8832/Fiery Princess Meets Blustery Bird

Fiery Princess Meets Blustery Bird
Date of Scene:	16 March 2024
Location:	The Shrine of Adversity
Synopsis:	Kale challenges Sarracenia to a ship duel with Aidan watching, then proceeds to do Kale things resulting in...some surprises!
Cast of Characters:	Sarracenia, 7373, 7329

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Sarracenia has posed:
     For reasons that Sarracenia isn't really sure about, Kale challenged the Sundew Navy to a battle. And, being the proud person she is, Sarracenia accepted the challenge after a bit of prodding.

     So, she is here, aboard the Sundew Sovereign. The Spanish Galleon style warship hovers over a wide open sea dotted with islands within the Shrine of Adversity. The wooden airship is around 250 feet long, with dozens of cannon doors alongs its sides and a full complement of piranha plant crew members. The large propellers on its masts keep it floating in place as they prepare to face what promises to be a more advanced warship.

     Sarracenia stands on the bow of the ship holding her hammer and dressed in her battle dress. A black dress with red metal armor plates over the chest and around her waist like a skirt.

Aidan Proudpick (7373) has posed:
MINUTES BEFORE.

Wearing the spanish style breastplate gifted to him by the Princess, Aidan can be seen standing with Sarracenia. "Weren't you supposed to bring the whole fleet?" He is dismayed and just a little bit alarmed. He opens his mouth to explain how this might be a bad idea, then closes it again.

He refocuses, taking a different tactic. "Okay, Sarracenia. You need to go after him directly. Maybe he can only use his ship's wind energy when he's on it. Get him off his ship!" He smiles at her, "If you can distract him, your army will do the rest! He likes to talk. Just get him to talk." He holds his hand out to her for a warrior's grip. She is a warrior, right?

NOW

Aidan sits with several sour plum onigiri, trying not to think about how completely fucked she is.

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
In this corner is the East Wind, Paladins VTOL. It's around the size of a fighter jet, though bulkier with wings reminiscent of a bomber, and a rear hatch that would look less out of place on a cargo plane. It's held aloft by an array of downward facing airjets, including two jets near the bulky nosecone which also look like they'd serve as weapons - any other weapons the craft might have aren't immediately visible.

At least, that's how it all looks from the outside, inside it's considerably bigger with a few more features, though what it looks like inside might not be relevant for this event.

It's got a crew of 4 - Kale himself is included in that number, perched on top of the ship as it arrives and takes position. In the cockpit are Hazelthistle on weapons and systems, with Skye in the pilot seat, and at the back of the cockpit the newly recruited Piersson on comms and analysis.

Immediately, he sees a problem. "Hey. Princess. I challenged your whole fleet. You sure you want to show up with just the one ship?"

With that settled, one way or the other, Kale shifts his perch on the ship - his jet boots slot into grooves carved for that purpose, followed by locking mechanisms clicking into place. "Ready."

"Ready for you to lose, I mean."

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
INTERIOR:

"I do have a few misgivings about using a rescue craft as a dueling ship..."
"... Bullshit. You're the one who packed it full of weapons."
"Well... those are for, you know, self defense."

EXTERIOR:

As soon as the starting signal goes off, the East Wind moves in.

"Sorry in advance to the audience - this is going to end quickly!" calls Kale. He points dramatically. "Fire!"

The East Wind's aircannons point forward as it zooms by the Sundew Sovereign, and it attempts a passing barrage on its broadside, blasts of air flying through the... air. Blasts of wind flying through the air, let's go with that.

INTERIOR:

"Sorry, I thought we were setup for a protracted battle?" asks Piersson (who looks like three kobolds in a trenchcoat.) "What's all this talk about a quick victory?"
"It's misdirection. Duh. Try to keep up."

Sarracenia has posed:
     MINUTES BEFORE

     Sarracenia just hmphs softly at Aidan as he reminds her about the challenge of the entire fleet. "He expects me to because he thinks our ships are weak. I will show him otherwise." she says. She blinks in surprise at the offered handshake. She is warrior-like, but she's a princess first. She isn't used to actual warrior customs or the like. So when the warrior's grip is offered she assumes it is a normal handshake. Aidan will likely have to correct the grip if he wants a proper warrior's grip.

