2521/The Demon in the Music

The Demon in the Music
Date of Scene:	27 February 2017
Location:	Uminari City - Juuban Avenue - South
Synopsis:	Miku handling A concert Backstage, Yuuki Performing with the Cello, Kukai in Norie's body in Attendance! What could possibly go wrong?!
Cast of Characters:	Miku Kohinata, Kukai Souma, Yuuki Oshiro

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Miku Kohinata has posed:
Verone is known for hosting much of the early spring and mid-summer concert competitions. Here, students from all across Tokyo come to try their hand at the school's prestigious music hall, vying to prove who's the most dedicated to their craft. For some students, music is literally life; they eat, breathe, and sleep music to the point that all other hobbies melt away. Some of the greatest students spend six hours a day practicing their craft, on top of their schoolwork!

Today's gruelling competition was for the cello; a classical instrument prone to great emotional ranges via its deep and thrumming notes.

Although Miku Kohinata is no cellist, and neither a terrible fan of the cello, she is a prominent member of the Verone Academy's music program, and she volunteers her time during concerts like these, helping to keep the back-stage organized so that each student gets to their mark on time.

"Oshiro-san?" she calls, poking her nose into the waiting room where Yuuki is set to go on stage. "You're up next. Akaniba-san should be through in two minutes. I'll escort you to the stage waiting area."

Even though she isn't performing, Miku has still dressed for the occasion, in a pretty black spaghetti-strapped dress with a red bow around her waist, and a matching one tied around her neck. her green hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail, to keep it out of the way. The elegance of her outfit is ruined by a pair of clunky headphones she's wearing on her ears, attached to a box that's affixed to the back of her red belt. She has a clipboard in her arms, probably with the list of students and their order of performance.

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai-N was... not exactly one of the most musically minded people in the world. In fact music was something he had always taken for granted, despite having the decent rhythm that comes from long periods of dribbling basketballs and soccer balls and doing other repetitive sports acts. But music was that thing that was in the background. He had a few CDs but nothing he listened to too much.

So when Kukai-N had found the marker for the concert competition on Norie's calendar circled and noted she'd sort of stared at it. It sounded dull and uninteresting, but then most things were. But if it was something Norie would have gone to, then Kukai-N reasoned she had to go, if for no other reason than to not blow her cover to the rest of everyone.

So, she'd picked out a severe looking blouse and ankle-length skirt, and had made her way into the audience seating, staying in the dark to listen. So far... well, it wasn't moving her soul, because she didn't have one. Wait. That was a thought for some other time. But in any case the music was... all right, she supposed. It wasn't making her crazy, and she could for the moment not think about her stomach.

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
"What the heck was I thinking! I shouldn't be here! I should be out there. That Logia is out there and its hurting people! I shouldn't be in here! You understand right?!" Yuuki is just freaking out a little bit. She has hidden herself away in the girls bathroom and locked the door for the time being. Those that hear her would believe she's alone and they are right, technically. The only thing in there is what is on her wrist. That thing is her own device... Shining Star.

< Your life can not be only the magical world. You have your other life too. You need to do this. If not for you, do it for your father, Yuuki-chan. > Those words cut like a knife to Yuuki. Her father loved to hear her play. She loved to play for him. The idea that he was watching even now just messed with her so much. Quietly she unlocked the door. It was too late to back out.

Quietly she steps out just in time to be informed by Miku that she was next up to perform. Quietly the young girl grabs her cello and moves over beside the older girl. its clear she's nervous. She's shaking, palms sweaty. its practically dripping off her bow and she's not even entered the spotlight yet.

Quietly she looks up at Miku, "I'm sorry, could you hold this a moment?" She asks as she hands over her cello and bow. Quickly she rushes over to her case and pulls out a picture. Quietly she whispers, "I'm going to do this Daddy. Please listen. Wherever you are." She's trying hardest not to cry at all.

Miku Kohinata has posed:
Miku looks ... sympathetic? Considerate, at least, as she accepts the bow and cello from the younger girl. A murmur in her ear, though, prompts a frown of disapproval. "Oshiro-san," she reiterates, "we need to go. Your call is in thirty seconds. Come on!"

Miku reaches out to gently, very gently, grasp the girl by the wrist, carefully holding the bow and cello in her other hand. "I know you're scared, but look, this isyour first year in this competition. No one is expecting you to ace the competition. Just go out there and do your best. Everyone will cheer for you. Everyone wants to see you do well. No one will judge you poorly for a few first-time jitters."

