View source for 3077/The Absolute Blade, Zekken arrives!

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/09/21
|Location=Alfheim Online <ALO>
|Synopsis=Zekken takes on the Iron Wolf, stronger and tougher than anyone she's ever faced before. It's a battle of power vs. speed!
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=437, 451, 707, 874
|Tinyplot=
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Floor 24 of Aincrad, north of town.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The meeting place isn't hard to find. The time and place was announced well in advance. Ah hour a day, 3 PM to 4 PM server-time on an island just north of the town on the 24th level of Aincrad. Not that it looks like a level, really. The world stretches without walls to the visible limits in all directions. This close to the town there are no monsters. There's just a smallish island, a few hundred feet across at most, reached either by flight or by crossing a simple wooden bridge. The island's most notable feature is a huge spreading oak tree... and beneath that tree, a duel is being fought.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There are a good number of fairy races here of all varieties, either here to watch or here to fight. The combatants they are currently watching move in a blur, dust exploding around them as they fight. Abruptly it's over... one final pass of the swords and one opponent is struck down, his health bar depleting to red and then beginning to flash. A buzzer sounds. The other combatant, a small imp with a purple theme, smiles in delight. Her own health bar is still green, well over 75, and she bears only a few small digital scars.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the 'WINNER' display lights up and duel stats reset, the imp reaches down to her opponent. "Thanks!" she grins, without any apparent condescention or insincerity. "I have a little while here still... anyone else want to compete?" she announces cheerfully.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The audience seems to have expected the outcome, and most of the fighters seem only mildly disappointed at the victory. They've come to see the newcomer defeated... but they're beginning to expect otherwise and the duels are entertaining even if this Zekken is completely dominating the opposition.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>There's certainly a non-participating audience; a blonde Sylph girl with a staff has been looking on, and even making friendly side bets here and there. Granted, Zekken's winning streak is such that it's less a matter of 'who wins' and 'how much does Zekken win by', but it's still all in good fun, and she cheers enthusiastically every time a duel concludes - cheering the winner as well as the loser.<br /><br />So why hasn't she stepped up yet? Only Kanokon knows that.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:451|Karian Icefang (451)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Aye!" shouts out from the crowd. If anyone looked in the direction of the voice, they would see a wall of heavy armor that could only belong to a Salamander. A grin is firmly painted on the lips of the brave soul as he offers a nod to Zekken. "I've heard alot about you, Zekken. Your an impressive fighter." He says. Of course, his hand was resting on the bastard sword sheathed on his back. "Name is Iron Wolf. A pleasure." He says, apparently having paid for a name change, it seemed.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Zekken looks Iron Wolf up and down, then up again, her grin widening in pleasure. "Man, you really rolled good on the size stat!" she says, bouncing slightly on her toes. "How do you want to do this? Flight? No flight? Magic?" she asks. She reaches her left hand to her sword's pommel. "I'm just using this, but the rest is up to you! I'll fight under any rules you want." she says with a cheerful smile.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Among the crowd, an excited buzz comes first from one area, quickly spreading. "One of the Gatecrashers! He's cleared the game!" This is, of course, a big deal. Some of the veteran players of the game consider the Gatecrashers Guild to be a bunch of big fat Beaters, but for the fight fans the guild has a somewhat better reputation. Admiration, respect, maybe even a little awe. Even with the name change, when someone shows up with a serious set of endgame heavy plate they're likely to be recognized by appearance rather than by name.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:451|Karian Icefang (451)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Iron Wolf looks over to the crowd as he hears the recognition and simply nods. "Sword to sword. Never did get on with magic." He says. He then stretches his neck a bit, loosening up. "I'm curious to see how your speed matches up to my strength. Either way, let's give our fans here a good show." He says, sending over the duel request. Once accepted, he'd draw out his weapon of choice. The size alone seemed like it would need at least 3 hands to lift, yet he holds it aloft in one.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:437|Annie Sandberg (437)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The little Puca, Silverbloom, jingles the bells on her bracelets energetically as the battle ends. Her gear isn't up to the standard needed to actually do much up here, but she was curious about this famous fighter- and indeed she seemed to be living up to the hype so far. She was the kind of heroine one could write a song about, she thought, giggling to herself. She really was starting to get comfortable with Puca life.