[Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Reivenn on 13-03-2013, 09:48:17</h2>
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				Title: <strong>[Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>13-03-2013, 09:48:17</strong>
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				<span style="font-size: 14pt;" class="bbc_size"><span class="bbc_u"><strong>Chapter 01: Another World</strong></span></span><br><br><strong>Carnation Cake Shop<br>Saisei, Japan</strong><br><em>3:30pm Tuesday Afternoon</em><br><br>The weather outside is bright and sunny. The only sign of autumn’s approach is a slight chill to the wind and a few golden leaves. Today was the first day of the new school semester and to celebrate, a group of friends have decided to gather at Carnation Cake Shop after school. It is the first time they’ve all been together again since the beginning of summer break. <br><br>Carnation is located three blocks west of Saisei High School. Owned and run by the Gozen family, Carnation is known throughout Saisei for having the sweetest confections, attracting visitors from all over town who want to treat themselves to a little something special. The outside of the shop has a large display window that looks into the interior. Carnation Cake Shop is written in blue lettering on the window surrounded by flowering vines painted along the window's edges. Most of the time, three white flower boxes sit out front of the shop beneath the light blue awning that hangs over the front window and door.<br><br>The interior of the shop is small, but still contains room for a half dozen white tables, each surrounded by four white chairs. The chairs have pastel cushions on the seats, with wire backs, while the tables all have a small vase of flowers sitting at the center. There is also a small raised brick fireplace on the right hand wall that has pictures of cakes arranged on the mantle along with several small cat figurines and vases of flowers. Several cushions embroidered with floral designs sit in front of the fire place. On the back wall, there's a glass counter that displays some of the cake shop's current wares and also holds the cash register off to the left. Wooden shelves sit behind the counter holding a small collection of figurines, as well as a pair of wooden double doors that swing back and forth, leading to the kitchen. The pleasant scent of freshly baked goods always fills the air mixing with the subtle scent of flowers. The walls are decorated with prints of flowers and covered with floral design wallpaper.<br><br>Today, Mr. Gozen sits behind the counter. He’s a smiling older man approaching, but not quite fifty yet with a full head of short dark hair, a short, well-trimmed beard and mustache and a pleasantly round face. He’s wearing a stiff white shirt, with a double row of buttons and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows along with a pair of round, wire-frame glasses.<br><br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>13-03-2013, 10:06:01</strong>
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				<strong>Carnation Cake Shop</strong><br><em>3:30-3:34PM Tuesday Afternoon</em><br><br>Fuyuko was the first of the others to arrive at the cake shop. She still had on the school uniform, as she thought that otherwise, she might not have been able to arrive on time to get the surprise ready for the others. She looked over to her father at the counter and smiled, walking up to the counter. "Hey dad. I'm going to get the cake out now. My friends are going to be here any moment."She said as she then went into the kitchen, where said surprise was stored.<br><br>It was actually a set of two, square cakes; a chocolate/vanilla marble cake and a strawberry/vanilla marble cake. Both had white fondant which melded them together, white frosting, and floral frosting decorations in a few shades of blue. Carefully picking up the combined cake, Fuyuko slowly made her way back to the main area of the shop, walking backwards a little to push open the double doors. Then she carefully made her way to one of the tables, where she sat down the cake. Now she simply had to wait until the others get here.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>13-03-2013, 13:03:38</strong>
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				<strong>Karuizawa Street<br>Saisei, Japan<br>3:20 Tuesday Afternoon</strong><br><br>It wasn’t her intention to arrive fashionably late at the Cake Shop gathering, but for some reason to the Japanese even five minutes late was considered a sign of tardiness. It took Elizabeth less time to get dressed and find matching shoes in the closet than to actually walk there. In what was supposed to be a roughly twenty minutes walk from the Grayle mansion to the Carnation Cake Shop, Elizabeth took her time especially in front of the Temple where Masato Ishimaru was most likely to be found at that time of day. <br><br>To her, this wasn’t officially an act of stalking someone, she had no idea whether he’d be at the Temple or not, but if by any chance they could bump into eachother and walk together to the meeting, why not? She hasn’t seen him since the beginning of summer break – her parents took the whole family to another exotic beach location to spend the summer holiday and it wasn’t until yesterday that they came back, all tanned and relaxed, except for Elizabeth.&nbsp; She was still as pale as ever and the load of makeup she used only intensified her natural whiteness. Today however she decided to keep a low profile and not dress like a living doll taken out from the “Gothic &amp; Lolita Bible” magazine, but chose a blue summer dress with a floral pattern instead. It matched her eyes.&nbsp; <br><br>She gazed at the temple’s main gate, without really having the intention to go ahead and ask if Ishimaru was there. Just when she decided to turn around and resume her walk to the Cake Shop, she heard a rather loud motor and someone calling her name. <br><br>“Rizaaaa-san!”&nbsp; <br><br>The young man riding a black Yamaha Roadliner S stopped in front of her with a smile. She knew him from a family visit, being the third son of the Fujioka household. His father was a reliable business partner and close friend of her dad. <br><br>“Need a ride?” he asked&nbsp; informally, but at least he didn’t get as cheeky as using “-chan” for honorifics. “Elizabeth” was just so darn hard to pronounce and she was used with the idea by now. <br>It was just what she needed in fact and Elizabeth took the chance without second thoughts. Well, she did take another look at the Temple, just to be sure.<br><br>“I’m going to the Carnation Cake Shop, Hayate-san” she replied as she took the backseat, wrapping her arms around his waistline. He turned around with a smile. “Put on the helmet first. You going on a date?”&nbsp; <br><br>Ten minutes later, they arrived in front of the Cake Shop and Elizabeth went off the motorcycle thanking the young man for the ride. Hayate nodded, asking yet for another chance to go on a date. As always, she gave him an ambivalent answer, but it was understood that they will meet again. <br><br><strong>Carnation Cake Shop<br>Saisei, Japan<br>3:57 Tuesday Afternoon</strong><br><br>She entered the shop gleeful, spotting Fuyuko first. The white tables and cushioned chairs were familiar, she often hang around here after school.<br>“Hello, Gozen-san” she greeted Fuyuko’s father as she approached her friend, surprised to see that she was the second one to arrive. <br>The large cake was placed on the table and Elizabeth smiled at the sight of it with intent.<br>&nbsp;“You’ve really outdone yourself this time, Fuyuko-chan”&nbsp; she said admiratively.&nbsp; “Should have expected something like this. “<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>13-03-2013, 16:15:46</strong>
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				<strong>Saisei High School<br>Saisei, Japan<br>3:20-3:40<br></strong><br>There were some days where Masato might be at the temple at this point; with it being the first day of school, the after-school activities--like his beloved Kendo--were not going on. However, he had stayed late at the school to talk with the teacher of that class about some minutiae regarding a regional competition later in the year.<br><br>He had every intention of competing, and Masato was asking all sorts of questions, and making all sorts of plans. It was something nice to look forward to.&nbsp; But soon enough, he knew he had to be moving along. <br><strong><br>Carnation Cake Shop<br>Saisei, Japan<br>3:58 Tuesday Afternoon</strong><br><br>Still wearing the school uniform, he had walked all the way to the Cake Shop, but had stopped along the way, at one of the many vending machines that littered Japan, and got himself a bottle of mineral water; it was a nice day out, but he was thirsty, and wanted to stay hydrated for his walk. <br><br>When he got into the shop, he had actually already finished the water and disposed of the bottle. He would smile, thinly--he has never once fully smiled, as far as anyone can tell-- at the two girls. "Hello." He would say this in English; it was not uncommon for high-schoolers to know a bit of the language and work it into their every day communications, much in the way American's were fond of using French.&nbsp; But, perhaps he was also doing it especially because Miss Grayle was here? Who knows.<br><br>Everything else, he says, though? That's in Japanese. "Sorry, I'm late." He had walked in maybe only a minute after Elizabeth had, but still; felt a little bad. He should have been the first to arrive. He didn't pay any particular extra attention to the foreigner, his attention gravitating towards the cake.<br><br>"You know I'm going to have to run twenty laps around the temple to make up for eating this, right?" He'd joke a bit with Fuyuko. "But, it looks like it's going to be worth it. Has anybody else arrived?" 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>13-03-2013, 19:59:35</strong>
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				<strong>Unnamed side street/ back alley, outside Cake Shop</strong><br><strong>Saisei, Japan</strong><br><strong>3:45-</strong><br><br>Onbin disliked the school about as much as he did last year, it was boring and below his preceived intellect. But he was fond of the friends he had made; happy with a short list of friends he knew he could trust over a long list of aquaintences that would spit on you to get ahead at first chance. Crowds were never his strong suit either or noise, so he made his way to the cake shop the best he knew how. In the unseen unnoticed back streets, and often enough they were faster than the main roads if you knew which ones to take. As he zig zagged through old decrepit buildings and spooked stray dogs he made his way, his mind rarely on what was in front of him and off entertaining 'flights of fancy'. <br><br>He knew he was near the shop by the smell in the air, sugar and fresh baked bread were a unique and pleasant mix. With a smirk he held up in the shadows of the building to watch who all would enter waiting for someone to spot him. Of course it wouldn't have been hard he still wore the white button-down uniform shirt from school, but he'd undone a couple of buttons at the collar and rolled up the sleeves, as well as untucked the shirt from his pants letting the tails flap in the small breezes here and there. Nothing like waving a white flag in the dark to give yourself away. The crotch rocket could be heard long before its arrival, he must have been haulin' it cause it was a short time between hearing and seeing. <em>Beppin</em> stepped off the bike and made a remark to the driver that couldn't quite be heard over the bike before stepping inside as the bike drove off. Well she's not one notice places or people below her so not surprising that she didn't look down the alley. <br><br>A moment more he thought then he would enter, Masato was next. The click of the dress shoes required with the school uniform announced his presense, they were solid and quick... he was a man of purpose, it was good to be near people of such drive it inspires you to do the same. But he was overly focused on finishing the bottle of water in his hand and of course arriving on time. The ding of the bell over the door signified he had entered. Onbin decided he had been sitting long enough.<br><br><strong>Carnation Cake Shop</strong><br><strong>Saisei, Japan</strong><br><strong>3:58 and change</strong><br><br>&nbsp;The ding of the bell as Onbin entered and "...around the temple to make up for eating this, right?" Masato said to Fuyuko with a bit of mirth in his voice. "But, it looks like it's going to be worth it. Has anybody else arrived?" <br><br>Walking up and nudging Masato Onbin gestures towards the girls saying, "What's it matter the important people are here already." With a smile and stepping towards the cake, "Everything looks positively divine," with a smirk and glance at both girls to emphasize the intended subject of the comment, "And the cake looks amazing too."