All the while, Miku is leading her towards the stage area. The doors open just in time for Miku to guide her into the wings, where it's nearly pitch black. But there's a view of the brightly lit stage, from this side; a view of the audience, which isn't packed, but neither is it empty.

Just then, the previous girl walks up towards Miku and Yuuki, a sneer on her face. It's a girl Yuuki knows; someone from her own school who's been practicing cello nearly twice as long. "Beat that, Yuuuuuki-chan," she says, drawing out Yuuki's name in a mean-spirited way.

Miku rolls her eyes and offers the bow and cello to Yuuki, then turns to the other girl--Hotaru Akaniba--and murmurs, "Taunting and goading are not permitted in this competition. Do it again and I will have you disqualified," she threatens.

Akaniba's eyes widen, and she yelps, hastily adding, "Ganbatte, Oshiro-san!" as she rushes off the stage with her instrument.

"Up next," calls the announcer, and Miku's turning back to Yuuki, "Oshiro Yuuki, from Seishou MIddle School."

"That's you," Miku says, giving Yuuki a little nudge towards the stage. "Ganbatte."

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
Yuuki Oshiro takes a deep breath and hurries back to get her cello and bow. Her heart is racing. As Miku encourages her, She looks up and smiles weakly. Her eyes are glassy. Then one of the girls from her school sees her and teases. She shakes her head and just keeps going. She's got more important things on her mind. The fact that she's about to step into the spotlight for the first time in what feels like an eternity is definitely the big one. She's spent the past month practicing the song she's intending to play. She probably would never have tried if not for her mother entering her into the contest.

Quietly The girl takes center stage. She is dressed in a violet gown. Its more of an evening style outfit, designed to allow her to actually play. With a smile she bows to the crowd and then to She sits down, positioning her cello against her leg. Her gaze goes to the Accompanist and she nods.

Suddenly the world stops for her as the music begins. She listens to the introduction to the song. Her heart is pounding but she can't quit. No quitting at all. She hears her cue and begins. Her eyes are closed. No music in front of her. She memorized the music. Its not so much rocky at the start as, more method then emotion. She's tense and it shows. Being in the spotlight like that has her nerves twisted. Words fill her head, not from anyone but rather from something. < Sister. Its okay, you are safe and you know this song. Breathe and relax. >

The first part of the song comes to a close and gears change as the Piano takes the melody. She continues playing. Quietly she thinks, < Shining Star, I can't do this. > She thinks as she follows along doing very well to keep in time.

< Sister there is no one here. Its just you, me and Father. he's listening right now. I know it. >

That did it. Tears fill her eyes. < Daddy, I miss you. I need you. Please hear me. > her heart races. The music shifts again. She has the melody once more. This time its like a different person playing. Her heart begins pouring out through the cello. The music reflects this as it sounds fuller, richer, smoother. Everything just fits. <Daddy, I can do this! I know it. I know you can hear me. > She continues playing hard. She's relaxing a little now. The pressure isn't on her as much. She isn't playing for the sea of faces in front of her. She's playing for one person and while that one person may not be here physically, he's here in spirit and that is enough.

Miku Kohinata has posed:
Miku can only stay to listen for the opening to the song; only the first few bars, before she has to rush off to find the next young contestant. But she does find herself a book, nearby, to write in. It's a small journal, leather bound and with aging paper. She writes a few words in it, then closes the journal and rushes off to her task.

Soon, Miku is back to stageside, this time with a young boy who holds his cello close to heart. Miku and the boy both tap their feet along with the rhythm of the song, and it's all Miku can do not to sing right along as Yuuki plays.

When Yuuki starts to wrap up, Miku glances at her watch, then at the little boy next to her. "You're almost on," she whispers to him. "Be ready when the announcer calls your name. You're hte last to play tonight so everyone will be eager to hear you."

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai-N watches the young girl on stage who's next up to play appear at the edge of the stage, then dart back within cover. One eyebrow arched - she must be nervous. That's endearing, in a way. The other girl - Miku, her name was? - heads behind the curtain as well, and after a few moments Oshiro-san appears back on stage, much less nervous now.

