[System]
Age: ?
Appearance:

Personality: Likes chasing people, dragging people around with its claws, terrorizing old ladies and being sneaky. Hates wolves. Thinks fireflies are yummy.

Profession: Staring Contest Champion

History: ??

[User]
Naia stared upwards when she awoke, wondering where she was. She sat up slowly, thinking through possible scenarios. Her first thought was that maybe this was a dream, but a quick, stinging pinch of her forearm quickly disproved that theory. Then she thought that perhaps she had been kidnapped, to be ransomed for a large sum of money, but then she realized that they would have contained her somewhere far better than in a tent. If she was to find out what had happened to her, she would have to uncover more information.

The brunette observed her surroundings, taking in the sights and sounds, making a mental checklist of what to investigate. She stood slowly and carefully so as to avoid making a sound. First, she observed the contents of the tables, quickly looking over the titles of the books. After a quick observation of the old man, she moved to the flap of the tent. She picked up the lantern, looking at it closely. The color of the light was very pretty, and the markings, though strange, intrigued her as well. What stood out the most was the source of the light. Naia knew that there were no eggs that should be able to glow like that.

Then, holding the lantern in one hand, she peeked outside the tent, pulling the flap back just enough that she could peek outside, but not enough that anyone would notice. She took in the sight of the creatures, which looked like beasts of myth. Naia, always a lover of stories, listened for a while. In doing so, she realized that they spoke of the sunlight in their stories as if there hadn't been any for a while. She stored that theory and the stories away in her mind, and retreated back into the tent.

Processing the information she had unearthed, she came up with a conclusion. She was nowhere near home, in a foreign land with many strange things. That realization, that she was seemingly far away from home, far away from her mother and father, far away from the desk and chair she loved to sit at and write stories on late into the night, it both saddened and frightened her, and yet, at the same time, this new place intrigued her, and ignited in her a curiosity that burned like a wildfire. Then the frightened feeling won out as she realized that, in order to discover what happened to her, and where she actually was, she would have to talk to people. Her grip subconsciously tightened around the handle of the lantern, which she still had not realized was still in her hand.Pulling herself together, she walked over to the mattress, where the old man slept, and kneeled down.

"Um, excuse me, sir? Uh, hello?" she said, trying to wake him up, hoping he could help her. Her voice, though normal volume, seemed quiet and nervous, but clear.

[Assistant]
Eventually Artemis found herself trying not to slink as she made her way through the back alleys of Oyagun Nai. Nura had been hidden away at the edge of the town, along with the staff (trying to leave with it had only ended with the gryphon following and nipping after her) and the rabbit mask (Artemis was fairly certain any benefit it would've granted her wouldn't be worth the swift imprisonment and/or death she'd face if she was caught with it).

The Oyagun Nai was a marvel, even in the dark – sandy and sea-kissed, laced with odd runic machinery Artemis didn't know how to begin to understand. Voices echoed through the streets, shouts and cried joining to make a single murmuring blanket that covered the village.

Food, clothes, weapons, gear.

The list repeated in her head as she crouched behind a building, listening to the passing of footsteps. Her own steps were silent as a secret thanks to her runes. The echoes of the rune Oseely had burned into her hand still tingled her flesh, itching for use. Not for the first time, she eyed the pulley system above her, basket ripe with the promise of supplies. But she didn't have enough control over Nura yet to grab them on a fly-by, and with this many people out and about she didn't trust that she could climb up and grab the loot without being seen. Of course, the darkness would work in her favor… But getting caught fifty feet off the ground on a tight-rope wasn't the most appealing idea.

The footsteps she'd been tracking disappeared deeper into the village, and Artemis took the opportunity to dash from her hiding spot behind a building to an alley across the road. It was lined by two buildings, houses or small stores, if she had to guess, wide open windows revealing the interiors were dark and still. The alley was maybe forty feet long, turning left at the end. Artemis hurried across the road, intending to follow the alley.

"Come on, Jani said north end's a wreck!"

A voice bounced off the walls and Artemis cursed as her heart jumped to her throat. She'd already entered the alleyway when she saw the flickering of torchlight dancing on the walls. Without thinking, she dove right, through the window of a building. Artemis toppled over herself, landing flat on her back and shaking the floor, but the collision was a silent one, at least. It wasn't one of her more graceful moves. Her skirt was a mess around her, lifted dangerously high on her torso. Her hand was crushed over her mouth, trying to stifle her coughing after her fall, tears burning her eyes. She tried to get a hold of herself as whoever was running to the north end passed by her window without incident.

Artemis took a moment to just lay there, not-choking and definitely not-reviewing-all-her-mistakes. When she was finally confident she could breathe without wheezing, she let her hand fall from her mouth. Placing it on the ground, she used it to push herself up with a wince and a stifled groan. That landing had hurt.

Artemis blinked and took in her new surroundings.

[User]
The darkened room smelled like pickling juice, dried fish and old soot; someone outside the window rushed past, and the moving torchlight spanned a white-stone kitchen. The room was dominated by a squat cold hearth, heavy polished tables, and shelves laden with glass jars. The jars were filled with vegetable preserves, pickled fish, salted meats, fermented and candied fruit; dry herbs hung in gray bunches from the ceiling, and more boxes on the tables held stacked cured fish and hard biscuits. One of these boxes had been recently dumped out onto a table, and bits and crumbs were strewn on the floor. The owners of the house were out -- but Artemis had found the window open only because someone else had snuck in through it first.

A child crouched like a cat underneath the farthest table, staring brightly at Artemis with eyes that glowed blue. She was barefoot and wore loose brown clothing, riddled with biscuit crumbs; her tawny blond hair was short and messed in all directions; a rune was tattooed to her forehead, and more runes were etched into the iron collar around her throat.

She stared at Artemis with narrowing eyes, slowly moving her feet under her, coiled and crouched like a small animal ready to spring at the slightest indication of danger.

---

"Hah?" The old man sniffed and yawned widely; he barely had any teeth, and his breath indicated he had recently eaten pickled fish. He blinked up at Naia with bleary eyes.

"Oh, Palla, what's the matter?" he said in a smiling voice -- he had mistaken Naia for someone he knew. With a creak and a huff, he pushed himself up into a pained sitting position. "What's happened? Did Cod run off again? He's a little adventurer, y'know, just like his grand-pap."

He tilted his head expectantly, squinting at Naia with a slightly confused expression. "Why ain't you on patrol? What time is it? Something happen?" He pointed a rickety finger at the violet lantern. "Is Rhea wantin' that back now? 'Cause she can't never make up her mind, y'know."

Outside the tent, a group of people around a bonfire had broken into song and laughter.

---

Outside the cabin door was a starry night, a wide grassy clearing bordered by a circle of low etched stone, and beyond it a shadowy forest chittered and rustled and creaked. The cleared, open area around the cabin suggested that whoever owned this house had very purposefully encircled their home with a barrier against the forest -- perhaps to avoid the very disaster that had befallen the cottage when a single tree got too close.

A breeze rustled in the darkened trees; the air was sweet and smelled richly of flowers and sap. Straight ahead -- across the open grass and across the low barrier that marked the edge of the trees -- a concentrated swarm of fireflies drifted and flashed their lazy beacons, illuminating a thin traveled path that cut through the brush. The rest of the forest was hidden in a deep, thick darkness.

Something rumbled like quiet thunder behind and above Erin, at the side of the ruined cottage.

Bright yellow eyes stared down at her from an impossible height, and long yellow fangs shimmered in the red light of the lantern in Erin's hand. What seemed at first to be a deeper shadow that loomed beside the house was something much more dangerous. A monstrous, shaggy black wolf stood as tall as the cottage itself -- towering over Erin -- and its attention was focused entirely on the escaping young woman. It was a dark, colossal, imposing presence that promised to outrun her in a single bound, no matter how fast she sprinted.

From behind the cabin, the old woman's voice went on: I can barely walk right now, let alone fight. Take Reus, go to Oyagun Nai, they can sound a warning to the outposts -- if their blasted machines are still working. I'll reset a barrier, but I can't make promises.

The monstrous wolf's nose twitched; it stared at Erin without blinking, waiting for her to make a move.

---

A low, rumbling laughter chuckled throughout the shadows between the trees. Gray spirits flickered like ghosts among the brush, but they did not move closer; the power of the Lantern and of Anise's will had weakened their ties to the shadows, and they merely watched, confused.

High above, a gang of monkeybats chittered and shrieked in the boughs.

Anise knew, instinctively, that Peck could not be physically harmed -- the rune she had given him would ensure that much, and the Lord of Shadow would quickly find that nothing he did could pierce that protection that surrounded him -- but this was not enough to protect him from fear, and fear was the greatest of the Lord's weapons.

The shadows had swallowed Peck whole, and he would remain alive and unharmed until he begged for death. This was the promise that entered Anise's mind, hissed from the shadows. The darkness grew deeper, swallowing the trees and the stars; the Lord of Shadow flexed his power, fearlessly showing Anise that her determination and her two measly Lanterns were nothing compared to the vast power he maintained over the island. And yet, he did not attempt to destroy her here.

Come alone to the mines under the Mountain, the Lord of Shadow's voice rumbled in her head. I'll be waiting.

---

It was quick like a blow to the head.

Hot, crippling pain exploded in Lalna's skull. A piercing light flashed behind his eyes. A terrible, trembling horror ripped through him like knives of ice. Blinded, he felt as if he were falling, falling from an impossible height, down and deep into a hungry hot chasm stretched wide to receive him like the great maw of a beast. Its damp swirling breath smelled bittersweet, like chocolate laced with a hint of cinnamon --

"eeeeeEEEEEEE!"

Lalna awoke to the piercing screech of a frightened girl. Before he could open his eyes, something crashed and clattered behind him; the panicked girl leaped over his prostrate form and dashed out of the tent and into the cool night.

The tent flap fell closed behind her, and everything was still. Lalna was lying on the dusty floor of a room-sized tent, between a low table and a toppled chair. A small iron pot in the corner glowed with hot coals, offering warmth to the small space. A squished pillow was beside it, and a scatter of hand-drawn playing cards made of tree bark. The girl had been surprised suddenly by Lalna's appearance, and had dropped her game of solitaire while she had tripped over the chair in her escape.

