View source for 610/Never Too Late For a Summer Festival

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2014/09/17
|Location=Sakurashin Town <ST>
|Synopsis=Who cares if it's September? Summer can last a little bit longer!
Sakurashin Town is hosting a late summer festival, complete with food stalls, classic carnival games, and fireworks at the end of the night! In a town populated by both humans and youkai, any visitors are welcome, though the mayor requests that everyone refrain from causing any trouble for the city.
It's going to be a fun night! Nothing could possibly go wrong, could it?
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=63, 109, 342, 477, 558
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|pretty=yes
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>It may be September, but it's never too late for a summer festival!<br /><br />The entirety of Sakurashin Town has gathered together to set up a festival on its main street. Some booths have games, with prizes usually coming from some of the local businesses. There's also all sorts of food, ranging from caramel apples and corn to yakisoba and even some more exotic dishes for those with non-human tastes. The fesital itself has been opened to the multiverse for attendance, and the air around town has been light and joyful most of the day. Evening is approaching, and the sun has just started to set. It won't be long now before the fireworks start!<br /><br />CRUNCH! "Ahhhh, this is great! The summer harvest is still fresh!" Kotoha Isone wanders down one of the lanes in her school uniform, chomping down on a large raw daikon. "In another month or so, I'll only be able to get these pickled. Want a bite?" The hanyou turns to the side, offering the white root to Nozomi.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:477|Tenshi Hinanai (477)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The ground suddenly rumbles. Is it an earthquake?!<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A line traces itself around the perimeter of the Takoyaki stand. Quite suddenly, the concrete slab it's set up on lifts up on stone poles, much to the stand's owner's objection. What is underneath is ... another stand, made entirely out of stone. Stone walls, stone support poles, stone counter, the concrete slab roof. It's another booth. Once it's fully emerged, the shaking stops.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a girl inside, blue hair, blue dress with a white apron and a rainbow sash, and a black hat decorated with peaches. She vaults the counter and turns, putting up a cloth banner identifying the mysterious stone stall as 'ROCK TOSS' in large, carefully painted katakana. Stepping back, HINANAI TENSHI examines her handiwork, both arms held out, fingers and thumbs forming a rectangle as she evaluates how level the sign is.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tenshi also does not care at all what kind of disruption her arrival may have been.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:342|Nozomi Houken (342)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Somehow, a quiet little girl from a completely different world feels more comfortable here in Sakurashin than she does in public back home. This, granted, isn't saying much; there are few places where she feels /less/ comfortable than out in public back home. But a small improvement is still an improvement, and the festival atmosphere - and particularly Kotoha's energetic presence - is at least doing something to keep her from getting too nervous. "Ah, I-" She looks as if she's about to accept, but then she realizes what Kotoha's actually biting into. "...n-no thanks." Oh god, she's eating a radish.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, a stand has raised up out of the ground. With no rhyme or reason, some strange girl has lifted a festival stand of rock right up out of the earth. There is a loud CLUNKCLUNK, and she suddenly finds herself facing a good-sized robot tiger, with jet-black plating ornamented by yellow 'gems' at several of his joints and on his chest. "Hello," he says simply, in a deep voice tinged with a hint of snark. "Can I help you?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:558|Yagami Hayate (558)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Six figures are walking around the festival, just enjoying the activities and the various foods. Well, most of them. Oddly, none of the group is eating sweets, really. The short redheaded one is carrying a bunny plush, blushing about it... some prize won earlier. With her is a large blue wolflike dog, and a tall pink-haired woman is pushing a wheelchair with a young, brown-haired girl in it. "Ah... there are so many different... people here," the girl is saying. "I never imagined going off-world would be like this. Chikade, are you doing all right? You aren't getting too tired?"<br /><br />Like the girl in the wheelchair, the very young girl who replies is also in a yukata. Unlike all the others, she's wearing a loose hood. Peeking under might see that her hair is very, very short, little more than a pink fuzz. She also looks very frail, but is smiling when she answers, "Oh... I'm fine. It's very fun, thank you."<br /><br />The final one of the group is a blonde woman, who reassures, "I'll make sure she doesn't overstress herself, Master."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"What the--" The takoyaki stand's attendant looks around as the world begins to shake and he suddenly finds himself fifteen feet in the air. And yet, he manages not to drop a single piece of takoyaki. Leaning over very carefull, he tries to see what's going on below him.<br /><br />The two in the booths on either side look confused for a moment, then look up.. and start laughing. "Oi oi oi! You got replaced by someone younger and cuter!" The takoyaki attendant fumes for a moment, but then lets out a laugh himself. "Hey, little lady! At least give me a ladder!" It seems that the residents are not only used to strange things happening, they're in good humor over anything that may happen. Why get upset, when today is a festival!<br /><br />From his new vantage point, the takoyaki attendant can see all the way down the road! So when he spots a large group coming over, he reaches out and waves a hand. "You group down there! I'll give you a feww order if you can reach up to get it!" It's good publicity to cater to bigger groups like that, and the man seems to be in good enough spirits. Meanwhile, the booth next to Tenshi's on one side seems to be for goldfish catching. He twirls the plastic-rimmed paper scoop between his fingers. "Any of you want to try it out? I've got plenty of goldfish!" He gives a guarded look to both Taiga and Zafira, though. "...but they're not for eating." That gets the candy apple vendor on the other side laughing. "I don't think Taiga eats fish!"<br /><br />Kotoha looks at Nozomi for a moment before shrugging. "More for me, then! How about a candy apple?" She's already giving the man a coin and passing said apple over to the girl. "So what's this rock toss thing?" Kotoha squints at Tenshi for a moment before extending her hand. "You're not from Sakurashin. Kotoha Isone, pleased to meet you. I'm with the Hiizumi Life Counciling Office. How much for a game?"<br /><br />Yep, just about everyone in town seems pretty mellow!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:477|Tenshi Hinanai (477)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hello," Tenshi states to Taiga. Her response is almost bored, though she vaults her counter again and then plants her hands on it. Behind her, the flat floor of the stall interior rises up on three pedestals and then, atop them, wink in trios of Nawi Keystones in triangle formations, "It's not about how you can help me, but how I can help you!" Leaning back, she gestures. In response, more Nawi Keystones wink into existence on the counter in front of her, point-up, "If you can knock down my keystones, I'll give you life-changing advice."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The joking complaint from above gets her leaning forward so she can look up past the edge of the slab, "I'll think about if if you hook me up with some of that!"