Mana: And so it was written: Pokiehlember 6th, Year 1, Jinn's Day.
Mana: The sun came up that morning, shining from the east.
Mana: Snow - shining in the early light, brilliant, crystalline - blows down on a wavering wind.
Mana: For once, Aurora, the dawn doesn't smell like cooking.
Mana: Even through the blankets, the morning's cold permeates. Raw, too early in the year.
Aurora‘ frowns as she sits up in her bed, it’s almost always started before… Oh. With a start she quickly gets out of bed, stuffed animals getting knocked everywhere as she quickly gets ready for the day, then checks to see if there's anyone around in the Solar Fiefdom…
Mana: Empty. Empty. Empty.
Mana: And then, there's the sound of a grinding wheel, of the shedding of sparks.
Mana: In the armory, Amaterasu sits, sharpening a sword.
Mana: The one belongs to the pair called "Wish for the Future" .
Aurora‘ lets out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding, looking around the armoury before focusing on Amaterasu. "…Is there anyone else?"
Mana: She shakes her head. She's focused on her work, honing the edge. "It's only you, Aurora."
Aurora‘ sighs, taking a seat far enough to not get in the way, but not so far to make talking difficult over her work. "I take it last night was… rough, to say the least."
Mana: She nods. You can barely see it, but that’s a knowing smile on her face. "This is… quite the weapon."
Mana: "…I've never had to work so hard to give something a good edge, before."
Mana: "Where did you get it?"
Aurora: "…I'm not sure, actually, Veracruz just handed me a package he had for me."
Mana: "Hmm…."
Mana: "You know, there's a story they tell, about the old patron of messengers."
Aurora: "Oh?"
Mana: "…He journeyed out to deliver a message to the Black-Haired Maiden, an order that would change the course of the battle, and that would turn the tide of the war…"
Mana: "His ship was wracked by storm, and he swam through the ocean."
Mana: "He was devoured by a leviathan, and he wrestled its guts into knots."
Mana: "Beset by the heat of the day and the ice of the night, he travelled on and on, no matter what hardship rose up against him…"
Mana: "When at last he reached the battlefield, there was only the shattered remnants of armor, the stains of old wounds, the memories of old men."
Mana: "…But yet…" She turns the blade over, continues working.
Mana: "He kept traveling. On, and on. On, and on."
Mana: "Until even the ground rotted away from him."
Mana: "Until all languages were forgotten."
Mana: "Until the only written words that had not been ground to dust were his message."
Mana: "And one night, he found her, and delivered his message:"
Mana: "Come home with me."
Mana: "And so, she did."
Mana: "That's the bond of the Quicksilver and the Malachite."
Mana: "Even in this snowy world, there are still stories to tell."
Aurora‘ slowly nods her head, a soft smile reaching her lips. "Yes, we’re not finished with it yet, either. But that's certainly some dedication."
Mana: She smiles back. "It certainly is." She nods to a stretch of cloth laid over one of the benches.
Mana: "I woke up a bit earlier than you. Look under that."
Aurora‘ furrows her brow, moving to lift up the cloth she indicated. "Though, I think this story might involve a Pyrargite and a Malachite, though he hasn’t actually said anything."
Mana: "That's a good pair, too. Don't let a good match escape your sights, now."
Mana: Under the cloth, polished to a gleam, is the shield of the pair.
Mana: Its blazon was repainted - the antler sigil it once bore now shines, sillhouetted, by the blazing sun of the Solar Knights, each of its thirteen rays brilliant.
Aurora‘ smiles, picking it up. "…I need to get used to using this."
Mana: "It’s strange, isn't it?"
Mana: "That's the first shield I've seen since I got here."
Aurora: "…You're right, it is. And even then, it's only paired with the one sword."
Mana: "I wouldn't dream of separating them either."
Mana: After some time, she finishes. [Wish for The Future gained Critical I.]
Mana: "This is what I could do."
Aurora‘ nods. "Thank you… I’ll use it well. And if I have my way… If Pure Hearts really can go to a new world… I'll do my best to make sure everyone's there."
Mana: She slams her fist against her chest. "Yes."
Mana: "Bundle up."
Mana: "It's cold out there."
Aurora‘ returns the gesture and nods, before placing the sword back in it’s sheath with extra care. "I'll be sure to grab a warm jacket and cloak before I head out."
Mana: The noise of the kiss of the sword into its sheathe can only be called a shine.
Aurora‘ raises a hand before turning to do just that. "I’ll try to drop by before the end, but I'm sure you'll understand if there isn't any time. I'm just glad for this chance."
Mana: The snow weighs heavier on.
Mana: Meanwhile…
Mana: Alexander, you aren't woken up like you're used to. There's a letter on your bed.
Alexander pulls himself out of bed slowly, wondering where Fuller is when he notices the note. Picking it up, he begins to read.
Mana: "Master Alexander,
Mana: If you are reading this note, than I have passed away.
Mana: As such, I will be unable to carry out my duties this morning, and on future mornings.
Mana: You know better than most the exact nature of what I venture out to, so there is little need to write of hope, and of promise.
Mana: My work with you has been long and stable, much like my work with your predecessor.
Mana: Unlike with your predecessor, it has, at times, been troublesome.
Mana: I know not whether it was by years or the blade of another, but I am gone.
Mana: Regardless, I know you are not to blame. This is a virtue you bear.
Mana: Though the word used now is "Assassin" , my father once remembers when the title held by your rank
Mana: was "Judge" . They were respected for their wisdom and their compassion.
Mana: Please continue onwards and grow to be remembered for these things.
Mana: - Adam Fuller. "
Alexander has to blink back tears as he finishes the note, now remembering the events of the previous night as the fog of sleep fades away.
Alexander bears a somber attitude as he begins the tasks to start his day himself, cooking up a simple breakfast after taking a look in the kitchen, and donning a heavy coat and some sturdy boots over some warm clothes before heading out in an empty Titania.