When she starts playing, though, she seems to be fighting back her nerves. Then the piano joins her and Oshiro bows her head. Kukai-N leans forward, watching, as she continues playing... with tears rolling down her face? How oddly emotional. Crying is the best way to relieve stress in a hurry, though, and as she cries and plays she seems to improve her playing threefold in only a few moments. Whatever she was thinking, it was certainly making her the equal of any Kukai-N had heard so far.

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
Yuuki Oshiro brings the song to a close. She lets the last note of the song ring out, resounding across the auditorium before letting the bow drop. Quietly she stands to her feet and bows politely. Then she gestures to the Pianist, giving credit to the Accompanist. The light catchs the wet streaks on her face, fudging her makeup a little.

Quietly she moves off stage. Her gaze goes to the boy and she whispers to him, "Good Luck." Then its done she quickly moves to the back stage area and sits down. Tears just begin flowing freely for a few moments. She simply holds the cello in front of her as if it were a sword. It takes her a few minutes to wind down before she breathes deeply. As difficult as it was, She needed it. It was better then any Therapist could pull off for her. Quietly she slips her cello and bow into its case. She takes the picture in there and smiles. She brings it close and kisses it before setting it back in and closing up.

From there she hurries over and grabs a drink of water. Her body is pouring sweat. Those spotlights are hot! She quickly downs a few cups of the cold water and she begins to wind down.

Miku Kohinata has posed:
With the last cellist on stage, Miku can start packing up her gear. Closing and cleanup are not her role; she was responsible for the musicians! Dropping her walkie talkie and headset off at the charging station, she tightens the bow around her waist, then the one tied around her neck.

As the last cellist plays, Miku begins to wind down. She wanders towards the young girl who played previously--"Oshiro-san?" was it? "You played very well." She smiles a little, then says, "Afterwards, a lot of the artists go out front and meet with the audience. Is there anyone in the audience you'd like to meet?"

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai-N sighs and leans back as Yuuki finishes playing. It's not happy, but it's close to comfortable at the moment. She thinks idly about a meal completing the situation and then frowns as she re-parses what that would mean. The little boy comes out on stage and begins playing, and as it ends Kukai-N hmphs. For now, it seems, the show is over, and it's time to go out, drop the disguise, and see what's going on outside.

Still, though. Why Norie had this event circled on the calendar was curious. Kukai-N considers texting her and asking, but to be honest she didn't really want to talk to him. It would just anger her to see her actual body being driven around by someone else, and it had been a nicer night than the rest so far.

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
Yuuki Oshiro smiles and blushes, "Thank you, Kohinata-san, The person I want to meet can't be here. He was in the audience though. My Daddy." She takes another drink of water. "He passed away a few years ago. I stopped playing after that but my Momma insisted I start back up again. So she signed me up for this. "I was sorta playing for him. My momma is out there too though. So anyone I guess." She blushes bright.

"I was really nervous when I started. Then it was like someone told me that there wasn't anyone else there. That I was just playing for him! I just relaxed then." The younger girl just beams a little. "Lets meet people!" She smiles and wipes her eyes. Sure it looks like she was crying but hey, She was! She couldn't exactly hide that fact

Miku Kohinata has posed:
Miku listens curiously to the story, but as Yuuki explains it, she kneels down. Seemingly from nowhere, she pulls out a small silk kerchief, and uses it to daub the tears off of Yuuki's face. An expert at makeup and tears, Miku manages to hide the worst of it with a few careful strokes of her handkerchief, then straightens and whisks it away to the magical place it came from (a hidden pocket in the side of her dress).

Miku offers her hand to Yuuki once she's done explaining herself, then starts towards the exitg. "C'mon," she suggests. "Let's go find your mom. I'm sure she'll be very proud of you."

Meanwhile, the boy on stage begins to wrap up--but as he does, a shadow begins to form behind him. Kukai/Norie can see it: it's dark energy, creeping across the stage from straight out of the Dusk Zone. That energy begins to coalesce in and around the piano; darkness settling in. Lucky for the boy on stage, he's already played his last notes, but as the pianist starts to step away, the piano starts playing an outro all its own.

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai-N stands as the boy finishes. Not a lot of reason to stick around, she supposes. As the other two girls exit the side door towards the front of the auditorium the darkness swirls and coalesces on the stage, and Kukai-N feels a familiar cold chill run up her spine. That's some sort of evil or youma or something. What's it doing here?

Kukai-N growls, watching the piano start to play, and then moves forward, hoping Norie doesn't hate her for tearing up her outfit. She calls out to the boy, who seems paralyzed on the stage. "Boy! Get out of here, something's wrong with the piano! Don't just stand there!"