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then to Kotone on her approach, the angel straightens and rubs a finger underneath her nose proudly, eyes closed, "Hinanawi Tenshi, Great Tennyo of Bhava-Agra. And I'm a little insulted that you'd think my wisdom costs /money/. Tennyo shed themselves of material desires. And besides--" Eyes opening, she props a hand on the counter, leaning on it, "Paying money for my advice would be kind of a ripoff, anyway. So the payment is effort, the reward is introspection."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Also meandering around the festival is a certain former soldier; she'd gotten the invite from Kotoha but Adelaide had found the town...surprisingly festive. And /bloody large./ Okay, fine, she can deal with a block party, but when it's the whole bloody quarter how is anyone supposed to find anything?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well, granted, she's been able to find a lot of things - some pretty damn cool things, actually, but it'd be nice to figure out where the hell that Kotoha kid was at. But damn if the food's good, the smells amazing, and the merchandise kinda affordable. Addie makes her way through the festival, clad in her usual clothes - though this time, instead of the ubiquitous yellow hoodie, she's managed to find herself a happi coat emblazoned with a mon of seven sakura petals on the front and back.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That and a bag of various snacks, treats, fireworks, and other such things...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sudden rumbling sounds something like a cross between an earthquake and a car accident, and the festively dressed woman breaks into a sprint - and skids to a halt when she finds the "rock throwing" stall. Okay, that's unexpected, but she's found Kotoha just in time to hear the proprietor's speech.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, Nozomi, Kotoha! Finally, been looking for you for a while. So...Tenshi...hm. Psyber's mentioned you before," she adds with a grin. "Uh, don't mind me, I don't mean to butt in or anything. But hell, it sounds interesting." Wisdom and introspection, huh. Hell, she'll probably get some damn fortune-cookie speech; 'You are experienced and world-wise and must put your knowledge to work.'<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The immediate phrase added to all fortune cookies gets applied in her mind, and Addie does her best to crush the smirk on her face before she bursts out laughing. Instead, she manages to squeak out a simple "I'll try" before anything else.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:342|Nozomi Houken (342)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ah, that's-" Suddenly, Nozomi has an apple, before she can even finish a 'really you don't have to'. The shorter girl blinks in surprise, but then after a second of hesitation, she bites into the candied apple. Nomf.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then there is a large group of people. Nozomi immediately takes a step back and to the side, more or less hiding herself behind Kotoha, and sort of stares past her at the group including a blue dog and a tall pink-haired woman. She gives a quick look, however, to Adelaide, and a small smile actually appears on her face; someone she knows, someone she's familiar with, is a welcome sight right now.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taiga, meanwhile, is staring at the big group as well. It is a very directed, piercing stare, surprising coming from a mechanical being; the intense look he gives, in particular, to the Wolkenritter, makes it rather plain that he seems aware that they are particularly abnormal. However, his subsequent reaction makes it just as obvious that he doesn't seem to consider them a threat; he simply turns his attention to the Tennyo's stand again, tilting his head slightly.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I will assume that using my cannons would be cheating. So why don't I do this instead."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The robotiger ambles forward, lifting his head up high enough to take one of Tenshi's keystones between his teeth. He takes several four-legged steps backward, ears quirking and shifting, calculating trajectories... and then leaps up into the air, doing a horizontal turn to build momentum and allow him to FLING the keystone with pinpoint accuracy towards the stands the Tennyo has set up.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:558|Yagami Hayate (558)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The offer gets Hayate's attention, as she points quickly. "Signum! Do you think you can get that? Without cheating?" Cheating, huh? Signum hmms, assessing it thoughtfully.<br /><br />Vita looks up and grins, but Hayate shoots her a look that discourages HER solution.<br /><br />Finally, Signum sets the brake on the chair and nods, "I will do my best," she says carefully. Even without using magic to fly, she is pretty athletic and limber, so it's quite possible she could! And that's what she tries... leaping up to kick off one support nearby, trying to lend enough of a boost that she can stag the tray and land. Without spilling anything.<br /><br />The girl identified as Chikade claps, but then ohs as she is distracted by the goldfish. "Ah... Shamal, maybe you could try?" Zafira, at least, looks curious but in no hurry to gulp down fish at least.<br /><br />Vita, her fun ruined, is left to glare back at Taiga as if to say 'you wanna make something of it?'<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>When Signum bounds up high enough to reach the tray, the attendant makes sure to hold it loosely enough that it can be grabbed. "Oh, nice one, young lady!" Young seems to be the right term, as the man looks to be in his late 40s. In fact... in the entire town, there hasn't seemed to be more than a small handful of people between the ages of 20 and 40. There are plenty of kids and teenagers, and lots of folks over middle-age, but not a lot in that earlier range of adulthood.<br /><br />The man laughs again and reaches down with a tray. "Deal! Let me know how it is! I've got the best takoyaki here in Sakurashin, you know!" At the interest in his own game, the man holds a goldfish catching wand toward Shamal. "I'm sure both of those young ladies would love to have one to take home!"<br /><br />"Sorry, sorry~" says Kotoha, waving a hand. "So, wisdom, huh... What sort of wisdom, I wonder..." She may not have to wonder long, however, as Taiga takes the initiative. "Ohhhhh!" Kotoha even gives a little clap as the robot tiger tosses his stone. "Nozomi, Nozomi, you should get him to pitch for the Tigers sometime. They'd love him, I bet!" She throws an arm around the shorter girl and grins broadly. "Imagine it! Taiga of the Tigers!" <br /><br />Then she hears her name called and glances up. "..oh, hey! It's the gunlady! How are ya enjoying the festival, Addie?" Lifting an arm, Kotoha waves Adelaide over. "So... Tenshi, huh." She glances back again. "A Tennyo? You're a youkai, then? But not from around here... Well, welcome to Sakurashin! Enjoy your stay, and make sure you get to walk around the festival too!"<br /><br />Without warning, the entire world seems to turn monochrome. The ambient sounds of the town are gone, and a bright flash of light can be seen overhead. From the cloudless sky, a bolt of black lightning crashes down, right toward a little girl walking past with her mother. The impact is loud and the shockwave knocks back those too close, including Kotoha, who tries her best to catch Nozomi. The girl lets out a shriek of surprise as she falls back and drops the bagged goldfish from her hand.<br /><br />A moment later, sound and color return to the world, and those who were knocked over begin to stand up and dust themselves off.<br /><br />"What was that?" Kotoha pushes herself to her feet and stands, ready to help anyone else who may need aid.