|
Post by othus on May 11, 2021 4:01:33 GMT
Ann, Katsuo and Akabane began going up the stairs. Ann smiled as she looked back at them
"Heh, This castle is indeed just a miniature version of the one at Shinkyo!"
"Certainly..."-Akabane replied, somewhat awed by the interior
"Sorry, what?"-Ann replied to Akabane, her reply was kind of weird, given only the Musashi family is allowed inside.
"Ah, nothing, I just meant to say it does resemble it, from the outside so uh, of course it would probably be similar inside...heheh"
"Oh...right, well, we are close...Akabane, stay put in case someone comes"
The group got to a red metallic door, Ann indicated Katsuo this was the place
"Now, maybe Shi can move under? sabotage the machines inside...don't kill anyone tho"
The interior of the control room was full of machines and computers, Shi would notice not only random Ono-Ha members, but Yoru was also there. The esper was looking at some papers while a couple were monitoring all the areas of the castle, if Shi took too long, they would eventually notice they were right outside the control room.
The Ono-Ha agent raised a brow for Caroline, but she managed to stop him
"Right...I am kind of in a hurry, I was gonna tell your group that area leads nowhere, Isn't Sara in charge of your group's needs? if you need food or drinks, there are some right across the hall"-The agent replied, seemingly wanting to escape the situation.
"You can find it yourself...right?"-He replied, it was somewhat of an awkward situation where he tried being as courteous as possible while doing his job, probably because Caroline herself was that attractive.
Sara looked at Arthur completely dumbfounded by his reply
"Eh? but I thought you- I mean we were kinda um..."
A sharp tone of red began creeping on her right to her face, before she could even say anything Jun entered and dragged Arthur, Just as Jun told her she could have her fun with him later Sara reached for a pillow and threw it to Jun's face, bolting out of the room in the same move, she was suprisingly agile desite the situation, her coat was gone, indcating she had taken it at some point while she left.
"R-right heh heh"-Nara tried to laugh along at Haruko's joke, having actually taken it seriously just a second ago.
"Well...I have some...new materials I would like to use...this way"
As Haruko and Nara walked through her workshop, she began to show her the place around
"I have been collecting uh, materials from my missions all over the world....learned the threadwork work from a woman in Greece some years ago...her name was uh, Clotho"
She moved to a set of manequins that had attires on them. she grabbed one and looked at her
"See, these are black wyrm scales, sewn in with tsuchigumo silk...it's uh, indestructible. even if the person wearing it isnt, heh heh"
there were three golden threads displayed behind what appeared to be a force field, Nara did not comment on them as she kept showing her creations
"I also like to make instruments sometimes..."-She said as she pointed at a Gu-Qin, also sealed behing a display case
"I made this with mermaid vocal chords...I've been told it sounds nice"
She finally walked to a large table and grabbed a set of white threads
"I was in China a few weeks ago...Actually, I was told I am from there, but I don't really remember...anyway, see these right here? they expand and are sticky, they are fireproof too...I just don't know what to make with them and i uh, have this blue Oni leather I got from this island the other day...not sure how to use this one yet either"
|
|
|
Post by Vapovile on May 12, 2021 20:57:49 GMT
Caroline’s face grew a little more worried when he mentioned that Sara was the one that was supposed to help them. “Yes I was going to ask her...but she ran off just now, and I...don’t think I could have caught her...” The serpentine doll shifted. She then walked forward and slipped her arm around the agent’s, clinging to it lightly and looking up at him.
“Would you mind taking me there, please? I don’t have the best sense of direction either…” She said softly. The act was hilarious to keep up for Caroline, even if she’d rather just talk normally to him. But that wouldn’t last long enough to be a distraction. She hoped turning on the charm a little more would make him forget about his previous mission and go to flirt with herself.
---
“Clotho?” Haruko asked with curiosity. Where had she heard that name before? Was it something to do with mythology? Her gaze then turned to the golden string that Nara bypassed when she moved onto explaining the...more sentient parts she had acquired.
The entire scene was sick to Haruko. Mermaids and oni were sapient creatures, and she was just making art out of them? Clearing her throat, Haruko looked at Nara.
“I see! You have uh, quite the impressive selection here.” She said, trying not to draw attention to it. “I also noticed these here. Mind telling me a little about what makes these so special?” Haruko asked, inspecting the force field. Just need to buy time, Haruko...you can do this.
|
|
|
Post by TimePuppy on May 14, 2021 21:40:46 GMT
Sara's reaction... Was not one Arthur expected. She seemed way more reasonable than he'd assumed. She even seemed hurt because his behavior was different now and when he was more under her influence.