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
Yuuki Oshiro blinks a few times and smiles brightly. She's ready to go. Going out to meet people was actually a little more freaky then playing music for them. She was looking forward to talking to her mom. She just hoped she enjoyed the song.

Then things start going a little crazy. She looks at Miku who, right now has her hand. She can feel something dark and not far away. With no warning she hears in her head, < Sister Dark energy detected. Suggest setting up a barrier. >

Yuuki looks at Miku again. "Umm Kohinata-san? May I use the girls room before we head out." She lets go and quickly ducks into the bathroom. Once inside her mind races. There are people here. A lot of them. On top of this, Her own Mother is here. If there has ever been a time to do this, its now. "Magical! Radiant! BARRIER!" Immediately the Mid-childan forms beneath her, swirling in its violet splendor. Then the barrier begins building, extending outward. It moves well past the bathroom, outward, quickly encompassing the entire building leaving only those who have been touched by magic inside the greyed bubble. To the rest of the world, everything is normal. No crazy active piano, No insane things, Just the aftermath of a concert.

Yuuki quickly rushes out of the bathroom and begins moving her way back out to the auditorium. She has no idea if Miku is touched by magic so, imagine her surprise if she is out there waiting!

Miku Kohinata has posed:
Miku glances over her shoulder at the sound of the music playing again. That's not supposed to be happening, and what an awful song! As people start filing out, she spots the little boy, still frozen on stage.

"Sssure," she mumbles to Yuuki, not really hearing the question as the girl runs off into the bathroom. As the piano's shadow begins to grow larger, stronger, its music begins affecting the hearts of those who listen. It's not just music, it's soul-altering music. Demonic music that can truly hharm the listener.

Miku can feel it sapping her strength; sapping her energy. But more important to her is the little boy. Norie's call doesn't really register; Miku just rushes out onto the stage in her kiddy heels, ignoring the fact that she's super not dressed for heroics. As the piano's music plays louder and more oppressive, Miku grabs the little cellist, hauling him into her arms. She pulls him away from the music, clutching him close protectively as the barrier freezes most of the local mortals out of the magical space.

Miku and the boy aren't affected, though. Miku rushes with him towards the edge of the stage, just as the demon of the piano emerges, claws and dark energy infused. It tries to reach for Miku and the boy, but the singer ducks aside of it and huddles the boy close, praying silently for rescue.

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai-N frowns as the piano's music goes from strange to scary in one swoop, the dark-infused music demonic and wicked sounding. Fortunately, the dark energy based... whatever it is doesn't seem to affect her at all.

She moves towards the stage when the young cellist doesn't respond to her call, but stops as Miku drags him away offstage, a magical field expanding out over the piano and towards Kukai-N, intent on filtering out the non-magical folk.

When the demon of the piano finally forms itself, Kukai-N discards her disguise and hops up onto the stage. How do dark energy beings taste when they're drained? She imagines she's about to find out. "Hey, you! Get the little boy off the stage, and maybe I can help you..."

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
"Shining Star! Set Up!" Yuuki calls out and speaks in unison with her device. Immediately violet light floods the area. Yuuki's clothing vanishes only to be replaced with her Barrier Jacket. White and Violet robes which look rather nice honestly. Shining star grows to its full size and is quickly formed into the star topped staff. The light fades as the transformation sequence ceases.

"Okay Shining Star, Range Mode." Yuuki states.

< Ranged Mode. > The staff quickly changes form, going from a staff to a bow with a magical energy string.

Yuuki quickly gets into position to engage the Youma. "Shooting Star!" She quickly draws back and releases with a little flourish. Shining Star Echos the attack as magic begins building What looks like a violet star forms Around the magical arrow becoming rather large. Sailing full speed into the Youma.

Quickly she jumps up and takes off flying towards Miku and the young cellist. "Both of you, This way!" She doesn't leave it up for debate. She pulls gets them to the place where Miku had been standing and keeping an eye on the musicians. "Okay. Do not leave this circle." Rapidly she calls out "STARFIELD BARRIER!" The device echos and a magical circle forms on the ground. It looks like stars dancing around them.

Miku Kohinata has posed:
Miku continues to shield the young boy with her own body, right up until the barrier goes up. She risks a glance over her shoulder, then heaves a sigh of relief as the demonic energy crashes up against Shining Star's Starfield Barrier.