     NOW

     Kale too mentions it was supposed to be the entire fleet, and Sarracenia huffs. "I am confident the Sundew Sovereign will be enough!" she says before the signal is given. The East Wind moves in. "It is smaller than I exp-"

     The shots are fired, landing hard on the broadside of the ship. Wooden planks splinter and a few holes are formed. The ship rocks lightly, and Sarracenia growls lightly. "Fire a Bullet Bill salvo!" she calls out, and thick cannons run out from the gun ports. With a staccato of shots, a dozen or so Bullet Bills are fired from the first row. They are not the fastest of projectiles, but they doggedly seek their target with explosive payloads.

     "Follow it up with a volley of Bob-ombs!" The second row of guns fires, and much faster but line of sight shots are loosed. The bob-ombs also explode on impact.

Aidan Proudpick (7373) has posed:
MINUTES BEFORE

Aidan totally does, beaming a great big smile at here. "You'll do great."

NOW

One clawed hand comes up to rake over Aidan's face, groaning at the radio. "Princess, whyyyyyyyyy." He looks at his rice ball and sighs, "Yea, that's probably what I woulda done." He pushes the last quarter of it into his mouth.

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
The bullet bills and bob-ombs barrage the East Wind. It's fast enough that it manages to evade most of the direct hits, but the proximity damage from the explosions rocks it.

"Ugh - that does it!" calls Kale. "We're gonna end this all with the next attack!"

"It is smaller than I exp-"

"Shows what you know!"

The East Wind swings back around. "This ship is the shining star of the Paladins fleet! What do you have that could match up to it? What does the whole *Concord* have that could match up to it?"

Another simple strafing run - but the East Wind is building up steam.

"You're outmatched, outclassed, and outmaneuvered, Princess! Maybe I should come take over the Sundew Kingdom and do you and it a favor!"

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia hears what Kale is saying, and frowns. "So, you challenged me for what? Just because I'm Concord? Because I dare to have an airship that I am proud of?" she exclaims, then her frown deepens. "Because -Lilian- prodded at you?!" She remembers the radio remarks that seemed to push things to an actual challenge.

     Kale shouts about things already being over as another strafing run hits. More boards are splintered, and yells go out from the piranha plant crew. "Do you claim to be a hero, Hearthward?!" she calls out. "I do not hear many true heroes starting such a fight simply to satisfy their pride! Nor do they tolerate a villain setting up an outpost right in their back yard!"

     One thing is true though. The wooden ship cannot weather too many more of these attacks, but for now it is still flying strong. "Do not underestimate the pride and power of me or the Sundew's flagship! If there is one thing I cannot stand, it is people acting like they are better than me or my kingdom!"

     She runs toward the middle mast, and the ship goes into a spin. Not terribly fast, but hovering like that does give it one neat trick it can do.

     Each time one of the broadsides ends up facing the East Wind, the guns fire. It happens several times in a row before the ship slows down. "Claiming victory before the final blow is struck is hubris of the highest order! Is that what the Paladins offer to those they protect?!" she says as bullets and bombs fill the air.

Aidan Proudpick (7373) has posed:
Aidan calls Sarracenia. "You just gotta get one good hit on him, Sarracenia, you are gonna blow his smug ass up!"

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
More broadsides. The East Wind (and its topriding captain) weather the hits, but it's being worn down bit by bit.

> "So, you challenged me for what? Just because I'm Concord? Because I dare to have an airship that I am proud of?"

"Yes! And yes! Do you not get it?"

"You have this armada that you put together out of some fear of being invaded, and then nothing happens - you can say it's to stop Bowser from invading, but has he ever actually invaded? I've got enough of that going on, and it's rubbed me the wrong way already. So then they're just your personal army after that - an untried, untested peacetime thug squad. Being held onto and propped up 'just in case'."

