[OPEN] Mission 157

[soul_mods]

Characters: Open to participants who signed up here.
Location: Nocturne Bazaar
Rating: Gen.
Time: April 5th.
Description: The battle to destroy the last of the three Madness Emitters is upon us.

It happens early in the morning: a strange and lingering air of disquiet, almost imperceptible even to those trained to recognize it for what it is, quickly rising to a mind-shattering crescendo. On the floating island above the city, black liquid bubbles up from the cracks in the cobblestone streets and materializes into tall, thin, clown-shaped creatures. Oversized carrion birds take wing from the rafters of buildings, trailing dust from their dirty wings. The screams of civilians are clearly heard even from Death City so far down below, waking its citizens up from fitful, nightmare-filled slumbers.

The Witches are here!

It doesn't take long for the defenders to rally: Kid sends out the call to arms and, after admonishing all but the most skilled pairs to stay off the island, instructs those attending Mission 157 to prepare to get on the gondolas which still remain the only way to and from the Bazaar.

The streets are not as packed as they were the past two days, but there is no less commotion. The carnival workers and residents, fleeing from the marauding monsters, clearly have no hand in this deception. In between trying to save their lives, striking down the Black Blood-formed clowns and avoiding the talons of swooping bird familiars, the pairs certainly have their hands full.

At the epicenter of the battle is the yellow-bricked fortune-telling building. Waves of Madness emanate from it with an almost physical force. If you aren't careful, you may run into the black-feathered Witch guarding it…

By the end of the conflict, the island is incapable of supporting its own weight. With the help of volunteers shuttling civilians and fighters alike from the Bazaar to the ground, everyone must race back to the gondolas before the entire rock crashes in the sands.

OOC NOTES.
- The event summary post containing all relevant links is located here.
- Make your own threads, but please indicate in your subject line [CHARACTER(S) | OPEN/CLOSED]
- If you have any further questions, the mod thread on the coordination post is here!

Comments

Akiha and Sion [Closed]

[ritsu_kouyou]

"We're not going to talk about my leg, Sion," Akiha snapped as the gondola zoomed them up to the skyisland.

The meister was taking the moment to wrap an ace bandage tight about the padded shin 'armor' she'd found - yes, it was a soccer shinguard, shut up - to protect her still tender leg from further damage and added support for her ankle. She already had the strongest non-hospital issued painkillers available working through her system as she was unwilling to sit out this mission.

It wasn't just a mission. This was a direct attack. Death City may not be her home, but she'd be damned if she was going to sit by and let the enemy preventing her from returning home invade where she was forced to stay. She just... had to deal with her ankle.

And her partner.

[computations]

"Even if I must be quiet, that still does not mean I will not worry."

Yes, she had a billion reservations about Akiha coming along but she would deal with them. When Akiha was in this state, there was no arguing her out of anything, no matter the logic used. Instead, she sighed and pushed the concerns out of her mind.

"At least listen to my advice along the way."

[ritsu_kouyou]

"When do I not listen to your advice?"

Listening was one thing, following another. Akiha always listened to the advice Sion had whether she agreed with it or not. She just didn't always follow what her partner had to say when she believed something else would be more effective. Yes, Sion was a genius and could calculate things faster than Akiha could even start to think about it, but their experiences and instincts were different.

And, well, Akiha was a strong-willed, stubborn, arrogant bitch. She did what she wanted and others had to deal with it. Like Sion.

Finally finished with the wrap, Akiha let her skirt fall back into place and hopped a few times to make sure it would be okay and not fall down. Her brow twitched as she took up her normal fighting stance, sans weapon of course, to test her ankle, during the few minutes before they made it to solid ground... and battle.

Oh, this was going to be a trial of pain tolerance, adrenaline and pure stubbornness. Kid wanted the strongest pairs fighting this. Sion may still be low on the Weapon scoreboard, but that was only a matter of time before she became one of the strongest Weapons Shibusen had available. Akiha thought herself one of the stronger Meisters. Of course. And she had told the shinigami that he would not hold her back in any missions once she'd proven herself with that first madness emitter.

[computations]

"Frequently."