"Shit... Is it wrong I feel kinda bad now?" He asked Jun. Maybe he should do something to apologize. If she wasn't as evil as the general vibe of this place implied, maybe they could even be friends. Assuming he had a gas mask with him, of course.
"Hey, wait..." He suddenly remembered what Jun said! "You were gonna send me back here after a few minutes?! Cruel!" He joked. --- "The living are off-limits," Katsuo instructed Shi. Machinery was fine though. Destroy it so they cannot bring the barrier back up quickly. He watched the mist spreading from his sheath. Oh,he really hoped Shi wouldn't act out now.
|
|
|
Post by HungryHunter on May 15, 2021 5:15:51 GMT
Jun was ready for many reactions. One she was not prepared for was the one Sara chose. Her hand lashed out at the pillow, an instinctive reaction, and it became a cloud of feathers. Her hand went back to normal as she realized she was in no danger, but Sara was already gone. “Yes, it is very wrong. Come, before she draws attention.” Jun yanked on Arthur’s hand as she turned. “Of course I was not? I was being deceitful.” She seemed genuinely confused by what Arthur had said.
“They won’t be living if I get them.” Shi hissed, but she obeyed. Katsuo could be very pushy. She lazily swirled in the room, end of the fog raising like a curious head. Cameras. Those had to go. She stuck to the wall until she made it to the machines, her fog searching for cracks she could enter, settling for entering through a keyboard if she couldn’t find any. Once the fog was in, it gathered and took the shape of ant-sized rats, marching out to nibble through every wire in her path. Electricity was no more than an amusing tingle, momentarily displacing a rat or two before they reformed and continued their work.
|
|
|
Post by othus on May 15, 2021 6:45:38 GMT
"Well...I suppose I could guide you, this way..."-It was clear the agent was feeling some sort of remorse for choosing to keep talking to Caroline over his job duty, but he had already made a choice, all that was left, was for the plan to unfold.
"Weird name, I know. She was an interesting old lady....we shared some views on...human life"
Nara blushed when Haruko praised her collection.
"Right? when mermaids take a liking for human flesh, they can devour entire towns...I just couldn't afford to throw away their remains...I wanted to immortalize them someway"-When Haruko took interest in the golden threads, Nara stood silent for a few seconds.
"I suppose you can know...as long as you promise not to tell anyone else...although I suppose you wont, you are just a seamstres after all"-Nara walked towards the case and the threads reacted to her presence, violently trying to get to her
"The threads are...me."-She said as she turned away from the force field.
"Well, chunks of my soul...split it in mutiple pieces, I have a dangerous job so...it's always good to have a safeline. All I would need, is another body, and i've been told making those is possible"
"Are you friends with Musashi Mai? she made her child, with the genes of both parents. we have actually been playing around with some of that tech as well..."
The entire control panel went up in flames as Shi began to destroy everything from the inside. The alarm indicating the forcefield was down sounded. As the agents were doing damage control, Yoru smiled, setting the papers on a nearby desk.
"Well that didn't take long...let's see...how do you like this narrative? A group of assassins sent by Musashi Mai to take the life of her sister attack an Ono ha facility, they damage the forcefield generator and now the only way to control the enraged oni population is to anihilate it entirely. I love it. Let's give them a couple hours of head start, either the creatures on the island or Musashi himself will wanna have a go at them first"- Yoru moved towards the exit of the tower and prepared to commit genocide. Now that he had an alibi, the entire group that arrived would become his scapegoats.
"I'm thinking the Kishin tribe will be but a memory by tomorrow. Why the Musashi decided to give them a safe haven in the first place is beyond me"
Ann signaled everyone it was time to leave the castle, As she dashed back to the hallway, she smashed one of the windows
"That's our way out! Into the jungle, we'll regroup with everyone later!"- Ann jumped outside and made her way down through the tiles of the castle, Akabane quickly followed. They would reach the Jungle in a matter of seconds at that speed.
The alarm was heard and Nara turned to Haruko. Her eyes narrowed but she then proceeded to act.
"Things are gonna get ugly...Stay here"
She said as she dashed back towards the main area. In the meantime, the agent that was with Caroline seemed completely lost, he didn't know what to do exactly
"Why is the barrier down?! Are we under attack?!"-Despite the chaos, It wouldn't take long for him to put the pieces, Caroline was to act now or never. else she would encounter Nara on the main area
|
|
|
Post by Vapovile on May 18, 2021 9:41:34 GMT
The alarm rang out across the building, sending the message that the mission was now significantly more dangerous. Caroline looked at the agent with a hint of remorse. He did have a good heart, showing her the way when he had a job to do. Leaning over, Caroline wrapped her arms around the agent's neck and looked at him with a smile, her face close.