> "Because -Lilian- prodded at you?!"

"... You're going to pay for that."

> "Do you claim to be a hero, Hearthward?! I do not hear many true heroes starting such a fight simply to satisfy their pride! Nor do they tolerate a villain setting up an outpost right in their back yard!"

"I'm not a hero - and you're going to pay for *that* as well."

Kale draws his left hand sword, and then slams it down point first in a slot on the roof of the VTOL. "Consider it a down payment on what Eggman's going to get. Center Stage, on!"

"Breathlink established - center stage, on! Bootstrapping from auxiliary tanks in two!"

"You see, Princess," says Kale as the nose of the ship shifts. "The problem is that I *am* better than you, and I *am* better than your kingdom."

The front of the VTOL, which is now a giant drill, gets aimed at the other airship and attempts to run it through!

Sarracenia has posed:
     Apparently Sarracenia has a lot to pay for now! Of course, she's used to it. Or maybe more accurately she expects it. Seems everyone wants her to pay for things when she didn't really do anything in the first place. She hears Aidan cheering. She appreciates it, but she is locked on to Kale now.

     His fighter closes in on the Sundew Sovereign again, and this time it drills right into them! The blow punches straight through one side of the wooden airship. There is plenty of crunching and drilling and frantic yells of piranha plant crewmen as it drills its way through. The other side starts to bulge, then in an explosion of wood the East Wind emerges from the other side in a shower of sundered wooden planks and deckboards.

     It is only the size of the airship that keeps it flying. The engine that powers the front mast is destroyed, and smoke starts billowing from the Sundew Sovereign. It has two more masts to keep it afloat, but the bow of the ship is basically just a big hole now.

     Sarracenia herself has been hanging on to the center mast to keep from getting thrown overboard. Her teeth are clenched as Kale declares he IS better, and finally she lets out one of thost growly frustrated 'uuuuuuh!' shrieks that she might be famous for by now.

     She runs to the helm of her ship, and hits a large red button. "Better, huh? Why? Because you are louder? Feathery? More arrogant?!" she says as the underside of the ship opens and lowers a cannon that is big enough for Sarracenia to stand up in. It locks on to the East Wind, and there is a loud hydraulic sound as a bullet as big as a truck and with a shark face on it is slid into position.

     "Hah! If you were -actually- better than me, you would be asking me to help you with Petra and Eggman! Because no one deserves to be trapped inside of some robot and turned into a battery! Now, take this you arrogant buzzard!!" she calls out as she hits the button again.

     The Bonzai Bill fires. It tracks the East Wind doggedly while Sarracenia moves her ship away. When it gets close enough, the giant missile explodes. One to rain shrapnel about the area. Then, a series of steadily increasing explosions, then finally one more larger explosion that leaves a mushroom cloud in its wake.

     And...there just might be a small amount of maniacal laughter coming from Sarra throughout the explosions. She REALLY likes her fireworks.

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
"I'm not asking anyone for help!" calls Kale. "If you want to help, you can go do it, but I've got it all handled without having to ask anyone for help!"

"Oh - oh dear, that's a big cannon..."
"Getting a lockon signal..."
"Shit - taking evasive maneuvers..."

Kale throws out his hand forward. "Full speed straight ahead!"

"... Um, does - does the *captain* know what the plan is...?"
"It's the plan you handed out, he got a copy, right?"
"No - He shouldn't need to have a copy, he's the one who put it on the Paladins tacnet under his page."
"Wait, the tacnet page? We haven't used that in months."
"Yeah, he puts the newest plan on our local fileshare."
"So that was-"
"The old plan, yeah."
"And he doesn't-"
"Know what the plan is, no."

The East Wind charges ahead - trying to go *through* the barrage of explosions instead of strictly evading it. The ship is only... somewhat successful, coming out the other end looking considerably beat up, with its top-riding captain looking a bit on the extra crispy side.

But now the ship's closing in, drill first, aimed directly at that cannon... and Sarracenia herself, if she doesn't get clear...!