Alexander can't help but muse that it would be just like Fuller to leave that note out each night, only to take it off the table when waking him each morning.
Mana: Wouldn't it be?
Mana: Titania is glorious today. The morning sun shines over the frost that paints the grass and flowers of the gardens, letting them gleam like sapphires and diamonds.
Mana: The Tower of Jinn, lifted from its foundation, twists gently in the air.
Mana: The air's never been so fresh!
Alexander sighs at the sight of the gardens. No one to tend them, and an early frost. Should Spring come again to this world, the garden is as good as gone.
Mana: Meanwhile…
Mana: (Yes, you're right.)
Mana: Mr. Toth. You sleep a little better tonight, sadly. No need to ignore the tram racing past at awful early hours.
Mana: A cold wind comes in off the balcony windows.
Toth exhales deeply through his nose and rises to a sitting position, akin to a corpse rising from its own coffin. He makes to the balcony, overseeing the streets.
Mana: Snow flows in wisps driven by the wind over the pavement.
Mana: The tram's aren't running.
Mana: There's no one out there.
Toth backs away and closes the balcony doors. He turns to his warddrobe and throws it open, looking for a heavier black coat to put over his armor.
Mana: There it is.
Mana: …It's been a long time since you had to wear this, isn't it?
Toth: "(Hasn't been this cold since…mmm.)"
Mana: There's something in the pockets.
Toth dons the coat, adjusts his greaves… reaches into the pockets with his brass hand.
Mana: A few lucre, an after-dinner sweet you never got to eating, and the reciept from a dinner out.
Mana: And, long dried, the flower of a violet.
Toth slowly shakes his head, and stops to look at the pile of weapons on a nearby desk, ones he's accumulated ever since a week ago.
Mana: The sword, the bow, the staff, the book of secrets -
Mana: Which will serve you today?
Toth: "Hmmph!" He places the dried violet in a breast pocket, and eats the mint. He storms over to the pile- and the answer is 'all of them.' Staff and bow to the back, sword at one side, book in a satchel.
Mana: Winter won't know what hit it!
Toth: "Damned if I'll let the story pass me by."
Toth heads down the stairs, driven to get going, and he nabs a bottle from the empty bar before heading for the door.
Mana: And how bright and clear and bracing that icy wind is!
Toth stomps against the wind. The fire of life is more than enough to weather the weather.
Mana: Meanwhile…
Mana: Of all the statues of harbor, the Mystic is the only one that faces out towards the ocean, out towards the dawn.
Mana: The wind rocks the hammock in outstretched fingers.
Mana: Someone's cooking fish!
Theodore slowly opens one eyelid, frowns as he opens the other, then pulls his coat tight around his chest as he sits up.
Theodore: "…Cold out." Theodore mumbles to himself.
Mana: "I'll say!" Mura says, calling down from the palm of the mystic.
Mana: The sunjammers are gathering their things, taking down their tents, packing up.
Theodore: "S'goin' on?"
Theodore climbs out of his hammock, ebfore making his way down to the cooking fires.
Mana: "Whole city's gone." Mura says, cutting Theodore off a piece of fish, giving it to him on a plate.
Mana: "Well, buildings and all, there. But- other than that?"
Mana: "Just statues and monsters."
Mana: "Light from the earth came last night. Everybody but us, hmm-"
Theodore takes the plate with a nod as he takes in a good whiff of it - then blinks. "Wh -"
Mana: "Well, I don't wanna say."
Theodore: "That… what? All of them?"
Mana: "But we're nomads, yeah? So… if there's no Emperor, we're not bonded here, anymore. So…"
Mana: "Mm-hm."
Mana: "Plus, we're snowbirds. We're going south, right?"
Mana: "Hey, we're goin' somewhere." another says.
Theodore frowns. "That wasn't supposed to even kind of hit everyone. What the heck did he do? Was it that second shockwave…?"
Mana: "Hurt a lot of us pretty bad, too. Pulled through, luck with us for that, all of us. But, hm."
Mana: "We're dreaming of sunny shores, you know? It's time to…"
Mana: "Time to break free, and all."
Theodore shakes his head, looking at Mura. "Well, I'm glad some people made it out alright."
Mana: "I guess we all knew we were waitin' for something. And today, well-"
Mana: "We found out."
Theodore: "Yeah I guess though. Although I'm not… really sure if it's going to be safe to travel? Well, maybe you guys are better at winter conditions than most?"
Mana: Mura cracks a smile. "Travel's in our blood."
Mana: "If the end of the world can't stop us, what can?"
Mana: "We'll drop by your old world sometime, and buy up all the best lunch specials before the locals get to em."
Theodore: "Well." Theodore pauses, picking up the fish before taking a bite. "Spaceship maybe could." He shakes his head. "Just promise you'll all stay safe out there though, yeah?"
Theodore pauses a second, then laughs at Mura. "Yeah, go for it. You know the way from here?"
Mana: "Well, somebody here knows -a- way…"
Mana: "And then we'll know a way from there, and a way from there, and we'll keep going…"
Mana: "Till, you know."
Mana: "Someday."
Theodore: "Guess that would make it hard to ask for directions before you left, huh?"
Mana: Mura takes a step back. Casts his eye over his people. He nods to Theodore, and then:
Mana: "Alright! Dawn's here. It's only gonna get colder."
Mana: "We're leaving! I swear all you suckers better have gone to the bathroom by now."
Mana: He pumps his fist in the air, runs for the end of the hand, and dives, followed by the crowd of the sunjammers, wearing colorful cloaks, sandals clacking, feathers swishing in the air-
Mana: All of them fall.
Mana: And then!
Mana: Just then!
Mana: There's a rainbow, a magnificent panoply, birds of every feather and every color, cranes and blackbirds and herons and gulls and ostriches, soaring for the horizon!