"I'm sorry for this...please don't lose faith in your kindness." Caroline whispered, reaching her head up and kissing the agent on the cheek, followed by two tiny venom-tipped needles entering his upper back. The proximity to the brain would mean he'd fall asleep quickly. Caroline then used her other hand to slip a card into his pocket stealthily, and sprint off toward the nearest window. The doll crashed through the glass and rolled across the ground, recovering and sprinting off toward the figures of Ann and Akabane. It felt bad to take advantage of a nice person...but it had to be done. Caroline just hoped that knocking him out would give a good enough excuse on why he didn't stop anyone.
---
Nara's explanation made Haruko relax a little more. So those mermaid parts where from killer mermaids? It was still uncomfortable seeing body parts of another sapient species, since humans didn't usually make lampshades out of serial killers. But it was at least a little more grey morally. When she started talking about pieces of her soul being inside the thread though, Haruko's eyes widened.
"Wait, parts of your soul are in those? Where did you learn how to do that...?" She asked with surprise. The only person Haruko knew that could use soul string is Marika and her kind. But if they could create bodies for her without murdering other people...Haruko didn't see much issue with this plan, aside from the implications of walking around with an incomplete soul. Unfortunately Nara's answer would never come, for the alarm sounded and Nara turned her attention toward Haruko.
There was a moment of panic when Nara's eyes narrowed, but she quickly dashed out of the room. Haruko quickly got to work writing something, and placed it down onto Nara's desk seconds later. Amelia had teleported into Nara's shop when the alarm sounded and was hiding behind a table, standing back up after Nara left and grabbing Haruko by the wrist.
"You did great out there, Haruko! Wait...Haruko..." Amelia's eyes widened at the realization. "M-miss Miyata?! I-I don't know if you remember me, but you made this leotard for my injured back!" Amelia lifted up her shirt to show off the garment underneath, Haruko glancing at it briefly and nodding.
"That is my stitchwork...if I had to guess, work from my charity? Well I am glad to see you again! But can we catch up later, please?" Haruko's eyes were laser focused on the doorway. Amelia nodded her head. "R-right! Sorry about that." With a flash, both were teleported outside. The fire mage then scooped up Haruko bridal-style and sprinted after the others, teleporting every few meters to gain distance. Amelia breathed a sigh of relief when her eyes saw Caroline's fleeing figure up ahead.
Noticing this, Haruko smiled and watched Caroline. "I can tell you just relaxed seeing your friend. Who is she to you, if I may ask?" Haruko asked, Amelia pausing for a moment before responding.
"She's...my boss. But also a good friend. I just want to get her out of this safely, since I'm her...assistant." Amelia explained. Haruko narrowed her eyes and smirked. "But is that all she is to you?" Haruko squinted her eyes inquisitively. Having two teenagers made Haruko extra adept at spotting specific behaviors. Amelia turned noticeably more red.
"If you asked me that a few months ago, I would have a different answer. But today, yes. I do have a lovely boyfriend right now, and couldn't be happier." Amelia said while looking higher at the sky. Haruko took note of this response and smiled. "Sounds like quite the guy. I'm glad you're looking out for loved ones. So let's do this together, Amelia." Haruko held up a fist in support, Amelia nodding with a smile and continuing on their path with the others.
---
Whenever Nara returned to her desk, she'd find a note written in Haruko's distinct swirly, neat penmanship.
>Dear Nara,
>I'm sorry we had to meet this way. You're a talented seamstress and were kind enough to show me your workshop. Your secret is safe with me. If you can find it in your heart to forgive this meeting, I would love to meet later at my shop. Call me anytime at this number!
>Haruko Miyata
|
|
|
Post by TimePuppy on May 18, 2021 22:12:00 GMT
Jun had taken Arthur's comment way more seriously than he'd intended. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. You came to help me, obviously I trust you to have my back the whole time." And with that, the alarm sounded. "And it seems the rest of our team can also be counted on. Now it's time for the Arthur Express." He picked Jun up in his arms and broke the nearest window with ice shards. Ice wings formed on his back as he leaped out of it and went speeding off toward the jungle and his allies. --- "Excellent work, Shi." Katsuo told his blade when the alarm blared. "We are already a step closer to Musashi-dono. I will make sure to polish you very well when we're done." He followed after Ann and Akabane. As smoothly as things were going now though, he felt more brewing under the surface.
|
|
|
Post by HungryHunter on May 19, 2021 23:26:23 GMT
“What? Oh! Uh, yes, I understand.” Jun blushed when she realized she had missed what was obviously a joke. Well that was another reason she was having an extra glass of wine tonight. “There’s the alarm. Should we-” Jun was cut off by Arthur grabbing her, sentence ending in a yelp. When they arrived she immediately hopped out of his arms. “Please ask permission before handling me in the future. I have a boyfriend.” She added the last sentence before realizing that was a dumb thing to include. Obviously he didn’t grab her out of desire.