The boy seem sto have lost consciousness, which is just as well for Miku, because she really does not want to explain to him why she was hugging him while the shadows tried to eat him.

Slowly, Miku rises to her feet, undeterred in the face of the demonic shadow attempting to tear at her. She steps up to the edge of the barrier, staring the demon right in the face without fear.

But maybe that's just the barrier.

The demon, enraged by its inability to reach Miku and the boy, thrashes out a chord of violent noise, sending a cacophany outwards that crashes into Yuuki and Lacrima, battering them with sonic empowerment.

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai-N sees the shield go up around Miku and the boy, and lets out a breath. That's one issue covered for the moment. She takes a moment to look over at them, white hair flipping, and then sees Miku staring down the demon, who seems to be enraged.

A blast of violent, angry, dark-energy infused sound blasts out from the monster from the piano, and Kukai-N raises one hand. The dark energy doesn't seem to bother her too much, and she glares, knowing her own energy won't cause too much pain to it either. However, she has an idea.

A long line of black energy emerges from one hand, extending into a long staff. For a moment it flickers into a long, flat shape, but then she shakes her head. That's not right for this body. Something... The blackness flickers, and then expands at one end, the head sharpening into something shaped like a wood golf club with an axe-blade head, formed of dark energy but made of sharp.

Kukai-N nods, then grasps the axe-club in both hands. "Hey, ugly! Let's see what sort of noise you make when your limbs are cut off! HEEEYAA!" She lunges at the beast, swinging the axe with supernatural speed!

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
Yuuki Oshiro looks at the creature and shakes shakes her head. She watches as Kuka-N begins forming that dark energy axe. She doesn't expect that to do too much to a being of dark energy. She catches sight of Miku standing up to the edge of the barrier. Inside she's screaming, Don't leave the barrier. Then the creature begins blasting out that dark energy. Quickly she throws her hand forward and a circle of magic appears, acting as a shield to soak up that attack.

That was enough to annoy the young mage. She takes off, flying off over stage front, hopefully pulling attention away from Miku. "Alright buddy, I think its time we had a little dance off!" She Quickly raises the bow. "Starlight SHOWER!" She draws back and fires into the air.

< Starlight Shower. > The magical bolt vanishes and everythings goes a little darker. Then stars start falling down all around the creature peppering it with violet magical stars.

"Yeah You like that you big bully!"

Miku Kohinata has posed:
Miku doesn't flinch as the demon thrashes out its anger and frustration. But she doesn't leave the barrier, either. She is brave, but no one has ever called Miku Kohinata stupid unless it was to nurse their own injured pride.

The demon thrashes on the piano's keyboard, sending its noisesome racket everywhere, right until the fake Lacrima attacks! That axe blade cuts deep, and the demonic noise creature screams in pain. It whirls around, sending piano keys in every direction like little sharp knives of ivory.

Now Miku flinches, ducking behind her arms for cover against the incoming barrage of piano keys.

Yuuki's magical rain of arrows lances through it,a nd it streams louder. The whole building threatens to crack and break under the noise. Good thing it's in a barrier!

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai-N sees Yuuki firing stars from her bow (more or less) as she chops away at the demon. One of those stars lands a bit too close to her and as it pops the positive energy inherent in it sends a searing heat through one leg. "Watch your cross fire, dammit!"

She rears back the golfing axe as the demon swings and throws those little ivory knives everywhere. One of them sticks into her shoulder and makes her yelp in pain and anger, rolling her shoulder and throwing it out to the ground. "Aaahh you big jerk!" She brings the axe around again, intent on chopping this thing down to size, or at least carving a hole out of it! Hopefully without getting hit with another blast from those star arrows...

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
Yuuki Oshiro looks at Kukai-N and winces, "Sorry I'm not used to a Dark Energy weilder on This side of the fight!" She snaps looking slightly annoyed. "I've had about enough of the Piano Man here. Shining Star, Melee Mode."

The bow begins changing shape, taking A pole arm look with a nasty blade on the end and the Gem-like device at the base of it. A full on Naginata. Quickly Yuuki begins twirling and crossing that weapon around her body as magic begins to build around her "Okay lets see how it likes this! Solar Rend!" She takes off sailing towards the dark entity and magic around her building until it is quite bright. As she gets within range a barrage of slashes are made, doing as much damage to it as she can.