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>13-03-2013, 22:18:48</strong>
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				<strong>Carnation Cake Shop</strong><br><em>3:56-3:59PM</em><br><br>Fuyuko had been waiting for a while on her friends. She had gotten everything else ready for them by now, which she spent the past hour doing; plates and silverware, napkins and some of everyone's preferred beverages from memory which she bought a box each of. She remained bored for a while, wondering if anyone was even going to come when she heard the door open, startling her a little. Then she saw Elizabeth, which brought a bright smile to her face. "Hello Eliza-chan. And thank you. I wanted to start our first year in years with something special."<br><br>Then she looked over to see that Masato was entering next. "&lt;Hello&gt;, Masato-san." She said, the hello being in English. "It's fine. Elizabeth-chan just came here not long ago." She said. Then she gave a slight chuckle at his joke. "Then you might need to learn to adapt your metabolism. I've already done so to mine a long while ago."<br><br>Lastly, she saw Onbin enter the cake shop. "Hello to you too Onbin-san." She said in response to the thinly-veiled flirtly comment.<br><br>"Now that everyone is here, we can finally get to the main part of why we're here; the cake!" Fuyuko said, her face beaming now. "So let's eat!" She said, waiting for everyone to take their seats before doing so herself.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>14-03-2013, 09:04:21</strong>
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				Mr. Gozen greets each student in turn as they enter the shop, but otherwise keeps to himself behind the counter. As other students from the school arrive at the cake shop, he drifts back and forth between the register and the kitchen to handle their orders. Chatter and laughter from the other tables, accompanies the pop music playing from the cake shop's radio as the friend's gather around.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>15-03-2013, 14:08:23</strong>
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				<strong>Carnation Cake Shop</strong><br><em>4:05pm -</em><br><br>The mirth and happiness of the chatter in the room along with its bright colors and sweet smells was near intoxicating. Surely there could be no happier place and time than this Onbin thought. Everyone was catching up from over the summer break as he turned to Elizabeth, "Tell me my dear sunrise, how did your holiday on the beach suit you, you seem to have gained no color from the sun's kiss. Though I believe I would be quite jealous of the sun to be able to kiss you for so many months."<br><br>Waiting for her reply Onbin looked around the room and noticed something, "aren't we missing a couple of people?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>16-03-2013, 03:26:40</strong>
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				<strong>Carnation Cake Shop<br>4:00 -4:05 PM</strong><br>Hearing the sound of Masato’s voice was like starting an alarm clock when it came to Elizabeth. She didn’t have&nbsp; what one might call “ a crush” on him, but the fact that he was actually ignoring her while at the same time being polite and offering to help her when she needed, was enough to fuel..something into her. What that “something” exactly was, even Elizabeth had trouble understanding and that’s why she stopped trying to. <br><br>She didn’t greet him back, at least not verbally, simply nodded as he complimented Fuyuko’s cake.&nbsp; Onbin entered the shop about the same time, distracting Elizabeth’s attention from Masato’s usually stern features.&nbsp; She smiled widely at the compliment, locking gazes with Onbin before Fuyuko presented the cake officially, asking each of them to take a seat. <br><br>Elizabeth herself chose to sit next to Fuyuko. She asked her friend if she wanted to cut the cake or leave the honour to any of them before turning to Onbin who asked her how&nbsp; her vacation went along in more words than it was actually necessary. She refrained from rolling her eyes – in fact that was just one of the things that made Onbin so fun to be around. <br><br>“If you’d try that, your lips will crack from dehydration and you’d probably die from it too” she replied gaving him a flirty look that didn’t match with her sarcasm at all. <br><br>“Who else did you invite, Fuyuko-chan?” she asked following Onbin’s remark. Her blue eyes shifted to where Masato was seated, curious to know what he felt. It was always hard to “guess” his mood just by analyzing his expression. Masato had the perfect poker face when he wanted. <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>16-03-2013, 03:46:20</strong>
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				<strong>Carnation Cake Shop<br>4:00 -4:05 PM</strong><br><br>"Laying it on thick, aren't you, Onbin?" he'd laugh a bit at the other male, before turning his attention over to Mr. Gozen. When he had a moment, Masato would give the man a brief greeting, something quick and polite. Then, he sat himself down.<br><br>Indeed, his face was hard to read. He was a private person; he kept his thoughts and feelings to himself more often than not, and they'd find that today, with this meeting, he was actually going to be a bit more expressive than usual; but that's not saying much.<br><br>He would sat placidly as the others talked, and fussed over the cake. He really was looking forward to getting to eat it, but it'd be hard to guess that from looking at him.&nbsp; In fact, some may think, quite accurately, that his mind was not fully here, even if it ought to be. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>16-03-2013, 08:46:51</strong>
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				"Oh, I suppose I should cut up the cake for you all." Fuyuko said just as she was going to sit, before taking a knife and cutting up the cake into a series of squares. She pushed apart the two halves of the cake so that the others could see the insides, and judge what slice they wanted. Fuyuko took one of the strawberry/vanilla slices and began to eat.<br><br>"I have invited a couple others, but they have told me that they had other things to do today." Fuyuko said to the others. "I'll have to save them a slice or two tomorrow if they're not going to show up after all."
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>17-03-2013, 12:42:45</strong>
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				The fact that they were all re-uniting – and to top it all, around a very delicious cake – made Elizabeth feel quite joyful. This was actually the first group of friends she could completely call “her own” without ever having the sensation that they had other interests than actually spending time with her.<br><br>When the cake had been cut into pieces, Elizabeth found herself facing a rather difficult issue: both flavors seemed equally tasty and she would have liked a bit out of both. Having two pieces of cake was out of the question, considering how much attention she actually gave to her looks. She settled for half a piece from each part. <br><br>“Now that everyone knows I’ve been to the beach this summer” she said winking at Onbin “tell me what you have been doing since the <em>former</em> semester ended.”<br><br>Elizabeth had been living in Japan for three years now and learned the language well enough, apart from the accent and some formal words which she had the tendency to use in simple conversations. Sometimes what she said sounded strange, but her message got through anyway. Of course, this time she was especially interested in hearing Masato’s reply, although she expected something dull like “training and providing service at the Temple all summer”.&nbsp; Not that her summer activities had been out of the ordinary – if you took away the private beaches, the yachts, the glamorous parties and all that stuff – going to the beach was pretty dull and normal too. But at least it wasn’t something you did all year long.<br><br>The music playing at the radio wasn’t what she usually listened too, yet it had a nice vibe to it. She didn’t feel particulary sorry that the rest of the group didn’t attend the reunion, but she would have liked to see them before classes started. Both Masato and Onbin looked a little out of place in the flowey cake shop, a fact which amused her. Even Masato seemed to enjoy the cake a bit and if she knew him better, Elizabeth would have guessed that it really was a lot. <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>17-03-2013, 17:51:56</strong>
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				"Studying for entrance exams." So, it was even more boring than Elizabeth thought! But, it also made sense; getting into a good college was of the utmost importance in their culture, and the competition was fiercer than a Kendo fight off.&nbsp; "And trying to make sure I'm in shape for regional competition later in the year. The winner gets to go to the national level." <br><br>Much like Elizabeth, he opted to get a slice from both cakes. Unlike her, he has full slices; let's face it, though, he probably needs the calories, since he's so physically active. He wasn't all bulging muscles or anything, but, there wasn't an ounce of body fat on him, and this minor breach of his typical diet wouldn't upset that.<br><br>He would settle down and eat a bit of the cake. Afterwards, he would smile at Fuyuko. "It's good. Is it vegan?" He thought his uncle might like to have some, but because he was a monk, he was forbidden from consuming any meat or animal products of any sort. Plus, he doubted the four of them could possibly handle all the cake on their own, and it'd be sad to let it go to waste.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>18-03-2013, 16:46:54</strong>
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				As Fuyuko cut the cake apart revealing that it was indeed two seperate flavors Onbin perked up. "Surely you know my heart Fuyuko to create such a divine treat, everyone reserve your choices now for I will battle you all for the every last crumb." This was another feather in his hat for Fuyuko who always seemed to light up when someone praised her cooking/baking skills. It was good to see beautful women with beautiful smiles it made everything just that much better.<br><br>Happily taking a slice of each Onbin munched away listening to Masato's description of his summer activities. How drull could one get. Atleast Elizabeth would be able to share stories of beach parties and maybe tales about sea animals she came across. Clearing one slice and moving on to the next he mumbled through a bite, "Masato you ever considered doing something for the fun of it instead a means to an end?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>19-03-2013, 08:59:22</strong>
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				The sudden sound of a crash from the kitchen, is followed a moment later by a loud bang that sounds an awful lot like a gun shot. An awful bubbling howl follows the gunshot followed by another much louder crash. The sudden noise so close by causes Mr. Gozen to fall backwards off his stool behind the counter. Several of the girl's in the cake shop let out little shrieks at the loud noise as everyone turns their attention towards the entrance to the kitchen and more then a few people edge towards the front entrance of the cake shop.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>19-03-2013, 09:23:26</strong>
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				Fuyuko blinked at Masato, and nodded. "Of course it's Vegan. I've made sure. Though I've made it so that noone else can tell the difference, anyhow. And Onbin, there's plenty to go around. Just be sure to save some--"<br><br>She was then cut off by the sudden crashes and shrieks, causing her to quickly get out of her seat. "You guys stay put! I'll go see what's going on!" Fuyuko called out, purely from a mix of adrenaline and instinct. The kitchen was pretty much part of her and her family's territory, and she wasn't going to let something happen without her having a say in it. She stopped by behind the counter to see her father having fallen down. "Dad, be careful! I'm going to see what's happening!" Without any input from him, she grabbed a broom and headed past the double doors.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>19-03-2013, 13:57:49</strong>
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				The loud crash interrupted everyone's conversation. All eyes turned to the kitchen, the source of the racket. Fuyuko was the first to rise, that was expected, it was her shop. "You guys stay put! I'll go see what's going on!" Well that wasn't going to happen. Onbin was up almost as soon as the words left her mouth, he may be a joker and bad flirt but he is very protective of his friends and women in general there was no way he was letting her walk back there alone.<br><br>Following Fuyuko's action and grabbing a broom ONbin paused long enough to detach the broom head from the handle before continuing. Turning slightly to put his shoulder into the door he nudged it open unsure of what lay on the otherside, plus he didn't want to throw it open and hit fuyuko with them.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>19-03-2013, 16:09:23</strong>
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				His lips twitched into a deep set frown as he saw both Fuyuko and Onbin go back into the kitchen, with absolutely no regard for their own safety or well-being. Did either of them know how to handle themselves if there was something truly bad going on back there? He sincerely doubted it.<br><br>He rose, but did not follow their lead. Instead, calmly analyzing the situation, he left the cake shop, not even so much as giving a word to Elizabeth.&nbsp; He expected she'd show some modicum of intellect and either leave or stay here, but not rush off into danger.<br><br>What he did next, then, was to circle around the building and try to enter the kitchen from the back; presumably, there was a back door or window or something that would grant him access. Or, at least, he might catch any wrong-doers as they fled. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>19-03-2013, 20:51:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Elizabeth was confused by the whole thing…not that this was a situation out of the ordinary, she had been dealing with those ever since her parents decided to move, but because she had no idea who would be so rude as to interrupt a lovely reunion in such an appalling fashion.&nbsp; <br>“Were those gun…” she asked right before Fuyuko acted, heading for the kitchen’s entrance. <br><br>“…shots?”<br><br>Onbin quickly followed taking another broom and she looked towards Masato with a questioning look, without stepping away from her seat, not even standing due to the shock. He simply headed for the exit without a word, leaving her dumbfounded. <br><br><em> Well, he never did <span class="bbc_u">look</span> like a coward </em> she thought looking at the cake left unattended in their plates. Everyone was rushing either to the kitchen or outside the cakeshop by then and she was the only one left sitting. Some of the customers instinctively went to the floor or hid under the tables, afraid of more gunshots to come, including some of the workers. <br><br><em> Of course, Fuyuko did say ‘stay put, I’ll go see what’s going on’, but did she really expects us to do that? </em> <br><br>She didn’t really know what to do, Mister Gozen&nbsp; and two of her friends were already “taking care of it”, should she follow their lead? <br><em> Might as well make myself useful </em> she thought and seeing how no one turned to the usual actions she stood up.<br><br>“Do not panic! Please head for the exit in an orderly fashion!”&nbsp; Seeing that another group of teenagers was cowering under the tables without having any intention of doing as told, she gestured to the cake shop employees, encouraging them.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>20-03-2013, 00:00:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Wha…” Mr. Gozen says to Fuyuko rubbing his head and slightly dazed from his fall. “Fuyuko! Wait!” Mr. Gozen calls out, as she rushes through the kitchen door, the more cautious Onbin following behind. Mr. Gozen then begins struggling to his feet muttering a curse under his breath. When he gets to his feet he glances at Elizabeth as she tries to bring some semblance of control to the chaos.<br><br>The kitchen area consists of a row of three large stoves along the right hand wall. The left hand wall consists of a large sink, a large steel refrigerator, several cabinets and a steel shelving unit where most of the larger pots and pans are kept. Two large wooden tables divide the center of the room along with another steel shelving unit used for cooling. The back wall has three doors, one for the walk-in freezer, one for the pantry and one leading into the back hall that leads to the shop’s little office, the upstairs stairwell and the back exit to the alley behind the shop.