Sarracenia has posed:
     The East Wind charges right at the Bonzai Bill! Sarracenia's eyes widen a bit and her grin increases. Surely this will be enough!

     They disappear in the explosions...and emerge on the other side. Bonzai Bill...that was the trump card. Sarracenia's expression steadily sinks to a hard frown. She could have brought the entire fleet, but the amount of pride damage she'd take from losing the whole fleet compared to the one ship...it was a measured gamble. She's no idiot, despite all the signs to the contrary. She knew they might be outmatched by some magitech ship.

     Of course, she doesn't know Kale and realizes it is actually more of a personal attack than it seemed when that drill is aimed...at her! The hit on the cannon plows a furrow into it before the drill continues upward, and Sarracenia runs for the railing as that drill sound makes its way through the ship again.

     She doesn't quite make it, and in an explosion of wood and fire as another engine is destroyed she is blasted upward and to the side, along with a number of piranha plant sailors. Getting hit with a ship hurts even in a place like this, and the princess falls through the air toward the water in obvious unconsciousness.

     A minute or so later, there's a splash as she hits the water. Which finally resets the Shrine. The Sundew Sovereign is gone, having been just a simulation. The princess remains still for a little while. Whether because she is actually still out or because she is contemplating her defeat is unclear, but if someone approaches her it is clearly the latter.

     She's just lying there on her belly, head to the side, very slight frown on her face, and her blue eyes just staring at nothing for now.

Aidan Proudpick (7373) has posed:
Fuck, he really DOES have the coolest toys.

Hatred bubbles up in Aidan again. Only 10 percent for the cool toys. Gritted teeth, a furious fluid lash up and down of squirrel tail.

Aidan walks up to Sarracenia, trying to keep some semblance of a smile on his face for her. "You okay?" He offers out a hand, "I thought you had em. I woulda loved to see the smug look on his face blown off by that cannon. If there was just a little more wind one way or the other. It's kinda fickle like that. Someone's going to take him down a peg eventually."

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
The East Wind lands, and Kale disembarks by simply hopping down from the top of the craft.

"There. You still sure just one ship is enough to take me on?"

Oh, she's resting.

... Oh, there's Aidan.

"You think someone's gonna actually do that, Proudpick? You think someone's gonna actually pull that off?"

Kale makes a shoving motion as he approaches - enough force to knock Aidan down to the ground, if he's not expecting it.

"Anyway. I'd say good game, Princess, except it was far too boring."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia takes Aidan's hand and stands up. She dusts herself off quietly. "Yeah..." is all she says to his comments. She has no excuses to make, and even if she did making them would just be more fuel for Kale.

     Kale approaches...and force shoves Aidan before just flat out insulting Sarra. The princess's teeth clench. She walks toward Kale, as close as he will allow and with her between Aidan and him.

     "So, this is the best the Paladins have to offer? Bullies with power that they use merely to show off? You claim to be better than me while doing the exact thing you are accusing me of doing! I abuse the power of my single country's navy? You abuse the resources of an entire superfaction! For peacekeepers you certainly seem intent on starting as many wars as possible!"

     Her fists are clenched, she is trembling with anger, and despite herself her eyes are tearing up in anger as well. "No wonder Petra has such a low opinion of heroes! Although, I suppose you don't pretend to be any such thing. You yourself are as much a thug as you pretend I am! One who feels the need to flex merely to stroke his own ego!"

Aidan Proudpick (7373) has posed:
He's trying to keep himself cool. "Maybe we should try that spa day sometime soon, right?"

Aidan doesn't look up, still trying to help Sarracenia, "Yea. Someone is going to wipe that smirk off your face some day." And 'it's going to be me' doesn't get said.

The hard shove. The anger. It all bubbles up in side of him. Aidan isn't a guy of aggression, and rarely looks quite so furious. Aidan, in the middle of trying to help Sarracenia, topples over. A hand goes out, grabbing the ground underneath him, then turning. The ONLY reason that his foot doesn't come out to kick at Kale's leg is that Sarracenia is suddenly between them. Talking. Saying things that are true, but will probably bounce off that damn face. But there is certainly a fire in the squirrel's orange eyes.

