Scene #2687: A Fateful Choice

Owner	Pose
Chrysanthemum	A story is hardly a story without people to tell it. Chrys has made VERY sure that others in the multiverse know that this whole thing is happening. She's probably watching from afar, herself, but she isn't in the small force that's camped itself nearby the small city. It is a somewhat fortified city, sitting in a valley as it is and thus with natural fortifications. It's also mustering up its militia, though it has the mood that says nobody actually WANTS to fight, they're just making a show of force. It's also pretty easy for those in the know of what's going on here to figure out what's going to happen... because there's a river. And a dam. That overlooks the city. But that's for later. Right now the situation is thus: Shin has been told to report to this place, and his new buddy MARTIN is also here. Martin is a pretty pleasant guy, and laughs a lot, but he's very serious now. Lieutenant Martin is, in fact, Shin's direct superior, and in charge of the Eastern Flank of the small force that they've prepared here. The city below is available for people to join in as well, though again, they are not expecting an actual fight. This is a show of force to lead into negotiations.
Shin Tokuyama	Maintaining the balance of 'wearing uniform' and 'being enough to separate from the rank and file' is a careful protagonist line to walk. One Shin spent HOURS in a hotel room practicing before he came here today. What he wound up settling on? He's wearing his normal shoes, normal leisure suit pants, normal dress shirt. But over all that, he's wearing an officer's jacket from Chrysanthemum's army along with a a formal officer's cap. The jacket is NOT worn properly, though. In badass fashion, it's draped over his shoulders while his arms are kept free of the sleeves and crossed over his chest. He's got a pair of sunglasses on too. Truly befitting the kung fu ace of a military unit, he keeps a quiet and stern look on his face when he's down to business. Earlier, he was joking around with Martin and cracking wise about the situation, but once it got right down to the nuts and bolts of working, he switched over to quiet mode. By the way, being quiet and serious is REALLY hard for him. "Should be pretty easy, boss," Shin says gruffly, adjusting a toothpick kept in the corner of his mouth. His arms are crossed over his chest and no matter how he moves or paces, the jacket that hangs loosely around his shoulders doesn't fall off (spoilers, he held it there with pins). He takes a slow breath and then flexes his hands, popping the knuckles.
Pinkie	Do you know what stories need? They... Need... MINSTRELS. Being a member of the Syndicate has opened many new and interesting doors to a certain pink party pony-person, and as soon as this so much as went up on the boards. PINKIE PIE said 'I'M THERE!' And thus, she's here now, the mask-wearing, pink-haired, woman dressed in the most ridiculously elaborate and garishly terrible looking travelling bard outfit, complete with jingly bells, tassles, whistles, and a enough instruments hanging off her to make a symphony meister fluster with rage as she suddenly sidles up behind Shin. How she actually manages to play an effective heroic fanfare is some kind of insane mystery, as every step she takes jingles, sends cymbals smashing, drums thumping, and an a lute a-strumming. "HI! I'm here to provide the soundtrack!"
Allenby Beardsley	"Shiiiiiin! Waaaiiiiit!" A light voice calls out. Pushing her way through the rank and file of the army like it's no problem at all is the short, blue-haired form of Allenby. Her hair is swept back and her usual outfit is missing, replaced with a sleeveless shirt, a skirt, and a few too many belts around her waist. She carries herself energetically though not without a decidedly worried look on her face. Once catching up to him, she takes his hands in hers and looks him in the eye. "Shin." she says quietly, her eyes going all doe-y for a few dramatic seconds. "I know this is a big day for you and I know I can't stop you. I don't...want to stop you. Every since we met each other, all that time we've spent together, I've known that you had a destiny. You were meant for big things. I cannot stand in the way of that but..." her bottom lip trembles and then she punches him on the shoulder, "Don't forget me you big lug!!! And good luck!!" She releases his hands and takes a step backwards into the ranks.
