View source for 3100/ICoT: The Sundown Path

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/09/26
|Location=The City
|Synopsis=In all his toil Kid keeps coming back to an overwhelming question... Who else could have survived the Calamity?
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=2, 7, 459, 673, 798, 822, 872, 877
|Tinyplot=In Case of Trouble
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|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sun is setting, staining the sky above in warm hues, glinting through smoke and ash drifting up from the land far below. At this altitude, the wind is quite cutting, blowing in from the sea that glitters on the distant horizon. Thankfully though, it does the job of blowing away the stink of burning and sulphur, loosed from the ruins far below. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The path that the warpgate opens onto consists of a patchwork of tiles. Some have neatly trimmed grass, others show a brassy metal surface with elegant patterns on them. Green shrubberies decorate the edges, growing up by clinging onto stone pillars and arches. Covered wooden wagons and stalls stand here and there, wares that they once peddled scattered over the ground. Beyond the edges of the path are hunks of floating land that show signs of being built upon once. Broken pillars, bits of rubble that occasionally slip and tumble to the land below. Further along the path, those present could glimpse the pillars that would have once held the path up, now hanging underneath listlessly.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now, all of this might be missed by the party for any combination of two factors.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Factor 1.&gt; They are being shot at.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes, sitting on floating chunks of stone beyond the path are stylized gun turrets. There are seven of them, blue, with barrels designed to evoke a dragon's gaping maw. They swivel to track movement, and fire great balls of blue energy. They don't move particularly fast, well within an Elite's capability to dodge, block or deflect. But there is still the second factor...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Factor 2.&gt; The path is collapsing.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A shudder has been running through it ever since they arrived, and the turrets seem to only worsen it. Tiles are slipping out, creating gaps just large enough to slip through. The edges are eroding away, making those bushes hang only by their roots which yank more of the path down with them.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Admist all this clatter and noise, one could be forgiven for missing the sound of running footsteps, coming from further along the path. The source is... someone running. A young man, from the looks of things. His skin is dark brown, and his hair is a shock of pure white, far beyond his years. He's decked out in leather armour with some metal plating, and has a huge wooden hammer strapped to his back and a curious rifle dangling from his waist, shaped like a fish skeleton. But right now, he's packing a huge shield that he uses to block shots from more turrets.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As he rounds a corner to run towards the group, his brown pupils dilate in shock, clearly not expecting to see people. But, he keeps running, shouting ahead. "Run!" he yells, in a strangely horse voice, one not used to current volumes. "Ignore the security and just GO!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The reason why he's so intent on moving is Factor 2. The path is only gradually slipping away around the group, but behind the young man, it is rapidly falling away, a far fall constantly dogging his footsteps.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;One of Homura's new teachers doesn't kid around much. For that matter, one might describe him as ruthless and experienced. The result is assignments, and more assignments, and not cheesy ones that just make you spit theory on a piece of paper. Real, practical assignments, like 'you're going to find a world you haven't been to yet and write about specific subject matter you find in it'.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On the other hand, a little bit of adventuring, so to speak, breaks the monotony of university rather well. That's why HOMURA, and a second girl, a bit shorter, in blue robes, barefooted, white-green long hair, purple and yellow eyes, were here, perhaps unrelated to all other people who are here. Homura wears some fairly standard black pants, formal, clean, and a white dress shirt, no tie, no jacket, a sort of semi-formal one-size-fits-all look.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They are being shot at, though, which is very bit as unfortunate as it sounds when you're trying to get your bearings on a strange landscape with floating rocks and all that. And then the path is collapsing, that's basically great too.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Purple magic forms a weak but (for now) sufficient barrier as Homura extends her hand forward, protecting herself and her companion from turret fire. She frowns, yanks her by the hand, and then both of them disappear.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And it's ahead they reappear, where the path is not immediatly collapsing, likely in the new arrival's path. While Homura's companion just stares distantly at the collapsing path and people struggling with it, the Puella Magi herself glances at the running boy with concern, especially since the path is STILL collapsing and that's headed their way again. "I'm going to take a guess you're from around here. While we're running, care to summarize what we just walked into?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:877|Linne (877)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Linne K. Park, upon hearing of a new world by the Confederate sensors, decided that a stroll was in order. Her Stress had been quickly mounting after the loss of her employer to forces unknown, and so she's put on her best uniform, packed up her usual tools in a suitcase just in case she could fish up some temporary employment, and sets out. A glorious floating path is before her, but she can hardly tell that for the most part. Only when those turrets start firing and a young man's voice calls out does she get the hint. <br /><br /> The destruction around her is picked up by vague taps with her cane, but that soon all ceases to matter with the unfolding chaos. <br /><br /> "Ah! Collapsing!? Is this a brid...yes, coming young Master!" The normally composed maid finds herself caught off guard with bullets and falling tiles, and thus doesn't hold back. She breaks into high leaps with a tiny push from her Stand from within. She doesn't fully manifest it, but a small tinge of gunmetal grey can be spied occasionally when she leaps or otherwise grabs onto something to use as cover from the bullets. <br /><br /> Thankfully she remembers to keep her arms near her side every leap. She'd likely make decent time down the path. <br /><br /> "Whom is firing at us?" She calls out. She doesn't /hear/ any breaths or heartbeats coming from the turrets. <br /><br /> "Automated security?" A few stray shots do get near her amidst her leaps, but most are blocked by her suitcase. Is that thing made of metal? Curiously, one or two luckier bullets solidify and fall, rolling off the edge of the tiles.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:459|Alexis (459)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It was kind of strange that a new world like this would crop up just around the same time Alexis was thinking about getting back to her exploratory routes as a Trainer. Or maybe it was more than coincidence. Either way she jumped on the chance when the reports of chunks of land afloat in space, in a way weird even by the Gravity Badlands standards, came in.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not that she didn't come prepared. She's decked out in her battle gear that looks like a mix of armor and sports padding, she's got what appears to be a large shield strapped to one arm, and a Braixen sitting on her shoulder while a Quilladin troddles out of the gate alongside her. Being a Grass type, it's the spiny ball-shaped rodent that stops to eye the manner the shrubbery is growing in. "Quilladin. (I dare say, yonder growth is quite preturbi--yack!)"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He's cut off by Alexis grabbing him and turning away as the automated guns start firing, using the shield on her arm to protect them. &lt;What be ye doing m'lady?! I am thy knight, I should be protecting you!&gt;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Then next time pay attention!" Alexis retorts. And if anyone is looking close enough they might notice that the formation on the shield that resembles eyes actually scowls at the shots being fired, even as it tanks them with relative ease.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Braixen (We should really do what the kid says)" chips in the firefox as said kid runs by. Kindler pulls her stick-wand out of her tail, and as Alexis turns to sprint after the local carrying the objecting rat-knight, she creates several fake images of herself with Double Team to confuse the turrets while everyone is getting away from the breaking road.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:822|Zen (822)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amid the chaos of falling platforms and a seemingly endless stream of bullets from the turrets on the far side of the area, something watches. The Kid in particular would feel as though Pyth, the Bull God of War, were breathing at his neck -- it's a sensation that permeates his being even when so many other killer obstacles stand along the swiftly eroding Sundown Path. Where's it coming from, though? All he could really say is in front of him, but his intuition is telling him that the answer is more specific than that. These eyes are observing him fromt the site of the Core. After all, why else would the road have begun to fall around him? Still, patience. He - and indeed, all of those who find themselves in this place - will learn nothing if they can't emerge in one piece. Worrying too much about what they find later will only keep them from making way.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In a world where it seems everything is coming apart at the seams, this veiled presence is the only thing that stays stationary. It rests on bended knee, perched upon the only patch of land that is able to keep itself aloft. Seems even they can't just sit back and enjoy a good show, though; it soon looks to another shade, one on its shoulder. It gives two quick snaps of its fingers before pointing her hand forward, like a pretend firearm. The second shade gives only a nod before departing its master's side. It may well be the only creature insane enough to travel against the flow of the falling land, preferring instead to make way for The Kid and the new arrivals.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It may seem less crazy, though, when one notes that it can fly. This creature, an oversized tropical woodpecker with a spiked coiffure, a blue-emerald down, and an eyepatch hung on the left side of its face, travels confidently, dauntlessly onward. Its gaze cycles between Homura, Linne, Alexis, The Kid -- none escape its prying glare. It circles around them for a while, gradually lowering its altitude. Its intentions remain nebulous. Its expression stays stern. This may make Linne somewhat nervous as they finally come down to fly aside her run, yet...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;... yet in the end, he does nothing. He simply locks his claws around Linne's shoulder before casually nipping at his right wing. He coolly studies the group in its entirety before looking back to Linne again. His one visible eye betrays no emotion, but if she didn't know any better she might imagine a faint, coy smile on the avian's countenance. He knows that she won't bother to oust him from his eyrie -- not when she's in the process of running for her life. So he just gets comfortable, continuing to simply observe for the time being.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What a bizzare creature.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:673|Rory White (673)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"What...?! Turrets?!" No sooner is Rory clear of the warp gate than she's under fire! Well there is a REASON she chose to wore her metamaterial form-fitting armor instead of the typical SCIENCE! robe... that being, the possibility of trouble. Which is why some personal weapons are clipped to the armor's belts.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She ponders just backpedaling through the warp gate again, maybe taking the Odyssey for a flyover... LIKE ORIGINALLY PLANNED...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But then one of the tiles just behind her crumbles. Panicking, Rory dives forward and just starts RUNNING. "We just got here! Why is it already violent?!