A giggle rang out in the monitor room before all the screens burst outwards in a shower of glass. The fog dissipated, and Shi was already slipping under the door, a warm wind around Katsuo’s shoulders. “Shhh, not in front of everybody.” Shi giggled. She left Yoru a parting gift before the group moved on to the barrier. With the security cameras and barriers already down, she poured out fog from her blade. It twisted and turned, layering itself until it formed a drill that dove into the lock. She did her best to trash the lock beyond repair, jamming the door unless it was forced. “Alright, let’s go!” She sang, cheerfully clinging to Katsuo, a cloak of air.
|
|
|
Post by othus on May 20, 2021 3:04:53 GMT
Ann and her group quickly met with the rest, it would seem everyone managed to escape.
"Perfect, everyone is here! we are about to enter the island, time to confront Akane! Let's move!"
Yoru blew up the door with TK and got out of the control room.
"Gather all agents, we are about to begin the extermination of the Kishin tribe"-He smiled as he walked to the main area. Yoru and Sara had gathered there as a result of the alarm
"Kindness? w-what are you-"-Caroline's poison paralyzed the agent, he went on his knees as he noticed Caroline leave the scene. Even though all Ono-Ha had some degree of resistance to poison, the application was enough to incapacitate him. deep down, his feelings were rather mixed, betrayal was never something pleasant to taste.
Nara saw the commontion in the main area and came back to the workshop to guard Haruko.Much to her surprise, she was already gone. she read the note and gripped it tightly.
"I...what do I even make of this? Was I...fooled?"-It was more than a strange feeling, Nara felt tears welling up for the first time in forever, but there was also boiling anger within herself, she had convinced herself people were evil because that was exactly her line of work, dishonest, backstabbing creatures. All of them. She had hoped, just once, that the person she admired wouldn't be like that. "Never meet your heroes" she had read somewhere. and now the saying had proven itself. Even if one day she decided to quit this kind of life, the lies would follow, it was not something particularly of asassins, but of humans to be deceitful.
When Nara came back to the main area, she found Sara, back on her normal clothes, eyes somewhat red, result of crying for a long time. Her feelings were slightly different, but mixed regardless. Arthur had rejected her, sure, but he had been the only one to do so. All the other men simply ghosted her, she had sex with them and never heard a single thing from them again. For once in her life, she didn't feel used. at least, not entirely. Yoru telling her they were here for Akane's head was like a bucket of cold water running down her spine, she was sure Arthur was at least a good guy, if she couldnt trust him, then trust was something she shouldnt practice at all.
"What...happened?"-Nara asked, deep down knowing the answer.
"The group that arrived is after Akane Musashi's life. we need to-"
Before Yoru could fully answer, one of the agents came running towards him
"Lord Yoru! we have an unauthorized use of the teleporter!"
"What?!"
Nara, Sara and Yoru walked towards the entrance of the castle, a small figure with red long hair and a blade in flames walked right at the entrance.
"Yo! Ono-Ha! reinforcements arrived! Kagutsuchi Kagura is here to have a bit of fun with you guys!"-The pressure exceeded by the individual made Yoru frown, the entire temperature of the island rose a few degrees as she arrived.
"I'll deal with this, you two take the teleporter charms"- Yoru said as he walked forward, unlocking gas canisters from his belt, both agents immediately retreated back to the castle.
Ann and the rest moved inland, the island was wide, but getting to the center of it was relatively easy, they would be reaching the heart of the island in a matter of minutes.
The group advanced unchallenged, pyramids larger than any made by a human civilization laid in the background. Unfortunately for them, the whole area was surrounded by a barrier.
"Another one?! this one is different though...stronger"
Arthur would recognize the purple barrier, it was work of Ainu, the darkness. Whatever she and Akane were doing required even more time. Powerful streams of magic pointed towards the charms that powered the barrier, located on opposite sides of the island.
"Well this is annoying...Alright! we are gonna form two teams! we need to destroy whatever is powering the barrier and then get to Akane! One team will be coming with me, another will go with Akabane. form up!"-Ann told them, waiting for everyone to decide where they were going
|
|
|
Post by TimePuppy on May 21, 2021 20:11:34 GMT
"Hey, I have a girlfriend," Arthur told Jun. "But unless you'd prefer a piggyback ride, that was the easiest way to carry you. Well, no need to worry, I doubt we'll need to make a quick getaway again."
