But he doesn't seem to have a great of persistance, and leaves you and Kiku alone after only a couple of minutes.
>Once he leaves, Yuna returns to you. Her gohei is no longer visible, and you wonder where she's hidden the thing. She shows no hint of apprehension, a credit to her character. During your time together, you and Kiku discussed what Kiku knew of Semitur. She wasn't able to expand much on the combat capabilities of the succubus beyond what Haruka and Razorclaw told you, but she was aware of some of the things Semitur is known to have done in her time. She may not have been the kind of evil you originally signed on to thwart, but you know you'll be much happier without her walking the streets of your city.
>All goes well and uneventfully until the plane is only five minutes or so from landing. And then, unexpectedly, the dry voice of the Purpose sounds in your mind, Hero.
-
>Yes?
-
>Yes?
>The Champion of Fire is moving.
-
>Where?
>Cast our own senses out and see what we can see
-
>Where?
>Cast our own senses out and see what we can see
>It appears to be traveling towards you.
>You have to cast your senses pretty far to detect your quarry, but after a momentthe warning is confirmed. You can sense the Fire Champion, and they do seem to be moving in your direction.
-
>...if we put our mind to it, can we possibly detect Fire's Avatar here? Or approaching here? We did hear that they were on their way to this country, after all....
-
>...if we put our mind to it, can we possibly detect Fire's Avatar here? Or approaching here? We did hear that they were on their way to this country, after all....
>You have demonstrated the ability to detect the link between a Champion and their chosen Avatar before. There's no reason to suspect you wouldn't be able to do so with Fire's Avatar as you did with Air and Water. It's possible Fire's might even be easier to detect, considering how easy it's been to sense the Champion's presence.
-
>That wasn't a 'can we in theory?'. It was a 'try right now'
-
>That wasn't a 'can we in theory?'. It was a 'try right now'
>Oh.
>Despite the clarity with which you can sense the approaching Champion, at this time you cannot detect the same sort of tether from him that you sensed from Water and Air. Either the Fire Champion hasn't made the connection with his Avatar yet, or it's too weak to detect with your senses. You do sense an approaching darkness from the northwest, but it is unrelated to the Champions' presence, as best as you can tell.
-
>Another darkness from the Northwest? How far? How fast? Can we tell anything else about it?
-
>Another darkness from the Northwest? How far? How fast? Can we tell anything else about it?
>Yes. Fairly close, and approaching rapidly. Given the direction, you believe you're sensing the aura Semitur is generating. If you can sense that from here, she must be extremely powerful indeed. But you're not certain about this, since the sensation isn't as profoundly evil as you might have thought. The plane hasn't quite landed yet, so you can't discern much in the way of details yet.
-
>To everyone: We have a problem. The Champion of Fire appears to be on their way to our location. Given what we were told earlier about Fire's Avatar being in transit to Mayoiga, I fear they may be planning to meet them here, now.
-
>To everyone: We have a problem. The Champion of Fire appears to be on their way to our location. Given what we were told earlier about Fire's Avatar being in transit to Mayoiga, I fear they may be planning to meet them here, now.
>Should we try to cut him off? Rin asks.
>No, we can't leave Haruka here. Minoriko protests.
>Kiku agrees, You're right, Carnation. Sawashiro-sama only took Subala and Yuna because of our presence here. If we leave, they won't be able to handle Semitur.
>We could split up? Rin suggests.
>Then we might not be able to handle the Fire Champion. says Reisen.
-
>If Fire is coming here to meet their Avatar, their intention may not be to provoke a confrontation. I'd rather prevent their meeting for the time-being, of course, but I don't know that we realistically can, and we certainly can't fight all of them at once; our best bet may be to hope we won't need to come to blows at all today. But Haruka should be informed, regardless.
>Judging by speeds, do we think Fire will arrive before Semitur? And if so, by how much?
-
>Judging by speeds, do we think Fire will arrive before Semitur? And if so, by how much?
>Yes. But by how much you can't tell, it depends on how long it takes the plane to moor up and to let off its passengers. The plane will land is just under five minutes, while the Fire Champion, if his speed remains consistent, will arrive in around two minutes.
>If Fire is coming here to meet their Avatar, their intention may not be to provoke a confrontation. I'd rather prevent their meeting for the time-being, of course, but I don't know that we realistically can, and we certainly can't fight all of them at once; our best bet may be to hope we won't need to come to blows at all today. But Haruka should be informed, regardless.