Everything was illuminated in a soft green glow: its source was a lantern on the table, which shined its curious light without a flame. Within the glass of the lantern was an egg the size of a small melon, shining from deep within the shell.

Outside the tent, Lalna could hear a distant song and laughter; a group of people were chatting around a bonfire at the far side of the village, and hadn't heard the girl's scream -- but he could also hear the faint stammer of the girl's voice as she explained herself to someone outside, sobbing in hysterical fear:

"There was a flash and then he fell on the floor in front of me, and I know it's a shade of the Lord of Shadow, he's come for us, he's coming for us at last!"


[System]
Belladonna

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Character Summary
Aliases: Bella, Donna, BB
Age: 22
Birthday: December 20, 1995
Birth Place: Unknown
Gender: Female
Powers/Special Skill Set: Weapon Infusion (With Elements), Combat Prowess, and Espionage
Editorial Nickname: The Badass
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
How long have they been with X-Factor?: Two Years

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Appearance
Height: 5'9''
Weight: 120 lbs
Build: Slender Athletic
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Platinum Blonde
Skin Tone: Ivory
Tattoos/Scars/Piercings: Scar along right hip, scar along upper back, tattoo of the Yin and Yang symbol behind right ear, ear piercings on both ears
Personal Style: Bella dresses as the situation demands it, but she does get some enjoyment out of wearing things considered girly and cutesy as she fights because it gives her an advantage. She does not wear anything particular when not in a mission, preferring comfort when not in the field. She has been seen in sweatpants and a t-shirt or a stylized dress on any given day.

Her color scheme ranges based on the day also, though she usually opts for darker colors. Her hair is usually tied in twin tails or let down to her lower back. She wears make-up as she sees fit, mainly on a mission when she needs to look a certain way. She will look presentable when it benefits her or whatever task she is on.

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Psychology
Disciplined * Crafty * Impressive * Secretive * Stoic * Restrained

Sexuality: Bisexual
Relationship Status: Single
Personality: Bella doesn't show emotion. Or it could be said she shows emotion rarely. Trained to believe emotions are a weakness, she gets the job done, no matter how dirty the deed. She is disciplined and direct, though she does have a sarcastic side to her she lets out, particularly when she is annoyed.

She stands out amongst others for her dedication to the work she is in. She knows she is impressive and valuable to any who have her on their side, but she does not care one way or the other about whatever side she is on. She does the work and she gets paid. Even in the midst of torture, she can endure without shedding a tear or uttering a scream. To some, that is a valuable skill in a spy. To others, it's concerning that there may be darker things underneath that pretty exterior. She will never tell.
Habits:* Sarcasm
* Listens to music when training

Hobbies:* Watching Trashy TV
* Sparring

Fears:
* Being Buried Alive
* Cannibals
* The Bottom of the Ocean

Likes:
* Techno Music
* Dueling
* Exploring
* Detective Novels
* Proving People Wrong
* Podcasts

Dislikes:
* Assholes
* Cat Calling
* Being Spied On
* Birds
* Lines
* Fake People

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Cards On The Table
General World Skills:
* Tracking
* Espionage
* Parkour
* Lockpicking
* Poison Knowledge
* Cryptology

Combat Skills:
* Elemental Imbuement: Bella has the ability to imbue her weapons with elemental enhancements. This can be any weapon she obtains (but most notably her sword and gun)
* Sword Combat
* Firearm Combat
* Hand-to-Hand Combat
* Morning Star Combat

Medical Issues/Injuries
* None

Possessions:
* Clothing - Black Top, Checkered Mini Skirt, Black Boots
* Katana
* Handgun
* Morning Star
* Two Clips Extra Ammo
* Lockpick
* Poison Vial
* Extra Hair Ties (around wrist)
* Cell Phone

---

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History
Why did you join X-Factor?: It wasn't so much that Bella joined X-Factor, it was more that she was obtained. Having fought for her own freedom, she opted to use her skills and training to aid the highest bidder, which had its own danger. X-Factor allowed her to continue to fight, earn her keep, and be protected in a way. The only thing they do not have is her loyalty as she is only loyal to herself, but she will keep the team safe.

General History: Bella didn't know the joys of childhood. She never knew who her real father and mother were. All she knew was a man named Master Shien and he was cruel and demanding. With iron fist, she along with a select few other children were hardened, trained to fight, sneak, and kill. She didn't learn about the world like other children, she only saw it through blood.

However, the children still hoped for escape. The master could never break their resolve, even if he broke their bones. So they hatched a plan to escape and leave and go out into the world. It all came crashing down as Master Shien killed and slaughtered them one by one, leaving Bella along with two others. Bella took her sword in hand and challenged the master. They fought hard, each dealing blows to the other, but Bella came out on top, decapitating her "father" and leaving.

Since then, Bella had to gradually learn how the world worked. She was smart and capable though (plus the internet) and she knew her place. She began to sell her skills as a professional hitman or spy for various factions around the U.S. She was sought after due to her unflinching nature and her results.

Bella no longer cared though. She was in it for herself and knew no one else could be trusted unless they earned it. That was when X-Factor came into the scene. Hearing about her skills they offered her a position amongst the team. Bella agreed for a limited time, mainly to see how it would play out for her. Once she was satisfied, she joined up. Could she be trusted though was the question.

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Extras
Character Quote: "If looks could kill I'd be a mass murderer. Oh wait...."
Theme Song:
Anything Else: Invisible Woman, Link

*By submitting this CS in its completion I am stating I have read all the rules for this Rp and am agreeing to follow them to the fullest with respect and courtesy. I acknowledge that I can and will be removed from the RP without warning if I break a rule or cause problems with my fellow Rpers or the GM.

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Relations

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Belladonna
"I don't do friends. And yes, that's what she said."

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⟢ 🎆Respects ⟡ 🌓Neutral ⟡ 👋Acquaintance ⟡ 🙇It's Complicated ⟣
⟢ 💛Friend ⟡ 💙Good Friends ⟡ 💜Best Friends ⟡ ❣Ex-Friends ⟡ 😈Frienemy ⟣
⟢ 💘Infatuation ⟡ 💓Loves ⟡ 💗Couple ⟡ 💕Basically Family ⟡ 💞Family ⟡ 💔Ex-Lovers ⟣
⟢ ♨Tense ⟡ 💀Dislikes ⟡ 😡Hates ⟡ 👿Enemy ⟡ 👹Absolutely Loathes ⟣

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🌓 Andrew Rossi 🌓
"Smart man can grow big or small. He doesn't bother me too much."

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🎆 Demetria Clarke 🎆
"She can freeze shit, which is pretty awesome. Other than that, she's cool."

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🙇 John Watts 🙇
"He looks at me like a daughter. I...do not know what to think about this."

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🎆 Evelyn Holder 🎆
"Assassins don't have a code, but I can respect her game provided she doesn't step on my toes."

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🎆 Alannah Ó Ceallaigh 🎆
"A warrior of the past meets a warrior of the future. This will be fun."

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♨ Barbara "Bobbi" Leigh-Anne Hobbes ♨
"She's loud and grating. Could she shut up for two minutes?"

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👋 Wasley Martin 👋
"He's um...he's cool, I guess. Stop asking me!"

---

[User]
---

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Elara

Location: Mojo... world?
Skills: N/A

Listening to Longshot, it sounded like he'd escaped Mojo's TV shows quite often. Part of her felt sympathy for him. That he kept getting sent back into them. Another part of her felt even more suspicious of him. After so many failed attempts to hide from Mojo, how could they guarantee that this wasn't the first place Mojo would look for them? The guy definitely had a few screws loose. Who wouldn't after being brainwashed so many times?

Sapphire and Longshot began to bicker. Elara sighed and shook her head. Just focus on where you're stepping. We'll be there in no time. She watched the ground, making an effort to avoid any random debris or questionable wetness in the sewers. She usually didn't care about mud or trash, but sewage waste? You had to be downright disgusting to trod through it without a care.

Hearing Andrew's comment brought some light over their situation. Elara smiled softly and looked his way. She shrugged her shoulders and tilted her head, even though Sapphire and Longshot tried to dismiss his comment when they approached a ladder. "You're right, Andrew. We could still be stuck in the show."

She looked forwards and watched as Longshot, Andrew, Evelyn, and Casey made their way up the surface. For a second, she waited to hear shouting and the commotion of Mojo goons from up above. Before she could hear anything, Casey's head poked into their view from down below. Elara felt the tension in her shoulders slack. If Casey said it was safe, Elara would believe her.

Elara slowly stepped up to the ladder and looked at Sapphire. "I'm still not sure if I trust either of them, but I've got your backs." She gripped the bars and turned her head to the opening. "Let's get back to Earth so we can kick Gardner's ass." With that said, she climbed her way to the top.

Once up, she straightened out her shirt and took use of the flower hairtie around her wrist. She pulled her hair up into a ponytail and surveyed the room as she tied it in place. The sight was... well, it wasn't great. It looked like even alien planets had countless homeless civilians. Was this just Earth.2, or actually a different planet?

"Are all of these people hiding from Mojo?" She asked Longshot.

[Assistant]
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⚡John Watts⚡ and 🏹 Arthur Twist 🏹

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Location: Mojoworld - Sewers -> Hobo Camp
Skills: N/A

---

 Watts heard Elara's comment about McDonalds and he couldn't help but smile in spite of himself. Before his divorce, he would take Leda and Stephen through the drive through. They were never more quiet than on the car ride back home, gorging themselves on the (admittedly pretty substandard) nuggets and fries. Those had been good days. He missed getting to see Leda, as she lived in England with his ex-wife's family. Stephen was off at college. He supposed he had a bit of an empty nest, something he wasn't accustomed to. He made a silent vow that once all of this was over, he and Stephen were going to England to visit Leda. Family was more important than anything else.

 He frowned, not satisfied with Longshot's answer either. Everything seemed to just be another direction to wait. They were supposed to just relax and wait for Spiral in this safe house of sorts that Longshot was routinely dragged out of. Their guide seemed to be a massive idiot with a hero complex, given that he had escaped this place before and didn't have enough good sense to stop coming back. He pitied Spiral's attachment to him. He had to imagine that every time Longshot was captured again, Spiral was tempted to just whack his head off with one of her swords and wash her hands of the entire mess.