"Suffocate the future! And suffocate you!"

It's a completely wild shot. More like a similiar shove backwards, unfocused, quick, lips parted, then a quick 'HSSS' out between them, thrusting a blast of wind into Kale's chest.

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
"I have *one* ship. Most of which I put together with my own efforts."

Kale looks down at Sarracenia. "What, going to cry? What a sore loser."

"Maybe next time-"

And then Aidan shoves him back.

Kale's stumbles, but doesn't fall. He catches himself, checks himself over, and then turns his attention on Aidan.

"You got a problem?"

"It's sounding like you got a problem."

Kale cracks his knuckles.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia is definitely a sore loser. And basically a kid in an adult body. And this bird seems intent on driving the point home. Aidan pushes him back, and he just keeps coming. Sarracenia reaches into her purse and pulls out her DK Hammer. "It sounds like YOU have a problem! One that I am quite happy to remedy right now!"

     And with no more warning than that, she swings that hammer with all the frustrated, rage-filled might she has. She doesn't care that the shrine is not currently active. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knows this is a bad idea, but...that is -way- back there somewhere. "When your kingdom is filled with robots powered by your people, I hope you regret this day and any others like it!!"

     She just keeps swinging, even as a few tears flow down her cheeks. Kale is really only the catalyst. It's Sarra's feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness that are the real cause.

Aidan Proudpick (7373) has posed:
Aidan pushes himself up to his feet, shaking. Adrenaline has him bad. "Just remembering why I never trusted the Paladins. Why I joined the Watch. I wasn't that much of an idiot. You are just the world's biggest asshole!" Unsaid 'You and Lilian.'

"Laughing at Petra killing me while she talks about some kind of murder arena!" Bitter. Angry. Terrified. Hurt. Aidan strips his gloves off. He's been in a few bar fights.

"STILL talking like you are some suffocating conquerer!"

Sarracenia has the presence of mind to use an actual weapon. Aidan is mad enough to jump in right behind her more akin to a feral dog, claws out and teeth bared.

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
The bullying turns into an outright fight. On the ship, Kale's crew are wondering what's going on. On the ground, Kale's all in.

"Hah - the Watch and the Concord's true colors! Ready to throw down with only a little bit of provocation!"

Even so, he can't get his guard up quickly enough - the two get their hits in on him before he casts at short range, an air blast trying to push both away and give him some space.

"Short tempered. Sore losers. Useless. Useless, the both of you! Do you think it's any real surprise why I *wouldn't* ask either of you for help! You'd just make things worse!"

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia is hit squarely by the air blast, sending her tumbling backward. She rolls a few times before she manages to catch herself. She doesn't charge back in again, though. Instead, she reaches into her purse again and with three tosses three Bullet Bills go flying upward. As they come down she goes into a spin, and each one is hit on the flat.

     They fire like proper cannon shots at Kale, each one exploding wherever it hits. And she seems to be taking things much more seriously now. Like she might actually be trying to hurt Kale. Something she does not typically do. "Why wouldn't you? Because you are an arrogant jerk who gets some sort of perverse delight out of torturing others?! So much so he's willing to overlook the suffering of innocents to do it?!" she says as she spins. "And don't pretend you are better than us! The day you lose is the day you will be making every excuse to say it was not a valid loss! I have no doubt your ego would not be able to take it!"

Aidan Proudpick (7373) has posed:
Aidan grabs his buckler off his arm and tosses it to the ground, letting Aegis fall to the wayside. "I don't know why I wasted a SECOND on the idea you might have changed!"

Duck and roll, hitting the road with his shoulder, using his tail to spin himself over and duck down as the bullet bills travel over head, before bouncing back up. "Head up your ass bird! Caring more about a fight than anything else! Acting like the North Wind comes right out of your asshole! The storm's gift to the multiverse!"