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;COMPLETE DISBELIEF! yes. It's ALWAYS so violent!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But if there really is someone up here they might need help...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Luckily though there IS someone around. Whoever this Kid is, Rory pauses only briefly. A glance to the others who've emerged later and she's OFF after him!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:872|Shadowed Aesthetic (872)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not going to lie-- Shadowed Aesthetic's initial concern is going to be the turrets. So that very pretty person who's been following the group along the way, the pale one with the purple eyes, is going to change a little. In fact the person is going to turn quickly into a person obviously made of artificial materials.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then Shadowed Aesthetic is going to get moving. Fast. A tiny alteration to his personal gravity and he's suddenly lighter. Though he can't make himself TOO light, he can't risk getting pushed off of the landmass by winds, even as it collapses. But with his now-lighter frame he's going to be leaping to join the others in retreat.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"This is a severe breach of protocol! Someone has absolutely NO concept whatsoever of the proper way to greet visitors," Shadowed Esthetic comments. He's not blaming anyone here, the young man who was here when they arrived. Clearly it's not the fault of anyone here, they're ALL running.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;During the retreat Shadowed Aesthetic doesn't attack the turrets. He's made for infiltration and spying, not full-on attack! But considering he's basically power-leaping down a collapsing path, he'll assist whoever seems to need it, since that might put him in a position to do so if someone falls behind.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rory wasn't alone Kotone was along side her long time friend and partner in adventure, or is that trouble? It's hard to know but here the cybor is with hwer AGI friend. <br /><br /> "I have no idea! but I'd not stop running!" <br /><br /> Kotone is sprinting now as she keeps uyp haindly with Rory and she does give chase.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura's time shenanigans makes the young man immediately leap to the side to get away from her. It's not a surprised flinch, more a motion borne of experience, to quickly back away from an ambush. His hand had drifted to grasp that odd rifle, but he releases it when he sees Homura intended no harm.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You lot aren't from here, are you?" he asks while still running. He doesn't sound out of breath at all, but anyone who gets near him might catch the smell of alcohol on his breath. His gait doesn't suggest drunkedness, but that's a pretty heavy scent... "I'll be happy to explain when we're not about to die. MOVE!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As the young man approaches, the full extent of the turrets' capabilities are revealed!... clearly, they're not all that strong. Linne's Stand shenanigans work quite well, as she grabs debris and yanks up tiles to use as shields. The shots explode on contact with the makeshift barriers, while a couple of them drop like a rock... smashing through the underfoot tiles, creating new gaps that people could easily trip on or fall into!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for Alexis, her shield handily soaks up the shots, some of them actually just deflecting right off. Kindler's Double Team is remarkably effective, the turrets firing at the clones to no avail! But those missed or deflected shots have to go somewhere... and that somewhere is into the bases of several pillars ahead of the group, making them fall to become obstacles on their path!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The young man glares daggers as the Pecker perches on Linne's shoulder. "The one thing the Calamity couldn't take away... get outta here!" he barks, trying to shoo the bird away. But he's distracted by Rory's panicked exclamations, and can't help but chip in. "It's a test. The Pantheon is challenging us..." he murmurs, his voice a mix of reverence and... desperation. Like he's trying his best to believe it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The very pretty person draws a curious glance from the kid. Is he confounded by their sex, or that their first concern is the lack of etiquette? Either way, he lets out a small laugh and says, "If we get out of this, I'll share a drink with you. You won't get a parade, but it's the best we can do." He looks at Kotone, and nods like she's had the best idea he's heard all day. "What she said. Run like the Morning Stallion himself!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Up over the obstacles and around the gaps, the path seems to end up ahead. A curious panel is situated in the ground, dust and debris being blasted into the air around it. Those attuned to such things might detect that strong winds are being bottled by this thing... but drifting around it are a myriad of strange creatures. They're small, coming up to the knees of most people present, dark blue and black with big shining blue eyes. They hover in the air a few inches above the path, but as the group approaches, they turn to face them, advancing with mean intents in their adorable gazes.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Punch through the Squirts and get to the Skyway!" the young man yells. He rolls forward, coming up on one knee with that rifle raised. From the bony mouth, sharp spurs spit out silently, tearing through the thick of them. Pungent blue gasses seem to seep from their wounds, their bodies collapsing like balloons.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Should anyone breech the cute blockade and step on the panel, a burst of wind would suddenly launch them skyward! Air currents would nudge them gently, guiding them over to another section of the path, one that isn't falling apart. Around a fountain, padded tiles lay, as if to serve as crash mats for this bizarre form of travel.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But the winds aren't guiding them there, oh no. Instead, they nudge the group to a cluster of wooden stalls, their awnings only offering the slightest slowdown before the crash to the ground, shelves and their contents scattering as a result of the impact!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Needless to say, ow.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:877|Linne (877)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> The bird that alights upon her shoulder isn't missed. No, her cane is gripped roughly, already turned to iron. Even as she runs and leaps so ponderously, that seemingly smug feeling coming from the bird gets her attention. That gaze is soul-piercing, enough to intimidate even the best of persons. <br /><br /> Linne, however, is a maid of the utmost skill and grace, and so the rather creepy creature hanging onto her shoulder is met with a leap into the air, a flying, back-bending, physics-defying curtsey with a single hand running across her face in the style of those odd warriors from her home, until she lands once more from her cart-assisted leap oh-so-gracefully. <br /><br /> By the time she lands, and apparently during that little stunt, something tiny was placed on her shoulder beside the bird. It's a bird-sized bowl. Fine china, in fact. Inside, there's a tastfully arranged 'salad' of crispy insects, well-prepared fish, and just enough garish to finish the presentation to avian eyes. <br /><br /> There is no possible way she could have made all that while she was here, and yet, there it is, balancing on her shoulder despite all that's befalling them. <br /><br /> The sounds of others around, however, has the maid offering quick smiles to those sounds. She even manages another curtsey, but is mostly concentrating on Not Dieing (tm). <br /><br /> Shadowed does have a good point though. <br /><br /> "Agreed, Sir! No servants to greet us, a horrible, horrible mess left strewn around, and not even fresh tea or crumpets for guests while we wait for the Master of the house? A rude and disgraceful reception!" Comes the maid, sounding more offended by the destroyed carts and lack of tea than being fired at by turrets. <br /><br /> The reaction to the bird from the Kid is odd, but she doesn't pay it too much mind. After all, there's a big problem here. <br /><br /> She laughs, despite it all, at the Kid's words. <br /><br /> "Young master, I will hold you to that and judge it myself! Come, my fine feathered friend, swiftly away from this crumbling, garish place!" A little finger-scritch to the Pecker, and off they go. <br /><br /> And then odd creatures block their way. She pauses, for just a moment to get a feel for the sound of falling bodies. Then, judging she's rushing into where the Kid isn't firing, she uses her STand to leap once more. Mid-air, Iron Maiden turns her feet and legs into metal, increasing her weight several fold, and by the time she lands amidst the crowd of squigs she's apt to make a small earthquake from her landing. Then, she's spinning and dancing like a top, edges of her maid's uniform becoming sharp razors. She never lingers, leaping and moving and ducking away from the squigs in a deadly iron-skirted dance of doom. <br /><br /> But those winds are something to be wary of as she comes across the chutes, no doubt making her way out of the whole event with scrapes and cuts along her body. It was a mad-dash, not her usual caution, and though her metal abilities keep her from outright bleeding too much, she's taken a light wound or two. <br /><br /> Then she's caught up in the wind-chute. <br /><br /> There's a girly scream as she's slammed into a pad, sending so much to the ground. <br /><br /> Cue /another/ horrible cry, and she's pulled out a broom from somewhere, and is desperately sweeping up in a burst of pure maidly OCD.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No," Homura confirms, rather directly.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the group takes to running in that there direction directly opposed to 'the collapsing path' in general, and pillars fall, and creatures appear, the Puella Magi sprouts a pair of idle pink-purple wings from her back, and just-- hovers. Mostly, she follows after the hammer-equipped young man, not actually doing anything but following.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Though, strangely, one might still catch a glimpse of a rocket or two just appearing out of thin air, streaking straight for one of the pillars (to blow a hole into it, spare people having to jump if they can't) and some of the blue and black creatures approaching with violent intentions.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The burst of wind is used to, well, keep up.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hover higher and faster for a moment.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Calamity? Pantheon? I hope you intend to explain." she notes.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her companion, the green-white haired girl, has fallen behind. In a manner of speaking. She hasn't been running along with the group, but rather walking, that dead look in her eyes just sort of glaring ahead. And as the path vanished under her feet, she... continues walking on the air, slowly following the group. No, it's not air. Very small portals are opening under her feet after each step, arm-sized masses of flesh, arms and eyes, like tentacles, popping out to support her feet, and disappearing behind her. She'll catch up. She's just not the running type.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:459|Alexis (459)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Okay, she wasn't expecting the shots the bounce off like that. Alexis makes note of this, and with a grunt stops trying to block the shots and just dodge them while the little group is haphazardly making their way through the pillars that they accidentally knocked down. Over, around, up and onward<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...And right back into more danger by the looks of it. Alexis skids to a stop when she sees the kid go down to a knee and get out his gun. Though at seeing the Squirts she just smirks a bit, while the winds blow through and flap about her pigtails. "Aw yeah. Now this is the sort of excitement I've been missing."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To which Kindler lets out an exasperated sigh. "Braixen. (We're in the middle of trouble, more trouble, and you're enjoying it!)" All the same, she twirls her twig-wand around as she activates a Safeguard to give them some additional protection. Last thing they need is to find out these little things are poisonous or confusion inducing or something.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Alright Checkpoint, if you want to play knight so much..." Alexis drops the Quilladin from her hands. Only to boot him like a soccer ball towards some of the Squirts. "Go get 'em!