 Watts scrambled up the ladder, his eyes widening a bit. It looked like a picture of a Hooverville during the Great Depression.

 Arthur grit his teeth, making his way carefully and lithely up the ladder. On the other side, he was struck with a sense of awe - and admiration. While the others likely saw the weakness and poverty, he saw their strength. These people were managing to survive despite the hand dealt to them. He knew all too well how easy it was to give into despair, to just waste away. They were still fighting, still demanding of themselves to carry on. He wondered how many of his companions would be able to do the same, marooned in a land that was unwelcoming, forced to fend for themselves like a stray dog.

 "How often do they raid?" he then asked Longshot. If there was no telling when Spiral was going to show up, at least he hoped Longshot would know how long until Mojo came to look for them there. If he were Mojo, this would have been one of the first places to go search. It struck him as a bit odd that they had allowed this place to stand. Maybe Mojo got some joy out of this sick, depraved game of his - capturing people, torturing them, wiping their minds, letting them loose, and catching them just to repeat the cycle. "We should secure a perimeter."

[User]
Location: Unknown -> Hobo Camp
Skills: N/A

---

Bella followed the others, keeping an eye on Longshot. She still didn't trust the man. Part of what this world showed her is that not everything was as it seemed. For all she knew, he was leading them right into a trap. They were in the sewer system, after all. Perfect place for an ambush. She scanned her surroundings though. Nothing felt off to her. Soon, they came upon the ladder. Bella considered Longshot's words before she let everyone else climb up first. Then, she followed suit.

Once above, she saw what appeared to be a hobo camp. She was not unfamiliar with the site itself. She had, after all, killed the man who was, by all intents and purposes, her father. And she was never placed in the system, never brought to an orphanage, never adopted by loving parents. She took to the streets which meant she spent a decent amount of time in camps like this. It could be a home unlike anything else or a prison, depending on who asked.

Bella didn't want to stay here, per se, but it could be worse. "I'll go with the perimeter set-up. I know a bit about how these types of camps run."


[System]
Age: 45
Alignment: Neutral Good
Race: Human
Class: Fighter, Ex-Paladin
Appearance/Clohing:

He stands at 6'2", a tower of years of built up muscle. He wears a dark earthen blue tunic over a white linen three button pullover shirt. He wears a pair of black shorts(under his pants) and a pair of dark gray hosen(medieval style pants). He'll wear a chain mail shirt and these pauldrons

additionally he'll wear leather knee and shin armor.
He wears a small gray hood and a bear fur cloak.

Skills: He is a good brawler and can fight with anything he can get his hands on(He's used bed rolls before). Horseback riding. Swordfighting, throwing axes, and two handed weapon fighting. He's been able to use crossbows before, but despises them, as they are delicate and take a lot of work just to reload. Bushcraft and survival stuff. Smoking(if that qualifies as a skill). Some cooking.

Natural Abilities: He's strong and durable and can take a lot of beatings. He's pretty much a tank. He can drink a lot of alcohol and only get buzzed. Otherwise, he's just a normal human.

Magic Spells: N/A

Additional Information: He is in a relationship with Sana Rawn. He has a draft horse, named Rodger.

Weapons: He wields a large crude looking battle axe and a falchion. Additionally, he has one small crude throwing axe.

Possessions: A rucksack with jerky, bread, cheese, rags, spark rocks(basically one is made of magnesium), rope, ladle, cooking knife, two plates, and tobacco. He also has saddle bags on his horse, which he stores his pipe, more tobacco, sugar cubes, a brush, a stick and bow(which he uses for lighting his pipe), and a few salt licks. He has two water skins. One he keeps on his horse, and one on his person or in rucksack. Additionally he has a pot and a frying pan strapped down to the outside of his rucksack. He also wears a ring on a little chain around his neck and he never seems to take it off, as it was given to him by Sana.

Personality: He is a more contented man, liking simple things in life, especially enjoying smoking his pipe with a wonderful scenery, usually in the form of a beautiful day and his love, Sana. He has a more realistic attitude towards the world, not being an idealist, only doing things to help. He has great respect for the natural order of things, and you won't find him trying to seek out revenge. He still has a fiery temper when it is stoked enough to come out.

History: Hugh was once part of a great order of paladins. They had much land and ruled with wisdom. Their lands were prosperous and fertile. Many were jealous of their lands, but no one had the courage enough to take on the great and Noble order. Their paladins were fierce and formidable fighters. They all stood higher than 6' and were towers of muscle. They were truly terrifying men. But they were brought down under scandal. Fabricated accusations about them stealing their riches and enslaving other groups of people for labor. The scandals kept growing until they were set upon by every surrounding nation. They stood no chance. Many were killed, only a few escaped.

They have been long since forgotten, after being hunted for almost two decades, and killed off, until it was concluded that they were finally extinct. Hugh hid among tribes of barbarians to survive. The tribe was good to him, making him one of their own. He had built a life of simplicity. Some warring between other tribes would often end with them being brutalized and then integrated. Hugh had found love in a woman taken from one of the defeated tribes. He had a few sons and lived very happily with her, until they were set upon by a purge of the "savages".

Hugh's tribe was wiped out and he was orphaned once again. He had brutally killed all the "civilized" army he could, but it was too late. His tribe was all gone, along with his family.

He became a wanderer, and left to find life as a mercenary. In that life, he found an adventure awaiting him in a tavern. The tavern was filled with life, when he came in and joined up with a questing group. There he met a gypsy woman by the name of Sana. He got to know her going on this random little adventure with this party. It was all rather simple and jovial at first, until they were all taken captive by a lich. This lich tried to take Sana from them, and in that moment Hugh only felt desperation and rage.

He had slowly begun to realize that he had fallen in love with Sana, and that if he lost her nothing would change about his existence as a wandering mercenary, and he would simply keep losing people he deeply cared about. So he took a chance at love, and broke out of his cage in a fit of rage. He fought like a lion to get to Sana, finally winning out(love triumphs over all!) against the hordes of undead after his party came to his aid.

Since then, he's been a contented old soul, taking care of Sana and showing her his love for her, even though he has never said the words.

[User]
"You're most welcome," He smiled.

 As the horses started to move once more, Derrix slipped his thick helmet back on, immediately missing the smell of the rain. He licked his tongue across his teeth, taking in the last of the salt. He looked over at Sana as she questioned his origin.

 "A very far far away land," Derrix said with a hollow voice, "and you? Do you come from a place of snow?"

[Assistant]
"Well isn't that mysterious," Sana said with a gentle voice and then shrugged lightly. "As far as where I come from, I don't know," she answered as she thought back to her childhood. "I come from a roaming troop of gypsy known as The Rawn," she admitted.

 "We traveled from town to town and city to city for as far back as I can remember. Sometimes we would be where the snow fell deep and the winds cut through to your bone. Other times we would be where the sands ripped through your skin as it burned due to the heat. We never stayed in one place too long. My kind have never been looked at favorably by what is known as civilized society," she said as she remembered many times when her family was driven out of a city just for their mere presence.

 It did not make for the most stable of conditions to grow up in but it was one that she found exciting as a child. That was until she educated herself enough to know what her place in the troop was to be and then it seemed that no matter how far they traveled or what sights they saw she was imprisoned to a life that would never be truly free.

 "I left that life long ago, but it is odd how no matter how far one travels they always seem to come back to where life decided long ago they should be," she added in a slightly somber tone.

 "So, man from a land far far away, what brings you so far from it?" she inquired as they pressed on.

[User]
Derrix nodded carefully at Sana's words, taking in what she had to say, up until she asked how he ended up here. A small laugh so uncommon to Derrix rippled from his throat, "sometimes I wonder the same thing. I suppose the best way to put it is that I got the short end of a long stick, and coincidentally it got me thrusted so far from home."

 "Sometimes I feel homesick, but as you put it, life has our journey mapped out for us," Derrix said shifting his voice from a light and thoughtful tone to a concluding baritone, "besides, for now my only concern is completing my duties to this quest."

[Assistant]
Sana nodded in understanding, not so much understanding is past or what brought him there but perhaps a little bit of clarity to who he was; which seemed to her to be a rather complicated person but then again, weren't most if you took long enough to get to know them.

 "That is does," she remarked in reference to life having a mapped out path for us. "No matter what we wish of it, it seems." Rising a brow to his words that followed she looked over towards him. "Being focused on the current task can be a wise thing but have it be your only concern? Does that not leave you feeling empty at the end of a task before another is presented to you? A gap in ones very existence? Nothing to bridge one task to the next? What do you do then?" she asked slightly perplexed.

 Sana had lived her life since she left her troop wandering from place to place, with not much guidance or purpose other than to live and enjoy life but for her that had been enough. The people she had met, the adventures she had had, they all contributed to who she had become; as much as those that raised her, perhaps even more. Even though her main concern had been at the time to finish a task, each one was woven together with another by looking forward to the travels in between and seeing something new. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to only have one concern at a time, perhaps it was liberating not to have focus on more than one thing at a time.

[User]
Derrix frowned and looked at Sana, "I'm homesick."

 "Between my tasks I wait to go home," his voice had changed back to one of thought, "and if I can help as many people as I can before I rest by the fires of my homestead and feel the comfort of my own bed, so be it, all will be better for it."

[Assistant]
"I can't pretend to know what that feels like," Sana admitted. She never truly had a home or a place like one. Growing up she traveled and at nights they slept in wagons and even the wagons were like a house on wheels she had left that life a long time ago. There were moments where she longed for the sound of a violin and times she missed certain members of her family she had not seen in so many years but she wouldn't call that homesick by any stretch of the imagination.

 "What is your homeland like?" she asked, slightly intrigued to what it was like since it was somewhere she had not ventured to before in her life.

[User]
"Perhaps we may find the crystal coasts of the seas to the North." Vaeri said, playing along with his persona of being a idealized hero who did this sort of adventuring regularly. "Or find a magical grove filled with creatures you only hear of in legend that can teach you the secrets of nature. Or we will come upon a dark cave containing a savage hydra. At first you would be nearly overwhelmed by the many heads, but you soon figure out that by slicing off each of the heads and burning the stumps that the beast will fall. The lead is yours, Sir Tobias." Vaeri slyly smiled when Tobias apologized and mentioned that city girls loved his romanticized words of high adventure and treasure.

