~Beyond the Border~ > Rumia's Party Games
RPG - Waking Up From the Dream (Story Thread)
Helepolis:
- - -
LordVant:
Saniwa Shrine(outside): 6:00am; Co-post between Vant and Trancehime
Major Dialogue Post
Vant begins walking up a long staircase, followed closely by Neko-Kanako, while Neko-Suwako and Orange bounce ahead of them
Suwako: "Come on! Hurry up!"
Orange: "Yeah! Walk faster!"
Vant: "......no"
Kanako: "Quite blunt aren't you?"
Vant: "I'm not in the mood to have fun, let's just get to the shrine"
Vant: "Besides, they're having enough fun for all of us, right?"
Kanako: "ehehe.....right..."
Vant: "Ah...there's the top"
*Vant and crew come in site of the end of the stairs and emerge to find an old style shrine, and no one in sight*
Vant: ".......of course, no one here"
*Hirowaza suddenly walked to Vant's location, he being unaware of anyone there.*
Hirowaza: "What is your purpose here?"
Vant: "Ah looks like someone is here"
*Suwako and Orange peek out from behind Kanako's dress*
Kanako: "When did you two get there?" Nevermind, who are you?"
"I'll spare my own thoughts on your blatant disregard for courtesy," Hirowaza said as VIVIT and Meira made their way to his side.
"Anyway. The name's Hirowaza. Identify yourselves and why you're here so damnably early." *VIVIT and Meira had also introduced themselves, giving their names.
"I'm Vant, this is Kanako, Suwako, and Orange, we came here because.....well, their idea" *waves a hand at Kanako*
Suwako: "Because it's a shrine and we're goddesses!"
"Looking for a place to stay after your precious shrine is lost?" Hirowaza asked.
Kanako: "Is it just me, or is he coming off as a complete jackass?"
Vant: "Kanako...do you want to stay here or not?"
Meira stepped forward. "It's not under our jurisdiction to decide," she said. "But everyone's asleep. You'd best stay with us here and wait for everyone to get up before we make a decision."
VIVIT sighed. "Forgive Hirowaza, he's in a very foul spell right now... Almost as if it were that time of the month, well... Don't concern yourself with that."
Vant: "Right...well, thank you for your hospitality"
"So, how'd you get here?" Meira asked, while Hirowaza decided to sit on the ground and close his eyes, groaning about his back pains due to size of his chest.
Kanako: "When Gensokyo fell apart we-..."
Vant: "We came in from the forest, just traveling"
Meira tilted an eyebrow. VIVIT knew something was wrong. "Traveling, eh?"
Vant: "Decided to go out and got lost"
Hirowaza: "Ye must've come a long way."
Kanako: "Quite"
Suwako: "What god is this to?"
Suwako: "The shrine I mean"
Hirowaza: "This shrine? Uh... Long story. I'd rather not talk about that now..."
Vant: "Okay, how long have you been here?"
Hirowaza: "Not very long."
Vant: "hmm, may we come inside?"
Hirowaza: "Do so at your own risk."
Vant: "there's a risk? What, is it a haunted house?"
Orange: "No haunted houses!"
Hirowaza: "If people wake up by your noise, you may be considered an intruder.
Vant: "Then wouldn't an escort be appropriate?"
"Then I'll go with you," Meira said. "I doubt mister whiny there is in a mood to accompany you."
Suwako: "Yay! Tour! tour!"
Hirowaza: "Don't be so noisy, you'll wake the others."
Suwako: "Sowwy"
Meira: "Let's get a move on."
Vant: "Well then, lead on Meira, come on Kanako"
Orange: "What about us?"
Vant: "Oh you can stay out here and wait for a few days"
Orange: *starts tearing up*
Vant: "I'm kidding, come on Orange, you too Suwako"
*Meira sighed and led Vant and his troupe through the Saniwa shrine.*
Suwako: "ooooooohhh, nice shrine~"
Kanako: "I like it~"
Meira: "I see that you are excited, we shall take it up with Reimu-san in the morning."
Meira: "Oh, wait... It IS morning. Technically. Oh well."
Kanako: "woah woah woah, Reimu-san is here?"
Meira: "Indeed. Most of us reside here."
Suwako: "Reimu Hakurei-san?"
Meira: "Yes."
Kanako: "WE DID IT!!! WE FOUND OUR WAY BACK TO THE OTHERS!!!!"
Suwako: "YAY!!!!!"
*Vant quickly covers their mouths*
Meira: "In the name of Reimu's balls, keep your voices down!"
Vant: "...please keep quiet" *menacing look*
*Suwako&Kanako nod their heads slowly*
Kanako: "Do you know Sanae? Green hair-"
Suwako: "Has a frog clip and a snake on her hair"
Kanako: "White and blue miko outfit?"
Meira: "Can't say I've seen her recently."
*Kanako trades a look with Suwako and appears disheartened*
Vant: "Well, since you know Reimu, and she did say that most of you people reside here"
Suwako: "That's good though, we've found a lot of us. We were right to head for the shrine~"
Kanako: "See? Goddesses intuition works"
Vant: "Tch, lucky guess"
Meira: "Just because you're here doesn't mean we can guarantee your stay though, but I'm sure Reimu will make considerations."
Kanako: "We're from Gensokyo too though!"
Vant: "Quiet Kanako"
Meira: "I know you are, deities of the Moriya Shrine."
Vant: "hm...so you know them?"
Meira: "We of Gensokyo tend to know each other even in passing."
Vant: "well in that case I'll leave"
Kanako: "Wait what?"
Vant: "You found you're people, more residents of Gensokyo, my job's done. Good luck"
Meira: "You, ...Vant?"
Suwako: "Hey wait a minute! You can't just leave us!"
Vant: "I'm sure you'll find someone to make a bond with"
Meira: "You can't abandon those who you made a pact with... Not now, at least.