<br /><br />And the bagged goldfish just sits there, little sparks running over it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:477|Tenshi Hinanai (477)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Who the heck is that?" Tenshi states in response to Psyber being mentioned. It's an honest question--she's never met the guy before. "I only have two stacks so we'll have to take turns a bit, but yeah you're free to try your hand at it." A glance at the tiger and she raises a finger, wagging it, "Break stones with stones, and build yourself a home of humility."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once the mechanical tiger takes his rock and makes a ridiculously flashy show of throwing it, the angel skids aside to get out of the way. The impact is solid. The keystone that had been thrown outright shatters into a thousand pieces. The three stones that were struck topple over--and then promptly reset.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well done, robot cat thing," the angel claps, then plants her hands on her countertop, "For you, the advice I have is difficult to discern--because you're a robot--but I'll give it my all."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Straightening, she clears her throat, then spreads her hands with her eyes still closed: "The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; He is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability he has."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eyes opening, she leans forward upon sighting Signum coming down with takoyaki, "Oi! Old man! Hook me up, down here, I'm diein'--Oh!" When he holds the plate down, she reaches up to take it, then retreats back inside. True to her word, a stairwell of stone rises up in the gap between her stand and the goldfish-catching stall, narrow but servicable.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AND THEN SHIT GOES CRAZY.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stalwart as the earth, Tenshi weathers the rumbling, holding her hat in place with her feet spread out for balance. Once it settles down, she slams her hands on her counter, "Is that normal? Man, this town isn't as boring as I thought it was."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nozomi gets a wave, and Taiga gets an appreciative whistle as he shows off his robotic gymnastics. "Hey, kiddo. Good to see you again. Been a while, y'know?" But the girl is still chewing on her apple, and Addie knows how much of a treet those are. She can wait for Shyzomi to answer.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then the tigerbot has competition! Signum's leap up gets a double look of surprise from the gunsmith - especially with the kind of, shall we say, mass and balance problems that the Wolkenritter might have. (Adelaide feels your pain, Vita.) Whoever the kid is, she's got an interesting family. And then Adelaide is momentarily amused, seeing Signum's prize, wondering if...oh why the hell not.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, shoppy!" This is directed to the stall-keeper upstairs. "Swap you a couple of those fried-cake things for a few sticks?" If he agrees, she'll avoid any kind of fancy showy sorts of acrobatics, and any fancy showy sorts of magical abilities, and instead rely on a fancy showy three-point shot practiced from years of playing basketball.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kotoha sees her, and Adelaide grins, making her way to the highschooler's side. "Pretty good! Bloody spread out though, took forever to find you. You didn't warn me it was this big," Addie adds with a teasingly gruff voice. She's hardly serious.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To Tenshi, the ponytailed woman nods. "Psyber, of Heaven or Hell. Don't worry, what he said was good." Not all that much to be honest, but she knows of Tenshi from the Union as well. "So...bust a stone, huh." Before Addie can say anything further, the lightning bolt strikes almost immediately behind her - the crash of thunder terrifying her to the point of diving to the ground and grabbing the nearest thing for cover. Sort of like what you'd do when a shell goes off next to you...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...except the nearest thing usually isn't Kotoha's leg.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After blinking a few times, she realizes just where she is and lets go quickly, scrabbling away amidst apologies. "S-sorry! But what the hell was that?!" Obviously, it was electric, because Addie's ponytail is starting to stand on end...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:342|Nozomi Houken (342)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"G-get him to what-?!" Nozomi looks as if she's completely blindsided by this suggestion. "Aah, Kotoha, I-I don't- I don't think that's... there's probably some kind of rule..." Taiga simply looks smug as he listens to his advice. Somehow.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...I'm kind of glad we didn't pay," Nozomi mumbles, nearly a whisper.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then the world goes a little crazy in a very, very loud way. Nozomi is offbalanced enough by the sheer /surprise/ of it that the shockwave has no trouble taking her off her feet, and she's already letting out a surprised shriek by the time Nozomi grabs her.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And by the time Kotoha looks up, Taiga is already there, both his cannons active and aimed, hunched low in a predatory posture that screams 'ready for a fight'. The entirety of his attention is on that goldfish, both cannons aimed right at it, as if at any moment he expects to have to unload. Those who KNOW Taiga know that this is probably a very bad sign.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:558|Yagami Hayate (558)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Thank you," Signum replies in clipped tones. It's sincere, just... curt. And she's barely had a chance to enjoy her labors when stuff goes crazy.<br /><br />At that time, Shamal is trying and failing to catch a goldfish. Sure, she has the delicate touch needed for this, but... well. She has no idea what this game is! Chikade is giggling at the attempts, that's for sure, but she gasps when the lightning hits, forcing Zafira to dash in behind and catch her as she falls.<br /><br />Hayata cries out, ducking her head and yelling, "IT'S NOT ZOMBIES IS IT?!?" Alwyas with the zombies. But fortunately Vita is right there in front of her, while Signum is coming up on the side, both looking wary but not yet changing into their Knight Clothes.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Well hello there Addie. Kotoha blinks and looks down at her leg, but doesn't seem too bothered by it. "That was..." She turns her head toward where the lightning crashed down, a sort of haunted look in her eyes. "...something familiar." Her voice is hollow, but she shakes her head and blinks. "You okay, Nozomi?" Even back on her feet, Kotoha is reluctant to let the girl go until she's sure Nozomi can stand on her own. <br /><br />"Uh... no, it's not zombies. It's just a... a goldfish." A goldfish now flopping on the ground, since the drop split the bag open. "No, that wasn't normal. You may want to stand back, though. I think..."<br /><br />BWORMP! That's about what it sounds like as the goldish bulges out and grows, suddenly a good ten feet long. It blows a few bubbles and lurches forward, bouncing up and above Taiga, then down toward the robot!<br /><br />"--#%&*@!" says Kotoha in clear English. She's learned a few words.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well hello there Kotoha. It doesn't take Adelaide long to unlatch and apologize deeply. "Look, uh, it's not like I'm always doing that, just..." Her explanation of being terrified with metaphors that were colorful enough to set Nozomi's hair on fire dies on her tongue, as she gets very concerned.