A breath, a sweep of the hand, putting a barrier up behind the hawk, trying to box him in. No practiced martial arts here, so it's just a running right hook, aimed for his face. Aidan is too mad to attempt the 'trick'. Besides, it would get in the way of the satisfaction of actually punching Kale.

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
In the back of his mind, Kale realizes Sarracenia's a lot more serious now. This has turned from bullying into something more serious.

He brings his right hand sword out, activates it, and quickly slashes - leaving a blade trail in the air that gets the bullet bills to explode early when they run into it, providing him a small reprieve. "Excuses! You were the one who was complaining that she only brought one ship! And-"

Aidan's right hook lands solidly.

Kale stumbles backwards. There's the shock of the impact, but then there's also the shock of getting hit - by Aidan, of all people. It takes him a moment.

"... You..."

He rubs the spot where Aidan hit him.

"... Both of you, are going to pay for that."

Click click, go the heels of his boots together. With that, they lift up, mini jet engines firing. Kale's ship isn't the only piece of gear he has that lets him fly.

"I'm the storm's gift to the multiverse? That's a stupid thing to ask. Of course I am. I'm Kale freaking Hearthward. Put some..."

He jets forward, swinging his sword. Wherever he passes, sharp afterimages form, dividing up the battlefield.

"... respect on my name, damn you!"

Sarracenia has posed:
     That sword slashes. Those after images form. Sarracenia continues to prove that she can't dodge the broad side of a barn. She goes stumbling back, and feels like she can't catch her breath for some reason. "G-grk!" she gasps, breathing hard and fast to try and get some breath back.

     'Put some respect on my name, damn you!'

     "D-do something worthy of respect! V-victory in battle only goes so far!!" she exclaims as best she can.

     She reaches into her purse again, and this time pulls out an ice flower. She gives it a squeeze and in a poof her dress goes from red and black to icy blue colors. She charges, firing some ice bolts to try and slow Kale down so once she catches her breath a bit she can give him a good whack. "Right now you sound like...like..." She tries to think but there's only one insult that she can think of that might be effective. And it's rather doubled edged. "...like me on a bad day!"

Aidan Proudpick (7373) has posed:
Aidan turns his head back, looking at Sarra. He opens his mouth to shout at her to stop. Some of the hot blood rushes out of him. This was just supposed to be a fist fight. Physical tension too high NOT to throw a fist at Kale.

Kale fixes that for Aidan. Pride soars back into Aidan. Pride and stubbornness. He doesn't reach for his own Breath Weapon, instead bringing up both his fists in a loose brawl stance.

One ear flicks. A gust of air here. The fact that Kale IS probably one of the stronger knights in the Multiverse tries to scratch the surface of pent up aggression.

Luck, mostly, keeps Aidan out of the path of the after images. He takes another Dark Souls roll backwards, narrowly avoiding being skewered by an after image.

"For WHAT, Bird? Why did you even START a charity?" There is some true incredulity in that. "Or is that just for your image?!"

Somewhere it's going past the punch Kale deserves. Pain to be able to lash out at something. DO something. As Sarracenia spreads the ice, Aidan moves in, letting out a harsh breath just as Kale stops his manuever. A push at his legs to change the path of his flight. Then a full on grab of the head and shoulder, both to push him to the ground and, in a single childish and hateful motion, try to pull out some feathers.

"Maybe because Lilian just told you to do it!"

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
"Yeah? I'm running a search and rescue team. What are *you* doing, Miss Princess who sits in a castle?"

And then Kale gets brought up short at Sarracenia's comment. It's enough of a distraction that she slams him right back down to the ground.

And then Aidan comes in. And pulls feathers.

Kale lets out a cartoonish SQUAWK. That... hurt. And those don't grow back quickly.

"... I'm going..."

He goes to push Aidan away.

"... to *hurt* both of you."

"All of this is because you can't recognize how much stronger I am. How much more capable I am. How much better it'll be if you just stay home. Let me handle Quicknest. Let me handle the rest of it."

"So it's a lesson I'm going to have to beat into the both of you."