Vant: "Watch me"
*Hirowaza had finally calmed down and was already standing behind Vant.*
Kanako: ".....oh hell no"
Hirowaza: "Not if I have anything to say about it."
Vant: "Please leave me alone"
"Why do you plan to leave miss Kanako and miss Suwako, anyway?" Hirowaza asked.
*Kanako forms some shrine ropes and lassoes Vant and pulls him back*
Hirowaza: "Do you think they can really find someone to make a bond with? What if Reimu was in a bad mood? And ho' there, miss Kanako. I won't hurt him."
Kanako: "You're not going anywhere, got it?"
Vant: "You're really trying to stop me?"
Kanako: "Who said anything about trying?"
"I suggest you listen to miss Kanako and stay with them before something disastrous happens." Hirowaza said very bluntly.
Vant: *sigh* "I prefer being intact"
Hirowaza: "I think you'd be even more dead if you strayed away, personally."
Vant: "why's that?"
Hirowaza: "Shadow beings lurk this land. You need help if you're to defend yourself from their power."
Vant: "I've taken care of a large one, and several of the felines as well already. So says their cat ears" *hook a thumb at Kanako and Suwako*
Kanako: "yeah....wait how'd you get your arm loose?"
Vant: "Oh, do you want me to put it back?"
Kanako: ".....nevermind"
Hirowaza sighed and looked away. "I'm going back outside to keep watch. Meira-dono, what do you plan to do?"
"I have questions," Meira said. "I'll be here."
"You go do that." Hirowaza said and walked outside again.
Vant: *stands up* "so, you said questions?"
Meira: "So, miss Kanako and miss Suwako mentioned that they were trying to find the others. Do you have an ulterior motive for doing so?"
Kanako: "We're trying to find Sanae, and trying to figure out why Gensokyo fell apart"
Meira: "You might find some helpful information here, then."
Vant: "Well that's good to hear"
Meira: "Also, I've to ask, Vant, how did you meet these two lovely goddesses?"
Vant: "Well I wouldn't say lovely but..." *gets smacked over the head by Kanako* "I helped them escape from imprisonment"
Orange: "Hey don't forget about me!"
Vant: "and we found her in the forest"
Meira: "Orange, I remember you. Do you remember me?"
Orange: "....um.....oh yeah! I remember you! umm...ma...ma...Meira right?"
Meira: "Yes! How've you been, Orange-san?!"
Orange: "I was laying around, enjoying the sun, and then I suddenly woke up and they were standing over me"
Meira: "I guess you've been conned to going with them? Haha."
Vant: "Actually she was dying" *deadpan*
Meira: "Geez, you don't have to be so tactless."
Suwako: "He's stingier than that other person"
Vant: "...yeah pretty much"
Meira: "I gathered."
Vant: "Anything else you want to ask?"
Meira: "After gathering information, what do you plan to do nexgt?"
Kanako: "Well, once we find Sanae, I guess we stay here with everyone else"
Meira: "Fair enough."
Vant: "You mean you will"
Suwako: *Jumps on Vant* "WE will"
"You need to quit thinking like that, mister Vant," Meira said. "It's unhealthy for you in this situation."
"You sound like you could get along with Hirowaza-dono outside. You both seem like complete dicks."
Vant: "I'd get along better if I left"
Kanako: "You wouldn't be getting along at all in that case"
Vant: "Exactly~"
Meira: "You're hopeless. I'm sure Kanako-sama will beat some sense into you."
Kanako: "hehehe, gladly"
*Suddenly, there was a scream.*
Vant: *eyes harden* "Who was that?"
*Meira tilted her head and ran outside to see VIVIT trying to wake up a now unconscious Hirowaza.*
*Vant and party follow*
Meira: "Is he playing dead, VIVIT?" she asked, kicking Hirowaza's body over to make sure he wasn't just playing around.
VIVIT: "H, h, hey! D, d, don't do that! Look at his stomach!"
Meira: "It looks bigger than it usually is. What do you suppose that means?"
VIVIT poked the strange bloated stomach. "It doesn't seem like a cancer or tumor."
Vant: "Well, this looks fun"
Hirowaza woke up and felt something strange. "What is it? Do I have something on my face?"
VIVIT looked back at the problem area and noticed it was now completely normal. "What the...?"
Vant: "Oi you're 2 months pregnant when you're unconcious"
*Hirowaza stood up and looked at Vant and company.* "What...? I don't follow."
Vant: *sigh* "That's why I wanna leave, ever since the yakuza and now you two, nothing is right anymore"
Hirowaza: "...Argh, the yakuza... I want to kill them so bad."
*VIVIT was attending to Hirowaza and analyzing the abnormality while Meira once again assumed position of spokesperson.*
Meira: "Nothing was ever right in this world, mister Vant." she said. "You'd better live with the consequences instead of contemplating escape from your comrades.":
Vant: "Ignorance is bliss my dear"
Meira: "You won't get anything out of that, sir. Kanako-sama, I implore you. You want him to stay, right? Better fix him up."
Kanako: "I'm about to crack his skull"
Vant: "That'd kill you as well"
Meira: "Then don't act like a selfish jerk, and maybe everything will turn out fine like rainbows and flowers."
Vant: "Rainbows are tricks of light and flower fields are burned, don't talk to me about happiness"
Suwako: "Geez, you're such a downer"
Meira: "Happiness? Far from the main lesson here, my dear. But if you really want to leave, be my guest. You'll come running back to us whining. I swear."
Orange: "Yeah, just try being happy"
Vant: "I've never run back to anyone, besides, what reason would I have to come back to you?
Meira: "I see we have an arrogant brat amongst us."
Vant: "Arrogant? Well yes but, can you answer my question?"
Meira: "I'd like to see you try and handle a shitload of barbarous, demonic spirits on your own."
Vant: "I took out a large one and quite a few felines already"
Meira: "You've already mentioned this. And those were nothing."
Vant: "Besides why would they come after me?"
Meira: "You'd be surprised."
Vant: "Random act of hunger?"