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then Tiger goes into deeply protective mode, the guns on his shoulders locking onto something behind her. Adelaide knows /exactly/ what this means and drops her bags of things, spinning around as fast as her divinely improved reflexes can handle and quickdrawing the revolver tucked under the coat. It's aimed at...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...at a fish in a bag?!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Signum and Vita get a hand in their direction. "Back up. Something's not right here, ladies." Getting to her feet, she's moving to keep TIGER covered. "Get some space, stay safe, and get the girl out of here." The one in the wheelchair, she means...or maybe the braided redhead brat. And well, were Signum and Vita NOT Wolkenritter and mere bystanders, Addie would be right...but it seems that Kotoha's 'gun lady' has a surprise coming.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And boy howdy does she ever; the flopping fish suddenly becomes a gigantic sort of...some damn thing or other, and then flying through the air and blowing bubbles at people - especially TAIGA. Addie, gun still in hand, trades off with Kotoha. "I'll protect Nozomi! Tiger, Kotoha, you're up!" Now where the hell is that wheelchair-girl's friends, they need tog et back too...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:342|Nozomi Houken (342)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I-I'm fine," Nozomi murmurs. She is perhaps a bit wobbly on her feet, but she can stand well enough. "But what-"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That is very suddenly a ten-foot goldfish. Oh god.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The TIGER, meanwhile, is all action in an instant. The fish bounces forward, and so does Taiga, digging his claws in and hurling himself under the flopping monster. It's a much safer dodge than backing up or even moving to the sides would be, and it allows him to roll through, turn, and bring his cannons to bear. It doesn't actually seem to be /attacking/ just yet, so he doesn't open fire, but...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You." Directed at Signum primarily, but all of the Wolkenritter in general. "Whatever abilities you possess, I recommend you ready them."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:477|Tenshi Hinanai (477)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Good," Tenshi states, "Abnormal things are way less boring." She sets her tray of takoyaki on top of a keystone, then vaults her counter and floats up past it as if she weighed nothing at all. Behind her floats the snack, because she wants to eat them while they're still fresh. From her belt she collects the hilt of a sword that has no blade, twirling it on the strap-like tassle dangling from the hilt.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But seriously, what trouble could a giant goldfish cause?" Leaning forward in midair, she stabs a takoyaki with a toothpick and picks it up, "What's he gonna do, flop at me?" Nom.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:558|Yagami Hayate (558)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Signum shakes her head, "No, Master's safety is my first priority. VITA!" She turns around swiftly and scoops up Hayate, who clings to her with a look of confusion, but accepts it. She doesn't order them to do anything differently, that's for sure!<br /><br />Unfortunately, it looks like the other girl is on her knees and wheezing from the excitement, eyes wide. Her hood has slipped back, and it's pretty blatant now that she's /very/ ill. Which might be why Shamal, the blonde, is gathering her up and resting her atop that huge wolf, hurrying her to safety while Signum is actually /flying/ away.<br /><br />Which leaves Vita, her bunny in the empty wheelchair, and her clothing replaced by a red dress. A hammer materializes in her hand. "I don't know, but he's ruined Hayate's day out! I'm gonna smash it!" Looks like Taiga gets someone to help, but not the one expected.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Mm hmm." Kotoha just smirks at Addie but doesn't say anything beyond that. She's just teasing a bit, she knows it was an accident. "I think..." Kotoha holds onto Nozomi's shoulders for a moment longer, just to be sure the girl really is steady. "It feels like..."<br /><br />Tenshi speaks the truth, for the giant goldfish does indeed flop high in the air and come down, right toward the tennyo!<br /><br />"..it's a hanyou," whispers Kotoha. "Like me." She slowly frowns... then lifts a hand for attention. "Everyone! Don't panic! We'll take care of this!"<br /><br />From the various stalls come some laughs, a few cheers, and more than a few 'we're counting on you girls!' as the booth vendors step back... but don't make any move to run. Either they're not scared of this thing at all or they have a lot of trust that the issue will be taken care of. "Um, let's see... it's really tough now, so don't worry about hurting it! But if we don't drive the spirit out fast, it'll stay possessed forever!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Some people like boring," Addie grouses at Tenshi. Not very strongly, she's just griping about nearly being hit by a lightning bolt and now being menaced by a seriously pissed-off Magicarp. The ex-soldier keeps herself between Nozomi and the fish for the moment, just in case the thing decides to start flopping their way. And damn that thing's got some weight, as the pavement crackles beneath it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The tall red(dish)head pulls back, but Tiger already spotted something in her as well. Great, there's superheroes everywhere or some damn thing! "Nice town you got here, Kotoha..." Hey, a bitching soldier is a happy soldier! And when Vita steps forward, clad in some kind of beauty-pageant outfit, hammer in hand, Addie just can't help but snort in amusement. Magical girls /are/ /everywhere/, and all she ever got was nearly killed and a blood transfusion!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Life ain't fuckin' fair!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But now they've got the fish surrounded, Vita to one side of it, Tiger at its back, Tenshi staring it down, and Addie on its other side. The revolver's aimed up high, kept on the fish, and she listens close to Kotoha's words. "Got it!" Addie almost laughs. This bizarrely reminds her of one of her first nights in the multiverse, when Psyber himself had been taken over by a ghost of some damn thing or another.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The only option then had been to beat it out of him, literally, with everything they had up to and including a tank gun. Well, Addie doesn't have anything like that - but she does have something in that revolver that she's been wanting to try out, and she opens fire on the fish aiming for the head. Not with lethal rounds, though - the big bullets from the wheelgun aren't lead, but a miniature taser. Hey, it's a fish, it lives in water, it should conduct electricity beautifully well!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Besides, it's something she can safely carry and not worry about killing anyone unintentionally...something that's become important to the woman lately.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:558|Yagami Hayate (558)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Leave that to me!" Vita calls out, suddenly launching into the air and streaking toward the fish! Looks like she's going to... beat it out of the fish? A spinning launch toward the giant fish is marked by a sudden blast of rockets bursting from the back of the tiny girl's hammer, aiming to knock the fish away from any bystanders and toward the other combat-capable sorts. "HEADS UP!"<br /><br />The other Wolkenritter are making a break for it, as apparently their first priority is protecting the sick girl and the crippled one. Pretty unsurprising, really. It's just Vita for now.<br /><br />"VITA! Be careful!" That's Hayate yelling that, carried in Signum's arms.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:477|Tenshi Hinanai (477)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A shadow overcomes Tenshi while she mocks the fish for being a worthless baby carp. Eyes following it up, her expression flattens.