2639/Fight for the Rookery

Fight for the Rookery
Date of Scene:	17 July 2015
Location:	The Rookery (TR)
Synopsis:	Shadumbra fights Kagenashi for control over the Rookery.
Cast of Characters:	85, 712

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Shadumbra (712) has posed:
    A large raven circles high above the dragon-infested valley. Strange markings have been painted on the bird's sleek feathers, and jewels dangle from the light leather armaments decorating her shoulders and neck. Whoever the bird, it's clear at a glance she's no wild creature, but if she is a beloved pet, why be let loose into such dangerous skies?

    Of course, Shadumbra is nobody's pet. Though she's been seen hanging around the famed hunter Ysabel Thibault, their relationship is far less symbiotic, and is more a partnership between like people. A sapient creature of her own free will, Shadumbra, the raven, is a druid capable of transforming herself into multiple forms, including that of a very large bear.

    Which is precisely what drops out of the sky the moment Shadumbra sights and swoops after the mechanical owls, Gin and Kin.

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Gin and Kin actually manage to arrive relatively quickly, but without any knowledge of their opponent, the strange raven's presence goes relatively unnoticed on the battlefield.

    The twin constructs fly to the Rookery of their own accord. As beautiful as they are unusual, the two lithe, female statues glide on mechanical wings of bladed feathers, cloaked by fine cloth along the backs that allow their flight. Loose kimonos and metal hair billow with the wind, their elegant legs and arms giving way to razor sharp owl's talons.

    Soon enough, however, they start to realize that their prey doesn't appear to be here yet. With an air of confusion in the way their emotionless, yet beautiful faces turn this way and that, they come to a halt in the air, wings beating with steady clicks and clanks to keep them aloft.

    It's the silver one, Gin, who has the foresight to look up first, just in time to see a massive bear diving straight for her. With an avian screech of surprise, she beats her wings to evade, but ends up getting her wing clipped by Shadumbra. As imprecise as Gin's flying ability is, she finds herself flailing in midair from that one destabilizing shot, and the silver owl plummets to land on the ground!

    "Gin!" The golden construct, Kin, cries out for her sister; her retaliation is swift, as she dives toward Shadumbra to land on the bear's back and dig her hind talons into the druid's hide! She'll even try to carry the bear away if she gets a purchase, but...well, it's hard enough to keep /herself/ aloft. Rising up with a giant tank bear is even more trouble.

    Meanwhile, off in the distance, a five-tailed black fox seems content to lie down out of the heat of battle and watch, curious and silent.

Shadumbra (712) has posed:
    Shadumbra bellows as Kin's talons penetrate her shaggy bear hide to rake at her flesh. It's not even a glancing blow; Shadumbra presents a deliberately large target in this form, and the owl-construct has no trouble taking advantage of that fact. Long ears laying back against her furry head, teeth bared as her lips pull back in a snarl, Shadumbra digs her claws into the rocky sod to resist any attempts to be pulled from the ground.

    Suddenly, the transformed Night Elf vanishes from beneath Kin's grasp. Kin is left snatching at open air as Shadumbra's body shrinks into a sleeker, swifter form. Now a prowling black panther capable of great agility, Shadumbra needs only an instant to gather herself before she's able to spring skyward in an easy, graceful pounce, all her own wicked claws extended to swipe and slash. As her leap descends, she twists around mid-air to better face the twins together. Keeping her gleaming eyes on her prey is important whenever she's outnumbered!

    The growl in her throat sounds almost like a low rumble of thunder.

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Kin tugs and pulls against Shadumbra's strength...then suddenly croaks out in surprise as her prey is suddenly free from her hold, sending her tumbling up into the air and off balance. It's an opportunity the much more agile Shadumbra takes advantage of, leaping into the air and raking her claws through Kin's yellow kimono and the soft metal beneath. Interior mechanisms click and whirr through the wounds, but fortunately aren't damaged yet.

    While Kin still struggles to right herself in midair, especially after that last slash sent her whirling even more, Gin has found her footing. The silver owl jitters slightly, but keeps her empty gaze fixed on Shadumbra as her voice hisses through. "Shapeshifter, shapeshifter! Oh, how /bothersome/ you shapeshifters are!"

    Gin's legs brace against the ground, then suddenly thrust her forward, aided by the flap of her wings. Her hands raise, talons glinting in the light...but that's not what she attacks with. Once she lands in front of Shadumbra, her wings beat forward, bladed feathers slicing down at the panther's sides like a dozen swords.

    Kin finally manages to get herself upright in the air, her desperate flapping steadying out into something more even. She looks like she'll be ready to join in again soon; Shadumbra is hardly going to be given a moment to rest.