For, in Sion's opinion, listening to her advice was heeding it. She wouldn't exactly play semantics with the word unless it worked in her favor. Which, for the moment, wasn't exactly in her bests of interests. So semantics were out the window for her.

"But, if you so insist, are you prepared to do battle?"

Preparation for Sion was entirely mental. At this point, it simply became a routine activity she could do without pause. Hiding her preparations behind other activities was a simple thing for her with the now accumulated experience she had gathered. Working out or practicing was not something Sion had to indulge in, making this a mental exercise, one that she exceeded in.

[ritsu_kouyou]

Akiha just ignored Sion's response there. She stretched a bit more and bounced a bit to test her ankle out. It hurt, but for now she could tolerate it. It was easier to focus on the madness than it was the pain. When she did that, the pain ebbed away from her consciousness... somewhat. she'd rather fight a more familiar battle against the madness wavelength anyways.

"Yes." She held her hand out for Sion. "There's more pressure here than with the other emitters. I wonder why..."

[computations]

There was no real answer from Sion on that. But she could offer some of the more likely reasons as to why the emitter seems to be stronger this time around. Occam's Razor would always prove to be a handle tool.

"In my opinion, they may be putting all their spare power into this one, amplifying the output of the emitter."

[ritsu_kouyou]

"...that makes sense."

Akiha walked to the gondola's rail and shaded her eyes, trying to get a look at whatever battlefield they were going to end up on upon arrival. Were those... crows?

"How are you handling the increased wavelength?"

[computations]

"It is manageable. By compartmentalizing the areas that are affected, it becomes simple to quarantine and fight the effect."

A shame that most people didn't have the kind of training to pull that off. But Sion wasn't worried about Akiha. She had years of similar and greater pressure put upon her so her mental stamina would be far beyond the average person. So far beyond that Sion would most likely measure it in scientific notation as opposed to any other number.

[ritsu_kouyou]

"If you need to draw upon my wavelength if we get close to the emitter, do so. I don't think you will, but..." She worried. "Just in case, you don't need to waste any time asking." And if that happened, hopefully Sion would either not notice how the madness wavelength makes Akiha hungry or she'd just ignore it. The half-demon sure was. As much as she could.

"We're almost there. I expect fighting almost immediately off the gondola. Are you ready?" She holds her hand out for her partner again.

[computations]

Of course she's ready. Sion takes a deep breath in preparation and transforms into her weapon state and drops into Akiha's hand. Whether or not Akiha was right about fighting directly off the vehicle, being prepared for any situation was paramount to survival and victory.

Be careful and wary of your limits.

[ritsu_kouyou]

I will try.

Akiha twirled the staff between her hands before settling it into a ready position. As soon as the gondola got within acceptable distance, Akiha vaulted over the rail, using it as a bit of a springboard, to clear the gap to land on solid ground. Which was weird to think about considering they were on a floating island.

It was a good thing Akiha had jumped early as a large crow swooped down to slam into the gondola, sending it crashing into the landing platform. There was a second of stunned staring by the meister as the machine slid across the ground, ripping itself apart from the impact, and the crow carrying itself back up into the air to circle back around before Akiha realized she was out in the open.

"Shit."

Cursing herself both externally and internally, she dove out of the way as the crow swooped down at them with it's talons extended. Hitting the ground in a roll, Akiha managed to dodge the attack and made back up to her feet in one motion - some reflexes becoming engrained - and struck the bird's wing once before ducking behind a stall for cover, already panting from the sudden adrenaline rush.

[computations]

Now was not the time to comment about Akiha's language.

But she gave Akiha a nudge to let her know that she wasn't paying attention to her limits and to watch for wasteful movements. If she wore herself out now, there wouldn't be any later. A shame she couldn't transfer energy to her but she did back her up with some mental fortitude. At the same time, she kept a metaphorical eye open for any issues aside from the foe Akiha was currently focused on. She was the only guard against tunnel vision.

[ritsu_kouyou]

There was some resistance to the idea that she wasn't paying attention to her limits and wasting movement. Yes, she did recognize that her vault from the gondola, at the time she made the decision, had been unnecessary, but she was of the opinion if she hadn't jumped, they would both be underneath that wreckage in a lot of pain. It could very well have saved their lives. Well, Akiha's life at least; Sion probably would've survived it being in weapon form.