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As someone else stepped forward to challenge the swordswoman, Silverbloom fluttered upwards a bit to get a better look at him. He certainly looked strong, but... strength wasn't everything.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Thirty yrd on Iron Wolf taking off a third of Zekken's HP!" Kanokon calls out good-naturedly. Let the betting commence!<br /><br />And yes, she HAS seen how fast Zekken is; she's putting that much of a bet in Iron Wolf's favor anyway. Someone's bound to take her up on it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The smile dries up, not out of any lack of enjoyment but in acknowledgment of the serious tone of the impending duel. That's only appropriate after all. One can enjoy a fight, but one should never take it lightly. "Sword to sword then. Jumping is fine, but summoning wings counts as a loss." she claims. All parameters that could be entered into the duel, but that matters little. She'll accept whether the parameters are set or not. What matters, when true fighters meet, isn't the rules imposed on them... what matters is what they agree upon.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A message is directed to Karian's menu. YUUKI has accepted the duel. She brings her right hand over to cover her own blade's hilt, then vaults backwards in a somersault that leaves her practically floating. No wings though, just a leap that all but defies physics. She lands in a slight crouch, drawing her blade with a steely ring and holding it one-handed, a mirror to Karian's own stance. A very tiny mirror, all considered. Her health bar shimmers silver, her health resetting under the duel conditions. The smile is entirely gone now, Yuuki staring at Karian with unblinking focus, waiting for the merest twitch of a virtual muscle to show his intent.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kanokon's offer gets a few snickers but some interest. "More than 30 fighters took her on, the first day." someone says. "NONE of them broke 70 percent." he adds, pushing spectacles up the bridge of his nose. Zekken's got a stat fan here. Of course none of those on the first day were fighters willing to take the challenge entirely seriously, and none of them had cleared the game.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;One spectator shrugs. "Thirty sounds fine." she says. Thirty is barely worth grinding for. "If he does that good, it'll be worth that just to watch the fight!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:451|Karian Icefang (451)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karian nods to the terms. His own health bar resets and he likewise locks his avatar's good eye onto Yuuki. A second that may seem like an eternity would pass before he would make the first move. The more knowledgible in the crowd would know this was his style...to go one handed till he got motivated to stop playing. But for the moment, he swings that bastard sword straight at Yuuki's mid-section.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Zekken knows the power that must be behind such a massive blade. She knows that speed is her only real ally, that if she attempts to oppose force with force, she'll be beaten in no time. Speed is her forte however. She waits with the poise of a samurai, though it's more her outfit that's reminiscent of that ancient art than her actual fighting style. Her style, as it were, has little to do with anything recognizable.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Perhaps predictably, Zekken's move is to go on the attack. Not waiting for the blade to complete its fall, she launches into a charge trying to get inside the reach of the big blade. Her own point leads, with a glancing blow aimed at Karian's side in passing. Nothing that will do serious damage, not through his armor. She'll need to strike true and straight to do such a thing, even with her obsidian blade.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:451|Karian Icefang (451)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karian nods to himself mentally. She was fast enough to dance circles around him before he could strike. But he knew this, and would move to counter. He would angle to bring the blade down into the ground and side-step, hopefully utilizing the impact of the glance to set up Zekken for the edge of his greatsword.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:437|Annie Sandberg (437)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not having much else to do, Silverbloom continues jingling her bracelets rhythmically. Drums would probably be a more appropriate backdrop to such a fight, but all she had for instruments at the moment was her trusty flute. She didn't really have any vested interest in the outcome of the fight either. Rooting for the underdog and wanting Zekken to keep her streak alive were both good ideas. So she'd just root for both of them! "Go! Go!" she yelled as her bracelets continued to chime out.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Well, she mostly offered the bet to help spread some hype around; Kanokon gives the nay-saying statmaster a wry grin and goes back to cheering for the Iron Wolf. She's keeping it SOMEWHAT subdued, though - she doesn't want to distract Karian at a critical moment or anything.