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Quillaaaadiiiin! (This is not the proper manner to charge heroicly into battle!)" Despite the protest he spins around, tucking his arms and legs into his spiny bark-like shell and plow through the Squirts with Rollout. A bounce and a tumble afterwards and he rolls to a stop at the panels. "(I hate when she does tha--ack!)" Only to get launched by the one that he landed on. He's small enough to bounce off an awning instead of crash through it, but the rebound lands him on the ground on his head and he kind of gets stuck that way because of his head spines. All he can really do is cross his stubby arms and look annoyed. "(By Arceus, I am starting to rather dislike this realm already)"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alexis actually crashes into the stall moments later, Kindler screeching the entire wild ride while hanging onto her head for dear life. ".. Ugh, and I thought the Rocket Base Teleport Pads were a pain in the ass.." She reachs over to grab Checkpoint by his tail and yank him free of the ground as she starts to get up.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:822|Zen (822)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Pecker in question has just finished preening when he looks to his side and notices a plate of fish and choice herbs resting on the small sliver of open space left on his perch's arms. It's quite likely that the plate is awkwardly thrust in-between the shoulder and Linne's head, and this... garners a narrowing of the bird's eye. He glances back and forth, back and forth between Linne for several moments as if to assure himself that, yes, this plate really exists, the salad is really there. It seems that he is sapient enough a creature to recognize the logical inconsistency of this act, so he hesitates for some time before ever-so-gingerly pecking at a few of the insects on the plate. It's good and tailored specifically to his tastes, but where on Earth did she get all this from? Her pockets? These things seem endemic to his world, and yet there's no life around to draw from.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This will likely vex the bird for some time, and it certainly keeps him preoccupied for quite some moments. He only takes a few more nibbles of the salad here and there, though, before he finally decides that the task he has been assigned is far more important. And that task is to observe these interlopers with particular focus on the Caelondian youth. So with a quick straightening of his posture and a swift refolding of his wings behind his back, Falla trains his eyes forward again. He remembers his etiquette just long enough to emit a small 'eee' sound for Linne -- his way of saying 'thank you' one might rightly assume. It seems he has no quarrel with them, at least, with explicit emphasis on the word 'seems'.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Shade, in the meanwhile, pulls a mask down upon her face. She balls a fist in front of herself and inclines her head in something akin to prayer. She beseeches her God of Vengeance to make the tiles fall faster, the bullets to fire with ever-increasing fervor. She knows no amount of challenge will deter Falla, but she can only hope it will throw these intruders of balance.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But for now she can only watch, and watch she does. For the time being, she allows Falla to focus on The Kid while she trains her gaze on Homura and her green-haired follower. They seem to have garnered her attention for some reason -- possibly because she might be one of those with keen enough intuition to realize that she's being observed.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa says "I get the idea worry more about not dying, talk later!" <br /><br /> Kotone's moving at a very good clip now as she move to dodg iuncoming fire. She also has an smg out and is taking shots at the turrets as they kepe going. Hit or miss Kotone is not going to sit still. She can't help but agree with the kids. She heart the young man giving them useful information on how to deal with the things. She'll take shots on the strange cretures as she makes for the skyway. <br /><br /> "You head him keep moving and punch through! Rory keep with me and let me take point!" <br /><br /> She snaps off a few more bursts from her wepaon and presses on head to the objective. <br /><br /> Kontone doesn't seem to be breathing tht much if one were to be paying attention to such thing and Kotone's taking quite a bit of care to make sure Rory is protected and able to keep up with her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:673|Rory White (673)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That settles it. next time? Bringing the ship first. "A reminder is unnecessary. YES! KEEP RUNNING!" Rory agrees with Kotone, nodding quickly to the Kid. She has little else to say for anything else, even though the Saucer strapped to her back - providing an extra set of eyes and ears among other senses - can pick up ALL KINDS of strange things happening from the others around. Homura's propensity for simply 'teleporting' (and various explanations for it) are known. The mechanical man (ironic though that is) and Linne are complete unknowns, as is...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"What... are those?" She pauses only briefly, slowing a bit at the Squits... but pulls out her foam sprayer weapon. Exploding pellets of swift-hardening RIOT FOAM fly for the creatures!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"This is way too surreal! Kotone! The Odyssey won't arrive for another few minutes! We have to hold on until then!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:872|Shadowed Aesthetic (872)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shadowed Aesthetic spares a moment while running to smirk at the Kid. "I'll hold you to that," he warns. The unspoken addendum is clear without Shadowed having to speak-- 'so don't die'. Bceause he totally can't do that if he dies, so yeah.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Though the instructions give him pause. 'Cut through Squirts'? Well, since the gloopy things are being shot at, he assumes it's those things. A pair of fans is drawn out, the ribs of the delicate-looking things catching the sunset and gleaming as they're opened. Apparently these are his weapons, since as he gets close to the gloppy things, he swings his arms and slices into the group of Squirts. But he's careful to stay out of the Kid's line of fire with his dancelike slashes of the sharp fans.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shadowed Aesthetic will respond to Linne as he cuts through the bloopy things, "I could live with the mess. It's the hostility that annoys me." Despite his vicious slicing movements, his voice is calm and even. With just a touch of annoyance.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He can't see R'lyeh's method of transportation... which is probably a good thing. For the time being he's just concerned with getting through the Squirts to the panel. Likely after others have discovered it. When he steps on the panel he looks to view his flight path, and trajectory. He sees where everyone's going to be landing, and decides that's not a good place to land.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So when the winds nudge him over to the wooden stalls with their awnings instead of the soft places? Shadowed Aesthetic just makes himself lighter, so the wind 'nudges' him a little higher up! That way he has more time to adjust his descent, and he falls more slowly. He can make himself weigh as little as thirty pounds, after all. And with the robes he's wearing, it's likely to catch the wind very well, even on the way down. He will have to sacrifice some lift for propriety, however, and make sure the winds don't push his robe up. He's wearing pants under it, but still, it's not proper.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So he less 'falls' and more 'drifts' to the ground. But an object weighing thirty pounds still falls when not pushed. So as he 'drifts' to the ground, as he lands he lands in a roll and come sup on one knee, hands out to his side, still holding the fans (since there wasn't time to put them away on the way up).<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the group progresses, Homura's rockets from nowhere make the Kid look around frantically. "The Skippers?!" Whatever he was looking for, he's sorely disappointed by the lack of, so he just presses on with a frown. One that intensifies when he sees Falla eating a salad. "Don't feed it! It'll never leave," he says to Linne. The Squirts are infants, so they don't have a lot going for them. Linne's bodyslam splatters a whole crowd of them, staining the tiles with blue juices and the air with the curious gases that inflate their form, something only made worse by her razor dance follow-up. Thankfully, her maidly OCD is spared by the tiles crumbling under the impact. No need to clean them now!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Checkpoint's Rollout is super effective, squishing the Squirts underneath him, getting his shell all slick and gross. But the burst of wind helps airdry the worst bits, thankfully. Kotone's shots also rip through them quite easily, drawing a nod from the Kid. Though his rifle seems unusual, he doesn't seem to be a stranger to conventional firearms.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The foam sprays out all over the Squirts, holding them in place! They flail and struggle, but they are well and truly stuck. The remainder are easily mopped up by the elegant fan dance of the Shadow, making brief artistry in the air with the fluids of the Squirts flying off his weapons.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once the coast is clear, the Kid is last on the Skyway, the crumbling path right behind him as he steps on it. He's launched into the air as the last of it falls away, those trapped Squirts plummeting with it. He too, crashes into a stall. And then, for a brief instant, the oppressive feeling brought by Gleph is cut through by the distant sound of a soft whinny. It's the wrong time of day, but Yudrig seems pleased by that display of speed. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kid extracts himself from the broken stall with a few swings of that hammer, easily crushing the wood in his way. The impact shakes loose a case that was hidden on the top shelf, which lands on his head. "OW!" It falls open at his feet, revealing an elegant spyglass made from bronze, or bronze-like materials. "... huh. The old man could use this." He takes it from the case and sticks it in his belt. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Looking at the outworld Elites, he asks, "Everyone all right? Where's the other gi-" And then he spots R'yleh, slowly walking on air towards them. "... what in Mother's name?" He sighs, and starts collecting cups from the busted stalls. "I should explain?" He finally responds to Homura. "I would rather you all explain first. You show up in wear that is neither Caelondian nor Ura, do things I've never seen before..." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He sounds a little frustrated, but also relieved. Like it's just nice to have company, even if they're totally alien to him. With a cup for every person, he lays them out on the edge of the fountain and takes a bottle from his belt. It's reddish, shaped like layered bricks. He takes out the cork, releasing a spicy, nutty scent and pours out a measure into each cup, which he begins handing out.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"A drink, like a promised. Talk as we walk; who are you people?" He gestures towards a gate in the distance, shaped like a massive bull's head. There's no path beyond it, but he seems intent on going that way, already walking towards it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:459|Alexis (459)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Those things were almost as bad as fighting Grimers, with the slime and all. Smell almost as bad too, if the way Alexis holds Checkpoint out at arm's length while holding her nose with the other hand. "Caddie, get a towel, would you?"<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A pink and cream fox-like critter pokes her head out of Alexis' bag, then pulls a rag out with one of the ribbons(?) around her neck and starts rubbing the gunk off of Checkpoint with it. "Sylveon. (You look like you got in a fight with some Gak and lost, Sir Point.)"<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alexis and Kindler both roll their eyes when the Quilladin is actually referred to in a knightly manner. "Please don't encourage him." Then she turns her attention towards the Kid rummaging for the junk in the stalls. "Short and brief version: your breaking world here is now part of a larger interacting collection of worlds and other strange places. We showed up because the chunks of land here rearrangin' themselves midair was kinda odd even by those standards."