He maybe shouldn't have been so confident though. "This is... Just like Ainu." He commented on the barrier. "I wasn't expecting to run into her this fast. And she's forcing us to split up..." Last time, Mai showed up in time to kick her ass. Ann probably could've done the same. They should take that into account. They should also have a plan to get away and meet back up in case there's more than Ainu waiting for them.
"Alright, I think I'll go with Akabane. I think Amelia should go with Ann. If we run into more danger than we can handle, I should be able to get our team out, and she can do the same with her teleportation."
"I will let Caroline-san to choose which team she would prefer," Katsuo said. "Whether she wants to be with her bodyguard or if they will split up again. Shi and I will be on the other team to make them balanced."
|
|
|
Post by Vapovile on May 26, 2021 9:31:15 GMT
When the group got to the barrier, Amelia lowered Haruko back to the ground and scratched the back of her head, looking up at the barrier. "I guess we just have to remove these paper things and it'll go down. Or at least weaken enough that we can bust through." She guessed. Caroline nodded her head and listened to the plan.
"I think my lovely assistant knows which option I'll pick~" Caroline said in a singsong voice, skipping toward the team with Akabane and Arthur. Along the way, she beckoned toward Haruko. Seeing no reason to say no, she walked over to the group with Caroline.
Looking at Caroline, Haruko tilted her head slightly. “Alright, why’d you want me on this team?” She asked the snake-like doll. Caroline slid over and looked at Haruko around the other side. “Oh, just curious to know where you get the right to be held by my assistant? She’s taken, you know.” Caroline teased, Haruko rolling her eyes.
“But no, you have impeccable fashion sense and cute hair! Are you a celebrity?!” Caroline asked. Haruko tossed her hair confidently. “As a matter of fact, I am. Isn’t that right, Frosty?” She looked over at Arthur.
“Oh yeah,” Arthur said, unsure if this was an invitation for him to introduce her or not. But may as well. “Haruko Miyata, expert seamstress, fashion sense to die for, great mom, one of my best friends. A celebrity in all regards.”
Caroline gasped, looking on with interest at Haruko. “My my, you are quite accomplished. And would you look at that, you have your own nickname for Arty here.” Leaning over, Caroline began to whisper into Haruko’s ear. “But I have a better one. Farty.”
Haruko couldn’t hold back the laughter as she let out a muffled laugh for several seconds that made Arthur cringe, knowing exactly what she just heard. “Pfft...oh that’s amazing. So where did you two meet? You seem friendly with each other.” Haruko asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.
“Oh, it was nothing special really. Just saving Santa together to make sure Kate and Cos get their presents that year,” Arthur said. “Jun was there too. As was Dan, and even Erin. This little snake probably seduced half the team, really.”
Haruko whipped her head around to Caroline, eyes wide. “Wait a minute. You flirted with the people on that mission. And my sister Erin was there. That was you?!” Haruko asked with astonishment. Looking the beaming Caroline up and down, Haruko whistled. She was a heck of a catch for a first time.
Caroline’s eyes widened with delight. “You’re Erin’s sister?!” Caroline ran over and grasped Haruko’s hands. “She was a gem, let me tell you! I talked to her just last week, and the darling was doing wonderfully.” She explained. Haruko let out a few chuckles. “Wow. Not going to lie, I’m glad Erin made friends with a person like you. Ever since that day, she has seemed a little more confident in herself. Wonder why.” Haruko gave a sly grin, meeting Caroline’s.
Turning to Arthur, Caroline cocked her head. “Got any other fun friends you want to tell me about? Or girlfriends?” She asked, sticking out her tongue.
“Girlfriends!? Hey, I’ve only got the one, you kn- Oh, right. So, Haruko, I didn’t mean to leave you out of the loop, but I’ve got a new girlfriend. A real bonbon, you’d love her, I’m sure. Though we only started dating… Right before this whole mess, so I didn’t have time to tell, well, anyone.”
Before Haruko could react, Caroline leaned over so her head was at eye height with Haruko’s. “Annnnnnnnd I’m her bestie! We’re practically family already, Haruko.” Caroline joked. Haruko just stood there dumbfounded. How did this woman know so many people that she did?
“Wow, congratulations Frosty! Knew you could do it. I look forward to meeting this girl whenever things calm down around here.” She said, looking over at Caroline. “As for you, who are you? Your social connections seem to spread as far as mine.” “Oooooooh, just a friendly snake who loves people. Here’s my card, call me anytime.” Giving the card and a wink, Caroline skipped off to remove more charms.
Haruko turned the card over in her hands for a few seconds, then looked at Arthur with a blank expression on her face, a slight joking tone in her voice. “Be honest, how much did my sister pay that woman?”
---
Taking her spot on the other team, Amelia sized up the team. The samurai looked intimidating, while the one-eyed girl looked like she had plenty of fun. Jogging over, Amelia channeled Caroline’s desire for her to make friends with this team and began.