Meira: "Possibilities are boundless."
Vant: "So? If I die, I die"
Kanako: "You don't care about your own life?"
Vant: "All people die, why worry so much about it?"
Suwako: "You've gotta pay more attention to life and stop being so apathetic"
Meira: "You're even worse than Hirowaza, man."
Vant: "Sorry, war does that to people. Well, not war according to the politician bastards"
Meira: "Hmph."
Vant: "What's currently happening here?"
Meira: "Something big is going down. You should consult with Reimu."
Kanako: "Alright, where is she right now?"
Meira: "She's... Hmm. I'm not even sure."
Vant: "I guess we'll have to search, huh?
To be continued...
Caber Knight Etch-A-Sketch:
Ruined Dream
(will fill in later with intense battle scene where Etch is injured)
Saniwa Shrine 5:25 AM, Day 6
Etch woke with a start, the room all black. The dive was nearly a disaster, his heart pounding from his near-death experience...
Unable to get back asleep, Etch took to wandering the shrine. The cool morning air calmed him down and soothed his senses, and except for the yelling in the distance, it was very calming. He took to the rooftop and sat, thinking over all that had happened. The collapse of Gensokyo, the near misses and close calls, the Sky Ray, and the Yakuza, it was just on thing after another. Time passed, and Etch sighed as his ears perked up, hearing someone behind him.
"Something wrong, Etch?" It was Nitori. Seemed that she had trouble sleeping as well.
"Nah, nothing's wrong. I was just thinking over all the stuff that we've gone through." Etch said as Nitori sat down beside him
"Well, at least you're ok."
"Bah, something like that couldn't kill me, you know."
"Don't say that! I was so worried..."
"Hey, you don't have to worry, I won't die. Besides, I said I would protect you, so if I die, I couldn't possibly do a good job at that."
"Don't joke around like that!" Nitori stood up in a fit. "I can't stand you getting hurt all the time!"
"Eh, the pain isn't too much, I've been through worst." Etch said as he stood up as well "and I did say I would protect you, so--"
"You idiot!" Nitori suddenly held onto Etch.
"Nitori?!" Whether it was the fact that no one else was around, or it was because it was Etch, Nitori seemed a bit more bold in her actions.
Her grip around Etch tightened, as though she was afraid he would go away suddenly. Etch could feel is chest start to get wet from Nitori's tears. "Don't you get it?! I don't want you to get hurt anymore! I love you!" Nitori began crying as she buried her face into Etch's chest.
Etch put his arms around Nitori as she sobbed her eyes out. "Don't worry, I'm not going to go anywhere..." While Etch's face was a gentle one, he was panicing on the inside. Did she just declare her love to me?! Man, what am I going to do? This, combined with Momizi's kiss from a couple of days ago, lead to one hell of a dilemma. It would not be until later that Nitori would realize what she had said. Etch simply held Nitori in his arms until she calmed down...
Of course, since the two of them were standing up, they could have easily been seen by anyone who bothered to look up. Even if no one looked up, two people standing on a roof is hard to ignore...
Bias Bus:
=== Saniwa Shrine/Inn (Team Spidercats) - 5:57 AM ~ Day 6 ===
Toshiro couldn't sleep...
Well, he had instances where he would doze off, but eventually he would wake right back up and stare back at the ceiling like he was doing right now. Although now, it wouldn't matter much, as it nearly time to get up and get ready for that strange wedding today anyway. He really had no idea as to how such a thing came up, hell, he didn't even know the people who were getting married. He's only heard it from Yamame who overheard one of the residents speak of such a thing, and afterward she came to tell him of the joyous news of what was to come. Toshiro only reacting with a well placed. "...What?" Well, he was now positive that there was never a dull moment around these people, everyday something was happening, be it good or bad. And if it wasn't then you can be sure that something will occur in the near future. Well at least the two of them were happy with each other, unlike most married couples these days...
Still the fact that the two getting married were both girls seemed to weird Toshiro out a bit more than he first thought. Now, Toshiro knew of folks who swung that way, but he never thought he'd get to see a full-on wedding between the two of them. Yamame told him of how Gensokyo has alot of people who do in fact swing that way...albeit both ways so such a thing isn't uncommon back in that realm. And upon asking how they make a child when each person (or youkai) has the same...erm, equipment, Yamame simply dropped the subject with 'Magic' and simply left everything else alone.
A bit of a cop out, but Yamame made it clear that magic in Gensokyo is pretty much the "So I don't have to explain it" kinda thing...
Speaking of kinships, Toshiro himself felt as though he's managed to get to know his partner, Yamame, a little bit better during this time. Yamame telling him of her home underground and how she used to have a friend named Kisume who...has yet to be found by anyone yet. She voiced her concearn for the girl's safety as Kisume wasn't exactly one who was strong enough to fend off the threats that this world had in store for them. As negative as Toshiro was feeling these days, he couldn't find it in him to just flat out say that Kisume wasn't okay (even though that thought did cross his mind several times), instead he simply reminded Yamame to remain confident in Kisume and maybe she'll turn up. And it was then that Yamame hugged himWhile Orin also seemed to take a bit of a liking to him as well, which was nice being Toshiro was hoping the two of them could get along sometime...if ever.
Maybe it had something to do with the feline features he had sprouted recently...
... ... ...
Hmm, looks like a flashback is in order, isn't it...?
*** Karuisuwa Shopping District ~ Day 5 (Flashback) ***
"Do I really have to go...?" Toshiro complained as Yamame had the 18 year old by the arm dragging him with her to the bustling shopping district of Karuisuwa. Orin as held close to her in her other arm, the fork-tailed cat not complaining of finally getting out for once as opposed to Toshiro who obviously wished for something different. Still this didn't overshadow the fact of how Yamame, someone a bit shorter than Toshiro was able to sustain such a grip on his arm. Then again, Toshiro himself isn't really a physical guy as it stands...