Nonon Jakuzure	Out of everything that is going on, where everyone is playing their part, Nonon is ... simply there. Dressed up pink as she is, she looks like some kind of band-conductor or ochestrator - she wouldn't be caught dead outside of her outfit unless she is with those she trusts. Likely this is because she would be dead without it - if anyone was persistant enough. Sitting on some of the architecture, with a bard, a Hero and a potential 'love interest', Nonon's eyes are half-lidded as she yawns, hunched backwards as she barely takes up any part of the 'rails' she perches on, which are made up of a more natural barrier. "I really don't get this." She quips, listening in and watching, a leg hanging from it as she dos everything but fit in. She didn't /even try/. What is her deal? A bit of candy is placed in her mouth, as if it was a movie, but the snake of the elite four is just hanging around, her tail doing anything but rattling. Except when she hears Pinkie's music, at which point her hands quickly are placed against her ears.
Yuuki Kuran	Each little hamlet has a belltower, perhaps sprawling up the local church. It's mandatory. It says, right there, in the contract. And each bellfry and roof is the PURVIEW OF MYSTERIOUS ANIME HEROINES!!! And, well, dorks. BUT ALSO SHOUJO HEROINES! Standing atop the bellfry, looking out over the orange sky of dusk, Yuuki Kuran squints out at the oncoming force of the nominally 'Evil' empire coming to stomp on nominally 'innocent' village, sniffing a few times meaningfully. "Huh. This is sort of like that place where I was a superhero... But this time I don't have a mask. Oh well." She notes, before standing in the whipping breeze, her flowing hair whipping majestically behind her. And also into her face and huge dinnerplate eyes. Not everything is perfect in every story, and she quickly moves a hand to get her hair to stop being unruly. Among all the uniformed 'extras' - Yuuki can't spot Shin due to his distance, though she does smell a familiar scent, she drops from the belltower, falling quickly before landing unnaturally gently on the ground and wandering over in her MYSTERIOUS GIRL WHITE DRESS and sandals. "Um... Hello!"
Pinkie	From amid the jumbled mass of like twenty instruments, one of Pinkie's hands emerges after disentangling from some harp strings. She is holding a domino mask. And she is holding it out to Yuuki.
Yuuki Kuran	Yuuki accepts this domino mask, placing it on her face, where it barely but not really covers her features and it's still totally her, but now she has an air of MYSTERYYYYYYY. Also somehow it sticks to her face even though it's like 60 percent eyes and tiny anime nose. Don't question shoujo logic.
Chrysanthemum	TWO SIDES. In the EVIL EMPIRE we have Shin, Martin, Allenby, Nonon, and several troops. They're all on the flank, though, and a small diplomatic contingent is heading toward the city for now... which doesn't include Shin or the others. Martin is looking a little unnerved at Allenby and Shin as well, probably because Chrys selected him for this 'role' but it isn't an act for him. "I hope this gets taken care of soon. I mean... this city is nice enough and all, but the unity of the Empire is important. There have been a lot of people getting stirred up ever since the Multiverse thing started." He slaps Shin on the back and grins, "But at least we're getting some good recruits. Who's your friend?" Nonon gets a slightly more nervous smile, though, since she seems a little weird. Though sadly a moment later a runner comes up, bearing a missive, and hands it to Martin. He sighs, "One moment." Tearing it open, he reads quickly and makes a face. "We... have new orders to move toward the dam." Then he turns around and calls out. "DEMOLITIONS! SAPPERS! You're needed over here!" At THE CITY we have a small group of diplomats meeting with the heroes, discussing grievances and the like. It's only like three people though. The two not involved in discussion are staring at Pinkie and Yuuki pretty oddly, though. A messenger scoots up nearby, but seems a little nervous... and can't get up to talk to the mayor who is talking. So he scoots over to the OBVIOUS HEROES here, and mentions, "Um... the flank of the force they brought with them is heading toward the dam. That's... kind of worrying, you know?"