Patiently, she waited for Tobias to finish his improvised brick of questions before turning back to answer Melvus' question. "Is it really so odd for me to be helping out humans? I am a woman of faith, our races do not matter to me. A person in need is one deserving of my aid." Vaeri paused for a moment before continuing.

"Perhaps you were asking about the reason I am even traveling. I'm on a mission from god. I'm looking for a man with two right hands." Vaeri raised both her hands in the air for emphasis. "My goddess commanded me to go out and find him. And so I have been for the past 3 decades. I hope that answers your question satisfactorily." Vaeri turned around to face Tobias again, taking a deep breath.

"And for you, the man on the white steed is named Derrix Nightbane Herchiv. I had an extended conversation with him last night. He appears to be a secretive man, but one with a deep understanding of spirituality. I do not believe he is concealing anything malicious, but that is a thing we can never really know. He does not look the type to share his past. I am almost certain he has no connection whatsoever to any dragons we may come across. I myself do not know what a Mist Dragon is, but Melvus' definition sounds correct. Most dragons are classified by their color whether it is a plain color like red or a metallic one like bronze, so your point about calling it a light blue-grey dragon is moot. If you had the chance to talk to the dragon, I believe you would be robbing the dragon, but no doubt you managed to escape his terrible breath attacks with cunning on your part, narrowing avoiding it's gaping maw with plenty of its gold in hand. Perhaps a few precious gemstones? However, I will keep your advice in mind if I meet another dragon on my travels. I believe Sana left Arianna with Sister Agnes while we're traveling. After all, it will be dangerous, and no place for a young girl like her. I would rather not think about a youngling getting injured or killed because of our carelessness. I am sure you would be a caring parent, but I doubt that most others would want such virtues imprinted on her. Although I wish I were so talented as to be able to teach people arcane magic, I lack the head for it. My magic is divine in nature, not well, natural. I'd only be able to mentor one with a faith like mine." Vaeri paused for only a moment to take a breath.

"I would guess that lunch is in about 4 or 5 hours. I do not know your term for it, but we have a similar thing in my village that we called vasa'loki. It translates roughly to 'A serpent of food.' They are great on occasion, but it gets old and wasteful if done too often. I think kings and queens simply have their servants prepare a meal of what they want to eat instead of creating long lines of food they won't eat all themselves. I find palaces too stony for my taste. I prefer to stand on and be surrounded by earth and flora, not cut rocks. I assume the king's crown contained a magical gem that unjustly gave him the power to rule, and by taking it, you freed the people from his tyrannical grasp. Such would only be fitting of a man of your caliber. Anything else you would wish to discuss, Sir Tobias?"

[Assistant]
Hugh was deep in thought, his pipe still firmly placed in his mouth while he puffed away at it. His retreat from reality was suddenly interrupted by the presence of Fiona, the warrior woman. He looked up, nodding in acknowledgement of her offer.

He scratched his chin for a moment, then reached out his hand, stretching it out as much as was required. "Thank you!" He plucked it from her hand and bit into it. "Delicious."

She then granted him some comforting words, which would fall short, as he wasn't worried about her safety. He was perplexed by how she was seemingly ignoring him. He hadn't any idea, but he kept mulling it over in his head. "It's not her safety." He sighed, "I'm just confused why she didn't speak to me. Barely even acknowledged me." He said it all in a rather glum tone, monotonous and depressing sounding.

With a quick thought, he took his pipe from his mouth and reached it over to Fiona, "Would you like some? It's good tobacco!" He said with a friendly smile. It was not completely forced, but his thoughts were definitely disturbing him for the moment.

Meanwhile, he would take small bites from the apple as he waited for her response to his offer.


[System]
Faculty
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Appearance:

Height of 166cm
Usually dresses in smart casual clothing
Double pierced ears (though she abstains from wearing jewellery in the daytime)
The kanji for "ice" (氷) tattooed on her right shoulder blade. She has no idea how, why or when it got there. Luckily the tattoo is usually concealed by her clothing.

Personality:
During her sober state, Sakamori strives to be a responsible role model for her students. Most times, she seems like the straight-laced and no-nonsense type, though she is known to crack occasional small jokes with the students (unfortunately, it is rare to find anyone who actually laughs at her puns). Sakamori is firm but fair when it comes to her students. She is always willing to dispense wisdom for her pupils or stay behind to help with homework, which has gained her the respect of many of her colleagues and students.

However, when she is inebriated, Sakamori's personality undergoes a Jekyll and Hyde-esque transformation. Her disciplined manner becomes polarised, and she becomes uncontrolled and impulsive. Drunk Sakamori (or "the other one" as Sakamori calls her) is always looking for a good time, provoking friends and foe alike into a fight or other usually unadvised escapades. The transformation to Drunk Sakamori can be attributed by a permanent goofy smile, a slight blush on her cheeks, and unbuttoned clothing. Due to the sheer embarrassment of her inebriated state Sakamori refuses to drink in the company of others, though what she does during her nights out is a whole 'nother matter.

Skills:
Qualified to teach Maths and Chemistry
Trained in First Aid
4th Dan Aikido Practitioner
Gardening (Faculty Adviser for the Gardening Club)

Equipment:
Ritual Device – A thick silver bracelet inscribed with the phrase "deo Sucelo" and adorned with a small golden hammer charm. Bracelet is a bit hefty due to the machinery inside. As a result of her Pact with the Gallo-Roman deity, Sucellus, once Sakamori's sobriety level passes from "tipsy" to "drunk", the contracted god appears. Sucellus himself is quite mild and benevolent, contrary to what his association with alcohol would imply. He takes the form of a bearded middle aged man in a robe.
Handbag – Sakamori-sensei's handbag has been an enigma to the students of Otsuki Academy, so much so that they have dubbed it the "Cave of Wonders" and declared it the second of "The Seven Mysteries of Otsuki Academy". The handbag itself is a standard brown tote with a distinctive Doraemon keychain that her niece had gifted her with during the summer, but it is the contents of the bag that intrigue the occupants of the Academy. Sakamori had been sighted to pull many mundane but out-of-place items from the bag. Attached below is an incomplete list of items in the bag that was confiscated during detention from some students who broke into the Staff Room:
 Tube of sunscreen (in the middle of winter?)
 Pack of tampons
 Second iPhone that refused to turn on
 Binoculars
 Hairbrush (suspiciously heavy)
 NES cartridge (label was too worn out to identify game)
 Empty mug (also suspiciously heavy)
 Walkman
 Painkillers/headache medicine
Novelty Flask – Given as a present for her 30th birthday by the faculty, it is a green flask adorned with the statement, "According to chemistry, alcohol is a solution". Sakamori enjoyed the joke and keeps the gift on her at all times.

Abilities:
In simple terms, Sakamori's Ritual Device gives her the ability to "exaggerate" things. If a hose is trickling water, Sakamori can boost the spray to the level of a broken fire hydrant. If there is a lit match, Sakamori can make it become a raging inferno, given that there is enough fuel to sustain its exaggerated form. Sakamori cannot boost the growth of organic matter or use her powers to heal people unless there is already an external magical force promoting the growth or healing. She can only boost things one at a time. This power makes her a very effective support fighter.
The Ritual Device also gives her enhanced strength and speed, while changing her usual aikido fighting style to something reminiscent of the "Drunken Fist" style found in the sects of Chinese martial arts. Her erratic and unpredictable fighting style, partnered with her enhanced strength and speed, makes Sakamori a formidable opponent even without her Ritual Device's primary ability. Whether or not this style is a product of Sucellus' powers or her own ability is up for debate.

Brief Backstory:
Born to a family that owned one of the country's oldest aikido dojos, Kuzunao Sakamori was raised by a family of discipline and honor. Kuzunao was taught the family practice at a young age as well as other traditional Japanese arts, though the latter has been long forgotten due to disuse. She was a kind and precocious child, quickly mastering aikido while also befriending the groundskeepers of her large home when her family was away at tournaments. Despite her many interests and talents, Sakamori decided to study to become a teacher. It was only during a college party when she discovered her unusually high alcohol tolerance, and the manifestation of her other self and Ritual Device at another college party later on in her first year.
Sakamori has been teaching at Otsuki Academy for five years as of present. Despite her efforts to hide it, everyone knows the conditions of the Ritual Device and often light-heartedly tease her about it.

Position: Maths Teacher

[User]
Rundstrom Makoto

"I guess it didn't work out well in the end huh?" Makoto looked up to the sky and then let out a sigh. "Although aren't you one of our better players? Even with the close-range disadvantage." He asked. She was a third year after all and had more experience. He watched her once before and she was a pretty good fighter, to be expected from someone who has a pact with Heracles.

He then listened in on her reasons on why it would be useless and disadvantageous to have natural terrain for tournaments. He simply shrugged as he looked back at her. "Just a suggestion. It would make everything more interesting. After all, not all battles are meant to be played fair." It was something his father taught him when he was young. That even in the tournaments where they do their best to keep it fair between the competitors, there is an advantage and disadvantage. Just like how long-range opponents fair better against close-range opponents. In real time wars, if that happened, they should make the most out of their environment.

"Do you think we stand a chance of actually standing on top now?" He asked. It was a very common question around, now that the tournament's right around the corner. A lot of unsure people around here, and that included him. He was confident that the fighters were really good but they somehow get beaten at the last round. Frustrating and unbelievable. It's like the God of Misfortune decided to stick with Otsuki every time the tourney's here.

[Assistant]
MATSUOKA MINORU

I don't understand the blonde's utterance, but the purpose behind that single syllable is clear to me. It's an activation phrase of some sorts, converting her dazzling, golden glow into bladed edges for her antique weapon. A technique that increases the cutting power of a sword then, though from where I'm standing I'm unable to make out whether it's a beam like the one in that American space movie or some sort of solid thing. Either way, it had made the white girl a lot more dangerous, enough to actually redirect that arc of blue into the ground upon impact. How did Adachi Ruriko successfully get that to work, anyway? Was it actually a solid wave of-

That Germanic girl has quite a good swing on her, doesn't she?