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Of /course/."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;SLAM. The Tennyo is knocked out of the sky and smashed into the pavement. This is further worsened by Vita smashing the fish down even harder on top of her. But Tenshi is nothing if not ridiculously stubborn and also ridiculously resiliant.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Around the fish, in concentric rings, jagged spires of stone suddenly lurch up in three bursts, expanding outward from where the angel had been squashed. When this smoothes down again, a large keystone erupts from the ground directly beneath the fish, like a huge uppercut.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All of these are just Tenshi's attempts to get the damn thing off her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:342|Nozomi Houken (342)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If nothing else, that mousy girl with Kotoha seems very good at getting off to one side and out of the way when things get dangerous. Nozomi is, for the moment, alarmed but unharmed, and so does not merit worrying about for the time being.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If Taiga has an issue with Vita, he does not show it. Perhaps his ability to detect supernatural strength has reassured him that she will be a more than adequate partner for the moment.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With impressive speed, he darts around the booths, lunging and leaping, coming around from the side opposite Vita. The very instant he's got a shot, those shoulder cannons of his light up, spewing yellow spheres of magical energy; without skipping a beat, he leaps between spires of stone, using them as springboards to fling himself right up into the sky above the goldfish in perfect position to 'catch' it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With his magically-energized claws.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He turns himself over in the air, a flip that echoes his earlier rock toss, and hurls the fish right back down towards the ground, opening fire on it with its cannons again as it drops.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>SpinspinspinFWOMP. The gigantic goldfish bellyflops right onto Tenshi, then wobbles as Vita's hammer slams into it, bouncing it off the ground a few inches. The fish burbles.<br /><br />The stone spires launch it upwards, then the large keystone sends it flying into the air, spinning end over end. That's when Taiga's first shot hits it, bouncing it up into the air before the robot tiger slams it down toward the ground again. (Hopefully not right back onto Tenshi, but who knwos her luck.) It bounces off the ground, then slams back down again as Taiga's next shot strikes. Then Adelaide's taser bullets slam into it, and (normal) electricity zaps over the fish's skin.<br /><br />For a moment, Kotoha just watches, wide-eyed. "Huh. You guys are pretty good at this!" But when the goldfish is done being juggled, she pokes her tongue out. "My turn! Shortcut: fish bowl!" Sparks run over her tongue, and a giant fishbowl, complete with water, pops into being in the middle of the street. As it lands from its final bounce, the goldfish drops into the bowl with a splash! Wisps of steam rise up from the surface of the water, and the goldfish seems to be shrinking back to normal size.<br /><br />"Ha, we did it! Good job!" The booth vendors let out a cheer of their own, and the takoyaki guy even holds down another tray.<br /><br />Then the world goes monochrome again. ZAP! CRASH! ZORT! In the distance, all around the city, more of those black lightning bolts come crashing down.<br /><br />Kotoha just stares out toward the sky. "Well, ^%^$&*#%."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vita goes to work and the ground practically explodes around that super-wise tennyo chick. Ruby eyes take in the situation, and Adelaide nods - with Tiger and Vita, the fish is literally well in hand. Addie makes her way to Tenshi's side, offering a hand. "You alright?" Probably; magical angel beings tend to be tougher than that.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then Kotoha gets in on the fun, and a gigantic fishbowl full of water appears - just in the right spot for the fish to execute a perfect two-point layup from its last bounce. As the steam clears, the fish is shrinking...and Addie can't help but ask the stupid question. "Is it dead?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staring in wonder, even managing to ignore the Takoyaki, Addie just watches the fish. How the hell did...that...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...happen.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kotoha's words may be unprintable, but they are echoed almost perfectly. "Don't tell me. Split up, we'll do more damage that way?" Hey, it worked for the Ghostbusters...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:477|Tenshi Hinanai (477)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tenshi has left a nice angel-shaped indent where the fish had slammed her down, surrounded by cracks both from the impact as well as from the effects of her own spells. When Addie offers a hand up, those red eyes just swivel towards the Knight, "...I stink like fish now."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;PRIORITIES.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;However the angel does take the gunsmith's offer and hauls herself upright, making sure she hasn't lost the Hisou no Tsurugi, and then glancing across the skyline as more bolts of lightning start coming down, "...Greeeeeat! This town just got more interesting."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:558|Yagami Hayate (558)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Vita peers into the distance. "All right, I guess there's more to take care of! ZAFIRA! Get over here so we can get some Barriers up!" The dog... takes off and flies toward the town with her? Ah well, things are already pretty weird here, who's going to care?<br /><br />Hayate looks fine, though of course not moving her legs. Shamal, however, is there tending to a wheezing Chikade, which is why the others are busy.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:342|Nozomi Houken (342)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The fish is dealt with. Nozomi comes out and stares a little at the giant goldfish bowl, glancing between it and Kotoha. She doesn't get to see the hanyou use her powers 'in the field' very often. "Ah... Kotoha, what wa-"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;More lightning.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nozomi immediately lets a little yelp out and ducks behind Kotoha again. Taiga, on the other hand, turns to look towards the town, ears sweeping and quirking. After a second, he declares, "There are several, but the threat level isn't particularly high. With assistance, I will be fine in Independent Mode." Whatever that means, it seems a relief to Nozomi.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Vita and Zafira go flying off, they are shortly joined by the robotic tiger. He isn't flying as they are, but leaping swiftly along the rooftops, high enough to occasionally draw level with the two of them.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hello," he greets Zafira.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"No... it's not dead. We drove the spirit out of it." Kotoha scratches the side of her head. "Long story. But it's just a goldfish now." She glances aside to the Tennyo. "Glad you're okay. I was a little worried there..." The idea that there are now more of these things around worries her, though. "I'm not sure what's causing this. Normally there's not more than one, and even that's rare... Hang on, let me make a call." She puls out her cell phone and taps away, then puts it to her ear. <br /><br />"Aaaaaoooo! Tell Akina to pass word on to Hime and Kyousuke! We've got hanyou alert! ...yes. No. I dunno, more than one! Can you find them all?" She looks up from the phone and holds a hand out. "Ah, hang on! Ao is trying to look for where they are! It'll be easier than just running around!" Leaning over, she asides to the others who haven't flown off. "Ao's a satori in our office. She'll find 'em."