<br><br>Currently the room is occupied by a large, howling monster standing just in front of the row of stoves. It appears to be around seven feet tall. In shape it is generally humanoid, but appears to be made up of an oily, vaguely translucent, black gel. Its right arm ends in a plated metal gauntlet armed with five large, claw-like blades. Its left arm seems to consist of three wildly writhing tentacles. The head appears to at one point have been covered by a metal death’s head skull, but the left half of the mask seems to have been shattered, revealing a smooth black, completely featureless head. A glowing red orb the size of a chicken egg seems to be suspended in the gel where the monster’s left eye should be. Another red orb can be seen floating above it in the center of its forehead. The eye hole in the right side of its face, where the mask is still intact, glows with the same red light as the other two orbs. Other then that, the monster is smooth and featureless with no discernible bones or musculature, its legs ending in wide stumps rather then proper feet.<br><br>The monster’s attention seems to be on the second occupant of the kitchen, a girl with pale blue hair, wearing a strange costume that seems to consist of a silvery breastplate, silver greaves, a short silver skirt and black tights. A soft blue light seems to surround her entire body. A silver and white revolver is clutched in her right hand, while her left seems to be tightly wrapped around something. She’s sprawled on the other side of the room partially covered by the pots and pans that clattered onto her when she struck the shelves. With a slight groan, the girl tries to get to her feet as the monster flows toward the center of the room reaching out its tentacle arm to try and grab her.<br><br>Meanwhile, Masato quickly finds his way toward the alley in the back of the cake shop. A quick glance down the alleyway confirms that it’s empty for the moment as he makes his way to the cake shop’s back exit. Fortunately, the back door seems to be open for the moment, but unfortunately Masato’s view of the kitchen is obstructed by the angle of the hallway, which runs parallel to the alley. The hallway appears to be empty, he sees the entrance to the back stairwell, the door to the cake shop’s office standing slightly ajar, the broom closet and then finally at the other end of the empty hall, the entrance to the kitchen.<br><br>Back inside the cake shop, Mr. Gozen frowns then adds in his voice to Elizabeth’s. “Ikari! Please escort our customers to the door!” Mr. Gozen yells at a young woman wearing the cake shop’s uniform who is cowering near the fire place, the only other Carnation employee still on the premises. At Mr. Gozen’s bark she leaps to her feet with a yelp and begins moving about, coaxing people from beneath tables and towards the door. Mr. Gozen then hurries to the entrance to the kitchen to see what’s going on.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>20-03-2013, 15:13:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Entering the kitchen Onbin is frozen at the sight in front of him. It was a monster, a monster of liquid darkness. These things were not supposed to exist in reality. Video games and fantasy books sure but, here, now... Seeing the girl on the floor under the pots and pans enraptured him for a moment, seeing such beauty after such horror is enough to muddle anyone's mind. The creature seemed focused on her and not them, the girl seemed hurt though and out for the count... this thing meant to kill her and maybe even eat her. Then it was likely to turn on the rest of them.<br><br>The only logical weak point the thing had would be its eyes so Onbin went into motion, the thoughts of how stupid of an idea this was and how careless only came after the fact as he jumped onto a table and made to lunge the point of the broom handle at one of the eye orbs. If he couldn't kil it at least he could wound or distract it long enough for someone or something else to finish it off.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>20-03-2013, 15:27:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was around the time that Onbin was going to stab the creature in one of its eye-things that Masato entered the kitchen fully, since he was unable to truly see anything from outside. Quickly, he assessed the situation; and he could feel his heart skip a beat when he saw something that, quite frankly, should not exist. That, and someone who he might have mistaken for an over-excited cosplayer, if it wasn't for the fact that there was a god damned monster in the kitchen.<br><br>The woman did not seem to be in any good shape, and the monster looked poised to finish what it had probably started. The whole thing was absurd, but, he didn't have time to dwell upon the absurdity; the hows and the whys could be answered later, for now, it was time for action.<br><br>"Dammit! Onbin! Get Fuyuko and the girl out of here!" he'd suddenly bark. Masato knew, or at least thought, that Onbin considered himself a hero; but the Kendo student doubted his ability to truly hold his own in a&nbsp; fight against another human, never mind something that belonged in a video game or some sort of tentacle rape manga. <br><br>He would quickly assess the kitchen for anything that might help him; something metal. A pot, a pan, a large stirring rod; anything would do in a pinch. He wasn't even fully sure what he'd do once he had his hands on something that could at least pass for a weapon, but... "Hey, you ugly son-of-a-bitch! Over here!" He screamed, and cajoled, trying to draw the monsters attention towards himself. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>20-03-2013, 17:39:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mr. Gozen acted immediately, calling to one of his employees to assist the customers in leaving the Cake Shop. Elizabeth followed her instincts and helped Ikari along, offering her hand to the cowering customers and pulling them on their feet with a smile. Once the last one left the premises, she stood at the doorway, undecided how to act next.<br>Leaving Fuyuko and Onbin behind like Masato apparently did just seemed petty and wrong.&nbsp; It didn’t take her longer than a second to think about it and she was once again back in the shop, heading for the kitchen herself.<br><br><em>If someone’s robbing the place shouldn’t I just call for the police?</em><br><br>About the same time she started dialing the emergency number, Elizabeth heard the weird sound again, then the clashing of silverware and Masato’s voice as he asked Onbin to get Fuyuko and another girl out of the kitchen. <br><br>She couldn’t get past Mr. Gozen, nor see what exactly was going on inside the kitchen – heck, she wasn’t even sure she wanted to get stabbed or worst, shot by any muggers, but all her friends were inside, risking their lives. <br><br>“Shoboucyo desu. Kaji desuka? Kyukyu desu ka?” ( This is the fire department, is there a fire or do you need an ambulance?) The voice coming from the mobile phone distracted her attention.<br>&nbsp;<br>“Hashutsujo no denwa bango wo oshiete kudasai” ( Please tell me the number for the police station) Elizabeth asked alarmed. <br><br>Things were getting out of control and she didn’t know for what to call first…the police or an ambulance? Thinking that the police might arrive later and that someone was bound to get wounded if it didn’t already happened, she asked for an ambulance first. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>20-03-2013, 23:22:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fuyuko was shocked upon seeing a black, liquid monster right in front of her eyes. She stood there for a few moments, taking in the sight when she saw Onbin trying to attack the monster. Then she heard Masato's voice. Get <em>her</em> out of here? Out of something she owned when it needed to be protected. "No way...!" She protested, as she looked back towards the beast. She figured that, watching Onbin's actions earlier, the glowing eyes were a viable weak point. Masato's attempt at a distraction was leeway enough for her; she then charged without further hesitation and attempted to stab the handle-end of the broom into the beast's exposed eye.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>21-03-2013, 10:01:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Onbin’s sudden movement catches the monster’s attention and it twists its head toward him, the red orb pulsing and twisting briefly within the monster’s head. As Onbin lunges with the broom handle the creature shifts its head and the handle slides across its flesh rather then penetrating the monster’s head as Onbin hoped.<br><br>When Masato looks around, he spots a large iron skillet that fell nearby and quickly picks it up. It wasn’t a sword, but at least it was something substantial and heavy. However, his yells don’t seem the draw the monster’s attention. Instead the creature wraps its tentacles around the handle of Onbin’s broom handle and lifts up, its attention focused on the teenager that attacked it. Still, that gives Fuyuko an opening as she leaps onto the table and attacks the monster herself, but the angle is poor with Onbin in the way and her strike clangs off the monster’s metal helmet, causing it to howl again as it tries to assess the new threat.<br><br>“Where are you currently and what is the nature of the emergency?” the dispatcher asks Elizabeth from the other end of the phone line. <br><br>“Fuyoko! What are you doing!” Mr. Gozen yells as he watches his daughter attack the monster and rushes into the kitchen himself looking about for some sort of weapon to arm himself with as well.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>21-03-2013, 16:27:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Masato can't possibly think that anyone is going to leave right now does he? Onbin wondered as he tried to pull the broom handle away from the monster's grip. Fuyuko's strike was enough to startle the monster which didn't bode well for Onbin as in its surprise the creature's tentacled arm flew out wide taking broom handle and Onbin with it. "Whoah!!" Cried Onbin as he flew through the air and into more pots and pans. Slowly rising to his hands and knees and shaking his head he looks around to find something else to fight with, there. It had been knocked under a table, a large three foot long steel stirring spoon, looks more like a boat paddle but the paddle wouldn't be long enough for for much use in the water squirming across the floor and grabbing it he sees Masato with a large frying pan, the appearance was funny but time was not of the essence, rolling out from behind the table, "Masato! Catch this!" Throwing the paddle to Masato he added, "figure it's more fitting than a frying pan." <br><br>The monster distracted Onbin took the opportunity to check on the mystery chick, knocking away the pots and pans, he started checking for breathing and considered trying to revive her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>21-03-2013, 17:28:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He certainly hoped they would leave; but perhaps that was too much to expect from the foolhardy.&nbsp; They weren't warriors! They shouldn't be here. That's how his thoughts went; and not out of any desire to deny them anything, but because he didn't want them getting hurt, or worse.<br><br>Feeling the heft of the&nbsp; iron skillet, he would navigate his way around the kitchen, closer towards the beast.&nbsp; If he could, he would position himself between the wounded stranger and the beast; had they even noticed there was someone wounded? Well, apparently Onbin did.<br><br>He would drop the skillet aside, and catch the stirring spoon as&nbsp; it came hurtling through the air towards him. This was nice; the length, and heft of it, was much closer to a shinai, even if it was metal rather than wood. Gripping it in both hands, as one would a shinai or bokken, he would strike out at the beasts shoulder, and found himself hoping he could do some degree of damage to it. He would have thanked Onbin, but, the fight was really going to start now; the thanks could wait for later, if they survived. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>23-03-2013, 22:26:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Come to think of it, Elizabeth really didn’t know what was the real nature of the emergency.<br>“ Saisei, Carnation Cake Shop…” she forgot the name of the street “I think it’s Yonsuu..Yon…”<br>“Yonban?” said the dispatcher politely. <br>“Yes! Carnation Cake Shop in Yonban street.&nbsp; I heard gunshots and I think someone must be hurt.”<br>“How many people are hurt?” the voice asked.<br>“Uhm..I don’t know…” Elizabeth stuttered. She had to check, didn’t she? “Hold on a minute, I’ll check.”&nbsp; She walked hesitantly to the entrance of the kitchen. The noises she heard and also her friend’s screams and shouts grew in intensity. <br>She was just at the entrace of the kitchen when the large monster turned around to face <em> .. is that Masato? </em> Elizabeth asked although she clearly recognized him at first sight. Onbin was helping out a girl who looked like a cosplayer, while Fuyuko armed herself to fight whatever was making a mess out of the kitchen. Mr. Gozen himself seemed ready to take on the creature, it was his Cake Shop after all. <br>“Miss, how many people need medical assistance?” the voice asked again, perfectly calm. <br>“I don’t…just one…” she counted the girl, but this was unbelievable “send an ambulance or make that two!” she said and closed the phone. She panicked.&nbsp; What else could she say about the situation…that a monster was attacking her friends?&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>23-03-2013, 22:43:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fuyuko managed to get the monster off-guard before it could do anything else, particularly to Onbin. However, she heard an unexpected voice coming from the kitchen entrance. "Dad...!?" She looked over to him a brief moment. She really didn't want him getting hurt, not taking into mind that he would probably think the same thing if he were in this position. Regardless, Fuyuko aimed another strike at the beast, hoping to strike the exposed eye now.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>24-03-2013, 09:00:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Onbin places his fingers on the side of the girl's neck, he hears the click of the revolver and feels the barrel press against his forehead. Electric blue eyes focus on Onbin's for a moment, narrowed into hard thin lines, then she blinks and her eyes widen. A moment later the gun is no longer pointed at Onbin as the girl struggles to her feet, the aura around her brightening as she looks around. "You need to get out of here," the girl says in Japanese as she watches Fuyuko jab at the monster's eye again.<br><br>This time, the handle of the broom plunges into the flesh of the monster's head. However, it's not like jabbing into liquid the gel increases its resistance the further Fuyuko forces the broom into the monster's head, so that by the time it reaches its eye its more like a gentle tap then a jab. However, merely touching it enrages the monster causing it to let loose another loud howl, raising its clawed gauntlet up to swat down at Fuyuko.<br><br>At that point, Masato strikes slamming the large spoon into the creature's shoulder. The force of the blow, slices right through the monster's jelly flesh, leaving a large gash that causes its arm to waver. The claws slam just to Fuyuko's left, sinking themselves two inches into the wooden table, momentarily pinning the wounded arm. Mr. Gozen takes that opportunity to rush forward and try to grab Fuyuko around the waist to spin her off the table and back to the floor.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>25-03-2013, 14:39:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The cold steel of the gun barrel made Onbin freeze in place. Slowly he looked upwards at the gun crossing eyes in the process. "You need to get out of here," the girl says as she removes the gun from his forehead. A quick glance at her and then to his friends, he sees Fuyuko's attack did little more than irritate the thing but Masato's attack threw it off enough to miss her with its fist. Over his shoulder he tells the girl, "Fat chance."<br><br>In all the comotion a set of metal shelves had been destroyed leaving one leg still solid and straight, it was a little long for his taste but Onbin garbbed it as he rushed towards the monster aiming for the gash Masato had already created with a large sweeping arc that nearly drug the ceiling. At the very least it would distract the creature and Mr. Gozen could get Fuyuko out of here.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>25-03-2013, 15:17:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He managed to strike a decisive blow against the beast, and briefly watched as he saw the claws rip into the wooden table. Damn. One hit from those, and Masato knew that, even he, with his great constitution, would be on death's doorstep. Thus, disarming the monster seemed like the best course of action for the moment.<br><br>However, this was not some sword or the like that could just be knocked out of its hands. That complicated the situation. However, he still had an idea of what he could do to try and weaken it further. He would step aside as he could sense Onbin's approach; and move to a more advantageous position himself. <br><br>"Elizabeth! Get the stranger out of here." He'd bark again, no time for niceties, this was a battle here; he did not realize that she was getting back into the swing of things, he just remembered she had been injured, and so his primary concern was her being removed to safety. A close second would be the others all getting out of the kitchen, too... he would deal with this himself.