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Great strength has a speed of its own. When a heavy object moves with sufficient speed and can still have its path altered by its wielder, it's hard to avoid. Yuuki bats at the sword, using a point on her blade near the hilt to deflect the tip of Karian's greatsword. That in itself wouldn't be enough, but she ducks under the blade. She'd deflected it enough, somehow, to get under it, but she doesn't strike again immediately. She backs off, straightening and bringing her sword back up.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's not just game strength, ojiisan!" she calls out, impressed. "Someone that just has the stats to use a heavy sword couldn't maneuver it that quickly. Your blade's hard to predict!" she claims. Strength versus speed indeed.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yuuki taps her free hand to her breastplate once, in a kind of salute. Then, grinning, she dives in to the attack. This time, she's not measuring Karian's skill. She's got a measure for that. Now, she's trying to see what happens when she presses him.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"She's going all out!" someone cries from the audience. Wrongly, actually. Yuuki's serious, but nowhere near all-out. She's still measuring, but feels no need to hold back while doing so.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:451|Karian Icefang (451)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karian laughs as his blade is blocked and ducked under. "Aye..I've had experience with blades like this for a long time, pup." He says. He bangs a fist against his armor as a salute as well, and watches the dive. He quickly brings the blade up to block the dive, and waits to push back. If he was successful, he'd immidiately follow that up with a slash.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yuuki rides that push, not having anywhere near the strength to fight it. No sooner is she past arms-length though than she's back inside again, cutting and slashing with a series of eye-blurringly fast blows. She hits pretty hard too, though that's more a function of game stats than actual physical strength. Her speed's something that couldn't possibly come from stats, but both her blade and armor are of a level equivalent to Karian's own endgame gear.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It would take someone with keen eyesight indeed to see Karian's own blow land. Likely none of the fight fans would have seen it, not past the blurring movement and explosion of dust. Still, as Yuuki begins raining down blows, the sliver removed from her health bar is unmistakeable, as is the red damage marker high up on her side.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"C'MON IRON WOLF!!" Kanokon calls out enthusiastically. "Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and vigor, teach her to respect her elders!"<br /><br />... is she taking this a little more seriously than she's letting on?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:451|Karian Icefang (451)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karian's grin grows on his face. "Not bad at all....Time for me to get serious." He says, revealing that he had been holding back. Of course, this meant that now his second hand was on the hilt of his sword. He brings it up and launches into his own attacks, slashing wide and even throwing a feined overhead slash for a vertical. Of course, while these were a bit faster then the one handed strikes, they were still being done with a heavy weapon. Despite seeing his health dropping, Karian suppressed his competative side in favor of sheer enjoyment of meeting an equal in a true duel.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:437|Annie Sandberg (437)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Along with some of the other spectators, Silverbloom looks surprised to see Zekken take a hit- but it didn't seem to be the kind that would even slow her down. Indeed, she seemed to be striking back even more, and definitely had the advantage. She looks toward Kanokon with a smile before calling out in reply, "I don't think so! You got this, Zekken!" Looks like the other player picked Silverbloom's side for her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As opposed to Karian's strong and steady battle style, Yuuki is all over him. In some cases, literally so. She ducks under his blade, spinning to deliver a minimally-effective slash. Her blade is more a thusting weapon, with no good slashing edge. While she can cut vulnerable points with the edge of her blade, it's nothing that could cut through the Iron Wolf's heavy armor.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That's not to say she doesn't thrust, just that she spends more time moving than attacking effectively. If she stills, if she stands toe to toe, she'll be cleaved by that weapon. Not that she isn't struck, but her speed is enough to keep her from suffering more than glancing blows. They're adding up though, those glancing blows. 90. 85% 80... Especially once Karian doubles up on his weapon, bringing extra power and leverage to his strikes.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yuuki's own strikes come in from all angles. She vaults over him at one point, pommeling over him with one hand while stabbing downward with her blade. Strikes come in from all angles, her blade seeming more like four weapons than one. And yet, following that blade all around the duel, comes laughter. Not mockery, merely pure lighthearted pleasure. The delight of having someone to fight that presses her this hard.