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:877|Linne (877)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> The Pecker gets a chuckle at its little eee-call to her. As soon as he seems done, the little bowl is swept away somewhere into her skirts. "Quite welcome!" Pride in her occupation flows forth. <br /><br /> But there's more immediate problems, such as poor Alexis and her pokemon when they too come crashing in. With a flutter of skirts amidst cleaning the new ruined stall area, she turns her attention to them. She's over in a flash, broom put aside with her suitcase, and she's yanked a feather duster from her belongings. Should they let her, pokemon and lady alike will be gently hauled up, brushed off, and any loose or skewed clothing tugged or brushed back into alignment until they're perfect. <br /><br /> "There! Much better. Are you both alright? Oh. We should stand back." She'll back away from the landing pad, ready to receive more 'guests'. <br /><br /> As each person makes their crash landing to safety, she'l curtsey, and if they let her, also help them up and do a round of dusting off and making sure they're presentable. <br /><br /> "Welcome home." Punctuates each crash of a person into the landing tile. <br /><br /> "Always good to find young men with manners!" Quips Linne at Shadowed's particular landing. He's still getting a dusting too if he doesn't decline. <br /><br /> And then, after everything, the Kid joins them. He too is subjected to a proper straightening and cleaning if he'll allow it. Hers is taken, with a small grateful bow. <br /><br /> "You are too kind, young Sir." Comes the woman with oddly calm words after the whole ordeal. She does take a few breaths though, catching hers as she sniffs and generally tests the palette of the drink. <br /><br /> Ah, yes, introductions. She steps back, sets down her drink with a bit of cane tapping to get a feel for the fountain, and then she's dropping into another curtsey. That little bowl of bird-food is set back out conveniently as they walk. <br /><br /> "Good little one." Right, introductions! <br /><br /> "I am Linne K. Park, and as you have no doubt deduced, not of this world. I come from a world known as Earth, one of many. Simply a wandering house-servant of the noble Tres Family out for a stroll. And there you have it. A pleasure to meet all of you." Her words are warm and almost matronly, if she weren't so obviously fairly young. <br /><br /> "Wrong place, wrong time as they say. Would anyone like scones?" She produces a silver plate of them out of her suitcase after a pause, then gets back to walking, talking, drinking, and serving.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eventually, R'lyeh catches up. She looks completely disconnected, wandering over towards the fountain and then staring down into the water. Her walking supports are gone, it's just a creepy girl staring at her own reflection in a fountain now. Is the water clean? Dirty? Are there coins, fishes, anything in there? Really, she just likes the sight of water.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura is still frowning, so one can't really pick up much of a change in her face at the fact her grimoire can't behave itself. Maybe an errant twitch or stare, but she decides to take her focus back onto the Kid, and the numerous people who have shown up.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The short version of it is that there's an infinity of worlds out there and, to my knowledge, everyone here is from a different one." Alexis covers some of it, too, so Homura decides to leave it at that.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Akemi Homura. Don't mind my..." She gestures vaguely towards R'lyeh. "Anyway. You mentioned a Calamity, and a Pantheon. But, I think we can start with names. Pass on the food and drinks, personally, but now I'm curious, so I'm not going anywhere."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:822|Zen (822)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Assuming that Linne follows Kid on to the skyway and is launched skyward with the rest of the group, Falla launches from her shoulder at the peak of her jump, elegantly breaking into a glide as he calmly, even casually spirals down to a barrel beside the kid's stall. He takes the opportunity to preen a bit more, cleaning off any errant splinters or flecks of sawdust that might've found their way on to his feathers. He watches the rest of the group patiently as all of them make their way over to this landmass from the path proper, using the opportunity of the moment to get a good look at everyone's faces. He sees pretty faces and plain faces, stern expressions and much more relaxed expressions. Quite a motley crew to have appeared mysteriously out of nowhere! Funny, he was starting to think they might be an actual threat.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As The Kid starts towards the next segment of the path, though, Falla kicks off of the barrel again. As a native, he knows to expect the unexpected; he's not going to chance having this entire cobblestone raft fall down on him as soon as the group moves to the next area. Still, he's not fully recovered from that comment from earlier: 'Don't feed it! It'll never go away'. One could almost hear a vein popping on the side of Falla's head as he turns this phrase around in his head. See, this is why Peckers and Caels could never get along. This is why Caels and Peckers never -will- get along.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angrily, he swoops past Linne again and recovers the cooked fish from the salad plate. With all the surety of a fighter pilot, he flies a figure eight around the Kid's head before decisively slapping the fish against his face on the last pass. Afterward he promptly throws the fish deep, deep into the void, departing for parts unknown.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Just to be contrarian, certainly. Though this will give him and his master a chance to compare notes...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:673|Rory White (673)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;FINALLY somewhere that's stable. Rory is SILENT upon finally reaching this place... and people who know her know that silent means she is doing a LOT of thinking to herself.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which continues for some time after the others have begun talking. She toddles on over after making sure nobody was left behind, and gives Shadowed Aesthetic a VERY intense look for a bit - she has NO idea what in the world he is! - but settles on introducing herself.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Rory White, Argonaut scientist and explorer. If I only knew there would be THIS much trouble..." She's starting to wonder what it signifies that she's wearing her armor now more than her normal uniform... hmm...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm not forom any place like you mentioned. Our settlement is even higher up in... the sky... and my ship should be here soon if anything weird happens. What is WRONG with this place?! It's... like it's falling apart and coming back together... only to fall apart again?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:872|Shadowed Aesthetic (872)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shadowed Aesthetic stands from his landing, puts his fans away, and then bows politely to Linne. He will accept the dusting, with the air of someone accustomed to it. Not that he expected her to, mind, but he's been attended to in such a way before, often enough that he knows how to move his arms out of her way, without the danger of hitting Linne accidentally. "Thank you," he offers, once she's finished.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kid's frustration is actually met with understanding from the Autochthonian Champion, and he bows politely. "I do apologize for the... well, all this," he offers. "There are proper ways to introduce oneself, and this wasn't it. But the situation rather necessitated quick action. Now that we are, I assume, relatively safe, we can rectify that oversight."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The drinks are poured, and Shadowed Aesthetic accepts one of the cups. "Thank you," he returns. Linne introduces herself and produces... scones? Shadowed Aesthetic chuckles, and will accept one, with a nod of thanks to Linne. And then he gets to his own explanations and introductions! He nods politely and offers, "I am Shadowed Aesthetic of Quicksilver. I am an Alchemical Exalted, Chosen of Autochthon, Machine God of Autochthonia."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Here he smiles. "And no, I don't expect you to know what all that is. That is why I offered it, because your world is in a very different place. I fear I can offer little in the way of explanation beyond that. I've only just recently arrived myself."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He listens to Homura's explanation, too. Someone has taken the time to have 'the Multiverse talk' with the Alchemical, yes. But it's always good to hear the same story from mutiple people. One person might leave out things that another will say.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The bird's antics prompt a covered-mouth chuckle from the Alchemical. He's at least polite enough not to laugh aloud at the fish-smack. And Rory's look gets a polite bow. "How do you do?" he inquires. Depending on how close Rory looks, she might note some interesting things-- his skin looks like it's made of something like opal, but without the rainbow colors inside it. It's actually thin lines of an opal-like gem material, running through a white-silvery metal, striations small enough to blend together to the naked (human) eye.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yeah, he's obviously an artificial being of some kind.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa does take note of that, the Kid seems to know what a fireamr is, that gives some idea o this world's normal level of tech or is it magitech? Or just magic here? Kotone has no idea and sh pushes on she doesn't stop moving after all. They seem to make it finally and once they are safe she lowers her gun and then slings it across her back shaking her head a little bit. <br /><br /> "If you have the drink to spare, I don't want to eat into your supplies. Still I'm Kotone Yamakawa and it's good to meet you. I'm from a world called Earth, not that that matters much given how many world's carry that name."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kid does in fact mind as Linne starts trying to tidy him. "Leave it," he says, ducking away from her. He doesn't sound angry, just surprised, like he's not used to people fussing over him. But, as everyone introduces themselves, he nods his head and repeats their name. He doesn't return the courtesy.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Anyone who drinks the drink would find that it's some kind of stout, assuming they have the knowledge of such things. It goes down nice and smooth, spicy and nutty with a dry aftertaste. But once it hits the gut, it STAYS there, sitting heavily. At the very least, if you were hungry before, this will silence a growling stomach!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The drinks that are not accepted, the Kid has for himself, pounding them back with the air of an experienced drinker. Despite such rapid intake of booze, his words don't slur in the slightest, his steps still straight and even. "Other worlds? Places unlike Caelondia? Huh..." His face twists as he mulls over this concept. Looking around, he finally gets a chance to take in the strange clothing, the unusual weapons, the bizarre creatures... "But, I guess I can believe it."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You were standing next to one of those gaps in the air... is that how you came here?" He seems to be referring to the warpgate. "The old man said that they might be dangerous after-effects of the Calamity, so I always went around them."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He's about to explain some things, when Falla starts circling him. He glares at the bird, watching it carefully. His eyes were focussed on the talons, so he's totally off-guard upon being slapped with a fish! His hand comes up to touch the point of impact, the cheek that did not have a sticking plaster on it. "... Mother take you, damned Pecker!" He goes for the rifle again, but stops suddenly. Opening up a pouch on his belt, he counts whatever lies within before frowning. "You're lucky I don't have spurs to waste on you..." he mutters in a surly tone, releasing the handle. He then consoles himself with an offered scone, scarfing it down.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Right, so." He glances at R'yleh as she stares into the ash-choked water of the fountain, and speaks up so he doesn't have to repeat himself. "The Calamity is... whatever happened. We don't know what it is, but it destroyed almost everything, ripped it all out of the ground and made it float in the sky." He looks to Rory, and shakes his head. "It's only coming together because of this." He indicates something on his back, underneath the hammer. It's some kind of gear-shaped emblem, strapped to his body with rope.