He adjusts his grip on his sword. "For your own good."

He dashes forward again - sword swinging. He's aiming for nonlethal hits at least, but not holding back besides.

Sarracenia has posed:
     With her adrenaline pumping hard now, Sarracenia manages to use the head of her hammer to fend of several of those sword strikes. Of course, several cuts still appear in her dress and her otherwise pristine skin. "What am I doing? I am working to become a hero! Someone who is able to help in most any circumstance!"

     His other words don't quite make sense to her, and her expression says as much. "Even the greatest of hero can't do everything by themselves! And you expect us to believe some thug can handle it alone just because he is strong? Or that you would even be -inclined- to handle it?!"

     She stumbles back again after those hits, then grips her hammer tightly. "If you had -handled- it, then Quicknest would not need handling now!" she exclaims as the hammer head starts to glow with a prismatic aura. It flows down the handle and over the princess, causing her dress and hair to float slightly. Like gravity isn't quite right anymore for her. "Even if we are not the strongest, we can still be of help! And I will show you and everyone else that!!" she screams as that glow flows finally into her eyes.

     And she just starts...hammering. Like she is demon possessed, her body swings that hammer up and down rapidly, almost a hammer a second and with enough power to cause small shockwaves. Relentlessly she tries to pound Kale into the ground like a giant tent spike. So fargone is she during the hammer fever that she doesn't even seem to register Aidan.

Aidan Proudpick (7373) has posed:
Aidan staggers back from the push, swaying on his feet. The blow hits across his chest, the flat of the blade striking the layered cloth armor and knocking the wind out of him. He keeps pushing backwards, arms over his stomach. Kale's going to win. Kale's going to win and that's going to be it. All this for absolutely nothing. All this just to be spat on again. Pushed aside. Mocked.

A ball of wind. Condense it down with both hands, forming it into a tight sphere. Then into his mouth.

Wind coruscates from his arms, whisps of white fumes streaking up from under the fur. Aidan flexes his fingers, still not going for the shield.

Sarracenia keeps leveling out words. He needs a moment to recover anyways, spitting the words out with a wind blast shaped into an arrow from behind her.

"Does HaZEL" arrow "thistle not count as help?"

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
> "Does HaZEL" arrow "thistle not count as help?"

"Hazel is... an employee! A subordinate, I mean! She's not-"

Anything more is lost as Sarracenia comes in.

Kale's put on the back foot. He's entirely focused on blocking and dodging now, trying to deal with the hammer blows - only managing to stop some of them.

The end result is Kale looking... not too hot, after all of this. He's still got the upper hand - he *thinks* he still has the upper hand, at least, with more tricks yet to play and more momentum built up, but... he's not looking too hot.

"I- I keep telling you..."

"... I can handle Quicknest... on my own. I don't need... people who'll run off and do their own things. I don't need people who'll - who are so hot blooded that they'll start a fight over practically nothing."

"I need-"

He lashes out with his offhand. It's an unsubtle, practically entirely unshaped wave of wind, trying simply to push everyone away from himself once again.

"- I only need *myself*."

Sarracenia has posed:
     The princess comes down from her hammer high, and has to take a moment to catch her breath. Which isn't easy with all this wind magic flying around!

     And even easier when -she- is flying around thanks to wind magic! After her attack and with her energy waning, the princess is knocked completely off her feet and sent flying several meters before landing hard. She rolls a few times, then coughs. She tries to breathe, but her chest really hurts after that wind blast. She wonders if she might have actually broken something, which she hasn't done in a very long time. If ever.

     She gets up slowly, unsteadly, somehow still able to move. But only just barely, and it is quite obvious. "I...I didn't even...start this fight..." Her culpability in starting this exact fight is questionable at best, but she probably means this entire encounter. "You...you just...had to prove...that you are sooooo great...!" she says, then weakly staggers toward Kale. "I-if you were actually great...you wouldn't need to prove it...!" she pants out before swinging her hammer weakly.