&nbsp; He had to keep them all safe, and the safest place for them was off the 'battlefield'. <br><br>As the other male struck at the wound he had created, a wound he planned to exacerbate, Masato would&nbsp; change targets on the fly, and lash out with all the fury and power he could put into the improvised weapon, assaulting at the eye with a mighty cleaving motion. He hoped that Onbin's assault would work to his advantage; he would time his blow to come right before or just after Onbin's own. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>25-03-2013, 21:54:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She couldn’t believe it! Her friends were actually fighting with that thing…she should have been more surprised by the actual existence of such a creature and the fact that it chose to show up there and then from all other possible places, but the blonde girl was more astonished by how Fuyuko, Masato and Onbin were acting. <br><br>When Mr. Gozen caught Fuyuko and dragged her away from danger as much as he could at the moment, Elizabeth flinched, moving backwards as to not block the way out of the kitchen.&nbsp; But then the monster became more violent, right after Masato was able to wound it. <br><br><em>"Elizabeth! Get the stranger out of here." </em> he ordered in the spur of the moment and she rushed over to the strangely dressed&nbsp; girl in order to help her stand.&nbsp; She noticed a strange sensation taking place in her stomach, a tingling of some sort when Masato called her name. <br><br>Taking the few steps from the kitchen’s entrance to where the girl was sitting on the floor proved to be quite a challenge.&nbsp; First she had to make sure no kitchen appliance or silverware might fall on her head…to dodge any incoming attacks from the monster if it would ever notice her…and in general be aware of Onbin’s movements and to not get in his way.&nbsp; She had one eye on the battle and the other at the girl so to say. <br><br>“Can you stand?” Elizabeth asked her offering a hand at the same time. “I’ll help you get out of here, just come with me.” <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>25-03-2013, 22:23:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She winced as she found out that the gel-like head that her broom struck was trying to defend the eye... right up until her broom felt a slight prod. She backed up on the table as she tried to get some distance between herself and the giant claw-hand raised up... but thankfully it seemed Masato was able to distract the thing. Before she could relax though, she felt something go around her waist to pull her off the table. She looked over to see her own father. Once placed on the floor, she tried to (gently) pull his arm off of her so that she could stay in the fight. This was her shop as well as her father's, if she must remind everyone involved.<br><br>It seemed simply striking the monster until it died would be the only remaining option for her. She went off to a wide of the gel-beast and prepared another stab of her broom.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>26-03-2013, 09:28:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The monster twitches towards Masato, then towards Mr. Gozen as he sweeps Fuyuko off the table. Dragging its claws through the wood leaving deep furrows in the table it twists towards Fuyuko again, apparently focusing on her since she came the closest to putting out its eye.<br><br>"Fuyuko!" Mr. Gozen cries out as she rushes the monster again, which is when Onbin strikes sweeping the metal pole down into the monster's wounded shoulder, severing its claw arm. This causes the creature to howl in pain as the the claw drops to the table, the arm that was within it losing cohesion and becoming a wet black puddle on the tabletop. At that moment Masato strikes, the spoon slicing through the monster's head and bisecting the exposed eye, which quivers and pops, going dark, further enraging the creature. More tentacles sprout from the monster's wounded shoulder and it begins flailing wildly all around, tentacles smashing into the table, the walls, the ceiling and anything they can reach. One catches Mr. Gozen and flings him aside as if he were a small child causing him to fly into the wall near the door, impacting it with a thud. Mr. Gozen attempts to get up for a moment with a groan, then collapses.<br><br>"I can stand," the blue-haired girl says to Elizabeth her eyes focused on the flailing monster. As she watches Masato score a hit on one of the monster's eyes, destroying it. She raises her revolver and aims at the monster's head, but her arm shakes and the monster's flailing doesn't help her get a clear shot. "I need to stop it, before anyone else gets hurt. Don't worry about me, please help him," the girl says glancing at Mr. Gozen. Holstering her gun, she reaches to her side, where a slender silver blade is belted. As she draws the weapon, silver flames begin to dance along its length, then she charges into the fray slashing at the flailing black tentacles with her rapier. Each one she severs hisses and begins to wither, the severed portions becoming black puddles that quickly begin to evaporate once they hit the floor. The pain draws its attention once more as it sprouts more tentacles from its body and launches them spear-like at the girl who leaps back to avoid them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>26-03-2013, 10:37:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She held up her broom to guard against the creature, just as it was going to try and attack her again... When she heard her father yell for her. She looked over to see her father take a hit, as he was thrown against a wall. She gave a distressed cry as she heard the impact. Now she looked over towards the monster with gritted teeth. "You'll pay..." She muttered towards the beast, a fury forming in her eyes.<br><br>Before she could do anything though, she looked over to see the girl from earlier, having gotten up. She looked on in awe as the girl made several strokes at the beast, cutting off various parts of it. Then, as if waking up from her reverie, she then saw the cut-off parts of the monster try to attack, as if they all had a life of their own. Running in to defend her, she attempted to whack at the different bits of monster.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>26-03-2013, 12:29:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He remained quiet as he saw the strike he made succeed. He was half tempted to shout in excitement, for the adrenaline coursing through his body, pumping him up and exciting him, made it feel like a good idea. But his discipline kept him in check; kept him from shouting, and kept him from going 'crazy', like some sort of berserker. He used the energy and strength the rush gave him constructively, and efficiently. <br><br>Instead, once the tentacles start popping out and lashing out at them, he'd take some steps backwards. Gripping the metal paddle firmly, he would strike out again; he did not attack with as much speed as the strange girl, but each of his swings is dedicated, and has a significant degree of force behind it. <br><br>Perhaps speed would have benefited him this day, but his fighting style, his way of training emphasized making each strike as powerful as it could be, and he simply could not bring himself to break out of iron-disciplined habit. <br><br>The girl was back in the fight, and he saw she was no slouch of a warrior; it seemed like she would be able to handle herself, so for the moment, Onbin was, in a pleasant surprise,doing pretty well himself; so his focus remained on whatever tentacles posed a direct threat to himself, or to Fuyuko and Elizabeth. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>26-03-2013, 15:43:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				There was a sense of joy to the morbid act of severing the monster's arm but it was also required. The mailed fist now useless the things tentacles went into a frenzy. Lashing out indiscriminately, one threw Mr. Gozen into the wall and it seems knocked him out. the girl seemed also to have gained new life and was slicing the tentacles to pieces even as more grew in place.<br><br>Fuyuko ran in behind the new girl smashing at the few tentacles that did not simply melt away after being severed from the body, Masato was also striking at the tentacles as best as Onbin could tell. The creature seemed to be fully focused on these attacks leaving his left side open, stepping back Onbin lined up to strike at the thing's left leg as it was standing out in such a way that a direct hit on what should be a knee would likely cripple it. Onbin stepped forward planting one end of the pole in the ground and quartwheeled over it bringing the pole back up from behind him and straight down onto the knee with all his momentum to split the knee and shin to the floor.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>29-03-2013, 15:04:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Before her eyes, everyone was fighting the gooey monster except for Mr. Gozen. She expected Masato’s conduct, he was training most of the time after all, but Onbin and Fuyuko were a surprise.&nbsp; It’s not that she ever doubted her friend’s bravery or Onbin’s ability to step in for someone – but Fuyuko was a slender, girly-girl and Onbin looked more like a lover than a fighter. <br>Elizabeth checked her high-heeled sandals and her dress for blood stains – somehow she got the impression this was bound to happen one way or another even if the girl she tried to help just a minute ago was striking the creature like a pro. <br><br><em> At least she’s not really wounded</em> she thought shrugging and looked over to Mr. Gozen who was recovering from the blow. He seemed alright and worried for Fuyuko. Who wouldn’t be when your teenage daughter is stabbing a monster in the kitchen? Elizabeth felt useless, the least she could now was to get out of the way. No matter how dangerous this was, she couldn’t seem to get out of the room. Her friends were there…and this surreal thing didn’t go away despite the number of times she pinched herself. She dialled the emergency number again, asking for the police. She’s going to lie about the situation…or at least bend the truth a little. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>29-03-2013, 21:34:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Masato groups up with Fuyuko and the stranger, their combined efforts begin driving the monster back. The girl striking swiftly, lopping off tentacles; Fuyuko getting hits in where she could and Masato defending them both, handily blocking any strikes against either girl with his ladle. Focused on the thrashing weapons in front of it, the Monster pays no mind when Onbin hefts the large pole and swings it at the monster's knee. The force of the swing cuts right through the creature's leg, meeting very little resistance and nearly unbalancing Onbin as the momentum of the swing continues towards the wall. However, it does unbalance the monster, which tilts to the side with a howl of pain crashing into one of the tables in a tangle of flailing limbs. The girl takes advantage of the opening and leaps forward, slicing through the monster's neck with her blade. With a hiss of burning, the blade decapitates it and the body collapses into a quivering black puddle, while the head flies off, bounces off the table and rolls behind it landing near Onbin's foot. There the head with its two quivering red eyes sprouts some more tentacles and wraps itself tightly around Onbin's ankle with a howl.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>29-03-2013, 22:51:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Onbin knew now that the creature was gelatinous but the ease in which he cut through the leg left him off balance leaving him to only be able watch as the thing crashed into a table. Mesmerized by the new girl leaping into the opening he created he didn't acknowledge the head until it was firmly wrapped around his leg. With a shout of surprise Onbin actually forgot about his weapon for a moment and instead started to just try to kick it off. The hopping motion from this walked him into the remaining table, this jarred his senses enough to turn around and axe kick the table attempting to crush the head between his heel and the table. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>31-03-2013, 01:02:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He gave it his all, as did the others; and bit by bit, it seemed like they would win. As the monster's head goes flying through the air and ends up harassing Onbin, he just sort of leaves the other student to handling it on his own; there really wasn't much that Masato could think to do to help him with that particular problem.<br><br>He turned his attention straight towards the mysterious woman, and he eyed her more closely now.&nbsp; Why did he feel like he was in a manga? Oh, right. Crazy costumed girl and monster.&nbsp; He would set aside his makeshift weapon, and focus his eyes on her own, studying her intently. One of these days, he'd like to challenge her to a spa; that would be interesting.<br><br>"I'm Masato." he introduces himself. "Who are you, why are you here, and what was that thing?" He spoke politely, but firmly. His voice was calm, even if his body language suggested that he was still on edge, and seemingly poised to respond to any other threat that may pop out of nowhere. He had been half tempted to ask how she was doing, but given her fighting prowess, he felt he already had the answer to that question. So, he went and 'got down to brass tacks', as the saying goes. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>01-04-2013, 03:55:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fuyuko watched the monster with only a slight grimace as it was cut into pieces, and dissolved into a puddle. However, she kept her guard up, gasping at first as Onbin had his leg grabbed by what little remained of it, before attempting to attack the head so that Onbin wouldn't have to damage the only table left just to get rid of the gel-monster's final effort.<br><br>Once that was over, though, Fuyuko then turned around to see the girl, who she helped fight. "I am Fuyuko." She said. "And I would like to wonder where you... and that monster... both came from, myself." She said, as she was trying to ease herself out of the fight that just occured. She looked around the kitchen; what a mess... and it would take some of the shop's revenue to clean up and even fix what was damaged. Not to mention having to deal with the panicked customers and staff.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>01-04-2013, 15:19:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				In mid-swing Fuyuko's broom swung up out of nowhere and connected with the head, the combined force of Onbin's leg and fuyuko's broom caused the head to pop like a water balloon. The light in the things eyes flickered out and they too disolved like the rest of the creature leaving behind the remaining portion of its mask on the floor.<br><br>Hearing Masato and Fuyuko introduce themselves to the new girl he was a little appalled, stepping up and around Masato Onbin half turned to him, "That is not how you introduce yourself to a stranger that just helped you Masato." Turning back to the girl Onbin smiled and bowed at the waist with his arms out to the side palms facing the girl, "Takumi, Onbin. It is a pleasure to meet you, and I thank you for your assistance in vanquishing that creature. But of course it seems to be the elephant in the room as we have never seen the like of it. Would you be so gracious as to tell us where it came from? Though I would rather hear more of you as it would be a far more pleasant conversation."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>02-04-2013, 09:43:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Fuyuko and Onbin finish off the remains of the monster, the girl sags and the blue light around her body flickers and then fades out as she closes her eyes and lets out a long breath. Her silvery outfit fades away, blurring into a new outfit. This one consists of a pair of dark jeans, heavy black boots and a dark leather vest over a light blue blouse. Over that she wears a long, dark blue jacket that hangs down to mid-thigh with a wide, slightly ruffled collar, well patched elbows and a faded pink heart on the right shoulder. A faded purple, pink and green friendship bracelet hung with little plastic silvery charms adorns her right wrist. <br><br>On her back, she's now wearing a brown leather backpack bulging with pockets, the revolver and sheath for her rapier remain belted around her waist, though both now look less shiny and more worn. Dust and grime now darken her face and clothes. Her hair remains a pale blue, though now it looks tousled and raggedly shorn, while her eyes change from an electric blue to a more ordinary warm brown color. She looks much less like a cosplayer now and more like a vagrant wanderer.<br><br>"My name is Mateia Korza," the girl replies as she slides her rapier back into its sheath as she turns towards Masato. She tilts her head and regards him for several moments, doing the same with Fuyuko and then Elizabeth before she smiles at Onbin. "It's you I should be thanking," Mateia says, then frowns as she glances around the damaged kitchen and then at Mr. Gozen.<br><br>"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you," Mateia says as she quickly moves over to Mr. Gozen and lays a hand on his head, closing her eyes for a moment. "Oh, good, he's not seriously hurt. I can ease his pain a little, but I'm afraid I'm not much of a healer," she continues, still keeping her eyes closed as she places a hand on either side of Mr. Gozen's head and seems to concentrate.