Mana: The noise is tremendous.
Theodore cranes his head up to look at the sky, then smiles. "Take care, all!"
Mana: The marvelous migration south!
Theodore watches the flock, all the way until they disappear into the horizon. Then he signs and takes a seat, looking into the city. "What did you do, Vlad…?"
Mana: The Tower of Jinn is risen up into the sky, twisting gently in the bitter wind.
Theodore fishes off the fish, then tosses the plate over his shoulder. "Guess I better find him and figure out what." Then begins to make his way into the city proper.
Mana: Meanwhile…
Mana: How does a chill creep into the room in Salamander?
Mana: But yet, Xsaieta awakes to find just that.
Mana: Just that, the scent of a cold morning, the scent of incense.
Xsaieta frooowns, in his sleep- twitches his ears, lashes his tail, moves his hands like he's chasing something, and awakens with a start, pouncing out of the bed-
Xsaieta gets tangled up in the bedsheets. It's not very dignified.
Mana: No, you can have a moment if you need one, though.
Xsaieta is good at recovering from undignified situations, that's the secret to being elegant and dashing. However, it takes longer with a chill in the air and a mournful heart. He stands, carefully folds the bedsheets- stares out the window for a moment. (At the City Heart.)
Mana: The deep wound in it has clotted over - it's no longer streaming its energy up into the sky.
Mana: But the glass is spidered with cracks, prismed and webbed.
Mana: There's a deep imprint upon it, like there a deity has pressed its thumb and cratered a mark.
Xsaieta bares his teeth. If the world's going to pieces, the City Heart will go to pieces too, now that he knows the truth. It's all useless, now, or worse than useless.
Xsaieta: "…heh."
Xsaieta: "…gettin' caught up in my rage, so I can't think about what happened. I've been here too long." He sighs, deflates, turns towards the doorway.
Mana: There's someone downstairs.
Mana: It's not Anya.
Mana: He's dressed in white.
Xsaieta lashes his tail from side to side, quietly, heading down the stairs.
Mana: He's burning two sticks of incense, sitting, cross-legged, before a familiar sword - that long blade, gently curved, black and brilliant.
Mana: It's the Lord of the Vipers, Mr. Magata.
Mana: "…I have come to return what I have stolen, before I, too, fade away."
Mana: "Please."
Mana: "Take it."
Mana: "It was always yours."
Xsaieta straightens up in recognition, as soon as he recognises the face. He nods, acknowledging him. "…so it's true, what they always said about your perseverance." He steps forward.
Mana: "I don't know what its maker intended to name it."
Mana: "It is her master-work."
Mana: "But the prophet of the rats, now departed, called it by two names, as her pique turned."
Mana: "One, I think, filled her with sorrow."
Xsaieta: "…thank you. Anya would-" -his voice catches, and instead of talking, his fingertips graze the blade as he listens to Mr. Magata.
Mana: "The other, with cruel confidence."
Mana: "I shall tell you one."
Mana: "The other will turn to dust."
Mana: "Please choose."
Xsaieta: "…both seem so appropriate. And yet…" He looks out the window, briefly, and his fangs glint in the light. "I refuse to allow this to be a story about sorrow."
Mana: "Take it up, then."
Xsaieta closes his fingers around the hilt of the blade, eyes gleaming with cruelly confident tears.
Mana: "The [Angel's Fear]." [PWR12/15. Strikes freely as either a sword or a greatsword. Strikes at +50% to those carrying out CTs.]
Mana: He bows his head. He will never open his eyes again.
Mana: "The things which I thought were important, were not."
Mana: "The things which I felt were not important, were."
Mana: "Is there anything a man can regret more to bear upon his epitaph?"
Mana: "Test this blade as you wish."
Xsaieta draws in breath, raises the sword, takes a few practise swings, light, then vicious- one last thing of beauty for Mr. Magata, before the end, even if he's closed his eyes and cannot see it. "…you forged your own way. You lived a life in and of Salamander. Proudly bear that into dust." His stance turns, and he delivers quick, gentle Lodestone mercy to the Lord of the Vipers.
Mana: It's snowing, outside.
Xsaieta straightens, the tears flowing down his face, a cold wind blowing straight through him. "…it's… not quite true that there's nobody to share a hearth with, any more." He turns, and walks into the cold. It was a question.
Mana: There's no one at the gates to stop him. All roads are laid bare and open.
Mana: Come, o furies of the dying world! Come, o heralds of what lies ahead! Join beneath the dawn sky!
Xsaieta feels like doing some grand gesture, some howl at the heavens- some act of cataclysmic destruction, as Salamander's epitaph. But… no, the time will come for that, and fragments of the world will fall. But not… quite… yet.
Mana: No. Now it's just time… to walk, to feel footprints in fresh, barely-there snow, one by one.
Mana: Wisp District.
Mana: The Tower of Jinn twists gently in the sky.
Toth 's first act in this brave world is to find a nearby hot-dog cart and turn on the grill. Propane or somesuch, I don't know, work out the details. He sets the dogs into their steamers, and heads further up the street, towards the exit that would lead outside of Titania.
Mana: That's about where you bump into Xsaieta. I'm pretty sure.
Xsaieta smelled the hot dogs cookin', knew where to go. He looks uncharacteristically bedraggled.
Toth notices the man, and for once wishes he had a natural fur coat. "Xsaieta, morning."
Xsaieta perks his ears up, and practically goes running towards Mr. Toth. (He doesn't glomp him, though.) "I was- I- it's good to see- someone."
Toth: "Mayhap we should brew some coffee, or you could have a nip of this to warm up-" He produces the bottle of liquor with one hand, patting Xsai on the back with the other.
Toth: "The same, even though I knew nothing that happened could really kill the lot of you."