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Old man says that City Crests have a portion of the Bastion's power. Not really clear on what he meant, but it can pull together pathways towards where I need to go. It doesn't last forever, and if things aren't stable, it can't hold it together." As an example of this, upon reaching the gate, it slides open. From far below, tiles rise up again, reforming the path and bringing with them everything that was on it. This action sends a curious ripple through the air that some might recognize. Some kind of time power... or memory manipulation? It's very unclear.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Autochthon?" The Kid might mangle the pronunciation a bit, but he regards Shadow with a suspicious look. "Only gods here are the Pantheon. Ten of 'em. The face on the gate and on my shield is Pyth, God of Order and Commotion. You'll see him a lot all over," he says. He doesn't sound especially pleased about that fact, to be honest. The path beyond the little market is stacked with crates and boxes. The Kid takes his hammer and starts smashing at them, looking for supplies. "Help yourselves if anything catches your fancy. This place is gonna fall apart anyway."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He actually does help himself to something, a satchel that seems to be filled with grenades. "Huh, I forgot that the Sundown Path once transported explosives. Not since the war though." He puts the satchel on and tests a grenade by lobbing it over the side, whereupon it gives off a pretty big explosion. "Oh yeah, these'll come in handy." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The reforming path takes a turn, now heading towards where the shade has been observing from. Another bullheaded gate appears before them, one that slides open. "Now, the Core /should/ be here, but I think something - or someone - got to it. Keep an eye out, it's a shimmering blue hunk of rock. We really need it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:877|Linne (877)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Of course, young Master." Comes Linne in response to the Kid, though he does seem to get a peer of maidly dissapproval. For just a moment, anyway, she'd not want to be rude. <br /><br /> Off her newfound friend goes! Linne actually frowns. <br /><br /> "A shame. He reminded me of a parrot I had when I was a child." Just the tiniest of pouts here. Oh well. <br /><br /> With the others adquately covering all of her own questions, she's content to offer polite smiles and generally be out of the way but never quite forgotten in the din of conversation. She's noticably made herself over by Shadowed's side, if for no other reason that he smells different and he's been very polite thus far. <br /><br /> "Autochthonia...Oh, no, no, another time." A head tilt. <br /><br /> "Mister Aesthetic, we should have tea some time." She offers, before her attention is all on serving and especially the Kid as they make their way over. <br /><br /> Homura gets a curtsey as she declines. <br /><br /> Still, Rory has a darn good point. <br /><br /> "Yes, why /was/ that area falling apart so? Is maintenance so very poor in a critical location as a Warpgate? Though I do suppose the inhabitants here may not have realized its importance." <br /><br /> Chin-tap. <br /><br /> "We 'Earthlings' really are a dime-a-dozen." <br /><br /> That drink, by now, is finally hitting her. Her cheeks flush, and she wobbles just a little bit. Thankfully having the ability to turn her insides into iron helps filter alcohol pretty well. She's still not used to it though. <br /><br /> The Kid's explainations do get nods however at appropriate points, taking in it all. She mentally takes notes. <br /><br /> "In otherwords, whatever power held this place together is crumbling without these Crests and Core? Well then. Finding them is of paramount importance." <br /><br /> Though the wanton destruction does have her twitching, and she dusts at something every now and then, she manages to control herself. By now she's looking a touch irritated however. <br /><br /> A few fine bottles of wine and lovely local silverware and plates are pilfered, however. She catches a nice, if mundane, silvered walking cane. She taps about a few times to test it, and then nods. <br /><br /> "Ah, just in time, I needed a new one." A few testing fencer-like swings. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:459|Alexis (459)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Alexis huffs a bit at the fussing, but she's use to it. Spikes does the exact same thing every time she comes back from one of these 'adventures'. "Thanks." The help from Linne is appreciated, even if a bit on the overbearing side. Once he's cleaned off she sets Checkpoint back on the ground. Right side up, of course.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then they're on their way again... wait, Order AND Commotion? That actually gets her to take pause for a moment. Weird, if their Paetheon is all contradicting purposes like that. It'd be like shoving Groudon and Kyogre into the same being like one of those weird PokeFusions she's seen scattered around the Multiversal internets.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The talk of going through the scattered remains of the area and finding a blue crystal actually gets Checkpoint to perk up a bit from the previous grumpiness. "Quilladin! (Excellent, the loot based part of the quest!) It's hard to strike a dramatic thrusting-point pose with such stubby limbs, but the effort is there. "(Onward!)"<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Braixen. (He is such a dork)" Kindler mutters as she blips off of Alexis' shoulder to help. Though the fox looks a little off-put by things. Maybe she can sense some of the odd energies as the gates open and the remains of the world rearrange paths and such. Hard to tell since she's not fully developed as a mystic yet.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Glowing blue rock. Got it." Though as Checkpoint smashes open a crate, all Alexis can find is a few more bottles of.. presumably whatever is the local choice for drinks. "I'm guessin' this was some sort of trade route at some point."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Quilladin. (Yet nary one in sight now.)" Checkpoint lifts a barrel up over his head. "(Best these goods go to use than be lost into the nethers upon the collapse, no)"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then the barrel pops, dousing him in water.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He shoots a glare in Kindler's direction, but she's hiding her twig-wand behind her back and faking an almost perfect innocent look. Alexis even snickers a little. "That's what you get for showing off that you know Strength."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"So your world survived an apocalypse of a sort, and these City Crests allow the chunks left behind to congregate together into...?" Homura glances about, as if trying to evaluate where they are-- where they're going, what's nearby. Cities, judging by the name? Maybe it's less cities and more small camps, given the sorry state of these floating chunks. She wonders if a proper city could even be built here.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She also eyes the Crest, but after a moment takes her eyes off it completely to focus on the Kid instead.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;R'lyeh, well, she keeps doing her thing.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staring at the water.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's staring at a pool of water filled with the ashes of a world's death. She could not possibly be more inspired and bemused by the sight, even if her expression betrays not a tiny fragment of it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"How large are these Cores? Blue, glowing rocks should stand out in such a landscape. Though..." She decides, as they travel, to question the matter of that bird floating about and seemingly harassing him. "Is something wrong with the bird? You seem agitated. It's just a bird. It probably wants food." Right?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa takes a moment to get a better look around not that they are not running. She lets out a low whistl at the terrain and then turns her attention back to their hosts as they converstation goes on. The Pecker gets off easy as it seems the kid's low on ammo. She tilts her head at the whoile thing but she does not laugh at least. Even if she founds the hwole affair a bit funny. <br /><br /> "I see, so the whole region is unstable and these crests are all that's holding it together now?" <br /><br /> She hears that and she is going to loot a little bit, if it's all going to be lost something might be of use. <br /><br /> "SO we need to make sure you get that crest before everything here comes unglued right?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:673|Rory White (673)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That... makes very little sense. Hopefully it'll become clearer later. I understand though. Let's retrieve the Core." She's following the Kid, weapon still in hand... and sees fit to deploy her Saucer. The little drone floats off on its own, giving her a good scan of the void beneath them all and anything that might be flying upwards!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The Crest's ability seems to be limited. Hopefully it will be enough..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:872|Shadowed Aesthetic (872)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shadowed Aesthetic tilts his head at the explanation of why the Kid's world is simultaneously falling apart and coming together, but the latter only when and where it's needed. Pointing to the gear-shaped emblem has his eyes widening, though. Goodness, that looks familiar! A little, anyway. There are gears all over the place in Autochthonia. But he didn't expect to see any here!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh, but that drink gets his attention. "I'll have to find out how this is made. It's has a very pleasant taste to it." As for Autochthon? Shadowed Aesthetic nods. "Exactly. Not here, but in my own world. I'm unfamiliar with your pantheon." Which he says with as much politeness as possible. He's not discounting it, he just doesn't know anything about it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He smiles to Linne's mention of tea. "That sounds lovely! I'll have to give you my personal frequency." This is assuming they survive. "Feel free to contact me when you're free next."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When crates are being opened and searched, Shadowed Aesthetic will join in the search. He's not above that. And those fans are incredibly sharp. He'll probably give whatever provisions he finds to the Kid. It's not the Alchemical's world, after all, and the Kid will know how best to split things up, or what he wants to keep, etc. Besides that, Shadowed doesn't know what's useful and what isn't. He'll be keeping his eyes open for that blue hunk of rock as they move, though.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The warning that things will fall apart shortly gets a sigh. "I'll have to make a note to requisition at least a Windblade class personal transport, that should decrease the danger of falling by a small margin," he observes. It may not occur to him that it's possible he's only one here who knows what that actually is.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura asks the important questions, and Shadowed Aesthetic listens. These are things they need to know if they're going to find this Core.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:822|Zen (822)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the group continues to walk, they will indeed see a blue stone floating on the horizon. Far, far at the end of the path it glows; it colors the rusty stepping stones a gentle hue as though it were itself a miniature, azure sun. The pitch silhouette of Falla flies toward it, swerving to and fro, his wings beating against the air at intervals to keep him comfortably airborne. Eventually, though, when his body has grown slim in the distance and nearly been taken over by the brilliant light of the core, he rests. He perches upon the top right corner of the coveted artifact, retracting his feathers and tucking them authoritatively behind his back. Though his eyes blend in with the darkened color scheme of his body, his gaze certainly does not err: something is present now that wasn't before. There is a presence that is calling him to attention and keeping his focus.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And that presence soon reveals itself. Another shadow soon emerges from beyond the light of the core, cutting an imposing figure that nearly obscures the cerulean light entirely. A long, ink veil flows behind her, horns rise from a mask that obscures her; only when their eyes have had time to adjust to the light, though, would they realize that her pallor is as white as death. She looks to be no older than Homura, yet she carries herself with the confidence of a war veteran. The pressure of her aura alone is enough to choke the air into stillness and make the less tempered of spirits terminally uncertain. Her arms cross rigidly before one arm rises to peel away her facade. One could almost swear that an orange light, the light that reverberates from a street of burning city or a warcamp brazier, seeps out as her face comes into view.