Shadumbra (712) has posed:
    Shadumbra dashes through the storm.

    Several blades nick at her sides as she charges after Gin, but her large panther paws put her on a nimble, evasive path that's as elegant as it is swift, sparing her from the majority of any harm. Gin's in trouble!

    No more than a foot or two from Gin, however, Shadumbra jukes to the side in an abrupt, sharp motion. Dust kicks up behind her hind legs as she skids around into position /behind/ Gin. Fast the construct-woman might be, Shadumbra is the faster, at least this time!

    The panther leaps to throw her weight into Gin's back. Like a cat hunting on the plains, she seeks to bring down her prey, and to sink her long saberteeth into the back of Gin's neck.

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    As much as they may viciously enjoy direct combat, Gin and Kin are not exactly built to be masters of it. When Shadumbra dives under the gleaming wingblades, Gin lets out a screech of panic and staggers back. Her talons come swinging forward, raking through the air just as Shadumbra comes close - but the panther is too fast. Gin finds herself overcommitting to the attack and leaning forward, putting her too off-balance to recover in time before Shadumbra pounces. The owl-woman crashes to the ground, and large fangs pierce her metal neck and dig into the mechanisms beneath.

    It seems like that might be it for Gin, but the owl still has a few tricks. The joints in her arms suddenly reverse with mechanical clanks; uncovered by metal armor, they're free to twist around at angles impossible for a being of flesh and swing up to dig bladed talons into Shadumbra's shoulders, as if Gin were on her back instead of her front.

    "KIIIIIN!"

    It's not so much an attack as a painful trap, however. Gin's screeching cry acts as a signal for Kin, and once Gin lashes out, Kin immediately dives. Sure, she may end up crushing her sister a little with the additional weight, but that doesn't seem to bother the insane constructs. Kin recklessly dives onto Shadumbra's back, seeking to dig in again with her own rear talons before slashing and clawing at the panther's back with her own hands again and again.

Shadumbra (712) has posed:
    The repeated yowls clawed out from Shadumbra are at first muffled, then loud and clear as at last she's forced to release Gin's neck. Angry hisses like rough rasps punctuate the flurried blows and frantic cries. Purplish fur goes flying away in loosened tufts, and Shadumbra's blood is again spilled from several nasty gashes.

    It's all but impossible to hold onto a druid for long. Their mastery over self-transformation guarantees them a fluid approach to combat that's hard to shackle. Just as she had on changing from bear to cat, Shadumbra vanishes from under Kin's talons. Her body seems to melt away as all at once she shrinks into an even more sleek figure. Though her injuries remain apparent in the tears to her flesh and her armor, the Night Elf is far too slim for Gin's embrace to keep squeezing, and she slips right out, tumbling backwards as she twirls her staff like a heavy baton.

    Shadumbra stands tall, and strikes her staff into the earth. A loud crack splits the air.

    Thorny brambles sprout out of the ground all at once to bind and tear at Gin's prone form. The construct will find herself quickly pinned and in a very painful and vulnerable position if she does not start to move, and fast! The vines can be ripped apart, yes, but it's still a struggle for anyone as the vines keep growing.

    The Night Elf flings her hand forward, and moonlight rains down on both Kin and Gin in the form of searing silvery beams.

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Despite their faults in combat, Gin and Kin are certainly quick learners. Shadumbra's earlier transformation when put under pressure was noted, and Kin, at least, expects her to do the same yet again. That keeps her from being completely off guard - "GIN!" - and her shout to her sister as she hovers in the air keeps the silver owl from being too surprised as well.

    It's this teamwork that spares Gin from being bound to the ground by those vines. Joints bend in the proper position and wings lift her into the air, just as vines start to lash around her ankles. Better than her whole body, at least; Gin still manages to flap into the air, though she's tied to the earth like a bird on a string.

    It's enough for both of them to make use of their nimbleness and evade the searing beams, dancing and twirling with wings brought in and thrust out again. It's a strangely beautiful dance that keeps them safe, flashing gold and silver with billowing fabric through the air. Perhaps this is what the people who gave them their bodies intended, rather than the mutilation and experimentation that came instead.

    The moment the beams stop, the sisters swoop around, their movements mirroring one another, and dive straight toward Shadumbra in a pincer. Avian screeches of owls who have sighted their prey echo through the Rookery; talons come flashing at either side of Shadumbra as the twins put all their mechanical weight into their dives.

Shadumbra (712) has posed:
    OWLS ARE QUIET WHEN STRIKING THIS IDEA OF SHRIEKING IS --

    Ahem.