Xsaieta definitely, definitely goes for the liquor, although he's polite about it.
Toth: "I'm off to go loot a Service ship, provided they're dead, which…about good odds at this rate."
Toth: "And if they aren't, well…it'd be nice to see even them, about."
Xsaieta: "You know things have gotten bad when, Mr. Toth Edition."
Toth: "Very. I hope the Eclipse didn't hurt too much."
Xsaieta: "Hn."
Xsaieta: "…well, I found a Spirit the entire world had forgotten."
Xsaieta: "So, think of it as a silver lining..?"
Toth: "So…there's nine of them?"
Toth: "Feels so uneven."
Xsaieta: "I think… I got a feelin' she's the flip-side to Luna."
Xsaieta: "In my guts I've always known there was somethin' missing."
Aurora‘ shakes her head as she walks along the deathly quiet streets, unbelieving of how much can change overnight… Then frowns at the smell of grilling hot dogs nearby, following it. "…So there’s the two of you, at least."
Toth: "I'm sure the rest will wake up given time. Morning, Aurora."
Mana: The rest will wake up given time…? Sounds so familiar.
Aurora: "And to you as well, Toth and Xsaieta."
Xsaieta: "Mmm. Morning." He recognises the look in Aurora's eyes, gives her a quiet, sad smile.
Toth: "Ready to go?"
Xsaieta: "Mm."
Aurora‘ takes one of the hot dogs for the road. "…Yes."
Toth: "If that’s edible, I'll see about getting the trams running, next." He half smiles, somewhat forced.
Toth trudges towards the city gates.
Mana: Snow whirls admidst the shacks of the Perimeter City.
Mana: There's a pack of monsters, there - a backpack wearing Wallrus, with two tiny black lizards leaping to and fro in its wake.
Aurora: "It's not in-edible, at least… Of course there's still monsters."
Toth draws his White Staff. [Equip]
Toth: "Good."
Alexander walks up from behind the group. "I hope I've not missed much, yet. I had to make breakfast myself."
Toth: "It'll be a bit before we could beat the true antagonists."
Mana: Good to see you, Alex.
Toth: "I'll throw a festival for all of them to show up to Wisp, purely for the slaughter. For us."
Mana: Battle order: Xsaieta [F]:0 Toth [F]:3 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:4 Alexander [F]:5 Aurora [F]:5 Maxwell's Lizard A [F]:5 Wallrus [F]:10
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [==========]
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard A [F] : [==========]
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [==========]
Mana: Xsaieta! Drive the foe back!
Xsaieta wields his new blade, with a flash of light - running behind Lizard A, giving it a vicious slash. Time to test the monsters of Winter. [Sucker Punch D50]
Xsaieta rolled 1d100 and got 2 ( Total: 2 ) for 5/85
Mana: It's perfect.
Xsaieta rolled d12+199,200% and got 9 ( Total: 416.0 )
Mana: Cuts for [416]!
Toth grins. "The snow hasn't slowed you a step."
Mana: Mr. Toth!
Mana: The Wallrus roars angrily!
Toth thwacks the Maxwell's Lizard A! [Attack, 43D]
Mana: Battle order: Toth [F]:0 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:1 Alexander [F]:2 Aurora [F]:2 Maxwell's Lizard A [F]:2 Wallrus [F]:7 Xsaieta [F]:47
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [==========]
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard A [F] : [===== ]
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [==========]
Toth rolled 1d100 and got 95 ( Total: 95 ) for 80
Xsaieta: "Couldn't let it."
Mana: It leaps on top of a shack to dodge!
Mana: And sticks its tongue out, to boot.
Mana: Lizard B begins casting [Gravity Slam - CT20]!
Mana: Alex! Aurora!
Xsaieta: "Listen, lizard, we've been through some shit. You don't even know."
Mana: Battle order: Alexander [F]:0 Aurora [F]:0 Maxwell's Lizard A [F]:0 Wallrus [F]:5 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:19 Toth [F]:41 Xsaieta [F]:45
Alexander takes a good look at Lizard A. [Analyze, 20D]
Mana: Maxwell's Lizard, HP488/904. MP760/760. Aligned to Shade and Dryad. Fears Wisp and Luna. A tricky lizard, first spotted in the Shade Palace. Watch out for [Black Sticker]!
Mana: Aurora!
Alexander: "Target them with Wisp and Luna preferably."
Toth: "Mm. Can't wait to get back to Calaverite."
Aurora‘ follows up after Toth, slashing at Lizard A once it gets back in range, her sword glowing bright. [Burst Dash, 44D]
Aurora` rolled 1d100 and got 17 ( Total: 17 ) for 90/5, Wisp
Mana: Hits the weakness!
Aurora` rolled 1d10+120,150 and got 3 ( Total: 184.5 )
[OOC] Aurora: HP: 760/760, MP: 520/580, SoS: 190
Mana: Lizard A leaps over Aurora and zaps her back with its tongue!
Mana rolled 1d100 and got 64 ( Total: 64 )
Mana rolled 1d10+108 and got 5 ( Total: 113.0 )
Mana: For 113 physical Shade damage! Burst Dash has a sticker[54] on it!
Mana: The Wallrus rushes forth into Xsaieta, bellowing with rage!
[OOC] Aurora: HP: 734/760, MP: 520/580, SoS: 190
Mana rolled 1d100 and got 73 ( Total: 73 ) for C80 Clobber
Mana rolled 1d12+225 and got 9 ( Total: 234.0 )
Mana: For 234 physical Gnome damage!
Mana: Its rage seems to be sated.
Mana: Alex and Mr. Toth get lifted up into the air and slammed back down! [Gravity Slam]
Mana rolled 1d10+150 and got 3 ( Total: 153.0 )
Mana: Each of them take 153 magical Shade damage!