Miku Kohinata has posed:
Miku dares to emerge from her shielding arms when she realises he isn't being carved to shreds by the attack. Still the barrier holds. She glances back at the boy, then crawls over to check his pulse. Good, he's alive. She should have checked it earlier!

The piano monster shrieks in pain again, and its final denoument begins to play: a slowly fading tune. It lets out one last shrieking off-key chord, a harsh cacophany meant to shatter those threatening it.

But the demon is nearly destroyed. A concerted effort is all it will take to do it in for good.

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai-N glares back at Yuuki but doesn't say anything. Her axe pulls back from the beast as she grabs it in both hands, intent on swinging it again at the demon's facial area, wanting to shut up that noise!

The shrieking off-key chord reberverates through her body, making her feel as if she's been torn apart - fortunately her own magic does her best to protect her, even though she realizes with a blink that she's suddenly very, very hungry. Oh boy. She eyes the demon, considering if she can drain the energy from it and what that would do, once it was almost dead.

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
Yuuki Oshiro looks at Kukai-N and frowns. "This things gotta stop. I'm hitting it with everything I got. Get Clear!!" She states as she gets back. Again she starts crossing her body with the weapon. "Shining Star, You know what I'm about to do. Think I'm Ready?"

< Sister, If I thought it would make any difference I would tell you no you are not. But I know you will not listen anyway so, I will just agree to set it up for you. >

"Thanks! That's Reassuring." She quickly takes flight and continues focusing all of the magic she can muster. "Impact... EVENT!" She continues swirling the Naginata as she quickly comes down, her own body beginning to look like a Shooting Star. Finally She connects and it looks like a bomb going off Magic erupts with very strong force.

Regardless of what happens next, When the magic and the dust clear from that attack, Yuuki will be on the floor out cold. The attack still being too much for her. Still She did pull it off. She'd still be in her barrier Jacket but all in all, she's out for a few moments.

Miku Kohinata has posed:
Yuuki's attack burns through the last of the monster, blasting it back into whatever hell it came from. Her barrier is destroyed, and at the same time the barrier she's raised around the concert hall begins to fall.

Those people who were fleeing are still there, frozen in time. But that time freeze is fast fading; they're going to be active soon.

Miku glances down to the little boy beside her, who's beginning to wake as well. "Damn," she curses, then rushes from the boy towards Yuuki, hoping to heft her into her arms and carry her away before anyone sees her in the odd garb.

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai-N is thinking very coldly and logically now because as the golfing axe vanishes in her hands she realizes her stomach is screaming at her for food. Energy. Something. Her first glance is at the small boy, but he'd be not even a morsel. The two other magical girls...?

Kukai-N grits her teeth. She has to do something before she goes rampant. Right now. Hopefully nobody will notice. Or mind. She moves in quickly, putting an arm around Yuuki as Miku lifts her, one hand going around Miku's back and grasping her side. "Forgive me. Drain."

Both girls, the standing Miku and the unconscious Yuuki, begin suffering the intense, icy cold of Kukai-N's energy drain, the full thing, rapidly draining away magical energy from both of them and absorbing it, the power healing the wounds she'd taken, puffy black energy that was misting away from her sealing back up at their expense..

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
Yuuki Oshiro is just starting to stir as suddenly! DRAINED! She fades out again. Her barrier jacket fades away leaving her in her dress. So much for hiding who she is from Miku.

Meanwhile, A rather angry device snaps at Kukai-N. < How Dare you! When Yuuki wakes you are her next Target! I will be sure of it! This is why Dark Magic Wielders don't blend with those who wield light! >

Miku Kohinata has posed:
"Wh--?" Miku starts to ask, but the sudden icy cold pain of Lacrima's drain is almost overwhelming. She shudders, shivers, and starts to collapse to her knees. "Stop," she says, through gritted teeth. "They're ... going to see." She manages a brief nod towards the slowly rousing mortal parents and contestants.

"Not ... here," she emphasizes, as she fights the rising nausea and listlessness. Somehow, she manages to gently put Yuuki (she was right: it is Yuuki!) back to the floor gently, before she falls entirely to hands and knees, herself.

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai-N snorts at the Device. "Oh shut up. At least I'm not killing anybody. I just have to eat before I turn into a rampaging monster on my own. Consider it payback for her swinging those stars around recklessly."