“Hey, I’m back on your team! Got a flamethrower or something in that kit?” Taking out her saber, Amelia infused it with fire, making the blade glow red hot with a fiery aura.
“I’m good on that front. So, how about we burn some charms?” She asked, nodding toward Ann.
|
|
|
Post by HungryHunter on May 26, 2021 18:22:04 GMT
Kept at the ready, Shi hacked at any undergrowth or branches that impeded Katsuo’s path, keeping the way clear. She liked this place. It was hot and humid, perfect conditions to pick up some moisture. It was a shame they were on mission and Katsuo couldn’t take his shirt off. She was distracted enough by the thought to crash into the barrier, dissipating into a cloud of steam from the impact. “Hey!” She tangled herself back together to rest on Katsuo’s shoulder. “Ainu?” She asked. She didn’t know that name. Must be another of these wretched Ono-ha types. They were a bad clan. She had slowly grown to tolerate the Musashi, but the other clans were still scary unknowns.
Jun didn’t crash into the barrier, but she was more miserable regardless. She couldn’t stand the jungle. It made her sweaty and miserable. Her hair hanged limp, losing its curls. In general, she felt disgusting, and she didn’t even have Gan here to kiss her and remind her that she was beautiful. The Shattered One gave her that reminder, but it was hollow from him. He didn’t mean it, he was just being nice. The demon really had no concept of a beautiful human. They were too soft and impermanent to please him aesthetically, and he didn’t have anything resembling a sexuality.
“Fine.” She accepted their teams splitting up. Hopefully Akane was holed up in a nice cool cave or something. She couldn’t take much more of this. “Oh, not youuuuu.” Something invisible whined when she joined Katsuo’s team. “Quiet, ghost. I have no interest in your wielder. I have a boyfriend.” Jun recognized Shi by her annoying tone. How did such an ancient creature sound so much like a whiny teenager? “Ann Parker? I assume you will be leading us. What would you like to start with?” She asked.
|
|
|
Post by othus on May 28, 2021 1:15:34 GMT
"I got just the right thing! When the time comes, of course!" Ann smiled at Amelia and materialized her Metal Gear equipment "Alright, let's move!"The teams stormed into opposite directions of the Isle, headed towards the powersource of the barrier, Akabane looked at her team and smiled, she knew everyone, well, sort of. "Ah, looks like you are all getting along so nicely! now i feel kinda left out!"-She told them "I'm just kidding of course! Not sure what kind of stuff we'll find ahead, but let's all give our best, alright?!"
Ann and the rest moved towards their destination, in the distance, the Ono-ha Castle was still in sight, slight tremors could even be felt across the water "Looks like someone stalled the Ono-Ha for us, there's combat in the distance...now, talking about Ainu, she's basically a Dark Mage, we took her down literally the day before, I guess we now know why Akane brought her to this island"
Ann destroyed the vegetation with a Musashi standard issue blade, soon they would find an actual dirt road. "Looks like we can follow this...doesn't seem hard enough! I think we might be able to beat the other team at undoing the seal at this pace! Oh, by the way, I'm Ann, Akane and I are friends from college and, well, we have been together since. pleased to meet y'all!"
|
|
|
Post by Vapovile on May 30, 2021 3:59:12 GMT
Hearing Akabane say she felt left out, Caroline made her way next to her and smiled. "Aw, now that won't do at all! You seem like a lovely girl as well. Not sure if we've been properly introduced...but I'm Caroline. Just your local friendly snake that loves people." Caroline turned her head up confidently.
"Soooo...tell me an interesting fact about yourself. You're now part of the unique hair color club, by the way." Caroline glanced at Akabane's hair, then smiled and continued to keep up.
Meanwhile, Haruko stuck next to Arthur. "So, how's Love and Ariana going? They still on an off phase?" She asked, rolling her eyes slightly. It was bad enough with Cosmina and Kate dating, she couldn't imagine what it was like with Loveline.
---
"If they're distracting those guys, they must be pretty strong..." Amelia commented, knowing someone like Yoru was probably far above her own skills, not even mentioning Nara or Sara. She gave a wave when Ann introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you too! Got any insight on how we can beat this friend of yours?" Amelia asked, knowing that someone that's this high in a warrior clan probably dwarfs her skill with a sword. It was lucky they had plenty of other people around to help. Her main focus though was keeping Caroline safe.
|
|
|
Post by HungryHunter on Jun 2, 2021 3:36:24 GMT
“College? Akane has a degree?” Jun didn’t peg the Muashi as going for western education. It was extra strange that she apparently got her degree in the USA instead of Japan. Or did Ann go to Japan for her education? “Where did you go to college?” She asked as they stepped onto the path. It instantly made her a little happier. A sign of civilization! “We should be careful about this road. I bet the onis didn’t make it.” Shi said. “The Ono-Ha are distracted and roads are nice. We shall stay on it.” Jun insisted.
|
|
|
Post by TimePuppy on Jun 3, 2021 20:29:00 GMT
"Oh, no, last I heard they were still on. Think they're close to setting a new record." Arthur chuckled. "You know how teen girls are. At least they seem happy usually." Radiant, even. Maybe he was just seeing what he wanted, of course. He cared about both of them and wanted them to be happy.
