View source for 3144/LEVE: A Corrupted Sample

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/10/03
|Location=Galianda
|Synopsis=Bertram leads a motley crew to rescue poor Xiao who's a little under the weather.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=39, 626, 670, 823, 826
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|pretty=yes
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Duty: A Corrupted Sample<br /><br />Location: Alexander Academy, Galianda<br />Type: ???<br />Urgency: Low<br />Difficulty: ???<br />Enclosed Message: Bertram Silent has received word of lingering side effects from the actions taken by one of Alexander Academy's most studious pupils. Considering these actions were taken during a mission nominally led by him, he's taking personal responsibility and has asked for aid from third parties.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; RAMUH <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ever the busy, continent spanning megacity it was. It was bustling with life at nearly all corners. It was a whirlwind of activity of nearly all forms. Such a place could only be called utterly confusing for anyone unfamiliar. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It is here, within this urban labyrinth, that a certain person should have been located. /Should have been/. The real fact of the matter is that Xiao Li Yu had not shown up for classes or work for a week now. No one who knew her could claim to have seen her. She just disappeared like a wraith. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That was worrying, considering what had happened to her fairly recently back on Hydaelyn. She had made vague comments on the Confederate radio, but even that stopped in the last days. ...So where exactly was she then? For those searching, eventually reports would come up of someone matching Xiao's description seen stumbling her way through the city without any real discernible goal. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All that was left was for them to follow the trail.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Bertram is worried. He might not like Xiao, he may have threatened to kill her at some point, but he swore an oath damn it; and Xiao may have gotten infected during HIS watch, in HIS world. He can't just idly sit by. So he's been looking into this, and now he's following the trail. He's passed on words to others for aid, but he hasn't been waiting for them to show up. He's pressing onwards, staff in hand and both eyes and ears open for any additional clues.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Likewise for Jinx, this wasn't much about liking Xiao. I mean, in principle she does, but she's a Zaibatsu member and that's important enough for her to go and find her. Plus, Souji would be remiss if he couldn't have his favorite scientist. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And thus, Jinx is indeed tracking down Xiao's phone after sending her a number of texts just get it to ping back. Let it never be said she isn't a smart cookie. She's just crazy.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(she's got a doctor's note)<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:670|Lyria Mason (670)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lyria Mason has had her own issues with X, but what can she really do about it? They got a possible problem here and Xiao has vanished. That's never good either she's working on something, or something had happened to her. If something had that could mean there's a problem for everyone else as well. So with a bit of work on Mognet here she is looking for clues herself.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Bertram's more legwork oriented search would probably be a really bad idea in most cases, but thankfully this time, there's been plenty of odd whispers going about regarding a 'weird girl' wandering about. Something about glowing purple eyes and being unresponsive. Following the trail of conversation seemed to be getting him somewhere. It felt like he'd find her soon. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jinx's texts were met with no response. But they did go through. If she planned to track Xiao's location using that, then there it was. It was doubtful that her target would stay in the same place very long though. She'd better hurry. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lyria's Mognet research yielded little results, but she was very likely hearing the same kind of talk that Bertram was hearing on the streets. It wasn't overblown just yet however. Gossip here, comments there. No one seemed to know much. What was clear is that Xiao was very much still in the area. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MEANWHILE <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "......" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Footsteps sounded against the pavement below slowly. A rather short statured girl stalked her way through the streets of Ramuh. One hand was held to her head, as if in pain. The other hung loosely at her side. Without seeming to think much about it, she turned and stalked her way into an alleyway, leaning against a wall and sliding down till she was seated. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Her Mphone buzzed multiple times, but she didn't even seem to realized it had done so. She was tired. ...So very tired. And it hurt. It didn't stop hurting. ...What was even happening anymore? <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She forgot. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Where was she supposed to be going? <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ...She forgot.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>And so Bertram maintains the trail. He's using his linkshell to tell Lyria his progress, and then keeps going. What he's been hearing makes him sound more and more worried, and so he picks up the pace. His knuckles go white from tension as he holds onto his staff. "Stupid, stupid. How could I not see this would happen?" He scolds himself.