Aidan Proudpick (7373) has posed:
Aidan sneers, vitrol pouring out now. Moving from a pure need to get his hands on Kale and press him into the dirt and into contempt. "Yea?! The reason I thought you changed was HER! I kept wanting to help you because of HER! And she's just a subordinate to you?!" Well, barring the whole... time thing, but Aidan may have forgotten completely about that in the current events.

"You started the fight, BIRD! I'll take your storming insults, but I won't take being pushed around!" Both fists clench. The air pouring out of his body suddenly whirls into a solid plane around them, walls forming around them to form a 1997 JRPG fist. He can't drop. If he didn't fight Kale with everything he had, what would be the point?

The wind knocks the wind out of him, pushing him further back and away from Kale. A breath of wind of his own keeps it from impacting him fully, but already the single blow is enough to buckle him down, gasping for breath. His armor heaves as he tries to suck in breath.

"Get down, Sarracenia! This isn't worth it!" He shouts, knowing full well he's willing to fight Kale until he drops. He tries to get between her and Kale, driving his fist at Kale's stomach.

The blow seems to have two stages, the initial hit, then a sudden pulse of air and pressure after it.

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
"I'm... hoping to not get involved in any of this, actually," says Hazelthistle weakly, still up in the ship, and at a volume that's not actually going to get overheard by anyone down on the ground.

> "I-if you were actually great...you wouldn't need to prove it...!"

Kale reaches up to grab the hammer as it's coming down - not *quite* managing to do so as smoothly as he'd planned on, resulting in him bruising his hand, but for Aidan he manages to actually block - first the hand, then countering the air pressure with his own.

"Enough."

"Just... enough. Fine. You want to help? You're going to insist on this that badly?"

"Then fine. You can help. But we're doing this with my plan, and you're going to listen to my orders. Agreed? I don't have the time or patience otherwise."

He's still holding onto Sarracenia's hammer, and Aidan's fist, as he finishes saying this.

Sarracenia has posed:
     The hammer is caught. Sarracenia gasps in surprise and a large portion of her anger seems to disappear. Only one other person has ever caught her hammer like that, and while Kale didn't weather it quite as effectively as the King of Heroes...it is enough to get Sarra to listen.

     She doesn't like what she hears, but after being bested in both ship and personal combat...she can't really protest. "...you...have a plan?" she says, seeming somewhat surprised. "...fine...as long as it is better than my plan. And do not think that means I will just tolerate insults." she says, then lifts her hammer away slowly.

     She coughs again, a bit of blood appearing on her palm. She mmmphs in annoyance, then looks down at herself and the slices in her dress and sides. "...do you think this counts as a duel?" she asks, rather randomly.

Aidan Proudpick (7373) has posed:
Hearing 1 works against Aidan at this point.

Or at least enough to pick up Hazelthistle's tone. All of Aidan's fire has been doused at once, immediately replaced by shame. Shame and regret.

<PHONE> Aidan says, "Sorry, I'm... Sorry."

Another flash of anger appears in his eyes, "You pu- You st-" He sucks in a breath. He's already done enough harm again to someone else. And the extreme weight of having fucked up again prevents him from being able to get angry again. Instead, just a hollow feeling. He doesn't even get to bask in having finally punched that stupid smug smile off his face.

"Fine." The wind disappears from Aidan's arms, from his lips, coming out as puffs of white that leave him just exhausted.

"...do you think this counts as a duel?"

Aidan turns slightly towards Sarracenia, eyes wide, incredulous. He turns away so she can't seem him cringe.

Kale Hearthward (7329) has posed:
Kale lowers his hands. He picks up his dropped sword and sheathes it.

"I have a plan. And no insults, fine."

"We need to get the robotomized citizens out of the Gale Empire first. One way or another. Princess, I want you to reach out. Start putting pressure on the Empire diplomatically and financially. Proudpick, you're making sure there isn't going to be a riot in the streets when the Empire rolls out their shiny new robot work force. I know 'keeping the peace' is a novel idea for the Watch but things are going to get worse otherwise."

He heads back towards his ship. "I'll be in touch."