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When it is gone, she faces the lot of them with blood red eyes that might well pierce the soul. Eventually, that gaze settles down on The Kid.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"This core is mine, child of my enemy." Her words are frank, blunt, seething, and uncompromising. "You live now only because I had to be certain that the fall of this place would not kill innocents from beyond this world." Looking away from him now and scrolling her eyes across the group, she calmly asserts, "My quarrel is with the Son of Cael. If you quit this place now, you have my word that no harm will come to you. Should you elect to align yourselves with him, however, know that you will never again have the opportunity to parley with those I represent. You must make your choice now, and you must make it swiftly."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She soon continues, "My proposition is simple, outworlders: Falla will lead you to another of your world-tears where you may safely flee this place. If you take after his path, you will not be harmed. If, however, you should follow me, then you will be branded a friend of the oppressors, and by extension, an enemy of the Ura. I realize that I am forcing your hand, but know this: the law of the wild favors not those who hesitate. You must act swiftly. You must do so on the force of your intuition alone. If you are to remain in this world, you must learn as much. If only this once, allow me to be your sage."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With that, she draws the mask over her face once more. She brings two fingers to her mouth and whistles for Falla, cuing him to leave her shoulder. Falla begins to advance off to her left, raising a new path as they travel along. For her part, Zen takes the artifact, eliciting another deep groan from the landscape -- and another tremor that wracks the land. It seems that their time of peace is over.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now is the time for decision.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kid looks to Linne and says, "Well, the Masons were always pushing for permission to reinforce the Sundown Path. Everyone was against it, said that it would ruin the look of the place. And the... warpgates? Only cropped up after the Calamity. No one alive to secure the area." The stuff she picks up is quite lovely, but it's hard to find a matching set since a lot of it was damaged. The cane she takes has a curious head, depicting a two-faced man. One face is young and sprightly, while the other is old and withered.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the Pokemon run amock, the Kid can't help but ask. "I've never seen critters anything like these. What are they?" he asks Alexis, gesturing as Checkpoint gets waterboarded. But speaking of animals, Homura asks about why he hates Peckers so much. He's so riled up by the topic that the twang in his voice becomes a bit more pronounced "Ya take a swarm of rats, give 'em wings, sharpened beaks, talons AND feathers. Then ya give 'em enough aggro to swarm anything that looks at 'em funny. That's Peckers." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He takes a deep breath and starts to help in looking for the Core. "Used to be, you would never see 'em within the city. Trappers and Marshals made sure of it. But with them gone, I guess they're gonna come flocking back." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It seems that people aren't totally clear on things, so the Kid starts clarifying. "The Crest is like... proof of citizenship. Everyone got one once they became of age, or started working, whichever came first. I've had this thing since I was 7. Cores are these amazing stones... they don't show up often, but you can do all sorts of stuff with them. Every major region in the city got one.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ah, but there it is! In the hands of... an Ura? One that is dropping a serious challenge to the party right now. The Kid... has no response to this. He looks to the others, as if awaiting their decision.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:877|Linne (877)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Similarly, Linne offers her own number on a card to Shadowed. But, more pressing matters quickly take place. <br /><br /> "What a pity. There is something to be said for looks, but allowing it to simply fall to uselessness due to a lack of foresight is unforgivable!" <br /><br /> And then, the choice. She whips out a fan, cools herself off after pondering, and then shoots a warm smile as it's folded. <br /><br /> "My, my. What an utterly oppressive aura to you. What majesty and grace!" <br /><br /> Something about this girl has intrigued Linne. <br /><br /> "Miss, I possess no quarrel with you. Frankly, I would like to meet your people...the Ura, yes? I cannot say I know enough about either this man, a 'Cael', or my fellow outsiders to make a decision. Therefore!" <br /><br /> She offers first a curtsey to the Kid and Zen, followed by the rest of the group. <br /><br /> "I shall take my leave now. Miss? Contact me. I would like to hear your side of this conflict. Catch." She tosses a radio to Zen, with her own number keyed into it already. She trusts the girl can work it out on her own. <br /><br /> Then, she frowns, and offers a dissapproving glance that any maid is well trained in when looking at a younger sounding person. <br /><br /> "I will, however, expect more courtesy from all parties involved. That device will allow you to speak with me when it is convenient." With a nod, she follows Fallon. <br /><br /> Likely offering him fish balls that she tosses into the air with surprising accuracy from a blind girl.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:822|Zen (822)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Zen, rather than stopping to catch the radio herself, allows Falla to snag the thing in middair. Zen isn't waiting around to see what people decide, it seems.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I see," Homura answers, idly, as the Kid answers questions one by one, touching matters such as the Cores and Crests (perhaps what interests her most, at the moment). When they come across the intensely glowing blue stone, she seems relieved at what a trivial task it was to find it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It was after all a very vague task, s they had no guarantee it would be within view. Or, even, anywhere close. But hey, not only was it close, but it's visible!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And... occupied.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The maid seems to take the young woman's offer. Homura herself considers if she really has an attachment to what's happened so far to justify meddling and burning magic. More than she already has, that is.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The groaning landscape tells another tell, though. Is it falling? Is the removal of the Core actually threatening to harm what's left of the world? That might be reason enough to interfere. She glances between Zen and the Kid, before settling her eyes gaze on the young woman solely.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A handgun appears in her hand, immediatly leveled at the masked Ura.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I don't normally warn. Hand the Core over and leave. Whatever party you represent doesn't sound like the sort we normally associate with." That's her decision taken. She hopes she doesn't regret it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:673|Rory White (673)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Things are getting crazy quick. Rory ends up frowning at Zen, whom she's never seen before. The Saucer is scanning her on every angle, so that she'll be easily identified in the future.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"My stance on any such conflict is one of neutrality, miss. My interests are the protection and advancement of reasoning life, wherever it is found... be it a nation called Caelondia or the Ura people."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In other words, she is making no choice at all.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Can you not see that the world around us is crumbling to pieces? This is no time to be bickering. Let us all find some island of stability and discuss things calmly there!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:822|Zen (822)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Zen stops along her path for only an instant. She glances over her shoulder at Homura. One couldn't see it from this angle, but her eyes have narrowed deeply. "I will not surrender a single core willingly to the likes of Caelondia, no matter the form it takes now. As they need the cores to survive, so do we." Turning a bit more fully, she adds, "But I see you have made your choice. I sincerely hope that you don't come to regret it."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The feeling is mutual.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With that, she begins to sprint down what remains of the Sundown Path. Falla continues to lead Linne in her chosen direction as the stones that comprise the ground begin to quiver beneath Rory's feet, and Homura's. Unfortunately for the former it doesn't appear that Zen is willing to negotiate. At all.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:459|Alexis (459)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>It feels a little weird, having someone ask what her companions are. Alexis has been around the Multiverse long enough that she's gotten use to the knowledge being fairly commonplace by now. "They're called Pokemon... Kinda imagine if you had a cute puppy, that instead of just being cute, could accompany you on journeys and fling around elemental powers at a whim."<br />"Braixen! (Cuddly combat seizure monsters!)" The fire fox is way too cheerful about how she yips that.<br />"Don't bring that up. That's the stupid... oh, nevermind." Alexis shakes her head a bit. And before more of an explaination can be made, there's an interruption in actually finding the core.<br /><br />"Oh you have got to be kidding me. Why is there always someone with their own agendas involved in these things?" The groaning on the landscape is a bit hard to mistake, either. "Look, I've been around long enough to reconize a feud of some sort when I see it. That ain't none of my business. But if its true that fancy rock there can do something about the world being broken up, you might be the one biting off more than she can chew." Alexis grabs the hilt as if to draw the sword from behind her shield, the Aegislash wrapping it's banners around her arm as she does so. It's a monster -and- a weapon.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Quilladin (Well spoken, milady..)" Checkpoint hops to the side as the stones start to quiver and groan again. "(But this world sounds as if it will not behest us taking pursuit of the thief at this time!)"<br />Kindler actually yelps a little, and promptly poofs her way back onto Alexis' shoulder. "(I think the spiny rat is right.)"<br />"(I am not a rat!)"<br />The outburst is ignored. "(I can -feel- this place starting to crumble more quickly.)"<br /><br />Alexis grinds her teeth for a moment, as much as she hates letting a theif run off.... But she huffs it out into her bangs after a moment. "If that ain't the only one of those cores, kid, I'd say leave it be and get outta here before the place falls out from under us, and go find the others."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:872|Shadowed Aesthetic (872)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shadowed Aesthetic accepts the card from Linne, and nods. "Take care," he offers to her as she departs for the warpgate. But he sighs at the ultimatum. "There is a very distinct utter lack of anything resembling manners in this place, isn't there?" he observes. "It's criminal. Not since the last time I've dealt with a Voidbringer cult have I been so completely shoved in one direction, and so utterly shoved out of any possibility of asking questions to further understand the situation."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Here he gives a dramatic sigh, as Zen merely leaves without a further word. "/Rude/!" Here he looks to the Kid. "But if the only options she's offering are 'with me or against me', and she insists that I 'act on intuition alone', very well then. But she won't like the decision she's brought upon herself. If she can't put aside whatever grudge she has for the sake of keeping what's left of this world from collapsing, then I'm afraid I have no choice."