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well that's better than nothing, after all. Jinx flips her phone shut and boogies her way towards... Street. Side street. A glace at her phone again, as she bites her lip. Signal's coming from... this way. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then the blue haired girl is poking her head down the alleyway... spotting Someone Doing Poorly. Was that Xiao? She sure looked funny. And she's pretty sure the other crazy girl didn't have glowing eyes. Well, best to check anyways. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She tries the direct approach, walking over and grousing. "Hey there dummy, you're missing crap you're supposed to be doing. Get up!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:670|Lyria Mason (670)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lyria Mason says "It happens, Xiao has been poking things since before she got to the school. You play with fire in a magizine one day it's going to blow you and it sky high." She's got the diea thigns haven't gone nuts but Xiao is very much been away from things for a while abut she's also confirmed in the area. "We'll find her and figure out what's actually happened, should me smooth sailing all things considered."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noise. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The girl could hear an irritating, annoying noise on the edge of her consciousness. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The glow from Xiao's eyes intensified after Jinx's approach, however, there was no verbal response whatsoever. "........" Silence was her reply as she stared listlessly at the ground. She hadn't even bothered to look up at the blue haired girl. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Bertram and Lyria should have arrived in the general area by now. It shouldn't be too hard to miss what was happening in the alley. It already looked awfully suspicious.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Irritating and nnoying, that's Jinx alright. The Loose Cannon squawks a bit. "You weren't there to watch me beat up Toph. You didn't come say hi afterwards! What good is me fighting if people aren't going to be awesomely 'oh Jinx you're sooooo cooooool' or 'so much blood!!!'?" <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She squats down a bit, pushing a bit at Xiao's head to try and look into her eyes, get a look at her face. "...Now come on, say something crazy girl? This isn't cool."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Pray allow me to share my hypothesis on miss Yu's condition." Bertram says as he approaches, a clear frown on his face. "Recently, there was a corrupted Elemental in the twelveswood that we were required to cleanse. Miss Yu made the decision to absorb the corrupted energy, and I think she have trouble purching it from her system." It's said so clinical that there's little room for doubt that Bertram deliberately leaves it to just the facts.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jinx plants her hands on her hips, hearing the doctor's diagnosis. "Well that's dumb. Xiao, you shouldn't be eating power sources bigger than your head. That's like, rule 1 of magic. Well, more like rule 22, but still, that's dumb!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Totally not worried here.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:670|Lyria Mason (670)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lyria Mason nods in agreement with howe Berram lays it out she doesn't want to muddie the water given Jinx being one of Shinji's people. She looks to themf or a moment and she smiles fainly. "*It's dumb but tht how it seems to work, so the question is how do we purge it from her?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noise. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noise...noise... <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noisenoisenoisenoisenoise <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noisenoisenoisenoisenoisenoisenoisenoisenoisenoisenoisenoisenoise <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All these voices around her, prattling on and on...Touching her, interfering...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Annoying. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Annoyingannoyingannoying <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "....gh..." A low mumble came from her, utterly uncharacteristic of her. And angry glare formed on her face and she grit her teeth. These people were annoying. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Annoyances should be removed. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She should just get rid of them all. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Get rid of everything. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And then maybe it would be quiet. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And then the pain would go away. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It was subtle. One of her hands became cloaked in a corrupted, black flame. And then with an angry growl, Xiao lashed out for whoever was closest. Which in this case, was Jinx. Flames likened to that to a claw, she attempted to grab at the blue haired girl's throat without hesitation. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ...Whoops.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well definately more than woops for Jinx. This is for a number of reasons. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;One, Souji tells her not to bring her guns with her while she's not on the job /and/ in Galianda. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Two, she's now being choked around the throat and squeaks in a very surprised manner. Or, she would be squeaking if she could breathe at all. Which she can't. Her legs kick a bit as she tries to scramble away from her incapacitated companion.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Three, boy howdy you don't appreciate oxygen until you can't get it. HNnngggf.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Well that's not good. Bertram's immediate response is to cast Repose, trying to get Xiao to fall asleep, or at least subdue her enough to loosen her grip. He also looks towards Lyria in a manner that suggests 'help quickly' though somehow he doesn't seem to doubt that this help will come quickly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:670|Lyria Mason (670)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lyria Mason does not move to get weapon out, her pistols remain where they are she does go for a small sphere of somesort and makes ready to put it to use if Bertram's or Jinx's plans fail. She's got some idea in mind but better to save her extream measure for the event all else has failed. She's however moving in with the sphere in hand.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Unfortunately, Bertram's Repose spell apparently failed to put the girl asleep. She could feel the vestiges of sleep attempting to worm their way into her mind, but...the pain was too much. She has been unable to sleep for a long time now. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Xiao stood up, dragging Jinx up with her. The purple glow of her eyes grew brighter with her growing anger. It wasn't rational. It was purely based on what annoyed her right at this moment. Whatever was making all this noise. And it was them. The hand grasping Jinx's throat squeezed tighter, further denying the poor girl air. Xiao would not be reasoned with. She /would/ kill her if they did not stop her somehow. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Whatever Lyria was planning to do, the currently very angry girl paid no mind to it, as she was too busy strangling poor Jinx.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And whatever feeble attempts to kick and punch at Xiao and get herself free quickly die off as Jinx is lifted bodily off the ground, that choke cutting off more than her air supply as she loses the blood to her brain, those red eyes going very wide. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's frantically trying to look at the others. Why aren't they helping? Why isn't someone doing something? W-why... <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They're both Union, dummy. They're both Union and now they're just going to watch you die and get murdered where the Rift and the Summoners can't help you. Where no one is going to help you. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And that's really the last thoughts she has as her vision starts to dim. Help.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>If the gentle approach doesn't work, Bertram isn't afraid to do things the hard way. "I am sorry miss Yu, but you appear to be beyond reason." And with that, he casts Aero. Using the very element Xiao is denying Jinx, the very element the corruption of which coarses through Xiao, as a weapon, a magical attack meant more as a harsh slap in the face to demand attention than to cause any permanent harm, but make no mistake, this is a combat magic. It -can- very much kill. If it connects, the air scrapes and cuts like the effects erosion put into timeframes noticed immediately.<br /><br />He's not going to let Jinx die.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:670|Lyria Mason (670)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lyria Mason got an idea a while back to improve her sonic grenade going from corp published boy band music being with something else it's time to go to work as she moves to lob it at the distracted Xiao. "Fire in the hole! the grenad ehits, it doesn't explode but it starts playing music at a possibly unbearable level. What sort of music? Mogstep she's weaponized it to an agonizing level!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Bertram's Aero spell comes in just in time. The wind blast strikes, pushing Xiao back enough, and causing enough harm to loosen her grip on Jinx's throat. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Irritating. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And then came the 'Mogstep grenade', which landed right below her and started playing a loud, LOUD, HORRIBLE tune! What the hell was that? Xiao had no choice but to let go of Jinx completely and cover her ears. It felt like she should have known this terrible sound, but her reason was already gone. She couldn't remember. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It was just irritating. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kill it. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She raised a foot, and then stomped down onto the infernal noisemaker, crunching it into silence. "....G....h.....r...." Groaning in pain and anger, Xiao's glowing purple gaze settled on the three. Whether or not it was a part of her, or part of the corruption was unclear, but around where her heart would be, a plume of black energy erupted, quickly cloaking around her. Her immediate surroundings seemed to gradually erode with every passing second, the dark aura eating away at matter. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And with a rage filled growl, the dark aura surrouning her lashed out. Multiple tendrils of debilitating, black energy aimed to strike at all three of them. If contact was made, they would feel a searing pain as something almost acidic in nature seemed to attempt eating away at them.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jinx flops to the ground with a dull thump, boneless and suddly /gasssssping/ for air. Like, trying to shovel air down her lungs as she squirms away from Xiao and the others. Gotta get free, gotta take charge, gotta do something.