"Yes you do." Yamame replied, having heard this same complaint a total of 3 times, once when she said of where they were going, a second time on their way here and just now when they arrived at their destination. "Some fresh air will do you some good for once, besides Orin and I were getting sorta stir crazy." Yamame mumbled the last part of her sentence, not wanting Toshiro to know that part of the reason they were out here was because she and Orin were bored stiff of being stuck inside most of the day.
"Well yeah I suppose I have stayed inside alot, not counting the time I ran away from home..." Toshiro replied seeing that the tsuchigumo's words held some truth to them, if you consider the fact that he was a slight hikkikomori before ever coming to the Saniwa Shrine/Inn area. Even so, there was still one thing that made this trip all the more fruitless, "But that still doesn't explain why we had to come here of all places...seeing as to how we, y'know, don't have any money to buy anything with."
"Silly Toshiro, we could always just browse we don't have to buy anything." Yamame said with chuckle and a roll of her eyes, before she paused and looked around. "...Now, where's Junes...?"
"Junes?" Toshiro raised an eyebrow walked to Yamame's side, not realizing they were still holding hands. "Uhm, It's in the area, but we need to head back to where I used to live first..."
"Ah...but that's pretty far from here isn't it?" Yamame said with a sigh, before she looked down to gaze upon their hands being intertwined with one another.
"Something wrong, you...look a little red" Toshiro said coming to notice Yamame's blush but, as per the usual, mistaking it as something else.
"Ah! No, nothing's wrong." Yamame replied turning away from Toshiro so is not to reveal to him how red her face has gotten. "Let's...just head to Junes before the crowd comes..."
"Ah you're right, Junes can get pretty crowded on a day like today..." Toshiro nodded as he directed the two youkai to an alley way located between a Jewlery Store and a Bakery. "I think if we go through here we'll come out on the street that leads to my house...but it's pretty shady so stick close to me and Orin...try not to wander off..."
*** Karuisuwa Back Alleys - ~ Day 5 (Flashback) ***
You know when you have a sudden idea to do something, but then when you actually get around to doing it...you realize that your idea...isn't such a good one anymore?
That is what was occuring just as Toshiro, Yamame and Orin began their walk through the back alleys of the shopping district. The surrounding walls were dreary and imposing, and even though the sunshine above was bright, this area still managed to give off an unsettling vibe. Perhaps it was the eeire silence that suddenly overpowered the muffled cacophony of civilization that was supposed to be echoing behind the 3 of them. Yeah, that was part of it...
Toshiro looked around taking in the sighs around him, noticing that the further they went, the darker it was getting so much so that the sky above was beginning to transform. Mutating from the usual blue it harborded and warping into something dark and red. It didn't take a genius to figure out that something was horribly wrong, or rather something was about to go horribly wrong. Toshiro looked to Yamame who did not look comfortable with this at all, her face seething of worry and unease, Orin was just as bad if not worse, the hair on the cat's body standing up as she began hissing.
Suddenly, Yamame stopped in her tracks grappling Toshiro's arm in a grip that was far stronger than her last one. "Toshiro...maybe, we should go back..." Yamame suggested her eyes , "I have a really bad feeling about this place..."
"You read my mind," Toshiro nodded in equal nervousness as he turned only to hear something behind him, a disgusting and stomach-wrenching sound that resonated into his ear and ate at his mind. Toshiro slowly turned his head to see some form of black mass writhing behind him, tendrils of shadow-like appendages reaching out making a horrible sound that can only be described as vile. "What...what the hell..." Toshiro stammered his eyes growing wider for each second he watched the eldritch mass take shape into some form of creature that was not of this Earth. His heart pounded in his chest, and his mouth suddenly lost all moisture seeing the mass of blackness twist around itself, a churning and sloshing sound echoing throughout the alley as a pair of large red eyes opened to meet Toshiro's and began staring not at Toshiro...but at his soul. "Y-Yamame wha...what the hell is going on...?" Toshiro breathed his hand pointed at the shadow that was now emanating of deep throaty growls and grunts that grated at Toshiro's brain.
"I-I don't know, let's just go before it comes after us." Yamame said as she tugged at Toshiro's arm only to have her own come to meet her mouth as she saw the shadowy mass lunge at Toshiro from behind. "Toshiro! Look out!"
Toshiro looked back and in just the nick of time her threw himself back only to land on his bottom and come to lay eyes as the creatures shape began to solidify into something tangible, it's arched back undulating in a black fire that was slowly becoming tamed the longer it lay in front of the frightened 18 year old. Eventually it's form finally became solid, letting them see it for what it was...a small, chubby feline like creature sporting not only large red eyes, but a second set of closed eyes beneathe the open ones that glowed in the darkness of the alley. it's neck was adorned in a poofy mane, a pair of bat-like wings sprouting from it's back and flesh-rending talons on it's front paws.
The cat like monster reared it's head back and let loose a loud eldritch roar that was neither cat like or beast like...it's sound was something that nothing mankind was able to hear. And all of this coming from a creature that was as tall as Orin was on four-legs...
BGM Load ~ Sacrifice Part II
"Toshiro!" Yamame screamed snapping Toshiro from his gaze at the creature long enough for him to see it come at him in a charge. Toshiro rose from his position and leaped forward, only to feel his pantleg swiped at by the powerful slashing of the creature that suddenly had it out for him. For what reason was beyond both him and Yamame...but it was clear that this cat was not going to let them leave here...alive. As Toshiro scrambled away from the beast, her stood aside Yamame and Orin having absolutely no clue on what to do on how to combat this creature...hell, he didn't even know what it was aside from the shape it took in front of him...
"Yamame...what..."
"I don't know." Yamame finished for Toshiro her eyes glued onto the cat like creature that was reared down as if ready to pounce at any given. "But we have to do something...if not then we're going to die here."