    In her true form, Shadumbra is agile, but her armor is not as protective or as resilient as the living hide of a furred beast like the bear. Trapped between the pincers of a coordinated dual assault, Shadumbra is even more vulnerable, and what protection is offered by her leather garb is all but negated.

    The only thing that saves Shadumbra is a wild act of nature. Leaning into her staff to keep from falling over beneath the sharp-edged storm, the druid takes a swift, stabilizing breath and shunts her fearful emotion into the very air. The result is a gusting tempest spinning around her body like a tornado. The vortex sucks various loose debris into its midst, making the gust as stinging as it is forceful. A flighted foe would be driven back with ease.

    Deep rents and gashes bleed thick red rivers down Shadumbra's purple skin. Breathing hard, and relying on her staff to keep her body upright, she looks, for a moment, like she might be defeated despite her sudden freedom.

    Oh, if only Kin and Gin were so lucky!

    Shadumbra picks up her head. Wild blue hair streams across her silverbright eyes in a tangled mess. One of her sharp canines is flashed in a smirk.

    "FOR ELUNE!"

    The cry calls forth a resurgence of deadly winds and crashing thunder. Out of nothing, a miniature storm manifests, sending lashing winds, hailstones, flickering lightning, and deafening thunder crashing down upon Kin and Gin.

    The storm is brief, but impactful.

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Gold and silver, two highly potent electrical conductors. The fact that Gin and Kin are made of each is why the four-tailed kitsune Ikazuchi, herald of lightning, was able to seal them away and proved to be their former nemesis. A contributor to their beauty and intricacy, while also serving as their downfall. Shadumbra manages to make history repeat itself.

    Oh, the winds are bad enough. Gin's and Kin's impact is tempered by the gusting tornado that sends them whipping around in the air, caught in the wind and struggling in vain to free themselves. The hail beats at them, too, cracking into the softer metals of their bodies and slamming into more delicate machinery. But the powerful bolts of lightning are the worst of it all, pulsing all through their bodies and leaping between each other and the ground below. It rakes at the spirits that animate their mechanical forms, causing the sisters to shriek in agony for those few brief moments.

    When the storm fades, the owl sisters are tossed to the ground several feet away on either side of Shadumbra, limbs twisted and flopped, their silken fabrics burned and holes punched in their heated bodies. It's a few moments before they move any more than jittering jolts and twitches, but they eventually manage to drag themselves upright. Talons dig into the ground, lifting heavy bodies in ways a gymnist would find difficult, until they stand twitching and clicking unevenly on their feet.

    "Greater powers...than expected," Gin hisses, hunching over slightly and tilting her head at an odd angle. "What are you? What...?" Kin's confusion and wariness are the same; no longer is this /fun/ for them, where they now feel a great deal of intimidation.

    While they still recover from that surprising and damaging assault, their movements are not quite as precise as they used to be; at least now, however, the electricity rushing through their bodies has heated their talons, and some amount of a jolt still crackles slightly through them. Kin is the first to lunge forward, and Gin follows suit immediately after, raking and slashing with abrupt and imprecise motions that nonetheless /hurt/ if they manage to hit.

Shadumbra (712) has posed:
    Maybe Shadumbra had grown too boastful...

    To channel the storm requires concentration, and the druid is unwilling to let the storm lapse too soon. Even as Kin and Gin are flung from its radius, Shadumbra holds onto the storm a beat too long, her mind and will too dedicated to be refocused without an effort of discipline -- the kind of discipline any druid would find harder to call upon whenever agony is burning in her limbs.

    Another pained cry escapes the Night Elf as she's beaten down in another diving pass from the owl-construct twins. Another matching set of bloody stripes carves open her shoulderblades. Much more punishment like this, and no amount of bravado will keep her alive!

    Shadumbra hunches over herself. Feral eyes glaring after the flighted women, teeth gritted around an almost feline hiss, the Night Elf seems more animal than humanoid.

    When the panther appears again, it's only for a moment. Slinking into the shadows and undergrowth, Shadumbra's purple fur vanishes from sight, as if the cat's gone invisible. In truth, it's only a high level of stealthy skill making her disappear, but would the owl constructs really know that?

    From there, she waits. Waits for her prey to grow comfortable. To grow confused. To start their search. She waits, and her tail flicks in slow echo of her patient heartbeat, warning any watchers of her predatory intent.

    In the next silent moments, the valley's draconic occupants become easy to hear, their distant calls and roars more audible without conflict to drown them out.

    Once one of the constructs comes into range...