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A hand moves to the bangle on her wrist and she shakes at it, rattling it on her lean arms. There's a sudden lurch of energy, and... her Zapper drops into her grip, called up from whatever hextech nether realm she keeps her gear. She lifts the pistol and fires, a heavy ass bolt of energy lancing out to swat at Xiao and try to disable her. That's when the tentacles hit her, and she squeals in pain. This will show her for not wearing proper clothes when dealing with anything.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"What's this infer--" Bertram starts, before it has its intended effect and Xiao lets go of Jinx, while growing madder. The tentacle his Bertram straight in the chest, and he's flung backwards. Then, he casts, still on one knee, looking to be in pain. The spell generates protective aether patterns around himself, Lyria /and/ Jinx. The Proshell helping against all manner of attacks. "We must needs find a way to separate her from that corrupted energy. Perhaps if we can bait her into using it all."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:670|Lyria Mason (670)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lyria Mason plan is not working as things get very creeoy, oh so damn creepy. She's now going for not her pistols but her cutlass which is drawn at this point. She's not even sure what the heck this stuff is but she's going to need something to rend this stuff off. She's also a Geomancer in a city she's still got a few options here. "So kite her and make her burn it off? Aye we can attempt that." Lyruia now calls out to Xiao as she moves away from Jinx and Bertram. "Hey! Your resarch papers are all sourceless!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Given Kyra's family situation, she doesn't actually travel alone too much in Ramuh anymore. Or when she does, she tends to not tell anyone in Ramuh in advance now since it attracts very unwanted attention from the followers of Cosma. But today is an excuse. Bertram needed her help and she's going to give it despite getting yelled at the last time she did help with this particular situation. <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Bait her into using it all, eh?" Kyra's voice comes from at Bertram's shoulder, the white mage having carefully circled around the brawl, drawing no attention to herself until now. "Well I think Lyria's on the right track. Make her mad enough to use it all. There's definitely corrupted aether inside of her but esuna did nothing when I tried it. But maybe white magic will work if we drain enough of it away." <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Louder, she waves obnoxiously at Xiao. "HEY MY BESTEST FRIEND, YOU AREN'T LOOKING SO GOOD!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jinx's fired energy bolt strikes Xiao's shoulder, causing her to lurch backwards a bit, while also singing her top. Whether it hurt or not, she did not indicate as such. That had to hurt however. The corruption and the pain had already been assailing her for a while now. What was a little more? <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Grrr......rrr.....!" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lyria's verbal jabs are met with...nothing. Understandable however. If she was this far gone, then cracks about her work and such things certainly wouldn't be effective. Kyra's call got much the same lack of response. But that did put her on Xiao's 'to attack' radar, unfortunately. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Despite hampered mental functions, the girl seemed to be inherently still able to use all of her job abilities. As evidenced by the black tendrils gaining a green glow about them. Anyone familiar with her abilities would be able to tell that it was 'Drain'. Several more were added to account for Kyra, and then they all lashed out again at all present, aiming to strike, erode cloth and flesh, and now, drain life energy. Tbankfully, Bertram's barrier would help stave them off for now, but how long could it hold? <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As if it could get any worse. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But should they think back, they may be able to realize that there was one thing that really bothered Xiao. ...What was it again?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jinx... just slumps a bit and whines as she frantically reloads the zapper, watching those ugly gross tendrils slapping into the Shell's barrier and mushing against it. That wasn't going to last long, and she's not in a mood to get tagged again. "Hnnggaaaa! Freakin... XIAO! CUT IT OUT." <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That's really going to help Jinx, really. Thant said, she manages to get to her feet, rattles out her bangle again and... and then there's a flash of energy and Pow Pow slaps itself into her grip. The new Pow Pow, the one that shoots fireworks. "SORRY XIAO." And then the minigun is blaring out, peppering the scientist with roman candles.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh shit, she's using Drain! Don't get hit by that!" Kyra warns those here, even though she's pretty sure most of the people know that already. Yelping, she flees from behind Bertram at a right angle, casting Shell on herself as she moves. Just in time she manages to fend off a drain tendril as it swings for her, then another pings off of her own Shell when it tries to strike and stab the white mage. <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Man, not even that is-oh wait a second." She reaches into her hoodie to peel something off of one of the bandoliers around her. "Get ready guys, I might draw aggro for this...!" <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kyra pulls out a syringe. <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"XIAO COULD YOU HOLD STILL FOR A SECOND? I NEED TO TAKE ANOTHER BLOOD SAMPLE FROM YOU! FOR RESEARCH!