>That may not be necessary. says Kiku, nodding towards Yuna. The miko is speaking with someone on a cell phone. She is speaking with Sawashiro-sama now.
>Do you think he might help us against Semitur? Rin asks suddenly. Fire and Ice helped us out back at the shrine.
-
>It's possible. There are certainly some kinds of evil that they do not want in the world they wish to claim. Though I don't know how restrained they intend to be with their 'assistance', so we may have a problem regardless. Let's hope not.
-
>It's possible. There are certainly some kinds of evil that they do not want in the world they wish to claim. Though I don't know how restrained they intend to be with their 'assistance', so we may have a problem regardless. Let's hope not.
>I think we could convince them to work with us. says Rin. Mistress, you've got the best senses of us all, can you tell if the Fire Avatar's here now?
-
>I couldn't sense them, no. But if they've yet to arrive, it's possible they're still too far away. Or perhaps that wasn't why Fire is coming in the first place; it was only a theory.
>We still don't sense anything on that front, right?
-
>I couldn't sense them, no. But if they've yet to arrive, it's possible they're still too far away. Or perhaps that wasn't why Fire is coming in the first place; it was only a theory.
>We still don't sense anything on that front, right?
>Like on the plane we're waiting for?
>What makes you think that? Kiku asks.
>Fire's been hiding in the same place for days. He wouldn't come out unless it was important, and probably not longer than he has to. Since our plane's arriving soon, maybe the Fire Avatar's on it. That means Semitur's on the plane he's waiting for, and probably doesn't mean them any good. We could work together against her!
>That means we'd be helping Fire get his Champion. Reisen points out bluntly.
>You can sense Rin's ears droop a little. Oh yeah. I guess I didn't think of that.
>Correct.
-
>I'm not sure we could really prevent them from reaching each other, if they're already nearby. I mean, you saw what being kept away from Water was doing to Patchouli in those last moments in front of the apartments...
-
>I'm not sure we could really prevent them from reaching each other, if they're already nearby. I mean, you saw what being kept away from Water was doing to Patchouli in those last moments in front of the apartments...
>I was about to point that out myself. says Reisen. Even if we could keep the two of them apart, we might end up killing both of them that way.
>Are you suggesting we simply ignore the Fire Champion? Kiku asks pointedly.
>Maybe we should. Minoriko suggests. If all he wants is his Avatar, then he won't hurt anyone he doesn't have to, will he?
-
>Quite possibly not. They certainly had plenty of chances to try that up to now, after all. And if we can 't reasonably keep Fire away from their Avatar and have another incredibly dangerous woman to worry about, then the fewer other problems to worry about this very moment, the better....
-
>Quite possibly not. They certainly had plenty of chances to try that up to now, after all. And if we can 't reasonably keep Fire away from their Avatar and have another incredibly dangerous woman to worry about, then the fewer other problems to worry about this very moment, the better....
>I can't believe you're suggesting this. Kiku protests. Even after being helped by Fire and Ice, she still plainly doesn't like the Champions.
>We can't afford to fight on three fronts. Reisen points out. And let's not forget. From what we know of the Fire Champion, the Ice Champion won't be too far away. Even if we could beat two Champions at once and then turn around and beat Semitur, I can't believe we'd be able to do it without incurring a lot of collateral damage.
>And Ice has their Avatar. Lily points out. It'd be three of them against us, that'd be even worse.
-
>These are poor circumstances for a fight against so many. The Champions have proven their willingness to part peaceably before and if we have to pick one of the two to deal with today, then I think Semitur must take higher priority. The Champions may be more powerful than her, but when they choose to act, we will know. If Semitur is allowed to settle into this city, I think a great deal of people stand to be victimized from the shadows.
>And lest you've forgotten, I would still like to find a way to parlay with their Mother and forge a peaceful conclusion to our conflict with her kind. I do not believe this is an avenue that even exists with Semitur.
-
>These are poor circumstances for a fight against so many. The Champions have proven their willingness to part peaceably before and if we have to pick one of the two to deal with today, then I think Semitur must take higher priority. The Champions may be more powerful than her, but when they choose to act, we will know. If Semitur is allowed to settle into this city, I think a great deal of people stand to be victimized from the shadows.