<br><br>"I'm from another world, Alithrone. It's... Lorian... the Desecrating Princess. She has nearly destroyed it. That thing, was one of her servants. It's called a Gellion. She has hundreds, maybe thousands more and they aren't even the most terrible of her servants. There aren't many of us left, so I came here looking for help. The Keystone guided me," Mateia says as she opens her eyes and lifts her fingers from Mr. Gozen who seems to have slipped into a gentle sleep. "I asked it to help me find heroes and it took me here," Mateia says as she looks up at Masato, Onbin, Elizabeth and Fuyuko.<br><br>"You stood and fought the gellion. I can see the power in all of you. Please, I know I'm asking an almost unthinkable burden of you, but I beg of you, return with me to Alithrone and help me save my world. You may be our only hope," Mateia says folding her hands together in front of her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>02-04-2013, 15:18:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sheesh. There was Onbin, acting the part of ladie's man once again. Masato found it annoying, but... hey, the guy was just acting as his nature dictates. So he never really said anything, except for the occasional good natured ribbing, and he didn't feel particularly negative about it; just a bit annoyed.<br><br>He had the feeling nobody else would take this seriously, either, which was worrying for him. Sure, the whole day makes him feel like he's supposed to be Kamen Rider (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamen_Rider) or something,&nbsp; but he doubts that he's going to wind up with the 'plot armor' that the aforementioned hero has; nor would any of them.<br><br>The first thing he does is flick himself on the forehead, though. Yup, not dreaming; or if he is, this is an amazingly lucid dream. He would heave a sigh, and look around at everybody. "I need to know more about what is getting on and is expected of us before I can agree or disagree." he was approaching this cautiously, as he saw caution as the best thing in unknown situations; and hopefully, he'd be able to keep his friends, with that statement, from volunteering themselves into something they might not be prepared for or capable of pulling off.<br><br>It wasn't even that he felt like they'd be unable to take care of themselves; it's the fear that they won't, that something bad will happen to them. And, perhaps, to some extent, it was also because he had difficulty trusting anyone that wasn't himself. He worked, and fought, better on his own, where he wouldn't have to fret over others. He just wanted his friends to be safe, and the safest place was being un-involved.<br><br>Yet, he could also tell she was being sincere; that despite the absurdity and surrealness of this encounter, there was seriousness to this Mateia woman. He couldn't turn his back on people in trouble, even if that meant giving up on some or all of his responsibilities here.&nbsp; But still, he needed to know more. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>03-04-2013, 19:44:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With an exagerrated sigh Onbin rolls his eyes at Masato's response. No tact what so ever he thought. Turning to Mateia, "Forgive my friend Mateia-chan. He is short on personality and is ever straight to the point. Perhaps we should go into the dining area and get you something to drink or eat and a moment to compose yourself further before continuing under the barrage of questions." <br>At this Onbin turned and eyed Masato with a raised eyebrow, "I'm sure we are all in need of a moment to breathe after such a fight, unlike the Mighty Masato." Obviously there was a dig there but more to lighten the mood given the events that just transpired, a laugh or happy thought would help everyone back off the adrenaline high they were on.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>03-04-2013, 21:45:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Hold on a bit” she said talking to Onbin, but looking at the girl. She almost curtsied while her voice suddenly turned so sweet, one could swear it was dipped in honey. <br><br>“My name is Elizabeth, Korza-san” she said addressing the girl with an official edge, “and I would be more than grateful if you would kindly tell me who put you up to this. Now I know Masato isn’t the kind to play pranks – no matter how well intended their purpose is and Fuyuko surely wouldn’t risk her father’s business for such a bit of entertainment. The props are more than..average quality, I simply must compliment the maker.” <br><br>Elizabeth started to speak in her haughty-rich folk way, without realizing that she used the kind of expressions she hated herself. She often lost focus when under stress and this was an interesting kind of stressful situation. <br><br>“Nonetheless, all of this could have been avoided with better training beforehand and I think you should apologize to Mr. Gozen here. The least you can do is tell us who hired you and then we can all have cake and tea and try to laugh about the whole thing.” She glanced at the girl with amiability, expecting an honest answer. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>03-04-2013, 21:56:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Elizabeth!" Fuyuko said, glaring a bit at her. "We just fought an actual monster! I confess, it is a bit surreal right now, but you should know better than to accuse someone of playing a prank when people have been in danger."<br><br>She then sighed and turned back to Matea, bowing formally. "I should apologize for Eliza-san's manners. But I agree that we should discuss this matter further, and over cake and drink."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>03-04-2013, 22:39:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I do apologize for what happened to Mr. Gozen," Mateia says sadly as she rises to her feet, smoothing out her blouse and jacket with her hands. "Elizabeth is sincere in her doubts, I take no offense. I hope I can convince you to come with me, but I can't wait here for very long. Others are depending on me, so ask your questions and I will answer as best I can."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>04-04-2013, 02:38:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Now wasn't the time for laughing, and while Masato took no offense to what Onbin said, he just looked at the other male rather blankly; as impassive and lacking in expression as a smooth stone. Maybe he lacked tact; but he disliked beating around the bush, or fanciful idle banter. <br><br>He would then turn his attention to the strange girl. She gave him the opportunity to ask questions, and no one should be shocked when the questions come spilling forth. "You mentioned a 'keystone'. What is it? How do you expect us to just disappear and go help you, in a situation we don't fully understand?&nbsp; For that matter, what is the situation like? Who's the enemy, why are they the enemy, and what are their forces like, in comparison to whatever group you represent? Why are you the side worth joining? What sort of resources are at your disposal, considering kitchen implements are not effective weapons?" His voice was steady, even, and cold; like a knife that had been left in a freezer over night. But mind you, there was no malice, no hostility; there just really&nbsp; wasn't much of anything to his voice, save a certain degree of curiosity. The deadness of his voice might even shock Fuyuko and Onbin, since he rarely talked in this manner around them; though Elizabeth might have seen him get this way once or twice.<br><br>"What about your families, everyone?"He was addressing his friends. " Are you really just going to disappear without giving them a single word?" His words were directed to all three. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>05-04-2013, 13:44:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fuyuko's words had been taken by Elizabeth just as her friend probably intended to: without any offense. In spite of the clothes-swap magical show that Mateia offered and the woobbling (dead) mass on the floor, miss Grayle wasn't yet convinced that this was more than a show. Usually she'd be the first one to spot a fake 70% off in a fashion outlet, but with entertainment shows she really had no experience except as a viewer. Masato went ahead and asked the strange girl what were probably the most reasonable questions one would ask in this case. In every manga, anime or tv show of such nature, the protagonists usually just went along with whatever they were asked to do in order to save the world - any world - and asked little to none about safety and other "minor" details. What surprised Elizabeth the most easn't Masato's tone, but the number of his questions. He really did think fast.<br><br>While waiting for the girl to answer, Elizabeth herself thought about Masato's last question. What about her family? She didn't even think to join the girl in her lunacy, but now that the matter was seriously taken into account by the others - or at least by Masato for now - she couldn't help but "going with the herd". This looked promising and awfully adventurous - if it were true, not to mention the fact that ... <em>but no, if I wanted time alone with Masato and fun with my friends we could have just settled for an onsen trip, not this crazy idea </em>&nbsp; she thought&nbsp; and took a seat.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>05-04-2013, 17:39:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Seeing as how Masato was not going to let up and the others were trying to just figure out if it was all real Onbin decided it was time to drop the flare and fanciful talk and be serious.<br><br>"As strange and abnormal as all of this seems. As Fuyuko pointed out this creature was very real. Mateia and her abilities are very real and if, a very big if, what she says is true that these things may eventually come our world and these are some of the least of the enemy's power, how can we not pursue this in an attempt to save our families and our world." Taking a breath, "Masato, I know this sounds strange but I agree with your questions, however, I believe the only way to truelly answer them correctly is to go with Mateia and see it ourselves. If we can agree to this there should be one exception, should we chose to not participate we can return home with no adverse consequences."<br><br>Turning to Mateia, "That all being said, generally when someone sends an envoy for help there is generally more than one person. So either you are expendable or your side of the fight is desperate for numbers."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>06-04-2013, 01:10:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fuyuko took a step back as Masato practically spilled out his questions. She didn't really see this side of him before, but after a moment or two she regained some of her composure, but the last question Masato asked got her to thinking. But on the other hand...<br><br>"Well Elizabeth's comments did get me to thinking that I'd doubt anyone else is going to believe there really is another world, let alone monsters and the like. Even then, I doubt our parents would let their children go off and endanger themselves." She then turned to her unconscious father and sighed. "Even if the endangerment is necessary."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>06-04-2013, 09:21:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mateia gives her full attention to Masato as he begins asking his questions. As they spill forth, she shifts her stance, folding her hands behind her back and spreading her legs slightly. When he finishes she nods and takes a breath before she begins to answer. "This is the keystone," Mateia says bringing forth her left hand and opening it to reveal the object she's been clutching this entire time. The object is a grey-white stone shaped like an inverted, pyramid with irregular notches carved into each of its three faces.<br><br>"It has the power to open things, including doorways to other worlds. If the Desecrating Princess and the Destroyer get ahold of it, they'll be able to finish what they started and leave Alithrone behind for a new world. That is the nature of the enemy, the Destroyer is a powerful demon that consumes worlds. Long ago it came to our world, but it was defeated and bound away. The Princess freed him gaining enormous power in the process and shattered my world," Mateia says casting her eyes downward as she closes her hand around the keystone again.<br><br>"As you say, there aren't many of us left," Mateia says glancing at Onbin. "Few survived the initial shattering and many of those swore fealty to the Desecrating Princess in return for power and to ensure their own survival. Others she simply enslaved with her power leaving a mere handful of us to stand against her. That's why I used the Keystone to search for help. We're in desperate need of heroes," Mateia continues as she turns back towards Masato.<br><br>"The Keystone lead me here for a reason," she says stepping towards Masato and placing a hand on his chest. When she does the Keystone pulses with a soft blue light in her hand. "Yes, I'm sure of it. You have a great power sleeping inside of you," Mateia says before opening her eyes again. "And I can awaken it with the Keystone. I know the situation seems hopeless, but I'm not asking you to fight an entire army by yourselves. The demon was defeated before, with only seven heroes. It can be done again."<br><br>"The door works both ways. As long as I have the Keystone I can return you home at anytime if it becomes too dangerous or you truly believe things to be hopeless. All I ask is that you try."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>06-04-2013, 19:02:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He listened attentively, though at some point, his eyes get this far off look; it wasn't so much that he had started spacing out, so much as it was he was deeply thinking about something, presumably her words, or whether he'd get in on it.<br><br>When she touches him, he looks down at her hand, then, the keystone. "Isn't that how all stories go?" He murmured, then, spoke louder. "Alright, I'm game.&nbsp; But unless there's something I missed, which is entirely possible, aren't I the only one here with any practical fighting experience?" They all knew he was the star of the Kendo team; for good reason, too. <br><br>But, Masato must admit to not really knowing his friends hobbies as well as he probably should. He was worried about them, and the concern shows through in his voice; as well as an odd sort of uneasiness. <br><br>He would step away from Mateia, and take a few more steps away from everyone else, as he pulled out his cellphone, and called his uncle up. "Hello, Mutatsu-san.&nbsp; Something's come up, and I'm going to be gone for a little while... worry? Well, maybe a little, but, not too much." He would say with a light laugh.&nbsp; "...Yes, I will take care of myself.&nbsp; I know." There was a length of quietness lasting several seconds, as the man on the other end of the line talked some more; but because Masato had pulled away from the others, it wasn't really possible for anybody to hear what the monk was saying. "I know. I will.&nbsp; &nbsp;Okay, goodbye." he hung up quietly, and slid the phone into his pocket. The Kendo student seemed pretty mellow throughout the exchange. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>08-04-2013, 21:10:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Elizabeth's attention shifted from the girl to the Keystone. By now she started to believe that Mateia's words were true, but this didn't change the fact that what she asked of them was pure madness. To her utter astonishment, Masato agreed to join in and even stepped away to call his uncle. Well..not giving any details to where he'll be going, for what purpose and exactly how long he'll stay might work for him, but in her case.. <em> No, wait, wait, am I really taking this into consideration?</em> Elizabeth continued that thought line and shook her head as if forcing herself out of a dream. <br><br>"This is madness!" she said out loud, managing to not raise her voice "No offense, Mateia-san, but even what you say it's true..no..precisely because <em>it is</em> true..you can't possibly expect us to come and fight a world-devouring demon. And I don't care how good you are at Kendo..." her gaze shifted to Masato "...or how brave the two of you have acted defeating a monster made of goo.." she then looked at Onbin and Fuyuko. "It goes without saying that we don't have any fighting experience or skills for that matter. Your Keystone is wrong, Mateia-san. We're no heroes. Not even by ..." she thought whether to say it or not, it might offend the strange girl "hu-man standards. Earth standards. I presume you're human too?"&nbsp; The subject somewhat deviated. <br><br>"In any case, if it's heroes you want, my father can provide a Special Assault Team and I assure you, they're better than any of us." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>09-04-2013, 08:36:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That may be so, but I have to believe in its power, Elizabeth," Mateia replies as she steps away from Masato and turns towards the other girl. "I also believe in your power. I don't know exactly what it is or how you can make a difference, but I can feel it," Mateia says, her tone solemn.<br><br>"I'm also human, yes. And if your father can hire mercenaries, that would certainly help. Although at the moment I have very little to offer in lieu of payment for their services. How long would it take to acquire this assault team?" Mateia asks as the sound of approaching sirens begin to be heard in the distance.