Toth lands on his feet. [R:Shade]
Mana: Battle order: Alexander [F]:0 Toth [F]:21 Maxwell’s Lizard A [F]:23 Aurora [F]:24 Xsaieta [F]:25 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:30 Wallrus [F]:44
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [==========]
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard A [F] : [=== ]
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [==========]
Mana: Alex!
Alexander doesn't land nearly as well. [W:Shade]
Alexander punches Lizard A. [30D]
Alexander rolled 1d100 and got 47 ( Total: 47 )
Alexander rolled d8+90 and got 4 ( Total: 94.0 )
[OOC] Xsaieta: HP: 466/625, MP: 625/625, SoS: 156
[OOC] Toth: ignition heart
[OOC] Alexander: HP: 471/625, MP: 625/625, SoS: 156
[OOC] Toth: HP: 569/625, MP: 670/670, SoS: 156
[OOC] Alexander: oh duh, that's 117 then
[OOC] Mana: 117]!
Toth attempts to thwack Maxwell's Lizard A again! [Attack, 43D]
Toth rolled 1d100 and got 42 ( Total: 42 ) for 80
Mana: It's a hit!
Toth rolled 1d10+120 and got 8 ( Total: 128 )
[OOC] Mana: 128]!
Mana: It's breathing hard! The Wallrus bellows in rage!
Mana: The Lizard bites onto Alexander!
Mana rolled 1d100 and got 13 ( Total: 13 )
Mana rolled 1d10+108 and got 8 ( Total: 116.0 )
Mana: For 116 physical damage!
[OOC] Alexander: HP: 355/625, MP: 625/625, SoS: 156
Mana: Battle order: Aurora [F]:0 Xsaieta [F]:1 Alexander [F]:6 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:6 Wallrus [F]:20 Toth [F]:40 Maxwell's Lizard A [F]:42
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [==========]
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard A [F] : [= ]
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [==========]
Toth: "So… I hope you're all holding onto restoratives."
Mana: Aurora!
Toth: "Finding a candyshop in Perimeter city should probably be next, in any case."
Aurora‘ points her sword at the Wallrus, lining it in light. [Corona, 34D, -60/-180 for (6)]
[OOC] Aurora: HP: 734/760, MP: 460/580, SoS: 190
Mana: It shines!
Mana: Battle order: Xsaieta [F]:0 Alexander [F]:5 Maxwell’s Lizard B [F]:5 Wallrus [F]:19 Aurora [F]:33 Toth [F]:39 Maxwell's Lizard A [F]:41
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [==========] Corona[60](6)
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard A [F] : [= ]
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [==========]
Xsaieta isn't going to leave anything to chance - he dashes for Lizard A, finishing it off. [Blitz D50]
Xsaieta rolled 1d100 and got 50 ( Total: 50 ) for 5/lots
Mana: Slice!
Xsaieta rolled d12+112 and got 12 ( Total: 124 )
[OOC] Mana: 124]! It's slain!
Mana: The Wallrus' backpack unfolds. Is that… a missile launcher!?
Xsaieta: "What the hell!?"
Toth: "Now you're just being silly."
Toth: "(But… I -do- want one of those.)"
Mana: Battle order: Alexander [F]:0 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:0 Wallrus [F]:14 Aurora [F]:28 Toth [F]:34 Maxwell's Lizard A [F]:36 Xsaieta [F]:45
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [==========] Corona[60](6)
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [==========]
Mana: Alexander!
Mana: Lemme fix the initiative there.
Mana: Ahem: Battle order: Alexander [F]:0 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:0 Wallrus [F]:14 Aurora [F]:28 Toth [F]:34 Xsaieta [F]:45. Sorry about that.
Alexander takes a careful look at the Wallrus, though it seems different than normal. [Aura Fade, 20D]
Mana: Copied [High Tension. Every (2), deal +25% damage, up to +50%.]!
Mana: Lizard B begins casting [Gravity Slam - CT20]!
[OOC] Alexander: HP: 355/625, MP: 625/625, SoS: 156 - High Tension (3)
Xsaieta: "Man, when will I learn, if there's one of one thing, and two of another, go for the one there's only one of."
Mana: The Wallrus lopes forward and slams its head into Aurora!
Mana rolled 1d100 and got 68 ( Total: 68 ) for C80
Mana rolled 1d12+150 and got 6 ( Total: 156.0 )
Mana: For 156 physical damage! It's just getting started! [+25%]
[OOC] Aurora: HP: 608/760, MP: 460/580, SoS: 190
Mana: Battle order: Alexander [F]:0 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:0 Aurora [F]:8 Toth [F]:14 Xsaieta [F]:25 Wallrus [F]:53
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [==========] Corona[60](5)
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [==========]
Mana: Alex!
Alexander slams a fist into the Wallrus's back, trying to damage the backpack. [Heartbreak]
Alexander rolled 1d100 and got 43 ( Total: 43 )
Mana: Hits the weakness!
Mana: High Tension is shattered!
Alexander rolled d8+90,150% and got 2 ( Total: 138.0 )
[OOC] Mana: 138]! 30D, right?
[OOC] Alexander: HP: 355/625, MP: 565/625, SoS: 156 - High Tension +25 (2)
[OOC] Alexander: err, yes
Mana: Alexander and Xsaieta are flung up into the air and dropped! [Gravity Slam]
Mana rolled d8+105 and got 2 ( Total: 107.0 )
Mana: Hitting both of them for 107 magical Shade damage!
[OOC] Alexander: we are, actually, both Weak >_>
Mana: Battle order: Aurora [F]:0 Toth [F]:6 Xsaieta [F]:17 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:19 Alexander [F]:22 Wallrus [F]:45
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [========= ] Corona[60](5)
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [==========]
Mana: Aurora!