"Die..." That was all Toshiro heard. He had no idea on where this thing came from or what it was, but now all of a sudden he was fighting for his life in order to fend it off. It didn't seem fair at all...but, this was how life worked...sorta. Before he could even ask Yamame on what she had in mind, he felt his body being pulled over away from another death charge from the creature that was so powerful that the cat crashed into the cement below creating a large impact crater.
"You have to stay focused, Toshiro!" Yamame chided.
"On what, beating something that I don't even know can be killed or not!?" Toshiro shot back before his arm thrust forward pointing to the cat monster that apparently had it's head still stuck in the ground from the initial attack it used earlier. "I don't even know what to use against it...hell, I don't even have a weapon to fight it with!"
"Here use this!" Yamame said thrusting a long steel pipe to Toshiro, the confused blonde looking to Yamame to which she only responded with, "Don't ask questions, just work with me and Orin and...we might be able to get through this." Might? There's no room for doubt in this sort of situation, but Toshiro wasn't exactly optimistic about their chances either. Sure it was only one of...whatever this thing was, but it was still pretty powerful and to be going up against it with only a steel pipe, webbing and a twin tailed kasha...the odds of winning are...kinda slim...
The monster eventually managed to pull it's overly large head from the ground and shook it about to regather whatever sense it had. Yamame, not one to let the creature attack again, threw her hands forward and unleashed a net of webbing that ensnared the beast, evoking a loud roar from the creature as it immedieatly began to struggle within the stick webbing. "Now! Let's pound it with everything we have!"
And pound they did. Toshiro using his panic to beat the creature with the steel pipe upside it's large head, Yamame having picked up a small 2x4 and unloading on the creature's body and even Rin was biting and clawing at whatever part that wasn't being assaulted by her two comrades. The lot of them didn't let up for a second, as they continued to punish the creature squirming underneath the fury of their strikes, a sickening sound of flesh being rended and fluid being splattered echoing into the crimson sky as Toshiro and his team put every fiber of their fear and strength into killing whatever this thing was. For a moment it looked like that this single mauling would be the end of the creature
Until things took a nosedive...
The pressured monster let out a thunderous roar as it's tail took on the form of a serpent like appendage that opened it's maw to tear into the three of them. Had it not been for Orin yowling out upon seeing it, Toshiro nor Yamame would have been able to escape being torn into shreds by the razor sharp fangs. Toshiro grabbing Yamame by the collar and jerking her back with him, as both of their bodies tumbling back as Orin leapt back with them barely dodging a savage bite from the tail mouth that hissed at them and began to eat the webbing that coated it's owner.
However as soon as Yamame looked up she saw the creature coming down on them. There was no way to dodge the attack, even if she turned over Toshiro would be caught under the creature's body and owould most likely have his face and whatever else the beast could grab hold of, ripped from his body. Either way she looked at it...this was a lose-lose situation. Was she to take the monster's thrashing to protect Toshiro...or flip over and let Toshiro deal with the monster? Suddenly, a black blur sprang from her side tackling the beast down to the pavement and pinning it to the ground, the noise the blur had made was that of an outraged cat...hell it was beyond that of a normal cat now, but it's cry was something that was far beyond a angry yowl of a cat. Yamame bolted upright to see, no one else but Orin, atop the cat monster tearing into whatever her teeth and claws could get a hold of. Her victim soon flipped her over onto her back and attempted to do the same to her, only to have Orin's paws bat away the assaults. The two battling cats rolled around in a primal tussle, dust flying from their heated struggle as Orin's piercing cries clashed with the monster's primeval roars like that of warring titans.
"Orin..."
Unfortunately, It was tragically obvious that Orin wasn't winning the battle. Despite being the same size as the creature, she was far out classed by it's ferocity and strength, and slowly the scales were tipped into the monsters favor the longer the battle was drawn out. "We have to do something!" Toshiro said to Yamame who nodded quickly and rose to help the losing kasha. However before Yamame or Toshiro could even make a move to assist the kasha, the cat monster's tail morphed into a mucsled arm that swung forward with tremendous force, slamming into the kasha's side, sending her flying backward.
"ORIN!!" Yamame shouted bolting from Toshiro's side at a near break neck speed, her arms out stretched to intercept the kasha. Thankfully Yamame managed to catch Rin wtihin her arms, at the price of being pushed back a few feet from the sheer velocity Rin was traveling and having the wind knocked out of her. Yamame gasped and feel to her knees unable to catch her breath for a good 2 minutes before looking up to see the monster leering at her and the kasha she held protectively against her body. Rin wasn't moving...but appeared to be alive albeit unconcious...
"GRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
Yamame eyes shot up only to gaze upon the beast barreling down upon her and the unconcious Rin, the monster roaring out in a savage fury as it lay ready to tear them apart the moment it was within striking distance. Yamame screwed her eyes shut, and hugged Rin to her chest, knowing full well that at the speed the monster was going, there was no way she could escape it. This was it. This was where she and Rin would die...
However, as Yamame sat on the ground awaiting her body to be brutally maimed, she noticed one thing...she wasn't being mauled. At all. The spider girl blinked several moments and noticed someone was standing in front of her...and that someone was Toshiro. She wasn't sure as to how he was doing it, but for a moment she saw a flashing pattern or blue diamond shaped projections manifesting in front of Toshiro, the barrier appearing to keep the monster at bay before it faded completely and Toshiro screamed as loud as he could, as he angrily brought the lead pipe down onto the cat's head slamming it to the ground a disgusting splattering sound emanating from in front of him the moment the pipe made impact with the monster's skull. Seconds after, silence returned to the alley as Toshiro fell to his knees his breathing uneven and heavy. Whatever he just did...really put out all of his energy reserves. But for now...the beast appears to have been felled.
Or so they thought...
The monsters body began to convulse wildly as a thick mist of darkness began to rise from it's writhing form. "Wh-wha?" Toshiro wheeze before his world become nothing but darkness as the cat exploded just a few inches away from his body...
---------
"...T...sh..o.."
Wh..what...?
"To...shi...ro..."
Yamame...is that you...?