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>09-04-2013, 14:33:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Onbin remained quiet for a time as he reflected on the things said, the one thing that hit home the most was Masato mentioning family. He was close to his family and never really did anything out of the norm, like disappearing for several weeks at a time with no warning. He would have to figure out a way to explain his absence if he was to go through with this... and that wouldn't be easy.<br><br>"Well Masato has his affairs in order but what of the rest of us, what will we tell our families? Hey mom and dad I'm going to go fight a war in another dimension I don't know when I'll be back if I come back." Letting that stew in the brain for a minute he then added, "I'm all for going and helping but, my family isn't just going to take any old excuse for my being gone. Any suggestions?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>10-04-2013, 03:34:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I have to concur with Onbin. I've been running this shop for a while now. How do I explain suddenly wanting to leave the shop to do other things?" '<em>And especially without coming off as shirking responsibility?</em>' She thought to herself. "And while I do agree that professionals would take care of it, what if they can't do it? That'd be a bunch of lost lives on our hands."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>10-04-2013, 12:25:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The blonde haired girl seemed to think about what her friends have said before giving Mateia an answer. If she had to come up with a suitable excuse for not attending school and for not coming home for the next days why not make one which could benefit all? The fact that she already agreed to join in was quickly dismissed by the realization that vacation was over. Suddenly going on a trip with everyone wasn’t a good excuse. And she needed a reason for hiring “mercenaries” as well. <br><br>The sound of the approaching sirens gave her an idea.&nbsp; She took out her cell phone again and texted her father.<br><span class="bbc_u">We have your daughter and her friends.&nbsp; Further details will be provided. Don’t involve the police.</span><br><br>She send it and looked at everyone.<br><br>“Okay, apparently we’ve just been kidnapped for ransom and the bad guys don’t want the police involved. It’s not like my father is going to let things into their hands either way so we’re going to get that “unofficial” team to wherever we are soon enough. Presuming we’re still going to be on Earth” she said looking at Mateia “I don’t believe there’s any signal where you come from. And that also gives us little time before my cell is going to be tracked. Dad’s going to know that whoever kidnapped us are amateurs. So I suggest we move before the police comes here and starts asking questions about the goo on the floor. Sorry guys,”&nbsp; she said looking at her friends " I've decided to join in. Whoever wants to come along should do it now with the risk of worrying your family crazy with the whole kidnapping thing...otherwise stay here and ..it was five or six masked men that did it, okay? For some reason they were dressed in gooey costumes." <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>10-04-2013, 12:39:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was content, for the time being, to play the role of silent observer. Though he did watch Elizabeth when she started fiddling with her phone, and listened to her as she spoke. "Well, you at least get points for creativity." He had no difficulty biting back the urge to correct her for her lying like that; he knew that if any of them got involved, it would require a degree of subterfuge on their part. In this case, he saw it as a very legitimate exception to the diamond-hard rules he lived by.<br><br>He knew his uncle wouldn't worry, at least. Worrying wasn't something the monk was really capable of; the way he believed in things made him essentially immune. He did worry, though, about how the parents of the others, if they chose to come along, would respond. Maybe it would be worth it, though; great deeds rarely get accomplished without sacrifice.<br><br>He just hated it had to come from those who had no say and no real part in it all. Incidentals always bothered him. As the train of thoughts continue to burn in his head, he'd speak again. "I suppose we ought to get the show on the road... but from what I understand, Elizabeth, we wouldn't be on Earth, right, Mateia? So your father's hired guns won't be reaching us. Even if they did, they'd be more interested in getting you back than in helping. That's how professionals operate; stick to the mission, follow standard operating procedure. "
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>11-04-2013, 09:15:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"No, we won't be on Earth... At least I don't think we will. Phone service definitely failed after the cataclysm," Mateia replies. "Which way is out?" Mateia asks glancing from one door to the other. The sound of the sirens seems to indicate that they're coming from towards the front of the shop.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>11-04-2013, 09:31:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Most likely not that way. There's a back exit to the shop however." Fuyuko explained. She then gave one last glance at her father with a sigh. "I'm sorry to do this to you, dad..." She said to him, before starting to take off out of the shop.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>11-04-2013, 14:28:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With Elizabeth's decision Onbin felt a little annoyed and voiced it, "Ah splendid. We're all kidnapped now. I think it would've been easier to tell them I was going to fight in war in another dimension. I think the worry would be less. It can't be avoided now I suppose." <br>One of the last to leave Onbin paused to see Fuyuko say goodbye to her father. Then as she turned to follow the rest out the door he offered a hand for comfort if she chose to take it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>13-04-2013, 09:00:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mateia quickly follows Fuyuko out the back entrance of the cake shop, glancing around warily as they exit into the small alley behind shop and make their way to the street. Outside, the sound of the sirens from the emergency vehicles is much louder. At the mouth of the alley Mateia pauses for a moment then nods to the left. "We need to go that way to reach the next portal," Mateia says.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>13-04-2013, 10:41:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Masato would tag along behind everybody else, bringing up the rear of the group. Occasionally, he found himself casting a glance backwards; he wasn't really expecting to see anything unusual, but he figured it couldn't hurt to keep on his guard. <br><br>He would be quiet as they traveled along, letting Mateia lead since she knew where they were going.&nbsp; His visage was firmly set in a look of stoicism that meant, to those who knew him, he was thinking quite heavily about one or more things; but whatever thoughts he's having, they're being kept to himself. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>14-04-2013, 23:48:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Elizabeth followed Fuyuko and Onbin, walking right in front of Masato. It was too late to change her mind now, but oddly enough, she didn’t even want to.&nbsp; As they turned another corner, she found herself looking at Mateia again, thinking that&nbsp; there wasn’t any other way to solve this except by following her.&nbsp; <br><br>“Wait a minute, Mateia-san…” she said realizing that while it was okay to get away from anyone who might ask them any questions which led to an inevitable visit to the therapist, it wasn’t alright to just go like this.&nbsp; “we’re not really going through any portal right now, are we? We didn’t even pack…what about weapons…money…maybe gold? I suppose there’s gold in your realm so we can trade some, right?” <br><br>Some people on the main street were looking at Mateia, but no more than usual. Cosplayers in Japan didn’t usually attract attention. The blonde girl hoped that no one she knew would see her.&nbsp; After all, a guy she knew bumped into her earlier on so who was to say it wasn’t going to happen again? She kept telling herself that this won’t take more than a couple of days, but considering what the girl just told them that seemed highly improbable. <br><br>“Are you sure there isn’t any other way you can settle things? Like…an exorcist. Masato, you live in a temple, tell her. They’re many ways to get rid of demons. “<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>16-04-2013, 10:45:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mateia wound her way through the streets, with wary watchful eyes. If her surroundings were alien to her, she gave no indication of it as she let the keystone guide her steps. When Elizabeth asks her to stop at the corner though, she pauses and turns towards her.<br><br>"Of course, I'm not thinking clearly," Mateia says with a sigh and a shake of her head, before she looks at Elizabeth again.<br><br>"Money no longer has any meaning," Mateia says with a shake of her head. "There are no more stores or shops of any sort. Everything we have right now has been scavenged from the ruins of the world below. If there is anything you wish to bring with you, talismans, weapons, armor or supplies it would be wise to gather those before we leave. Once we find the portal, I can wait there for your return... Assuming the portal is in a safe place. Are there any dangers I should be aware of here? I should have asked that much earlier."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>16-04-2013, 11:54:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Buddhist monks don't do exorcisms. That's Taoism, which I don't think there are too many Taoist sorcerers running around, and Shintoism; and while we might have a better chance of finding a Miko, I don't see that particularly working well." He was just the tiniest bit amused by Elizabeth's confusion. He couldn't really blame her, though; it was an esoteric subject.<br><br>"As for as stuff to take with us... I'm fine." he shrugged his shoulders. Their wasn't really all that much he could think he'd want to take with him. "Unless we need to worry about the basic necessities of food, water, toiletries... in which case, I know where we are, and we're near a vending hall. Might even wind up walking past it. Might not hurt to take a moment to pick some stuff up."<br><br>Japan loved there vending machines. Out of all the developed countries in the world, they had the most of them. There were even fairly common conglomerations of various vending machines in small buildings; and that was all it was. Opened and monitored 24/7/365, they'd have dozens of different vending machines. Booze, cigarettes, coffee, snacks, underwear, porn, toys... there's a vending machine for everything out there. Just a matter of looking. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>17-04-2013, 00:05:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em> Now’s the time to panick! </em> the blonde girl told herself, believing to be something similar to a wake up call. <em> No money, utilities, no signal…how would I keep up the kindapping story? </em> <br>She listened to Masato. Pragmatic as always, he quickly thought of a way to get what they needed. Clothes, shoes, toiletries. That is what she instantly thought of, disregarding the food and water part. It’s not like anyone would allow her to starve. <br><br>“If it’s money you need, I got it covered” she said without sounding conceited. “The only issue remains with our families. There’s got to be a way to contact them, isn’t there any magical device that…” she stopped mid-sentence, quickly thinking of something else.<br><br>&nbsp;“What if time flows differently here then in your realm. Have you ever been here before? What’s the time difference? Doesn’t something like ‘ I ended up going away for just five minutes when I thought I was away for five days’ happen usually?”&nbsp; She asked Mateia hopeful as they arrived near the vending hall. Elizabeth bought a backpack first and quickly thought of clothes and shoes, something more sporty than what she wore. It was hard to decide what had priority. A comb and a pocket mirror she already had in her bag, it was something she carried everywhere along with makeup. What kind of food should they take? What about rope, blankets, flashlights? She made a mental list and waited for the others to get what they wanted before going through it out loud. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>17-04-2013, 02:49:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fuyuko listened to everyone talk on the way to the vending hall, looking around the place to make sure noone was around that would recognize them. Being recognized was something that would be fairly easy to do given Onbin and Elizabeth's status, and her own ease of being spotted. Once they reached the vending machines, Fuyuko simply used a good portion of the money she had on her own set of supplies. Namely food and ingredients; if you can make something yourself, it would last longer, she thought to herself. She also got her own bag.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>18-04-2013, 09:03:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I've never been here before, no," Mateia replies as she glances curiously around at the various vending machines. "I certainly hope time doesn't flow differently between our worlds. If that's the case it could be as much trouble for me as for you," Mateia continues as she bites at her bottom lip for a moment, then she shakes her head.<br><br>"I will go through first and then return. That should tell us if there is any difference in the time streams. I've never seen so many vending machines in one place before," Mateia says as she presses her hand against the glass of a shoe machine.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>18-04-2013, 09:35:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As usual, once he no longer had anything relevant to say, he'd become quiet. That was just the way he was; especially when he was still thinking things over. He knew his guardian wouldn't be too concerned; the man was always the calm in the storm, a tendency that Masato himself has picked up along the way. <br><br>He had no compunctions about taking Elizabeth up on her offer. He always had some pocket change around, but generally speaking, he was always just-barely-not-broke.&nbsp; He'd also get a backpack, and pointed out things that would be light, calorically dense, and that could easily eaten on the go; so mostly, dried fruits, jerky, trail mix, meal bars, but also umai-bo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umaib%C5%8D); because let's face it, even the stoic likes sweet treats every now and again. Bottled water actually seemed like a no-brainer, too; who knew what the water was like on the other side?&nbsp; He was wary of contracting what American's called <em>The Curse of Montezuma.</em> <br><br>Pocket packets of tissues was another thing he seemed to care quite a bit about.&nbsp; Handy little things; they could be used to start fires, as toilet paper, as a way to clean ones self up, and possibly a dozen other uses he'll figure out along the way. <br><br>"I'd imagine that time flows the same. Time, to me, seems like one of those things that should be constant in all universes... unless we want to go into advanced theoretical sciences." He shrugged his shoulder, and look at Elizabeth in a particularly stern manner. "No matter what, we're likely to be gone a long time; whether that's merely from our perspective or from this worlds perspective. And going back and forth to let our families know we're alright, or to continue the ruse, isn't going to be all that feasible, from what little I can guess at."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>18-04-2013, 16:20:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Onbin looked around as they entered the vending hall, there was a small little office down on one end for an attendant on the off chance a machine bugged out. There were also security cameras, llikely monitored by the attendant. As everyone gathered thier things Onbin waited quietly. He'd done his share of camping and hiking and knew all the things that should be taken most of which was here of course but before he started grabbing things he thought to ask a question.<br><br>"So this grand that we can obtain all our needed supplies here but if we are 'kidnapped' how would you explain the video of us casually purchasing items from the machines? Obvious the things we are getting suggest we'll be away from civilization for a time but hostage takers are rarely so curteous."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>20-04-2013, 08:25:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mateia waits patiently, following behind Elizabeth as she collects various things from the vending machines. When Onbin asks about the security cameras, she glances up and looks around at them herself. However, it's not really a question she has an answer to as she's not actively involved in the subterfuge.