>And lest you've forgotten, I would still like to find a way to parlay with their Mother and forge a peaceful conclusion to our conflict with her kind. I do not believe this is an avenue that even exists with Semitur.
>So what are you proposing? Kiku asks. That some of us fly out and talk to the Fire Champion before they get here? Her tone makes it plain how she feels about the thought.
>That may not be a bad idea. Minoriko replies. Wouldn't it be better to talk things out now, before things go wrong?
>I agree. says Reisen. They're going to know we're here eventually. If we talk to them now, we can tell them that we have a common enemy again, rather than trying to explain it in the middle of a pitched battle with Semitur and whatever surprises she has in store.
-
>I... think I agree. We won't escape their notice indefinitely and it's probably better to establish what is going to happen before Semitur arrives. At worst, if we're forced to engage Fire, we may be able to defer Semitur until later. I'll go.
>Are any of us near Haruka? She needs to know what we're planning, at least.
-
>I... think I agree. We won't escape their notice indefinitely and it's probably better to establish what is going to happen before Semitur arrives. At worst, if we're forced to engage Fire, we may be able to defer Semitur until later. I'll go.
>Are any of us near Haruka? She needs to know what we're planning, at least.
>You can't go alone! Rin practically screams.
>Reisen adds, more sedately, Agreed. You'd be too tempting a target alone.
>But if she was alone, Fire might think she was no threat and wouldn't do anything to her. says Minoriko. And like we said earlier, we can't all go, we'd be abandoning the shrine maidens.
>And it'd take all of us to handle two of 'em. Lily agrees.
>You cannot see Haruka from where you are. The only miko in range is Yuna, and she is on her way over to you.
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>I can have backup in a moment, if I need it, remember.
>Let's go meet up with Yuna, then, and see what she has to say
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>I can have backup in a moment, if I need it, remember.
>Let's go meet up with Yuna, then, and see what she has to say
>A moment is all it takes. Reisen says. Especially with creatures as powerful as these.
>"I'm afraid we may have another problem." the heterochromatic miko says to you. "We just got word from the shrine maidens watching that race track where the Fire Champion's been hiding. The Champion just took off. We think he may be traveling in this direction, maybe even to this airport."
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>"Yes, I just learned that myself. And they do seem to be; I'm afraid they may be heading this way to rendezvous with their Avatar, though I've not been able to detect them yet."
>Do we think it would be possible to set up a sort of... delayed teleportation on ourselves? Like, we've already demonstrated our ability to teleport considerable distances. Is there any way we could anchor ourselves back here, prime the spell, and then be able to trigger it at a later time to return here in a hurry? If, say, Fire decided we were a tempting target and we needed to get back to our group?
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>"Yes, I just learned that myself. And they do seem to be; I'm afraid they may be heading this way to rendezvous with their Avatar, though I've not been able to detect them yet."
>"Sawashiro-sama's called the Tortoise shrine for reinforcements, but none of the spellcasters there can fly. It's going to take them at least fifteen minutes to get here. We're on our own until then."
>Do we think it would be possible to set up a sort of... delayed teleportation on ourselves? Like, we've already demonstrated our ability to teleport considerable distances. Is there any way we could anchor ourselves back here, prime the spell, and then be able to trigger it at a later time to return here in a hurry? If, say, Fire decided we were a tempting target and we needed to get back to our group?
>You've demonstrated the ability to pull people to you across great distances, but you're not certain you can propel yourself. At least not with perfect accuracy. And the energy consumption would be greater than the last time, when you had Rin and Lily's help to form the spell.
>As for this specific implementation, you don't think you can use this location as a waypoint. Emotion drives your magic, and you have no real emotional connection to this place. You may be able to form a recall spell for your apartment, but not for here.
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>"I think there is reason to hope that Fire didn't come here looking for a fight. I intend to try and parlay with them and gauge their intentions; Semitur is quite enough for us to deal with here already."
>We have no emotional connection to this place, but we to do to the people here. Could we, say, create a link that we could use to recall ourselves to Rin?
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>"I think there is reason to hope that Fire didn't come here looking for a fight. I intend to try and parlay with them and gauge their intentions; Semitur is quite enough for us to deal with here already."
>We have no emotional connection to this place, but we to do to the people here. Could we, say, create a link that we could use to recall ourselves to Rin?
>Yuna appears to be about to argue, then seems to reconsider. "I wish we had more time to come up with a better idea. But are you sure that's possible?"