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The shaking ground points out a problem to him, and he nods to Alexis's words. "I agree. There's nothing more we can do here, and with the core gone, the place is about to fall apart, if I understood you correctly."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa listens to the two natives for the moment and tilts her head she doesn't like some of the implications of what's going on it seems there's an on going conflict. This world has bruned and some wish to keep fighting. <br /><br /> She takes a step back looking from Zin to the Kid at this point she's listened to everyone as they make their choices on this. She look to Rory for a moemnt a she speaks for a moment. <br /><br /> "What's left of your nations yout world is in shambles and you still wish to fight?! This kind of thinking almost destroyed my own world!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:673|Rory White (673)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"... I so dislike humanity's propensity to draw invisible lines between each other and feud over them." States Rory, immediately disheartened. Yet one more attempt to solve a MAJOR PROBLEM down the toilet... at least for now. "I am more inclined to aid the one who doesn't make unreasonable demands out of nowhere, for now..." She doesn't seem TOO worried about the path around them crumbling, because...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;About a kilometer up, the Cognizant ODyssey has arrived. The ship is hard to see from here, but its presence is comforting. She can easily beam up anyone who falls... hopefully.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If you want to pursue her I won't stop you. If you want transport to somewhere else, that's fine too." Rory sighs. She really doesn't know WHAT to do in this situation... and so looks at Kotone.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What with still hovering a foot above the ground, Homura does have a bit more leeway to stand her ground than her allies. A more time, too, but then time is always on her side. She supposes, as a show of faith to the Kid that they're here to help him save lives, she can try to engage the obvious, dangerous presence. Worst case, she figures, she can buy time for everyone to retreat, and then flee before she dies herself.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If you aren't capable of cooperation for the mutual benefit of your separate cultures, then I won't feel any remorse helping take the Core from you. You are the face of your people. If this is how you choose to represent them, suit yourself."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A number of rounds fire from the handgun, straight for Zen.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But Homura does not stay where she was. She disappears, a flicker without noise or flash, and at the very exact same second, with no delay no matter how much you slow the footage, she is at Zen's left instead, a black, jagged sword in one hand, no longer a handgun.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Regisword is swung, aimed for the arm holding the Core. The weapon is extra effective against royalty, pretty much a slaying weapon against such beings-- if Zen is even concerned by that. Even if she isn't, it's still a really sharp black sword. But that assumes Homura can hit. Who knows what this masked young woman can even do? Bullets and a sword might not be enough.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:822|Zen (822)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And Homura gives chase. Zen does not offer any more words on the subject -- all that needed to be said has been already. She glances back to see her readying a gun. That does get a brief narrowing of her eyes in confusion. A... handgun? She has seen many larger revolvers, and muskets, and other such weapons, but never one so sleek and slim. It certainly looks like the sort of weapon an alien would be holding, though, so she supposes that it is appropriate. There's barely enough time for that thought to finish before another volley of loud cracks sound from its barrel. She begins a fluid transition into a cartwheel that moves her free of the oncoming bullets, but also perilously close to the edge of the path. She thinks little of this before continuing on, running as quickly as possible, but --<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But something /forces/ her to pay attention. Next she looks, Homura is -right beside her-. For the first time, Zen's eyes grow wide. How had she --? What...? She could have accounted for gunshots or any natural feat of martial prowess, but this was most certainly unnatural. This has nothing to do with speed; she leapt through space. She teleported.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That logical incongruence is one of the few things that can completely throw Zen off her guard. She has no time to block the strike from her sword. It slices easily against her right wrist, painting it crimson and causing the rhythm of her run to break. At first it seems that she is about to vault straight into the ground, but miraculously, she catches herself. With an incredibly uncomfortable twist of her slim frame, she forces her left hand to grasp the core. In that same spin, her injured right hand likewise wrests a quartet of knives from within the sash on her waist. She throws three of these toward Homura, but she saves the last, waiting to see if she'll teleport somewhere else first. She isn't going to fall for that trick twice.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But she accounted for her landing, too. Right as her head is about to collide with the pavement, her left hand thrusts the core forward so that she can use both arms to perform a front flip. Coming out of that movement, she catches the core again in her right, continuing on; if not undaunted, she is at the least unwavering.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now, though, another jump pad - a Caelondian Machine that allows people to travel on the wind - lies ahead. Two more people with ghoulishly light skin and bright blue clothing stand at attention there. Both of them wield bizarre guns that seems to be wrought from animal spines. Both of them point their weapons directly toward Homura and fire.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If nothing else, these people are incredibly stubborn.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kid seems a little lost right now. He certainly wasn't expecting to have to deal with other people in this little quest, let along an Ura with a grudge. He already has a pretty good idea about why she's so mad. But he's just so stunned, that the conflict just kind of happens all around him. Someone taking her deal, another siding with him, some trying to play the middle road...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But, she's already making a break for it by the time he snaps out of it. He goes to raise his rifle, but Fang Repeaters lose a lot of accuracy at that range. With an angry scowl, he lowers it. "Yeah... dammit!" The Sundown Path is really rumbling now, chunks falling away all around them... and yet, Homura gives chase.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kid looks to the others, , and quickly pulls out that spyglass he retrieved, using it to quickly scan paths that extend from the area. "Down that path," he begins, pointing down one. "Is one of those warpgates. Go if you want, but I don't want her getting hurt because she stuck her neck out. And uh... thanks for your help. Hopefully I'll see you all again."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And with that? He's sprinting after Zen and Homura, raising the rifle to his shoulder.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Three knives-- of those, two are intercepted by bullets, seemingly out of thin air, striking the weapons and deflecting them just barely enough they don't strike Homura. The third, struck by a bullet too, doesn't deviate enough, lodging itself into one of the girl's shoulders. She winces and pauses, eyes staying on Zen thorough her flips. Daggers, decent agility, good aim. And before the Puella Magi attacks again, 'henchmen' adds itself to the list.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;One round grazes her ribs, the other missing. She won't let them get another shot off. Two thunderous gunshots echo, without source. High caliber sniper rounds streak towards the two humanoids up top, with lethal aim-- necks, heads. But that assumes they aren't fast enough to dodge.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Having to deal with those two does mean Zen doesn't have to deal with immediate, aggressive pursuit. Homura knows better than trying to get ahead of someone who has, obviously, planted minions around the area. That's kind of her own thing, after all. Just replace minions with mines, grenades and bombs.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The handgun IS leveled up again, at least, despite the shoulder pain caused by the knife. A few more rounds streak for Zen, but without the pressure of the follow-up sword strike it's not very threatening.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The magical girl will look relieved when the Kid joins her, just as much as she'll look concerned. The area IS kind of falling apart under their feet. She can fly, but can they?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:459|Alexis (459)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Now that's some dedication... granted, the kid has a lot more vested in this matter to give chase. Alexis is still at that moment where she's not entirely sure how much she wants to stick her neck out yet. More so because stepping in the middle of what was clearly a blood feud of some kind without knowing the sides proper was a really, really crazy thing to do.<br /><br />Yet, at the same time, just letting what could be one of the few survivors of this calamity run off like that...<br /><br />The tomboy finally just sighs. "I'm probably gonna regret this at some point. Pack it up guys." She taps several pokeballs, recalling both adventuring pokemon and the Aegislash, and then releasing a Flygon. Whom she grabs onto, and with a blinding beat of insectoid wings the pokemon launchs off the ground.<br /><br />But not towards the warpgate. Not yet, at least.<br /><br />Mirage follows the Kid after Homura and whoever the wacked out Ura is, not to get involved in the actual fight, but Alexis isn't about to just abandon them to the place falling down around them, either. At least this way she can grab someone to get them to safety if need be.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:822|Zen (822)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Both of Zen's henchman have sniper shots streak straight in-between their eyes. Their pupils roll into the back of their heads, their firearms clatter against the ground, their bodies fall lifeless; still Zen presses on. She brutally tears away her hairpiece, wrapping it around the opening on her wrist like makeshift gauze. In that moment she's too distracted to properly dodge Homura's shots, so she takes several shots directly: two bury themselves deep in her legs, inching too close to her femur for comfort, whilst another sails right through her torso. She is quickly beginning to look terribly unwell. The one thing she has going for her is that Homura is greatly overestimating the amount of backup she brought with her. If she recalls correctly, it was only those two and one other. One other... but she can't recall where he was meant to be in this contingency.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Falla, however, feels now that he has done his duty: he has lead the other half of the group directly to a warpgate beyond another, gradually opening bull-head door. Feeling that this gives him leave, he departs to join Zen... but before he reaches her, he spots a threat. The kid is raising his gun to shoot. Will Zen be able to handle multiple people firing on her at once...?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He isn't going to chance it. He swoops down toward the kid with his talons drawn, intending to sink one foot of knives into his back for balance whilst he locks the other around his left arm to restrict movement. He then begins to angrily peck at his face to obscure his vision. It isn't much, but for Zen he'll do all that he can.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for Zen, she's just about at the skyway. In just a few more moments, she'll...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:872|Shadowed Aesthetic (872)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shadowed Aesthetic had been about to wait for people to head to the warpgate when the Kid pointed the path to it... but then people started heading after the girl who took the core. The Alchemical... does not follow. He actually heads for the Warpgate, but doesn't go through yet. He intends to wait there until the rest of them get out.