Shin Tokuyama	"Allenby!" Shin calls out awkwardly when she runs up and grabs his hands. In true 'tough protagonist fashion', he puts on a perfectly rehearsed 'awkward but hiding it' face as he looks at her, "Tch. You shouldn't be back here. You know I'm trying to work here, and this place is dangerous. You might get hurt," He comments, rocking a bit when she slugs him in the shoulder. He peers over the brims of his sunglasses at her with his heterochromatic stare, "Tch..." "..." "... whatever," Shin says to her in a mock toughguy tone as he turns back towards Martin. That minstrel was here, which is good to know there's gonna be background music, but she's off to help the good guys moments later. Shin looks up at Nonon, tilting his head. For a few moments, he decides to break character. "Oh man! We're totally larping. Or well, it's like LARP, but also totes real. Chrysanthemum set this all up for fun," He calls, giving her a happy wave and a friendly smile. That vanishes once he goes back into character, arms crossing and a stern look hitting his face. "Sir, the dam?" He looks over, seriousness back on his features for all he strains to contain his energy. He pulls down the sunglasses a bit to look at his Commanding Officer, "Why are we taking demolitions troops to the dam?" He asks, playing along with the story, "I thought this was a peacekeeping mission."
Allenby Beardsley	"Me? Get hurt? No, I doubt that, not with you around." Allenby smiles and adds, "I trust you, Shin. You'd never let me get hurt, would you?" She turns her back to him, glancing over her shoulder, "Besides, it's not like /I've/ been conscripted to fight alongside you, right?" He 'whatevers' his way away from her and Allenby mananges to look a little put off for a few moments, pouting adorably. "One day." She retreats back into the troops of the EVIL EMPIRE, lingering near the rear. As she waits, she rubs her chin, considering what to pester Shin with next. "It's like acting." she tells Nonon. "Just pick something out of a manga and act like that."
Yuuki Kuran	Nodding firmly, MASKED HERO... Shit, she doesn't have her cool Brockton Bay persona all made up, she just has a domino mask. Her hair's not short, and not pale purple. But she's got a mask! And people need her help! And that's... actually why she's here. Becuase Yuuki didn't really 'get the memo' that this whole thing was a setup. She in fact thinks it's super serious. "Demolition teams? That doesn't sound good..." She considers, drawing her thumb and forefinger to her chin to look thoughtful. Looking to Pinkie, she nods firmly. "We'll just have to stop them, right? Or at least make sure they're not doing something untoward. I mean, would they attack with diplomats in the city? We should go... Yeah." Yuuki reasons, nodding sagely. She turns to leap up into the air, or... become a pile of butterflies, or... Simply leap up to the walls, and do Ninja Bullcrap off of the walls... Instead she sort of mechanically tromps towards the door. "I'll just... Normally... Walk... over here! To go check it out!" TOTALLY NORMAL HERO, DOMINO KAMEN.
Nonon Jakuzure	To Martin, Nonon stares a hole through him if she could. Who IS she? What is she doing?! New recruit? As. IF. They may be part of the Evil Empire but Nonon isn't even certain what is going on? She's most certainly not new to the whole recruiting thing, either. Yet Shin begins to speak to her, telling her this and that - specifically that it's a LARP. That it was set up for fun for Shin. He's happy - waving, smiling, in the moment. Nonon meanwhile turns to Allenby as she speaks up and notes that it's like acting, that she should pick something out of a manga and act like it. Her face is flat and stares towards Shin and Allenby as if they were missing a few screws. There is nothing wrong with them, certainly, or having fun. Nonon doesn't really 'do' fun though. "Oh, my, you must have mistaken me for some kind of nerd~. As if I have enough time to look at any of that stuff!" She mouths off, crossing her hands over her chest as her cheeks puff. That's when she loses her balance - and topples off of the natural embarkment to the ground. Which happens to have mud and leaves. Once Nonon is again before them, her eyes are pretty much half lidded, daring someone to speak up about her situation - which involves greenery stuck here and there over her outfit, leaves, and mud. "Don't say anything." She states, albeit somewhat quietly.
Chrysanthemum	TO THE DAM! It's going to be an interesting meetup, because the Lieutenant Martin is looking a bit fretful. "I'm... sure they must have a reason," he mutters, folding the orders and tucking them away. "Okay, Shin, you're with me. You two..." He turns to Nonon and Allenby, with a heavy sigh. "Just... try to stay out of trouble, all right? And don't touch anything!" It looks like Nonon is now in a comic relief role! Too bad. At least it seems that way, because as the demolitions team scuttles toward the dam. As they do that, Martin sighs, "We've gotten orders to blow the dam, Shin. In ten minutes." One can almost see the countdown clock starting. That's when Yuuki arrives! THe lone heroine... or is she? Either way, two NORMAL TROOPS intercept her. "Halt! Why aren't you at the negotiations?" One of them points out to the other, "Actually, she doesn't look local."