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Bertram is not afraid to take this rough. He takes the tendril straight on, lets it connect, and then he passes energy through it. Healing, healthy aether. It's earth-aspected aether, the opposite of air in many ways, and his hope is that it will ground out and replace some of the corrupted aether inside the girl.<br /><br />Of course this also hurts, a lot, because he's drained of energy and health as he does this.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:670|Lyria Mason (670)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lyria Mason says "Okay that's not working she's too far gone for that! Kyra we need to hosit the main sail on this!" She moves into try and help Kyra and the otehrs, she dance sjust out of the way of the drain attack and just barely. She hears the waning and she moves taking aim to try and make a few strikes with her cutlass, nothing intended to be fatal but enough to get her attention and give the others some time to do what they need to do.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "....Grh.....hk.....!" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Being peppered with projectiles, fireworks or not, was incredibly irritating. She had to shield herself with an arm, but it was more the NOISE that was aggravating her. Combined with Lyria's dancing about with her cutlass, this kept her from moving long enough for Bertram to replace some of the corrupted Aether in her body. It was terribly uncomfortable, but it helped. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; At least before she grew so angry that with a roar, she jumped back to gain distance and swung out an arm. That had the effect of calling all of her tendrils back, and instead, expelling a corrupted wave of energy, expanding outwards from her. The wave retained the same dar/drain properties as before. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kyra's ploy, much like the last, did not draw Xiao's attention. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What was it that was annoying the girl so much right now? It wasn't words, it was something else. Something much more simple.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jinx's fire rate plummets as that second Drain hits her head on, her body reeling from the attack. "Hnnggaaaa! Come on Xiao! SNAP OUT OF IT. This is dumb this isn't you mostly okay maybe a little bit!" She settles back in, bruising across her pale skin as she kicks on the power, trying to strafe on Xiao's frame, making her work to dodge attacks and use that energy more.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...wow, that totally made her freak out on me earlier. I don't understand why that didn't work." Kyra runs again, circling around Xiao, hoping that would get her out of dodge. It doesn't since the dark knight simply switches tactics and emits a wave of black energy. The force knocks Kyra over onto the ground and completely vaporizes her Shell spell. "Urrgh..." she groans. "YEAH WHAT SHE SAID, WHY DON'T YOU JUST-" <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A thought hits her. "Hey Lyria! Do you have any more Mogstep grenades!? Words aren't working to aggro her so I think we just need to make lots of loud noise at her!" <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As she talks, she works her phone free of her pocket. A few quick clicks later, she has one of her albums playing and the volume turned up as far as possible on her phone.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Bertram takes cover for the wave, he's been eating too many direct hits to feel comfortable not at least trying to get out of the way. He still gets hit by it, with energy drawn from him in a painful manner. He responds by sending energy her way, a lot of it. A powerful spell, of the purest and whitest magic he has. It might not please the Dark Knight, and it definitely won't coexist with the corrupted aether comfortably. The Ala Mhigan raises his staff as close to Xiao as he feels comfortable getting, before a ball of white light explodes with blinding brilliance.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:670|Lyria Mason (670)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lyria Mason sees that Bertram is making headway and she's trying to figure out just what is driving her nuts. She's getting a bit frustated and she yells at Xiao. <br /><br /> "What do you think your doing?! Seriously this?! I thought you were smarter than that!" <br /><br /> She's being very loud, very bombastic and is basically using her shouting orders on ship voice which is pretty darn loud. She's also going to start slamming her blade into thing to make the point and more noise trying to draw Xiao<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nope. Sorry Jinx! No snapping out of it tonight! <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After the wave has run it's course, what comes next is... <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noise. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; NOISE. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Xiao grits her teeth in irritation again. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noisenoisenoisenoisenoisenoise <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "....Sh....up...." She grumbled, her hands coming to her head to cover her ears. The noise was already making her unbearable headache even more unbearable. But it was plenty to distract her long enough for Bertram's white magic to come for her. It definitely doesn't agree with her. She groans in pain and hunches over in response, shielding her eyes with one hand in the process. "SHUT....UP...!" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But the noise. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; THE NOISE. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It was so much worse now! <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "AHHHHHHHHHRGH!" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Roaring in anger, the black aura intensified around her, and various flecks of corrupted purple could be seen leaving her body and joining together with it. Was that the corrupted Aether that had stubbornly remained? Regardless, there was no time to stop and stare. As Xiao yelled, the darkness seemed to respond to her anger, changing form rapidly and erratically. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Without regard for who was there or what she was doing, countless black tendrils formed and began to rapidly whip about, striking building walls, the ground, cracking pavement, and of course striking anyone in the way. But a keen listener would notice that her angry yell was getting less and less possessed and feral...Was it working?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jinx's Shell picks the perfect time to fil, as she's suddenly being groped and swatted and burned by tendrils and it's really grody. Like, not even Vel'koz actually touches you. Aaaaaaa.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That said, her Zapper finally pings over that it's recharged. There's a sigh of 'relief-ish' from the Cannon, as she steps back uses Pow Pow for cover and lines up her shot. This time she's aiming past the tentacles for pool Xiao's chest. "ZZZZZZZZZAP!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then. "HEY MR. MAGE MAN, AREN'T YOU ABLE TO FIX THIS?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:670|Lyria Mason (670)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lyria Mason seems to have found a way to help, but it's going to end up being a very painful for her as she's caught by one of the tentacles and then she's sent flying and crashes into a dumpster with a loud clang as she hits. She hears it but she's hurt she's trying to rise up. <br /><br /> "She doesn't like the noise MAKE MORE!" <br /><br /> Lyria calls out in a pained voice as she moves to slam her feets into the ground the street cracks and a portion of it rises she hten punches in a direction with it sending it to slam into the dumpster with a huge clang, but she's just asking to get throttled again!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Pray forgive me, ma'am, but this is the first time I've tried to cleanse something isn't composed of pure aether of this kind of corruption." Bertram defends himself, and adds, "I'm doing what I can but I'm forced to improvise. It appears we're making progress." While he says this, he's also getting those dark tentacles grabbing him, and he defends himself the only way he knows how. He calls upon the waters in the air and the ground, focusing them swiftly in his hand before launching them like blast and a wave, the effect is intended to send Xiao flying backwards. And of course there's all the kinetic and magical energy in it to make it less than pleasant.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"YOU DON'T HAVE MORE GRENADES?" Kyra yells out before she's smashed away by a wildly whipping tendril, sent slamming into one of the nearby buildings. Her phone still plays that infernal mogstep but the girl herself groans out in pain, slowly sliding down the wall and leaving a trail of faint red blood in her wake as it leaks through her hoodie. <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When she falls to the ground, she slumps, lying there unnmoving for a few seconds before she weakly lifts a hand, pressing it to her chest, murmuring a few words for Cure beneath her breath. The healing energy fills her and her wounds close.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And all at once, several things happen. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Xiao's tantrum gets less and less intense, as the corrupted Aether trickles out of her, being used to power the initial stages of her rampage. Lyria and Kyra's NOISEMAKERS grind her gears enough for her to lose awareness for the dangers around her, which in turn allow Jinx's blast to strike her full on in the chest. Bertram's blast follows shortly, and she goes flying back, sailing through the air before hitting the ground with an unceremonious thump. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ...... <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She doesn't get back up. The darkness she was radiating before also dissipates into nothing gradually, leaving only a ruined alleyway and a bunch of hurt people. Xiao herself seemed to be entirely unconscious, several cuts and burns all over to show for the hits she's been taking, mostly from Jinx really, but heeeeey. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Was it over? <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She wasn't moving. It was probably over. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Probably.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I think...I think it's gone. I don't feel it anymore." Kyra mutters as she picks herself up off the ground, pausing to cast Scan on Xiao just to be extra sure. "...good." <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks to Bertram warily, "So....now what? We take her somewhere to school to have her rest?" she ventures.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To be fair, Xiao did choke her. Jinx sighs and pants and heaves a bit, lifting a hand to rub at her very sore, very bruised throat. A groan. "Man, screw this." She slings Pow Pow over her shoulder, walks over to the Scientist, and then kneels down to sit next to the girl's head in a rather... protective? Manner? <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Whatver you're doin' you do it where the Ziabatsu trusts it to go smooth."<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She crosses her arms and looks up at all the goody-two-shoes.