As Yuuki goes to the ground Kukai-N sniffs at Miku, then shrugs and scoops her up around the midsection, carrying her rapidly off behind the curtains at the other side of the stage, away from the competitors and out of sight of the normal folk, slowing her drain to a trickle as she moves. Thankfully the fresh energy was enough to make it easy enough to carry the other girl out of sight before she resumes the drain. "Now don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you permanently. This will just be a nice long sleep and a bit of a headache. And you're doing something good - keeping me from going wild just a bit longer..."

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
The young mage is still out. Unheard to practically anyone, The voice of Shining Star is pinging in the young girls head. < Sister you need to wake up. There is trouble. That person who you were helping in the fight. They are in trouble. That Vampire has her. You need to get up. You can do this. Wake up! >

Yuuki's eyes slowly open to bright lights. The stage. Quietly she works her way back stage. Her gaze falls on the vampire person. Its a rough thing for her to see. Right now she couldn't transform if she tried. Her magic is mostly trained. All she has is a little bit and that little bit is what she is going to use.

Her eyes close. "Magical." She breathes deep. Heart racing. "Radiant." The Midchildan circle forms at her feet as she uses every bit of magic within her being. "Meteor." A ball of violet magic forms in her hand and goes flying straight into the vamp.

Miku Kohinata has posed:
Miku manages to stagger along, keeping her own feet beneath her as Lacrim amaintains the low-level drain on their exit. Must not make it look like she's being taken prisoner. Must not give the wrong impression to the adults. Must not--

Consciousness starts to fade. Miku grits her teeth and holds on. "No," she whispers quietly to herself.

She draws strength from a well she didn't quite know she had. Draws on her love for an orange-haired girl that's half a world away. And she retains her consciousness at least long enough to speak three words to her captor: "I ... forgive ... you."

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai-N looks down to Miku and lowers her to the ground. "Thank you." She is almost finished with draining Miku to the point where any further might be dangerous when she senses more than sees a bright light flicker behind her.

She turns, rapidly - into the violet ball of energy. She lets out a screech of pain and agony as the ball tears a hole in her side, black, misty, oozy substance leaking out of it. "DAMN YOU! I told you I was trying to avoid going crazy! Now I've got to go out and find someone ELSE - I'm trying to get through this without hurting anyone more than I have to! AaaaAAH!" The positive force sends memories through her mind, of playing soccer, of the warmth of the sun, of holding Nagihiko - and then it is doubly slammed down upon with feelings of misery and pain and anger, and behind them the whispers of that dark voice. ~You're so bad at this. Even the other one had some talent about her. You possess this delightful anger I might use, though...~

Kukai-N flees, running quickly for the rear door, intent on escaping from any more of those violet blasts...

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
Yuuki Oshiro winces as she is very much in over her head at this point. She's woozy as anything. Quickly she staggers over to Miku and drops down beside her. "Kohinata-san. Are you okay?" She whispers as she winces a little.

The door to the back opens and in walks a woman who looks slightly freaked. "Yuuki-chan!" She quickly moves and embraces the girl. Its her mother, clearly. "What happened! Everyone said there was a monster and then you were on the stage. I swear, we will move back to Okinawa. You're safety is my first priority." She states softly as she holds her daughter.

Yuuki looks at her mom and shakes her head. "Its okay. It was just some loose rigging. It fell and looked like something freaky. It hit the piano and I got bumped in the head while we were trying to clear it out."

"Why don't I remember this happening?" Her mother asks curiously.

"Well, maybe you got caught up in the panic?" Yuuki whispers.

Miku Kohinata has posed:
Miku groans as she's set to the ground. She groans, exhausted and in pain, and curls up around herself. The girl next to her receives no reply at all, other than a faint nod of her head. When the adults start entering, she doesn't respond to them; she just tries to pull herself to the side of the room, out of the way.

Yuuki Oshiro has posed:
Yuuki Oshiro looks at her Mother and smiles, "I'm okay. The school nurse is on her way to check everyone out. I think Kohinata-san got the worst of it. She helped get me out of the way. It could have been a lot worse. Can you wait for me out in the lobby. I need to get checked out and I have to get my cello." She states to her mom.

Her mom, Being a nurse has already been checking her daughter's vitals. No sign of gettign bumped in the head but lots of fatigue. She gives her a little look and nods. "Okay, We will talk later."

As her mother leaves, Yuuki moves over to sit beside Miku. "Its okay. You'll recover soon."