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes indeed, he's going to have to requisition a personal transport to explore this place more fully, if he doesn't want to constantly be in danger of falling to his death. Is there even anything under these floating bits of land? Or would someone who fell just fall forever? Besides, if the coming together of the land is due to that emblem the Kid has... it's going to be impossible for him to explore without a means of flight anyway.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:877|Linne (877)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> A click of that odd gun the Kid used, the sound of slowed breathing as one aims a shot. Flexing muscle to take a knee, and the sounds of fighting and Zen trying to flee. She simply can't let her potential ally just be mauled by the attacking pair of Homura and the Kid. <br /><br /> "You really should learn better manners, young Master!" Linne chides, before drawing a trio of featherdusters. She begins to spin in a serious of graceful pirouettes, now a swirling mass of skirts and twirls. <br /><br /> At the end of it something dark flashes, that odd glimpse of gunmetal grey visible for just a second before the three featherdusters are thrown with enough force at the Kid's back to embed them within stone. <br /><br /> ~IRON MAIDEN~ <br /><br /> Particularly given those soft bristles have turned into sharp steel, jagged and cutting and thin. <br /><br /> Then, she ends her spin, bending backwards and striking a pose at the warpgate, one eye obscured with one more feather duster. <br /><br /> "Let that be a lesson to you, young man." Then, with a tut, she walks off into the warp gate.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Zen is fleeing, and Falla is moving to maul the Kid. Or try, at least. Homura considers; it wouldn't exactly take her long to be next to Zen, but it WOULD lock her back into a fight, without the ability to help the Kid. Can he handle himself? She has to assume he can.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But then Linne makes the decision much easier to take.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura flickers out of place again, appearing by the Kid. Of the three featherdusters, one is pelted by numerous pistol rounds, either broken or its course changed. The other two are caught in a single wide arc of Homura's Regisword, cutting them in half-- or at least, knocking them away. Regiswords don't look it, but they're practically endgame equipment.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unfortunately, to interfere like that means Zen has the extra seconds she needs to make off with the Core. The Puella Magi frowns, turning to look at Kid (who is likely still shaking Falla off?).<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We need to leave."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;From far behind the group, a swarm of paper pages flies through the air, crashing down towards Homura's free hand-- the handgun having vanished. The dozens of pages reform into a small leather-bound book, roughly a section of a large spellbook-like tome in appearance, complete with tons of bookmarks and the occasion page sticking out.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa is now moving after the kid, she was going to leave but his desire to keep his enemy from getting killed as well? That won her over she might not be able to fight well in a situation like this but she can help be a means for the kid and others to get the hell out. She breaks into a full run stopping any pretense at being a normal human. Will she be able to catch u0p in time? Homura is right they don't have long and need to go soon.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kid seems a little lost right now. He certainly wasn't expecting to have to deal with other people in this little quest, let along an Ura with a grudge. He already has a pretty good idea about why she's so mad. But he's just so stunned, that the conflict just kind of happens all around him. Someone taking her deal, another siding with him, some trying to play the middle road...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But, she's already making a break for it by the time he snaps out of it. He goes to raise his rifle, but Fang Repeaters lose a lot of accuracy at that range. With an angry scowl, he lowers it. "Yeah... dammit!" The Sundown Path is really rumbling now, chunks falling away all around them... and yet, Homura gives chase.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kid looks to the others, , and quickly pulls out that spyglass he retrieved, using it to quickly scan paths that extend from the area. "Down that path," he begins, pointing down one. "Is one of those warpgates. Go if you want, but I don't want her getting hurt because she stuck her neck out. And uh... thanks for your help. Hopefully I'll see you all again."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And with that? He's sprinting after Zen and Homura, raising the rifle to his shoulder, his aim interrupted by Falla clawing at his back! "ARGH!" He starts spiting oaths, his hopes that the Pantheon smite the entire species of bird as he reaches back to grab at it, trying to hurl it to the ground. With his face being pecked, he can't see the sharpened dusters coming! <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thankfully, Homura comes to the rescue. "Right, let's ge-AH DAMMIT!" The tiles under his feet give way, and he begins to fall! Alexis, where are you?!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:822|Zen (822)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So that's that, then. Assuming no others come to intercept her after Linne jumps in and Homura makes her choice, as it were, Zen advances to the skyway. Just before leaping away on the wind, she brings two fingers to her mouth again to whistle. "Hail, Falla!" With the first word, Falla has already begun to remove his lancelike talons from the kid's back and to release his arm. He takes off for the sky in pursuit of Zen who, by that point, would already be soaring for parts unknown. In the final moment, a previously invisible Uran scout reappears again; the third soldier, it seems, had chosen to remain invisible all this time. This might have seemed a cowardly act until one realizes that he had positioned himself directly in front of Zen. Had someone fired at her again, he likely would've died in her defense. As things happen, though, he is allowed to flee on the skyway with his supposed leader.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once Zen is away, the pace at which the ground begins to crumble quickens exponentially. Homura and The Kid are likely within seconds of falling by now, and even those hanging back at the warpgate don't have very long before they will simply have to leave.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Some time later, Falla sidles up alongside Zen. He finally delivers the radio that he had been given by Linne. Zen accepts it, fiddling with it until she presses a switch that emits a tone. She says only this into the mouthpiece:<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We will remember your kindness."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is little else she can do after this; it's challenge enough to keep her eyelids open. Once she arrives back home at the Tazal Terminals, she'll be glad to have someone treat her wounds. Earnestly, she had come expecting but a lone Cael boy. This will be far, far more difficult than she had anticipated.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:459|Alexis (459)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He's tried his best, but the ground gave away, literally, beneath him. What goes through a man's thoughts in those split-seconds? As he started to fall the Kid would hear the oddly harmonic sound in his ears. Was it the angelic chorus tuning up to welcome him to beyond the broken world he had awaken i--<br /><br />-- No, it's just the reverbration produced by a Flygon's wings beating at full speed, the strange almost melodic sound the reason the species were regarded as 'spirits of the desert'.<br /><br />Unlike it's bigger, bulkier Dragon kin Flygon was an exceptionally fast flier, divebombing right past what remained of the crumbling ground to grab onto The Kid before he can plummet to an unheroic demise!<br /><br />After the rescue grab Mirage pulls up into a hover, and Alexis leans up over her shoulder to smirk at Kid. "Hey now, no dying this soon after just meeting."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:673|Rory White (673)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well if Kotone is siding with the Kid... Rory kind of has no choice here! Sticking with the group and everything! So that's what she does, although the Cognizant Odyssey swoops in lower. And lower.... and lower.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With no GROUND around, Rory substitutes her ship. How she is managing to control it despite not being aboard it is anyone's guess however.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kotone might know.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In any case, rather than deal with the crumbling walkway, she leaps off it to land on the top deck of the Odyssey. it is a rather large ship, easily large enough to host a small party up on top. Not a very comfortable one, of course. It'll be easy for Alexis and Kotone and the others to get some 'solid' footing here!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:459|Alexis (459)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh good, someone brought some solid ground. Because the Kid is probably a bit too battered and shaken up to point out a way to one of those Skywalks to get him back to his home. So Alexis directs her dragon-ride towards the Odyssey and sets him down on top of it with Rory and one would assume the others soon enough.<br /><br />"Good job, girl," Alexis says, giving the insectoid dragon a pat on the head before sliding down off her back, then glancing up towards the last bits of land toppling away from the pad the Ura had used.<br /><br />Then back to the others. "Anyone gonna yell at me if I just come out and say it that she was a total bitch." Somehow that doesn't actually sound much like a question in the tone of voice she uses.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:872|Shadowed Aesthetic (872)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hopefully Shadowed Aesthetic is included in that 'others'. Because the ground's probably crumbling around the warpgate too, leaving him little room to stand on. He has an answer for this, though-- yet more Personal Gravity Manipulation Apparatus shenanigans!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He's going to exhaust his Essence supply at this rate. But what he does is change the orientation of 'down' relative to himself. 'Down', he assigns the space around him, just happens to be pointing at Rory's ship. To avoid slamming into it at falling speed, though, he switches which function of the Charm just before he lands, though-- reducing his weight again. Still, thirty pounds is thirty pounds.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Terribly sorry about that," he offers as he stands. "But the ground was collapsing, and I didn't want to leave before I made sure everyone had come out all right."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lucky for Homura she's still flying. Well, hovering. Don't split hairs when it's the only thing keeping you from falling to the wasteland below, and all that. With a dagger in one shoulder and their 'opponent' gone, there's not much else left to do. Rory provides a ship to stand on (and, presumably, in, later), and that's enough for the Puella Magi to land and take a breather.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She should really get that knife out of her shoulder.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm sorry we couldn't get the Core. Were you aware there are other cities, or camps, or whatever they call a home, hunting for them here, as well?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well... they'll have plenty of time to talk on the ship. Maybe she can pitch the Union to him while at it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:798|The Kid (798)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kid was indeed too shaken by his near death experience to say much. Though, once on-board the ship, he does manage to splutter a thanks to Alexis and Homura for the saves. To the latter, he offers another drink, this one being a blue vial filled with clear, slightly glowing liquid. "Take out the knife and drink this, it'll help with the healing."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He himself takes a bottle of something that looks alcoholic and drinks straight from it. At least until Alexis gives her honest opinion, that makes him spittake a little. "Hah! Yeah... I think she's still sore about the war." Looking to Homura, he adds, "The Ura live in the Tazel Terminals, but that's on the other end of the continent. We don't... mix, usually."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And with that, he just lapses into silence. It's been a big day after all, any Kid would need time to take it all in.<br> <br>


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