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Bertram fortunately doesn't have to get right next to Xiao to assist her medically. He calls upon the white magics he controls to send a surplus of healing energy into Xiao sufficient to restart a stilled heart. Though unlike mechanical tools for such, it is not harmful to do so on those who have no need for it. This energy ought to knit wounds and otherwise reduce injury, enough to allow for the subject to come out of unconsciousness. If it works, it will still leave Xiao weakened and wounded, but probably able to move under her own limbs. "Ma'am, I swore a healer's oath and she acquired her condition while assisting an operation I was in charge of. If I wished to harm her, all I would have needed to do was nothing at all."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jinx just... grumbles, and looks less like she was going to bite. "...Well, fine, okay, just... do what-oh you're doin' it, okay." She uncrosses her arms and plants her hands on her knees.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:670|Lyria Mason (670)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lyria Mason sees that things seem to be working, and the noisemakers are working. She keeps at it trying to press it until the moment she falls to the ground and she then stops. She's clearly pretty beat up. She looks to Xiao. 5R<br /> "We should be careful but we need to get her some help..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kyra's scan would show that the bad Aether coarsing through Xiao's body was pretty much all gone, minus vague, trace amounts. Bertram's healing takes care of the worst of it, and after a while, there's a weak grumble, and the scientist's eyes slowly open. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They were golden, not purple. That was a step up. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "......" Silently, and weakly, she tried to sit up. "...?" And a confused expression crossed the girl's face. "...Wh...huh?" She brought a hand to her head, rubbing it slightly. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "...Where...am I?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jinx cheers a little! "Hey you! You're in a freakin' dirty ass alleyway and you tried to kill all of us! Good try though, 10/10 would get choked out again." She pats pats Xiao on the head and sits there, smiling genially enough. Though she's working her head a bit, trying to get all the feeling in her neck again.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:670|Lyria Mason (670)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Lyria Mason Says "Your on Galianda you had some complications with the Aether. We had to help it work it's way out of your system." <br /><br /> She's being honest here and she looks over to Kyra and then back to Xiao for a moment. <br /><br /> "You been out of it for an entire week."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"You had a medical issue caused by a surplus of corrupted aether, miss Yu. I believe it has been resolved." Bertram says absolute deadpan, leaving out any and all details that would imply judgment in any way shape or form. "I hope you will avoid consuming large amounts of corrupted aether in the future."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:823|Xiao Li Yu (823)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "....Eh?" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Xiao stared at Jinx and blinked a few times. "I did...what?" She tried to kill all of them? Really? Judging from the marks on Jinx's neck and her comments, apparently she tried to choke her too. "Ah...whoops." And of all the things to say, it was that. A tired, but amused smile found it's way onto the scientist's face. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lyria gets a look next. "Galianda...?" She looked out from the alley where she sat, noting the familiar sights beyond. This must be Ramuh. "An entire week? Sheesh..." She sighed and shook her head. "All of that time wasted. I could have been doing work." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Priorities. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Bertram's explanation gets a nod from her. "So it was that after all." A tired shrug. "I...should have done something about that the moment I felt odd, but...I guess by then, it was already too....late..." That last bit was punctuated by a yawn. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Excuse me, but...I haven't slept in...so.....long..." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Flop. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Whoops. She passed out.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:39|Jinx (39)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ah dammit, girl." Jinx huffs and sighs, getting up to her feet and... saluting the others. "Right, uh, I'mma get her back to The Zaibatsu HQ and just get her in her lab. I think she might sleep there but I dunno."<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A look at the others. "Unless ya'll got a reason for me to keep her here?" There's an... edge there, as she moves to hoist the downed scientist into a fireman's carry.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Nah, go ahead and take her." Kyra waves a hand dismissively. "Go get her all patched up at the Zaibatsu." Because clearly Kyra doesn't want to hang around playing nurse to Xiao.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:826|Bertram Silent (826)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"She appears to be in need of rest more than anything right now. I'm sure the Zaibatsu has medical staff that can do routine checkups later. Just be careful." Bertram says in as bored and unemotional tone as he can manage, almost certainly to hide his annoyance at being distrusted so much.<br> <br>


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