My eyes widen at the sight of the sudden burst of aggression the possibly-German (Germanic, Matsuoka!) Germanic girl had tapped into. It's not the way she rapidly cleared the distance between her and her opponent that surprises me, but the slash she just delivered ... that was a strike to kill! Was this really acceptable in a mock battle? Even if she wasn't going to carry through with it, it looked like real risky business!

I think that's what they call getting lost in the flow, Matsuoka.

Adachi Ruriko, fortunately, manages to block it, her own blade intercepting that of the white girl's. The noise rings out across the room, metal screeching against metal. My gaze doesn't waver from the clash, following the motion of the petite samurai as she tries to push the other sword back. I frown for a second. That's not a particularly good move, is it? Given her proportions, the amount of strength needed to deflect the blow would be too excessive and inefficient, especially against a larger opponent. Yet ... it works against the white girl, because she disengages instead of leveraging her own greater strength. Maybe Adachi-san had predicted that and decided not to look a presented horse in the mouth-

Gift horse in the mouth. You're pretty atrocious at these sayings, Matsuoka.

Wait, did the white girl just drop to the floor? My jaw drops open in shock. That rapid, unorthodox movement catches me completely by surprise. I'm utterly frozen in disbelief as she turns into a blur, making use of an action no folk would ever expect due to its sheer ridiculity and pivoting against the ground to launch into a ... cut? Is she trying to take Adachi-san's legs off? It's beyond what would be acceptable in a mock battle already. It's gone to, to use the American expression-

My left arm suddenly jerks into motion, fingers snapping just before the strike lands.

The <<DIRECTION>> of the white girl's cut immediately reverses back towards the floor. As does any attempt by Adachi Ruriko to parry the blow, moving the two swords as far away from each other as possible.

"-hell in a handbahsket," my mouth finishes my thought on its own. "Maiming's super uncool?"

Knowing that Cloacina can take over my body's movements at any moment does not, in any way, make it easier for me to get used to suddenly losing control over my limbs and whatnot. It's an especially eerie feeling, and hearing myself say things I would never say only serves to compound the issue. 'Super uncool'? Was that the best descriptor you could have used for this situation?

Hey, it's perfectly acceptable!

Peculiar speech patterns of my contracted deity aside, I retake control of my arm, dropping it down by my side once again.

"Sorry, senpai," I say, giving both of my upperclasswomen an apologetic bow. "It was, ah, lookin' a wee bit too dangehrous thah', yaknow?"

[User]
Adachi Ruriko

What was this?! Dropping to the floor?! That was... it wasn't any sort of move that Ruriko had expected, and was certainly unothodox. But her whole life was for this. The small girl leaped, carrying herself into the air for a moment... and her foot hit steel as she fell, landing on the side of the blade as she did. The silvery form of Starlight Masamune swung to the ready...!

And was suddenly deflected by nothing, just as the sword rapidly hit the ground beneath her. Ruriko stumbled from the sudden opposite directions and lost her balance. Her eyes wide with shock, the small girl toppled back and hit the ground, landing on her rear end rather hard. For a few moments, Ruriko sat there, eyes wide. What just happened? That was completely counter to the movement the foreign girl had been following, and Ruriko herself had been certain nothing deflected her at all! Her opponent didn't have a second weapon or anything like that!

And then their observer spoke again. Ruriko had thought she'd heard him before, and now it confirmed it. He'd done something... Ruriko's heart was filled with a cold fury. Interrupting the mock battle, and that sort of interruption could have been a lot more dangerous than anything else...! Cold fire burning in the small girls eyes, she shot to her feet. Starlight Masamune flashed as it slide back into its sheath, and she rounded on the boy, marching right towards him. How dare he!

As she approached, she drew one hand back and-

"Oi, oi, that's enough," interjected a voice from the doorway.

Ruriko looked up, her hand stopping for a moment. There, in the doorway, was the familiar form of PE teacher Hoshino Akira. Even in her short time at Otsuki, it hadn't taken long for the black-haired girl to be able to recognize her.

"There was nothing wrong with that mock battle," she continued, "Except the fact that you were doing it in the training room with no supervision. What were you thinking?"

[Assistant]
She refused to avert her gaze, lest her hesitance was mistaken for insincerity. She didn't even allow her thoughts to drift. His gaze was challenging her, probing to see if her concern was just the obligatory, superficial interference expected of an adult. But hell, even if it was just her duty, it didn't diminish her worries at all. It wasn't right that a fifteen-year-old kid had to go through such torment. If she could lessen his heartache by just a little bit, she would be satisfied not just as a teacher, but also as a person who was just tired of seeing children being crushed by the pressure put on them.

They stood there for a while. She didn't count how many minutes had passed, she had always been quite poor at time keeping. Fortunately, Ojima-kun was the first one to crack. His smile felt more genuine this time, like a little bit of his burden had been lifted just by her presence on the roof.

"Kuzunao-sensei, this year's tournament is dredging up old demons for me. Angels too,"

She nodded when he finished speaking, choosing to ignore his rather unsettling chuckle. Everyone in the faculty had been briefed on Ojima's violent incident, as well as the emotional and mental toll it had on the boy. She had rewatched the footage immediately after the meeting. He was an animal; there was no other way to describe it. Vicious and merciless blows were systemically rained upon his curled up opponent, initially with his powered staff, then with his fists. The television broadcast had cut at that point but the archived footage had clearly shown Yasuo's trance-like expression during the carnage. Sakamori found it impossible to believe that the soft-spoken boy could have been responsible for such brutality, but the evidence was right there before her eyes.

Sakamori thought carefully. She couldn't say that was well equipped to assist with mental illness, but if her own experiences were something to go by…

"I know that self-restraint is what you're worried about the most. I've been there too. Now, I don't want to force you into anything you don't want to do. But simply avoiding your trauma will not lessen it by any means. Trust me on this." She spoke in a soft, reassuring voice.

She paused for a moment, trying to devise a way to suggest it gently.

"Have you participated in any mock battles since then? It might be a good way to ease you back into the mindset. You'll need it in these coming times."


[System]
"Just take the punches as they come, and then give them back one of your own. That's all any of us can do."
Age: 17

Gender: Female

Race: Human

Appearance: When not wearing the school uniform, Dawn tends towards more casual clothes, such as jeans and plain t shirts, with the addition of a jacket if she feels in the mood. She stands about 5'8" or so, and weighs about 154 lbs. She wears her hair in a distinctive style, covering one eye, yet it doesn't really inhibit her vision at all. She tends to carry a small notepad with her, to record ideas when they pop up.

Weapon Name: Swift Iron

Weapon Appearance/Function:

Type: Melee/Ranged, Defensive, uses Dust ammunition.

Weapon Derivation: Tonfa, Machine Pistols

Holstered/Sheathed Appearance: It looks like two holstered, long barreled pistols.

Form 1: It only has one form, and does not transform. To switch between the various aspects of the weapon, the tonfa are merely flipped, so the barrel points towards the enemy, and the trigger can be better gripped. Oh, and as opposed to the picture above, it's black and brown, like a regular weapon.

Personality: Dawn is relatively laissez faire, not interfering in people's lives unless she feels like she needs to. While she can be laid back, she can also be serious when the situation calls for it. Some might see her as brooding or aloof, but that is more just because she is a contemplative person overall, one who considers her options before acting. When fighting, she moves to resolve a conflict as rapidly as possible, and in conversation she tries to keep an amicable mood, while standing for her principles as well.

History: Born in Mistral, Dawn never really considered herself the kind of person to become a Huntress. Growing up, she had been entranced by those sorts of stories, but had always figured that she would become a writer, someone to chronicle the big events, rather than be involved in them herself. That would be the province of her older brother, who she considered to be much more athletic and inclined to that sort of thing than her.

But she was mistaken. It wasn't that anything tragic happened to him, no. She found herself being swayed by the rise in violence, and the desire that she had to do something to help out, to put a stop to it. Radicalism couldn't be allowed to rule the day. Her parents supported her, giving her training in martial arts for self defense, just in case. She quickly found that she had a knack for it, and even competed in a tournament or two, though she didn't win anything.

It was at one of those tournaments that she was scouted by a recruiting agent from Beacon, trying to get her to enter. It took some thought, but eventually she agreed. Not only would she get to help people, but she would also get access to a top notch education at the same time. Even if she didn't continue on as a Huntress, that would be worth a lot. So with the well wishes of her older brother and her parents, she headed off, to begin her education.

Emblem:

Other: Likes to play card games.

Color: Crimson

Combat Style: When fighting at range, Dawn is offensive focused, keeping enemies suppressed so that her teammates can close in and get to dealing damage, as well as dealing with more armored targets.

At close range she follows a more defensive style, akin to Okinawan Martial Arts. She uses it for protection along the arm and blocking, then for swift strikes and thrusts, relying on speed and reflexes to aid in that defense, aiming to wear down her opponent before going for the kill.

Strengths and Weaknesses:
Strengths
-Very flexible between ranged and melee capabilities.
-Defensive style is effective at conserving Aura, making her a more effective long term fighter.
-Speed and agility are unhindered.

Weaknesses
-No effective counter for heavy ranged or melee weapons.
-Sufficient armor can bypass her offensive capabilities.
-Not as geared towards combating Grimm as it is people.

Semblance: Word crafting - Dawn's semblance is a bit unusual. By writing down something and then channeling her Aura into it, she can create a 'Shade' a copy of whatever it was that she wrote down. The more Aura she puts into it, the more solid and tangible it will be. This can also be used for effects, if she attaches the paper to the object she wants affected, and like above the more energy she puts in, the more drastic the effect is.

[User]
Cyra Zylvan - Beacon Courtyard - Tuesday Morning

Morning found Cyra awake, changed and outside before the sun was even up. She knew what today was: initiation. Today, she would learn who her teammates would be, the people she would be living with and fighting beside for the next four years. That in itself had made her sleep fitful.