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>20-04-2013, 17:33:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				One by one, Elizabeth bought the stuff Masato pointed to, happy that he was around to pick the most practical things for her as well. Then he looked at her in that serious way of his and she felt the famed butterflies invading her stomach. She smiled, narrowing her eyes, but said nothing. He was right. <br><br>&nbsp;Her attention was drawn from his eyes to Onbin who pointed out the fact that there were cameras all over the place. Every angle from the vending hall was being monitored. Elizabeth froze in place. Her parents rarely admonished her for something, even when she had her “rebel period” they have been understanding. But not coming back home for a long time and staging her own kidnapping was an extreme action with extreme repercussions. She wasn’t sure she wanted to take part in saving the world (well, Mateia’s world) anymore. <br><br>“Maybe I did rush a bit into things..” she said sweetly, referring to the message she texted to her father.&nbsp; “I can text back, saying one of you made a prank” she winked at Onbin “and that everything’s alright, but I’ll need a team of armed men and another vacation at the beginning of the school year.”<br><br>She was joking, masking her trembling voice with a smile. <br><br>“What’s the penalty for alerting the authorities without good reason?” She asked her friends, gripping her backpack. “And more important, can it be changed with paying a fee?” <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>22-04-2013, 14:55:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Fraudulent reporting of crimes and or statements can lead to jail time and a fine, depending on the severity of the statement." Replied Onbin to Beth's question, looking around and surveying the area again he had a thought, most of them would disagree and probably at the very least yell at him for it. As it would involve injuring someone. <br><br>"Mateia, these powers we're supposed to have do they alter our appearance like it does yours? I have a plan but no one will like it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>22-04-2013, 19:26:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"She might be able to mitigate the penalties somewhat, since she's younger. The problem we need to consider is the fact that all of us are likely to be charged with conspiring to commit a crime." He shrugged his shoulders, and also looked towards Mateia.<br><br>"Want to compare plans, Onbin? Personally, I was thinking of borrowing her sword, and using it to break into the area where the video tapes are stored. I didn't see any attendants on hand, so if I can break in, and destroy the tapes... no evidence we're here. We could also hope that the tapes just aren't viewed. Some times, that happens." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>22-04-2013, 19:38:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Well it seems Masato does have an evil bone in his body after, who woulda thought after all those years in the temple.<br><br>"Well ya something like that." Said Onbin, "Though was figuring on changing our appearance so if there is a teller that we have to subdue they won't recognize us. Plus if we're gonna wreck the tapes we shoudl wreck the whole place in order to get it passed off as a vandalism instead just someone trying to hide... Wait everyone used cash to buy their stuff right. Plastics can trace us here too." Needless to say Onbin started flexing his hand a little bit, a tic that would indicate his anger to any who knew.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>23-04-2013, 11:41:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Two wrongs don't make a right," Mateia says, speaking up as she looks from Onbin to Masato. "Won't you be in even more trouble if you cause property damage here and get caught doing it? What's done is done, but needless destruction simply for the sake of protecting a lie? I can't allow that," Mateia continues before turning towards Elizabeth.<br><br>"This is because of me, so I will take responsibility for any repercussions. I was the one who pulled the prank and dragged you all into this mess. When this is over I will accept the punishment, whatever that entails. So let's not make it any worse," Mateia says as she turns back towards the others. "If you have what you need, we should get going."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>27-04-2013, 01:13:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She didn't particulary like what she heard, but there wasn't any going back now. They were ready to go, everything seemed packed and what they couldn't take, they would certainly find in Mateia's world. Hopefully. <br><br>"Alright, you lead the way, Mateia." What started as a quiet, lovely afternoon with cake and tea, ended up on a whole different level. Elizabeth couldn't possibly imagine that things will become even more intense than this. For her, this was the epitome of every little rebellious thing she ever did and it didn't feel pleasant. Fighting the bitter taste of fear with excitement, the blonde girl decided to stick to her friends as they were heading for the only passage to Mateia's realm, a portal according to her words. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>03-05-2013, 08:08:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<span style="font-size: 14pt;" class="bbc_size"><span class="bbc_u"><strong>Chapter 02: Sanctuary</strong></span></span><br><br><strong>Seijo Park<br>Saisei, Japan</strong><br><em>3:30pm Tuesday Afternoon</em><br><br>"Here," Mateia announces as she stops on the street and looks towards a familiar children's park. Mateia quickly starts across the grass toward a large wooden play structure, built to resemble a fort or castle with slides, platforms, ropes and climbing structures around it. She passes by a small merry-go-round, a swing set and a series of monkey bars as she stares up at the tallest slide, which protrudes from a tall wooden turret, accessible by navigating the interior platforms of the play structure. It's a little small, for teenagers, but Mateia doesn't hesitate to duck inside and begin making her way up to the top.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>03-05-2013, 13:36:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Elizabeth quickly follows her, ducking and crouching so she fits through just as the girl before her did seconds ago. Thinking about how they'd all fit inside the playground building reminded her of clown cars at the circus.<br><br>"Nifty choice for a portal, did you make it yourself?" she asked Mateia amused, assuming the girl had to say some magic words or do something special in order to activate it. Otherwise any kid playing around would simply end up in Alithrone.<br><br>"Come on, Masato, don't be shy, there's room enough for both of us" she said and winked, starting what would turn out to be a constant row of teasing and innuendo. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>03-05-2013, 14:36:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He just smiled politely at Onbin, and kept his thoughts to himself when it came to discussing his idea about fully vandalizing the store. It might be seen in a condescending way, though he didn't really intend it as such; Masato tries to avoid antagonism like it's a plague that'll kill you, slowly and painfully.<br><br>***<br><br>He would follow along behind the others, bringing up the rear of the group; and, as always, keeping an eye on their surroundings. In the end, though, he doesn't seem particularly paranoid or anything; the average person seeing him would probably just think he was lost or something. <br><br>When he sees the play castle, he is torn between two conflicting thoughts. On the one hand, hiding in plain sight is a remarkably effective tactic. On the other hand, he is starting to..., no, this couldn't really be some sort of trick. There's no way to explain the shadow monster. <br><br>"I know." He responds quietly to Elizabeth, showing what would seem to be ignorance of the innuendo. In truth, he just didn't want to acknowledge it; perhaps Mutatsu has drilled too much into his head the importance of celibacy and avoiding the temptations of the flesh, as any genuine monk does take a vow of celibacy. Maybe she wasn't his type. Most likely, though, it was something else. <br><br>He would step in, his wiry form making it pretty easy, despite the fact the place was obviously meant for kids a full foot shorter than them, and settle in a spot next to Elizabeth. His attention, however, remains mostly fixated on Mateia, curious about what would happen next.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>03-05-2013, 22:20:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I haven't been here in some time," Fuyuko said as she looked on at the play structure. She then giggled a little, failing to hold back how giddy having to climb a play structure to enter Alithrone made her. Without hesitation herself, she followed after Masato in climbing the play structure up towards the slide. Being a bit short, she only had some minor trouble navigating the turret.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>06-05-2013, 09:40:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				In the small room atop the structure, Mateia pauses near the opening, kneeling as she holds out the Keystone towards the doorway. Closing her eyes Mateia concentrates and a soft blue glow suffuses her body and the stone. A moment later, the air in the doorway wavers and shimmers with the same blue glow.<br><br>"There, the portal is open. It should open somewhere safe, but I'm not sure exactly what we'll find on the other side," Mateia says as the glow around her fades and she looks towards the four friends.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>06-05-2013, 14:18:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Onbin found an irony in the fact that the portal was in a fortress, well a playground fortress anyway. Perhaps it was the innocence of children that maintained its security...<br><br>Onbin never played on playgrounds the proper way so when everyone else took the stairs he vaulted up the front of the slide, granted he slipped a couple times but he got there much faster than the others trying to squeeze through the small staircase. Mateia knelt and made the stone glow and a doorway shimmered, the portal was open now.<br>"Well uhm we're kinda short on tools to arm ourselves with if the other side is bad. Any suggestions? Other than you going first and making sure it's clear since you have the weapons, or pass them over to me and Masato and we'll clear it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>08-05-2013, 11:11:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I can go first, the portal should remain open until I close it again from the other side," Mateia says without hesitation. She then grips her weapons drawing her gun and checking to make sure it's loaded properly before she starts forward in a crouch and moves through the portal, vanishing a moment later in a cloud of pale blue sparkles.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>08-05-2013, 12:08:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fuyuko blinked as she watched Mateia simply vanish inside the portal. She took a tentative few steps, before looking back at the others. "Ah, looks like I'll be going next." In spite of her earlier glee, she was now slightly nervous. Regardless though, she went backwards a few steps before, without think ran up, going inside the portal.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>08-05-2013, 14:02:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"No wait!..." Onbin had mistaken Fuyuko's hesitation for waiting for someone else to go, well he was wrong. Not wanting Fuyuko to be in a strange place unarmed and unguarded Onbin quickly followed, after a swear or two of course.<br><br>The portal shimmered all around him as he entered like it was made of water but there was no wetness to it, but it did feel a touch cold. everything was bright and shining you couldn't see anything. As he stepped out teh other side and in a hushed tone since he didn't know what he would find, "Fuyuko you really should wait for a clear sign before jumping in like that..." Now his eyes had adjusted and he got a chance to look around him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>08-05-2013, 14:08:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ladies first apparently" said Elizabeth taking into account Onbin's offer for protection, but having more confidence in the current weapon wielder which was Mateia. She went through the portal without hesitation, expecting a tunnel, some flickering lights, maybe even a spiral and nausea at the end of the trip.<br><br>When they finally reached destination, Elizabeth widened her eyes at the sight before them.<br><br>"So this is your homeland" she said to the girl and quickly checked if her body was still complete. She heard of cases when one might lose a limb or two while travelling through time or between worlds, only in fiction of course.<br><br>The blonde girl looked around to check that everyone was there and winked at Masato, expecting to find him at least a bit astonished as she was or not showing any particular emotion at all.<br><br>"So is this like a second vacation, or what?" she asked everyone, clearly excited by the whole thing.<br><br>&nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>08-05-2013, 15:42:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Why bother breaking his stride? So far, he's been quietly bringing up the back the whole way, and so, while he felt like he should have been the second one to go in, right After Mateia--being that he is the only one from their world trained as a warrior-- he ends up being the last one through.<br><br>He catches Elizabeth's wink, and just gives her a sort of polite smile.&nbsp; He takes a gander round their surroundings, but whereas the others might be more taken in by the vista itself, he was making sure that they were some place safe; he was watching for threats. <br><br>He'd give Elizabeth a 'look' when she mentions this being like a vacation.&nbsp; It's a sort of narrowing of the eyes and a twitching of the lips, as if he might grimace or snarl, but instead, chose to say and do nothing.&nbsp; It felt like more than a poor choice of words on her part; he felt like she wasn't taking this seriously. But then again, he kind of expected that only he and Mateia would. <br><br>At the same time, though, he did take note of the scenery. Just because he was looking for one thing, didn't mean he'd ignore the other. Contrary to popular belief, he could enjoy the beautiful art that ran rampant through nature; but if it moved him, he just kept it to himself, which was par for the course. "So, from here, where do we go? What's the plan?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>09-05-2013, 09:57:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The other side of the portal seems to be the entrance to a cave. A stream of clear water flows down the center of the cave, crashing over a cliff to become waterfall that ends in a large pool of water below. Another stream flows from that pool and disappears over another edge although the only thing that the party can see beyond that edge is hazy orange sky. Grass surrounds the pool in a small clearing that then gives way to what appears to be jungle foliage.<br><br>Mateia is standing near the edge of the waterfall, her gun lowered while her gaze scans the sky and forest as she waits for the others to cross over. Once Masato appears, the shimmer in the air of the portal fades away. "I think we're in the right place, but I'm not sure. Before we go any further, I should awaken the powers that sleep within you so you can protect yourselves," Mateia says as she reholsters her revolver and steps towards Fuyuko, the first to have entered the portal.<br><br>"I've never tried to do this before, so my apologies if there's any discomfort," Mateia says as she takes the keystone and steps forward to press it against Fuyuko's chest, over her heart. "This should only take a moment."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>09-05-2013, 10:06:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fuyuko stood there as Mateia approached her, and then felt the keystone against her chest. "...?" Fuyuko made a small noise, trying to bring out a question to address Mateia with, but then she felt a warm sensation wash over her. "What's... going...?" She tried to ask, but then a soft light engulfed her body. Before long, she felt her clothes shift on her body, becoming something different altogether.<br><br>As soon as the light faded, she looked over at herself. She appeared to be wearing a dress of some sort, though not one that someone would wear to a ball. Oddly, it looked to be an outfit more suited for combat. She then felt two additional objects on her person. Her hands roamed to feel them out; a pole of some sort was attached to her back, and at the back of her belt was holstered some sort of shotgun. Slowly, she then turned around to face the others.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>10-05-2013, 08:41:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mateia steps back to regard Fuyuko for a moment with a smile, then she moves over to Onbin. She touches the keystone to his chest and closes her eyes in concentration once more as she calls upon the artifact's power to unlock Onbin's potential. She repeats this in turn with Elizabeth and then Masato, before she steps a little unsteadily and then leans against the cavern wall, sweat beading her brow and looking a little pale as she tries to catch her breath.