"Toshiro...Toshiro are you okay?" Indeed it was Yamame, the tsuchigumo having came to sit by Toshiro's fallen frame and trying to rouse him from his unconciousness. With limited success up until now.
"Mmm...what...happened?" Toshiro questioned his vision slowly beginning to return to normal as he lay eyes on a, now relieved, Yamame who still held Orin in her arms. She must be unconcious as well. "...And why do I suddenly feel like eating fish...?"
"You're okay...thank goodness..." Yamame sighed in relief as she plopped back onto her bottom and looked over to the now rising Toshiro who shook his head to regain some senses. Apparently he was asking why he suddenly had a craving for fish...as strange as the question sounded, Yamame actually had an answer for it. Albeit, one that she wasn't sure how to word correctly given the answer is as weird and random as the question itself. "Yeah...about that...Uhm...I don't know how to say this but, you've been turned into a cat person..."
Toshiro paused and gave Yamame a blank look. "...A what now...?"
"Feel on top of your head, Toshiro..."
Toshiro blinked for a moment, before doing as he was told and felt atop his head...much to his suprise, he felt that there were two fuzzy feline ears atop his blonde head. The moment he touched them his eyes went wide with shock. "What the-!?" Toshiro stammered looking at Yamame who simply shrugged. "How...WHY am I a cat!?"
"I'm not sure...you suddenly sprouted them after that other cat exploded." Yamame replied before hesitating and thinking on those words for a moment. "Hmm...I guess that monster is the cause of it then."
Toshiro could only manage a long string of incoherent babbles his mind working at an otherworldly speed to find an explanation as to how an exploding cat monster could transform him into one of those catpeople knock-offs that was so rampant in many anime shows and games these days. However, as much as he wanted to know as to how he transformed...there was still the worry of being returned to normal. Was he going to stay like this for the rest of his life? Was his children going to inherit this weird condition?
"Let's just go back to the shrine for now..." Yamame suggested knowing that there wasn't going to be any good coming out of sitting her trying to explain things to Toshiro. "I suppose that doctor would know on what to do with this...although knowing her she'll probably try to poison you with some other drug of hers." Yamame really didn't seem to like Eirin that much...or rather she was just untrusting of her.
*** Present Day ***
"Rin...cut it out..." Toshiro droned sleepily, pulling his yellow tail away from the kasha who was playfully batting at it. Rin had managed to recover some from the inital fight they were in sometime ago. Had it not been for Yamame catching her, Rin's condition would have been far worse. But she wasn't moving around as much as she used to, in fact this was the most she's moved all morning.
"Aww, don't be a party pooper, Toshiro." Yamame chuckled as she lay on her bed and watched as Toshiro gave up on trying to keep his tail away from Rin and simply decdided to let her do what she would with it. "This is the most I've ever seen you two do together. It's nice to see the both of you getting along for once."
"I can only wonder why she's hanging out with me now..." Toshiro mumbled sarcastically. However not dismissing Yamame's words entirely. Toshiro could see that he and the kasha...didn't really get along at first. But now, she at least seemed to be warming up to him, and not trying to claw his eyes out or anything else of that sort. Figures that something he didn't like would bring Rin joy...but still it made him think of if she really did enjoy him being a cat like she was. He could only wonder. Either way, he was up and so were Yamame and Rin (obviously), so maybe it would be a good idea to simply rise for the morning and get some breakfast? "You guys hungry? I...dunno what these folks have for to though."
"Ah, that was part of the reason why we're awake." Yamame said Toshiro giving her his usual expressions of confusion. "We were waiting on you to get up, Toshiro."
"Oh...sorry, I guess being a cat means you sleep longer...or something..." Toshiro apologize scratching behind his cat like ears. This...was going to take some getting used to...and Toshiro wasn't really looking for ward to it.
ES-Anthy:
Day 6 - Outside of Van Garage - 12:15AM
Involved people: Team Michigan-Anthony only
It was quite early in the morning, Anthony (changed back after the touching scene with team Makai) said good night to Sara who stayed with her family and his other team members to turned in, while he himself made his way to the Garage, entering it and shutting the door behind him. The battered up old van stood in-front of him, the sides filled with dings and dents, the van itself was slightly tilting for some unknown reason, and god knows how efficient the engine really is. All of that besides the point, Anthony made his way to the side of the van, setting his bag onto a side table and pulling his tool box, and a two liter of coca-cola out of it. "Well, this Van may be a pain in the ass, but someone's gotta fix it." Anthony said aloud, soon pulling out his tools, and starting to rework the Van into better condition.
He continued on into the night, pounding the siding to remove the dings, getting under the vehicle to deal with the tilted-ness of the vehicle, with several odd items lodged in the under area of it, and then opening the hood, and taking all he has to the engine, to make it work as hard as possible. Anthony continued this until he ran into a certain snag, a random hunk of metal was lodged in part of the engine, it was a miracle the engine ran at all with it stuck in there, and he didn't want to depend on a miracle to keep this thing running.
Anthony started to pull and tug at the mystery alloy, it gave no ground as it stood strong in it's place, the Michigander kept at his tug-o-war until he realized it was getting him nowhere fast.
"God dammit, what's it gonna take to pull this thing out." he thought, rubbing his chin with one hand, he stood thinking for a bit until an idea sprouted from his mind, quickly reaching into his pocket. He pulled out the small green gem that was a part of his plan. "If I can't yank you out with just my hands, I'll give you me times 10!" he yelled out as he gripped the stone tightly in his right hand, and yanked at the object with his left, quickly dislodging it from it's spot. Victory for the Michigander, or so it appears, but as soon as he dislodged the metal piece from the engine he shot up a bit from a bit too much force, smashing his head into the raised hood of the car, causing him to loose his balance and follow up with hitting his head ramming into one of the walls, sending him to a one way trip to la la land, as soon as he fell to the floor his eyes closed, his mind soon started to flutter away, the last thing he saw was the shine of the green gem in his hand.