"What about Cas and Kate? They find anyone to go steady with yet? Or turbulently, at least?"
Of course, Arthur couldn't help but overheard Caroline's conversation with Akabane. "Oy, don't go making up weird clubs now. Surely a seductress like you noticed all of us have different hair." He pointed at himself and Haruko. Black and pink. With Caroline's green and Akabane's white, none of them had the same hair color. "Even on the other team, you've got Ann and the samurai guy, but Ann has a yellow streak at least." --- "I have heard of Akane-dono's studies," Katsuo told Jun. "One cannot deny she is a hard worker, graduating with honors even. It is a great honor to serve someone who polishes their mind as well as their skills." He took a different method to polishing his mind though. He'd started practicing poetry recently, writing haiku in particular, though he only shared it with Shi and his student, Fu Koga. Critique was a necessary part of improvement, even if it came from an overly loyal sword and a still growing student. He wanted to get opinions from others, but he wanted to improve more first. If the novels he'd read were right, being a warrior poet was a big boost in prestige.
|
|
|
Post by othus on Jun 4, 2021 22:10:10 GMT
Back at the beach, more and more reinforcements arrived. Akane's agent group came along with Mai and a few known faces. Yui Shimatsu, the slayer of the Kodokan branch, as well as Laura crown, HWBC fighter
"What's up, bitches?! we came to play a bit! oh man, we are all going to trial after this, arent we? Nobody messes with my family, pricks!"- Mai laughed and signaled Akane's agents to charge
Yoru, who at that point was battling Kagura in the sky, focused on the teleporter and destroyed it.
"Well...doesn't matter, we have enough people to keep you all more than entertained!"
"Uh, yes, it's as Katsuo said, we both studied at the university of Texas...she's a psychologist, valedictorian of her class and all that"-Ann replied scratching her head, it was somewhat uncomfortable listening to all the high praise Akane got while she was just a dropout.
"It's...hard to say how we can exploit her weakeness. I know one of her arms is permanently damaged, and her lower torso too. I would appreciate if you tried not to aim there however...she's been wanting to have kids and, her injury there already has her in a very delicate condition"
The team followed the road until they got to the village, buildings in traditional Japanese motifs laid around, they were more crude than those at Shinkyo or Japan, but they were clearly larger. Oddly enough, the entire village and the surrounding mountains were snowing, one was abnormally frozen almost in its entirety, it was almost like the island's climate was split altogether. Just as they were about to set foot in the village, a large arrow was shot right before them.
"Do not move, Musashi!"-A shadow shouted as it jumped off the top of one of the buildings. It was female Oni. Red skin, long pants and just bandages covering her chest. She raised her club and pointed it at the group.
"Uh, hi, sorry we are not enemies, we just-"
"I know why you are here. My name is Ai, the skullcrsuher. You want to destroy Ainu's seal of darkness, don't you?"- She said as she smashed her club against the ground at rested both hands on it
"Too bad. The Ono-ha told us we are to guard the seal at all costs. Else, we may incur their wrath. Begone, unless you would like to take us on"
More shadows appeared, far larger than Ai in the distance. Ann looked at her group wondering how to reply. She was never great at talking to the unreasonable types.
Akabane blushed when Caroline began talking to her, she really didn't know what to say.
"Eh?! I...uh, like swords and motorcycles? and uh, yeah! I suppose my hair IS a bit weird..."-She replied as she reached for her hair, inspecting it for a bit. She utimately smiled back at her.
The group would finally reach the end of the forest and walk into a mountain, there were a few entrances to what appeared to be a mine.
"Just four, huh"-A voice came out of the mine. a pale man wearing a black and red outfit walked outside. Akabane's eyes widened and a chill ran down her spine.
"Tenjin?"
The man raied a brow, he did not appear to recognize Akabane. in what appeared to be a fraction of a second, he was right before her. The man looked at Akabane closely, then turned away.
"I see..."-He replied to himself before looking at the group
"I was sent by Musashi to stop you. You must already know... Akane's body has been taken over by the soul of Miyamoto Musashi"
Akabane was confused by that statement, nothing of the sort happened to her.