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>10-05-2013, 13:51:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Onbin Still bewildered by the changes in Fuyuko jumped slightly when Mateia touched him. Then as the crystal glowed he felt as if he couldn't breathe for a moment, like the air had been sucked out of him. Then his entire body started to tingle, every hair he ever thought he might have stood up. His clothes changed weight and sagged. Looking down he saw his shirt turned to an overlarge vest with equally large pockets and his pants had down the same. A leather belt held up the tent sized pants, even the boots seemed a bit loose. But what really threw him was the condition of his skin. He no longer had hair, anywhere, in it's place were large plates under the skin, as he felt his face and back they were everywhere... needless to say he was a little shocked. But he began to wonder as he looked at the others where his weapon might be he didn't feel it on his back like Fuyuko's nor was it on his side like Mateia or Masato. Looking down at his pants and the large pockets he randomly shoved in his hand and grasped a rod pulling it out it seemed to be attached to two other ones. With a flick of his hand the rods snapped together creating a staff, onlythen did he also notice there was a wrench head on one end of it...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>10-05-2013, 15:33:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				One by one, he watched the others get changed.&nbsp; His own change, and exploration of it seemed to be pretty downplayed; but then again, that suited him, that fitted him.&nbsp; His new clothing made him reminiscent of some sort of historical samurai of high birth. The hakama on him were baggy, but well-fitted;&nbsp; the shirt, likewise, fit him well. He had black tabi socks on his sandal-covered feet.&nbsp; There was a sedge hat on his head, which did a lot to obscure him, and his now bald head; especially in&nbsp; combination with the cloth cloak, the Horo, he now wore.&nbsp; <br><br>Furthermore, at his left side, he now had two swords in sheathes, kept tied to his body by a belt made of leather. One of them, the wakizashi, was distinctly shorter than the other one.&nbsp; He drew out the wakizashi, to look over the silvered blade, and&nbsp; threw it spinning up into the air. He caught it easily enough, and slid it back into its sheathe. <br><br>The Horo was just long enough to just barely touch the ground behind him. As he walked towards Mateia, seeing that she seemed to have put a strain on herself, one might note that the way the cloak trails along the ground, it might just obscure his tracks. "Are you alright? Where are we?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>12-05-2013, 23:34:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Elizabeth’s transformation was just as remarkable. She found herself surrounded by a warm glow that started from the heart and while her hair and eyes changed colors one after the other, until everyone’s preference was determined, her clothes changed as well.&nbsp; From white, the color of her dress turned to black and the fabrics changed to velvet. A matching collar adorned her slender neck and from her belt a metal fan hanged on one side and a leather cat’o nine tails on the other. <br><br>She approached Onbin and touched his now bald head as if to make sure it really happened. It was in a comical, teasing manner. While Masato went to help Mateia, she noticed that his transformation was more akin to what she imagined him to be in the first place. It suited him so well. While Fuyuko’s had been astounding. She never imagined the kind hearted girl who loved to bake looking so good as a warrior and so much…herself.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>"Oh, now you're really have a go with the ladies!" she said to Onbin, surprised how her own voice sounded. It was seductive and flirty. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>13-05-2013, 14:25:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Watching everyone's transformation was bewildering to day the least. Masato seemed the most... 'aligned' with his changes. He could've seriously seen the guy walk around in those clothes in the normal world much less this one.<br>Elizabeth's poke on his head brought him out of his thoughts, "Hey! What're you pokin me for?" Her next comment about having a go at the ladies was an obvious ribbing. "Ha, yaa I'm sure scales are all the rage here." As he looked at himself once more. <br><br>Of course had it been anyone else when Onbin looked at her he would've been enthralled. Elizabeth's appearance was every single physical feature that was what he considered his weakness. But, since he knew the person behind the appearance it was not so hard a thing to dismiss, granted it was still difficult to turn away from her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>14-05-2013, 11:21:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I am alright," Mateia replies as she catches her breath. "I have just used a lot energy today," she continues as she straightens and lifts her eyes to meet Masato's gaze with a faint smile. "We should be in Sanctuary. One of the floating remnants of my world where a group of survivors have gathered."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>17-05-2013, 18:35:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was not entirely surprised by Elizabeth's transformation. Though he'd never say it, he found it somehow... fitting. Neither of his other two friends made as much sense, though; but perhaps he simply didn't know them as well as he thought he did.<br><br>When Mateia seemed fine, he'd cast a glance back towards the others, then shrug his shoulders. "We should get going then, meet the survivors.&nbsp; Which way do we go? I'll take lead, if you'd like." The first sentence was to everyone; the last was to Mateia. She had just exhausted herself, meanwhile, Masato was still full of vim and vigor, and perhaps a bit eager to try out his new weapons... but such eagerness, like most things when it came to the odd student, was obfuscated by the neutral face he portrayed to the world. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>21-05-2013, 09:12:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mateia nods in agreement, then moves toward the entrance of the cavern. After a careful investigation, she finds a small path that winds its way around the outcropping and down to the riverbank. Once there, she lets Masato take the lead, guiding him with her directions towards where she believes the settlement should be. There's no specific path once you enter the forest, but Mateia seems confident in the direction nonetheless. After about fifteen minutes of walking, Masato spots a break in the trees and a group of somewhat ramshackle buildings ahead.<br><br>"Let me go ahead first so I can explain," Mateia says, moving up to Masato's right as she spots the same thing and glances up at him. "They don't know you and I don't want any misunderstandings."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>21-05-2013, 13:55:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				What she wanted more than anything in that moment, was to stay close to the object of her desire- namely Masato who boldly 'took the reigns' and went ahead of the group following Mateia's guidance. Naturally she'd follow, keeping close to him while at the same time making sure Fuyuko and Onbin stood close. Elizabeth felt light and euphoric, as if she was floating. To the others it seemed she actually did, so graceful was her walk. She liked to hear the sounds of the forest,to feel the wind grazing her cheeks, to discover this new realm. <br><br>Taking advantage of Mateia's suggestion, the blonde girl stopped just a step behind Masato as he did. Leaning forth she softly whispered next to his ear:<br><br>"I think I should introduce you first, your demeneaor might frighten the poor refugees."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>23-05-2013, 09:39:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Seeing that there's no protest, Mateia moves towards the edge of the forest by herself. "Hello? I'm back," Mateia calls out.<br><br>“Mateia, you’re alive!” a voice calls out, accompanied by whoops and hollers.<br><br>“Mateia?” A rough voice calls out as Mateia continues forward. Several people appear from out of the buildings, but the most noticeable is a massive eight foot tall lizard man covered in blue-black scales. He rushes forward and scoops up Mateia in a crushing embrace. She squeeks and then wraps her arms around his thick neck, or tries to anyway since her arms don’t quite reach all the way around.<br><br>“Ikasku, you made it! I was so worried,” Mateia replies as she hugs him.<br><br>“I was worried about you. I wasn’t able to stop that gellion from following you,” the lizard man rumbles as he gently sets the girl on her feet again. Behind Ikasku several others approach. There is a short, stout man with a bronze complexion and wild auburn hair streaked with grey.&nbsp; He’s wearing coveralls and there’s a large bazooka like cannon slung over one shoulder. To his right there’s a younger, much taller man with broad shoulders and short blonde hair. He’s holding what appears to be a shotgun, with a large hammer strapped to his back. Next to them is a young woman with large pointed ears, bright green eyes and pale lavender colored hair. She’s wearing a bandolier of small glass vials filled with various liquids, a pale green vest, white blouse and dark jeans. She also appears to have a furry lavender colored tail.<br><br>Then there’s a tremendous flapping sound that kicks up dust and a huge owl with purple feathers glides out of the sky and settles itself nearby, regarding Mateia and the others with large, intelligent amber eyes.<br><br>“Everyone,” Mateia says. “I was successful, I found people from another world who are going to help us,” Mateia continues as she steps away from Ikasku and gestures towards the forest.<br><br>“Masato, please bring the others forward so you can meet my friends,” Mateia says with a smile as the strangers from the village turn their attention towards the forest with curiousity.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheHangedOne</strong> on <strong>23-05-2013, 11:28:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The entire time they walked, one may note his hand rested on the grip of the sheathed katana; he was ready to draw it at a moments notice, and made no efforts to hide that fact.&nbsp; Even once they were to the point where Mateia told them to stop, his hand remained firmly there. <br><br>When Elizabeth talks to him, he'd turn to regard her, but shrug his shoulders. "It's okay, I can handle it." Some might question if he was dense or something. In truth, he was just... well, odd. And in this case, as in many others, he felt like he should do the work, even if it was trivial, even though some people may not consider it work.<br><br>When&nbsp; Mateia finally commands them to step forward, he would lead his three friends into the village. His hand would finally leave its position near his weapons.&nbsp; His hand would rise and wave, as his eyes traveled around; well, given the giant lizard-man, he now felt less uncomfortable about how his new appearance made him stand out. <br><br>"Hello, everyone. I'm Ishimaru Masato." He kept it short, and simple.&nbsp; Then, one by one, he would introduce his other friends; starting with Elizabeth, then Onbin, then&nbsp; Fuyuko. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>23-05-2013, 14:14:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Quietly observing while they travelled Onbin took&nbsp; no notice of conversation until they met the company of freedom fighters Matiea was allied with.<br><br>As Masato introduced everyone Onbin carefully watched thier new companions, but he was also aware of when Masato called his name for he decided to make a show it and with a spinning flourish of his staff bringing it around behind him he bowed at the waist. All the while thinking if this all went south the biggest threat was the lizardman based on the assumtion of how much damage he could give, and take. Of course the giant owl was an enigma in itself...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>25-05-2013, 12:50:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Clearly she had nothing to worry about Masato making the wrong impression...one by one, the creatures which came to greet them were looked upon with curiosity, interest and awe by Elizabeth who simply nodded when Masato introduced her.<br><br>She didn't know if a handshake or a wave of the hand was good enough...perhaps in this realm such gestures held different meanings and she didn't want to insult anyone, especially a big lizardman or the beautiful elf.<br><br>For no reason whatsoever she gazed longer at the auburn haired little man, it reminded her of a fairy tale character, though she couldn't place her finger on which one. As if the others didn't look as surreal to begin with.<br><br>"It's nice to meet you all" she said finally.&nbsp; &nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Reivenn</strong> on <strong>29-05-2013, 09:54:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The giant lizard man focuses most of his attention on Masato when he appears, moving slightly in front of the others and eyeing the young warrior with wariness. Onbin's flourish earns him a few stares. However, when Elizabeth appears she seems to draw the attention of the others as if a spotlight were shined upon her. Mateia breaks the spell by stepping forward and speaking up when Masato finishes his introductions.<br><br>"This is Ikasku, a capable warrior and often my protector in the last few days," she says gesturing to the large lizard warrior, who bobs his head slightly in acknowledgment as he eyes everyone. "Klein is our machinist," she says gesturing to the small auburn haired man. "And Wexler is his assistant," she says as she nods towards the blonde haired young man, who takes a bow.<br><br>"Pleasure to meet you all," Wexler says.<br><br>"Araya is an alchemist and she's been doing her best to treat our injuries," Mateia says as she nods towards the woman with lavender hair. Araya nods her in greeting, offering everyone a smile.<br><br>"And last, but not least is Hurin," she says gesturing to the great purple owl. "He acts as our eyes out in the world." The avian narrows his eyes as he regards the new arrivals, then straightens and fluffs out his feathers.<br><br>"Well. And where did you find these ones?" Hurin asks in a deep, melodious voice.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>29-05-2013, 14:15:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Onbin tried to hide his surprise at the talking owl but he doubted he was very successful. Klein and Wexler he thought would become fast friends. Ikasku however, seemed every bit a warrior and unlikely to trust anything mechanical. It would take much more to gain his trust.<br>As far as Araya goes, well it's always good to be friendly with a medic he'd have to put some extra effort in on that.<br><br>Ok time to make this meeting more jovial, "Oh, she found us under a rock behind the waterfall. Good thing to my tools were starting to rust." Onbin said in response to Hurin's question.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephiriel</strong> on <strong>30-05-2013, 07:18:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As response to Onbin's joke Elizabeth laughed softly, drawing everyone's attention once again, though this time there was no spell involved. She took her bagpack from the ground and with a jovial smile suggested they should come up with a plan if there wasn't already one involved.<br><br>"I'm not very sure what you're up against" she said looking at each of Mateia's companions in turn "but from where we are - which is Earth - things are a little bit different when it comes to conflicts. For once, we don't have gooey monsters. Well, not real ones at least and if you do happen to die while fighting one of them you start all over again."<br><br>Her answer might have been confusing for the lot, especially if none of them was familiar to human videogames. And while Elizabeth still didn't think this was a real life and death matter, not even after meeting these creatures, she doubted resurrection was possible in Alithrone.<br><br>"I gather there isn't one of you who can wield magic? There's always gotta be a magic wielder in the quest."<br>&nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Fate-Fractal Sky] Fractal Sky (Main Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>selfexiled</strong> on <strong>30-05-2013, 15:22:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Onbin had to give Elizabeth credit for trying but, with palm to his face he shakes his head, "Beth this isn't D&amp;D. Don't confuse the people. Besides, everyone knows you don't start over as yourself you come back as a bug or something..." Religion was not Onbin's strong suit But there was one that toughted reicarnation. "Beyond that, let's talk plans while we eat. Who's hungry and where's lunch? I don't really want premade right now." As he rifled through his own backpack which seemed to have changed to a large burlap sack.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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