Day 6 - Dreamscape(?) - ??:??AM
Involved people: Team Michigan-Anthony only
Anthony's eyes opened up to a world of no familiarity at all, even for his dreams it is completely different, well, different yes, but still an average place, a simple room in a small cottage, a window letting in sunlight showed the outside being a field of grass in mid-summer. Anthony got out of the old cottage bed, realizing his clothing was reduced to a simple shirt and plain jeans, his foot wear, jacket, and bag were nowhere to be found, and the G-stone of his was also missing.
"Dammit where is it? where's all my other stuff too?!" he panicked for a bit, soon realizing it may just be in the other rooms of the cottage. Anthony then exited the small bedroom into the main room of the cabin, finding nothing of his in the cottage in any of the other rooms as well. "...where the crap is my stuff..." he muttered, soon coming up to the door that exits the cottage, the only one he hasn't checked.
"It's as good as any other place to check" Anthony said, soon opening the door to see the outside through another view other than the small window. All he could see was a field of green grass, standing tall, untouched by anything else. The only thing standing out from this other than the cottage and himself was a lone figure standing a bit from the cabin, the person's figure was feminine, her hair was shining blond, and about half way down her back as well, she was dressed in a simple blouse and skirt, and as soon as Anthony laid eyes on her, she turned around to see Anthony, and she started to walk towards him.
Soon the two were face to face, and Anthony couldn't believe what he was seeing, it was himself, well, he was seeing his female half right in-front of himself. "W-wait a minute, where the hell am I and are you me and and..." he continued to babble for a bit until Ana raised a finger to Anthony's lip, making him close his mouth.
"Just calm down for a bit" Ana said, taking her finger off of Anthony's lip. "This, is the state of your mind in rest, well, it is now after everything that has happened in the previous day, making this one section of your dreams walled off from the rest that's connected to your partners, and making me a bigger part of your mind." she continued.
"Wait, so basically you're just another part of me, the more...feminine part?" Anthony asked, rubbing his chin with one hand.
"I guess you could say that, for now at least~" Ana said, giggling a bit.
"Oh wow, even my own mind is hiding things from me, what's next to go bad in my life" spoke Anthony, he looked away for a bit before turning back to Ana, just noticing how his female form's figure looked, making him blush a bit, Ana herself giggled when she noticed Anthony blushing. "S-so...is there really any point for me to still be in this area?" he asked.
"Nope, the only reason you're still here is that you yourself want something from here" Ana said, giggling a bit from knowing what that something is.
"...Look. I can't help myself if you..I..whatever, I can't help it if you look like that..." Anthony stuttered, trying to not focus on Ana.
"Oh? Then what if I looked like this?~" Ana said as she suddenly was in Letty's clothing, Anthony immediately turned his back, trying to keep his focus on something else, and with that he noticed the cottage was gone, leaving only the two of them in an untouched plane of grass.
"S-stop it...I'm not going to do anything...." Anthony muttered, keeping his back turned.
Ana giggled as she went up to Anthony and hugged him from behind "I know you aren't, that's why it's just fun to tease you~" she said.
"...I really am messed up in the head..." Anthony muttered, his thinking itself being screwed up by this moment.
"Oh well little Anthony, it's time." Ana said, letting go of Anthony.
"Hun? Time for what?" Anthony asked, unknowing of the thing Ana ment.
"Time for you to wake up, that's what" Ana said, as she started to wave good bye to Anthony.
"W-wait, I still have questions to ask you!" he yelled out, his surroundings started to fade and blur.
"Don't worry, I'll always be with you, just stay alive" Ana said, he herself was starting to blur from Anthony's vision. "and for now, wake up" she added.
"...I'll stay alive then." Anthony said, clenching his fist. "And you better keep your promise!" he cried out.
"I'll be sure, now wake up" were the last words of Ana's that Anthony could hear, then his vision of the dream world went entirely black, the last thing he saw was a slight glimmer of light, the same shade as the G-stone. Ana's last words rang out inside of his head over and over.
"Wake...up...." continued on his mind, on and on.
Day 6 - Van Garage - 6:25AM
Involved people: Team Michigan-Anthony and Letty
Anthony slowly opened his eyes, everything slightly blurry from just waking up, his vision slowly focused to see the face of Letty looking down at him. He also noticed that his head was resting on Letty's lap at that moment.
"Ah, you're awake now, are you feeling better Anthony?" Letty asked, giving a warm smile to the previously unconscious Michigander.
"Ah, I'm...f-feeling better now..." Anthony stuttered, blushing slightly from the situation. He tried to sit back up but Letty held him down for a bit.
"Just hold on for a second Anthony, you need to rest more." Letty said in a motherly tone, and with those words Anthony naturally gave up resistance, "You hit your head rather hard, so I had to bandage up your forehead a bit" she added.
Anthony just noticed the bandages on his forehead as well, "Okay then Letty..." he muttered, blushing still from the situation. Anthony diverted his eyes a bit to not make contact with Letty's, which was followed with Letty putting her hands on the sides of Anthony's head, turning it so the two of them made eye contact. "H-hey!" Anthony spoke up.
"If something is bothering you, just tell me Anthony" Letty said, her eyes focused on Anthony, while his just continued to look away, his face was blushing red from this.
"I'm...j-just not used to this." he said, continuing his attempt to not make eye contact with Letty. "I...just never had anyone look over me like this" Anthony added, his eyes uncertain.
Letty patted Anthony's forehead slightly. "Well don't worry about anything, you have me, and the others with you now, no need for you to go solo" she said with a warm smile. Anthony continued to rest on Letty's lap, the garage remained silent for that time, until that was broken with the sound of Anthony's stomach growling. "Sounds like someone is hungry" spoke Letty.
"Yea, shouldn't it be about time for breakfast?" Anthony said, looking at his wrist to check the time on his watch.
"Yep, it should, lets go get something to eat" Letty said, getting up herself, and helping Anthony up as well. He was still a bit unbalanced, but still able to walk, and with that the two of them made their way out of the Garage, all the way to the Dining room.