The part that worried her the most was that she had no idea how the teams would be made. She hoped that they would be able to choose amongst themselves; that way she would be able to join the other Faunus, which would make life marginally easier. It would still be difficult, but they would at least be understanding about how she felt. She doubted that she was the first Faunus student at Beacon to hide what they were. The worst case scenario was that her future teammates were all human; people who fought together had to be able to trust one another, and she would be lying to them from the start. She didn't know how long she would be able to hide it for.

Kneeling on the dewy grass, the knees and shins of her sweat pants stained a dark purple, Cyra took a deep breath as she absorbed the feeling of the earth. She needed to feel that reassurance, that strength if she was going to make it. Out here, separated from all she knew and was familiar with, it was all she had.

Opening her eyes, she looked down at her suitcase. And these, of course. She had had all her things packed up and moved into the ballroom before Nova had even woken up. Thankfully, no one had come looking for them in the night. In fact, Cyra doubted anyone else had even noticed her missing.

She reached down and undid the clasps on the suitcase, pulling the lid open. Inside, stacked on top of one another in a bed of thick foam, lay Khthon and Lithos. Each a shield almost the same width and height as her own torso, a small triangle protruding from one end. Her first, last, and strongest line of defense against the world. She ran her fingers along the cool metal, smiling softly, and lifted the heavy shields from their place. Along the curved inside of each shield was a thick strap that she slid her arm through, and fitted her hand into the controller glove. As she did so, a holographic display flickered into existence over her palm, the haptic feedback buzzing against her fingertips.

Cyra stood, holding each shield in front of her. A tapped out command, and the bottom and sides extended out, until each shield was wider than her shoulders and reached from her chin to her knees. Another command and the shields retracted. A third, and the small triangle at the top edge extended, then separated into a pair of prongs, a soft whine filling the air. A fourth command, and the whine stopped, the prongs clamping together and recessing. Again, she extended the shields to their full size, this time clapping them together, interlock mechanisms in the sides securely grabbing hold. A final command, and the shields disconnected, retracting into their dormant state. Cyra smiled. She'd have to test the firing mechanisms later, but now, she was confident.

She was Cyra Zylvan. Whatever came her way, she would endure.

[Assistant]
Razor WhiteFang - Beacon Academy Courtyard - Tuesday Morning

Razor turned left then right as the city around him began to burn. The sound of people screaming echoed around him as the flames roared on. All around him were the silhouettes of people lying on the ground motionless. He looked up and saw a mirror standing in front of him. He started to hyperventilate as he stared at his reflection. He looked own at his blood covered hands and looked up to find himself surrounded my mirrors that continued to show the blood that stained his clothes and face. All around him, all he could see was his reflection and all he could hear was the screams of people as they burned in the city around him. Razor clutched his head and fell to his knees and began to scream trying to drown out the screaming around him. He closed his eyes tightly to keep from seeing his reflection in the mirrors that surrounded him.

Razor was suddenly thrown onto the ground and when he opened his eyes he saw himself standing over him with a Grimm mask over the face. He couldn't move and when he looked at his wrists he saw skeleton hands keeping him pined to the ground. Razor looked back at his nightmare self as it removed the mask and saw the sadistic crooked smile it had. His nightmare self suddenly vomited black liquid that poured into Razors mouth. He felt it suffocate him, but no matter how hard he tried. His mouth wouldn't close and the skeleton hands refused to loosen their grip.

---

Razor sat up in a panic as cold sweat rolled down his face. He looked around and found himself under a tree near the courtyard. He fell back down onto the grass and sighed, "That's right, I left the ballroom." After Razor told off Morgan, which he still felt bad about. He left the ballroom and headed outside to sleep. He didn't want to be around so many people if his Semblance activated so he found a place outside and fell asleep. Back at the village when it was a clear night, the top of the huts could be removed so they could sleep under the moon. Razor liked clear nights because he loved looking at the moon before he fell asleep. Is soothed him, but it seems the moon couldn't take away the nightmares.

"Two weeks, it's been two weeks since the nightmares started. If I can't find someone who can help me with this, I'll never be rid of the nightmare. What then? If I can't control it will it take over me? Will I be nothing more than a Grimm?" Razor questioned. He lay there stating at the clouds above. He could still see the moon in the sky even though the sun had risen and staring at the moon calmed his nerves.

"While under the light of the moon, a wolf fears nothing. They can accomplish any feat while guided by the moon, but what if you're not a wolf? What then father?" Razor said. His father always told him that. He always preached that the Moon Bloods greatest power came from the moon. However, what kind of power could he get from it if he wasn't a wolf?

Razor lifted his hand up like he was trying to grab one of the clouds from the sky. Even though he was out of the nightmare, he still saw the blood that stained his hand. He closed his eyes and let his hand fall back onto his chest. "Today is initiation isn't it? I just hope it doesn't go the same way the initiation to be part of the hunting pack went." Just have to avoid people during the challenge. If I can complete it without running into other people. I won't have to worry Razor thought. He stood up and checked his two Wolf Bite Yoyo's that were still in the pouch on his side.

[User]
Liam Yugure - Beacon ballroom - tuesday morning

Liam tossed and turned in his sleep, the reoccurring nightmare of his first time encountering Grimm, played back in his mind over and over again. It starts with him walking the forests alone. Grimm appear out of nowhere, Liam grabs the chaingun of his back, carnage everywhere, it seems like the Grimm don't stop coming. eventually Liam is almost overun, he runs cutting his way through the Grimm, one by one the grimm fall. Eventually they stop, Liam smiles at his work and starts walking again, thats when an Ursa appears from the treeline catching Liam offgaurd, the Ursa swipes and catches his chest creating the three large scars across his chest, blood poured, left lying in the snow, until someone fully cloaked came along and took him away from the scene. He stirs in his sleep he can feel his scars burn, he can't wake up. His mind is telling him to move but he can't, the nightmare holds him.
Someone please, wake me from this... his mind was awake but nothing he did worked. His chest burned, the dream again replayed itself.

[Assistant]
Dawn Agresta - Beacon Courtyard - Tuesday Morning

It had been an early morning for Dawn, she would admit. Perhaps it had simply been the gathering of all the people there, or her nerves had finally gotten to her, but she had found it somewhat difficult to sleep, and as a result she had gotten less than she would have liked to. It had led to an early awakening, though she had noticed that she was not the only one to get up at an early hour, compared to the rest of the class. But she supposed that it was to be expected, given such a diverse group.

Picking up her things, she made her way outside, past somebody lounging around by the door, and into one of the exterior courtyards. Her bag was laid on the ground before she removed Swift Iron from their holsters, revealing the dual machine pistol tonfa to the outside world. She flipped them about, examining them and making sure that they were in excellent condition, like when she had left for Beacon.

Fortunately, they were. These were her weapons, which her brother had helped her to make, and she treasured them for that. They were good for defensive fighting, melee combat, and they provided her with ranged capabilities as well. Plus, they were simple, compared at least to the absurd combo weapons that people could pull out and that she had seen. There was something comforting about it, since it meant that less could go wrong.

Notepad left lying on her bag, she held a tonfa in each hand as she stepped to the middle of the green grass, settling into a combat stance. After a deep breath she began, getting in some exercise to warm up before the Initiation began. She went through a routine of blocks, kicks, stabs, and flipping her tonfa so they could be used as guns, all while working up a sweat in the meanwhile. Whatever happened, she would be ready for it.


[System]
Age
13

School Year
First Year of Junior High

Height
4'9 ft/147 cm

Weight
105 pounds/47 kg

Magic Color
Blue

---

Appearance
As a civilian.
As a magical girl.

Personality
Chiharu is a somewhat shy and awkward girl, who feels as if she totally lacks any kind of ability to help others. Indeed, who would want help from a short, weak girl like her? They're better off with just about anyone else, as far as Chiharu is concerned. There's no point in her even trying. Chiharu has a severe lack of confidence in herself, and believes herself to be someone fully without any kind of inner strength or resolve. And yet, she doesn't want to see people suffer or get hurt. But there isn't anything she thinks she can do about that. She's nervous around new people and easily frightened, and yet Chiharu wants, deep down, in spite of her doubts, to be able to help people. But someone like her, someone as useless as she believes herself to be, couldn't possibly help anyone, could they? Chiharu isn't without friends, and those who are close to her are among the only people she doesn't feel some level of nervousness around. She wants to be more friendly, but struggles to talk to new people.

Background
Chiharu is the youngest child of the Yukimura family. She's seen her older siblings, her brother Daisuke and her sister Sumire, excel in sports and academics, but never found anything that she was able to do. She wanted to help people, but failed. She tried to protect a friend from bullying, but simply ended up as a target of bullying herself, her shy nature attacked again and again, causing her to withdraw during elementary school. She was not friendless, but she was harassed almost constantly for attempting to stand up for her friend. This faltered as Chiharu got older, and soon the bullying ceased, but she now held the belief that she had only served to worsen the situation. How could she possibly help anyone after that?

Powers
* Card: VIII - |Strength|
The Major Arcana |Strength| grants Chiharu a tremendous amount of physical power. Concrete shatters under her fists, rocks break from the impacts of her kicks, and if she lands hard enough she can shatter the ground beneath her. Her durability increases as well, allowing her to take hits with much greater ease then she would in her civilian form. This power is based off of strength itself, which Chiharu believes is strength granted to her by the Major Arcana itself. After all, she has no inner strength, right? It must be granted by the card. The fact that she has such an increase in power does boost her confidence for the duration of her transformation at least. She can help people now, Chiharu feels like she actually has some use. Finally, she can also generate orbs of magical energy that currently seem pretty useless, simply floating near her.

Skills
Chiharu isn't very athletic in her civilian form, and doesn't do particularly well academically. She doesn't feel she has any skills of note... unless you talk to her about baking or hotblooded anime characters.

Weapons
Chiharu gains a pair of gauntlets, |Jarngreipr|. They are blue and bulky, the wrist guards composed of interlocking plates. These plates open to allow magical energy to erupt out, allowing Chiharu to supercharge her punches or light the gauntlets on "fire" with magical energy.

Equipment
Chiharu has no equipment to speak of.