"I am Tenjin, I suppose you could say I was the first Musashi agent...Ainu's seal is deep within the mine. If you want to retrieve it, you can do so, after you answer a few questions"
Tenjin moved aside, showing the entrance to the cave.
"Wait! you are helping us now?!"
"I am loyal to Musashi, but Akane is also my friend. They are making a body for him...the remains of the Myth soldier who attacked Mikurajima, he's taken them"
"Musa-Shi?!"
"Inside this mine, you will find a particular kind of mineral. It's called soulstone. if a person crushes one with his right hand, his soul will escape from his body and then it can enter a new one. I saw Ainu take stones with her. You all know what that means, correct?"
"Now, A question to all of you. Why would you want to help Akane? depending on your answer, I might not let you inside this mine"
|
|
|
Post by Vapovile on Jun 8, 2021 9:03:11 GMT
Haruko rolled her eyes a little with Arthur asked about her kids. "Kate's dated a few people, and Cosmina's crowned herself 'queen of the nerds'. I'm sure it will be any day now she finds a boyfriend." Haruko explained. Kate mostly seemed preoccupied with her machines, but was still managing to do well in school. Her attention then shifted to Arthur, and Caroline giving him a sidelong glance.
"Aw, are you jealous not being part of the unique hair club? Your girlfriend started that, you know." Caroline tossed her own hair, falling gracefully back into place. "Unfortunately, any natural colors are excluded. Black, brown, blond, and natural redheads. But you can join too, Haruko~." Caroline said with a smile. "The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure." Haruko said sarcastically, flashing a smile back at the doll.
Turning back to Akabane, Caroline nodded her head. "Now, motorcycles and swords huuuuuuuh? Well, maybe we can see if you can combine those two passions. Find a band of ninjas to chase down on a motorcycle." Letting out a few chuckles, the group went on toward their destination.
Haruko and Caroline listened to Tenjin thoughtfully. "Wait, THE Miyamoto Musashi?!" Haruko asked with surprise. When he asked why they wanted to help Akane, Caroline was the first to step forward.
"While I can only speak for myself...I had a good time with Akane and several others one night, and I don't like seeing people I care about suffering. So if I have to paralyze this Miyamoto person and drag them back to a lab to bring her back, guess that's the plan." Caroline said casually.
---
"O-oh...I'll avoid there, then." Amelia said when Ann told her to avoid Akane's torso. The thought of making someone infertile was awful for Amelia.
When the group got to the village, Amelia shivered at the sudden blast of cold. "Well that's just peachy..." The fire mage complained, using her magic to make a small field around herself that radiated heat like a campfire. When Ai showed up, Amelia readied to draw her saber to fight...but it looked like there might be an option to talk this out. Relaxing, the fire mage stepped forward.
"So the Ono-ha are working with Ainu on this, huh? Well if you ask me...I think the higher ups are going to have some questions to ask the Ono-ha people after seeing who they are protecting. It's not a great idea to help someone who attacked Mai Musashi." Amelia explained. "So could you please let us through so we can sort this out?"
|
|
|
Post by HungryHunter on Jun 10, 2021 18:25:03 GMT
“Her arm…” Jun mused. She remembered her bladed limb slicing into Akane’s. Was that attack what permanently injured her? Was it her fault? And did she also put at risk her ability to have children? She felt sick to her stomach. Bile tickled the base of her throat, and her thoughts threatened to overwhelm her until the arrow landing forced her out of her own head. “I am sure we can reach some-” “Let us break the seal and join us, and we can slaughter the Ono-ha together! This island will be yours!” Shi interrupted her. “They’re a bunch of jerks anyway, right Kat?”
|
|
|
Post by TimePuppy on Jun 10, 2021 21:32:58 GMT
"Wait, you dye your hair?" Arthur asked Caroline, incredulous. "As does Hyun!? I thought she had naturally pretty blue hair! I don't believe it... Gonna have to ask her about it later, I guess."
The topic had to be shelved though. They ran into a guy who seemed quite strong. Akabane called him Tenjin. They seemed to know each other, or they knew of each other at least. He didn't seem like a bad gay, at least for the moment. He claimed to be a friend of Akane and wanted to know why they were trying to help.
"Because she's a friend? A friend doing stuff she wouldn't usually. Doing it against her will by all accounts. I'm not gonna stand for that," Arthur answer. --- Katsuo had to shake his head at Shi's words. "I do not agree with the Ono-ha's methods, yet I cannot promise to slay them alongside the oni either. But I wouldn't be surprised if they were only using you, either. Expecting you to either slay us or be slain in turn. So I urge you to step away, before there is needless bloodshed."
|
|