Though she'd been in a few skirmishes before, Arcea had never engaged in something on so grand of a scale, with so many combatants...and with the numbers so heavily stacked against her. The Cal'Drua had a well-founded reputation as fearsome warriors, and a skilled tribesman was every bit a match for two or three heavily trained individuals from the empire, especially given their cache of captured, advanced weaponry....<br/><br/>...That, however, made her no less calm NOW. Though she was a trained warrior, the odds had never been quite so stacked against her, and she was yet new to the more fierce 'fight or die' scenarios that tended to oft pop up towards the outlying regions of her homeland. She'd never claimed to be the most booksmart individual - in fact, quite the opposite - but during those few tense seconds after her blusterous display, Arcea's mind might as well have been in overdrive, drinking in the smaller details that she might have otherwise overlooks. The narrow spaces between the train's cars that a sneaky individual could slip between, taking one or two of them by surprise - it was a place she'd have to watch to make sure THAT didn't happen. The faint movement in the grass further to the south of their position - two attractive-if-small martens making their way closer, no doubt ready to dart out at any moment to make their first strike. Their weapons looked primitive and simple, but she could easily imagine one or both carrying charges meant to knock people senseless rather than actually club them into submission...<br/><br/>Then, of course, there was the artillery, the BIG problem.<br/><br/>That was what made her most nervous.<br/><br/>Gritting her teeth, Arcea cast a sidelong glance at Yasha as the redtail boldly states her intention to stay outside "The support...is appreciated." It was true - having one long-ranged combatant outside would help immensely, and the others could still fire through the train windows whilst maintaining their cover. When Celrie as well voices her intention to stay outside the safety and protection of the train as well, Arcea grits her teeth in frustration. All it took was one of the coons deciding to take their chances firing close to Maribel, and the shell might very well land right on top of all their heads.<br/><br/>Well. It looked like they were going to do this the hard way.<br/><br/>Perhaps the single bright side was the effect her challenge had upon the badger girl. With her mount pretty well throwing her, it removed her most fearsome weapon. It seemed as if the badger herself had pretty well given up the fight as well, seeking to either burrow to somewhere a little more safe, or perhaps just seeking to cover herself up so she'd be forgotten about. Still, she didn't completely call off the assault - a fact not entirely lost upon Arcea. Yes, if she was still there after the battle, they'd share....words.<br/><br/>Assuming she got to leave the battle in one piece, of course.<br/><br/>The sight of the artillery rolling closer does prompt Arcea to sidle a little closer to Maribel and Celrie, hoping beyond hope that the elf's trust in them not shooting one of their own was well founded "Celrie, if anyone tries to rush you, just slip in behind me. Same if they start shooting this direction. Maribel...let's hope you're really, really valuable to them, huh?" Readying her weapon, Arcea settles into a more defensive posture, shield raised and at the ready "And if-ooooohhh.....MMmmmffff..."<br/><br/>A visible tremor shivers through the feline's body, her tail - once held stiff - flicking in a languid, eager sway as Celrie's energy courses through her body. The faint look of surprise on Arcea's face is quickly replaced by one of pleasure, her eyes half-lidding in delight as the rather pleasant sensation courses through her body "Ooohh...Mm...wha...what was that? And where can I get more of it...?" Casting a glance over her shoulder at her elvish companion, Arcea slips in even a bit more closely, licking her lips "Mm. Yeah. We're...gonna find a nice...ah...'adventure spot' when this is all over."<br/><br/>Seemingly at least slightly more at ease, Arcea settles in and prepares herself for whatever foes might attempt to take them.<br/><br/><br/>(( To avoid rushing out and getting surrounded, Arcea is just going to settle in 'Defensively'. Should raise the TN to hit me by 2, and increase my parry by the same for this round. Will also be purposefully interjecting myself between obvious shots to grant cover, with the option to hit me instead.))