Other

[User]
~Reika Kuroke~

---

Reika stifled a sigh as Akane reminded her that she was to be the leader of their rag-tag group of girls. While she personally felt that the overenthusiastic otaku was more suited for the cliché role, she made no more fuss about it as Akane declared her spot for the evening. With a magical flash, she soon transformed with a loud command, hurling down the roof and into the fray of battle. Watching her for a few more seconds, Reika turned to her other companion.

"I hope you don't mind, but I'm taking the courtyard. Like Chinatsu-san said, don't get yourself killed," she said stoically before leaping down into the school's main courtyard. Using a small fragment of her magical power, she landed down safely and began walking towards a presence.

It didn't take long before she sniffed out the scent of her enemy, those which sought to cause chaos and disarray in this world with their powers. Ordinary objects powered and fueled by the dark power of the Minor Arcana. Reika halted when she sensed it closer towards her and effortlessly moved to the side as a large lawnmower came barreling at her.

"…you are my enemy," she told the possessed lawnmower, who then proceeded to hiss at her savagely. Honestly, could the school have gotten a bigger tool to cut their grass? This, she thought sarcastically as she continued to dodge with little words said. Only after a minute or so had passed by did she finish in analyzing the threat level of her foe.

"Your danger is minimal so I'll have fun ending your life," she said as the lawnmower revved up with evil power, charging with full force at the school girl. Reaching into her skirt pocket, Reika revealed a crimson and black card that pulsed with power, eager to taste the blood of the slain.

"Life Arcana Synchronize. Major Arcana XV - Devil, Activate."

A spiraling flash of black and red circled around the girl as she felt her entire core and being transform. She felt raw strength flow into her limbs as new clothing adorned itself onto her flesh. The sensation of heavy, metal, and clawed gauntlets flexed through her fingertips and finally, the phenomenon known as a Magical Girl was brought to the surface of this world.

"…You are nothing but a cursed vessel, forced to breathe life into this tarnished world. A wayward soul with no will of its own does not belong in this reality. Rest easy denizen, for I shall smite you with my hand alone. For Freedom and Redemption…."

With no emotion, Reika pointed one claw at the mindless lawnmower, even as the blood red moon showed down upon her. She drank its unholy light, instincts rising to do her duty as a Magical Girl.

"I am the holder of the Devil Card. Reika Kuroke. I fight for those weaker than themselves and for those in my need. In the name of the Devil…I will consume you."

[Assistant]
Reiko Kimura
"Where is everyone?" Reiko said.

It was eerily quiet in the school, and even though most people had left already there was always people who stayed behind. She didn't even see any teachers or anything. She walked past empty room after empty room with not a soul in sight. She leaned back against a wall, and slid down it until she was sitting on the floor. She needed some time to collect her thoughts.

What do I do now? She thought, Can I just keep going on like this?

She had to admit though, this kind of situation was like something straight out of anime.

"I guess that means I'm a main character..." She said.

That was probably accurate. She had been given the Hanged Man card, maybe other girls had been given cards too and were going through the same thing she was right now. Reiko reached for her card. The woman had said it stood for reversal and enlightenment, and Reiko could see that. But she still felt like there could be more in it...

Unbeknownst to her, a new threat was approaching from around the corner! A devious spare student desk had been given life and was stalking prey! Once it had been a proud and used student desk which saw some of the most not exactly hard-working or lazy and not exactly good or bad academically students of all time, but had one day been vandalized! Someone had drawn a crude depiction of it will shall not be named, and forever after only the not exactly bad but still not really good students were designated to sit at it!

One day it was cleaned and the desk thought it would finally relive its glory days as the holder of the medium! But it was replaced by another desk and left under the stairs, with all of the other desks who could not withstand the passage of time, and it was left to gather dust!

But that was their mistake! That desk has had years to think up awesome killing moves, most of which impossible for a mere desk, but over time its ideas refined into one new killing move which would be the pinnacle of the 'Fist of the Abandoned Student Desk' martial arts style! With it they would feel the weight of years of neglect! The weight of isolation and loneliness! The weight of a student desk flipping itself at you, which is basically all that it is! But still, at least the attack has a passable name!

'Forgotten Student Desk Vengeance Culmination!'

It seemed to say, but it didn't actually make any sounds. However, something else was happening. The air around Reiko had changed, it had become more dull, sort of grayer. Slowly she rose up into the air, her eyes slowly closing. The greay aura condensed into something heavier until you could no longer see her. Then its surface started to swirl, faster and faster. When it seemed to reach its peak, a whisper rang out through the empty school halls.

"And so goes the whim of XII - The Hanged Man."

The sphere burst, the dark grey energy easily tossing aside the hapless spare student desk. Before it could recover its wits however, another voice rang out.

"Let all those who see, bear witness to the will of the Hanged Man." It said, "Suspension!"

A ring of the dark gray energy encircled the desk and it lifted up into the air. Unlike the first voice, this voice was somewhat drowsy, as if the person was speaking through another layer of consciousness. Where Reiko once stood, someone else awoke. Dark grey hair to match the color of her magic, an aura that waxed and waned as if it didn't know whether to be strong or subtle, and eyes closed as if she were peacefully asleep.

She raised her hand and the wayward desk moved through the air at a temperate pace. The desk trembled as if it were afraid. It moved towards the window of an empty classroom, glass breaking before the desk even reached it. It moved further still with Reiko following it in similar fashion. On the other side the desk moved towards the windows overlooking the courtyard. As if it knew what was coming, it struggled harder than before, but there was no escape. Again, myriad racks formed on the glass before the desk came close, the pane shattering as the table came through.

When it had reached a distance where it would be impossible to come back into the classroom, the spell was finally released and the table plummeted. Without a second glance, the person Reiko had become walked away with bare feet on the cold floor.

[User]
Chiharu took a step back, eyes wide in shock as a big-screen TV somehow crawled towards her. The plug and various other wires emerged from behind it, crackling with electricity as it swiftly used several cords to propel itself along, now looking more and more like some kind of monstrous spider. Televisions were normally something that Chiharu felt no fear towards, or even the slight hesitation. And yet the way this one was moving on its wires and crackling with electricity... It was coming for her. The normally inanimate object was crawling towards her. It wanted to hurt her. Chiharu took one frightened step back, eyes wide as this sunk in. Something normally so harmless wanted to kill her.

And yet... the card in her hand. Somehow it was... comforting...? It felt warm in her hands... and slowly, she raised it up, holding it in front of her. Chiharu's eyes fell on the word, |Strength|. And then the card shuddered in her hands... and erupted in light.

Chiharu's eyes widened further, and she let out a yelp. The TV was sent staggering back on its wire limbs, then fell onto its back with a crash, wires waving in the air. Chiharu felt herself drift off the ground, as the light surrounded her. She should have been afraid, and yet... somehow she simply wasn't. The light faded to blue and swirled around her, and Chiharu felt her clothing unravel into nothingness. In spite of there being no-one to see her, and the light obscuring her body, the dark-haired girl still let out a little squeak and covered herself, flushing red. And yet what followed... light knitted itself on her body, swirling around her frame and forming... into clothes? And then light drifted to her head... bows? And... and her hair! Her hair was different, longer, it was blue... She had some kind of blue dress, and blue hair, and now... now...

Blue frames of a foreign metal latched onto her hands, and following them were a set of plates along the back. Steam hissed out of them as they linked together, clanking as they adjusted, opening and closing.

Chiharu hit the ground and stumbled, but stood up and steadied herself.

"I..." the girl looked down at her hands in wonder. "... I... t-transformed...?"

"Major Arcana VIII: |Strength|."

The voice... seemed to come from the card. But where was the card?

In her confusion, Chiharu hadn't realized that the television was scuttling towards her again, crackling electricity from its wires. Far too confused to run, the girl stared as it grew closer and closer...

She did the first thing that came to mind.

One gauntleted hand drew back, and then thrust forward. The wind whipped around Chiharu's fist as she threw it foreward, and it collided with the television's screen. Cracks spiderwebbed out from the point of impact, and for a moment the TV was suspended in the air before rocketing backwards, hitting the ground and tumbling end over end before crashing to the ground.

Chiharu stared at her fist.

"I-I... d-did... that...?"


[System]
Birthday
Janruary 12th x874

Guild:
Phoenix Wing

Magic:
Absorption Magic: While possessing a large potential for magic she does not have a consistent way to release it without exposure to other magics. Small amounts of magic energy used around her gets absorbed until she is able to use a variation of it. For instance, being around fire magic will eventually allow her to produce and manipulate fire at a fairly basic level. It is not as strong as the original nor can she reproduce the same spells. Extended exposure increases the strength but that still takes quite some time. The only exception to that rule is use of a Lacrima. However the increase is temporary and usually burns through her magic reserves. It is a quick way to gain access to other magics for the future though. Typically elemental magics are easiest to learn such as fire, water, and earth. Others are more scarce and thus she may never be able to use.

As she unlocks other magics she is able to switch between them, only able to use on at a time. Switching is similar to requiping, her clothes, hair, and eyes changing color to reflect the magic she is meaning to use. This leads us to the more negative aspects of such an ability. Her magic controls her just as much as she controls it. Each magic is accompanied with a different personality. So fire will exhibit a more hot headed demeanor than the more docile water. More chaotic type magics could lead her down a darker path.

Magic Level: B

Equipment:
A chain weapon with small blades on the end that her father taught her to use. Mainly a defensive weapon as it lacks real mass or punch.

History:
Given the overall decreased number of mages Ariel's magical prowess went without being realized until her late teens. There was always something a little off though. The few times a mage would pass through her home of Oak Town she would start acting up even as a little girl. It was always attributed to her young age and later on to being a tenager. Being a free spirit she would often visit the Crystal Lake through the years. Never able to keep the child put her father taught her the use of a weapon for self defense. Thankfully she's never had to use it.

As she grew into a young woman more mages began to come through. While beginning to be exposed to more magics the first one that showed up first was water. Perhaps it was the legend of the mage upstream but the many years by and swimming in the nearby lake finally drew in enough traces of magic to allow her to use water magic. Unable to change back to her usual appearance she hurried back home. She stayed shut in for the better part of a year until she changed again, a nearby guild having a couple fire users. Nearly burning down her home that first time only switching back to water did she manage to save most of her belongings. Clearly not having this under control she left town so she wouldn't harm anyone else.