<br /><br />Elsewhere in town, a young girl with cat ears munches on a rice cracker. "Mmph. Right then." Chewchewswallow. Ao closes her eyes and pricks her ears up. "Ready, and... SATELLITE!" A beam of golden light flies up to the sky, visible across the town. The satori's ears twitch as she clenches her eyes shut, reaching out with her power to skim the minds of the whole town for anyone who's seen a giant goldfish. "Ah! Got it!" She stuffs the rest of the rice cracker in her mouth and picks up the phone again.<br /><br />"--what? There's eight of them? Where? Uh huh. Got it. Yeah. Thanks, Ao~!" As Kotoha hangs up the phone, she turns toward the others. "Hime and Kyousuke can probably handle two or three. That leaves five for us! Closest one is two blocks this way. Um..." She glances at Signum and Hayate. "If you can call your friends, there are two off in that direction. Three blocks and seven blocks away in a straight line. And I've got--"<br /><br />Ringringring goes Kotoha's phone. "What, really? Shortcut: fish bowl!" Sparks fly from her tongue and... nothing happens, but there's a splash sound from the other side of the phonecall. "That's one down, so... they can get two, we'll go get the nearest one. Sound good?" Kotoha is already running in place, ready to dash off!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Eh, I've smelled worse." Though Addie bets that Tenshi is /not/ going to play the goldfish catching game after that. Or maybe she'll just go smite it instead or something. "Yeah, no kidding." Vita, Tiger, and Zafira go haring off after another one, and if it's at all like the one they just put down, they'l be fine.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kotoha makes her phone call, and Addie nods - she remembers vaguely the satori, but Addie's more interested in reloading those stun bullets. Well hot damn, they worked, how about that. Once the gun's ready she locks it closed, and then the kotodama user's already giving instructions. Alright.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Nozomi. You want to come with us, or help the others? Doesn't seem to be too much, but..." Addie's eyes fall on the wheezing girl in the hood, and she frowns - that's two cripples in the area, right offhand. A glance at the energetic High School Girl #2, a smirk, and then Adelaide can't help but grin. "Race you?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well, that is, unless Nozomi joins them...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:477|Tenshi Hinanai (477)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Whoever's causing this is gonna pay for my dry-cleaning!" Tenshi declares, thrusting a fist into the sky. That fist is wrapped around the hilt of the Hisou no Tsurugi, and when she shoves it skyward, the blade forms, ever-flowing orange like fire. Lowering the sword, she kicks off and returns to flight, twisting in a swirl of rainbow sash and soiled apron, "Well? You two gonna be heroes or do I gotta kick you around until you prove it like I did Mister Satan?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:558|Yagami Hayate (558)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Go," Hayate says. "I'll be fine here with Shamal and the others," she insists. She indicates the various townspeople and the like, and the fact that Chikade is breathing better after Shamal's attention.<br /><br />Signum stares at Hayate long and hard, then nods. "All right. I'll tell Vita and Zafira where they need to go." She turns and takes off, launching into the air to buzz across the ground and shift into her knight clothes. Looks like the Wolkenritter are willing to help.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:342|Nozomi Houken (342)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ah, I..." Nozomi gives Addie a hesitant look. She glances back to Hayate and Chikade, then Addie again, and says, "I-I'll... I'll stay with them. Taiga doesn't need me, so..." So she'll be safer out of the way.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;True to her word, she goes jogging over to Hayate, though once she reaches the wheelchair-bound girl, she stops and fidgets a bit nervously. "Ah... h-hey." Pause. "...'m Nozomi. Houken Nozomi." She doesn't seem to do 'new people' very well, but at least Hayate is nonthreatening!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taiga, once he has a target relayed to him by Kotoha, will immediately veer off towards that target at high robocat speed.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>When Vita, Zafira, and Taiga arrive at the indicated spots, they'll find... more of those goldfish. They're barreling down the roadways, crashing into things and knocking stalls over, but otherwise seem to not actually be directed by any sense of aggression. They're just big and bumbling.<br /><br />"...Pfff. You're on, slowpoke!" Kotoha points at Addie, then at Tenshi. "You wanna come with or keep an eye out here?" She doesn't take long to offer her choice before leaping upward, easily high enough to hit the rooftop behind the festival stalls. "Just try to keep up!" Hanyou physiology -may- be cheating in a race.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Addie gives her a wink. The suggestion was for Nozomi's sake, after all; Adelaide knows the girl's a bit on the skittish side. And doesn't have much in the way of a combat capability herself...hm, she'll have to fix that. But later. For now, Nozomi's 'guarding' the others and making sure they're okay - and well, at the very least, the townsfolk might need a hand.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Slowpoke my ass!" Addie's up for a run - and then Kotoha /effing cheats/ with her magical-girl-ninja-leaping, and as she's very clearly shown up - she's also /dared/ to. The challenge from Kotoha is like a flag fluttering before the bull, and this bullheaded bulldog is damn well not going to just give in!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At least she knows which way to go, Addie thinks, as she takes off in a dash. A short sprint of a few blocks isn't so bad, for someone who's ran three miles every day since basic training! Hanyou physiology may be cheating, but it doesn't stand up to years of Landser PT, and Addie's going to prove old age and treachery wins every time over youth and energy.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:558|Yagami Hayate (558)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Zafira just grunts, because the budget doesn't call for his Voice Actor to get any lines tonight. He lands near one of the goldfish and growls loudly, causing spires of ice to erupt in an attempt to hold it in place.<br /><br />At the same time, Vita grasps her hammer. "Well Tiger guy, I guess the rest are up to us! This was supposed to be a relaxing day for my Master, so do you mind if I get a little rough? Thanks!"<br /><br />Yeah, she didn't ask for permission actually. She just rockets in to slam the hammer down and try to stop one of the fish from moving. "Gonna need a bowl I guess."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:477|Tenshi Hinanai (477)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Are you kidding?" Tenshi snips at Kotoha, "You heard me a second ago, right?" And without further explenation, she ascends in a smooth arc and towards one of the indicated youkai. Not the exact same one that the other two girls are headed for, though. Because she doesn't think giant goldfish are worth a 3-person team effort.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rather, she confronts one rolling down a hill street by herself.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And to keep it from rolling over her (again), Tenshi flips her hands up, bringing the earth up into a wall for the fish to smack into. Then it's just a matter of rolling it up in the more pliable asphalt using some well-placed stone spires.