Day 6 - Dining Room - 7:25AM
Involved people: Team Michigan-Anthony and Letty, Team Butler-Entire Team
The couple of Letty and Anthony made their way into the dining room, seeing the entirety of Team Butler already seated and enjoying breakfast.
"Hi guys, uh. Taihou isn't it? Is it okay if we join in here?" asked Anthony, his regular grin back on his face.
"Yes it is, take a seat Anthony-san, Letty-san" Taihou responded in a polite manner, and with those words Letty took a seat at the table, leaving one open to her left, which was between her and Mokou.
"Crap, right next to that, Mokou...Phoenix girl...I just hope she isn't fired up today" Anthony thought, taking a seat inbetween the two, keeping his eyes averted from Mokou and Letty, only staring at his food.
The Michigander and the Spirit of Winter continued their meal along the rest of team butler, exchanging a few words.
"So, how has your day been so far Taihou?" Asked Anthony, trying to do something other than stare at his food.
"It's been perfectly fine so far" responded Taihou, "Oh, can you pass the teapot Anthony-san?" he asked.
"Ah well...okay then" Anthony hesitated, mostly due to his history with hot drinks, quickly grabbing the pot handle. Anthony soon gave a slight yelp of pain as he pulled his hand away quickly from the pot, but his hand was still slightly wrapped around the handle, pulling the tea pot into the air and landing on the table, tipping over and spilling out it's contents, spilling all over Anthony.
The room was filled with a loud yelling soon followed with a high scream as the hot water in the teapot hit Anthony, burning him slightly, that along with changing him into her while quickly standing up. The eyes of team butler soon focused on Anthony/Ana, all of them were giving a weird look at Ana.
"Wait did he...just turn into a she?" Mokou asked, still questioning this moment a bit, soon coming to realization, and following with a grin across her face. Taihou and Keine were still giving an odd stare at Ana, and soon returned to their meals, and Mima gave a small grin and laugh of her own at seeing the transformation.
Ana was blushing deep red at that moment, but gave quick thought and went for a glass of cold water on the table, quickly splashing herself causing the transformation to revert her back into a him.
"Ahh, better" Anthony sighed with relief, still drenched like a sponge after washing dishes, but still relived in being his original gender.
"Oh Anthony, you're all wet now...let me get you an extra set of clothing" Letty said.
"Letty, don't worry they'll dry soon enough" he said, continuing his act of avoiding eye contact, but was soon trumped by when Letty walked up a bit closer to Anthony.
"I'm going to get you clothing anyways Anthony, you're going to catch a cold if you don't change anyways" Letty responded, her motherly tone ringing out in Anthony's head.
"Okay Letty..." Anthony muttered, unable to disregard that tone of voice.
"Good then, just wait here then Anthony" Letty said, smiling and ruffling Anthony's hair, he smiled back, taking a seat back at the table while Letty left the room.
Anthony continued to eat, being able to shrug off being slightly soaked, while Mokou saw this as a perfect chance.
"Hey, you look pretty soaked, why don't I, dry you off some?" snickered Mokou, lighting a fire on her index finger, Anthony's eyes grew wide at the flame suddenly appearing, and made him back up slightly.
"H-hey! Don't get so close with that fire" Anthony panicked slightly, making the gap between him and Mokou grow.
"Oh, what's wrong with a little fire? All I'm going to do with it is dry you off" Mokou continued, moving herself closer to Anthony each time he moved back.
"but...I...I'm perfectly fine" he continued, still panicking from the fire, soon his back pushed up against a wall. Mokou continued to grin, soon making the small flame grow to about the size of her palm, making Anthony shake a little in fear since there was about less than a foot distance between them.
"Well, you don't look like it, you're trembling some, maybe from the cold, wet clothing, so let me just dry it off" Mokou grinned, moving the flame across Anthony's clothing, just a few inches away.
"Ah..w-well okay..." Anthony trembled under the flame, feeling it's heat across his body, soon realizing something. "Ah, M-mokou, can you please stop?" he asked, noticing he was about to reach the transformation point.
"Oh? but I'm not even done, just hold on for a few more minutes." she said, her grin not fading in the least. She continued on moving the flame across Anthony, despite his trembling.
"C-crap" Anthony muttered, as he finally hit the point, causing him to go up in a poof of smoke turning back into Ana, Mokou's grin just grew from there on, soon moving the flame ever so closer to the top of Ana's shirt, singeing it slightly. "H-hey! you're b-burning my clothing!"
"Oh, oops, that was just an accident" Mokou said, soon moving the flame to singe more off the front of the collar and bits at the bottom.
"S-s-stop it! Y-you're doing that on purpose!" Ana yelled, still shaking from the fire at point blank range.
"Heh, you got me, but I'll stop" Mokou smirked, putting out the fire with the closing of her hand "besides, I was just messing with you, and look at yourself, you're all dried up now too"
Ana took a look at herself and realized "O-oh, w-well...thanks" she stuttered, slowly calming down from the fire, "I'm, just rather scared of fire..." she added, moving a bit away from the wall.
"Ah, well sorry if I scared you a bit too much" Mokou said, patting Ana on the back "Just having a bit of fun"
"Well, that isn't too much of a problem..." Ana muttered "Just...don't get so close with a fire next time..."
"I can't promise anything, I'll just do my best to avoid it." Mokou chuckled
"Sure, well I don't know if I ever gave you a proper introduction, I'm...well right now I'm Ana, but usually I'm Anthony" Ana explained, having a condition like this causing some confusion for herself. Ana held out a hand to Mokou.
"Well, I'm Mokou, if we're going on a first name basis" she said, grabbing Ana's hand and shaking it. The two of them took a seat at the table, grinning like new friends, Keine, Sakuya, and Taihou looked on at the two, smiling a bit themselves, while Mima grinned from enjoying the little show from Mokou and Ana.