Shin Tokuyama	Shin is merciful to Nonon. Perhaps because he is well-versed in trying to look cool and failing, or perhaps because he simply gets the image Nonon is trying to put across. Either way, rather than laugh at her, he snaps his fingers and barks orders, "You two." He points at two random soldiers, "Get the Princess a towel and help her clean off," Okay, so apparently he declared Nonon a Princess. Might be the haughty attitude. He has to have SOME fun. But then he's moving with Lieutenant Martin. "Sir, really?" Shin says with an edge of worry coming into his tone. He looks up at the huge dam and then over at Lieutenant Martin as he keeps his arms crossed and walks along. He looks sideways at his commander, "They're just townsfolk and citizens. We can't really be blowing the dam. Think of what will happen," He notes to his superior officer in a pleading tone. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he has a flashback to something Allenby told him A VERY LONG TIME AGO. =====FLASHBACK===== "Me? Get hurt? No, I doubt that, not with you around." Allenby smiles and adds, "I trust you, Shin. You'd never let me get hurt, would you?" She turns her back to him, glancing over her shoulder, "Besides, it's not like /I've/ been conscripted to fight alongside you, right?" =====END FLASHBACK===== It was so long ago he can barely remember it, "Besides, Sir. Won't our own allies get caught in the flood?"
Allenby Beardsley	"Oh, don't worry about us, we won't get in the way at all!" Allenby cheerfully waves her hands at Martin in a disarming fashion. Sure enough, she does hang out in the back, not approaching the sappers as they run off to blow the dam-or even offering much commentary on that dark turn of events. All the objections are placed upon shin to voice since that is a Protagonist Thing To Do. Meanwhile, Nonon calls their little adventuring play the stuff of NERDS. Allenby crosses her arms over her chest and imparts some choice words for her over the radio right before she takes a tumble down the embarkment. Casually, Allenby saunters over and crouches down at the top of the natural ridge to watch her. "Anything." she sasses. Knowing full well the effect it's going to have, she adds, "Band geek."
Yuuki Kuran	As people approach the DAM and Yuuki tromps on over to it, she is CONFRONTED by SOLDIERS from the EVIL EMPIRE. And, not knowing this is a figment of someone's storytelling imagination and not a real thing, Yuuki - DOMINO KAMEN - is still taking this seriously. When she's challenged, though she looks seriously at the soldiers, and raises a hand up. "I won't let you hurt these people - especially under the auspices of diplomacy! And blowing up a dam... That'll do more damage than simply attacking them! This is foolish and... And I, the guardian of this place, won't let you!" She announces, the color leeching out of her hair as her eyes flash a bloody red behind her domino mask. Her raised hand causes terrible tremors, and she floats up in the air slightly, her dress fluttering and rippling in the unnatural forces. It looks really impressive. Mostly she's just changing her haircolor and exerting some kinetic pressure around her, but she sure LOOKS like something straight from the start of Final Fantasy 4.
Nonon Jakuzure	Mercy is the worst thing to give Nonon. Perhaps among the top three. She neither expects it, nor wants it. Not under Satsuki Kiryuin. She is a princess, now? While it is /incredibly/ wonderful of Shin to say so, Nonon decides to go with it. "Yes, you see, I'm a princess." She flatly states to Allenby as she is awash with a towel or two, the woman glancing up at the dam. Shin is having secondary thoughts. He needs to be a hero. Allies would be caught in the flood. Wheels turn, Nonon turning towards Allenby as she listens to her - oh yes, they won't get in the way. "I think you should~. It'll do wonders for you~." She chides. Just as Allenby says those magic words. Band. Geek. The princess suddenly doesn't /need/ a towel, because the clothing she is wearing suddenly explodes off her in rapid fashion, mud and debris sent flying off her as it all reforms, far more pink, far more skull themed, and far more ... flying tank like. "INFACT, I THINK THE DAMN NEEDS TO GO RIGHT NOW~! I hope you can't swim~! It'll fit the PRINCESS /that much more/. The princess can't have any DISSIDENTS in HER /KINGDOM/!" The sappers, placing themselves nearby, if they will, will suddenly find something tearing through the sky towards them. The Symphony Regalia Grave sending out ... a flute. No, a /flute missle/, to impact the dam and around the sappers. There is a good chance that it will simply not survive it. "And right now, the princess decrees that all the rats must drown~!" Maybe Yuuki can stop the missile before it impacts?