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:342|Nozomi Houken (342)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"By all means," the deep-voiced robot replies. "In fact, I will leave you to enjoy yourself." He moves right along, picking a different fish to tackle.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When a target is moving in such a nonhostile way, it makes Taiga's job that much easier. His primary course of action is a high, flying leap over the giant goldfish from above, raining down shot after shot of magical energy from above. When he lands in front of it, his cannons open up once more, before he darts in right under it, hurls himself straight upward, and slams into it claws-first from below, so as to fling it straight up in the air.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Haaaa!" Leaping off the rooftop, Kotoha somersaults and extends her leg, slamming down onto the goldfish with a two-story heel drop! She bounces off its blubbery body and flips to land on her feet, leaving Addie to finish the fish off with her taserbullets! <br /><br />Vita's hammer makes quick work of another, slamming it against the ground before it finally calms down, blowing small bubbles. Taiga's is juggled by a rain of energy blasts, then sent flying up into the air! By the time it comes back down again, it seems to have been finished. And Tenshi's is trapped in a roll of street, burbling as it's squeezed.<br /><br />The goldfish don't really put up too much of a fight. Once they're found, a short, savage beating seems to be enough to drive the possessing spirit right out of them. What they plan to do with the normal goldfish left flopping around on the ground, however, is up to them.<br /><br />Ringringring. Kotoha picks up her phone. "Ao! Yeah, we got them! What, there's one left? Where is it?"<br /><br />Blorp. The last giant goldfish rolls down the street where it all started, barreling toward Hayate and Nozomi. As it bounces against a wall--<br /><br />The world goes monochrome. Lightning falls, landing on the already-overgrown goldfish. Steam rises from its body as it expands to twice its already massive size, and this time it's more than just a giant fish. An enormous mouth opens wide, and fins have extended into arms long enough to propel it swiftly along the ground. At least that lightning bolt was visible from just about anywhere!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:342|Nozomi Houken (342)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taiga had planned to make a very brief return to the festival grounds before returning to the fray, so to speak. He is there when the last fish comes flopping their way, in fact, dropping it into the bowl with the first goldfish in what is probably an impressive show of delicateness from the robotiger.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then lightning strikes again. And this time, the threat is just that - a threat. Real, dangerous, and angry.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In a heartbeat, there is a black mecha-feline between Hayate and Nozomi, and the inbound hanyou fish. His cannons are levelled, and though he doesn't look back, Taiga does speak over his shoulder. "Nozomi. Be ready. Just in case." She nods a little nervously, then glances back to Hayate, Chikade, and Shamal. "Ah... y-you should probably get out of here, while you have the chance..."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This nervous, flighty little girl is trying to /protect/ them?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Okay fine Kotoha gets their first, the damn roof-leaping cheater. ...Whom Addie is ten years older than but that's not relevant at all, dammit! The heel drop and bounce leaves the fish fazed, and the gunsmith's shoes squeak against the pavement as she skids to a stop again. The gun comes up and unloads all six shots, the energy of the electric bullets sparking across the fish finish driving out whatever...sort of spirit or power or whatnot is turning them into a sushi house's nightmare.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As this one shrinks, Adelaide catches it and then turns to face Kotoha. "Just a little one?" Fishbowls, she means; it's probably SOMEONE'S pet. But her question's interrupted, leaving Kotoha to figure it out and handle it - Addie simply tosses the girl the goldfish and takes off running.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THAT bolt of lightning was only going to be bad - and it was back at the festival!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:477|Tenshi Hinanai (477)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tenshi squeezes her giant fish until a normal goldfish pops out the end of her STREET BURRITO, then simply strolls over and picks it up by the tail, squinting at the picean with legitimate fury, "Not so tough NOW, are you?" Lightning strikes back near the festival, prompting her to turn and look in that direction. Her red eyes look up towards the sky, and then she lets out a "Tch..!" and takes to the sky again.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No she does not fix the street.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A few moments later, the tennyo comes to a halt above the original giant fishbowl and drops her fish into it, then plants her feet on the rim while regarding the new threat. After a moment, she tilts her head, resting a finger from her free hand alongside her jawline in a thoughtful pose.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"In the sea of life, know your position and your surroundings. For however great your achievements, one can always be discovered by a bigger fish."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:558|Yagami Hayate (558)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Nozomi is going to protect Shamal? She's... grateful. But... "Master, Chikade... I'm sorry. We don't have time." To Nozomi the blonde smiles. "I'll help, don't worry."<br /><br />As Vita and Signum and Zafira are plopping goldfish into nearby makeshift bowls, it looks like things are heating up at the point of origin!<br /><br />Shamal raises her hand to the sky. "IA, IA! HASTUR! I summon thee... Deus Machina of the Skies, LORD BYAKHEE!"<br /><br />A great tear in reality opens up in the sky, and a giant mecha of vaguely dragonlike shape erupts from the rent, screaming down toward the bloated goldfish with claws that slice downward in a powerful vacuum cut, sending furrows erupting along the ground on the way to the overgrown koi.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Shortcut: fishbowl!" The one that materializes is a lot smaller, and Kotoha catches the tossed fish with a swing of her arm. "Good job, gunlady. Now let's--" She glances back as another bolt of lightning comes down. "...let's get back, quick!" She stays at street level this time, running alongside Adelaide back toward the festival street.<br /><br />And then she stops short as she sees a giant robot appearing in the sky. "What the..."<br /><br />The fish is big, but there's no way it can stand up to a giant robot powered by an elder god. It lets out a burble as giant claws send air blades toward it, stopping its charge in an instant. "Shortcut: aquarium!" comes Kotoha's voice as she rounds the corner, and a large glass tank of water pops into being right behind the fish. It's already shrinking in size as it flies back from the force of impact from the robot's cut, and the fish is swept into the aquarium with a loud POP. A few moments later, it's already begun to shrink back to normal size. "W..well. That's all of them! Is everyone okay? Nobody hurt?" Kotoha looks relieved.<br /><br />She'll be less relieved when she sees the mess of the street a few blocks over, given that she's one of the ones who will get to fix it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:342|Nozomi Houken (342)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nozomi is left standing there, more than a little flabbergasted, by the sight of this strange nice lady she's just met calling upon a cosmic horror-powered giant robot.