Tunnel vision was one problem area the meister was still working to overcome. She had a tendency to focus solely on one enemy until she defeated it - a carryover from the way she fought back home given her need for line of sight to use her demon ability. At least Sion was aware of the flaw and tried to compensate for it.

Akiha peaked out from her cover only to duck back behind it as the bird made another pass at them, racking the area she had popped out at with its talons.

I had hoped that I broke its wing. We need to get it onto the ground.

This was when a part of Akiha wishes she had a bladed weapon and not a blunt one. It seemed a sword would be more effective in this case. She was going to have to get closer than she cared to knock this crow out of the air.

[computations]

Lay down.

If she wanted it within reach, it was the easiest solution. The creature would have to swoop low and stay within reach for a longer time if he wished to target something that was lying flat.

No, better yet, sit with your back against the tree.

That way, the creature could only approach from someplace that was in view or it risked being ambushed itself as it tried to fly around the tree.

[ritsu_kouyou]

I am not laying--

Akiha cut her own protest off when Sion changed her suggestion. Which was good, as the meister did not want to be caught prone with something swooping at her.

...I don't think taking it head on is smart. You're not a sword; a glancing blow will not be effective since you can't cut.

Akiha glanced out again to see the bird gaining altitude and took the chance that it wasn't watching them right then to dart to another booth. Keeping low, she crept slowly about the structure to see if she could get into a better position, grabbing a random item off the booth with one hand as she did.

[computations]

A broken body is just as effective as a sliced body. The method of destruction makes no difference.

She could hotly debate that topic, leading into bludgeoning being more effective against armor than slashing or stabbing but that was hardly the point.

Just...hit it!

[ritsu_kouyou]

Easy for you to say. You're not the one in danger of being slashed by a giant bird's talons.

Akiha growled internally and chucked the thing she'd snagged off the booth at the one they'd just left. It hit with a crash, drawing the bird's attention. It swooped down at it, giving Akiha the opportunity to attack it from behind. Leaping up, she brought the staff's heavy falcon head down on the junction between the bird's wing and body.

[computations]

Even I can be damaged from being manhandled!

There was a mental sigh of relief as Akiha crushed the creature with the attack. Even if it wasn't dead, it certainly wasn't going to get up from that escapade.

...good work.

[ritsu_kouyou]

I fail to see how you can get damaged from being 'manhandled' when I can beat enemies with you over and over again and you be perfectly fine.

Yes, Akiha was a little snippy as she landed, wincing and hopping on her good foot for a moment. She hopped out of the bird's range as it flailed in an attempt to get up and gingerly put her foot down. Testing it, she bore the pain as she carefully approached the crow.

I remember bird bones being hollow, but what about their skulls?

[computations]

....Akiha. Did she seriously ask that question?

All skulls are hollow, Akiha. Otherwise, there would be no room for the brain.

Please just finish it quick.

[ritsu_kouyou]

THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT! I MEANT DENSITY! SOME SKULLS ARE THICKER THAN-- Just never mind.

Akiha smacked the thing upside the head with the staff and just... let Sion stay covered in bird brain bits and blood since the skull caved in pretty easily

Well, that answered that question.

[computations]

Gross and completely immature. Sion mentally rolls her eyes and glares at Akiha for that treatment. She didn't dare change back either because it would be all over her clothes.

Are you doing this on purpose?

[ritsu_kouyou]

I'm sorry, Sion, is something bothering you?

Yes, Akiha was doing it on purpose out of spite. She didn't like being treated like she was an idiot just because she failed to phrase her question to the exact specifications the genius needed to have to know what she meant.

Besides, it wasn't as if the meister was bird brain free. There was some on her skirt.

[computations]

Seriously rude.

Perhaps. But it may have something to do with the fact that I am absolutely disgusting.

Two people could be passive aggressive here.

[ritsu_kouyou]

You shouldn't be so hard on yourself.

Weren't they a lovely pair? Akiha needed to stop soon before they lost their resonance and the staff became heavy. She stepped over the bird's wing and continued further into the island.

...she didn't know where the closest restroom was, but she was looking. How else would she clean the bird brain off Sion. She'll just be petty along the way.