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    The twin constructs twist to face Shadumbra the moment she retreats into panther form again...and only a moment before she vanishes. Confusion is clear in the way their heads rear back and twist to look for her, even with the lack of expression present on their doll-like faces. Their once-raised talons soon lower, and they come to land on the ground to allow their wings to rest. Careful, stretching steps carry them to the undergrowth where Shadumbra appears to have vanished; peering looks gaze into the shadows to search for any sign of the stealthy predator.

    That sign comes just barely soon enough for Gin, who stands further behind the golden Kin as they approach that hiding spot. Just far enough to see Shadumbra's preparation as the underbrush rustles, and just far enough to be able to move with purpose and direction in front of her unwary sister.

    Silver flashes as dark fur and claws leap out at Kin. The heavy mass of metal and machinery rushes forward to tackle into Shadumbra, or at least prevent her aimed attack from crashing and clawing and raking into Kin. Whatever that speeding tackle succeeds in doing, it at least buys Kin a moment to stagger backward and out of the way while her silver sister dives in to counter her assailant.

Shadumbra (712) has posed:
    Did you know that cats don't have bones?

    Shadumbra gives a low mewl in alarm as Gin rushes forward in an unforeseen blur. The tackle throws the cat's pounce off course, but Shadumbra, in a feat of grace, isn't much harmed by the blow. As if made of nothing more than fluid, her body twists into a square landing on all four feet. The stable landing allows Shadumbra to gather herself immediately, to rush to the side, and to attempt another sweeping strike with her forepaws. Again, she aims her attacks at Kin, who may not yet be ready to offer a proper defense!

    As her front paws deliver a multi-slap bap-bap-bap kind of strike, Shadumbra digs in her hindquarters, and prepares to spin to meet Gin if needed. The way her ears cup backward keep her senses split between the twins.

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Gin falters as her attack doesn't quite have the impact she expected. She digs her talons into the earth to make her skid rather than fall right over, but Kin has been exposed. Fortunately, the golden owl is more prepared than Shadumbra might expect.

    Claws gleam off of Kin's forearms after ripping through fabric, but the impact is minimal, thanks to the construct's abrupt retreat out of the way. Kin doesn't waste any time in offering a counter, either: the moment Shadumbra retreats, Kin's talons rake in at her, striking again and again in a feral mirror of the panther's earlier assault.

    Gin, meanwhile, is able to whirl around as Kin goes on the offensive. While Shadumbra may be distracted with Kin's gleaming assault, Gin's wing suddenly lashes out in an array of thrusting blades to stab at the druid's side! Is she alert enough to deal with chaotic attacks from both angles?

Shadumbra (712) has posed:
    Evidently not.

    The dust and fur clear the air, and Shadumbra is revealed to be a low-hunkering shadow of her usual feral self. Panting through her parted saberteeth, right eye sealed shut by a wicked scratch, and her fur matted all over by blood, the transformed druid appears almost frail for so long as she crouches in wincing retreat. The end of her tail gives a feeble, nervous twitch. Kin and Gin are regarded with new respect, and new caution.

    How can these two be struck down?

    Shadumbra's mind works. The panther is a cunning hunter, and quite capable against a single target, but against two equally able enemies, perhaps this form is not the wisest of weapons?

    When the mighty bear rears up to its full height of almost twelve feet, and looses another bestial bellow that shakes the nearby trees and puts a tremble in the earth, perhaps Gin and Kin might find themselves daunted.

    Shadumbra crashes down. Snarling, she clubs her clawed paw at Gin so hard that the owl construct might go crashing into her sister. Pressing the advantage, Shadumbra brings up the other paw, and sends its deadly claws raking toward Kin's mid-section.

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Shadumbra's gambit once again proves especially effective.

    Where confidence seems to slip into the postures of Gin and Kin at the sight of Shadumbra's weakness, it all falters when that towering bear rises up and bellows, shaking their mechanical joints with raw power. Strength is not the focus of the twin owls; such would be the domain of larger and greater youkai whose intellect and creativity pale in comparison to the owl spirits'. Shaken by what they already know of Shadumbra's power and the raw strength of her current form, they're too unprepared to avoid the powerful /smash/ of her club-like paw and raking claws. Gin goes flying into Kin, body denting and limbs bending where they shouldn't; claws rake deeper into Kin's already-injured midsection, tearing into delicate mechanisms. The owl sisters go tumbling in a confused mass of limbs and metal.

    Scrambling to find their footing again before Shadumbra can press the advantage, the two constructs struggle to their feet and turn to face the great bear the druid has become.

    Flight so that they might repair themselves and live another day is certainly on their mind, but cowardice doesn't overwhelm them just yet. Again, they attack in tandem: Kin leaps, wings raking down to stab into Shadumbra like great claws, while Gin dives forward and slashes upward to cleave her talons up Shadumbra's chest and neck. If they lack strength, then surely they can defeat their opponent through confusion!