>Your emotional connection to Rin is certainly strong enough, but there would be an element of danger involved. You wouldn't be able to see where you'd appear, and would run the risk of teleporting into something or someone. She would also have to brace herself, ground herself, to act as a tether to allow you to pull yourself to her. Otherwise you run the risk of pulling her along the connection, and the two of you could rematerialize somewhere between where you both started.
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>But if we gave her a moment's warning to get clear of people, we think it could work?
>How much time/effort would this take to set up first?
>"I think it may be. Fire has had plenty of opportunity to attack openly over the last few days and did not. And even Air left peaceably the last time we confronted each other. If they haven't come here to start a fight with us, I think it best not to start one with them, either; Semitur is quite enough already."
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>But if we gave her a moment's warning to get clear of people, we think it could work?
>How much time/effort would this take to set up first?
>"I think it may be. Fire has had plenty of opportunity to attack openly over the last few days and did not. And even Air left peaceably the last time we confronted each other. If they haven't come here to start a fight with us, I think it best not to start one with them, either; Semitur is quite enough already."
>There's a very good chance. You wouldn't want to try it with Reisen or Minoriko, and it might work with Lily or Kiku. Win Rin, given enough warning for her to clear the platform, it could work.
>You'll need to tell Rin what your plan is, of course, but as she was there when you came up with the spell in the first place and helped you cast it, she should be familiar enough with the mechanics to make it work herself. You'll just need to warn her about what she'll have to do.
>"In that case, I guess the best thing I can do is wish you luck." says Yuna gamely. "I'll inform Sawashiro-sama."
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>Nod
>"Thank you; I'll take any good fortune I can find these days."
>Might as well drop that disguise for the time-being, short-lived as it was
>Let's make for the airport exit and inform Rin of our plan as we go along
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>Nod
>"Thank you; I'll take any good fortune I can find these days."
>Might as well drop that disguise for the time-being, short-lived as it was
>Let's make for the airport exit and inform Rin of our plan as we go along
>Returning to your far flashier garb, you leave the still-upset Kiku on post here and head make for the main exit. Understandably, only Minoriko seems at all comfortable with the idea of you facing a Champion alone. Even Lily, normally the 'throw caution to the wind' type, doesn't seem too keen on the idea. As you spy an overhead sign that redirects you to a closer exit, enabling you to get airborne more quickly, Reisen suggests, At least take Lily with you. If you can't teleport to us, you and Lily together might be able to hold Fire off long enough for the rest of us to get there.
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>Would we be able to take Lily with us via that teleport method if we needed to bail?
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>Would we be able to take Lily with us via that teleport method if we needed to bail?
>You're not certain. It depends on how strong the emotional connection between Lily and Rin is.
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>I'm not certain I could teleport her with me, though. I... might, but....
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>I'm not certain I could teleport her with me, though. I... might, but....
>Lily's defensive skill is proven. Reisen points out. You can rely on her if you're not sure you can rely on this spell.
>Aw, gee, thanks! Lily adds.
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>...very well, then. Meet me by the entrance, Lily. And here's hoping we don't need either contingency.
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>...very well, then. Meet me by the entrance, Lily. And here's hoping we don't need either contingency.
>You got it, boss! Lily says brightly.
>Be careful, Mistress. Rin entreats you.
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>I will, don't worry.
>Let's go meet Fire. And keep out fingers crossed.
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>I will, don't worry.
>Let's go meet Fire. And keep out fingers crossed.
>If you told anyone that you were entirely comfortable about this idea, you'd be lying. If this was the Water Champion, or the Ice Champion alone, then you wouldn't be quite so concerned about meeting them face to face. But the Fire Champion seems to be more aggressive than those two, and even though you parted on relatively good terms last time, there's no guarantee at all of a similar resolution this time around. You're going to be intercepting the Champion on his way to his Avatar. That's likely to rankle. But, you have a plan for defense, and a plan for escape, and your friends are standing by to assist in short order. Here's hoping all goes well.
>After reuniting with Lily, the two of you take to the air once more, heading away from the airport on an intercept course with the Fire Champion. Even the cheery, chatty Lily seems rather sober as she flies next to you. She winces visibly more than once, though so do you, as it has started snowing since you've been indoors, and the strength of the wind is blowing the precipitation sideways into your face.