Alexander quickly rubs a salve onto himself. [Emergency Response]
Alexander rolled d10+120 and got 7 ( Total: 127.0 )
[OOC] Alexander: HP: 315/625, MP: 505/625, SoS: 156 - High Tension +25 (2)
Aurora‘ [Beckon]s towards the remaining lizard. [Beckon, 36D]
Aurora` rolled 1d100 and got 3 ( Total: 3 ) for 70 for Provoke (4)
Mana: It’s locked on! Mr. Toth!
Toth begins to chant, Salamander energy gathering. [CT 15]
Mana: Xsaieta!
Mana: Battle order: Xsaieta [F]:0 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:2 Toth [F]:4 Alexander [F]:5 Aurora [F]:19 Wallrus [F]:28
[OOC] Xsaieta: frrghghgh can someone take this turn for me ><;;;
Mana: Yes! Xsaieta slashes into the lizard!
Mana rolled 1d100 and got 53 ( Total: 53 ) for 50D
Xsaieta plows into Maxwell's Lizard B [Attack, 50D]
[OOC] Toth: o u got it
Toth rolled 1d12+150 and got 1 ( Total: 151.0 )
Mana: Strikes for [226]!
[OOC] Toth: right rampage
Mana: Expect another Gravity Slam in CT20!
Mana: Mr. Toth, now!
Mana: Battle order: Toth [F]:0 Alexander [F]:1 Aurora [F]:15 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:18 Wallrus [F]:24 Xsaieta [F]:46
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [========= ] Corona[60](5)
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [======== ] Provoke(4)
Toth barrages the Lizard with Firebolts! [Firebolt, 28D]
[Magic Burst]
Mana: It's a hit!
Toth rolled 1d12+270,125 and got 6 ( Total: 345.0 ) for staccato, also add another 10D
Mana: Sears for [345]! Alex!
Mana: Battle order: Alexander [F]:0 Aurora [F]:14 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:17 Wallrus [F]:23 Toth [F]:37 Xsaieta [F]:45
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [========= ] Corona[60](5)
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [==== ] Provoke(4)
Mana: Alex! Aurora!
Alexander punches Lizard B! [30D]
Alexander rolled 1d100 and got 56 ( Total: 56 )
Mana: It's a hit!
Alexander rolled d8+90,175% and got 3 ( Total: 162.75 ) for IH, HT, Overwhelm
[OOC] Mana: 162]!
[OOC] Alexander: HP: 315/625, MP: 505/625, SoS: 156 - High Tension +25 (1)
Mana: Battle order: Aurora [F]:0 Maxwell's Lizard B [F]:3 Wallrus [F]:9 Alexander [F]:16 Toth [F]:23 Xsaieta [F]:31
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [========= ] Corona[60](5)
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [== ] Provoke(4)
Mana: Aurora!
Aurora‘ …braces herself. [Steelguard, 44D]
Mana: The lizard finishes casting Gravity Slam: Aurora and Alexander are flung up into the air then dropped back down!
Mana` rolled d8+105 and got 5 ( Total: 110.0 )
Alexander patches himself back up again quickly. [Emergency Response]
Mana: Hitting both for 110 magical Shade damage!
Alexander rolled d10+120 and got 4 ( Total: 124.0 )
[OOC] Aurora: HP: 605/760, MP: 460/580, SoS: 190
[OOC] Alexander: HP: 274/625, MP: 445/625, SoS: 156 - High Tension +25 (1)
Mana: The Wallrus rams into Aurora again!
Mana` rolled 1d100 and got 71 ( Total: 71 )
Mana` rolled 1d12+150 and got 12 ( Total: 162.0 )
Mana: Hitting for 162 physical damage!
[OOC] Aurora: HP: 553/760, MP: 460/580, SoS: 190
Mana: Battle order: Alexander [F]:0 Toth [F]:7 Maxwell’s Lizard B [F]:14 Xsaieta [F]:15 Aurora [F]:28 Wallrus [F]:52
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [========= ] Corona[60](4)
Mana: Status for Maxwell's Lizard B [F] : [== ] Provoke(3)
Mana: Alexander!
Alexander kicks the Lizard. [40D]
Alexander rolled 1d100 and got 8 ( Total: 8 )
Alexander rolled d10+120,175% and got 2 ( Total: 213.5 ) for IH, HT, OW
[OOC] Alexander: HP: 274/625, MP: 445/625, SoS: 156 - High Tension +50 (0)
[OOC] Mana: 213]! It explodes into a clatter of bones.
Mana: Battle order: Toth [F]:0 Xsaieta [F]:8 Aurora [F]:21 Alexander [F]:33 Wallrus [F]:45
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [========= ] Corona[60](4)
Mana: Mr. Toth!
Toth thwacks the Wallrus! [Attack, 43D]
Toth rolled 1d100 and got 1 ( Total: 1 ) for 80
Mana: It's a hit!
Toth rolled 1d10+120 and got 2 ( Total: 122 )
[OOC] Mana: 122]! Xsaieta attacks!
Mana‘ rolled 1d100 and got 18 ( Total: 18 )
Mana` rolled 1d12+150 and got 12 ( Total: 162.0 )
[OOC] Toth: ravage
[OOC] Toth: mop up
Mana: For [243]!
Mana: Battle order: Aurora [F]:0 Alexander [F]:12 Toth [F]:22 Wallrus [F]:24 Xsaieta [F]:37
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [====== ] Corona[60](4)
Mana: Aurora!
Aurora` maintains her guard. [Steelguard, 44D]
Mana: Battle order: Alexander [F]:0 Toth [F]:10 Wallrus [F]:12 Xsaieta [F]:25 Aurora [F]:32
Mana: Alex!
Alexander kicks the Wallrus! [40D]
Alexander rolled 1d100 and got 6 ( Total: 6 )
Mana: Wham! It bellows!
Alexander rolled d10+120 and got 2 ( Total: 122 ) for 200%
[OOC] Alexander: 244
[OOC] Mana: 244]!