Chrysanthemum	The two in front of Yuuki are veteran soldiers, with magical abilities all their own! However they're also not dumb and they know how the Azure Empire works. "Yeah, screw this," they say, diving out of the way from Yuuki's presence. That's... probably a good idea, given what's happening at the dam. MEANWHILE, AT THE DAM ITSELF Technically, next to the dam. Martin has a pained look. "YEs, I know what it looks like. And... I don't want to do it either, Shin. But I'm sure command has reasons for doing this instead of just sweeping into town. They wouldn't order it otherwise. There has to be a reason." He huffs, "Just... stand aside. There's nothing we can do but follow orders, no matter how cruel they may seem. I'm sure... the cost will be worth it." Oh no, he's angsting now, just as Chrys predicted he would! She may have rigged this somehow. That's when the flute missile arcs toward the dam. Martin's eyes widen, and he looks at Allenby. Then back to Shin. "Don't..."
Allenby Beardsley	Completely okay with not being a princess herself, Allenby continues to watch Nonon, clearly extremely amused and with a big, big grin on her face. There is absolutely no fear from the Gundam Fighter as she taunts Nonon into potentially attacking her. "Hey if you wanna go around right here, I'll be happy to. I've heard a lot about your school. But hey, or you could just relax and have some fun. It's fun, right? We're making sure Shin has a-" Nonon promptly FLIPS THE HELL OUT. She covers her eyes with a forearm as mud splatters all over the place from Nonon's 'magical girl' transformation. "Wha?! You're going to blow up the dam just to drown me?! BETRAYAL!" Allenby falls to her knees, shaking her fists at the sky. "BETRAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!" she shouts /super dramatically/.
Shin Tokuyama	Shin takes a long moment as he looks at Martin. He takes off his sunglasses and looks at his commander, "Sir. You can't expect me to just let this happen." He says boldly, staring at his commander with a serious gaze. He pleads, "We can't. This isn't RIGHT, sir." And then a missile arcs towards the dam. Shin's eyes go wide and he looks back at his commander, "Don't?! I HAVE to. There's no choice!" Shin tosses his sunglasses to the side and then crouches. His fist glows faintly red with ki before he tries to take a straight vertical leap upward. It's pretty impressive for a guy that looks humans for all intents and purposes. As his uppercut carries him upward, he tries to put his fist right into the missile and detonate it in his face! AND IT DOES, blowing up in a billow of fire and explosion that engulfs the kung fu hero mid-jump. When he reappears from the cloud of smoke and fire, he's flying backwards and towards the dam. His feet hit it hard and he hops off, flipping and landing right in front of Marin again. He's bloody, his officer's jacket and hat has been destroyed, and his dress shirt underneat his heavily damaged, "Tch... a missile. That's going to cause my fighting level go to down to the most elementary of levels for an arbitrary amount of time," He comments, blood dripping to the ground undeath him as he stares at Martin. He is, to note, narratively explaining why he's going to hold back on this world and level up. Now he hasn't actually worked in Chrysanthemum's army that long, so his speech is a bit... off. "Sir, when I enlisted in this army, we stood for something..." He begins, quietly murmuring, "...I assume," added on to the end. He takes a deep breath, "We had ideals..." He pauses again, "... probably," He points at Martin, "And a greater good in mind..." Another pause, "... One would think." "My loyalty is to this Kingdom..." He takes another holding point, "...it seems. And if that means going against our boss for the good of our people, I have to make my stand here." He rips a random patch off his jacket and holds it out, "So consider this my resignation..." Another long pause, "... if that's the right patch."