>Despite this, you have no trouble spying the Fire Champion coming towards you. Resembling nothing more than a ball of dull red light, the native of Makai hurtles across the sky. Swallowing deeply, you and Lily pull up in midair in the path of the flying Champion. You have to order Lily not to put up her shield. You're not here to fight or make any aggressive move. You're here to talk. She nods, but can't quite banish the nervousness from her face.
>Despite his incredible speed, the red blur comes to an instant halt in the air around 40 feet in front of you, causing a bow wave of superheated air to wash past it and over you and Lily. The heat causes the affected snow in the air to turn to slush as the Champion's physical form emerges from the ball of light, the unearthly fox floating in the air. It does not look happy. "Magical Lotus. Lily. This is an unwelcome sight." the Champion growls.
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>"We didn't come here to fight you, Champion of FIre, but I must ask you to state your intentions."
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>"We didn't come here to fight you, Champion of FIre, but I must ask you to state your intentions."
>"I don't have time for this. I have more important things to deal with right now than you two. Get out of my way."
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>"Are you here to meet your Avatar?"
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>"Are you here to meet your Avatar?"
>The Champion's tails snap straight out in amazement, almost as broadly as its eyes widen. "You-" The otherworldly fox's red aura flares as Fire regains his composure, his posture dropping into a canine crouch, like one about to pounce. "I don't know how you know that and right now I don't care. If you think you two can stop me, you're deluding yourselves." the Champion rumbles, violence in his throat. Wisps of fire lick from the corners of his mouth almost every other syllable.
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>"I have no intention of trying. Keeping you apart would have a profoundly negative effect on both your health, isn't that right? And I have no desire to see you die."
>"But what I do want is your word that you're not planning to cause an incident at the airport that would endanger the others there."
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>"I have no intention of trying. Keeping you apart would have a profoundly negative effect on both your health, isn't that right? And I have no desire to see you die."
>"But what I do want is your word that you're not planning to cause an incident at the airport that would endanger the others there."
>The oversized fox stares at you for a long moment, then relaxes its posture. "How do you... How do you know that?" he asks, seemingly too surprised to be angry.
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>"I saw it start to happen to the Champion of Water and her Avatar, before I was able to reunite them."
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>"I saw it start to happen to the Champion of Water and her Avatar, before I was able to reunite them."
>"That makes sense. You're the reason they were separated in the first place." The fox's body relaxes completely. "But... If you know that, then you know you could beat us that way. You could have done it already with Water."
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>"I didn't want either of them die. I was earnest when I told you that I want to find a way for our kinds to peacefully coexist; for you to be free of Makai and able to live in safety without the need to harm anyone here to do so. I will champion that cause with all my strength."
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>"I didn't want either of them die. I was earnest when I told you that I want to find a way for our kinds to peacefully coexist; for you to be free of Makai and able to live in safety without the need to harm anyone here to do so. I will champion that cause with all my strength."
>"So... you want to help us find our Avatars?" Fire asks, disbelieving.
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>"I want there to be no reason for you to harm the people of this world. I don't believe your desire to be free of Makai and ours to have our world remain safe need be contradictory. We will still defend the people of this world from harm with everything we have, but I'd rather we not have to be enemies; I think we can forge a better path than that."
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>"I want there to be no reason for you to harm the people of this world. I don't believe your desire to be free of Makai and ours to have our world remain safe need be contradictory. We will still defend the people of this world from harm with everything we have, but I'd rather we not have to be enemies; I think we can forge a better path than that."
>"But there is a reason, Magical Lotus." the Fire Champion replies. "My orders. And Mother's orders are absolute. But, my orders also say that finding my Avatar is my most important duty. I have no interest in anyone else that might be there when my Avatar arrives. Only my Avatar. Even fighting you, the biggest threat to us, is second to that order. If I have to fight you to find my Avatar, I will. But I don't have to you, or anyone else, then I won't."
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>"I am glad to hear it."
>"And if your Mother's orders demand this, then I will simply have to speak with her myself and convince her to change her mind. I will find a way - you can count on it."
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>"I am glad to hear it."
>"And if your Mother's orders demand this, then I will simply have to speak with her myself and convince her to change her mind. I will find a way - you can count on it."
>"You've got a lot of tricks up your sleeve, Lotus, but I don't know how you'd pull that off." the Fire Champion remarks. "It's hard enough getting anything out of Makai, it isn't that much-"
>A sheet of dark light passes quickly over your eyes. The sound of a girl crying rings quietly in your ears for a moment. Briefly, you feel cold.