Toth: "Hush." He begins gathering Salamander energy. [CT 15]
Mana: The Wallrus fires [Wallrockets] at Xsaieta and Alexander! It’s payback!
Mana‘ rolled 2d100 and got 78, 39 ( Total: 117 ) for 80 apiece
Mana` rolled 1d12*1.5+150*1.5 and got 6 ( Total: 234.0 )
Mana: Hitting the weakness on both for 234 physical Undine damage! Corona cuts both by -180!
Mana: Xsaieta slashes away!
Mana` rolled 1d100 and got 13 ( Total: 13 )
Mana` rolled 1d12*1.25+150*1.25 and got 5 ( Total: 193.75 )
Alexander still uses this opportunity for an Emergency Response.
[OOC] Toth: ravage, mop up
[OOC] Toth: er no ravage ))*(
[OOC] Toth: eff me
Toth blasts the Wallrus with Firebolts! [MB Firebolt, 38D]
Mana: Battle order: Toth [F]:0 Aurora [F]:7 Alexander [F]:15 Xsaieta [F]:50 Wallrus [F]:56
Mana: Status for Wallrus [F] : [== ] Corona[60](3)
Mana: Hits the weakness!
Toth rolled 1d12+270,150 and got 10 ( Total: 420.0 )
Alexander rolled d10+120 and got 6 ( Total: 126.0 )
[OOC] Mana: 420]! It explodes into a clatter of bones!
[OOC] Alexander: HP: 346/625, MP: 385/625, SoS: 156 - High Tension +50 (0)
[OOC] Mana: Got 1800 EXP. Got 360 Lucre. Got 9 AP.
Toth: "Right then." He affixes the Millenium Price cufflinks back to his wrists.
Alexander eats three candies. [Also learned Rampage]
Aurora: "And now I remember why it’s doubly nice to have Theodore around."
Aurora‘ eats two Candies herself.
[OOC] Aurora: HP: 713/760, MP: 460/580, SoS: 190
Toth: "It’ll be okay, so long as we hit harder. But let's see what we can scavange around here before pressing on."
Alexander: "Yes, let's."
Toth starts poking around the shacks, looking to see if one was running a shop.
Mana: …Nothing to be found here but memories.
Toth: "Not gonna be that easy, huh?"
Aurora: "…At least there's not bodies everywhere."
Toth: "I've got three candies, if anyone needs them, speak up now."
Aurora: "I've got 4 spare right now."
[OOC] Toth: also if there's only going to be 3 of us going forward, I've now got Wild Pair
Alexander: "2 candies and 2 chocolates."
Toth: "Xsai, how's your health?"
[OOC] Teakwood: HP: 412/625, MP: 625/625, SoS: 156 - Rampage (1)
Toth hands Xsaieta two Candies.
Xsaieta looks disoriented for one moment, for some reason. "Mm, thanks." [+160?]
[OOC] Toth: +160.
Toth: "Muha Shore Cave is a bit of a walk from here, but we'll manage."
Toth: "The ship is tucked way deep in there."
Mana: It's a bit of a walk, yeah, especially in the cold.
Mana: And the icy cavern is filling up with snow. Quicker than the outside, even.
Mana: …Eventually, though, you come to the gate into the ship.
Mana: It's open. Loose wires are crackling.
Mana: A dense fog is drifting out.
Xsaieta sticks close to Mr. Toth.
Aurora: "Ominous."
Toth growls under his breath as he stalks into the ship.
Mana: It didn't look like this before. Both sides of the airlock are open.
Mana: The inside is dark. It looks… more like the ship from the Pure Land, less organic. Metallic.
Mana: There are… people everywhere, fallen where they stood.
Mana: There's a light on, in one room, way down the hallway.
Xsaieta: "What the… it wasn't… like this before, at all, was it..?"
Toth doesn't even take in the whole scene all at once. It's like, whoa, that is a -lot- of bodies, your eyes just sort of glaze off them.
Toth: "No, it was much more… alive."
Aurora: "…Okay, what I said before about no bodies? I'm glad Titania's not like that."
[OOC] Aurora: not like this^
Toth opens his mouth, stops himself from saying something, and steps around the bodies, heading for the light.
Mana: A meeting room.
Mana: A humanoid figure blurs into flickering, blue existence in one of the seats. Eventually, the shape it settles on is that of the Justification, Nara Odeheimer.
Mana: "So, uh, this… this isn't really me, just so you know."
Mana: "It's just a recorded message. I didn't even record it."
Mana: "So… hi."
Xsaieta: "…"
Mana: She waves, meekly, to Xsaieta.
Aurora: "…Even them. We didn't finish our fight, did we?"
Toth stands across the table from the figure.
Mana: "No, uh, not really. So…"
Mana: "…This is kind of…"
Mana: "…the ship talking, or at least our tree, okay?"
Mana: "It's the hopes and dreams of all of us. I mean, not -really-, but…"
Mana: "You know, you get it."
Xsaieta: "Makes sense."
Aurora‘ nods.
Toth: "…’s one great recording."
Toth: "Yeah, yeah I get it."
Mana: "So, uh… sheesh, I guess I'm the only one who can tell you this."
Xsaieta: "Sorry."
Mana: "There's a straight line running through the center of Titania, okay? The tower, the -"
Mana: She stops, for a moment, at what Xsaieta says. Then she continues.
Mana: "The labyrinth beneath it. It's like, a line…"
Mana: "And the Wisp Palace plugs right into it. It's one of the control measures, I guess…?"
Mana: "The other's in the Tower."
Mana: "…I think we tried to climb into some enormous machine and camp between the teeth of the gears, if you know what I mean…"
Mana: "So, um… if anyone visits this ship, for any reason…"
Mana: "I guess the last will of the Services, here, is for them to seize control of the Wisp Palace. See, you know."