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:451|Karian Icefang (451)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karian was likewise laughing, joy taking hold in his heart. "I've not had such a good duel in ages!" He complements, even after being bashed by the pommel of the thrusting blade. He too was getting his health bar whittled down effectively. But at the moment, he felt like giving a show. He had been working on a sword skill of his own, and figured now was as good a time to let it loose. He'd run towards Yuuki and use all the might he could summon up to hit and send her skyward. He then swings his sword backwards and aimed to slam it down on top of Yuuki. "I call that one the 'Moon Breaker'." He says, wether he hits it or not.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yuuki jumps up and is then lofted upwards by the beginning of Karian's Sword Skill. The damage is lessened somewhat due to her motion, but it's still the single most damaging hit of the fight so far. Her eyes widen as she finds herself flying without wings, and coming down fast right where the Iron Wolf is readying a strike to slam down as she hits the ground.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What follows isn't easy to see. In fact it's likely no one sees it. Sound is really the only way to describe it... a continuous ringing like someone shaking a sleigh bell. At least four distinct hits, each one hitting almost before the previous one ends, as Zekken's sword strikes Karian's repeatedly, pushing both the blade and the girl aside so she comes down safely without that heavy blade cleaving her virtual skull. She dances to the side, silvery peals of laughter chiming out. "That's an awesome skill, ojisan!" she cries out. "I only have the one original move, and I don't feel like using it yet... but how about this?" she calls.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yuuki's blade moves in a series of slashes. Down and across, up and back, down and back, across and forward. The tip of the sword leaves a faint glowing afterimage, carving out the infamous but not entirely rare Vertical Square attack against Karian, one of Kirito's own favorite moves.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:451|Karian Icefang (451)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karian laughs as he reels a bit from both the blocking action as well as the impressive sword skill. "Not bad....you've almost won this. But I'm not going to give up easy." He says. A quicky glance would reveal he was actually below 50. Though that doesn't stop him from launching at Yuuki again. This time though, he strikes were more methodical, as if he was trying to bait her to block some over others.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kanokon doesn't expect Karian to pull off an upset win; she's seen enough of Zekken's duels to know better than to that, and she would've been laughed clear off the floor if she'd bet on the Iron Wolf to triumph.<br /><br />But she bet for him to carve away at least a full third of her HP bar, and THAT is where her attention is staying in between cheers.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kanokon's already won her bet. Yuuki's health bar sits at 70, possibly even as low as 2/3. Not yellow yet, but as low as anyone's gotten her so far with only one exception. And he's still fighting, still strong, his health bar not yet in the red.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yuuki seems to be hitting a rhythm now, her attacks coming fast and furious. She doesn't always block Karian's sword strikes. Often she dodges, relying on speed. When he takes short, fast cuts, she doesn't bother parrying or dodging more than a little. His greatsword relies on mass to do its damage, and she's content to have her life shaved slowly away if it allows her to stay on target and slam home a proper thrust or tip-slash. His bigger swings, she won't parry at all, but she easily skips away, dodging past, under, or within the swing's arc. Every time he takes one of those big swings, she gets away clean but usually without being able to deliver anything significant in return. But when he unloads an uncommitted medium swing, those are the worst for him. Those she bats contemptuously aside before striking, using the whole of her sword to move the tip of Karian's, probably lightly wounding him in the process<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:451|Karian Icefang (451)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karian takes all of this in mind, and sure enough his health drops into the red. "It takes bravery to walk into a duel you can't win...but it takes more to admit when you've been defeated." He says. The reason he says this is because he take's a knee, blade pointed down. "You've won, Zekkan. But I'm happy with the performance I've given." He says, letting their duel end. But once the duel ended, he would offer his hand to the victor in a show of sportsmanship and chivalry.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Technically Kanokon's bet was contingent on actually bringing Zekken all the way down to 66 percent, not just to 70; she's looking *really* intently at the young swordswoman's HP bar as Karian concedes.