>"-getting things in."
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>What... what was that?
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>What... what was that?
>A peculiar experience.
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>And we can tell nothing more about it than that? Sense nothing unusual or changed in our vicinity?
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>And we can tell nothing more about it than that? Sense nothing unusual or changed in our vicinity?
>In your immediate vicinity, no.
>Actually that's not entirely true. The Fire Champion seems to be slightly confused about something, just as you seem to be.
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>"...did you... also just sense something very strange - just for a moment?"
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>"...did you... also just sense something very strange - just for a moment?"
>The Champion's head turns back to look at you. You have the impression that, for a moment, he forgot you were there. "There is- Something wrong." The way he said that was different, his voice wavering fiercely.
>Lotus, something strange has happened here. Kiku's voice reports.
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>What is it?
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>What is it?
>The plane with Semitur aboard touched down a few moments ago. When it did, a wave of supernatural force washed out over the building. A large number of people here sensed it, beyond our group and the shrine maidens. The plane is no longer taxiing towards the terminal. I can only conclude something has happened aboard the plane, but I have no idea what. We cannot scan the plane.
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>You can't? Is it just a 'wall', so to speak? Anything visually apparent with it?
>What can we sense from that direction? Is the darkness we sensed before still present? Has it changed?
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>You can't? Is it just a 'wall', so to speak? Anything visually apparent with it?
>What can we sense from that direction? Is the darkness we sensed before still present? Has it changed?
>It is a trap. Semitur's aura is designed to invite curiosity among those that sense it. It draws in the minds and wills of people and exposes them to her corruptive influence. As for visually, the plane appears to be normal. We can see nothing- Kiku's communication cuts off suddenly. A moment later, her voice returns. The roof of the plane has exploded. she reports somberly.
>The distance you traveled to intercept the Fire Champion limits the focus you can put on the airport. You can sense the same dark sensation, but nothing more from here.
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>Oh no....
>Were we already too late...?
>Wait. If merely sensing the magic aboard the plane is corruptive from that distance, wouldn't that mean that a great many people in the airport might already be affected by it?
>"Was your Avatar on the plane that was just arriving? Because if so, then we may both share the same problem right now."
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>Oh no....
>Were we already too late...?
>Wait. If merely sensing the magic aboard the plane is corruptive from that distance, wouldn't that mean that a great many people in the airport might already be affected by it?
>"Was your Avatar on the plane that was just arriving? Because if so, then we may both share the same problem right now."
>Something is emerging from the hole. Kiku reports. Multiple shapes, humanoid.
>Quite possibly. the tiger says. We have no way to know without risking ourselves.
>"My Avatar... Something is wrong." the Fire Champion stammers. "The link is... wrong."
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>Is there no way to scan the area without exposing ourselves?
>"There is an incredibly powerful succubus on that plane - a demon who corrupts others. She was the one we were there to stop in the first place, but she has... apparently turned her power on the airport. It's possible your Avatar may also be affected."
>...please say that this corruption can't travel back up their link and corrupt Fire, too. That's the last thing we need to deal with now on top of this...
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>Is there no way to scan the area without exposing ourselves?
>"There is an incredibly powerful succubus on that plane - a demon who corrupts others. She was the one we were there to stop in the first place, but she has... apparently turned her power on the airport. It's possible your Avatar may also be affected."
>...please say that this corruption can't travel back up their link and corrupt Fire, too. That's the last thing we need to deal with now on top of this...
>You might be able to. Your scanning ability is the best of ours.
>I've been trying to learn what I can. Reisen adds once Kiku finishes. But this succubus is dangerous. I think she knows we're here and that we've been probing her. I think she sensed us scanning her aura.
>"We have to help her." the Champion says quickly, already starting to fly again, his direction between you and Lily. Although for the urgency in his voice, he doesn't take off at enormous speed. Something is definitely wrong with this one.
>Whether or not it's that specific problem, you don't know. At the very least you don't sense anything different about the Champion, at least nothing like what you sensed at the airport.
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>Follow along with it
>"And we will. It's what we came here do. But if she has been taken over by an outside corruption, would your link to her make it affect you as well, as you draw closer?"
>I think Fire's Avatar may have been affected by Semitur. They seem... distressed, even frightened; they said something is wrong with their link.