Mana: "What…"
Mana: "What you can do?"
Mana: She looks off into the distance, points her fingers and her thumb forward like a gun.
Xsaieta: "Lady, we're seizing control of all the palaces."
Mana: She cracks a smile.
Mana: "Okay."
Mana: "Bang!"
Mana: …She flickers, and is gone.
Xsaieta: "Wisp's just another place to stop and buy a souve-fuckin-nir. Bang." He salutes, something animal in his motions.
Aurora: "…You weren't supposed to go without mentioning where the Jewelery was kept."
Toth: "Jewelry, AFs…even kP, they had two hundred stocked."
Toth: "Not that I know how they'd just hang onto it or anyhting…"
Alexander: "Seems like a strange thing to be able to store."
Toth: "That's why they call it 'scavenging.'"
Toth: "Let's case the ship. Not like anyone is going to stop us- and if they do, that'd be interesting."
Aurora: "That's true."
Peter‘: The ship’s as silent as a tomb.
Peter‘: Seems like any treasures it had went down with it.
Toth: "The entry to Wisp is in the Courts… we can hit that next. But we -will- want to find Theodore first."
Toth: "The monsters in there do not mess around even a little."
Toth: "And if you’re weak to Wisp… find a way not to be."
Toth: "Augh… nothing, nothing!"
Aurora: "Not at the moment, I am."
Teakwood: "If they messed around, they'd lose their Wisp privileges."
[OOC] Teakwood: fml fix it in post
Aurora: "Though if anyone's interested in Malachite, the Panda Amulet's resistant to Wisp."
Xsaieta: "I'm not feeling the love-and-peace angle right now, but thank you all the same."
Toth: "…that recording said the ship was talking, right? Or their tree, or whatever?"
Aurora: "Yes, why?"
Toth: "Just a doublecheck." He heads back deeper into the ship, looking for the garden they met the Services in before.
Mana: The tree is there. Few leaves remain on its branches.
Mana: Its roots have risen from its soil, withering.
Mana: Its bark is splitting, peeling away.
Mana: The grass around it has browned.
Aurora: "…So it's dying."
Mana: There's a magnetic noise from deep within the ship as its generators fail, one by one.
Xsaieta looks for the jugular, on animal instinct, growling from somewhere deep in his throat. "Why did… what… how…"
Toth: "Very much so."
Toth places his brass hand on the withered, dried-out bark, along the trunk of the tree.
Toth inhales slowly, and attempts to absorb what's left of the tree.
Mana: The tree is gone.
Mana: In its place, a sculpture of glass and brass.
Mana: This place's story is over.
[OOC] Mana: +1 KP to those present.
Toth: "It's… it's something, alright."
Mana: It's not much.
Alexander: "Yes, that it is."
Toth: "Let's go. There's nothing left for us here."
Toth: "For anyone."
Xsaieta: "…how much of the world is going to…" His tail lashes angrily, stirring up dust.
Toth: "If you carry vengence in your heart, wield it with that kP."
Toth stalks out of the ship, back into the white expanse.
Mana: It's cold out. Where to?
Toth is going to head back to Wisp district, to get his hot dogs, for one.
Mana: Yeah, of course.
Toth , for two, is going to head for one of the tram stations, see what the situation is.
[OOC] Mana: I'm gonna reboot r.q to see if it fixes a minor problem
[OOC] Mana: brb
Mana: Hm, now, where did I leave off?
Toth , for two, is going to head for one of the tram stations, see what the situation is.
Toth does this while eating a chili-cheese hot dog, no onions.
Mana: They're all stopped at the depot, basically. No one's driving them.
Toth places his brass hand on the tracks, and whistles sharply.
Toth: "Hey."
Toth: "Their story is over, but I'm going to give what's left of the actors a new role."
Mana: A ripple flows over the trams.
Toth: "Something to keep us moving, and their memory running."
Mana: Prism-drops hanging in the windows, ribs of brass and spikes of tubing, running back along them.
Mana: The tram-fiend hums with smoke.
Toth: "And damned if their souls won't shake the snow from all the tracks across the world."
Mana: "…I'll take you where you need to go." It says.
Toth stands up. "Good."
Teakwood stares at Mr. Toth like this: :D
[OOC] Teakwood: FUCK
Mana: "Climb on." It wags its tail.
Mana: The other tramfiends run off to do their various routes.
Toth: "And make sure the cabin heater is running. We're going to Undine first."
Toth climbs aboard.
Toth: "Come along, everyone."
Xsaieta scritches the tram-fiend between the ears, clambering in to offer a hand in to whoever might be feeling a bit less… enthusiastic.
Mana: Of course it's running! You can see its breath fog in the air.
Aurora: "…You're really getting into this, Toth."
Aurora‘ hesitantly climbs on after looking up and down it. "I hope it’s safe."
Xsaieta: "What's the matter? It's like making friends, except with just one letter less!"
Mana: All aboard! It zooms off to Undine District, blazing new tracks that smell faintly of ozone in front of it, in molten brass that quickly cools.
Mana: You know, once everybody's on.
Toth: "In the twilight of the world, it doesn't make sense to be shy about shaping the narrative."
Xsaieta: "…in my heart of hearts, I never hoped that the world would come apart at the seams, Mr. Toth. But I will admit… if it ever did, you know, I had certain hopes."
Toth: "Head to Theodore's, provided he's still around…"
Toth grins. "Much like this train, so long as we can keep running on some sort of tracks, we can hold the world together."
Mana: It skids to a stop in front of Theodore's statue.
Mana: The tramfiend considers for a moment, reaches into its mouth, and pulls out a tram-stop sign, which it pushes down into the ground by its tracks.
Mana: It's a little crooked.
Xsaieta: "You did good, lil' tram-fiend."
Mana: And so it was written.
Mana P6y1s01