<br /><br />Then again, it's only 30 yrd, and you can get more than that off monsters on this floor without breaking even a virtual sweat. The bet was more a token than anything, really.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Zekken's health is actually slightly below 50% by the time she can push Karian's health to critical, and this itself is absolutely unique. An excited buzz goes up from the crowd. In their eyes, that's practically a win against the one they're dubbing the Absolute Blade. Certainly better than anyone who's fought her yet.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Thanks, ojisan!" Yuuki beams, quick to sheathe her sword the moment he surrenders. The duel is technically not officially over, not won unless one or the other ends it through 'death' or through their menu, but she's done nonetheless. She's not bloodthirsty, and has absolutely no interest in her official ALO win/loss score.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She does have to consider though. Iron Wolf is good. He's really good. Probably the equal of Jun, she has to admit at least privately. But is he suitable for the group? She's not sure. He definitely enjoys fighting, and he has the right attitude. He's got the skills... he MIGHT work. She'll probably have to discuss it with the rest of the Sleeping Knights. She's not convinced, but she's at least considering it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yuuki waves out with her left hand, tapping her menu rapidly. Karian's own menu pings. Friend request. "I hope you don't mind?" she asks.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This too is unprecedented. Completely so.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:451|Karian Icefang (451)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Karian accepts the friend request and while in the menu ends the duel. He sheaths his sword and then grins. "Your skills are considerable, for a young person. You pushed me and I've got a century of training." He says. Was he role-playing, or perhaps telling the truth? His sly grin didn't really hint to either.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yuuki laughs, seeming to accept Karian's boast as a joke, or as a roleplayed thing. "I'll have to start calling you ojiisan then!" she claims. Again still polite, but the sort of thing a girl would call an ancient man rather than a middle-aged one.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:437|Annie Sandberg (437)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Silverbloom claps for the competitors, cheering as Iron Wolf graciously concedes, before breaking into a celebratory tune on her flute. As she does so, she moves a bit closer to the two who had been fighting, dancing around them happily. After she finishes, she smiles up at them. "That was really great," she says. "I hope I'll be just as good with music as you are with swords someday!" Though, she's not sure how exactly one would measure that. Numerical skill levels were one thing, but it seemed like, in both music and fighting, genuine talent was important along with mechanical stats here.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yuuki peers down at little Silverbloom. While it's easy enough to tell that most players are older than her, it's just as easy to tell Silverbloom's a child rather than an adult playing with the sliders scaled low. Unless, of course, it's just a really good RPer with the sliders set to small.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, no telling right?" she says. She doesn't do the patronizing thing, doesn't claim 'maybe you will if you work hard.' Yuuki shrugs. "Keep playing!" she says with a grin, raising her hand, fingers splayed in an exuberant V.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"If our skills from reality carried over here," Kanokon remarks wryly, "I'd give you a shot myself .. you're pretty incredible," she says to Yuuki.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:874|Yuuki Konno (874)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yuuki's eyes widen at that comment, though she quickly blinks and the startled expression vanishes. "I'm glad it's just a game!" she says with somewhat hearty cheer. "I'm nothing special IRL." she claims, covering up her surprise.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Aaand cue a rapid shift of conversation! "I can probably manage another fight or two if anyone's up for it! Come on, give it a try, someone!" Zekken calls out, bouncing enthusiastically.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:437|Annie Sandberg (437)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Silverbloom gives the V right back at Zekken. "I... guess there's a lot I'll have to do to do that, huh? I've got to learn a bunch of songs, get some better clothes, do lots of practice... and maybe even get a backup band!" It'd be a lot of work to do, but... somehow, she feels like she'd be more capable of doing such things as Silverbloom than she would as Annie. Sure, she likes singing in real life, but here, she's a magical music fairy- it definitely makes her feel more confident in her abilities. "I'll have to ask around the Carnival..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kanokon shakes her head, grinning as she raises her hands. "After the Iron Wolf, I'd just disappoint everybody, from the audience to myself to you. He put up a better fight than I could, and I got a little money off the deal."<br> <br>


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