Along her travels she visited a few guilds but whenever she began to feel unusual she would leave. Eventually she realized the mood swings she would have coincided with the changes of magic. Coming to the conclusion that she couldn't truly figure this out on her own she began to ask around for a good guild to actually join. Phoenix Wing came up a few times and it sounded like a good place to start. It it wasn't for her then she would move on.

Personality:
Ariel's personality varies based on the magic she is currently exhibiting. Normally she is quite wary of people, having been taught not to trust outright. See appearance for more on each personality.

Team Members:
Team Powder Keg

Three Strengths:
1. Versatile given time.
2. Loyal once you can get past her distrust.
3. Can change to a better mood almost on a whim.
Three Weaknesses:
1. Takes time to become more capable.
2. Visibly broadcasts the magic she intends to use.
3. Easily corruptible.

Greatest Love:
N/A

Motivation:
Find a safe place where her magic won't lead her down a bad path.

Appearance:
Color: goldenrod

Color: bold

Color: slateblue
Main personality trait: Melancholy

Color: orange
Main personality trait: Aggressive

Color: khaki
Main personality trait: Cheerful

Color: black
Main personality trait: Apathetic

Color: pink
Main personality trait: Loving

Color: lightblue
Main personality trait: Cold

Color: tan
Main personality trait: Reserved

Color: yellow
Main personality trait: Excitable

Color: crimson
Main personality trait: Subservient

Color: lightgray
Main personality trait: Defensive

Color: saddlebrown
Main personality trait: Stubborn

Color: green
Main personality trait: Motherly

Color: skyblue
Main personality trait: Playful

Color: bold
Main personality trait: Commanding

Color: steelblue
Main personality trait: Fearful

Color: gray
Main personality trait: Brooding

Color: deeppink
Main personality trait: Passionate

Color: bold
Main personality trait: Creative

---

Color: orangered
Acquired by absorbing the magic from the ashes of a fallen Phoenix. Transforming through reincarnation Ariel has a full pair of wings that allow her to fly.
Main personality trait: Forgetful

Color: black
Acquired by stealing the power of a god sealed inside a magic artifact. Most of her body turns jet black and her power is fully displayed.
Main personality trait: Arrogant

Additional Details:
Also I will try to make her name color coincide with the current magic she is using. So long as I can find one readable.

[User]
Prince
Fiore || Magnolia || Phoenix Wing Guild
@Joshua Tamashii @CirusArvennicus@Zarkun

Prince was awake, but he was sort of resting on the floor. His ear flicking when something he heard caught his interest minorly. His hat mostly covering his expression from the others as he was on floor level. His left ear flicked as Trinity hit him with some of her magic. Assisting in giving him some magic. It helped, but he needed more at this point. If he could sink his fangs into one of the Wizards or land a nice loving smooch would be quite nice to fill his appetite. But the little boost did make him open his eye a little and grin.

"Thank you kindly, fellow musician." He chirped though he didn't move. Ears perking a little as Sasha set a little gift in front of him, thanking him. Smiling pleasantly at the show of gratitude, he slightly tipped his hat a little.

"Thank you kindly. I shall treasure it. Call me anytime darling." he chuckled as he grasped the ice sculpture and examined it as he lied on the floor.

It was then one of the little girls running around this Guild, Elyse he believed, came over and started playing with his ears. They twitched under the touch and his tail flicked a little but he didn't complain since it was just a little one. He curled his fingers so his claws were tucked away safely to avoid a accidental scratch.

"Nyan... Hi pretty lady." he greeted with a smile as he lifted his head a little to examine. Ears twitching as Penny came over and draped a blanket over him before going off. He was almost tempted to go glomp the fire wizard for warmth and a delicious meal but he himself was too tired and he didn't want to take advantage of someone already lower on magical energy. She was one coming from their little trip and apparently already got in a skirmish.

As he heard Jack mention him, Prince waved a curled hand a little. "Naaaaw just leave me here. It's comfy. Unless you want to cuddle Master~" Prince chirped happily with a playful purr.

It was funny really. Master Jack was indeed afraid of him for being catlike, but he was still nice to him. Just tended to stay as far away as possible.

[Assistant]
Penny

Penny was tired of the chatter before Nero even reached halfway through his speech, and she sighed. The stupidity off others never seemed to amaze her. She closed her eyes a moment, taking a deep breath, before saying "So then, the young boy you turned into a penguin asked for that? What about the minotaur you sent rampaging around the city? While I'm sure they deserved something, you are not judge, jury and executioner. What right do you have to curse people like that, even if it is temporary?" she said, shaking her head, she accepted a drink from the bar tender, and drank it down.

"Bottom line is, you speak too many words for the same outcome" She said, refilling her drink, this time, holding it, and only sipping. "You should just say thank you and shut you when someone does something nice"

Jarvis

"Thank you Jack. I know I can ask you Jamie won't be gone long, I hope. Here" he dug in his pockets and soon had a lacrima, chucking it to Jack, Communication Lacrima, listen to it, and you might just hear Jamie" Jarvis hoped so. He just wanted to know if Jamie was okay.

He nodded to Rose "Thank you, dear Rose. If Elyse becomes a handful when she figures out that Jamie will be gone a while, I will see if Jamie can be contacted on the Lacrima. Maybe her voice will help, at least" He said, looking over to Amelia, but she seemed okay for now. "Thank you. If she needs me, I shall be in Jamie's office. That's the Chaos I must deal with first, it seems"

And that was going to be a challenge. Jamie kept his office a mess, but always seemed to know where things were. Jarvis couldn't understand it. He glanced around the guild, but everything seemed alright. For now.

[User]
Fleo Plector – Homeward Bound

Given the general state of the group, it took Fleo a good fifteen minutes to round upon the horses, even with her Sirocco lending speed to her feet. She did not mind, however. After not making much use of herself in the battle and retaining a good portion of her characteristic energy, she stood as the most chipper out of the group as a whole. One of her teammates suffered from g-force trauma, another from heatstroke, and the last from general exhaustion, though his lack of shirt did not escape the dusty woman's notice. During the steady clop back toward Reezun town and the waiting carriage, the sun chanced to be obscured slightly from the sky, thanks to encroaching wisps of cloud. How such aerial bodies had managed to form in such an arid place, Fleo had no clue, but she counted her blessings for what cover they provided. Few words were spoken during the horse ride, especially given her proclivity for chatter, but she sensed the general fatigue of the group. Combined with Nolan's grimness, despite a momentary phenomenon of what may have been affection back in the desert, it made for silent traveling conditions.

Reezun town was reached without incident, the horses returned, and the carriage boarded. As requested, Fleo took the helm, and though her driving experience was minimal she kept the ride from being too uncomfortable. From the driver's position, she could see the passing countryside with easy, and marveled at the way that familiar scenery could look new and different from another angle. The carriage's other occupants slept or otherwise whiled the hours away, until the clatter of Magnolia cobblestones could be heard beneath the wheels. When that particular noise ceased altogether, it could only mean that their journey was over.

Yawning, Fleo jumped down from the driver's seat and stretched. Though now fairly tired herself, she still pulsed with the excitement of completing her first job. Leaving the other members of Powder Keg to continue slumbering in the comfy carriage department if they wished, she nabbed the job flier and made her way into the guild hall. She looked around eagerly for Jamie, but found no trace of the shapeshifter. "Huh," she puzzled, still glancing about rather awkwardly. By happenstance, Jarvis appeared to be in the same situation as she—trying to take in everything at once. Fleo approached him, as he had not yet entered his office. "Good afternoon, sir! Do you know where I turn in completed jobs?"

Nero – Back in Magnolia

Staring into his cup, Nero rolled his eyes. He should have known better than to assume that a Phoenix Winger might let him have the last word. "Feh. No-nonsense types always frost my ass." Resting his head in a hand, he tried to maintain a sweet smile. "Fine, I'll make this short to work with your terrible attention span. I have as much right to curse people who deserve it as any of you have to cast your spells on people who deserve it. Some of you throw fireballs, some of you shoot arrows, and I curse people. It's how I fight. It's more harmless than like 90% of Phoenix magic because there's no collateral damage and I can undo it all. And you haven't done anything nice for me; trying to pay just now was defense, not generosity. There, done."

Now free of time constraints on his vocabulary, he addressed Lucian next. "Please, just make a new tab for me. I'm going to prove that I can make good on my word like any wizard."

Kalahari Bert's Final Resting Place

Almost no time at all had passed since Bert Cunningham's brutal defeat. The Phoenix Wing team was only a few hundred feet away, but now with their horses there was no chance they'd look back. If they did, however, they'd see a figure crouched over Bert's unmarked grave. Though the sun, not yet mitigated by fleeting clouds, shone brightly upon him, the figure maintained a decidedly sinister aura. In the desert mirage, his eyes appeared to flicker an iridescent blue, which permeated the creases of his face as he smiled. When he spoke, his words were silky, smoother than rich, black oil and just as deep. "Thank you...Bert." A wave of his hand drew water from the sandy earth, a shining teal even in the midday light. It coagulated into the shape of a fish and dropped into his waiting hand. "Though you had no choice, you served me well. The madness of my Deep Blue Moon is a frightening thing to behold. It has washed away the Magnum Hound."

The man stood, and frowned severely. He held out bandaged fingers and from them snaked streams of boiling, teal water. Expertly he whipped those streams across the sandy ground, and where the hot liquid struck, sand coalesced into sandstone. When he was finished, he allowed a special layer of silvery water to cover himself. This special brew blocked all light, and without light bouncing off him he turned invisible. Very visible, though, was the sandstone etching he left behind:

HERE LIES "KALAHARI" BERT CUNNINGHAM
S-CLASS SAND WIZARD OF MAGNUM HOUND
A MADMAN KILLED BY WIZARDS FROM PHOENIX WING
BUT HIS MADNESS CAME FROM THE DEEP BLUE MOON
REST IN PIECES

[Assistant] ArielFollowing along she nods. "I think that would be great. I can't wait to meet your friend." They headed out and continued on. To the question she answered. "Yeah, looking at a couple other places would be good. Then we can be sure we make a good choice instead of just jumping in."