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Even Taiga is surprised enough to be given pause. Don't tell anyone.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But then it is ended fairly quickly, and with a suspicious look around, the magitech robot makes a last quick sweep of the surrounding area with his sensors for more lightning. Only when that doesn't seem to be the case does he amble over to Nozomi and sit down. "No damage to report," he replies, while Nozomi simply shakes her head.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She keeps looking anxiously at Shamal.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:558|Yagami Hayate (558)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Hayate is staring at Shamal with some suspicion, but Shamal just shakes her head, "Not now, Master..." At least the giant robot vanishes in another flare of a portal opening, sending it back to noneuclidean realms and out of the way. The healer hurries over to check on Chikade, who just shakes it away.<br /><br />"We're fine," the sick girl says in a whispered voice. She doesn't seem surprised that Shamal can do magic, either.<br /><br />To Nozomi, Shamal says quietly, "Ah... if there had been more time... I would have asked if you had a way to defend us. I couldn't risk it with the two of them here."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Note to self. When you bring a giant robot, you win. Addie pauses a moment, her run faltering as the Final Fish gets flattened back into its original form. She's just as flabbergasted at the appearance of Lord Byakhee as pretty much ANYONE is. Well, anyone but Shamal, but still.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As it disappears, Addie can't help it. "Right, yeah, you gotta be careful when you whip out your giant robot demon thing. Wouldn't want to just leave it standing around somewhere where it could step on someone..." Ahem...sorry Shamal. A glance at Nozomi, to change the subject in her mind at least - but the kid's okay.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey. Kotoha?" Addie doesn't turn to address the other girl, instead staring at the fish in the tank with the occasional glance at the blonde Wolkenritter. "I'm guessing this wasn't some kind of, uh, variation on that one stall's game was it. Or did we just miss out on the chance for an absolute shitload of sushi?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:477|Tenshi Hinanai (477)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It had that robot and stuff to deal with, and then it saw me and was like 'holy crap I don't want to make Tenshi mad' and lost right away!" the angel crows from her perch on the bowl, "That's what I meant about bigger fish, these are all small fry!" The blade of her sword disappears, though, and she hangs it back no her belt.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With a 'hup!' she hops down to road level, looking upward as LORD BYAKHEE disappears from whence it came, then glancing aside at the gathered girls, sickly and magical and grouchy all the same, "So what was that about, anyway? Somebody wandering around turning things into youkai sounds like a headache."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Addie couldn't help it. It just popped in there. "Damn right. Something smells real fishy about all this." And then her hand claps over her mouth because God alone knows what else was going to come out of it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:342|Nozomi Houken (342)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Nozomi Houken is my designated user," Taiga replies to Shamal, tail twitching idly behind him. "I cannot reach my full output without her. However, for daily operation, my strength as I am is generally enough." Nozomi gives the blonde woman a faint nod. "That's... that's how it is."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Nozomi~!" There's a sudden impact as Kotoha crashes into the girl to give her a hug! Embrace applied, she turns and pats Taiga on the head. "Thanks for the hand, guys. And the... giant robot claws." She gives Shamal a very cautious glance. "Ah, well... yeah, I suppose I should try to explain what happened, huh? Though I'm not sure on all of it..."<br /><br />Kotoha adjusts her glasses and points to the goldfish, which are now normal-sized and happily swimming around a tank that is far too huge for them. "Those flashes of light you saw... the fish were Struck." The way she says it even sounds capitalized. "Possessed by bad spirits from the youkai world. The possession is a little unstable at first, so just hitting them hard enough can sometimes dislodge it, and the spirit has nowhere to go but back where it came from. If it had stayed with them, they'd be permanently hanyou... and probably pretty dangerous. As to how..." She looks up to the clear skies and shrugs. "Not sure. It's normally pretty rare, and for there to be ten in one night is really strange." She lets out a sigh, looking around to the booths... where all the attendants seem to be getting right back to business again. "Well, at least there was no harm done. And the fireworks should be starting soon!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:558|Yagami Hayate (558)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Vita lands nearby with a hmph, Graf Eisen disappearing. "If that's a normal thing, I wouldn't want to live in this town." Okay, she probably had fun, but she has people to protect!<br /><br />Signum has also returned, and is easing Hayate back into her wheelchair. A shaken Hayate nods slowly, but it's Chikade who suggests softly, "You should look into what caused that, I think. When strange things happen it can be really bad. Hayate... when that quake hit..."<br /><br />Hayate cringes a little and rubs her head. "Let's... let's watch the fireworks and go home. Unless... Chikade?"<br /><br />The other girl blushes, then lowers her eyes, but it's Shamal who answers, "We should get her back to the hospital. She's had quite a shock."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Addie laughs when Nozomi gets tackle-hugged. Well, it'll do her a little good to have friends like Kotoha, someone her age who can definitely keep her spirits up. Her revolver quickly gets holstered, tucked under that entirely useful happi coat, and then the local girl starts describing just /what/ the hell happened.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No harm? I report a casualty! My frigging /wits/ for one." At least Addie's hair is calming down and no longer doing its best static-electricity trick. "Normally 'pretty rare' huh...well, I guess if I was a bad spirit I'd get some help if I wanted to ff...ffool something over." Good catch, Flowers. Noone totally caught your slip at all.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shamal speaks up, and Addie turns back. "You need a ride? I can't take everyone, but the kids and you, yeah." The gunsmith gives the blonde a nod, with a considering look at Vita. "Maybe Red too, if she wants to squeeze in the back with the others. I'm parked pretty close." Sorry Signum, Zafira, there's just not room in Addie's little car.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Kotoha Isone (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Aww, you can't stay for the fireworks?" Kotoha looks disappointed, but understanding. "Well.. hang on a sec." She turns and runs off to one of the boothes a short distance away, starting a brief but energetic conversation with the stall owner. Before long, she returns with both hands behind her back.<br /><br />"Right! To remember Sakurashin Town by!" Kotoha reaches forward to produce... two stuffed cows wearing bibs. She hands one to Hayate and the other to Chikade. "Hidagyu!" Apparently the mascot of a local beef company, but these stuffed animals seem to be pretty prevalent around town. "And come back to visit whenever you want, okay? It... probably won't be this crazy again. I hope!"<br> <br>


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