Nonon Jakuzure	It's not entirely surprising - but with Allenby acting up, Nonon most notably /isn't/. Especially not as she watches Allenby go to her knees, shaking her fists at the sky! Nonon laughs! That is until Shin decides he HAS to - taking a vertical leap upwards, impressive - and Nonon isn't prepared for it. Especially not the uppercut. No one is prepared for the uppercut. The one that brings him straight into the missile. "That idiot ISN'T going to - " Except he does it, the flute whistling to a stop and detonating, Shin managing to fly straight into the Dam - and flops off, landing before it. With Shin there, Nonon imagines that is it - the Regalia floating in the air. "Why did he have to go and do that for~? It wasn't meant for him." She chides, tching, "And now I'll have to get rid of the - huh? Still alive?" She floats there a bit more, before he gives his resignation. "... Can I still get punish her?" He asks to Shin, training the flying battle blimp towards Allenby. "Infact, why am I asking~? I'm a princess."
Yuuki Kuran	Ah, yes. The moment where MASKED HERO, DOMINO KAMEN jumps in front of a missile, heroically explodes, and... And Shin has a Moment. A wonderful, beautiful moment. It would bring a tear to her eye, but she's a masked HERO! So instead she just kind of gawks. "Oh, uh... so do I still need to protect the dam, or do you... do y-HEY! You're the guy from that city with the motorcycle!" Yuuki announces. "Also, um..." She reaches forward and pulls off one of his patches. He missed one. "There you go!" She beams, from behind her mask. "So... What's even going on? Were you a part of that army? They're... Bad people! I... think. What's going on? Do you /know/?"
Chrysanthemum	Martin stares at Shin as he comes down from the... assault? He stares, then lets out a sigh. "You're right. But I have my orders. I..." He screws up his face. "I'll abort the mission due to unexpected interference, and face the consequences. But next time we meet, Shin Takuyama, we'll be crossing blades." A long pause. "Or... fists." Whatever works. He's a little confused, to be honest. "We have to follow orders, or the entire structure breaks down. I understand your feelings, but we can't just do what we feel like." Meanwhile, the militia has started moving and is swarming toward the battleground. That's what it is now, even if the battle hasn't really started. The 2nd Lieutenant shouts, "Sir! We've got to go, the city is on its way!" He gives a snappy salute to Nonon though, "Good work, but we'll have to withdraw!" Martin looks very confused, however. "Er... right. That was the right patch. I'll remember all of you. Everyone still loyal, with me!" Looks like he's withdrawing, because he knows he can't take on the protagonist with the troops he has, even if Nonon is with him. BEcause she's kind of unpredictable. And this MASKED HERO is a total unknown!
Shin Tokuyama	"Yeah! I am!" Shin says to Yuuki when she comments on his motorcycle. He gives her a thumbs up. She's wearing a new mask, so he doesn't suspect her of being either Yuuki Kuran OR the Masked Butterfly. She's probably just some fan of his that he doesn't recognize because she's wearing a mask that covers a minimal part of her face. He nods to Marin and says, "I don't hold your duty against you, Martin. And you're a good man, whom I was honored to work with. It will make me sad to have to cross my fists with your blade," He says as he looks on solemnly. Assumedly, Pinkie is nearby playing some sort of sad tune for them all in the background. He finally does explain to Yuuki, "Oh. I'm uh... I was hired by Chrysanthemum to be a protagonist. So we were playing out the origin today. She'll probably have more for me in the future! You should come along!"
Nonon Jakuzure	With A 2nd Lieutenant shouting to her good work, Nonon peers up. Yeah, there's a lot of people left that are suddenly NOT on her side. Especially after what she called Allenby, likely. "You're right, I guess we might have to~." She declares, almost sighing - but she really doesn't care enough to fight. She just wanted to blow up a dam - but instead hit a combat hobo? That's just as good, especially the dramatic speech. The Regalia vanishes, Nonon once more covered in all kinds of gook and greenery. "Pft. The princess demands her towel, now." She flatly remarks, leaving the others behind! If she is going to get the good treatment, now, she'll milk it. She does like the attention, after all.