Shadumbra (712) has posed:
    The great bear powers forward unchecked.

    As a bear, Shadumbra is at her toughest. Her armor is strong, her endurance increased, and her resilience improved. Though Kin and Gin score more blows, the injuries feel and look minor compared to those earned in any earlier exchange. Shadumbra merely roars and carries on her assault.

    Snapping jaws herd the sister constructs in one direction, only for mighty claws to meet them the moment they turn. Should they try to fly up, Shadumbra will rear to try and bat them down again. Should they try to rush away, Shadumbra will charge at them, and attempt to close the distance.

    It's a highly aggressive strategy, and Shadumbra's relying heavily on her form's advantages. She's letting her armor soak any counters rather than balance her attacks with defensive measures. It's ballsy, but maybe too risky...

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    The twin constructs are cowed into weakness. Aggression herds them into the one place they don't want to be, and powerful slams knock them back when they attempt to escape. They flail and cry and stumble, faltering in their attempts and finding no opening that doesn't break their limbs or gouge deeper wounds into their metal forms. What on earth can they /do/ now?

    Like cornered animals, desperation turns into recklessness, and Gin and Kin find only one solution: return Shadumbra's aggression in full force.

    Finally, they snap. The owl-women leap forward, latching onto Shadumbra's face and throat with digging talons and vice-like grips. Whatever their broken limbs can do, they do: hands and feet and wings all tear with feral desperation and abandon, raking into whatever they can reach and tearing as much as they can. Even transformation may not be enough to get Shadumbra free, as their assault will only move to the ground to continue chasing her!

    It seems the only way they're going to stop is with complete disabling.

Shadumbra (712) has posed:
    "Rrrrrhh -- nnOOO! NO! LET -- GRRRRAAAWR -- LET /GO/ -- !!"

    The bear nearly topples. Pushed back onto her haunches, she whips her head side to side, trying to shake away the grasping talons. Unable to free herself from Kin or Gin, the thrashings grow more desperate and wild, until Shadumbra even tries rolling across the ground. What a costly maneuver that proves to be! Shadumbra becomes somehow more vulnerable without her feet planted, and suffers more dangerous wounds, including a blinding strike to her remaining good eye.

    When the panther emerges from the dust cloud this time, she is limping, she is broken, and blood is pouring from her mouth.

    "By the light of Elune..." The panther staggers, drops, and the Night Elf appears clinging to her staff like a life line. "...oh, goddess...bless Your child in this grave hour -- turn Your gentle gaze her way, and show her Your sweet mercy..."

    Kin and Gin are no doubt expecting an easy victory at this stage; however, when the jewels lining Shadumbra's staff all light from within, and when the skies above darken with roiling clouds, they may get the sense that winning the day won't be so easy.

    A single bolt of lightning plunges down in a broad, jagged spear, scorching earth and owl alike.

    It, and the dark clouds that cast it, are both gone as quickly as they appeared.

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Gin and Kin finally falter when the bear retreats, shifting to a panther, and then back into the broken Night Elf. Their victory all but assured in their eyes, their forms twitching and jittering as they struggle to maintain control of their mechanisms, they allow themselves a moment to gloat and approach Shadumbra with gleeful menace. This opponent, this strange druid, has proven to be such an obstacle for them; why not savor her slow defeat?

    That moment turns out to be a complete mistake.

    That storm earlier must have drained Shadumbra's power, should it not have? Surely, in the constructs' minds, she would not be able to repeat that assault. Surely they should be safe from their obvious /bane/, right?

    Apparently not.

    The owl spirits freeze as the sky above grows cloudy, and another storm appears. Fear seems to stop their pursuit and render them uncertain: should they flee, or finish off this woman before another bolt of lightning can assault them from above-

    A blinding flash consumes the pair before they can overcome their fear with a plan.

    When the bolt has passed, Gin and Kin are barely able to stay upright. They falter and twitch, staggering in a half-capable retreat...and, soon, their forms simply dissolve away, fading into dust on the wind.

    An illusion, of course, brought on by the black fox who still sits so far away. Just a trick of eyes and sound to buy the sisters time to retreat, allowing Shadumbra to think that they have been completely destroyed. The black fox only watches with eyes of gleaming silver for a few more moments before she turns and calmly strides away, leaving the druid on the battlefield to be recovered.

Shadumbra (712) has posed:
    AND SHADUMBRA HEROICALLY AWAITS THE ARRIVAL OF THE UNION MEDICAL TEAMS. FANFARE.